Kindle

I had an ablation over 6 years ago and next to my VSG this was my favorite surgical procedure I've ever had. Haven't experienced a drop of blood since (sorry if that's TMI) It's AWESOME to not have to think about tampons and pads. Wished I'd had it done at 13 when I started my period! As for the cramps, my surgeon has OK'd NSAIDS for occasional use. In fact, he sends all of his patients home with sublingual NSAID for 5 days postop. The benefits of reducing surgical inflammation outweighs the small risk of ulcers over such a short period of time. Since then, He simply advised to take a PPI and/or sucralfate if I need to take them for several days/weeks in a row. I have been on both NSAIDS and steroids (that can also cause ulcers) for neck and spinal issues a couple times since VSG. If you still don't want to try NSAIDs, you may try traumeel. It is a natural pain reliever. You may also ask your doc about dicyclomine. It's normally Rx'd for IBS and helps reduce muscle spasms (cramps) in the GI tract. It's worked wonders to help with the pain I've had during gall bladder attacks. Don't know if would help with menstural cramps.

I always took Source of Life Gold chewables before surgery. My mom turned me on to them years ago. But postop EVERYTHING tasted too sweet to me (even tomato soup), so I hated taking the candi-like chewables. I figured the liquid would be too sweet too, so I looked for a multi in capsule form so there would be no taste. I ended up taking Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women. Very similar profile to Source of Life Gold. As far as I'm concerned, whole food based vitamins are the best way to go. They provide so many cofactors and micronutrients that just can't be duplicated in a lab with synthetic vitamins.

I used the Sunray calcium citrate capsules and opened them into my Greek yogurt. Made it a little gritty, but at that point I welcomed ANY texture. My 6 month labs showed my calcium was high so I quit taking them. My Iron was also high so I quit taking them, too. 12 month labs showed iron was normal and calcium still a little high, even without the supplement. So make sure to followup with bloodwork since nutrition is not a "one size fits all"

I never did measure my portions, but I know I could eat way more at 6 months than 3 months. And way more at a year than at 6 months. the first time I saw my parents after my surgery was around 6 months post. They were very concerned over how little I was eating. Then I saw them again at 12 months post and they commented on how much more "normal" my portions were. I think being able to eat more as you get farther out is normal and doesn't necessarily mean you've damaged or stretched anything....it's just normal loosening of your stomach tissue as you heal. Despite being able to eat more this far out It's nowhere near what a "normal" stomach can fit. I can count on one hand how many times I've eaten to over fullness, so I know I haven't "stretched" anything. Just keep making healthy choices and you will be successful.

I see so many posts on here from people stressing over the numbers on the scale...."I'm stalled", "I'm a failure" , "what am I doing wrong?" "How much did everyone lose at X months out?" "Disappointed" "only down X number of pounds" etc etc. Seems like a lot of unnessecary, made up unhappiness over a stupid number. The scale has become the transfer addiction for so many. So for those of you obsessing over, and making yourself unhappy because of what the scale says, I challenge you to STAY OFF THE SCALE FOR A MONTH! Check in on this thread once/week, just like the other CHALLENGES on this forum, but instead of a number, report your latest NSV.'s Whether it's an improvement in your health, a drop in Meds, a smaller clothing size, an activity you couldn't do before, a nice compliment, a new, healthy food choice, whatever. Tell us something that made you feel good about your decision to have WLS. Something that has nothing to do with the scale. After all, these are the things that matter. At the end of the month, go ahead and weigh. Hopefully you can see how much easier this journey is when you Celebrate the NSVs rather than fretting over numbers. I've had SO many NSV's in the last year, but since I just went on my first couple horseback rides of the season this last week I'll start there... I can hop up into the saddle without needing to find a stepping log or rock. And I LOVE the new saddle I had to buy last summer because my butt was way too small for my old saddle. And I had to tighten the thigh straps on my chaps at least 3 inches for them to fit. Comon...let's hear what made your week! Oh yeah, and this isn't meant to be just an NSV thread, it's meant to be a stay off the scale and celebrate your NSVs thread.....No weighing for a month!!!!

Looking at old photos of myself. And holding up the teeny tiny "doll clothes" that I fit into now. And remembering how many NSAIDS and pain meds I used to take every day. Oh yeah, and the fact that pretty much everyone I know (clients, friends, family, acquaintances) knows I had surgery and I refuse to be the sad failed WLS story.

You will be hard pressed to find 5-10 year VSG veterans. But when I was researching my options, I concentrated on partial and total gastrectomy patients. They have been removing part or all of people's stomachs for trauma, cancer and ulcer treatment for over 100 years. Other than certain nutritional deficiencies, there are no statistically significant health problems attributed to gastrectomies even 20-30 years postop. As for the nutritional issues, you simply need to continue your vitamin regimen postop as well as get annual bloodwork done to monitor your levels.

