Tiffykins

The ranitidine(Zantac) isn't going to stop the acid, it's only going to treat the symptoms since it's an H2 blocker, and not a PPI. The long term concern with PPI or H2 blocker is that these drugs impede Calcium absorption. So, the recommendation to take 1200-1500mg of calcium citrate is there to protect your bones. I've been on Prilosec since I was 6 weeks post-VSG, and switched over to Nexium in January with zero change in my liver enzymes, or any other labs. I would recommended getting some OTC Prilosec or Prevacid, take it first thing in the morning and wait 1 hour before you start eating. It can take 4--14 days for the PPI to kick in to max efficacy so don't be discouraged if it doesn't work immediately. You can also use Gaviscon in between per the label directions to help with breakthrough acid until the Prilosec or Nexium kick in. Barrett's esophagus is nothing to play with so don't wait for the reflux to just get better. Most VSG patients need to be on a true PPI for 3-6 months post surgery, and some need it longer. I choose to stay on it and I'm 22 months out.

I'm not saying to go against your surgeon's rules, but VSG has no medication restrictions and I've been taking NSAIDS since 6 weeks out without issue. Being able to take NSAIDS is one of the biggest reasons that VSG is approved on appeals is because of the ability to take NSAIDS. I still take them with something on my stomach like a couple of crackers, or yogurt. I've actually 800mg RX Motrin and I have zero issues with them. Again, I'm not advocating or arguing with your surgeon guidelines, but gastrectomy patients have no medication restrictions. I'm there with you on the chronic tailbone pain. I've been dealing with it for over a year, and the only thing my PCM offered after he consulted with his ortho doc friend was steroid injections in my tailbone. Well, least to say, that is a big NO go. So, I just cheek swap A LOT.

It takes a bit for the body to adjust, and when weight shifts other parts of our bodies start accommodating to the shift. For example; for years I've carried more of my weight on my right leg because my left knee is so wrecked (2 ACL surgeries with about 3/4 of my meniscus removed), and my hips are out of alignment, and my right leg is slightly longer than my right. Even to this day, my right knee is more painful than it was pre-op because now I'm using my left leg more and that misalignment and length of my right leg is affecting my stride, and definitely hurts when I work out with lunges/squats, it is extremely more painful than it was pre-op. My left knee rarely aches or pops anymore, now my right knee sounds horrible. I do remember back during my losing stage when I was losing weight, but still had more belly that getting comfortable in bed was a bit more difficult. I wasn't sure how to deal with gravity weight, and my hips really were sore as I had to learn to reposition my pillow "just right" to be comfortable. I hope that helps to some extent. I know I didn't answer your question completely, but it's what I've experienced thus far.

Seriously, 20lbs per month is phenomenal. When in the past have you dropped 20lbs in a month, and know you're gonna be able to keep it off? That's how I always looked at losing when I was worried about "losing too slow, or too fast". Just keep following the program, push fluids, and you'll continue to succeed.

My program was pretty close to Aceves with a little more wiggle room for carbs, but I restricted carbs to no more than 30gr per day. I had no fat guidelines, fat is needed for the body to process and function normally. I even remember through WW needing to get so many effin points from "oils/fats". I low carbed it because I knew that is what would work for me. The body turns fat and Proteins into glucose for the brain to function so the controversy continues on if the brain needs carbohydrates to "function", or if limiting carbs forces the body to produce it's own glucose for brain function. I can tell you that my brain function wasn't effected by low carbing it, I was full of energy, and alert. I never ate low or fat free. When evaluating nutrition labels, the carb, sodium and sugar counts of these products were sometime double the full fat version because they had to do something to make that fat-free crap taste good.

