Tiffykins

Not a problem. Happened to me, it's no biggie as it happens all the time for the medical teams. Just tell your prep nurse, and your surgeon. You'll get these fashionable stretchy, netty type panties to wear, no tampons, take extra pads.

It takes some time to build up to some of those foods, but in time nothing is off limits. Baked chicken sits heavier in my sleeve than say a steak, and pork chops sit way too heavy for my comfort level. But, I don't miss pork chops, and just use a little sauce or gravy for baked chicken. I grill a lot of our meals on our big George Foreman, so meats stay moist and I marinade for hours before cooking to make sure the meat is tender. You'll find what works, some foods just take longer to add back in than others. Thanks for the sweet comments, we're elated to be doing so great thus far.

Because of my horrible band experience, I was pretty scared that I'd never be able to enjoy a good steak again. Funny thing is that steak (any cut) all work fabulous, and I eat some form of steak about 2-3 days a week. The band made it impossible for me to eat most meats, and salads were a big no go as well. So, I was not optimistic about ever being able to eat normal foods again. I honestly eat everything under the sun. Today, I had chicken fajitas with jalapenos, sour cream and guacamole. Grant it, it was only 1 fajita with a smear of refried Beans, about a tablespoon of rice, smears of the sour cream and guacamole, lots of salsa, 3 little strips of fajita chicken breast, and hoards of sauteed onions and green peppers. I tear off the entire top part of the folded tortilla so there is not really a lot of bready tortilla to take up room. We went out to my favorite Mexican place for lunch, I had 6 tortilla chips with salsa, then ate 1 fajita, came home took a nap for about 1.5 hours, woke up did some laundry, ate another one just like I did for lunch(about 3 hours later), and then ate another one for dinner made the exact same way the previous two were made about 3 hours later again. I didn't eat Breakfast today, and needed to make sure to eat something decent today. I'll probably eat some turkey pepperonis with cheese chunks before bed to get in some more Protein for the day. I am 22 weeks pregnant, that 3d sono is just a random picture attached to the little pregnancy ticker. I won't get my 3d sono until August 8th, but me and Miss Tatum are doing fabulous. I've gained more weight than what I wanted to gain by this point with a 12-13 pound weight gain in 22 weeks. My doctors want me to gain 30-35, and at this point, I don't see that being a problem. I'm tweaking my intake this week to see if I can stay the same weight. I'm having to eat 300 more calories a day than what I was eating in maintenance, I'm not allowed to work out, or exercise, and I have to eat 100-200gr of carbs, with a 100gr of protein per day with 1700-1800 calories. It's frustrating, but Tatum is growing and thriving, is 100% healthy, and actually weighs about 1/2 pound heavier than other babies her age. So, I'm definitely able to support myself and a baby. It's just a weird place to be to be gaining weight, and all the physical changes that come with pregnancy. My labs have remained stellar as well through the pregnancy so VSG has not negatively effected my pregnancy, or the baby in any way. Once you get to maintenance, and a good grasp on food after your losing stage, you can literally eat anything you want that your body will tolerate. I do still avoid a lot of junk food. Sometimes I cave and have chips and dip, or a small slice of cake or cheesecake, but I also know that overdoing those foods will get me fat again.

Didn't touch those yummy morsels of pure slider foods until I was well over a year out. They are just that a true slider food, mush down to nothing, dipped in the nacho cheese, or marinara sauce, and I can eat almost an entire one from the Pretzel Factory in our mall. It takes me some time to eat it, but I can eat it without issue. I didn't touch bready stuff during my losing stage, and really avoided it until I got a good grasp on eating into maintenance. They are total no no foods for me because of the absolutely lacking of nutrients. BUT, I'm human, and in about a year, I've eaten them on 2 occasions.

