Tiffykins

Dehydration is a major concern post-op. coffee is a natural diuretic therefore it is highly recommended to cut it out until you can safely get in all of your clear fluids. As for caffeine pills, they are typically full of other crap too. Your liver is already going to be working overtime to process anesthesia, pain meds, and all the rapid weight loss. Do you really want to task it with more crap to process? ? ? Just a thought. I started back to having coffee after I could get in all my other fluids.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh if you go to a good sushi place, ask if they can make the roll without rice and use cucumber instead ! ! !

My surgeon not the severe erosion on the inside of my stomach but on the outside, I don't know if that makes sense. But, my port had flipped early out, and my douchebag band doctor ignored my complaints of pain for months, it got to where the port migrated, and the tubing was pulling on my band that was wrapped around my stomach. 3.5 months for me to resume normal activity. I actually didn't have a pre-op liquid diet. I just had to low carb it, and then fast the night before surgery after midnight. I don't know many revision patients that have to do a prolonged liquid diet unless they are having major issues with their band and even then I've never read more than 2 weeks of Protein shakes and other liquids including yogurt, sugar free popsicles, pudding and Jello. My leak was directly where the band was wrapped around my stomach. I did lose additional stomach tissue from that area, but it was not at the esophagus/stomach connection. My leak was discovered on my 3rd and final leak test with contrast fluid(gastrographin Fluid should be used since barium is not Water soluble).

Oh yuck, then I'd get a good quality probiotic powder/crystal that you can you mix in fluids, or sprinkle on your tongue. GNC makes a great one that is truly flavorless and tasteless.

I was simply told and had read (but didn't book mark any of the notices) that the risk for a leak triples to quadruples for leaks for an all in one procedure. My leak repair was not the standard repair. The band had done so much damage that when the stapler when through the scar tissue (even though my surgeon removed so much of it), it didn't seal properly, 2 days post-op, swelling went down and it opened up on my final leak test. My leak was repaired immediately by my surgeon going in, and literally removing all of the damaged tissue and then piecing my stomach back together from 2 separate pieces. I hope that makes sense. We could not see the damage the band had done. All my adhesions had formed on the outside of the band, and I adamantly refused to get bypass if a sleeve was not possible. So, he worked with what he had, and he couldn't just remove the band, so he performed the VSG in one procedure. Also, I could NOT have an unfill as my port had migrated and was flipped about 70% and encased in scar tissue so no luck on getting the unfill and allowing my stomach to relax before the sleeve was performed. Sometimes, it's cost of hospital charges, anesthesia etc etc that insurance companies want it in one procedure. Other surgeons that I've read about have gotten in, removed the band and made the patient come back later. But, for the most part having them done 2 in 1 is the popular procedure. Big question to ask is "If I have leak, how are you going to repair it?" Some use stents, and drains, others go in and heavy suture and mesh/seal over it. Others try to allow it to heal on it's own with just a drain. I was on TPN for over 2 weeks while my stomach healed, didn't eat or drink anything, not even ice chips for over 3 weeks, so my recovery was extensive and exhaustive. I had a secondary hospitalization due to abdominal abscesses that formed about 5-6 weeks later, and then I had more drains placed, and heavy IV antibiotic therapy to clear them up.

