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Loved my stay at the Marriott! Everyone was so nice. Where and when are you having surgery? Good luck!

I actually love PB2 in my vanilla and chocolate shakes. And I also blend apples in my smoothies. But boy, the combo I described was not a hit. Miss Mac.... One of my favorite shakes is Premier Protein chocolate mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with skim milk and 1/2 large banana (or one small one). Over 40g protein and Tastes just like the milkshakes my dad made when I was little.

If you can get to a local health food or whole food store, check out the probiotic products in their refrigerated section. There are ones that have 30+ strains of probiotics instead of the 1-2 strains in yogurt and at MUCH higher levels.

No antibiotics because I've had C. diff, not because of VSG. NG tube is a nasogastric tube. You don't want someone shoving one down blind (without the use of a scope) because they could puncture your sleeve if they are expecting a full size stomach at the other end.

I just ordered mine from Picturesongold.com. I wanted a necklace that was smaller than the typical dog tag style but could still fit a lot of info. I ended up engraving "Gastrectomy patient - NO blind NGT - No NSAIDS / C. diff risk - No antibiotics". It all fit on a 1" x 1/2" stainless steel pendant.

I had my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Martinez at Obesity Control Center in TJ. OCC is an International Center of Excellence and both surgeons are accredited by the American College of Surgeons. They have done over 1200 VSG's with a 0.01% complication rate. Check out this thread for hundreds of posts from their patients.... http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/261806-dr-ariel-ortiz-and-obesity-control-center/

I literally had to force myself to eat and drink for the first 2-3 months. I would have just as soon gotten everything IV because it was such a chore to eat. Then I started feeling normal and at 4 1/2 months out I enjoy everything I eat. I learned to be kind of picky since I can only eat such a tiny amount, I want every bite to be wonderful.

So sorry you are having all these issues. Seems like you are the walking encyclopedia for these little known complications that can develop after surgery. Have you seen a gastroenterologist or just dealt with your surgeon? How about a consult with a naturopath? They could possibly bring a new perspective and suggestions for your issues. The gastroenterologist I saw for my C. Diff infection is actually and OD, not an MD, so he had a good whole body approach to my problem instead of the typical textbook, "cookie cutter" treatment. Our GI systems are much too complex for simple answers.

I told my sister about my surgery because I wanted her to come with me. I didn't want to tell my parents because I didn't want to worry them and have to deal with all their questions. But my sister talked me into telling them because she knew they would be very upset to find out later. (Honestly I just think she didn't want to get in trouble for not telling them herself;)). Turns out they were totally supportive. Freaked out at first, of course (especially the Mexico part) but I shared all my research and even links to these forums so they could read about it for themselves. Even though my dad kept asking "have you changed your mind yet?", they never tried to stop me or make me feel bad about my decision. Love my mom and dad! Campergirl good luck with your travels and surgery...I have read only good things about Dr. Quinones.

One of my surgeons (dr. Martinez) explained that they see a fair number of food intolerance develop after VSG. He attributed it to our GI flora changing and to the fact the foods we eat end up in our intestines differently than they did preop. The sleeve isn't processing things the same way as a full sized stomach does, so certain allergens present differently, sometimes resulting in intolerances. But I'm a little confused..your OP talked about not being able to eat those things, which I assumed meant you developed allergies or intolerances. How is that related to gastroparesis? Do you also have reflux and other typical gastroparesis symptoms? Do the foods you listed aggravate this?

Ditto. One of my favorite snacks!

Garden of Life makes several soy free, gluten free, dairy free Protein products. I've tried the Raw Fit and Raw Protein vanilla (I think they make a chocolate, too ) and they taste pretty good. The protein comes from organic sprouted seeds and they also contain Probiotics, enzymes, Vitamin A, D, E, and K. Since this is a whole food product, not a processed protein isolate, it does not dissolve completely. I drink mine in a Blender Bottle so I can shake it up as I drink it. I've found them in two local health food/whole food stores and on Amazon. I also use their Vitamin Code and Raw probiotic products. I've had the Jay Robb egg protein products and they were decent. There's pea protein products out there, too, but I've never tried them. I actually don't have any problems with whey, dairy or soy, but I like variety since I still drink 1-2 protein shakes/day and probably always will.

Wow, you're WAY up there! I grew up in Plainfield, just south of Stevens Point. Went to college in DePere and Madison. I live in Idaho now.

I'd like to add a 4th category to Fluffnomore's list. It sounds like I eat very similar to her, but I don't track anything. For me, that would be too much like being on a diet (HCG, nutrisystem, etc.). I eat Protein first, drink all day long, and minimize carbs. Nothing is off limits, just in moderation. At 4 1/2 months out my progress has been better than I could have imagined. I did have a month long stall, but ironically it was when I was super sick from medications and getting in minimal food and Water. For example, yesterday I had an egg for Breakfast and a Protein Drink mid-morning. Then I went to a baby shower where I nibbled on a couple bites of BBQ pork, carrots, cucumber and spinach dip. Then I headed to a Kentucky Derby party and drank some water on my way over. Had 1/2 Bloody Mary but left before dinner was served. Between 5pm and bedtime I had 1/2 tamale, some cheese, another protein drink and some camomile tea. I guess what I'm trying to say is there are a lot of ways to be successful, just as there are ways to fail. Everyone has to figure out what works for them.

