mcipanda

Got it! That makes sense and sounds really good. 😊

Thanks everyone, the liquid protein shakes take me a while to drink but are getting easier. I need to get three per day (60-80g protein). Three shakes total about 450-500 calories. If I have some thinned yogurt, SF pudding or soup broth, the calories go up to 600 or so. I reached out to my dietician but she probably won’t respond until Monday.

I had the sleeve and chose it for these reasons: 1) I don’t have GERD, just occasional acid reflux, 2) the sleeve doesn’t re-route inner plumbing, 3) i have less weight to lose overall, 4) the sleeve has a higher absorption rate which I prefer and 5) I can revise to RNY if the sleeve doesn’t work, fails or causes GERD. This doesn’t mean RNY is bad. My mom had RNY and it worked great for her. She lost over 125lbs and it helped correct her GERD. She also deals with malabsorption issues, had her gallbladder removed last year and struggles with dumping syndrome. All of these are okay with her. To this day, she wouldn’t change her mind. She’s also kept the weight off for over a decade easily. I recommend talking to your doctor about YOUR specific issues/lifestyle and what you’re willing to live with.

Thanks @summerseeker, when you say you like banana, strawberry and unsweetened peanut butter, are you referring to the Inspire? I think so but wanted to check!

Hi OP, I also had a VSG on Monday. Lots of gas in my new tummy, so gurgling and hiccups are frequent. I found warm liquids worked best to reduce the crampy feeling - chicken soup broth, Pho broth, etc. I strained first and use medicine cups (1oz each) to track intake and remember my small sips. I started mixing in a scoop of protein powder yesterday. Between these, I drink Gatorade Zero at room temp for electrolytes and Vitamin waters from Costco. I’m not dealing with runny stool, it’s the other way around for me so I can’t help much in that department. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

How is everyone doing? How is the fluid intake going? I started protein drinks today and it’s hard, but I set a timer and that’s helping me space things out. Hope all of you are feeling good! 🌈❤️

I had my surgery on Monday 3/13, so I’m 3 days post-op (my bariatric team considers surgery day to be “day 0”). Pain was manageable Day 0 and 1, but as soon as the anesthesia wore off, I could barely walk. Turns out I had gas putting pressure on my large incision. Increasing to the high end of the pain meds dose made everything so much better. I can walk now and started Protein shakes today. I’ve spent the whole day trying to get through the first shake while also drinking Gatorade with Miralax to get things going.

I’m also really sensitive to the metallic, chemical flavor of protein shakes (Muscle Milk makes me want to vomit), so I tried dozens of different protein shakes before my surgery. My favorites: Fairlife Vanilla (melted DQ ice cream is the best way to describe it), Fairlife Chocolate (like chocolate milk), Premiere Protein Cake Batter (to me, this tastes like a vanilla shake should) I like these flavors blended with ice and banana: Fairlife Power Strawberry Banana, Premiere Protein Chocolate, Premiere Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate For unflavored protein, I use Bariatric Fusion. Can be mixed in with all sorts of things, like yogurt, sugar free pudding and Gatorade Zero. I’ve also heard that Unjury protein powder is good (but haven’t tried it yet).

Woo hoo! Nice work! When was your surgery?

Yes, and my stomach! I got to see what my “new” tummy looks like as well as the area he removed. I guess my old tummy was pretty big (12” long)! I’m not sure how my stomach got that big because I don’t binge, but maybe it’s hereditary? It was still super cool to see!

I’m struggling with this right now, too. My brother, who is 16 months older than me, doesn’t approve of my choice to have VSG and told me I’ve obviously “convinced myself” and “let the doctors convince me” that I need something I don’t, as if I’m not capable of researching and making an informed decision about my own health. He refers to it as “drastic” and told me I have zero self discipline. The worst thing he said, though, is that he feels sorry for me. I’m capable of brushing this off, but I’m hurt because he said all of this the night before my surgery. I was so excited and he nearly stole that from me.

Yay! Look at you - all smiles. Your hard work paid off and you should be so proud for loving yourself enough to take the first steps they got you here today. 🤗

I had surgery the same day and last night felt hunger pains too. I was like, what is this?? While the pain was there, I didn’t want any food. I wonder if it’s the tummy healing or excess gas.

Had an acute pain show up yesterday under my right breast, down about six inches. Not sure what it is but hurts like hell whenever I try sitting down or getting up, even walking. My hunch is the anesthesia wore off and I wasn’t taking enough of my pain meds. Will give it another day and see if it gets better as gas passes. Holy, the gas is NO joke…

Wow this truly sucks… I would be incredibly frustrated, and I’m sure you are. I always wonder why these things take so long (June!?), but hang in there. Being cancer free is the first step! Wishing you a smooth removal surgery and quick recovery so you can keep going!

Oh! Funny, my surgeon made a point to tell me I have a “darn beautiful liver” which totally cracked me up. It made the two week pre op diet all worth it! Lol

My surgery went well, but now anesthesia is nearly worn off and the “real” pain is setting in. Tough getting my liquids with the nausea, so I’m trying peppermint tea. Figured out warm liquid is much easier for me. Now just trying to play catch up. can only have clear liquids through tomorrow, then I start full liquids for 10 days.

Thank you!! Surgery went okay yesterday, doc said I had a “darn beautiful liver” and even took a picture of it for me lol 😂 Gas pains and nausea are a real butt kicker, but I’m taking it one hour at a time😊 Just trying to get all these fluids in. 💦

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forums and WLS with VSG scheduled for 3/13. I’m currently 41, 5’3” and 213lbs. I’ve always been one to envision my goals for success. It works for me, but I’m genuinely struggling with picturing myself at the suggested goal weight of 125-135. I can’t recall a time where I was ever that small. Even at 13, I was 177lbs. The lightest I’ve ever been in my adult life was 181 at size 14. I can picture myself there, but trying to picture myself at a size 12 or lower feels like imagining myself getting accepted into the NASA space program. Not impossible but seriously (seriously) unlikely. When my bariatric team asked about a personal goal weight, I said 170. I didn’t want them to look at me like, “uh, you need to be realistic here.” Beyond that, I can only recall 177 in my mind from middle school so 170 sounds possible. I tried making a goal board with images of the clothes I’d like to wear and things I want to do, but it feels.. unrealistic? Ugh. I’m actually annoyed with myself if you can believe it. Did (or have) you ever felt this way? I want to succeed but I know I need to believe I can do it before I can make it happen. Thoughts welcome!

Literally made me lol 😂

Lol yes, picked my favorite Tequila bar, had amazing chicken fajitas and dessert (I’ll keep the details shy on that one for the sake of others hah) and enjoyed every bite. I ended ready for the pre op diet and have no regrets.

Thank you OP for this post and everyone for your input. My surgery is 3/13, and your advice has helped so much! Good luck to you OP 😊

Welcome 🤗

Me!! Im getting nervous but excited 😊

OMG yes… growing up my family used to say “you can’t really help it, you’re big boned” and my Dad would apologize “I’m sorry honey, I gave you my stalky frame and big bones” ”you’re a bull in a glass shop” my mom would say “yes honey you’re overweight, but you have such a beautiful face!” the pity, the excuses on my behalf… the consolation prize. The silver lining. I’m so done with it and the years of internalized self hate. thank goodness for therapists.