Tiffykins

32fr bougie, lost 138lbs in 10.5 months, and maintained my loss for a year until pregnancy weight hit. As for bougie size, the difference between a 32fr and 40fr is a mere 2.3mm in diameter so there is minimal difference in bougie size. Surgical technique, and your own stomach length/size will determine final sleeve capacity. People with 48fr and higher bougie sizes do report a higher incidence of regain, and that is why the standard size 32-40fr was established for the sleeve procedure. 4-6oz is only 1/2-3/4 of a cup of food, get out a measuring cup and look at how little that really is compared to what you ate pre-op. Now choosing what food to take up that 4-6oz is what will help determine your ultimate long term success. I'm almost 2 years out(on Friday will be my 2 years post-op), I have never had a stricture, nor do I have problems eating any food. Everything goes down fine, some foods settle heavy such as pork chops and scrambled eggs. Other foods like medium cooked steaks, and scallops go down just fabulous. I can eat tons of salad, and slider foods go right down without issue.

I can honestly say their sizes get bigger every year. When I started losing weight back in 2008, I couldn't even fit into their plus size selections. By the time, I had conjured up the nerve to shop there again, I was wearing a size 18 and still weighing in the 200s. At my lowest weight around 120-125lbs, I was wearing a size 0 in their skirts, most XS in their shirts, and XS-S in their dresses. I bought a Medium sun dress on clearance for about $4, and thought it would carry me through the pregnancy. Least to say, it would carry me through a pregnancy with twins. It's enormous on me, and I can't wear it yet because it looks like a tent on me. I wear a size 2 in their Diva jeans, super skinny cut and that's my standard size. They get big in the seat after a couple of hours of wearing them, but they fit perfectly through my waist and mid-section. Gap sizing (sister company of ON) is getting bigger too. I wear a size 0 in their boyfriend cut, and a size 25-27 (European sizing) in some of their other cuts of denim. I have a 29-31inch(varies depending on my bounce on the scale) waist by Air Force regulation measurements so there is NO WAY on God's green Earth that I should be wearing those sizes. Charlotte Russe is about the only company that I have found sizing to be pretty standard. I wear a 4/6 in their pants, and small or medium in their shirts/blouses. I don't shop there often ha ha ha.

Totally do-able ! ! ! I'm a firm believer that the sleeve can and does work for 98% of patients that are willing to 1) put in the effort 2) have patience with their bodies 3) don't have a ton of metabolic issues beating them up one side and down another (even though I know many with metabolic issues that have soared passed their goals, it took them "longer")

Trying to get your body to maintain after the sleeve might take a bit more "liquid" calories since you are so close to goal. Early out (for the first 3 months), restriction is really apparent. It begins to loosen up as the sleeve matures, and around 9-12 months out, most find their sleeve has matured. Just trying to get in enough calories/protein/carbs/fats to maintain a healthy weight might be trickier than if you had say 50lbs to lose. The couple of revision patients that I latched onto early in my revision process were both within 20-25lbs to goal when they revised. They both dropped about 30-40lbs initially and then regained it once they were able to consume more foods after the healing period. Then again, your body may respond differently, and you might not have those same struggles. Some surgeons swear that revision patients lose slower than virgin sleeve patients, but I'm living proof that isn't always the case.

You can use the carbonate chews, but make sure you take them with food. My PCM won't even recommend carbonate for normies(people without altered guts) because it's just not that great of a calcium source. Also, we have a reduced amount of stomach acid since our stomachs are so much smaller. You can take them with an acidic beverage like orange juice and that helps as well. You don't have to stay on chewables. I just prefer them because I can get the 1000mg of citrate in 2 chewables so it's easy for me. The calcium they pull in labs from blood doesn't monitor bone density, or strength so it's recommended to get bone scans performed to ensure that there are no issues with calcium intake, and to not just go off blood plasma levels of calcium to determine bone strength. Carbonate is just the cheapest form of calcium out there so it's not recommended especially for women that are predisposed to osteoporosis and other bone issues. Vitamin absorption occurs in the intestine so no worry on absorption with our Vitamins not absorbing properly in our intestines. Once you're cleared for pill consumption, you can easily take all vitamins in pill form instead of chewables. I'm just a big kid and like chewables.

