Tiffykins

Get medical attention. No matter if anyone else experienced these symptoms, please just go to the doctor/ER, and seek treatment. It could be just be gas or esophageal spasms, but if you feel something is NOT "right" go now.

The port under the skin is super creepy especially when people lose a lot of weight, and belly fat. The older bands have really big ports which actually poke through the skin. Where my port was located is the most disgusting place on my stomach, and to this very day, I can feel the scar tissue popping even though they removed hoards of scar tissue around that area. My port had migrated, and I had tons of scar tissue not only in that area, but adhesions that stretched from the original site to where the port ended up.

Have cake, and a drink. It's not like you're going to gain 10 flipping pounds over a piece of cake and a drink. Maybe your mom could make cupcakes for you, and only bring you 2 (1 for you, 1 for the bf), maybe that would make everyone happy? ? ? Just my $0.02

You look amazing ! ! ! Many congrats, and best wishes for continued success with your sleeve.

I'm over 22 months out, and never experience physical hunger. I had this funky, gnawing, twinge after eating around 6-7 weeks, talked to some other vets, and they said it could be acid causing false hunger. Went on Prilosec 20mg once daily, and have never felt it again. I take Nexium now, and not being hungry is the biggest reason I stay on it. Even with the pregnancy, I'm not ever, I mean ever physically hungry. That does not change my want to eat, or my appetite. I still love food, and the sleeve makes the "decision-making" process on what goes in my mouth so much easier.

I didn't purchase anything new as a goal outfit, but I had this pair of Levis that I was itching to get into. By the time, I went to try on those little jeans, I had shrunk right out of them. Of course, they are ancient jeans, and due to vanity sizing for manufacturers a size 8 15 years is way different than a size 8 today. But, I skipped sizes, and went would really use caution spending a lot of money on a goal outfit just because you might shrink right over that size.

Just keep sipping chickee. Symptoms of dehydration are dark, stinky urine, nausea, and you can pinch the skin on the back of your hand, and if it doesn't fall back into place immediately dehydration is setting in. Aim for 2oz of clear fluids every 15 minutes, over an 8 hour period, you will hit 64oz of fluids using that method.

I used them sparingly only because I got super sensitive to sweet stuff. I would use a half packet with 20oz of Water and it made them more tolerable. I only like the iced tea flavor. But, I never counted the Protein in them because it was so minimal with the carb count.

Okay so this is kind of easy to explain: You do not have a pouch so liquids are not going to sit in your stomach. You have the same anatomy just smaller in size which means the liquids go in, hit your pyloric valve and empty into your intestines. As your swelling decreases, you will be able to consume liquids faster without any issue. I can now chug liquids without issue. Think of your stomach as the Kitchen sink, look at the drain. Dump Clear Liquids in and they go right through, dump in some thicker liquids like Soup, or cottage cheese, and it goes through slower, then think refried Beans or eggs even slower, and then dump some chewed up meats down on that drain and it's gonna take forever to go through. That's exactly how our stomach and pyloric valve works with food consistency going down into your intestines. Nothing is wrong with your stomach. It's normal for liquids to be easier to drink as time progresses, it's a good sign you are healing. Your stomach is not going to hold onto liquids because it's a stomach not a pouch. At almost 23 months out, I can eat more than 4oz of food, and so can many others. Your final sleeve size will not be determined until you are closer to a year out. It all depends on your stomach length, and surgical technique. I can also eat 6-8oz of mushy foods per meal especially if I stretch my meal out, and chew everything to mush. I know very few people that are over 1 year out that can only eat 4oz of food per meal unless they only eat dense Protein, and even then, they can fit in a couple ounces of veggies or starches. Do not panic. You need 64oz of clear fluids per day so you keep pushing fluids so you don't get dehydrated.

A M A Z I N G ! ! ! I'm so flippin' excited for you. . .Many congrats ! ! !

