Kindle

Thanks for clarifying. Even though Zantac is an acid reducer and used to treat GERD and ulcers like PPI's, it is by a different mechanism (histamine 2 blocker). Not sure if it's effectiveness is different for sleeve patients compared to PPI's.

You are less than 2 months out and not even close to done losing yet. It will take months, even a year or two. That's a long time to freak out each time you step on the scale. So tell your hubby to hide the scale and enjoy his attention instead! Keep a log of NSV's instead...way more fun and rewarding than numbers.

Good idea! Even though I went back after a week, I certainly wouldn't have wanted any "altercations". I'm a vet tech and I actually rescheduled one appointment because I wasn't up to wrestling an 80 pound dog who hates getting his nails trimmed.

Dee jack, you look awesome!

All of my friends and family knew I was having surgery. They obviously had tons of questions, but they all love me and supported my decision. Postop I tell 90% of the people that ask about my weight loss that I had surgery. The other 10% are clients I don't necessarily like and have no interest in having non-work related conversations with. It's made things a lot easier than lying because I get asked about my weight loss pretty much everyday. 99% of the people I tell see the remarkable results and are very supportive. I've had 2 people say something negative, but their comments made them look ignorant in front of a whole lot of other people. If you aren't going to tell people, you need to come up with a consistent, believable story or they will just keep bugging you for answers. In the beginning you will be questioned about your odd eating habits and afterwards the dramatic weight loss will definitely attract attention.

I've never gotten sick from pain meds, but the first time I had surgery I was super nauseous waking up. The next 2 times I went under (including for VSG) I warned the anesthesiologists of my issue and whatever they gave me worked like a charm....no nausea.

All "farm girl".... No gym required.

Google medical tourism insurance. Unfortunately the policies I found either had restrictions as to where you could have the surgery, or where you could get treatment, or the coverages were so low it wasn't worth it. Also, some Mexico providers offer their own complication insurance.

If it's not at least 2 weeks long, I dont even considered it a stall. In fact, I wouldn't even know about it because I only weigh once /week. By that criteria, I've only had one stall...gained 3 pounds and stayed there for a month. No big deal...it happens. You might try staying off the scale and start enjoying your new life. Concentrate on eating healthy and establishing good habits rather than the numbers.

My mom has fibromyalgia and and can't take cymbalta, Ambien or pain meds. She had a complete work up done at a specialty clinic in Arizona and turns out a lot of foods cause systemic inflammation that then flares up her fibro. She had no idea these were an issue because she's not necessarily allergic or intolerant to these things, and there's no obvious GI symptoms. There's dozens of foods on her list, including dairy, soy, some seafoods, and almonds. She would have a very hard time with the typical post- VSG diet because of this. Perhaps your shift in diet has flared things up. Not to mention the inflammation caused by the surgery itself. Because she can't take any of the usual meds the only thing that has helped her is acupuncture, massage therapy, and sublingual resveratrol.

Are you taking B12 sublingual? We can't absorb B12 in our intestines very well because the part of the stomach that produces intrinsic factor was removed. We need intrinsic factor in order to absorb oral B12. I was told B12 sublingual or injections...the sublingual are easy and don't require a Rx. But getting bloodwork done could tell you if that's the problem. Your regular doctor/PCP can order the tests.

Exercise will also cause your body to retain fluids, so it could be both water and muscle weight gain counteracting the fat weight loss. Or just your basic, regular mini stall that has no rhyme or reason My trend over the last month and a half seems to be no loss for one or two weeks and then 1-2 pounds the next. Mixing up your activity will probably kick things up again.

Allthatglitters.... http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Ortiz-Proctored-List.pdf

Thanks for sharing, Tamlyn. Glad you had such a good experience and are recovering well. I have had really good postop communication with OCC, too. No complications, just questions on my part. I think the really good surgeons do "stand behind" their work, no matter how many miles in between. Good luck with everything!

So how long are these "Stalls"?

Really? You don't think him saying "going to Mexico is suicide" isn't an asinine statement? At the very least it's racist and to me that makes him an ass.