Yep, I use them, and they are approved for me to continue with them through my pregnancy because my ob was so impressed with their formulation. I take the multi complete and the calcium citrate puls 500 with Vitamin D and Magnesium. Make sure you take a Calcium Citrate since Carbonate is not readily absorbed without stomach acid. So, if you are on a PPI or H2 blocker, make sure you take Citrate. Carbonate is the least expensive and lacks elemental calcium which is essential for proper absorption. Celebrate will send you a free sample pack. Just email them at success@celebratevitamins.com and request a sample pack and let them know you've had VSG.

I ran across this on OH, and thought I would share. Of course, there will be some variations once the healing is completed, and I've been told that my new tummy is about the diameter of an average sized man's middle finger which is bigger than the BIC pen, or even the next one down. But, I thought this was interesting, and wanted to share. The end result will be larger than the boughie because it's strictly a measuring tool.

There's a lot of revision patients that revise super close to goal so you'll be fine, and hit goal. Your body will stabilize quicker than most of us, and maintenance might be tricky, but it can be done. There's only 2.3mm difference between a 32fr and 40fr bougie so not a huge difference at all. I hope everything goes well for your revision. You'll love the sleeve and zero maintenance lifestyle.

There are zero food restrictions. I literally eat anything and everything. And, I have drank soda for about 16 of my 24 months post-op without any issues, my sleeve capacity is the same today as it was over a year ago. During the healing period, you should be given a list of approved foods for each stage. Once you get to regular foods, you might find that certain foods don't agree with your stomach, but you can try them again. Pork still sits heavy in my sleeve, but really nothing else bothers me. Scrambled eggs can sometimes be a bit heavy, but if I add enough cheese or deli meat, then it's all good.

I'm thinking this sounds like a pre-op food funeral. I hope you're not post-op and shoveling all that food into a healing stomach. It's done and over with, you can take the calories back, no need for guilt or a pity party over it. Just accept it and move forward.

So, you've lost 25% of your excess bodyweight in 5 weeks and that's considered slow? I think that's pretty phenomenal. Just because someone loses more pounds than you in the same amount of time doesn't mean they lost the excess weight any faster. It's about percentages at the end of the day. I went back and looked at my first 5-6 weeks loss rate, and I had about 35 more pounds to lose than you did, and guess what in those 5-6 weeks, I had lost 30% of my excess weight, so I don't consider you a slow loser or the slowest loser by any means. We didn't get fat overnight, getting skinny and healthy takes time too ! ! !

Initially, no I couldn't eat and drink simultaneously. But, after the residual swelling goes down, taking a few sips with my meal doesn't hurt, or cause me to be "hungry" any faster. I broke the habit with the band because with a pouch you have to stop drinking 30 minutes before the meal too. With the sleeve, since liquids go in, and go out, drinking right up until that first really makes things easier. There is a huge difference in drinking with a meal, and taking a few sips to wet your whistle. Also, with the sleeve, I am able to drink right up until I take that first bite, eat then wait 30-40 minutes to resume drinking. I typically suck down a bunch of Water or tea before my meal arrives then start eating. All it does is keep the food in your stomach longer to prolong satiety. Very little absorption of nutrients from food occurs in the stomach, 85% of absorption occurs in the intestines. Some people find popping a sugar free hard candy(mint) or a stick of gum after their meal to help with the dry mouth issue.

