VSGAnn2014

Lou, it sounds like you used your sleeve as we're taught we should -- as a tool to create over a period of time a new relationship with food. You're now my VSG role model. Thanks for posting here.

After reading Bufflehead's comment above and doing some online searching and reading (I am a good researcher), I agree with Bufflehead. Based on what I found (and didn't find) I don't see that adequate research has been done on this subject. Instead, there are a lot of online references that make fuzzy allusions to stories told in support groups, anecdotal reports from surgeons, and quite a few blogs by WLS patients that quote each other. BTW, the simple term "divorce rate" is badly understood. It's a long-term metric explained fairly well at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce_in_the_United_States#Rates_of_divorce. A 50% divorce rate simply means that over a long period of time (10 years, 30 years, 50 years -- however it's defined) that 50% of marriages end in divorce. Thank you, Bufflehead.

Ditto here -- multivitamin daily and calcium with D (1,000 daily) -- taken at separate times of the day. My instructions say that B12 must be taken by gastric bypass patients, but is not prescribed for VSG patients. Likewise, Iron will be prescribed only if my iron levels go low.

Ditto here -- multivitamin daily and calcium with D (1,000 daily) -- taken at separate times of the day. My instructions say that B12 must be taken by gastric bypass patients, but is not prescribed for VSG patients. Likewise, Iron will be prescribed only if my iron levels go low.

You folks with $12,000 of "uncovered expenses" need to put your big-girl negotiating panties on. Go to the hospital and say, "I'll pay you what BCBS / United Healthcare / Medicare pays you." Otherwise, you'll be paying retail and then some -- and probably 3 to 4 times what the hospital would be paid for those items if your insurance were paying for them. Trufax.

Oh, yeah. Mucho research. Google: "divorce rate after WLS"

Yes, it's weird the nurse told you to gain weight, especially since (as I recall) you're not low BMI. Why do you think she said that? Enjoy your food funeral. I'm over that stuff. Just read to get this show on the road.

I refuse to answer on the grounds that my answer may incriminate me.

Have you taken any of our advice yet? As in DONE anything differently yet? If not, what else would you like us to do?

Someone needs to bitch-slap that dude. LOL!

Love it, love it! There are some great folks on youtube v-blogging about their WLS. Glad to see you doing this. This will likely be very motivating for you -- and a great new way to be accountable to yourself. Very, very best to you.

@@CrazyJaney ... This is one amazingly wonderful post above. Thank you for taking the time a few weeks ago to type that. It has really made my afternoon. I love your point about treating this forum like homework. And your honesty comment. And the comment about shame. I think there's a lot of learning ahead of me.

My booklet says Stage One (full liquids) lasts 1-2 weeks. Then it says: "Do not advance diet until instructed to do so by the surgeon's office." What does yours say?

I agree about Walden Farms. Best-tasting low-fat salad dressings ever! Will check out the other brand's products, too. Thank you.

we live (when we're lucky) and learn, don't we? Thanks for sharing / posting this.

India Mark ... With all due respect, are you nuts? Taking Percocet (oxycodone) and alcohol together? Google is your friend. http://prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/mixing-percocet-with-alcohol/ http://www.drugs.com/disease-interactions/acetaminophen-oxycodone,percocet.html

Welcome, sweetness. Best wishes to you along this journey. Since my post above, I met with the nutritionist and got a "Pass!" based on my food records from the previous 6 weeks. Whew! The next day, I got a call from the surgeon's office to schedule surgery. I'll start my 2-week pre-op diet a week from today, then have surgery in mid-August.

What a fun post! And great pictures. You're an inspiration to us all. Thanks.

5-day pouch test? Google it.

I realize that different cultures encourage and even require that family members (particularly older family members) give their input and share or even have decision-making authority over the behavior of younger family members. This isn't the kind of culture I was reared in, but if this does describe your family culture I can only imagine the relationship landmines you're having to navigate -- especially if your family is also negotiating "old world" vs. "new world" assimilation issues. I wish you great luck in your ability to set and to achieve YOUR goals.

Goofy question -- what kitchen tool(s) did y'all use to puree your food?

Mothers ... why do they do that? Us: I can't eat those mushrooms. I'm deathly allergic to them. Mother: Here, sweetie, just a small bite. With a little bit of my parmesan cream sauce.

What a bummer. And what a miracle, too. We're all rooting for you. And yes, please let us know when your next surgery is going to happen so we can send you our prayers, positive thoughts, and very best wishes for your successful surgery and a great outcome. Very best! Ann

When you say "your family" wants you to stop losing weight -- do you mean your parents, your husband and children, your siblings, your grandmother?

You are awesome! I can't wait to find out what else you now do with your life. I think you could do anything. Ann