marfar7

Wow! Beautiful dress! I've recently started wearing dresses. They always looked so awkward on me (bigger on top, smaller on bottom). I bought 3 in the last month. Now if I only had somewhere to wear em...

I don't understand single incision laprascopic surgeries. If they have the camera in 1 hole, don't they need at least 1 other hole for instruments? I never believed the hype and advertising about single incisions. It doesn't make sense. Anyone else have a hard time believing it? Or has anyone actually had one? How did they perform it?

I had heard pre sleeve that they take out the Ghrelin producing stomach (supposedly where 90% of Ghrelin is made. Heard the other 10% was in the pancreas) causing me to feel no hunger, either for a long period of time (ie: 6 mths-1yr) or ever. I've noticed that it's spread pretty evenly on this board: Those of us that still have hunger and those that don't (lucky dogs, btw) Thought I'd look up Ghrelin. I found that its produced in the pituitary, stomach, intestine, pancreas, thymus, gonads, thyroid, lungs, kideys, brain, and heart. Wow. I guess my other organs picked up where my stomach left off. I've been on Levothyroxine for my thyroid for about 10 yrs. Now that I've seen in writing that some of the Ghrelin is produced in the thyroid, I'm wondering if you have hypo/hyper thyroidism if that might affect ur levels of Ghrelin. Has anyone heard this? Does anyone have an upcoming appt with their surgeon where they can ask this question? Starting on day 10, I've continued to have hunger (real hunger, not acid or head hunger). While it's easily satiated (with a few bites), I'm hungry more often than pre sleeve. It gets embarrassing to inform my husband that I'm hungry "again" 90 minutes after my last meal. I feel that he thinks I'm a pig (I told him of my fear one day and he informed me that altho he teases me "Ur hungry AGAIN?", he's never felt this way). I hafta keep a baggy of almonds in my purse cuz sometimes I can't wait till I can get to a meal - then I make poor choices. Anyone else have a problem with hunger? And those that don't feel hungry post op: You have no idea how much I envy you!! I totally expected to be just like you

I was uncomfortable the first couple weeks lying on my back also. not only do I have a lower back injury but sleeping on my back is just not comfortable. It took a couple week before I felt like I could prop a pillow up between the mattress and my tummy and be comfy. I slept so well! I slept with a pillow for about 2 additional weeks. Good luck getting comfy...

That would be a great idea, however: I get 99% of my medical care from the VA system. Most of the VA patients are elderly men. Thats who they usually cater to. While the VA does cover some WLS (RNY for sure), only very few do this. I'm originally from OR and none of the VA hospital in Or cover wls - you hafta go out of state. And the require a 6 mth supervised diet, a once a month drs visit, and contiunous dietitian supervision, making it virtually impossible for someone living in an area with no coverage to get wlls. Thats just an instance. I got my surgery from a private surgeon/hospital (Medicare) 2 mths after my sleeve revision, I made an appt with the VA dietitian to discuss my intake. when I arrived, I was overwhelmed by all the information the RD had. He heard I had a VSG and knew NOTHING about it. He did a weeks worth of research before I came in. had all the info to prove it. From that point on I became his pet project. I got many voicemails and emails about intake, calories requirements, Vitamin requirements, etc. I was like his part time job. So I'm not expecting anyone in my area to know ANYTHING about wls. Like I said, the VA caters to mostly elderly MEN. It's rare (altho it's becoming more prevalent) to find someone who knows how to do a pap smear! Thanks for the idea tho!

I was instructed to stop taking my bcp a month before surgery, but to resume them immediately. I CONTINUED (I had severe reflux from a slipped band) my Prilosec the day after getting home from the hospital (in capsule form). Never had a problem with pills. The only thing I took in liquid was my post op liquid Vicodin. It's good stuff. Much better than the pill form!