YAY YAY no more pokin' well no more finger-pokin! ! ! (that still came out naughty) Nuts (cashews, peanuts, almonds, pistachios, hell macadamia nuts are my favorites), yep eat peanut butter by the spoonful that's quick, easy fat-filled calories. I used full fat cream of Soups for cooking chicken and beef in the crock pot. Toss a can of cream of XX Soup with 2 chicken breast and that fed me for a good 2-3 days. Shred the chicken with 2 forks. and VOILA that's a meal. Ground turkey or beef taco meat with sour cream/greek yogurt and full fat cheese. You do gotta eat more. I'm a puker either, and the band really got me to where I seriously hated to puke. Start with easy moist meat salads like chicken or tuna salad throw some olive oil in there, with a little greek yogurt or ranch dressing. Just buy full fat stuff, dressings, gravies, use food lube (condiments) until you get comfortable eating bigger quantities. It does take time, but I swear food lube helps the transition. Full fat cheeses, get you some parmesan (the hard parmesan blocks) and make you some cheese crisps. http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/snacks/r/cheesecrisps.htm Dip those bad boys in some refried Beans, hummus, sour cream, you can flavor them with cajun or creole seasoning, garlic/pepper sprinkle. So to help avoid carbs, but have yummy barbque, make this: I omit the bacon or use turkey bacon http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/saucesandmarinades/r/nosugarbbqsauce.htm Get you a 2-3pound roast (we don't eat pork) so beef is what I use. Oh yeah, do you have a crock pot??? If you don't, invest in one this weekend. Then go to the baggie/foil/trash bag aisle and get some crock pot liners. Then trim the outside fat from the roast, toss it in the crock pots, sprinkle it with black pepper and garlic powder, dump the barbque sauce over the top of it. Set it on low for 6-8 hours, fix it and forget it. The fat will rise to the top, skim off the excess fat with a spoon, then remove the roast, shred it with 2 forks, then put it back in the sauce for 10-20 minutes to heat it through with the sauce. YUMMY YUMMY, this freezes really well, and can defrosted and reheated. I ate 4 meals per day Breakfast around 8-9, lunch 12-1 late afternoon lunch/early dinner 3-4 and then dinner between 6-7:30. I only ate green veggies, I didn't have room for other ones. You can do it chickee ! ! !

Peer to Peer review with a letter of support from your PCP or whichever doctor manages your use of NSAIDS.

I'm BOLDING this so you see this, and I want this to stick in your brain, and more importantly in your heart and soul; You have lost 25% of your excess weight in less 2 months post-op, do you know how phenomenal that really is? ? ? In addition to post-op weight loss, you've dropped 40% of your excess weight since starting your journey, I don't know, but can someone give a HALLELUJAH around here for those results? ? ? Now, on a more serious note; how are you blood sugars looking after being diagnosed with diabetes just before surgery? How are you feeling about your clothes fitting? I know you're a little exhausted, but other than that do you feel the doom and gloom you felt when that diagnosis and hospitalization hit you in the beginning of March? ? ? Or, are you optimistic, and looking to the future free of insulin and having to poke yourself constantly? ? ?

I'm going to echo Julia's suggestion on fat grams. Your body needs fat, I'm not talking unhealthy, fried food yummy badness, but throw yourself some Peanut Butter, avocado chunks in there and then push clear fluids. Starvation mode isn't going to happen until your body exhausts all of it's fat stores, but your body does need good healthy fats to function. I had zero fat intake guidelines. Strictly to get in Protein, cut carbs, and push fluids. Eating full fat stuff worked fabulously for me, and I can honestly say that when I started looking at the fat free "light" stuff, it was full of sugar(carbs), and sodium. Those 2 things will stall out weight loss quicker than anything. Don't get frustrated, and don't give up.

I'm with Foxbins 100%. Plus, I wasn't able to workout, or exercise at all for 3.5 months so I wasn't able to move a lot to burn. In all honesty, I just didn't have room for carbs. I was told to eat 4 meals a day consisting of a minimum of 15gr of Protein per meal. I didn't have great luck with WW with either the points or the alternative whole food program. It'd take me 6-8 months to drop 20-40lbs and then I'd gain it back, and then some. I did do some things to cut carbs and increase protein grams. For example, using greek yogurt vs. regular yogurt, avoiding fruits because of the sugar/carbs, eating only green leafy veggies, but that is because it's what I wanted to eat. When I found things that worked (which was a struggle for me), I stuck with what worked religiously. Just from my experience, I can honestly tell everyone that the months that I "let go" and started adding back in carbs (in all forms), my weight loss came to a screeching halt. And, I was still eating protein first for all of my meals, but I was slipping in breads, rice and pastas. And, any time I want to lose weight, all I have to do is go low carb around less than 50-60gr per day, and drop weight.

