Kindle

You're right. But RJ is a very special case (and I mean that in the nicest way, as an incredible person and medical miracle) Unfortunately she has had an ongoing issue with leaks and other complications from the very beginning. It's not like everything was fine and then, BAM, got a leak out of nowhere years later. I actually learned a lot from reading her posts and could only hope I'd have her strength if I had complications. And you're right, everyone needs to be fully informed of all the risks, side effects and lifestyle requirements. Those that don't are the ones posting threads about regret, frustration and depression over the things they should have known about before deciding to have surgery. I really feel bad for how hard this is for them and there's no going back.

Where are you finding the data about leaks years out?

I was self pay in Mexico and my surgeon required me to lose 5% of my total body weight on the two week preop diet. I was afraid I wouldn't lose enough so I started 2 days early. Turns out it was easy....I lost 22 pounds in 16 days and I was only required to lose 12.

I would also like to see the data you found about people having leaks years after surgery. I have not seen any mention of that happening.

DS and vertical gastrectomy are not the same thing. Yes, most of the stomach is removed during the DS, but your intestines are also rerouted like with bypass, so there is a malabsorption component. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy only involves removing a large portion of your stomach. You can convert to DS after VSG if you do not achieve adequate weight loss or experience weight regain.

I was never given a calorie count to meet at any stage. In fact, I was only given minimum water and protein goals and the simple rule of protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains, avoid the simple carbs. I've never measured or tracked anything (other than tally in my head the protein and water) and that's worked fine for me. Granted, I'm only six months out, but I don't think post surgery has to be that complicated and I certainly didn't have surgery so I would have to count calories.

The complication rates from obesity (Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease, joint pain, etc.) are MUCH higher than complications from any WLS.

I went back to a very active job after 1 week. Due to the holidays and weekends it was 2 days on, two days off, two days on, two days off then normal 6 day weeks after that. I am a vet tech and on my feet, bending, squatting, lifting, holding all day. We had to make some scheduling changes to accommodate my lifting restrictions (no more than 20 pounds) so no big dog surgeries for 3 weeks. I was on full liquids, so I just had to make sure I brought plenty of Protein shakes, but had no problems working. As for juicing, there have been other threads that discuss that this may not be the best thing. Juicing removes too much of the good stuff included the Fiber, which you will already be lacking on the high protein postop diet.

Good luck with everything! I was at OCC in December and had a great experience. Dr. Jimenez was my favorite, even if he is a Vikings fan.

Ingredients: Water, Protein (from Collagen Hydrolysate and Whey Protein Isolate), Natural Flavors, Phosphoric Acid, Tartaric Acid, L-Tryptophan, Monosodium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sucralose.

You won't know until you do it, because everyone has different pain reactions. Some are miserable and on narcotics for weeks, sleeping propped up, need 4-6 weeks off work, etc. Others are pain free. I luckily was the latter. No pain Meds once I left the hospital, shopping, driving, walking, sleeping on my back or sides from day one. Back to work in a physically active job within one week. Tired but no pain. Don't know if it's the surgical technique or the individual patient....probably both.

You should post this in the Stalls forum..... http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1102-dont-sweat-the-stall-stuff-new/ And do a search for 3 week stall / not losing on here. There are DOZENS of threads that will answer your question. Do a little research and you will find this happens to everyone.

Kissifur, great post! I eat "cheat" foods at least once or twice a week. Hell, this 4th of July weekend I've totally derailed...chips, apple pie, a margarita, and corn on the cob to name a few. But this is my life and I'm going to live it and never feel guilty about what I eat ever again. Like kissifur said, you've got to separate food and emotion. You can't let what goes in your mouth dictate your feelings....either good or bad.

I was planning on having pad thai, but I was too tired to go out after work so I settled on a 12" subway and chips....don't even remember what kind. It's all a moot point anyways, because after about 3 months I could eat anything I want. Just no carbonation....guess I should have feasted on beer (like I've never done THAT before!)

I sure missed ya, but so glad you were off having fun. I resized my favorite bracelet already, but lost a ring a couple weeks ago, so jewelry is off limits for now. . And I too, am that girl that farms through the Chinese food buffet for all the good hunks of meat. It's like we're twins. Although I've done the Bloody Mary/margarita thing instead of the beer/vodka-sprite thing. No carbonation for this sleeve....yowza. Oh yea, whad ya miss?....... New Stalls sub forum created! So the members that are "search function impaired" have a place to put their mind numbing repetitive posts and the rest of us can steer clear. And I can probably cancel that big ammunition order.