Hit the food/recipe forum for the place to order samples of Protein powders. As for stuff to take to the hospital, I believe in packing light, but to have some essentials to make the stay more enjoyable. 1) Chapstick, Blistex, lip balm of some sort (I know you're a man, but believe me, chapped, dry lips suck) 2) comfy undies, and lounge pants to wear home 3) I took my own slippers to walk in, non-skid bottom 4) I took some lotion, shampoo/conditioner all travel size 5) Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash I didn't take books or magazines, nothing to keep me occupied. There is typically a tv, and you'll be walking, sipping and sleeping so no need for all that other crap in my opinion unless you really like that kind of stuff. As for stuff to have at home, it kind of depends on your diet progression. sugar-free popsicles, broth cubes (so I could control the taste), Gatorade G2, those flavored herbal decaf teas were lifesavers for me, warm fluids worked so much better. Cream Soups, greek yogurt, sugar free pudding packages (not the pre-packaged stuff, the powder stuff in the box) Here's a link I send to everyone in the pre-op/prep stage: http://vsgfaq.wordpress.com/ A heating pad is pretty awesome for the gas pains, as is Gas X strips. Best wishes ! ! !

I replied on OH as well, but if you check this one first. 1) It's total B.S. about men being more successful long term with VSG. B.S. 2) Check out the OH revision forum, go back through about 5-8 pages and see just how many people are looking to revise their RNY because of 1) Regain 2) Complications with their pouch/stoma combination 3) Resolution with diabetes happens with the sleeve all the time. Here is a study for Type II Diabetes resolution with VSG and RNY http://www.springerlink.com/content/f135104x27461498 Here's another research link on Ghrelin Plasma levels for VSG vs. RNY, it specifically shows that VSG gives longer lower levels of Ghrelin (the hunger hormone) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18376181?ordinalpos=12&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum I have tons of research links, articles in my blog if you'd like to review them, along with my reasons for VSG instead of RNY for my revision from the band.

Boo(emphasis on the Boo)- zhee The standard size has been narrowed down to 32fr to 40fr. Here is a PDF file flip to page 5, and you can see the minimal difference in size between a 32 and 40. It's like 2.3 mm in diameter difference. http://www.medovations.com/pdf/Esophageal_Dilatation.pdf Anything over a 40fr was showing a higher incidence of regain.

I honestly didn't change at all personality-wise. It took awhile for my head to catch up with my body. I kept reaching for bigger sizes of clothes for many months after reaching goal, and when my weight stabilized, I still kept reaching for Large tops even though I was wearing a Small. It was kind of weird, but things finally changed when I really embraced my new size. As for being an ego-maniac, or cocky, I was always cocky even at 270lbs. I never allowed my pant size to define me as a person so being skinny after always being the "pretty fat girl" nothing has changed. I'm still the same ole Tiffany. The one thing I did notice is that I'm "softer" towards people. I don't feel that I always have to be "on", being the funny fat girl, and my personality is still the one thing people love or hate about me. I'm not everyone's cup of tea, and I understand that one completely. I'm really outspoken and opinionated, and if someone asks me something they get the brutal truth. I did lose some friends along the way. Pretty much those that felt threatened by my weight loss. I had some fat friends feel that I "shunned" the size acceptance world, and did it for vanity reasons since I was a "healthy fat chick" with zero health issues related to obesity. To some degree, they are correct, I was just tired of being fat. I was tired of my joints hurting, and shopping in the frumpy, fat section. But, my #1 driving force in choosing WLS was to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. I honestly don't get hit on, or noticed any more or less than I did at 270lbs. I'm still that fun, outgoing, "dance on the table top" girl I was years ago.

