Tiffykins

Here's the entire search of the forum for stalls. You can click on any that might catch your eye. http://www.verticals...h&fromMainBar=1 Essentially, your body is still pissed off, and just dropped an extraordinary amount of weight in a short period of time. Yes, it's a stall that might break any day, or it will be a real stall and last 2-3 weeks, and it's all perfectly normal. Keep following your program, relax and let your body recover. My surgeon doesn't consider it a stall until you go 14 days without any loss on the scale.

This site is for VSG patients, and only after a few people came looking on here for support because plication is so close to the sleeve did the owner of this site set up a Plication section along with the RNY and band section for "Other surgeries". He did that so plication patients would have support, and be able to discuss options. Because initially people research the sleeve and then stumble upon the plication. Just like what happens when people research the band and they stumble on the sleeve. We (VSG patients) used to have a sub-forum on Lapbandtalk.com until this forum was set up as a spin-off. Last time that I had contact with Alex, they were looking to get a plicationtalk (just like this one) set up for Plication patients. This is an open forum. The original poster asked for opinions and advice. No one is trolling in on sacred territory here, and only shared our advice/opinions based upon our experience and research. No one is here trolling for business, or preying on anyone well with the exception of a couple of patient coordinators that pop in from time to time to solicit business, but I can assure you that my intentions were and always have been to give support, advice and my opinion when asked.

They've been saying for over 2 years now that they'd pick it up "soon". . . I know it's unbelievably frustrating. Our insurance follow suit behind Medicare since it's government ran insurance as well. The earliest I think we'd hear anything is going to be October because that's the fiscal year. At least that's how it works with Tricare.

It really depends on what's going on with your band. For mine, it would have been better to have an unfill, but because my douchebag band surgeon ignored my complaints about my port for too long, and my port migrated and could not be accessed. I had my revision performed in one procedure. We had zero clue that the damage was as severe as it was until my surgeon got in there and removed the band. I did have a leak, but it was repaired. I had an extensive recovery, but I would do it all over again to have the life I have today. As for doing it in one or two, I think it's a personal preference with surgeons and each patient's personal problem with the band. If you have an extremely experienced revision surgeon, then you should feel more confident in his skills. My surgeon had done a couple of band to sleeve revisions, but tons of band to RNY and tons of band removals. I was his first and only leak. I do not for one minute blame my surgeon for my leak. I knew the risks going in, and he worked with what he had left after the band had gnawed into my stomach and formed hoards of scar tissue and adhesions.

I share the same desire to conceive, and it was a huge driving force in my decision to have WLS. I can tell you that with even 145lbs lost, we've been trying, charting, temping, using an electronic ovulation monitor that swears I'm ovulating, and every other attempt for the past 12 months have resulted in no pregnancies. My husband's sperm analysis is normal, and I'm set to see a reproductive endocrinologist on the 24th of March for further testing. My hormone levels are normal, my weight has been stabilized for almost a year. I can tell you that as unappealing condoms are, that is what we used. I refused to go on hormonal bc because of the hormone flux that is experienced during the rapid weight loss phase. Plus, my surgeon said to use a back up method as well only because he really didn't trust hormonal bc after WLS. Too many babies conceived a few months post WLS. There are spermicidal inserts you can use, or get an IUD. I'm not a fan of IUDs and the warnings of embedding in the uterine lining and causing infertility and other issues. It's just not my cup of tea, ya know? I can tell you that my periods have regulated, and are pretty light with little to no cramping. The first 2-4 months post-op my periods were off, and ranged from super heavy to super light, but now, they are super regular, and only last 3-4 days. We did have a glimmer of hope in January. I was late, and already had an appointment for the RE referral at my PCM. When I went in, I told him I was 7 days late but all the at home test were negative. I had blood pulled, and my hormones were normal, and my HCG serum levels were negative. I was devastated, and then out of nowhere I started, 11 days late. I have never been late more than 1 day for 12 months, and now we get thrown this curveball. Least to say, I was/am still devastated. And, I realize we have only been trying for 1 year, and others have gone through much more than I have, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. I'll add in that we are a military family, move a lot, my husband has a demanding career, and I'm 34 (will be 35 this year), so my clock is ticking and I do not have 5-10 years to keep trying.

Proton Pump inhibitor. Yes, it's to prevent acid reflux. It actually stops the "pumps" from producing acid in our stomach.

The link won't pull up your diary, just a guest diary for me to input my food. Do you have guidelines? Are you getting your Protein? I steered clear of potatoes just bc of the carb count. I stuck with greek yogurt, sf pudding/custards to avoid carbs and strained cream Soups. I couldn't tolerate milk so that wasn't a problem for me.

