J_Mkay

So last week I had a kidney stone. Worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Much worse than any surgery I've had. Anyway, I know that lack of fluids can be a cause but also too much protein can cause it too. Does anyone know what amount of protein is too much? I know right now I'm not eating enough protein but I'm a little nervous about eating too much protein cause I really don't want any more kidney stones. Eating is a struggle anyway cause I don't get hungry. I make myself eat and I'm still figuring out what I can tolerate. I'm 2 months post of vsg. Thanks!

Today makes 6 weeks since I had surgery. I've lost 20 pounds. Which is good, but it has been such a struggle these past few weeks. I'm nauseated almost every time I eat, sometimes to the point I vomit and/or dry heave. I'm on 2 different anti nausea medications, and will be starting a 3rd today. I have had diarrhea for the past 6 weeks. Tested for C.Diff but thankfully it was negative. Food used to bring me joy, now it's pain and a chore. I've not been getting the protein in that I need which I know has an effect on my rate of weight loss. I've been to the doctor, had tests done, trying the new medicine to see if it helps, then go from there. Several "friends" at work have been pretty unsympathetic. I know they don't understand, they don't have to understand, but it'd be nice to have a little more support from them instead of "well have you changed your diet?" REALLY??? I've cried more in the past several weeks than I have in a long time. I'm mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. I hope it gets better, cause right now this sucks.... Sorry I just needed to vent and cry.

Hi everyone, I had VSG on July 6th and I've felt sick ever since. I also had my gallbladder removed and hiatal hernia repair, as well as scar tissue removed from when I had the lap band (the band was removed in Feb. I stay nauseated. I don't have an appetite but I know I have to eat something, and when I do eat I just get extremely nauseated. I follow the doctors orders on what to eat at the different stages but it doesn't seem to matter. I'm not getting my fluids or protein in that they want cause I stay sick. It's very frustrating. I really hope it's just part of the healing process but right now I'm just miserable. Did anyone else have this problem?? What did you do? Did anything help? Just need some encouragement right now cause this is really getting me down.

I haven't yet but I'm going to order some if the lactose free one that I ordered doesn't help. Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm 5 weeks out and still have diarrhea. I had hernia repair and gall bladder removal at the same time, so they told me that the added trauma of having all that done can have an impact on that. They weren't too concerned as long as I am getting in my fluids. The doctor told me to try to avoid dairy for a while so I'm trying that. Many of protein powders/shakes have lactose so try to find some that are lactose free and see if that helps you. Syntrax Nectar protein powder is lactose free and they taste pretty good. Add a packet of crystal light for a little more flavor. I have the strawberry kiwi and add a strawberry lemonade crystal light and it helps. Hope you feel better soon.

I experienced that too. My doctor said it's part of the healing process and not to be concerned unless they start to get red/inflammed and/or pus oozes out which can indicate an infection. I'm 5 weeks out and my incisions still occasionally itch.

Thank you for all the encouragement. I've had phenergan and zofran since surgery and it helps some but not enough. I finally went to the doctor yesterday. They gave me more anti-nauesa medication and I'm having an upper gi next week. They said that I shouldn't be having nausea this far out. They also did lab work. I'm hoping they can figure it out. I've felt pretty good the past 2 days with mild bouts of nausea but a bit better than before. It's just a struggle to get the protein in when you're nauseated most of the time. I just finished a protein drink and am currently nauseated but I took my zofran so hopefully that'll kick in soon. Thanks again for the encouragement. It's been a struggle but I know it'll all be worth it in the end. Just gotta get through this bump in the road.

Sorry this might be a long post. So, I got the call this week that I have been approved for surgery. I have my pre-op consultation and physical on June 12th, then 2-3 weeks after that will be surgery. Exciting and scary! I've been working on this for months and months now. I feel like I should be more happy about it. I am happy but I'm more scared than I thought I would be. I've gone down this road before with the lap-band and didn't do well with it/ had some complications with it, so maybe that's part of why I'm more scared now than I was when I had the band surgery. I don't want to fail, and I know this is a forever change to my anatomy. I know it's my best shot at long term success. I guess I'm just overwhelmed with the fact that it's happening and my life will be forever changed. I'm also a little sad about it too. Maybe because my size has been kind of a safety blanket (if that makes any sense at all). And I have no idea what to expect because I've never been a normal weight before. I'm also sad because a good friend of mine at work (who was recently promoted within the department) who I thought would be supportive, has gone more into boss mode and being more concerned about work than my life/health, which has really made me sad. I have no problem getting the time off of work, but my department tries to guilt me into postponing any time I've had some sort of procedure done, but never does with anyone else. I'm just overwhelmed with emotions right now, and just needed to get some of it out. Thanks for listening.