I ate 4 meals per day, no snacking in between. Each meal had to consist of 15gr of Protein. I made each meal last 20 minutes, no sipping/drinking with meals at this stage. You might not feel restriction because the nerves have been cut off, severed, and stapled so your full signal might not happen for several months. I didn't ever "feel" restriction because I was advised to measure my portions and not eat anymore than that portion. So, I underate my sleeve capacity and still do not eat until full or stuffed feeling very often even at 2 years out. It keeps my calories in check and helps me maintain my weight. Are you weighing or actually measuring your food with measuring cups? I always measured with cups because my stomach doesn't recognize weight of foods, it holds by volume. As for being hungry, are you taking Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid or some other PPI(proton pump inhibitor)? If not, you could be experiencing false hunger due to acid overproduction. I had the same thing happen, went on Prilosec 20mg once a day, and my hunger was resolved. If the food is extremely mushy, or saucy, you won't feel great restriction as those foods are pretty "slider" foods and go through quickly. If you are taking longer than 20-30 minutes to eat, the food is moving out as you are eating so you won't feel full. Make sure you're drinking plenty of clear fluids, and also it really depends on what you are eating during the mushy phase. Carby foods definitely can increase hunger. All of this takes time, and once you get to more solid consistency foods, the more restriction you'll feel.

It really depends on what stage of post-op you're wondering about. What stage are you at, and then I can give you an idea of what I was doing/eating during that time frame? ? ?

YAY YAY Sarah ! ! ! I wish you all the best in your recovery.

Great choices ! ! ! Tofu is a really great option, and it absorbs whatever flavors you add to it. I love it with Asian flavored stuff. The texture took about 2 meals to adjust, but after that, it is a good go to when I don't want meat.

It is way more difficult the further out we get. Can you attend a local support group? Sometimes surrounding yourself with other people going through the same stuff can help. You've recognized what is contributing to your lack of losing and getting to goal. So, now all you have to do is make the effort. I realize that is easier said than done, but maintenance isn't any easier in my opinion. Maintenance is where the "real work" comes in because all of those bad habits that got us fat creep back in. Get back on a meal plan, go back to doing what you were doing to lose weight. If you have to do a carb detox, and then substitute Protein rich/dense foods for all the carbs.

Dumping even happens to people that don't have stomach surgery. I only get dumping type symptoms with heavy milk fat stuff like buttercream frosting, and only happens occasionally. Some days I can eat it, some days I get major gas and kind of loopy feeling. I'm back to being lactose intolerant in the pregnancy and can't eat/drink milk, or full fat cheeses. I also found when I cut foods out of my diet for a period of time be it fried foods, or heavy fat-laden foods, and then I randomly add them back in, my body revolts. This happened to me pre-op especially when I would diet. My body would get used to not processing that crap then I'd throw some kind of yumminess in there and BAM I'd be in the potty. Things have gotten way better since being so far out. I can eat buttercream in small amounts without issue, but milk and full fat cheese really does a number on my stomach.

That's the recommended amount of fluids for anyone. I was never a big drinker (well not water) pre-op, but I really try to hit a minimum of 60oz per day of clear fluids. NOW, clear fluids are any fluids that are sugar free, caffeine free so that includes decaf tea, crystal light, sugar free gatorade, Vitamin Water etc etc. Now, that I'm pregnant, I have to drink 100oz of water per day on top of my other fluids, and I weigh half of what I used to weigh pre-op. It's a true challenge to hit those Fluid goals every day, and admittedly I've fallen short by 20-30oz of water, but I try to make up for it with other clear fluids.

There's a group on maintenance/veterans sleevesters on obesityhelp. . . There's a couple of VSG'ers that are out 3-5 years out that have seen a 40lb regain and they both reported, major life events (deaths, job layoffs,divorce) and returning to poor eating habits to be the culprit. The highest I've seen is 40lbs, and one lady went back to low carb/high Protein and dropped 15lbs her first month back on the wagon. I know it can happen too, and I'm honestly paranoid about losing baby weight, but I have the comfort in knowing that I won't be metabolically challenged to lose with the weight if I see a significant regain. Best wishes ! ! !