I could have written @@Queen of Crop post, with the exception of the time frame and weighing everyday. I'm only 17 months out and have been below goal for 9 of them. I don't even own a scale and only weigh about 2-3 times a month, unless I know I had a "bad" weekend or post-holiday then I'll weigh when I get back to work on Monday to see if I need to cut back a little during that week. But other than that, I just eat like a "normal" person. No planning, counting or measuring. I do choose Protein over other things in most cases, but I certainly don't restrict myself from enjoying anything in moderation....including alcohol, chips, dessert, pastries, Pasta and rice (mmmm -sushi!). Easiest "diet" I've ever been on!

You're whining about not losing but you're eating ice cream?!? It should be all about Protein, veggies and Water at this point for you, not ice cream and margaritas. Unfortunately it sounds like you were given very unrealistic expectations and were not properly informed about how much work and commitment WLS really is.

Like Jamie Logical, I was given compression stockings to wear. I was also given blood thinners. I travelled alone and just asked for help lifting my carry on. During your flight, walk the aisles and don't get a wheelchair in the airport.....the more you walk the better. If you have a good surgeon, you won't be in any pain and won't need one. I did a couple miles worth of laps while waiting to board and during my layover. I also had a 5 hour drive after my flight and I stopped a couple times to get out and walk. I brought pedialyte (yes, security let me bring 2 full bottles) and propel packets to add to water and I found Muscle Milk in the airport snack shops.

That is a question for your surgeon.

Thanks @@tomi71 . Just wishing we could all just wake up and this nightmare would be over. Running on auto pilot, going through the motions of life right now. The numb days and the angry days are the best days. The other ones are nearly unbearable. So I guess my NSV for the week is that I'm still here.

Ditto to @proudgrammy. Plain Fage Greek yogurt has one of the best protein/carb ratios. I use fruit, Torani syrups, honey or Protein powders for flavoring.....vanilla, banana, raspberry, Irish cream, pumpkin pie, blueberry, peach, hazelnut, English Toffee, cherry, cinnamon, etc. I also often add Kashi Go Lean Cereal for texture, Fiber and even more protein. All of the presweetened yogurts are too sweet for me, so it's nice to be able to control the sweet level by starting with plain yogurt.

Even at 17 months out I still eat every 2-3 hours because that's when I'm hungry. And I still have a 30-40g / 24-32oz protein/fiber smoothie to get in all my Protein and fluids. (I add insoluble Fiber to keep my BM's regular) For meals/snacks I shoot for protein first, but also try and get veggies, fruit and good carbs in every day. Just concentrate on making good food choices, creating new healthy habits, and stay off the scale for awhile. Enjoy the NSV's

I had to take Maaloxx in addition to my Omeprazole for awhile. I've read about Many others having to go up to 40mg or switch to Nexium or Protonix. Stopping eating/drinking 2 hours before bedtime and/or sleeping with your head and upper body partly elevated can help too. I haven't need a PPI since about 3 months out, but I do take Rolaids occasionally (when I irritate my sleeve by eating crap and drinking alcohol) and have done a course of Omeprazole when I had to be on NSAIDS and then steroids for neck/spine issues. Your doc should be able to make whatever adjustments to your Meds you need to help. Reflux is probably the most common side effect of VSG.

No meal/diet plan here. Just got my Protein in first and then added in veggies, fruit and whole grains as I could tolerate. Always just ate whatever looked and tasted good.....chicken, crab, burger, pork loin, steak, ham, sausage, bacon, elk, eggs, fish, cheese, Greek yogurt, spinach, squash, green Beans, beets, avocados, mushrooms, tofu, beans, Peanut Butter, Brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, apples, pineapple, bananas, melons, tomatoes, lentils, Kashi Go Lean, Bob's 10grain hot Cereal,.... Check out the nutrition subforum on here for ideas. World according to eggface and bariatric foodie are both websites with good recipes.

It's acid reflux. Are you on antacids or a PPI? If not, you need to start. My surgeon requires his patients to be on a PPI for a mandatory minimum 2 months. If you are already taking something talk to your doc about changing the dose or switching PPIs.

Eating and drinking were a huge chore for me for the 1st 4 months. I really wished I could go a whole day without doing either. But that changed. I finally felt normal after 4 months and have enjoyed food ever since. As for fluids, I could not tolerate water or artificial sweeteners...they both hurt my sleeve. So I never bothered with the "sugar free/diet" crap. I drank 100% fruit juice, regular sports drinks (Powerade, lifewater, Vitamin water, and pedialyte), skim milk and herbal decaf teas. The juice and sugary drinks I diluted 1/2 and 1/2 with water because everything tasted too sweet to me anyways. The real sugar obviously did not impede my weight loss since I lost 100 pounds (my goal was 88 pounds) in less than 9 months. Even today I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners and I usually go for the real thing, in moderation.