"Anyone lap band revision to sleeve?" Yes. Had my band almost 4 yrs before my revision 5 mths ago. "How much was ur starting weight before lap band and sleeve?" Before band was 248 and before sleeve was 174. "How much did u loose with each?" I lost 104 lbs with the band BEFORE it slipped and I gained back 30. So far I've lost 22 lbs with the sleeve. I'm now 152. Slowly, but I knew it would be slower since I started out at a lower weight. Plus, I'm focused on maintaining right now and will then focus on my last 22 after the holidays. "How long has it been sence surgery?" 5 mths "Are I maintaining?" I haven't lost/gained a lb in 2 mths. And I'm maintaining fairly easily. I weigh everyday (yep, I one of those people) and everyday I'm surprised that my last nites snacking didn't cause any gain. So, so happy about that! "Any advise would be greatly appreciated. " Be patient. The lower u weigh the slower it will come off. And ur probly not gunna see the huge losses that "virgin sleever" (those who haven't had a revision, that r straight sleeves) see in the first 6-9 mths. And don't drink while ur eating! I got used to that rule while my band was in cuz I COULDN'T drink while eating otherwise it would come right up. Now when I eat, it feels similar to eating with my band (feel it high in my chest) so I'm actually scared of drinking, fearing it'll come back up. Even tho I KNOW there's no structure in the way anymore, I guess that fear is good! "I'm to be sleeved in 7 days, lost over 100 pounds with the lap band till it slipped and has a hole in it. " Good luck to u. Ull do great, I'm sure.

At 5 days I might've been able to get in 24 oz (not including my Protein shakes, broth or popsicles - which I've heard that u CAN count). So it may not be as hard as u think: 4oz of Protein shake 6x a day = 24oz 2oz of broth 3x a day= 6oz 3 2oz popsicles= 6oz 1 32oz bottle of Powerade 0 nursed all day= 32oz =64oz And thats without even touching an actual sip of plain Water. Don't forget that u can add any liquids that u may get from other sources other than plain water (except coffee) Good luck!

I spent the last month before my lapband (4 yrs ago) eating food I thought I'd never get to eat again. Now 4 yrs later, lapband and sleeve revision (5 mths ago) I can honestly say: I can eat everything. I still enjoy the occasional burger (more like 1/3 of a burger from In and Out), taco from Del Taco, 3/4 of a pc of pizza, 1/2 sandwich, 1/4 of a Pasta entree at Olive Garden, 4-6 garlic fries from Red Robin, and even a little dessert once in a while. The only thing I find my tummy cannot tolerate is ice cream. 2 bites is my limit. Even 1 scoop gives me horrendous tummy cramps/diarrhea. So, moral of the story: You WILL be able to eat ur favorite foods again. And in the meantime, new foods will become ur favorites (ie: Soup, Protein shakes, and sf jello!). Please don't be afraid that ur never gunna eat those foods again. U will eventually will. Or maybe u won't want to. Lots of people lose their taste for some foods. Lucky them... Good luck!

I'm not really a sleeve veteran (5 mths) but I had my lapband for almost 4 yrs prior so I guess I consider myself a wls vet. I've lost close to 100 lbs (about 20 from goal) and am delighted to fit into a size 8. Would I like to be a 6? Sure. But also if I never lost another lb, I'd still be happy. Do I look at obese people differently? I confess that I do. I notice them much more than I did when I was obese. Last month while at Hometown Buffet (I eat 1 bite of about 10 different items and I'm good to go) I noticed a family of about 8. Every single one of them was morbidly obese. I caught myself watching what they were eating and how much. Wow. Not sure I've ever seen people eat so much. They definitely got their moneys worth (I'm such a waste of money at a buffet). My judgement is definitely a wake up call. It's like becoming a racist. Not my proudest moment. I'm not the poster child for healthy eating (by far) but I seem to notice when people are eating ALOT. Not neccesarily WHAT they're eating but I'm judging HOW MUCH they're eating. It's been a long time since I could eat a whole sandwich, a whole burger, 1/2 a pizza, 6 tacos, and a whole order of fries. While I'm judging them inside, I'm also feeling a little jealous. Being able to eat a whole burger? It's been a while. Sometimes I'm bummed that 4 bites of a burger is enuf. It tastes so good that once in a while I'd like to eat more. Ok, there's my confession for today. I'm a fat-ist (a fat racist). I'm so scared I'm gunna gain back all the weight I lost and be just like "them". My biggest fear. My biggest fear should be that I'm becoming a judgmental pig, something I've always hated. Shame on me... Edited to note: I had no idea that a fattist was an actual word in Wikepedia. Wow