I've read many reports of consistent restriction from VSG vs. tha random restriction I had from AGB. Is your restriction consistent? Yes, my restriction constant, and consistent. Is it consistent both in terms of times of day you can eat and types of food you can eat? Just like with a my big huge stomach, slider foods, mushy consistency food goes down much easier, and I can eat larger amounts of these foods so restriction does vary based on what I choose to eat. Rice, pasta, potatoes, and some breads are all sliders for me, dense protein I still max out at around 3-5oz depending on which protein I choose to eat, and how it is prepared. For me there are a lot variables to my capacity. Meaning if I use food lube such as gravy, ketchup, steak sauce I can get in a couple more bites, or if I mix veggies with my meat, I can get in a few more bites. If I stretch my meal out over the 20-30 minutes, I can fit more food in. Does VSG seem to be effected by the same variables as AGB? (e.g. flying, stress, humidity, PMS/water retention...) I've had zero issue with altitude, or humidity effecting my restriction. BUT, I have horrific allergies/sinus issues, and just like with the Band, my stomach does get full of sinus drainage, a simple Sudafed, or Zyrtec before the major symptoms sneak in seem to resolve this issue. With AGB "stuck" foods caused me discomfort or pain, often quite a bit of pain, and often for a fairly long time. Does food stick with VSG? Nopers. I've read about people brining stuff up, but is this because of failure to pass through some stoma, or is it because of eating more than you can hold? Or both? Does it hurt like it did with your band? When it comes up, is it "saliva + stuck bits" like with the band, or is it actual vomit? I've compared it to that one last bite coming up. It's not the retching, hurling, gagging experience puking that I had when food would get stuck with the band. I was a really consistent and religious measurer of portions before I learned to eyeball my food intake. I use references like a deck of cards, or the food amount that would find in the palm of my hand when measuring wasn't available. We don't have stomas. We have intact pyloric valves so pretty much bringing food back up is related to taking that one or two last bites, and simply not having room for it. I know some dumping can occur with VSG - do you dump? Is it on specific foods, or random? I have never dumped. I developed lactose intolerance that mimics dumping syndrome, but I eat every type of sugary, fat laden food imaginable without issue. What period is the greatest risk for developing a leak? I see references to 2 weeks, 2 months... 6 weeks Is leak the (currently known) most likely complication of VSG? I see people talking about leaks, and pOuch stretching, but that's about it. Surely there's something else out there... Leak is the most common and most dangerous. Sleeve stretching is not the same as pouch stretching. The sleeve matures after the healing period. There just isn't enough tissue left to stretch out the stomach tissue that remains after a partial gastrectomy. I'm 2 years out and eat just about the same amounts that I was eating at 7-9 months out when I was getting into maintenance. Of course, there are ways that I cheat the sleeve to fit in more food, and I am not longer restrictive with my food choices, I keep things in moderation, but do not deprive myself of any foods. Strictures, I would say are the 2nd most dangerous and common complication with VSG even though I've read only a handful of stricture issues, they do occur with VSG. Other complications are typically temporary, such as dehydration, nausea, and pain. WIthout the need for fills, what does your post-op care look like? I had follow up appointments for labs at 3.6.9,12, 18, 24 months, and it was recommended to get a scope done at a year out. I had my gallbladder removed at 8 months out, and had a scope. This is just the program through the military hospital I had VSG. I will have labs pulled at 2.5 years out after I deliver Sprout, and then again at 3 years post-op. After that, I will be put on an annual follow up program with the bariatric department to monitor my weight, nutrition and labs. This is all part of the follow up studies to show that VSG is very viable option for weight loss, and with consistent follow up, I hope this will help get Tricare and Medicare to fully cover VSG as of right now it is still considered investigational and is only performed at a handful of military hospitals. Do you have periodoc leak tests as a bandster might have period fluoro or xray? No What do you like best about your VSG? No medication and no food intolerances. I also love that I do not have have physical hunger at even 2 years post-op. What do you like least about your VSG? Not applicable. Honestly, there is nothing to not like. What did you not know going in, that you wish you did? Not applicable I keep reading "recovery is a lot harder than with the band," but no one really elaborates. Can someone please share their comparison of recovery? How hard did you find the transition in terns of behavior? I'm assuming there are shared rules such as chewing to goo, small bites, waiting between bites, etc. Actually my initial recovery from the sleeve was easier except for residual port pain where they removed my port. To this very day, I still have random pain in that area. Do you have a "soft stop" with VSG? (I never had one with AGB, but I'm wondering if it exists with VSG) I never pushed this issue, and today I still try to not eat until full. I can get some pressure or a hiccup if I'm getting close to full. Did anyone out thyere have a difficult revision due to scar tissue/etc. with the band? I had a horrific leak due to scar tissue that was detected on my final leak test. It was repaired immediately, and I had an extensive recovery. I would honestly endure every complication to live the life I have today. Any bathroom problems? (e.g. the terrible stinkies DSers are known for) None It seems like most people encounter significant heartburn. Is reflux an issue with VSG? Is the heartburn long term, or does it resolve after a while? There are varying answers out there. I stay on a PPI because I choose to do so. I never had reflux and have been on Prilosec, now Nexium due to the pregnancy since being around 6 weeks out. I haven't attempted to wean off the PPI because I've read other vet sleevesters stories about rebound reflux and returning hunger. Are your food intolerances (if any) the same as with your AGB? There is nothing that I can't eat, and I eat anything and everything I want. The only thing that still settles heavy in my sleeve is pork, and scrambled eggs. If I put enough cheese on the eggs, I have zero issues. Pork chops, pork tenderloin still sits heavy, like 2oz in and I'm super full and uncomfortable.

