catwoman7

you could also just wait it out. I did. I just stuck to my plan, and it eventually broke. They always do. I've never wanted to increase my calories as I felt like I was on the high side as it was.

I had GERD pre-surgery. The first few months I had to take Prilosec every day (most patients do - not just those with GERD. They want to keep your acid level down so you'll fully heal, evidently). Once I came off Prilosec, I've had reflux maybe five times, and it pretty mild. I used to have it every day. So yes - it's very effective. Many patients never have GERD again at all after bypass.

mine lasted two weeks

some people do have trouble with various artificial sweeteners....although like the person above said, it could be something else, too. Some things don't sit with you well post-surgery. Especially early out...

I had a stricture (two, actually) early out - they caused vomiting. but it's a very easy fix and I felt 100% better afterward (and no more vomiting!)

what's this vet's forum? How long post-surgery do you have to be to be considered a vet? (I'm 18 months out - but not really feeling like a true vet yet)

I know DS (the switch) uses a sleeved stomach, so yes, that could potentially make GERD worse (just like the sleeve can). I'm not sure about SIPS. If they use a sleeved stomach for that, too, then yes - there's that risk.

glad to see you back - I was just thinking about you today. i'll send you a PM

I don't know if they make people dump, but they're hard on a lot of people's stomachs. They're in my SF popsicles. I can't eat more than two SF popsicles because the sugar alcohols start doing a number on my stomach if I have more than that

I just checked and I was at about 500 kcal at three weeks post-op - so it could take a few more weeks before you're at 800. I think I was at 600-800 for several weeks, though - maybe a few months. I don't think I hit 1000 until I was almost a year out.

I think you'll find a lot of variation - and some people aren't required to do a pre-op diet at all! I had to do two weeks of just Protein shakes (I think 4-5 a day) plus unlimited no- (or very low) calorie Clear Liquids. Water, Crystal Light, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello

I didn't have any pain (although some people do), but I was super tired. Not sure I could have done that four days after surgery, but then, everyone's different

I was on Depo about 20 years ago, and after shooting up 40 lbs in no time at all, I told my doctor enough is enough. That was pre-surgery, though. That stuff might provide great birth control, but at a huge cost. I'm sorry I ever went on it (I never lost the weight afterward - that is, not until surgery). If your stomach hasn't stretched, you can probably lose the weight again - it might be a matter of just going back to the rules.

I think it only took about a week for my insurance approval to come through

vitamin/mineral deficiency should be an issue as long as you keep on top of your supplements. You'll have to take them for the rest of your life, regardless of which surgery you have (gastric bypass requires more, but you'll have to take Vitamins with either option) constipation vs (for me) weighing almost 400 lbs was a no brainer. I would have been dead in 10 years if I hadn't lost the weight. I'd much rather take Miralax or whatever every day than drop dead prematurely. I meant vit/mineral deficiency should NOT be an issue as long as you keep on top of your supplements

yes - I eat it a lot. I usually order fajitas and just eat the meat & veggies. I've also ordered tacos without the tortillas - or if they come with tortillas, I just eat the innards. Even in the pureed stage I was eating refried beans.

oh no - I am so sorry to hear this. What an awful situation for her and you and your whole family. I hope she pulls through Ok.......

is Viactiv calcium *citrate*? I'm supposed to take the citrate form. There are chews for that too, but you have to order them online (I use Bariatric Advantage chews, but there are others...)

I was slower than you, and I've lost 218 lbs. Everyone loses at their own rate. Stick to your program and you'll lose the weight - it's pointless to compare yourself to other people.

you don't want chewable B's. One of the B vitamins (I think it might be B1 - although not sure - but it's one of the big ones) tastes *horrible*.

Like djmohr, one of my first thoughts was....stricture. I had two of them - one at 4 weeks out and one at 8 weeks out (they usually happen within the first 3 months after surgery)

Lately, I've been thinking of doing the bypass, but, I have these concerns: 1. I'm scared of having my innard's rerouted, 2. I do have mild case of Gerd, (does eating the right food still give you Gerd? For me, it does.) 3. I have sleep apnea 4. My bmi isn't that high. (The nutritional visits are really helping.) Not sure how I can make this final decision. Are there any other factor's to consider? the sleep apnea is completely irrelevant when it comes to which surgery you choose GERD often gets worse with the sleeve. If you have GERD now, even mild, I'd strongly consider the bypass. I know a lot of people are freaked out about having their intestines re-routed, but to be honest, I don't really think that's any more radical than having 80% of your stomach removed... high vs low BMI really doesn't matter, either. Most people who have the DS have high BMI's, but with both the sleeve and the bypass, it's a mix - some high, some low

if you've lost 23 since surgery, then you are doing fine. If you're following your program, that 4 lb gain could possibly have come from Water retention (sodium) or constipation. I wouldn't worry about it yet. It may be gone in a couple of days.

do you still need to take them with applesauce? I was able to take everything in pill form when I got home from the hospital, with the exception of Ursodial - I think I had to wait a couple of weeks before I could handle that one

a lot of surgeons don't do the band anymore because of all the complications. I'd go for the sleeve or the bypass. Much better results and fewer complications.