I have a Protein smoothie for a late morning breakfast every workday. I'm on the road, so can't have anything that requires a plate. I just drink it in between appointments. Protein Bars are handy, too. I also make a cake pan of crustless quiche (eggs, unflavored Protein powder, spinach, turkey sausage and cheese), cut into squares, wrap individually and freeze. Just grab one and toss it in the microwave at work. The unflavored protein powder kind of stiffens it up so you can just pick it up and eat it....no utensils required.

Ok, I didn't really cheat...but it sure tasted that way! I haven't really craved sweets since surgery, but it's a rainy afternoon and I thought I'd see what kind of food experimenting I could get into with stuff I had in the fridge and cupboard. Ended up with a killer cheesecake. Super simple...just cottage cheese, Muscle Milk cake batter powder and a dash of milk. Glad I only had 1/2 cup cottage cheese left or I might have OD'd on the stuff. With a big huge smile on my face. If only a I had graham crackers to sprinkle on top for a "deconstructed cheesecake". (Yes I watch Chopped)

I think your doctor is an incredibly ignorant prick. I guarantee my surgeon has done way more successful bariatric surgeries than he has. In fact, Dr. Ariel Ortiz worked directly with the person who developed the Lap-Band, Dr. Mitiku Belechew, and he has proctored hundreds of surgeons around the world in laparoscopic surgical technique. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a full member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Both he and his co-surgeon, Dr. Martinez, are SRC Surgeons of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery and their facility, Obesity Control Center is a SRC International Center of Excellence. They have done over 12,000 bariatric surgeries. That's a lot of dead patients we don't ever hear about If they were all on "suicide missions" like your doctor stated. I could go on about credentials, but bottom line is OCC's complication rate is 1/100 of the US average. If you are interested in 1st hand accounts, check out the "Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Obesity Control Center" thread on here. I'm not trying to dissuade you from going with Dr. Alvarez, I just wanted to let you know there are, in fact, very good surgeons in Mexico and your doctor is an ass for saying otherwise. There are some sketchy surgeons, too (in EVERY country, including the US), so do your research, ask tons of questions, and you will find the surgeon you feel the most comfortable with.

It's hard for any of us to interpret your friends intentions. She may be non-supportive, but she also may be supporting you by making sure you are totally OK with everything. My sister said pretty much the same thing, day of surgery, while I was sitting on my hospital bed, with IV fluids going and some premeds already on board. She said "are you SURE you want to do this?.... We can leave right now and go have lunch and do some shopping and sightseeing". (We were in Tijuana). And although she had expressed concern with my decision ever since telling her about it months earlier, I did not take her question as negativity. She wanted me to know whatever I decided was OK and she "had my back" no matter what. And that's what sisters (or best friend) are for.

Proudgrammy....that is SO cool! And a very good idea. My sister and I have been trying to talk my mom into a tattoo for years. Maybe you should give her a call.

I felt the same way. All of my milestones (onederland, certain pant sizes, goal weight) have kind of been anticlimactic because I don't know how to celebrate now. No cake, no alcohol, no huge steak dinner. I never went with the "buy yourself something" advice because 1) I don't have a lot of spare $$$ just lying around and. 2) shopping can certainly become a cross addiction...no sense starting up a bad habit. So I end up just sharing the news with my sister or a close friend, posting on here, and quietly embracing the warm fuzzy feeling and pat myself on the back. On the flip side, I'm hoping I can handle life's sad/ disappointing moments as non-destructively as the good times, since food and alcohol were my go to's for those also.

I'm not a Quest fan, either. Seasoned pumpkin seeds and roasted salted soy nuts are great snacks for when you get those salty, crunchy chip cravings. Pita chips (less carbs than chips or crackers) with olive antipasto is pretty tasty, too. Just all in moderation.

I slept normally from day one....flat on my back or on either side both in the hotel bed and my waterbed. It was about three weeks, though, before I could sleep on my stomach because I felt so bloated.

You won't know till you try. Different PPI's can be more or less effective for different people. A lot of people have to try different ones before they find one that works for them. Ask your surgeon to be sure.