I would honestly check over on obesityhelp.com as you might get more replies. I can think of 2 ladies that dropped over 180lbs in a year with VSG and one man who has dropped 310lbs in 18 months with the sleeve. Losing weight statistically with VSG and RNY are neck and neck, the challenge is keeping the weight off, and I would let her know that she needs to research the regain stats, the long term complications with RNY before deciding if she hasn't already. While I'm not bashing RNY as it has been proven to be a good surgery option for many. I also believe that losing weight the fastest, or quicker with the malabsorption is something that should be considered. Malabsorption of calories/carbs/fats does NOT last a lifetime. Intestinal adaptation takes over in about 2 years, and all she'll have is restriction of a stretchy pouch. If you need links for research purposes, please let me know, I can direct them to you and you can pass them onto your friend.

If you have Facebook, you can add me over there facebook.com/sparkleandcharm I'll shoot you a private message that you can reply to with your questions. Are you on Tricare Prime or Standard?

I've had several friend use it, and some love it, some hate it. One called it "NuvaDeathRing" because she felt so horrific on it and went back on the pill. Then there was the one that the nuvaring fell out and she didn't realize and ended up pregnant LOL. Let us know what you decide! ! !

I would never hate anyone for having a different opinion. I do see your point, and agree that he could not chow down in front of her. But, I don't think it's fair or appropriate to challenge his food choices. You bring up a valid point. I don't think I have a food addiction nor do I think ever obese person that chooses WLS is a true food addict. I've dealt with addiction in other forms, and it was easy for me to walk to away from food so I can't compare overeating/my obesity to my nicotine addiction. My husband quit smoking even while we lived together, and he never asked me to not smoke around him. He said that smoking was his issue, and I wasn't ready to quit. The tables have been turned big time. He started smoking again, and since the pregnancy, I've quit and he hasn't. To the original poster, make sure you communicate to him how difficult this transition is and you'd appreciate some consideration. Unfortunately, he might not respond in a positive manner. Communication is key during this time.

Ulcers are possible, but very rare with partial gastrectomies unless you have a history of them. Lactose intolerance sucks, I still have a whey protein intolerance that never went away. Your body might not be responding to Prilosec, I would definitely look at switching PPIs and getting on either Zegerid or Nexium. Zegerid is a combo drug that is Prilosec with Carafate which is used for ulcer and severe gastritis patients. If you can swallow Prilosec, I hope you can find a solid pill form multivitamin that you could possibly split in 2, or hell even a complete gummy would help get your body something. Please keep us posted, and if we can do anything, please let us know. Complications suck and make all the other successes so minimal when you're suffering. When I was having gastritis back in January, I brought up the ulcer question (because I was still smoking which increases the risk tremendously, I know I know), anyways, my surgeon said "if it only hurts when I eat then that's not typical ulcer behavior, eating usually soothes the ulcer." I had already gone back to bland, basic foods, and was still having pain. Can you eat yogurt with the lactose intolerance? I was still able to yogurt even though I had lactose intolerance.