I was allowed to eat anything that my body would tolerate with a focus on protein based/dense foods first. Rice, pasta, and breads were super difficult at first so I did avoid those. But, meat, cheese, eggs, mushy veggies were all great. I had a 3 month restriction on raw veggies and fruits, but after that, it was anything I wanted to eat.

So, for those not on my Facebook, we had the 20 week anatomy scan today. It was actually my 2nd, the first said girl with 70% definitely a girl. I just wasn't convinced because the first U/S was not 100% conclusive. . . As for my stats, my labs are stellar except for my platelet counts which is related to my clotting disorder and has nothing to do with my VSG. As for the baby, measuring on target (actually a couple of days early), weighing in a couple of ounces heavy, and is thriving. For those wondering if pregnancy is possible, or safe, or anything else post-VSG. We're living proof it is not only possible, but I've had a fabulous pregnancy thus far ! ! ! Today's U/S was no doubt on gender, we got the FULL MONTY shot ! ! ! Presenting; Miss Tatum Adysen ! ! ! Perfect in every way, growing, perfect fingers, toes, spine, brain, lungs, placenta. . . All is fabulous in her little world! ! !

Yep, it sure can, and it's the main reason I choose to stay on my PPI even at over 2 years out. I read way too many stories from others weaning off their PPI and their hunger returned. Sadly, hunger might be "normal" for some, but for me, it's my worse enemy. I did experience false hunger early out, went on Prilosec, cleared it up, and was switched over to Nexium 6 months ago. I love not being hungry. I know that sounds crazy, but I know that my ravenous hunger pre-op was a big contributor to my obesity, and I don't want it back.

Whatever you decide, PLEASE make sure your insurance company does NOT have a 1 weight loss surgery procedure per LIFETIME, or policy period exclusion. With the recent study out in 2010 showing 1 in 3 band patients need another surgery and it's typically a revision, you'll be stuck with a band. I have appeal letters, and there are SOOOOOOOOOOO many people on obesityhelp.com that had the same rule with their insurance, they appealed it and WON for the sleeve. I had the band because VSG was not available when I had to choose. So, believe me, I do understand in choosing the band, BUT VSG was NOT even offered in my area, along with government ran insurance through the military, I had to tackle 2 hurdles to get VSG. I say do NOT give up, do not settle for the complications that come with the band lifestyle.

As sexist as this sounds, I'm not trying to come off that way. But, overweight/obese men are not typically targeted like overweight/obese women. I know my guy friends have dealt with the same issues, but their wives get the 3rd degree about losing weight. All of my doctors have instructed me that I need to lose weight since I was 16, but my male counterparts were never told to lose weight. I remember when I had knee surgery at 16, my medical report back in '93 from the ortho doc said "a 16 yr old, white, overly-nourished female presented with ___________ (symptoms)" I was only 160lbs back then. My parents were counseled on getting me on a strict diet and exercise regimen before and after surgery. Least to say, I ballooned up even more. My PCM here is very pro-WLS and has been extremely supportive throughout my journey. He never hesitated or squawked at my request for a bariatric referral.

No, Tricare standard as a secondary will not cover it outside of an MTF. I've had one lady contact me that got it covered with a civilian, BUT her husband is retired, they had Prime (Tricare for LIFE) they switched her (only to Tricare Standard through John Hopkins, and she had VSG covered with a civilian surgeon with the normal out of pocket Standard fees, and now she has to stay on this John Hopkins health plan because it's not a covered procedure and she did it outside an MTF). That's the only way I've seen anyone get it covered outside an MTF, and with a more "Standard" policy vs. Prime, however, it's only available at John Hopkins health plan through Tricare for Life recipients from everything I've read. 2 members on obesityhelp just went through the same thing, and the additional charges not covered by Aetna (for one of them) and United Health care (For the other) were both denied payment due to VSG not being a covered procedure.