LOL It'd be different if we were dropping the "F" bomb, or using vulgar slang terms for genitals(which I have wanted to use occasionally). My advice for the people that don't want to see my posts, or are easily offended; there is a block button for a reason, I highly suggest they use it.

It could be that your body needs more calories. I know that Ghrelin (hunger hormone) is made in other parts of the body (pancreas), and I'm not sure how far out you are, but it does take time for that hormone to leave the body. Some sleeve patients report hunger, but that it's different than before. The most advice I've seen on this is to eat more Protein from food sources, and to eat small portioned meals throughout the day. Setting a schedule might help as well. I never experience hunger so it's hard for me to relate, but I know some sleevesters do not lose their hunger completely. I know it's normal to be hungry, but I don't want to deal with it. I wish I had more advice for ya, and hope you find what works for you.

As long as you are staying within your calorie/protein/carb guidelines then you should be fine. I'm not sure how far out you are, but if you've not gotten to solid foods yet, you'll notice a difference with dense Protein. I logged my food religiously to make sure I was hitting certain goals, and staying low on my carbs. Sometimes eating carbs can make you crave carbs, or feel hungry. If you're on liquids, or even purees, those foods don't hang with us very long. Are you on a PPI like Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid? Acid overproduction can cause hunger, and all kinds of funky noises, rumbling. If you aren't on a PPI, you might want to talk to your surgeon about getting on one before the reflux gets out of hand then you are miserable with full blown reflux symptoms. Of course, if you're active and burning calories, you might get hungry. You really can not substantially stretch out your stomach. There is only so much tissue left, and while there is some stretch after the healing/swelling goes down, there isn't enough tissue to stretch it out back to what it was pre-op. Even to stretch it out now, you would have to eat large, dense portions to the point of discomfort and vomiting.

My bmi was 50 when I started, and as you can see by my ticker, I've lost a considerable amount of weight. I lost 138lbs with VSG alone, and did it in 10.5 months. I firmly believe that the sleeve is an effective and fabulous WLS. You can do it. I was 32 when I had my sleeve, and here I am rocking life 20 months post-op. For me, there are far too many negatives with RNY, and I wanted to have a "normal" life. The sleeve gave me that and much more. The sleeve continues to work for me even in maintenance. There are tons of 'heavyweights' over on OH that have lost 200+ pounds. So, don't get discouraged ! ! !

The staples stay in the body. They are healed over with scar tissue, and only show up on XRAY as dark grey/black. You can't really see them because they are non-ferrous, titanium staples. Those pictures are from day of surgery sleeve and then 4 years out.

If you don't get a reply, shoot a message to Alex, or LilMissDiva to see if they can help. Alex is the administrator/owner of the site, and LilMissDiva is one of the moderators that can forward information/issues onto Alex and the tech team.

I didn't work out for 4 months with the exception of some walking. I only started lifting weights 3-4 days a week, and one day of cardio, and I only did that for 4 months because at 8 months post-op I had to have my gallbladder removed so and that was a full 12 months ago, and I never got back into working out. So, I never did any formal exercising until 4 months post-op. Joined the Y, started working on building muscle, and did Hip HOp Abs one day per week, plus some isolated core workouts.

I'll be there in 4 months so I'll make a big post. . . If you can, check the blog pages. Luck (one member here) just posted her 4 year post-op report ! ! !

I only purchase FAT free cream cheese. I do not purchase or use full fat or even the 1/3 reduced fat cream cheese. I only switched over to the fat-free because I lost my gallbladder last February, and I do keep my fat down on certain ingredients such as cream cheese, and other "sauces" made with the "cream of" Soups. But, I use full fat salad dressings.

6-8 weeks and the staple line is healed per my surgeon. That's why he is strict with lifting restriction, driving restriction, and post-op dietary guidelines.

This is the one I've used, and found when trying to find something without rice or noodles. I added some creole seasoning to the chicken when I was pan searing it in some EVOO before adding it to the casserole dish. I'm a big fan of changing flavor profiles, and change this recipe by using different spices on the chicken breasts. Seasonings/spices I've used have been lemon pepper, creole and cajun seasoning, garlic pepper, and even some of the italian seasonings (thyme, basil, oregano). . . http://www.freequickrecipes.com/recipes/cream-cheese-broccoli-chicken.php I sub nonfat, plain Greek yogurt for the mayo, and only use 4 chicken breast halves, and use broccoli florets instead of spears because I hated chewing the "stems".