They were the small slices of the sushi smothered in wasabi and eel sauce LOL. As for a true steak such as filet, I can eat half of an 8oz filet mignon from most steak houses and I order them Medium. I still can not to this day eat an entire chicken breast like the ones they serve with a grilled chicken salad at chili's or TGI Fridays unless I eat super slow, and use some sort of dressing or food lube to get it down. I can eat about 1 cup of chili with 6-8 crackers. If I add any veggies, especially starches, I can fit more food in. If I stretch my meal out over 30-40 minutes then I can eat a couple more ounces. As for prepared meat, remember those foods are measured in weight and not volume, I go by the "deck of cards" or portions that can fit in the palm of my had to eyeball portions when it come to proteins/solid foods. Pepper steak is typically made with very finely sliced and tenderized flank or skirt steak, and I can eat about 6oz of pepper steak. It all depends on how well I chew and if I use any food lubes to make the food more mushy consistency.

Here's a very long detailed nutritional and Vitamin guide for bariatric patients from ASMBS. http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/resources/bgs_final.pdf

You definitely need to have labs done. It does sound like a potassium, magnesium and possible B12 along with the Vit D and D3 deficiency. Anemia is a big one especially if you are not getting Protein. You will have to find a Vitamin that you can tolerate, and I recommend getting on something, and taking Probiotics to help with the stomach upset. If you are not still on a PPI, talk to your doctor about getting on one. You may want to get your sleeve scoped if you are having difficulty eating this far out. I will keep you in my thoughts, and please get into see your doctor immediately.

Personally, I can relate to how it is to have a husband that does NOT struggle with his weight, and honestly, my husband is built like a brick poophouse thanks to the USAF and strict PT regimen. However, he eats healthy, I've never fried foods, but he eats ice cream 4 nights a week. I pack his lunch for him 98% of his duty days, and those lunches consist of Golden Graham and Chex Mix snack bar, a Mello Yello or Lipton canned tea, and whatever we had for dinner the night before as his lunch. I do NOT think it is right, or I should expect my husband or my son to cater to my eating or food weaknesses. I refuse to deprive them of foods because of my choice to have surgery. It's my body, my choice, my brain, my future health, as much as I'd like to sit here and say that's not fair what he is doing, I don't think it's not supportive. I think he is responsible for his health, and you are responsible for your health. He is not responsible for your obesity just as you are not responsible for outrageously (possible) high cholesterol or lipid panels. If he's going to complain what you prepare, then he can prepare or conjure up his own food. My husband does not ever complain about what I cook, but I also make food that is to all our preferences. My husband seriously never turns down what I prepare, and he is very supportive of my weight loss. There are some things I just don't eat anymore and it's because I don't want to eat it.

I can honestly tell you that I love food 100% just the same as I did pre-op. It took me months to get here, and I really didn't start liking food again I was at goal, and was able to really add in more food into my daily intake that consisted of more than just meat, cheese, eggs, and greek yogurt. Also, get creative. There are fabulous recipes out there that really made eating easier, and more pleasant. You'll be able to enjoy food again. I eat a huge variety of foods, and do not keep anything off my menu just because I had VSG. I had sushi(3 slices of shrimp tempura roll), and some pepper steak with fried rice this afternoon for lunch, for dinner I had 1/2 sonic corny dog, 3 chili/cheese tater tots, and 2 cheddar poppers. Okay, so it took me about an hour to eat dinner tonight because the corndog was filling, BUT it was a mad pregnancy craving, and it's what I wanted. Seriously, you will enjoy food again, but it will take some time, and some creativity on your part.

There's certain topics I won't even reply to because I've answered the question probably 200 times on another topic or several topics. I know that's horrible, but typing in hair loss, stalls, or soda in the search feature at the tops gives 1000's of topics, and I'm fairly sure one of the first 10 that pop up I've replied to at least one of them. Vitamins, nutrients, post-op "what worked for me" posts still intrigue me because those are things I still want to learn about. I'm much better with specific questions, and direct messages to me via the private message feature on here. It's hard to answer without sounds mean to "I haven't lost any weight in 4 days, and I had surgery 3 weeks ago". Also, I'm an over-researcher (if that's even truly possible when we're talking about removing the majority of a major organ), and knew about stalls, hair loss and soda long before I ever allowed them to cut on me. For me, I truly believe there has to be some personal responsibility in knowing the "what ifs" post-op, and doing diligent research will help ease the nerves, anxiety and concerns. I'm a big advocate of the search feature LOL.