Centrum Complete Chewables are a good option is you don't want to go with a specific bariatric Vitamin, I personally use Celebrate Multi with Iron and their Calcium Citrate. I also take them after eating to ensure that I'm not dumping a vitamin on an empty stomach. You can order samples from Celebrate, just tell them you had VSG and would like a sample pack of their multi and calcium. https://www.celebratevitamins.com/shop/multivitamin/multi-complete.html

Here's a couple of other guidelines that I found helpful in addition to my program: http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf http://www.laplose.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf And from the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) they're the ones that follow surgery outcomes, complications, risks, long term effects etc etc, give guidelines, and monitor vitamin/nutrient deficiencies. http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/resources/bgs_final.pdf Make sure your multi has Iron since it's difficult for us to eat enough iron rich foods, and it's recommended to take a sublingual B12 because the portion of the stomach that is removed is where the intrinsic factor is produced and that is needed to absorb B12 properly. Our stomachs can not produce that factor anymore so popping a B12 under the tongue or getting injections is the recommended source for B12 absorption. Calcium Citrate is also recommended. 1200-1500mg per day through my losing stage, and now in maintenance I need 1000mg per day. I chose calcium citrate Plus 500s from Celebrate Vitamins as my calcium because I only need 2 per day vs. 6 of other brands. Plus, the taste yummy.

I tried drinking it a couple of times, and it burned going down so I'll stick to the Nexium or Prilosec. As for the bone weakening issues, the PPI DOES NOT weaken bones. These drugs cause Calcium to NOT be properly/fully absorbed that is why the recommendation to supplement with calcium citrate is the recommended calcium option for people on a PPI long term. Carbonate needs food and/or an acidic environment to absorb properly and even then it's the cheapest, least effective and least absorbed calcium source. When we take a PPI, we have no acid, and absorption of citrate does not need food or an acidic environment.

Personally, if you go with any "stretchy" areas, small of back, butt, ribcage, belly, I would recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months after you get to goal. The reason I say this is because my skin, and body shape has changed so many times in the last year that I've been in maintenance that I've lost count. I lost an additional 23ish pounds trying to get my losing to stop over a 4 month time period after hitting goal. BUT I dropped from a 36C cup to a TINY 32B, and from a junior XL and size 9/10 jean at 148lbs to a size 2 and Xsmall/Small tops at 125ish pounds. I dropped major inches, and my body has changed, fat has redistributed, skin has rebounded. I really wanted to have one down my side/ribcage area and honestly if I would have had it done last year, it'd be wrecked and sagging. Here's some pictures for comparison: Right around goal weight December 2009 (6.5 months post-op 115lbs lost) Junior XL dress 36 C bra And, here I am at 125ish pounds, (6 months after hitting goal)size 4 Calvin Kein crops, the little jacket thing is a size small, and I have on an Xsmall Tank.

It's a habit to be broken. Honestly, it's not that difficult to overcome, and I was always a shoveler when it came to food. The faster I could pile it in, the more I could eat, and faster I could refill my plate. You have to eat slow with any diet/exercise program, you have to be mindful of what you put in your mouth with any of the surgeries. Don't let one bad habit deter you from making a decision to better your long term health. Also, at 22 months out, I eat like all my normal, skinny, naturally thin girlfriends. No faster or slower, just normal. How we eat pre-op is not normal, it's just "our" normal.

Yes, and no. I have 3 tattoos, 1 on my right shoulder blade, one across the top of my back right below the collar, and one in the small of my back. The top 2 are fine, and have not changed at all. NOW, the one in the small of my back that was a straight line, cute little celtic strip swirly looking thing, is now affectionately called my "ass frown" by my husband. Instead of a stretching straight across the small of my back, it sags on the ends, and resembles a frown of sort, or kind of a crescent moon (not quite that severe but to give you a mental picture). I'm really glad I didn't have any on my chest, because they would be wrecked with how I lost weight and body shape. If I end up having a lower-body lift, I'll lose that tattoo so I'm not heartbroken over it. I am not a bikini wearing type girl regardless of how my body looks so I'm not worried about anyone else seeing it, and I rarely see it since it's on my back. That's my experience thus far. That tattoo held up through the first 100lbs lost, but then it tragically has lost it's luster once my body really settled after I got into maintenance. Skin changes so many times that I'm not sure what will happen in the next couple of years. Hope this helps ! ! !