Proton Pump Inhibitor - From Wiki Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of drugs whose main action is a pronounced and long-lasting reduction of gastric acid production. They are the most potent inhibitors of acid secretion available today. The group followed and has largely superseded another group of pharmaceuticals with similar effects, but different mode-of-action, called H2-receptor antagonists. These drugs are among the most widely-selling drugs in the world and are generally considered effective.[1] The vast majority of these drugs are benzimidazole derivatives; however, promising new research indicates that imidazopyridine derivatives may be a more effective means of treatment.[2] High dose or long-term use of PPIs carry a possible increased risk of bone fractures.[3] They essentially stop the production of acid in the stomach. Acid overproduction can cause "hunger". I experienced this weird, gnawing twinge after eating when I was around 5-6 weeks out, talked to some of the 2-3 year out vets, and they said it could be acid. I went on Prilosec 20mg once daily, and my "hunger" never returned. Most sleeve patients are put on a PPI (Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix) for 3-6 months post-sleeve due to the stomach not realizing it doesn't need to make a huge amount of acid since even though it's been reduced in physical size. Some are willing to wean off during that time period. I just choose to stay on it.

Today was a horrible food day for me, but I can tell you what I usually eat. Breakfast - is a poached egg, or 1/2 soft taco flour tortilla with cream cheese and deli meat (3 slices) rolled up or I'll eat some cheese chunks with 3-4 saltine crackers and 6-8 slices of turkey pepperoni. I hate breakfast food, and the egg is about the only thing breakfast I'll eat. I eat out a lot so it honestly depends on where we end up. Yesterday, I went out for Thai food. I had 1 spring roll (with 80% of the fried shell peeled off) 1/4 cup of steamed rice about 4-5ounces of pepper steak (skirt steak) It took me about an hour since I was out with my girlfriends to eat that. Oh yeah, and I drank some of the broth from the egg drop Soup that was served before our meals arrived. Last night for dinner, I had 6oz of roast (super tender, moist chuck roast that I slow and low prepared in the oven) with ketchup, 1 small red potato quartered, and 3 saltine crackers. Last night at 11 pm, I was baking a red velvet cake. It was an epic fail because I was out of eggs and tried to sub applesauce, but the cake fell apart, I ate 4-5 bites with frosting, but it was not anywhere close to a normal slice of cake. Literally 4--5 bites of it, and it went in the trash. I usually an entire bag of beef Jerky every 2 days. The 3 serving per bag bags. It's a good snack, keeps me from eating Funyuns, and I am satisfied with beef jerky. So, throw in more cheese and beef jerky in the equation, and that's what I eat every day. Today, I was busy dealing with "shit happens" events, and didn't eat until 2:30pm. I ate a Lean Cuisine Beef Broccoli meal. It took me 45 minutes to eat all of it. Today, we're having chicken, black eyed peas, and either mashed potatoes or rice. It just kind of depends on my mood once I step into the kitchen. Because I didn't eat a lot at all today, I'll be eating a lot of black eyed peas, and potatoes tonight with maybe 2 chicken breast strips. I'll eat super slow, and steady, and will probably put away some pepperonis and cheese as a snack around 8ish since I am so caloric/protein deficient today.

My LDL was low as well, and with a healthy dose of flax seed (organic ground), lean fish and scallops eaten more than once a year (because I hated seafood) my level has slowly crept up and into normal range.

20 months out, and I'm never physically hungry. No stomach growling, no rumbling, nothing. I get a bit grouchy and kind of "short" with people when I go more than 12 hours from the time I wake up to the time I eat, but I seriously never get physically hungry. It's the main reason I stay on a PPI because I'm not willing to be hungry.

I only have it with carbs, and mixing carbs (especially pasta or bread) with meat. But, if I eat just meat, it hangs out in there longer. I still never get hungry so I can not relate at all to that factor. I didn't eat today until 2:30pm because I was too busy dealing "shit happens" events.

I'm so glad you got your sleeve. I've friends get sent to civilian surgeons as well, go through all the hoops and end up with denial letters even after pre-authorization letters were given. Funny thing is that you aren't the only one dealing with Walter Reed/Bethesda nightmare up there. I have 2 friend going through the same battle right now. Thanks for sharing your information and experience ! ! ! Best wishes on your continued success.

Here are my Before, During and NOW (after) Pictures: First 80 pounds lost 4 months post-op Here I am right before Goal of 150lbs, I think I'm within like 5-7lbs of goal weight: About 123lbs gone: 7 months post op, below goal by 5ish pounds 27lbs below goal weight. . . I'm 123lbs here Family Pics (I wasn't even at my highest weight here, I had my band around 2 months here, so I was right around 245-250 here, my highest weight was 270lbs) And here I am 2 weeks ago, hovering around 125-129lbs on any given day. I've bounced up to 131lbs, but got back to basics and now I like my bounce around weight of 125-129lbs. I went from a size 22/24W to a size 2 for most retailers, 3-4XL tops to a XS/S. Size 11 panty to a size 5 panty, bra size went from a 40/42D/DD to a TINY 32B.