Have you been to a therapist or counselor as part of your preop? Is there a support group in your area you can attend? Regardless, you should Read everything you can on this and other forums. (Go ahead and obsess...I certainly did!) I also recommend reading the book, "The Emotional First Aid Kit - a Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery" by Cynthia Alexander. You can download a Kindle version. I suggest these things so you can go into this with all the information you can possibly gather. This is a daunting and yes, life changing undertaking and only you can decide if it's right for you. Like a lot of us, food has probably been your best friend for most of your life. You have to be willing to say goodbye to and bury that friend. It's not that you can't still eat all the stuff you like, it's just that you have to be willing to do it in moderation and not rely on food for your emotional crutch (cause that's what friends are for). My friend who had Lapband 5 years has not been successful because she hasn't said goodbye to food...she eats slider foods and will even delay a fill if it's close to holidays or a stressful visit from her mom, so she will be able to pig out. Her surgery has been a waste because she hasn't gotten her head straight. WLS is way more mental than physical. The book I mentioned above really helped me get a grip on this procedure from a mental standpoint. I wish you all the best luck and hope you make the decision you are most comfortable with...take all the time you need.

These are the kind of uninformed, ignorant comments we don't appreciate. No working sewers? Seriously? Do you really think we all had our surgeries in a back alley with dirty instruments? The facility I went to is a Center of Excellence, which exceeds standards of most of the hospitals in the US. Your comment is not one of concern, it was a prejudice statement from someone who has no experience with the situation.

I can't stand the premier straight... Too thick and sweet. I add 16 oz skim milk to make it drinkable for me. Which brings it to 46g Protein, 340 calories. Some people may balk at the calories (and carbs that the milk adds), but I drink this 5 days/week and have been losing fine. In fact, I usually add a banana to it, too. I also drink Jay Robb, Syntrax nectar, unjury unflavored and Raw fit. 1-2 Protein drinks everyday, so the variety is nice. These were the highest protein/lowest carb/lowest calorie options I found.

Be glad you aren't having issues getting fluids and Protein in. 40 minutes is not too fast. The liquid is flowing right through your sleeve. That's why people whine on here about not feeling full in the liquid stage. I did an upper GI barium series on myself preop, and all liquid was out of my (full size) stomach in 10 minutes. I had a barium swallow fluoroscopy 3 days postop and I watched the liquid literally flow through my sleeve into my intestines in under a minute. This is how liquids work. That's why you don't drink with meals, that's why slider foods are so dangerous and that's why we only feel full with denser foods. I had no pain Meds (lortab) post op and felt fine. Are you in pain that you really need them? Sounds like you are doing great and you should enjoy your relatively easy recovery.

I agree with the line of Garden of Life Raw Probiotics. You will find them in the refrigerated section of any good health food/whole food store. 34 different strains at much higher CFU levels than the typical 1-2 strain products on grocery store shelves. My nut recommended drinkable yogurt with live cultures starting the 3rd day, too. Our GI flora gets thrown all out of wack from surgery, especially if we are given antibiotics. The yogurt and probiotics help replace a good balance of bugs that we need.

I felt the same way. No fears or worries whatsoever about the surgery or preop diet or post op diet, just about potential post op costs. You're right, complications would have been financially devastating. Would have lost my job, my house, everything. Besides the money, I worried who would take care of my dogs and cats and horses if I were laid up in the Hospital? I went back and forth with it, but finally said "f.... K it" that's what bankruptcy and friends are for. Fortunately everything has gone well for me and I'm incredibly thrilled with my decision. My PCP and OB/Gyn have both been supportive with followup care. I'm 4 1/2 months out and feeling pretty normal. Had an egg for Breakfast, Protein shake mid morning then went to a baby shower and a Kentucky Derby party where I snacked on veggies, spinach dip, BBQ pork, and even drank 1/2 bloody mary (the mint julips were way too sweet). Never even looked at the desert table. Life is good! I have had some non-surgery related medical issues since VSG that has racked up about $4000 worth of bills (I have a really high deductible). But this is certainly a manageable number compare to surgical complications.

I was sleeved at Obesity Control Center in TJ. They gave us compression stockings to wear during surgery and to go home with. Also instructed to do LOTS of walking. I wore mine on the flight home from San Diego. So you may ask if your surgeon has them available. Also ask what type of blood thinner protocol your surgeon uses. Are you having surgery same place as your friend?

You really need to figure out why you are doing this to yourself. Being successful with this surgery is way more mental than physical. There are lifetime changes you have to be willing to make. Besides all the physical and medical reasons of why you shouldn't be eating and drinking this way so soon, it is concerning that if you are willing to sabotage yourself now, what will you be doing 6 months or a year out when you have much less restriction? Do you have a therapist or support group through your surgeon? Have you had counseling over issues you may have with food and alcohol? I don't mean to sound harsh, and of course I don't know anything about your personal history, so I can only base my reply on the information in your OP.

Plain water was uncomfortable for me at first, too. I added K2O, Mio, Dasani drops, crystal light, etc. and could drink it. About 2 months out I started hating the taste of artificial sweeteners and switched to drinking 100% fruit juices diluted 1/2 and 1/2 with water. About 3 1/2 months out I tried plain water again and it goes down fine now.

Glad you finally got your infection cleared up. I actually passed on a research study because there was a 33% chance I would get the placebo and I wouldn't have been allowed to do a fecal transplant for at least 3 months if I wasn't cured with their infusion. Insurance would have paid to keep me on antibiotics, and I actually would have gotten a couple hundred dollars stipend from the research study. But I was all about the cure, so I forked out the cash and got new poo. Almost 4 weeks out from stopping vancomycin and so far so good! BTW, both the infectious disease doctor and gastroenterologist think I probably got the C. diff from being on clindamycin for my tooth, not from going to Mexico. I talked to the doctors at OCC in TJ and they had not received any other reports of C. diff from patients that were there.

HW 238 SW 216 CW 167 Down 2 pounds this week. And just barely in a size 14 (still wearing 16's at work on cold days when I have to wear long underwear).