Your swelling might have just subsided faster than others. It's not as uncommon to not have issues with foods early out. There's lots of people out there that don't have issues. eggs are pretty mushy especially if you chew them up really well. The only thing I can comment on is that you're restriction is there if 2 eggs filled you and gave you satiety. Think pre-op, when we'd eat 3 eggs, 3-4 slices of bacon or sausage patties/links, biscuits with gravy, and glasses of whatever beverage we wanted. So, 2 eggs may seem like a lot in comparison to others on here, but your sleeve sounds perfect for you. It's okay to be obsessive, at least in my mind it is LOL. I was obsessive about portions, measuring, tracking intake just because I wanted this to work so badly. You're doing great, and many congrats on your weight loss thus far. Just keep plugging away. There is a max capacity to sleeve size. There just isn't enough left to stretch out to pre-op size. Bougie size is just a tiny part of the equation in final sleeve capacity. I can eat more than some that had bigger bougies so it really depends on surgical technique, our own anatomy, and how fast, how much we chew, our own eating habits post-op and especially in the long term. I have the capacity I had at this time last year, but I've found ways to cheat the sleeve and Yep, I use those strategies to eat more, but only because I'm in maintenance and it's how I want to live my life post WLS. I'm not shoveling cake and bons bons in, but if I want to have a couple more ounces of veggies, or have some more food at a meal, I'll stretch out my meal, chew things to mushy consistency again, and mix my Protein with starches which allows me to eat a couple more ounces per meal. I, still to this very day, can not eat an entire chicken breast in the prescribed 20 minute meal time so my restriction is still there at 22 months out.

I'm weak on Mexican food too. And, during my losing stage, I'd eat 2-3 little chips with hoards of salsa. Chips are definitely sliders, they mush down to nothing, the salsa moves through pretty fast. If I knew we were going for Mexican, I'd skip most of all my daily allotment of carbs during my meals so I could afford to have a couple of chips. I would typically order fajitas, and just eat the meat with sour cream and some Beans. I would order Water and drink until my meal was delivered so it helped keep me out of the chip basket or from partaking of the appetizers ordered by friends when we were out. Since I didn't have to do that no drinking before eating, I could drink right up until my first bite. Hope this helps.

I chose to not publicize my surgery until post-op. LilMissDiva has a VSG facebook that I believe she keeps separate from her personal one, and I know there are a few others that make that choice. I'm way too open about my surgery, struggles, losses, victories and didn't want to manage 2 pages.

Glad your stall broke, glad you didn't change anything, glad it's over and hope you know that you can vent about them here. I think it's an emotional journey, and if you don't get replies, contact someone via the private message system. I've always been quick to reply to messages, and like I said, I can't see every posts, it's just not possible. If you thought the replies were negative, I apologize, but my reply was intended to be helpful to let you know that stalls are discussed on here, and if your post doesn't get the replies you're looking for then seek out the information. Support comes in many forms, your initial post was pretty much telling us that have been here for almost 2 years contributing to this forum day in and day out, that we suck because your post got lost in the 200 plus new posts that hit this forum daily. I'm really sorry that a forum of several thousand members wasn't there for you, but in reality, I've always told anyone and everyone they could contact me privately if they needed something.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh I did for a couple of months then the crazy hormone flux really took over and some months I looked like a pubescent teenager. It was unpleasant to have huge acne, pimples and these things that were so big, I'd say they qualified for their own damn zip codes. Now, I have nice skin again, but the pregnancy hormones are kicking in so I'm thinking it's going to be short-lived glow again.

Pre-surgical weigh-in is what I counted. If I tried to count the fluid, swelling weight, I would have lost nearly 70lbs the first 30-45 days because I gained 30something pounds while hospitalized with my revision.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh this is such a little hot button for me. I personally could give 2 poops what anyone thought of me having WLS. Either you support me (quietly or cheer me on), or you can keep your negativity, jealousy, and selfishness all to yourself. Even my husband who balked a bit about me choosing WLS knew that he could speak his peace once, and then I'd do it with or without his support. For me, there is no way that I would even bother asking for her support if you know she is going to throw tantrum. I'm sure you are not a morbid person, but I am and my reply would be " you have 2 options; support me in my decision to make a life changing surgical decision and stand behind me, or prepare to bury me early because of obesity related disease and conditions". In all honesty, those are the only 2 choices she has so she better either buck up and support you, or keep her mouth shut. I would never in my life imagine telling my mother she couldn't do something, or throw a fit over something she wanted to have done surgically. I'm the child, it's not my place to throw a 34 yr old tantrum. Plus, I'm pretty sure my mother would have me eating my teeth if I was disrespectful enough to throw a fit.