Eglin AFB, Florida I just had my 2 year follow up appointment yesterday, and my surgeon has received orders to MacDill. If you want the sleeve, the only surgeon that I know that has experience with VSG, and the only other surgeon I trust, and know because he took over my care while my primary surgeon deployed, is Dr. Riley. Both are fabulous, and very experienced. Dr. Riley is only on for another year at this point. If you need help getting a referral put in, or any further information, please let me know.

From the articles I've researched, and all of the maintenance VSG'ers I talk with all state that within the first 12-18 months is the "honeymoon phase" and all that depends on the amount of weight a patient needs to lose. I look at Jimbo who has lost 300lbs with the sleeve in 18 months, and I think he just hit goal. His weight loss was extremely steady, and he, of course, dropped weight fast initially just like other heavyweights, but he continued to lose well past the first 3 months. I personally lost at the same rate after 3 months, and even with adding a few more grams of carbs until I hit goal in 6.5 months. My weight loss only slowed down when I purposely added more calories, carbs and fats to my daily intake. The percentage of weight loss is what really needs to be considered vs. actual pounds lost. For someone that has 150lbs to lose, they might lose more pounds faster than say someone that only has 75lbs to lose, but at the end of a 12 month period, if you compare the actual percentage of weight lost, the numbers are nearly identical.

The surgeon operated on your stomach, not your brain, and all the mental aspects of your eating habits and behaviors are on you to fix, and not the responsibility of the sleeve. If you're eating off plan, snacking/grazing, you've done nothing to change the habits that got us fat, right? I suggest setting a meal plan, eating your prescribed post-op diet, getting to a support group, or start some sort of counseling that should be easy accessible for you being a military spouse that has experience with bariatric patients. If you need information on getting some counseling set up, contact your PCP or your surgeon, my program with the MTF has a psych that I can see anytime for the rest of my life without needing a referral. Stalls are super common, and expected. But, any and all of the weight loss surgery options are only going to work so much for you. You have to be committed to making positive changes in your eating, and behaviors. I've stated 1000s of times on this board that losing weight is easy if you follow your plan, changing habits, breaking bad habits, and changing your relationship with food are the challenges that we all face after bariatric surgery.

I'm 18.5 weeks pregnant. I won't have any issues losing the pregnancy weight. I'll just low carb it again until I get the weight off. I gained a few pounds over the holidays and dropped those pounds in a little over a week just by cutting alcohol and carb consumption. As for the breakdown of weight gain with a pregnancy, this is what they've outlined for my weight gain: Maternal Fat- 7lbs Baby- 6-8lbs (average is 7.5lbs) Increases Fluid (blood volume)-2-4 ( a mother's blood volume typically doubles during pregnancy) Amniotic Fluid- 1-1.5lbs Placenta- 2lbs Breast tissue/mammary system weight increase - 1-2lbs Watch out for the ROSE procedure, it has an 85% failure rate. This is also discussed heavily on the obesityhelp.com Revision forum. ERNY (extended RNY, where they remove more intestine to start malabsorption again since intestinal adaptation has taken over at this point for you) is also an option. They will shorten your common channel by another 50-100cm. You definitely want to know before you agree to a revision if you have a pouch or stoma dilation because if you have actual mechanical failure with your RNY even a band over the pouch isn't going to do much because once the food passes through the band pouch into your RNY pouch, you will still be able to more food, and your malabsorption is gone. As for Jerusalem clinic, honestly, out of over 3 years on weight loss forums, I have never read of one patient having a RNY take down and revision to the VSG being performed there and honestly that is possibly why they are recommending the band over the bypass pouch to give you restriction again. Seriously, I can name 4 surgeons worldwide that are experienced with these surgeries, and with self-pay patients the cost just for the surgeon run upwards of 20-30k because it is such a complicated and exhausting surgery to take down an old RNY. I promise I researched revisions for months once I knew my band had to come out. The risks for complications especially leaks from scar tissue and adhesions literally quadruples with revisions vs. a virgin, unaltered stomach/intestinal tract. I had a leak with a band revision to VSG after only having the band for 8 months, and actually lost more stomach tissue because of the damage the band had done. My surgeon was experienced with revisions, and I happen to be a statistic of his that I'd like to take back. I was his first and only VSG leak so it can happen even with really experienced surgeons. I'm not slamming Jerusalem Clinic, but revisions are super tricky, complicated, and I would hate to see you fork out the money, get a surgery that is as high maintenance as the BOB procedure and then continue to struggle with your weight and be looking at or for another surgery. There have been RNY to VSG revisions performed due to reactive hypoglycemia symptoms and diagnosis after RNY, but again, it's a very complicated surgery with high risks. Just choose carefully, and continue to research your options.

