Elisabethsew

Not to be rude but, are you aware that you're posting in the VSG section? Many of us have had bands and DO acknowledge that they work for a lot of people. Because so many people ARE having problems with the band and electing to revise to a sleeve, and because others are choosing the sleeve as their first weight loss surgery, this VSG section was created. You are correct, this is a band board. In the very near future, the sleeve board will be opening. That board will have an "other surgery" section as well to allow banded people to post should they so desire.

The greatest danger you have is not following the post-op diet. Hopefully, your surgeon oversews the staple line. Most people heal in 3 weeks but develop scar tissue by 6 weeks. That's the reason most MDs use the 6 week rule to designate healing. I was advised not to do any heavy lifting (>15 pounds) for 4 weeks. Follow the post-op diet and the other post-op instructions and you'll be fine. If you're serious about "doing something stupid" because it's the summer, you should rethink the surgery date and put it off until the summer is over.

The sleeve board will look similar to this one and it's nearly ready to go live.

I don't know anything about your surgeon. One of the reasons I went to Dr. Aceves is because he does 3 leak tests and keeps you in the hospital for 4 days (3 nights). I'm an RN and did not want to travel to Mexico and run the risk of having to go back so I needed a surgeon who met MY qualifications. The first leak test is done in the OR, the second is done the first post-op day. You drink apple juice with blue dye. The last test is done 2 days post-op and requires you to drink contrast while having an x-ray. When I left, I knew the sleeve was fine and that all I had to do was follow the post-op diet and I would be fine. I had surgery nearly 2 months ago and I'm fine. Ask your surgeon how many leak tests he does and how long he keeps you in the hospital. You should also find out if he charges if you have to go back. Dr. Aceves does not.

I am sorry to hear about you and your hubby and hope it all works out for you. As for the heartburn, you can try OTC Tagamet. They sell the OTC as 150 mg in each pill. The Rx strength is 300 mg so try that with breakfast and dinner.

A huge consideration is skill level and money. Placing a band is relatively easy on the skill level, takes little time, and pays well. Surgeons are in business to make money. If they are not able to perform the bypass, the VSG, or other complicated techniques, it makes $ sense to suggest the procedure they know. Of course, not all surgeons lack morals and ethics.

You could do a protein shake for breakfast or lunch but the idea is to progress to solid proteins and eat to live as opposed to living to eat.

I don't stay on a night schedule. I'm off tomorrow so I'll take a 2 hour nap in the AM and then stay up until @ 11:30 PM. Luckily, I am not a person who requires a lot of sleep... 4 hours and I'm good to go. LOL.

Thanks, Ladies. Dr. Aceves said to keep to three meals a day with no snacking. I think this might apply more to the band. Unlike the band, I get the "full" feeling quickly and experienced that awful sensation that occurs when you take "one more bite" after the full feeling hits... NOT pleasant. I couldn't eat veggies and fresh fruits with the band and all those things are in season now. I can't eat large amounts but I do crave a healthy diet and prefer to eat a few grapes rather than snack on crap when I'm working (13 hour nights). Flip-flopping from days to nights and back again and figuring out what to eat and when is challenging. LOL.

I'm glad you got a resolution to your problem. That was one issue I did not have to deal with during the liquid or soft phases of the post-op diet.

Here's a question for those already living with the VSG. Do you find it's better to eat 3 meals a day with no snacking or do you do better with smaller, more frequent meals?

Personal attacks and insulting other members is against the rules. Let's hope this thread gets back on track.

It's not a holiday in Mexico. Call Nina.

That's the reason why so many hospital emergency departments are crowded. Private MD offices can turn the patient away but EMTALA laws prohibit hospitals from doing the same. Many people use emergency departments as their primary mode of health care.

I never once experienced it so I can't help you out. I'm sure others will have some suggestions.

People over the age of 65 automatically get something called medicare. People who are not 65 and are disabled or had a parent die, etc., are covered under the medicaid system. The money for these programs comes from the taxes working people pay. Additionally, people 62 or over collect social security which affords them money sent in the form of a check (or direct deposit) monthly. No hospital is allowed to turn a person away for inability to pay. Most working people have to pay into their health benefits plan through payroll deduction and the better the insurance plan, the more you pay. I believe in the UK people have the option of carrying their own insurance in addition to the universal health care... I do one person in Ireland who does.

Yes it is allowed.

I take exception to the insuation that you feel you're being bullied and policed because you're from the UK. It's insulting to the people who post here. If you have a personal issue with someone, it's advisable to use the private message option. Thank you,

Are you taking an acid blocker such as Nexium or Prilosec? The surgeon I use places patients on one for 3 months post-op. I suffered with horrible heart burn pre-op but not at all since I had the revision.

Why does your entire family have to travel with you for everything and what post-op care do you need with WLS unless you're getting the band? I called the surgeon's office, scheduled an appointment, and traveled alone to and from Mexico.

Now that I'm getting used to solids, I've been experimenting... lol. I love the 100 calorie english muffins. For lunch one day last week, I toasted one and put a tablespoon of peanut butter on the surface. It's about 250 calories total and was very filling. Today, I toasted another muffin but this time I used a teaspoon of mayo and then put 2 slices of honey turkey breast to make a sandwich. I could only eat 2/3 rds. This proves that solid proteins are the way to go with the sleeve if you want to keep calories low and your stomach full. No, I am not the mad scientist. LOL.

LOL. You crack me up! I'm fat all over... mine does not discriminate.

The band and the sleeve both allow candy, sweets, and other empty calorie foods to slide right on down. Thankfully, those foods are not my problem. I could look at a dessert buffet and walk right on by. Hot bread and butter... not THAT I would have a real hard time with. LOL. Since I know what my trigger foods are, I keep them out of the house.

Have you considered the fact that it isn't about you at all but rather, about the other soldiers? Men are highly competitive and it's more likely that he's using the body building sessions to bond with the other men he is stationed with. Frequently, men pair up with a training partner so they can push themselves and benchmark off one another. It also gives them a spotting partner. Your husband said he doesn't want progress pictures and prefers to be surprised. It sounds like he has the same plan in store for you. When he returns, you'll both see the physical changes in one another which can only be positive. Many men are threatened in the relationship when their woman suddenly drops weight and makes physical improvements. The "I'm safe, nobody will want her" attitude is replaced with, "Damn, she's hot and men ARE looking". If the relationship is strong, the couple gets through it. Whether you husband is working out for you, or to bond with the other men, or a combination of the two doesn't really matter. You're both making physical imporvements and that will make you a hot couple.