Lactose and whey protein intolerances can occur post-VSG. It's a fairly common occurrence so I was simply trying to prepare you for it if in the event you can not tolerate milk based products. I never had milk issues before VSG either so it was something that I had to deal with and work through. None of the protein products are for weight reduction. Protein powders are supplements to any diet program and are typically used as a recovery protein after working out for body builders, and heavy lifters. My husband used them when he was deployed to build muscle mass and to recover after intense lifting sessions. Think of them as a "meal replacement" because essentially that's what you are using them for during the post-op healing period.

I started printing, and searching out coupons on my own at home, and would spend about 4 hours a week printing, clipping, organizing. THEN, I ditched that I started using a coupon clipping service. I use Danielle's Coupon Paradise. I recommend finding one in your home state because shipping time is the essential element for using clipping services. Danielle's is here in Florida so I get my coupons within 2 days of placing my order. I also do not ever order more than $5-$7 in coupons from the service, and my typical savings from that amount spent will range from $60-$100 at the register. I was spending way too much time, paper and printer ink doing it at home all the time. I also email specific companies for coupons, or sign up for email coupons, and "Like" a lot of companies/products on Facebook for freebies and Facebook fan exclusive savings, sweepstakes, giveaways. I'm also a Fan of Frugal Floridians (which finds local deals here at our specific grocers/Walgreens/CVS), I'm a member of mojo savings on Facebook, and Mamapedia emails. I'm also a free sample hoarder. We will never have to worry about not having travel size hygiene products for any trips we might take. I also use restaurant.com for all of our big dining out adventures, and never pay more than $2 for a $25 restaurant gift certificate. I always look for in-store coupons with extended expiration dates, and I only take what I know I will use. Specific items go sale be it "Buy one, get one free" or buy 2 for XX amount (which usually equals 1-2 bucks off the pair) in cycles of 60-90 days. If you watch sales at your local grocer, you can almost time it perfectly with coupons. For example, at our commissary, Pasta sauce goes on sale every 60 days. It's either the Ragu or Newman's own that will be BOGO, or 2 for $3, and then I'll have a coupon for $2.00 off 2 jars which make it's either Free or just $1 for 2 jars. Unfortunately, for Proteins, and veggies those coupons usually involve buy 2-5 different condiments/oils/sauces. Such as buy 3 Kraft Products, get $2.00 off any package of ground beef or chicken breasts or produce. This is when couponing gets creative. I'll buy barbque sauce, the philedelphia cream cheese, and some salad dressing for my 3 Kraft products then use a $0.30-$0.75 off coupon for each of those products that are full price. Least to say, we have a stockpile of condiments in this house. But, these products come in handy for get-togethers with friends, and various potluck gatherings where we have to take something. Stores such as Dollar General and Family Dollar both accept coupons, and that is where I purchase most of my paper and cleaning products(except when the commissary runs a sale on them). I can feed our family of 3, including household cleaning products, hygiene and toiletry products, with 2 large breed dogs for about $250-$275 per month with couponing. Before I started clipping and being more diligent, our grocery bill hit about $400-$450 per month. Plus, I average 2-4 get togethers per months with girlfriends and family friends here where we have to take food. I also take a Protein based "snack/appetizer" because everyone else takes Desserts or some form of dip and crackers or bread with oil, or some other carb loaded junk food product , and protein is always lacking. I typically take appetizer meatballs or chicken wings. I do stockpile cheese, deli meat, frozen veggies. All of these items freeze and defrost easily without affecting product quality, taste. texture. I also stopped buying almost all canned veggies. The only ones I buy are Ranch Style Beans (they are a Southern thing for the most part), New potatoes (I make a casserole with these and I hate, hate slicing potatoes), artichokes. If we need refried beans, black beans, pinto beans, any other bean, I buy the dry variety, and stick them in the crock pot. I make my own mac-n-cheese, and other pasta dishes except for Suddenly Salad classic flavor boxed pasta(oh how I love that stuff LOL). I also forgot that I do buy boxed potatoes like the scalloped/au gratin/loaded bake potato varieties. These are truly loaded full of crap, but it's the convenience food that I use for quick side dishes when I don't have more time in the kitchen. I also watch for them to go on sale and stock up. We only eat them probably twice weekly due to baseball practice or the mister working late, and I admit, that no matter what I do, no matter how I prepare them, nothing beats the Betty Crocker brand of scalloped cheesy potatoes LOL. I've tried to replicate boxed potatoes and Rice A Roni for years, and it's always an epic fail LOL LOL. So, that's how I do it. Another key note is CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid also have register rewards and some serious kickass deals, and there you can actually make money. I do not have the patience for all of that, and since I don't really stockpile anything from a pharmacy retailer, I haven't delved into being a couponista at those retailers. But, I have a girlfriend that stocks up big time at CVS and Walgreens every week. None of our stores double or triple coupons either. My last shop at Wal-Mart my total bill was around $60 bucks (and the cashier and lady behind me were both huffing and puffing because I had a coupon for every item, seriously everything I bought that day, I had a coupon for), my final check out was just $14. At the end, I looked at both of them, and said "even though you might not like that I just saved almost $50 in coupons, and you had to scan some extra pieces of paper in addition to my groceries, and you had to wait an additional 1.5 minutes for her to ring my coupons, I just saved enough to fill up my gas tank" smiled and swaggered out of the store. This is one of the biggest reasons I cashier profile. Plus, I keep everything organized, and make sure they do not have to look up prices for my BOGO free coupons, I make it easiest for the cashier and other customers behind me.

