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I've had my paragard in for about 2 months now and haven't had any issues. The only part that was uncomfortable was when they measured my uterus before putting the iud in. I also have pcos and that is why I chose paragard. My first period was longer, but I think that has more to do with getting sleeved. I started 2 days after surgery (which was a couple days early for me) and it lasted for like a week and a half. The first few days I could tell there was something in there, lol. Like that heavy feeling before you start your period, but I don't notice it at all now and haven't had any pain during intercourse.

Good luck! I'm at the airport right now! Surgery at OCC tomorrow!!

Good Luck! Can't wait to hear how it goes!!!

I think you can only get them online at their website... they also have once a day chewable bariatric vitamins I'm going to try.

Isopure is a clear protein drink.. 20oz has 40g of protein. And lots of people seem to like Unjury protein so I was going to order some individual packets to bring with me. I'll text you now!!

Hey surgery buddy!! I've been thinking of a little list and what I'm bringing is my heating pad, gas-x strips, chap stick, compression stockings (for the plane ride home because I'm paranoid, lol), my kindle, unflavored protein powder, a travel cup (so I remember to sip), and my own blanket for the plane because Alaska doesn't provide them. I plan on walking over to WalMart for some Vitamin Waters because I heard it's easier to drink things like that after surgery, and I might go by the GNC for an Isopure, but my mom told me they're really gross. Oh, and I heard that a comfy sports bra is good because one of the incisions is higher up near the bra line. My mom got a weird thing that you sniff and it helps reduce nausea so I might look into one of those or just carry a lemon around with me, lol.

My mom had bypass 5 years ago and lost weight quickly. All my friends said they thought she looked better heavier, but i think it was just because of the loose skin on her face and neck. She just turned 48 and her skin has tightened up a lot from what it was and no one thinks she's pushing 50! If she did use any serums or lotions it would have been from walmart and probably generic brand because that is how my mom rolls.

I'm pretty sure just plain vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice is ok. I think the most important thing is no sugar because that is what helps your liver do whatever it does to get smaller. Lol.. I feel like I'm explaining this so well at this late hour of the night, haha.

Have you seen any changes? I'm still pre-op and have been following a lot of people's journeys and the trend I see is that high Protein (like 80+ grams a day) along with exercise are the ones that reach goal quickly and maintain. I plan on Protein shakes just being part of my life forever after surgery. Also spicy things can help boost metabolism and cinnamon can help blood sugar levels if you find yourself still having issues with that. Also eating low carb and high protein puts our bodies in a mode where it burns fat instead of muscle (although muscle loss will still happen if you're not getting enough protein) and your body needs Water to burn fat at the cellular level. There are lots of great VSGer's on youtube, I love following them becuase you can go back to any part of their journey and see what they struggled with and what they did to overcome it and it's also really easy to communicate with them. Best of luck!

I have PCOS and birth control does not manage my symptoms at all! Metformin worked good and I was able to get preggo, but losing weight was a no go. I tried birth control again since we're 99% sure we're done having kids and it was like taking nothing (60+ day cycles)! I went to super supplements and after talking with one of the ladies there got some progesterone cream and after using it for 3 days a cycle (I started on day 28 until my cycle started) for 3 cycles and I was on a normal cycle! It was great! I did more research on it and they said that since PCOS is an estrogen dominant condition adding more estrogen just complicates things more. I had never heard anyone put it that way but it made sense to me! I then tried Chaste berry and that messed me all up again, lol. I'm getting an IUD next week.. I'm so sensitive to hormones I figure the less the better. My PCP did put me back on metformin to try and help with the pre-op weight loss but said I should stop taking it a week before surgery. The only person I know who has gotten a clot while taking birth control was getting a fistula put in for dialysis and a week after her surgery the fistula went flat, which if you've ever seen one you can imagine how big it must have been... she also smoked at the time. I'm just trying to get in as much Protein and Vitamins now as I can, and lucky me herniated a disk in my lower back last week so I'm on some hardcore NSAIDS.. I start PT next week and I'm hoping to wean off of them.. I will deal with the back pain to have this surgery.. nothing is stopping me, lol!

My Dr was kind of weirded out about the idea of surgery in mexico, but thanks to my extensive research (and this forum) I was able to answer any and all questions he had. And he knows I research things to death (he is our family dr) he just wanted to make sure I knew that if there were any surgical complications there isn't anything he can do and it might be harder to find a surgeon to take my case in that event. I herniated a disk in my back last week and he's been really great about meds and making sure this won't interfere with my surgery plans. In the end you want to feel comfortable with your care provider and if they make you feel bad about your choice to get healthier it might be time to find a new dr. On another note my mom is kinda freaked out about the risk of blood clots with traveling and surgery. My flight will be just over 2 hours and I was thinking about getting compression stalkings... was anyone told to take anything like baby aspirin or am I just being paranoid? lol

I think the thing that makes me look at vitamins differently is my two pregnancies. I had bad levels my first one and was so constipated (tmi) from iron supplements I started having contractions.. my second pregnancy I took one that was food based and noticed a dramatic difference. The main difference is vitamins and minerals that are manufactured vs made in nature. And the prenatals are cheaper than the bariatric vitamins my Dr recommend. But any vitamin is better than no vitamin. My mom had bypass 5 years ago and hasn't taken anything in a year and is now dealing with iron infusions and b 12 shots :/

I know they said you can buy them on amazon or at walgreens, but I haven't checked in store yet.

I'm going the night before. . I want to check out the area a little bit and not have to stress about making it there in time for surgery. I also wanted to hit up walmart for some vitamin waters and maybe the gnc for some isopure. I was going to bring some unflavored protein powder with me and try and add it in where I can. I know surgery makes you tired anyways but I only have a week before I'm watching my kids and neice and nephew full time again so I'm going to try and get as much protein and rest in as I can! I can't believe it's almost just a month away, eep!

For right after surgery I think I'm going to spend a little more for a good liquid vitamin. But for now and once I can swallow pills again I'm going to take rainbow light prenatal ones. They have extra iron in them (that don't make you constipated) and are a whole food vitamin. I took them my second pregnancy and had way better levels than my first. Then I just need to add in some extra b and d vitamins and calcium, which seem to be typical extras. I like going to Super supplements, they are always so helpful and if you take something and don't like it you can return it. My vitamin d is really low (thanks, Washington) so I'm trying to get all my levels up before surgery. Has anyone tried floradix iron? I've heard it's really good for you, and I know iron is important for recovery, but never hear anyone in the wls community mention it.

That would be fantastic! I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other since we have the same surgery day! You can friend me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/andrea.grant.37 I'm always looking to connect with other people having VSG!

My husband and I are flying out of Seattle.. he's excited for a vacation, lol. We're going down the day before or maybe even late the night before that.. I'm not a morning person so getting up early, not being able to eat, and then flying sounds like zero fun, lol.

I'm also having surgery on March 7th with Dr. Ortiz at OCC! The only thing I'm nervous about is leaving my kids, but other than that I'm so excited to finally be conquering this part of my life!