So I'm just finishing up all my pre-op requirements for submission to insurance. I just wanted to share some happy news. I've been following a low carb diet since Feb. My entire adult life I have had high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Well....today I had bloodwork done....and they are both NORMAL! I've never seen them normal! I'm just over the moon about it! I'm looking forward to what else is to come once I do have my surgery! Thanks for listening!

I'm in the process of having a revision from band to sleeve. Anyone else have it done? Did you do better with the sleeve? Is the weight loss slower or about the same as those who have the sleeve for the first time? I did well with the band for a few years, but years of complications, food getting stuck all the time, I've gained all my weight back and then some. Just curious how others are doing that have gone through a similar situation.

Anyone have a HIDA scan? I'm having one monday. The gallbladder ultrasound looked fine but they wanted to do more studies. And my liver showed abnormal tissue on ultrasound....yay(sarcasm)......Anyway, just curious what to expect....Thanks

It usually depends on the insurance and surgeon. I had my lap-band removed. It was 1-2 weeks to get approval from insurance....I called almost every day. Then once the surgeons office got the call they scheduled me for 5 weeks out and that was their first available. I am assuming it will probably be the same with the approval process for the sleeve. I finish up the insurance requirements for that at the beginning of May, so I'm hoping my sleeve surgery will be late June-early July.

Hey Everyone, Just needing to get thoughts out there. I'm a revision from band to sleeve. I've had my band removed and hopefully I will have sleeve surgery this summer. I'm going through all the motions for insurance approval. The time between is giving me alot of time to think. I'm excited for the chance to finally lose weight successfully. I'm excited that maybe for the first time in my life I may possibly fit in "normal" size clothes. I'm excited that maybe....just maybe....with the weight loss I can maybe have children. I'm excited for the opportunity to not ache, not tucker out so darn easy, and just feel good for once. And I'm also scared.... I'm scared of failing. I felt like a failure with my lap-band (even though I did have issues with it, even my surgeon said he won't even put them in anymore because of the complications many lap-band patients have), but I can't help but be scared of failure because I've failed so many times with trying to lose weight. I'm nervous too... I've never been "normal". I was a 10 pound baby...so I've been fat since birth. I have no clue what it's like to be what you would call normal. I don't want to say thin because I don't desire to be thin, I just want to be at a healthy weight....and I have no idea how that feels. I was a fat baby, kid, teen, and now adult. I have no real idea what life will be like. I know it will have to be better than how I feel/look now, but the unknown is scary. Thankfully my husband is very supportive, but I get nervous that he won't want to be with me anymore if I do lose alot of weight. He assures me that he doesn't care what size I am because he's in love with me, not my body (smart man...lol) but I can't help but have these fears since we began out relationship with me being the fluffy gal that I am. Sorry for the long post....there's alot rolling around in my brain. I know that surgery is the best option for me, my doctors have been very encouraging, My mind just like to run emotional marathons....too bad my body hasn't. haha. Reading through the forum has always been helpful and encouraging. Anyways...thanks for listening to my ramblings.

I'm going through the same thing you are. My surgeon wouldn't do it all in one surgery unfortunately, but that's okay. I've had my band since 2010, had issues with it for years, they unfilled it and I'm back to pre band weight and then some. Had my band removed in Feb and now I'm going through the motions to get the approval for the revision, but from what I know and I've talked to insurance and they said as long as it's needed I should get approved. I have Fed BCBS too and I've not had any problems getting anything approved before, so I hope that's the case this go round as well. Good luck!

