Tiffykins

I thought the same thing Mac, but they swear they were actually tighter. My mom decided to overshare a lot one day, and even though it made me shudder a bit, I was kind of shocked when I talked to 2 of my friends who had RNY a couple of years ago, and had the same issue. I've already overshared a bunch, and could give more details, but it's embarassing to say the least.

Lan - Think of it as a huge victory, and you're definitely headed in the right direction ! ! !

I have the same issue, and I'm 4 months out. I am definitely more restricted in the morning, but I'm able to get in my water in the morning. I just can't eat anything until around 10am-11am.

Excellent job ! ! !

Welcome to VST, and best wishes with your and your wife's journey.

Hey there and welcome to VST. Thanks for sharing your story, and I look forward to hearing even more of your progress.

I hated going to Wal-Mart during the post-op diet stage. I started walking in through the garden center to avoid those smells.

Congrats ! ! ! You're doing so wonderful.

YAY, and congrats to the both of you. I will keep y'all in my thoughts, and can't wait to see an update. . .

YAY YAY, Congrats chickee ! ! !

I agree 100%. We will definitely talk. I'm just so nervous. Thank you so very much.

My mom has lost 80lbs (in 2 years) with her band, and she experienced it. 2 friends of mine who had bypass both experienced it. So, those were my references. Being tight is one thing, we had issues before he left, it took awhile for sex to be comfortable for us, and I have laid off the kegel since being with him (I should of thrown that out there). I had a c-section as well so nothing changed for me downstairs in relation to giving birth. Like I said, maybe it's just nerves getting the best of me. But, I really don't want sex to be horrible after being apart for so long.

My band surgery was performed by Dr. Nye in Pensacola, FL, and my revision to sleeve surgery was performed by Dr. Michael Michel at Eglin AFB, FL. My husband is active duty Air Force, and both procedures have been covered 100% by our insurance. I haven't heard of that specific surgeon. There's a couple of ladies from LA on here, Ash, and I can't for the life of me remember the other member. You may contact Ash (hit member list link at the top and find her, shoot her a message on here to find out who she used).

I'd be up for a cruise as well. I've never been on a cruise and think it would be fabulous ! ! ! I don't eat cottage cheese (it's a consistency/texture thing), and I was eating cheddar, and colby jack cheese with deli meat that caused my constipation. You'll do great. Like Vegas said, just stay positive, and you'll get there. Just take it day by day, sip by sip, bite by bite.

Most surgeons are using a 32F or 34F bougie. It's a measuring tool for them to ensure the most restriction possible. I have heard of some surgeons using bigger bougies, but the patients quit losing after 4-5 months because they could eat more. At 4 months out, I can consume 2-3oz of dense Protein (meat), or 4-6oz of mushy/soft foods (yogurt) and my surgeon uses a 32F.

I think it's a great website, but it doesn't answer specific questions. When I get to the plastic surgery stage, if I can't get it covered by insurance (which my insurance will cover some stuff if I document everything, and get the referrals), I plan to travel outside the US for those procedures. Good luck in your research, and let us know if we can help in any way possible. I'll throw this out there. Now that I can eat normal food, I don't miss fried foods at all ! ! !

You are so amazing, and truly uplifting. I'm so proud of you, and really wish we lived closer so we could hang out.

I find out his surgical stats. How many sleeves has he done? Leak stats? What size of bougie does this surgeon use? How many leak tests are performed? How long has he been doing bariatric surgeries all together? Also, ask about the facilities/hospital. I have certain requirements just for my own comfort level and peace of mind. I would never have surgery performed at a "surgical center" and in some countries (Mexico) they certifies these little in and out facilities as hospitals. For me that is not enough. I want an on-site ICU department, not just ICU capabilities. I want a blood bank on hand, not a place that can have blood delivered in a matter of minutes. Price is great, but sometimes, you get what you pay for. I know in this economy money is a huge concern, but it's surgery, major surgery at that, and I think there are some amazing surgeons out there with great prices, but just research, research, and do more research when you think you have it all figured out. I would also look on obesityhelp.com for his patients. Message them, ask them for the good, bad and ugly of their experience.

I haven't seen the capsules OTC.