I went through Christmas AND New Years on full liquids. I still went to the parties, just sipped sipped sipped my protein shakes. It was the first New Years Day I've not woken up with a hangover since 1986. Bonus!

This 4th of July I pigged out! Cup of coffee with cream first thing; 1/2 egg with turkey, mushrooms and cheese for breakfast; margarita for mid morning snack; pulled BBQ beef, baked Beans and peas for lunch; 24oz Protein drink for afternoon snack. (After my nap;) ) 1/2 hamburger (no bun) with tomato, onion, pickle and lettuce, baked beans, quinoa salad, and chips for dinner, and a bite of apple pie for dessert. Also managed to drink a liter of Water and a big glass of unsweetened iced tea in between. Good thing I'm not stepping on a scale till next Friday!

So I went in for my 6 month bloodwork yesterday....CBC, chem panel, lipids, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, etc. I figured I wouldn't get results until next week, but I ran into my doctor at a 4th of July party tonight (small town ). He said everything looked perfect and he was actually quite impressed with my vitamin levels since he sees a lot of Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies in "normal" people. I think he's finally warming up to the idea that I might have made a good choice with this surgery. I made the decision to have surgery and ran off to Mexico all by myself and I don't think he was too thrilled with me not saying anything to him beforehand.

I was wrong about how hard it would be. Because in my case it has all been so easy. The preop diet wasn't super fun, but two weeks goes by fast. Surgery and my care at OCC was top notch. Recovery was uneventful and nearly painless. None of the postop diet restrictions were too burdensome. After three months, I felt totally normal and even though my hunger returned, I have not had any major problems making the right food choices and listening to my sleeve so I don't overeat. Social functions that revolve around food and alcohol have been much easier to go to than I thought they would. The biggest unexpected part was my C. diff infection, two months of diarrhea, and subsequent fecal transplant. But that's all behind me, I'm doing great, and the whole experience makes for interesting conversation.

If your doc prescribed them, I would keep taking them until he tells you to stop. My surgeon had us on omeprazole for minimum 2 months MANDATORY. He had me wean down from 40mg to 20mg after that and stop altogether about 2 1/2 months out. But like storytotell said, we are all different and you should talk to your surgeon.

Life became BETTER than normal for me after about 3 months. By then my tummy was healed and my brain had accepted my new portions. Eating healthy is second nature and I am living and lovin my new normal.

Early on the hungry feeling is often acid. I was on 40mg Omeprazole but still sometimes got that empty hollow hungry feeling. Maalox or Rolaids almost always helped. At 3-4 months postop true hunger came back in full force, so I eat every 3 hours. I was on liquid protein for 33 days pre and post op and even 6 months out I still drink a huge shake everyday. No way I could get in enough protein without it. I make dozens of different flavor combinations and never get tired of them. I still take a Rolaids when a I get a sour tummy, but that's only 1-2 times/week.

HW 238 SW 216 CW 151 TPL 87 TGP 88 1 pound down this week, 1 pound to go!

Ditto to what Beaglelover said. If you are going into this with an "I can't do this" attitude, then I guarantee you can't. You have to realize this whole thing is a mental game. The surgery does not fix anything when it comes to attitude, willpower or emotions. I'm sure you've gone through some counseling for insurance requirements, but maybe you need to talk more in depth with a therapist. VSG surgery will not necessarily fix your hunger or your cravings or make your food choices for you. Your statement that you will try and start again on Monday is a red flag to me. Why wait? Why not start today. Weight loss is not a part time job. I was also required to lose 5% of my body weight on my preop diet. I stuck religiously to my preop diet and managed to lose 22 pounds instead of the required 12 pounds. After surgery, I had another 6 weeks of restricted diet which again, I followed to a T. True, my appetite was greatly decreased, so that part wasn't so bad. But at 3 months out my hunger returned and I can eat anything I want. It takes plenty of self control and a good attitude to continue to lose weight even with the surgery. The book suggestions above are a great way to help start preparing yourself mentally, knowing what to expect, and to understand the limitations of any WLS.

It's only a week. Just suck it up. 7 days out of the rest of your life. It's a small price to pay. Take advantage of different brands and flavors of protein drinks. Use Dasani or Mio drops or Torani syrups to add variety. I'm assuming you will be on liquids quite awhile postop, too. Even at 6 months out I get at least 1/2 of my protein from my shakes. I've got at least 8 different protein powders and dozens of flavor options in my house right now. Use unflavored protein powder in broths and strained soups for more a a savory alternative.