This is my standard reply when this question pops up every couple of days. I won't try to sway anyone one way or another, but I'll give you my reasons for choosing VSG over RNY for my revision from the band. You can also check out the revision, failure, and food issue forums on here to get an idea of some long term RNY patients. For me, it was never an option. The cons outweighed the pros. The VSG was my 2nd, and final WLS. I could have easily had RNY, but I fought to have VSG as my revision from the band. Some factors I considered in deciding on VSG. The pouch that RNY offers is similar to the pouch with the band. Least to say, a pouch sucks, I love having a normal tummy, just less capacity and still fully functioning. 1) No blind stomach left behind that can be difficult to scope yet can still get ulcers and cancer. 2) 2 years max on calorie/carb/sugar malabsorption, but a lifetime of vitamin/nutrient malabsorption. This process is called adaptation, and it happens with intestinal bypass surgeries. 3) I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked. I'm pretty fond of my pyloric valve and the sleeve let me keep it. I love having a normal functioning stomach, just smaller in capacity. 4) Regain stats and #of RNY patients seeking revision truly scared the poop out of me 5) I have too many friends in real life that struggle with Vitamin deficiencies post-RNY, and most of them either never got to goal, or have gained back a significant amount of their weight. 6) The long term complications with RNY were too numerous for my comfort level. Pouch or stoma dilation, strictures, vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, ulcers, 7) I researched gastrectomies that had been performed for stomach cancer and ulcer patients, and found comfort in the long term results and minimal complications of patients that had lost most or all of their stomachs had dealt with over several years. 8) I was a volume eater, and knew a restrictive only procedure would work for me. That was my thought process when I got the band, and I thought I could beat the odds on complications. Sadly, the band only lasted 8 months before I had to revise. 9) I did not want to have food or medication restrictions. I chose WLS to have a "normal" life, and I think it's normal to eat a couple of Cookies. With RNY, I wasn't willing to go through the possibility of dumping if I wanted to have a couple of cookies, or a slice of cake on occasion. The big scare for me is medication restrictions for life. NSAIDS and steroids are a NO GO for life with a RNY pouch. I realize that I may never be diagnosed with a condition or disease that requires steroid use, but it is possible. I want the best long term results with the least amount of complications. Malabsorption is not anything to play with in my mind, and I was not willing to take that risk. I lost all my weight in my ticker with the exception of 7lbs with the sleeve, and I did it in 10.5 months. The 115lbs fell off the first 6.5 months, and then the rest I lost as I was getting into maintenance over another 4 months.. It's been a fabulous journey, and I'm easily maintaining with zero issues for nearly a year at this point. I want to add that every WLS regardless of your choice will require discipline. Only a percentage of RNY patients dump on sugar/fat, pouches and stomas stretch, then you have the medication restrictions. I'm not trying to convince you, but these were my concerns when I knew I had to revise from the band. I started at 263 the day of my revision and today I weigh 127lbs. I bounce on the scale 125-130lbs any given week, and I couldn't be more ecstatic! Best wishes in your research!

There is nothing you can do to prevent it if your body is going to experience. I can count on 1 hand how many WLS patients in general across all the surgeries that didn't lose hair. No amount of Protein, snake oils, shampoos, pills, supplements will stop the losing, but it does grow back, and you can take things Biotin, extra zinc, make sure you Iron stays stable, that will help with regrowth. Here's 2 articles that explain it: http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/telogen_effluvium.html http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1071566-overview I personally lost half of my hair by volume. It started at 3.5 months post-op and lasted 3 solid months. It's all grown back in at this point. There's plenty of sleeve patients that got in their protein from immediately post-op, and they lost more hair than I did and I didn't protein in until I was 6-8 weeks out. So, protein is NOT going to keep your hair from falling out.

Good luck Patrick, I hope it goes well for you. I know it's challenging since I relied on super soft Proteins, and food lube until I was around 4 months out. I ate a lot of chicken, tuna and egg salad, deli meats rolled up with cheese, and crock pot meats. It was just easier to eat my Protein, and use a little A1 Sauce to help with making steak mushy when I started eating steak. Or, I'd eat fajita (skirt steak) with greek yogurt (as sour cream) with cheese. Flank and Skirt steak is where I started with my beef consumption after ground meats. I could gnaw on those steak varieties a lot easier than I could say a sirloin or filet.

I tried out all of them and settled on myftinesspal.com For me, it was the most user friendly, and had all the food values correct. I never had an issue finding any food or protein product in their database. Plus, they have a free App for my iPhone so it was a win win situation.

I recommend crock pot meats. They are generally moist, and are much easier to digest. Pork, chicken and beef all work extremely well in the crock pot. I relied heavily on crock pot meats because I could eat them without issues. I realize this is more like "stewed meats", but I found canned meat to not only taste horrific, but the sodium content is astronomical for a lot of them even the ones "in water", just 4oz gives you 1/4 of the daily recommended value for your sodium intake. Chicken breast is the one meat, along with pork that I still have really great restriction with. I can eat chicken thighs much easier. Steak is actually the easiest dense Protein for me. Nothing beats a medium ribeye, and beef rib meat seem to work extremely well for me. If I had to guess, the bun is the culprit in last night's episode. If you like seafood, I recommend trying shrimp and scallops. I don't eat shrimp, but I know others love it and it's easy to digest. Scallops are my absolute favorite seafood item because I can eat a good chunk of them, and hit protein goals.

Hey there and welcome. . . Glad to have you here ! ! ! Best wishes with getting everything lined up for surgery, VSG is the best thing I ever did ! ! !