I went from a DD to a B. And the only reason I'm a B is because of all the loose skin I have to stuff in the cups. In fact, one day I accidentally put my sports bra on backwards and it fit fine! And I couldn't be more thrilled. If I were to ever have surgery, it would be to remove skin with NO enhancement. Without the extra skin, I would definitely be an A and probably wouldn't even bother with a bra. I spent the first 45 years of my life dealing with "the sisters", and I'm perfectly happy to spend the next 45 without them. My butt and hips went bye bye along with my boobs, so with my thin, muscular arms and flat tummy I've been told I look like a preteen boy....a "curse" I am happy to bear. It's so easy much easier to buy clothes with this shape.

I never measured, counted or tracked anything except Protein and Water. I don't plan meals, I simply eat a healthy, balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains....with a few indulgences of candy, desert, alcohol, pastries, etc thrown in a few times/month. Pretty much like any "normal" fit, healthy person. But since most people on BP like to measure their progress with numbers, I did a few spot checks along the way so I could "communicate" with the number crunchers.... 1-4 months out 500-800 calories....I had non-surgical health issues that impeded my ability to eat/drink, that's why this number is so low. 6-8 months 1000-1200 calories....passed surgeon's goal at 6 months and passed personal goal at 7 1/2 months 9-17 months maintaining 10 pounds below goal (BMI 23) at 1400-1600 calories. I ascribe to the theory that if you limit your caloric intake for an extended time, your body will adapt to the limitations and it will be harder to maintain and easier to gain as you get farther out when you try and increase your calories. I dont exercise, I simply have a physical job that involves a lot of lifting, bending, squatting, walking, standing, etc. and an active lifestyle (horseback riding, chores, kayaking, hiking, skiing). I usually hit 12,000-20,000 steps on my fitbit just in my everyday activities. I allow myself a 4 pound bounce range and when I go over, I cut back to strict protein and veggies and when I drop below, I add more carbs.

16 months out and Never lost a single strand. I also didn't worry about it, or the surgery or pre and post op diets or stalls. Mental stress is just as bad as physical stress. Never took biotin or used special hair products. I've simply always gotten in all my protein, water, take whole food based vitamins, and eat a healthy balanced diet including fruits, veggies and whole grains so my body won't be deficient in anything.

Looks like I may be the only participant left in this challenge. But this week was huge for me. My best friend killed himself last Sunday. Despite the grief and anger and guilt and despair and helplessness, I managed to make it through the whole week without turning to alcohol. Five hour memorial get together yesterday and I drank 5 bottles of Water instead of getting drunk like most everyone else. And considering I drank every single day for almost 2 years after my brothers death, this was no small feat for me. Despite being nearly suffocated with emotions, we have to go back to work tomorrow (his widow is my other best friend and work partner). That might be even harder than this last week has been and I will be taking advantage of the meds my PCP prescribed. He also has a 10 year old son that is our #1 priority on helping get through this tragedy with the least amount of emotional scarring as possible. He was the kindest, gentle hearted, most generous and hard working man I ever knew. The pain he hid so well and my inability to help him will haunt me forever.

Read your policy. Call the insurance company.

Oh my god, Kim, I'm SO sorry. There are no words. You just do whatever it takes to make it through this. Be kind to yourself. I'm so sorry.

I'm still here (guess I need to get a life). I've stabilized and been in the same 5 pound bounce range for 8 months. What I found was I have to nip any weight gain in the very beginning, because I know if I start creeping up my moral will deflate and I'll say f...k it, I might as well just eat anything. For example, if I get even 1 pound above my bounce range, I immediately go back to basics of Protein and veggies until I'm back to the bottom of the range. I usually only weigh 1-2 times a month, but if I notice I'm up I'll monitor a little closer till I'm back down. I pigged out over Christmas and it took 2 weeks to get back down. There are plenty of weekends that I may indulge on crap but then I'm right back on plan on Monday. I don't count calories or carbs or anything, but I know what's going in my mouth. I can actually feel the difference in my cravings by going cold turkey on carbs at those times. The best thing is to not buy the stuff you shouldn't eat in the first place. It's easier to resist once in the store than it is to resist 20 times/day once it's in the house. Unfortunately I'm facing my first real test right now. My best friend killed himself on Sunday. My method of coping in the past has been food and alcohol. I gained almost 50 pounds after my brother died and I can feel myself going to that "dark place" again. My PCP brought me some anti anxiety meds as soon as he heard the news. I finally took some last night instead of reaching for the bottle of whiskey, which for me is no small victory. And have you ever noticed people never bring food containing protein after a death. It's all about baked goods and Pasta salads. Hang in there, try and find the motivation you had in the beginning. Look at old photos. Compare your new clothes to old ones, if you kept any. You've come this far, so you do have it in you to succeed.