It probably also has to do with the fact that I do not buy cheap foods. I buy craptons more Protein that I ever purchased before, plus I purchase seafood items which are almost always twice as expensive as chicken/turkey. I'm not a cheap date when it comes to seafood, I only eat Tilapia, Mahi Mahi and Scallops, that's it. So, it also has to do with the quality of foods I'm buying. food does stretch further since my 12 yr old eats more than I do, but between him and the mister with their astronomically high metabolisms, they eat a lot of food. In the long run, I'm pretty sure it is cheaper because of the quality of foods we're putting in our bodies. I do not bake from scratch. I really suck with baking so I still do buy refrigerated or frozen biscuits. If I was good at baking, I'd seriously bake our own bread,, and other baked goods, but alas I cave into Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker for all my baked yumminess.

The only way I spend less is because I'm a major couponer (note I'm not an extreme, shelf-wiping, hoarding couponer), but I found when I quit purchasing pre-packaged, pre-made, convenience meals, my grocery bill went up/ To offset this cost, I started couponing. The only boxed food I buy is rice, stovetop stuffing, and I switched us over to all frozen veggies. I still keep frozen pizzas, junk food in the house to some extent, but when I started preparing meals from scratch, our overall grocery bill went up.

I'm glad you were able to get some clarifications. I would print off the exclusions section as well just to be on the safe side.

My only concern with Protein was that the protein:carb ratio was a minimum of 4:1, and this one would be suitable with the 20gr of protein and only 5 gr of carbs. If you mix it with milk, you'll need to add those protein and carbs and calories to get an accurate count. Just be prepared to not be able to tolerate it even if you like it pre-op. I know you think the taste won't matter, but when it's causing instant nausea, or induces vomiting, you aren't going to want to drink it because it will just impede healing. I loved many of the Proteins pre-op. Post-op yeah, I went through over 20 different flavors, brands and varieties until it was figured out that 1) I could not tolerate the taste/smell/texture of some of them 2) I developed lactose intolerance and whey is a Milk product, and my whey protein intolerance is still in full force to this day. I still can not drink Protein drinks without getting immediate gas, diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. I still can not drink a glass of milk, or eat full milk fat ice cream. Keep your receipts on big tubs because GNC and Vitamin Shoppe will take back open/partially used products.

Do you get sick when you drink milk? If not, it's the heavy milk fat content and sugar content doing it, and not the actual milk. I developed a slight lactose intolerance, but could eat yogurt, and eat some cheeses, but drinking milk gave me gas. Some VSG patients experience dumping with high milk fat, high sugar foods, and you might be one of them. The only time I had major issues was when I was having gallbladder attacks and it was the fat content in heavy, rich, creamy sauces, and some foods like lobster, avocados.