I pretty much just teared up a little on this post. I'm so flippin' elated for you, and your revision being approved. Just elated ! ! ! Please keep me posted, and of course, if you need anything, I'm here for ya ! ! !

As you know with any WLS, being able to support your body, and the developing baby is essential with a nutrient dense, balanced diet. Since you BMI is lower, you don't have to go super low calorie/low carb to lose your excess weight. BUT, there is no way I would have been able to consume enough calories that early out without having to rely on Meal Replacement drinks. My capacity was super limited the first 6 months post-VSG, and by limited means no more than 2-4oz of food per meal. If the food was extremely mushy/liquidy consistency (like chili, or yogurt I could get in about 6oz). I still have to stretch my meals further out, and eat some sliders with my Protein to ensure I eat enough per meal. I maxed out at about 3oz of dense protein, and relied on a lot of mushy food just to hit protein goals early out. The caloric recommendation for me currently in pregnancy is 1700-1800 calories a day. At 22 months, I don't have any issues getting in those calories, but I do have to drink 100% juice to get in extra fluids/calories and some good ole beta carotene. The baby will take from your body what it needs to thrive and grow. Our body is what suffer through pregnancy, along with vitamin/nutrient deficiencies that can affect the developing fetus. Don't blame yourself for the band complications. My band only lasted 8 months, and I worked the hell out of the band. I did have major complications during my revision (including a leak) because of the damage the band had done to my stomach. But, I survived, and here I am 22 months out and 10.5 weeks pregnant. Just make sure you go to an experienced revision surgeon, be diligent with your intake, and Vitamins. I was released at 8 months post-VSG to TTC for several reasons. I was below goal, my labs had been stellar, and my husband's deployment ops tempo is high, and we were fearing a deployment. It took over 12 months to get pregnant with charting, temping, ovulation monitor etc etc. It was an emotionally, mental, and physically draining process that took a heavy toll on me. Now in pregnancy, I'm dealing with fear of regain, body shape changes, and just the normal "pregnancy stuff". No amount of people telling me "oh it's just baby weight" "oh it's for the baby" "oh, you'll lose the weight" will take away the mind games that are going on right now. After going from a size 22/24W to a size 2, I don't care what anyone says, not being able to fit into my jeans that I've comfortably worn for a year, and watch my body changing dramatically through the pregnancy is very difficult mentally. I thought I was prepared for it, and I am overjoyed to be pregnant. I have zero regrets, and I do know that being pregnant is a fabulous, joyous occasion, but I refuse to deny the way I feel right now. Maybe it'll change in the near future. I'm embracing the changes, staying focused on my health, and making sure I am providing the very best little environment for the baby. I just thought I would share my thoughts, and experience thus far. Best wishes with your consult, and future revision. Getting rid of the band was the best thing I ever did for myself, and my future health.

The only thing I do know is that for my body, my metabolism, my activity level, if I slip below 1500 calories for several days, I lose weight. I feel best around 1700-1800 calories. When I was struggling getting into maintenance, I started by increasing just to 1000, then 1200 and had to keep adding calories over a 4 month time frame to get my losing to stop. I've been in maintenance for a year, and haven't done any formal, consistent exercise for over a year. I'm active, but that includes lots of running errands, doing different activities, but definitely zero formal walking or exercise. All I know is that if I want to lose weight all I have to do is cut white carbs, and calories to drop below 1500 per day for about a week, and BAM I can drop anywhere between 3-7lbs in that week. It might not last forever as I age, I'll probably have to consistently for the rest of my life watch my intake, but I do not know very many naturally thin, fairly active women my age that can eat the way I did pre-op and not gain weight. Edit to add: I'm only 5'2" and before pregnancy, I bounced on the scale between 125-130lbs.

I'm not laughing at you, but at the situation. I would have said "well too bad, I like guys with huge penises UNLIKE you." I hate the word chubby or tubby, they both make my skin crawl and I just want to slap the next mother I hear call their child under the age of 12 "chubby". I'm like that is NOT A NICE WORD FOR FAT so stop using it. Skip the chips, you've lost 41% of your excess weight, and doing fabulous ! ! !

My doctor told me it was pinched nerves, and it got better slowly with more weight loss around my middle. I also experienced the same exact thing with my first pregnancy, and it was sciatica. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001706/