Yeah, never is pretty ridiculous. There is ZERO scientific evidence that carbonation will stretch or harm your stomach. I did wait until I was at goal to drink soda. I did try a couple of sips before 6 months post-op and it was super uncomfortable. But, I drink a soda every day, and have been drinking soda for over a year without an issue or impact on my weight loss or sleeve capacity. As for sodium, B.S. you need sodium for normal kidney function. Now, over salting will cause Water weight, and no more than the daily recommended value should be consumed which is up to 2500mg per day. Sugar for logical weight loss reasons. But, to say never to sugar again is absurd. I'm so glad my program suggests a life of moderation after getting to goal and learning to manage your weight in maintenance. Deprivation dieting got me all the way up to 270lbs so I'm highly elated with my extreme life of moderation that I"ve been living for over a year in maintenance.

I don't avoid any foods now that I'm in maintenance. For my birthday this last year, my husband took me to The Melting Pot. I had copious amounts of wine, food, and cheesecake, rice krispy treats and fruit covered in white chocolate LOL. Then I went out dancing and enjoying copious amounts of rum and cokes. . . I like the idea of doing a special day just for you like a massage or spa day if you're still restricting certain foods. I party like a rockstar (on occasion) when I'm not pregnant, and that's what I considered normal life post-op.

I would go over to obesityhelp.com and seek answers on revising from RNY to DS on the Revision forum or DS forum. Going from a malabsorptive procedure to a restrictive only procedure is highly discouraged, and getting the BOB (band over bypass) has a whole slew of issues that have lead to more surgeries for patients that sought that procedure. Taking down an 11 year old RNY is going to be extremely dangerous, and only a handful (like 4-5) surgeons have the experience with the surgery. If you go with the BOB procedure, you'll need fills/unfills to get restriction, and those range $100-$300 a pop. You're risks quadruple for complications, and you'll need a true revision surgeon. If you were going to consider a BOB procedure, then going to a band, sleeve, or RNY surgeon is more desirable, but to have your RNY taken down and converted to a sleeve, honestly you need a true revision surgeon. Like I said, there are only a handful of true revision surgeons that even are trained and have performed numerous RNY to DS or VSG surgeries because it is such a huge and complicated surgery. As for your working out questions, I only worked out for 4 months from months 4-8 months post-op, and I'm extremely successful. I don't have a great, toned beautiful body, I look damn smashing with clothes on. I went from a size 22/24W to a size 2, from 263lbs to 125lbs, and was able to maintain my loss for a year until pregnancy weight started creeping in. Best wishes in your research!

Ethnicity, gender, age, genetics all play a role in how well your skin will rebound. I'm 2 years out, and have loose, wrinkly, flabby skin, but it could be better if I worked out. I haven't worked out in almost 1.5 years, and I can honestly say my skin has rebounded nicely. My inner thighs, and stomach are the worse, but my arms aren't that bad. It really just takes time, and lots of moisturizing. Once I have the baby, I plan on hitting the gym again really hard to tone up.