Even though I am one of the most carnivorous women I know in my circle of friends, I can completely relate to you in regards to the high fat content of their diet. I do full fat foods like Peanut Butter, nuts, salad dressings, and avocados/guacamole, but I've read the posts of what they eat daily and I swear I could feel the "fat film" glazing over my mouth just by reading their posts. DS definitely has it's place, and for the right patient, I'm sure it works fabulously. Do you eat seitan, tempeh, and/or tofu??? I went through a stage where meat just wouldn't work all that great. I ate seitan for a few weeks, loved it, tempeh was "alright", and tofu is still something I enjoy. I also made the comments on a post about DS vs. VSG about how if I had to choose, I would definitely choose lugging an extra 40 pounds around and being in the "overweight" BMI range vs. living the DS lifestyle. I can accept a higher BMI vs. the complications and long term rigorous vitamin/supplement regimen that comes with DS. For me quality of life at 160lbs is way better than battling deficiencies. Keep researching, lean on your surgeon, and a nutritionist. I wish you all the best, and know all your diligence now will serve you well post-op.

I admit that I am not diligent enough with the massive Vitamin regimen that is required with a malabsorptive procedure. I had to choose what I could live with vs. what I knew I would fail miserably at. Losing weight is one thing, believe me, I get that. Living with vitamin counts of 20-30 pills a day is absurd in my little world, and there is no way I would do it for the rest of my life. Those same DS'ers told me I would fail miserably with a VSG only revision from my band. I had a BMI of right at 50 starting my VSG journey, and after 10 months, 138lbs lost, a BMI of 22, I'd like to say that I am by all means a success with VSG as a stand alone procedure. Plus, I wanted to have another child. Dealing with deficiencies or too high vitamin levels (which occurs with DS'ers as well) was something that I refused to deal with in pregnancy. I refused to have RNY also. The long term complications and regain stats with RNY were not in my best interest. I'm 2 years out, maintained my loss for a year before pregnancy weight started creeping in, and today myself and the baby are thriving. I do not have to take in any additional Vitamins or supplements, and have zero issues eating enough calories to support my body and another developing human. Best wishes in your research. It is very difficult to decide. I had to look at what I was willing to live with 10, 15, 20 years and beyond, not just what could get the weight off the quickest.

I can honestly tell you that to this very day, I am more self-conscious about my body than I ever was at 270lbs. So, as much as it sucks, she is 100% correct. Being skinny does NOT or will NOT fix the head issues. Being skinny doesn't make everything in the world "right as rain". I can say that I never allowed myself to be defined by my pant size. I was confident, loved life, was outgoing, social, never had a problem dating and none of that really changed when I lost weight. But, even in a size 2, I have a muffin top because of skin. My boobs look like deflated Water balloons. I have sharpei jowl wrinkles on the bottom of my buttcheeks. I over-analyze every single flaw, and nitpick the wrinkles on my face more than I ever did the back fat or enormous stomach I had pre-op. My brain has caught up with me in regards to recognizing myself as a skinny woman. I don't grab bigger sizes anymore, I recognize that I don't need a Large top anymore, but none of that changes the fact that I still think my body is a wreck.

Here's the animated video. . . There's lots of actual patients that have their videos of their surgery on youtube.com My kiddo wanted to see all the gross stuff. He's so weird when it comes to body stuff, but it helped him understand what my insides looked like post-VSG.

Cheers to no more baked white fish ! ! ! If you're not one that likes to cook or have tons of leftovers, I have some simple crock pots meals that are for 1-2 people. I would split up the portions and freeze half for meals later. If you're ever up for getting a tiny crock pot, I have a mini one I use for potlucks for dips and cocktail weinies and it's been great when I want something different than the family. And, I have a mini meatloaf and an egg/cheese/spinach recipe you can bake in muffin tins. OregonDaisy doesn't cook either, but she gets pretty creative with her "blending" LOL.