My best advice is take it very slowly. Try one new thing, and a tiny amount of that one thing per day. I am 4 months out, and literally just feeling like a normal person who eats less for about the last month. You have to remember your healing. Your entire body has been through a traumatic event, and your stomach took the brunt of the trauma. Your entire body is adapting to your new anatomy. My surgeon didn't push getting my protein in until I got to mushies. My main focus was staying hydrated, and walking. As for the food you bought, watch out for bananas, they have lots of carbs. Which for me made me very "sleepy" feeling. If I have too many carbs, I feel horrible. I limit my carb intake to no more than 30grams of carbs per day. As for the greek yogurt, I have to add a packet of Splenda to it. It's pretty "bitter" tasting for me. I never experimented with baby foods of any sorts. I was able to blend up deli meat, and used a little bit of mustard to add flavor. When I very first started on mushies, and then soft solids, I had gas. Gas X strips helped tremendously. I did have a bout of constipation when I incorporated cheese into the diet, Miralax solved that problem. I haven't had cheese since that one episode. Stress will inhibit healing. So, remember to breathe, clear your mind of negativity, focus on staying hydrated, and don't rush it. Your body needs peace, rest and be free of any stress. Have peace that you made a decision to become healthier, and losing weight is going to help you achieve that goal. BUT, you have got to let your body heal.

Exhaling before sipping definitely helped with that reverse bubble effect. That's what it felt like for me the 1st couple of weeks. I would sip, and get this little bubbling up from the tummy into the esophagus, and it felt like air. My surgeon explained that it would go away with time, and it took about 2 weeks. I never had the cold coming up the esophagus. I think Mac explained it best. Pepcid will take care of the acid after it's formed, Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, and other PPIs will prevent it from becoming a problem.

I have very similar issues, and I rarely hit 500 calories a day. I am totally "Thanksgiving" full on 2-3oz of dense Protein like chicken or beef. I'm miserable for most of the day. My surgeon and nutrtionist gave me a meal plan to follow and there is absolutely NO Way on God's green earth could I consume that much food. I don't do shakes at all, I can't tolerate the taste, nor the texture. I know that I have to up my calories, but at the same time, I've not hit a true stall in 4 months. I've consistently lost at least 3lbs per week. I realize my loss had been drastic and coupled with my complications, my surgeon said he wasn't surprised, but I should be stalling out here soon. I imagine life stressors have effected my loss as well. Hopefully, once the husband gets home, and we get into a routine, I'll be able to eat a little more. I'm supposed to eat 4-6 meals a day with each meal consisting of 15grams of protein. I'm lucky if I get in 2-3 meals a days with 9-12grams of protein per meal.

I revised from the band to the sleeve after 8 short months. The sleeve and band are only similar in the fact that they are only restrictive procedures. The disadvantage of the band is your restriction will vary, the first 2-3 months, your stomach is swollen, but then you have to get fills to hit the "sweet spot". I never got there, and quit losing, and even gained back a few of the initial 25-27lbs I lost the first 3 months. Every day was a surprise with the band. Some days, I could eat any food (except for bread) then other days, I couldn't get yogurt down without sliming and throwing up. Food got stuck even though I chewed it up to mush. There haven't really been any disadvantages to having the sleeve for the last 4 months. I've enjoyed all the foods I did before surgery just in smaller portions. I've only gotten something stuck once, and it wasn't the same as things getting stuck with my band. The constant aftercare and maintenance of the band was just inconvenient and disappointing. I've been beyond pleased with my results with the sleeve, and have zero regrets.

Hey there and welcome to VST. I agree with the other ladies that mentioned that size of bougie sounds quite large compared to the "standard". I have a 32F with no oversewing, and at 4 months out, I can get in 4oz of mushies, or 2-3oz of dense Protein, NOT simultaneously. I can eat almost an entire cup (6oz cup of Yoplait Light)of yogurt, but it takes me over 30 minutes to eat all of it. I also revised from the band to the sleeve and it was the very best decision in the world.

I'm not Daisy, but I couldn't tolerate any of the Unjury flavors. I tried the strawberry, chocolate, Unflavored, vanilla, and the chicken broth. It wasn't necessarily the taste, it is the smell of the mixes that gets to me.