Technically, mushies/purees/soft foods were all in the same category for me. I could have scrambled, soft poached eggs, cheese, refried Beans, chili with or without beans, soft white fish (scallops, tilapia, mahi mahi) were all allowed. The prescribed mushy time for me was 2-3 weeks and then start introducing more solid meats. However, I struggled with solid meats so I stayed on mushy/soft foods for about 3 months because I could get my Protein from food sources much easier by sticking to soft foods. I still enjoy soft Proteins because it's just easier. Steak (all varieties cooked to medium) is the best dense protein for me, it works best, doesn't sit heavy in my sleeve, and I can eat about 4oz, beef brisket is another great option. For some reason, beef/venison both work much better over chicken. Scallops are my favorite seafood protein since I can eat about 4-6 (based on size) of those little yummy boogers.

I had to correct my original post. The last sentence that states 15gr of carbs per meal, it should read 15gr of Protein per meal.

I had zero symptoms of reflux pre-VSG. I would get an occasional bout of heartburn when I super overeat, but it was not a recurring issue.

I'm almost 2 years out and I still take Nexium 40mg once daily. I was on Prilosec from about 6 weeks out because I was getting false hunger. I switched over to Nexium because Prilosec is not approved with pregnancy. I kept saying I'd wean off of it. Then I'd read stories of rebound reflux, return of hunger, and I just never weaned off of it. I will go back to Prilosec after I deliver.

I only did low carb through my losing stage. It's what worked for me. I can say that I counted carbs religiously, and honestly, I didn't have room for anything other Protein. I did not rely on protein drinks/shakes for my prescribed 60gr per day so getting in my protein from food was essential. I ate 4 meals per day with each meal consisting of a minimum of 15gr of PROTEIN. (corrected from 15gr of carbs) In maintenance, I only worry about calories and protein. I eat all carbs as well. I went to panera 2 days ago, and had the chicken cuban panini, ate about half of it minus the ham, and 1/2 of the cup of French Onion soup. Oh, and I ate about half of the inside of that bread they serve with the soup. Bread is a slider for me at this point so I can eat it without issue. I eat a super balanced, varied diet in maintenance, and protein only comes first about 85% of the time for me now. I eat my meal by what tastes best, and if that green veggie, or mac-n-cheese or salad tastes better at the moment, I eat that first. I might only get in 2oz of protein for some meals, but other meals are nothing but protein so it evens out.

I was never that person when I was fat. I didn't allow people define my character or my "person" by my pant size. I have not changed one single bit personality wise since losing weight. I'm still the outspoken, opinionated, brutally honest, loving and caring person I was when I was fat. I didn't tolerate bad behavior from anyone, and I still don't tolerate any b.s. I think a lot of it has to do with how my mother raised me. She taught me from an early age that no one would love me if I didn't love and accept myself. I never got bullied because I was fat. I had a successful career, active social and dating life before I married my husband. I was respected as a person regardless of my pant size and it's because I demanded that from people. Being skinny hasn't changed that part of me.

I just saw this post, so I apologize for the delay in my reply. I've sent you a private message here so you can reply to it.

My surgeon and PCM both agree that hormonal fluxes can impede hormonal birth control efficacy. It has nothing to do with the sleeve making it less absorbed or malabsorbed in any way. Also, I have read time after time after about 4 years on various weight loss surgery forums that hormonal birth control can slow down or even bring weight loss to a stop. I also know 2 VSG'er down here in Florida that got pregnant within 8 post-op while on the pill after VSG. One of my RNY friends got pregnant within 9 months of her RNY with the patch.