I'm doing my 3 month pre-op diet now. I am doing low carb so I've eliminated soda, sweets, bread, pasta, etc. I still get the sweet cravings though. My go to is Dole Dippers. They're in the frozen fruit section. They're little dark chocolate covered fruit (strawberry, pineapple, or banana), It's just enough sweet to satisfy my sweet tooth without going crazy. The banana one (which is my favorite) is 9 net carbs and 100cal per pack. That's what helps me and believe me I LOVE my sugar and carbs.

I'm going through the same process. I had a band Nov 2010 and I just had it removed 2/5/18. Many surgeons will do revision at the same time. Unfortunately for me my surgeon does them in 2 separate surgeries. I'm going through the motions of getting approval for sleeve surgery for sometime this summer I hope. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I'll be happy to answer whatever questions I can.

Hey everyone, Just looking for any KY sleevers out there. Where are you in your journey? I'm still in the process of getting approval but I'm hoping for sleeve surgery sometime this summer. I had my Lap-band removed in Feb and my surgeon requires at least 3 months between surgeries. They are to contact me sometime in May to move forward. In the meantime I'm doing the diet, as well as any other appointments to get clearance for insurance approval.

the most common cause for dark urine is dehydration. Also if you do take a lot of multivitamins or various men's it can change color too. There can be more serious issues too such as an infection within the urinary track. It nevr hurts to consult with your doctor And see what they say. It Is very common to be dehydrated after surgery, even if you feel like you're drinking a ton of water....it still may not be enough.

My insurance required a 3 month medically supervised diet, and I must either lose weight or remain the same weight during that time for approval. Once I get a surgery date I will have to be on an extremely low carb diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery (for shrinking the liver). Every surgeon required something different. I've seen several people that are on a liquid diet for 1-2 weeks before surgery. Thankfully I'll be able to have solid food, just very very little carbs. I'm already on a pretty low carb diet (50 net carbs a day), so hopefully it won't be too bad once I get to that point. Hoping to have surgery sometime this summer. Good luck on your journey!

Hey Everyone, It's been a couple of months since I've been on here. Since then I've had my lap-band removed (Thank God!), and I'm now on the medically supervised diet. Just wanting to get any helpful tips from all of you veteran sleevers out there on food choices, how to combat cravings. I've been on a low carb diet since having my band removed. I already feel better but I still want some carbs. Any good carb substitutes that you have found? I'm hoping to finish the pre-op process for sleeve surgery in May, so hopefully I'll be sleeved sometime this summer. I have to admit I'm nervous about this surgery, but I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired all the time, and I really hope this helps me get to where I need to be.

That's really good. Then I'm sure you will hear back from them in no time!! I wish you the best of luck!!!

Yeah they had to take all the fluid out of my band so right now I have 0 restriction so I already feel hungry all the time. I've gained about 15 lbs since they took the fluid out. But I met with a nutritionist yesterday and I meet with my GP next week for the medically supervised diet. I'm so nervous cause right now I feel like I cannot satisfy my hunger at all. But I've started making healthy substitutions which should help. Just need a little more control. But having to be accountable will be a huge help.

Moving forward in the revision process. I will have my Lap-band removed Feb 5th. Unfortunately my surgeon will not do revision at the same time. I have to wait 3 months for my stomach to completely heal (according to their office). During that time I'll be on my 3 month medically monitored diet. Yesterday I met with the dr, the nutritionist, and had my psych evaluation done....and all was good. Now I have to get cleared from a cardiologist which they're scheduling, and have a pulmonary function test. Then once the medically supervised diet is 3 months in, they will submit it all to insurance and hopefully (fingers crossed), I'll be having my revision in June or July. At least I'm hopeful. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. For those who have done the 3 month monitored diet.....what helped you? What were your go to foods? I need all the help I can get right now!

I'm starting that process now. Just finished my psych evaluation. I have to get clearance from a cardiologist ( that appointment is in Feb), and I have the medically supervised diet. I hope to be scheduled by june. Good luck to you! I have to have my lap-band removed. But once they submitted everything to insurance I heard back within a couple of weeks (I think it would have been faster but it was submitted around Christmas) I hope you hear something back quickly!

Hi everyone. I'm Scheduled for lap-band removal Feb 5th. I should be having a revision to the sleeve around 3 months after that (pending insurance approval). I am just curious about the recovery time from lap-band removal. I'd also like to know what you're post op diet from lap-band removal was. Thanks!