Isn't vomiting a new adventure lol! I never did unless I was sick, and now even Water can make me throw up! But at least when your done you can continue on like nothing happened! Lol I'm proud to say that since being sleeved (5 mths), I've only thrown up twice. Totally my fault. At a couple bites too much. It's much harder to do than my DAILY barfing sessions with my lapband. I became such a proficient barfer. I've thrown up out my car door on the side of the freeway, behind the dumpster at Best Buy, in restaurant bathroom (usually with someone in the next stall asking "r u alright?"), in the bushes at a friends poker party (I didn't want anyone to hear me in the bathroom so I went out to the yard), in my own yard (didn't want hubby to hear me) and any other place u can think of. It takes much more effort to barf now so it's truly not worth it. And I'm so happy it's in my past. I think I lost 104 lbs from pseudo-bulimia...

Wow. 9 lbs! WTG! When was the last time u lost 9 lbs in 1 week? It will lessen with time so u might want to get ur weightloss into persepctive. 9 lbs in a week is phenomenal! Just like the contestants on The Biggest Loser - and they work out like 10 hrs a day!

That 4 weeks on liquids was the longest 4 weeks of my life. I planned my 1st meal on softs for a week: refried Beans, cheddar cheese, a dollup of sour cream and taco sauce. It was a little slice of heaven. And then chili was like steak and lobster. Did I mention the scrambled egg with cheese? Wow. You never know how much u miss chewiing till u don't chew for 4 weeks! Congrats! Enjoy!

I noticed ur name. Do u live in Oregon? Who did ur surgery? I went to Dr Tersigni is Coos Bay. I recently moved to So Ca and I miss Or. I lived in Medford. Where do u live? Congrats on reaching ur goal. I have about 20 more but I will eventually get there I hear the last 20 r the hardest. WTG!

I'm pretty sure that's what my nurse said in the nutrition class the day before surgery. That they take out the stretchy part of ur stomach so while u CAN stretch it a little, it can never be stretched to more than 8oz. I'm hoping this is true. I'm 5 mths post op. When I started eating solids at 8 weeks, I could eat maybe 5-6 bites of any given meal. It's grown monthly to now - I can eat 10-12 bites of any given meal. I've been maintaining for 2 mths ( lost 22 lbs the 1st 3 mths. I knew it would come off slower since I started at 174 - I was a band revision). I still have 22 lbs to go to my goal but I decided before Thankgiving that I would maintain until after the holidays then on Jan 2nd, I would go full force to get the last 22 lbs off. Then I think it should be fairly easy to maintain. Unless of course, I can eat 20 bites in the next 5 mths. Seemed to double. Hope it doesn't continue to double. I'm actually a little surprised that I've doubled my intake and haven't gained any weight... Yeah. Has anyone else heard this?

Just out of curiosiy, Laura, what's ur bmi? U look perfect. Like u don't need to lose 1 more lb! Wow.You've done fantastic! U deserve the kudos from ur dr! How much more do u want to lose? U need to put up a ticker girl!

Thanx. Interesting read. Makes perfect sense. So occasionally overeating will not cause my stomach to permanently stretch it but continually overeating will. Ok, 1 more ?: I was a lapbander for almost 4 yrs. They use the 5 Day Pouch Test to "reset" ur band's tightness (never worked for me, however). Will that work to reset our stomach or once it;s stretched, will it ever go back if I cut back on my intake? Now I'm worried. Hubby tells me everynite (while I'm doing my routine nighttime snacking) "You're gunna stretch out ur sleeve, then you'll be screwed". I argue with him that it's not gunna stretch. Now I'm panicked. I never did lose my hunger hormone (ur lucky if you have!) so I'm hungry often. I often feel like a pig when I mention to my husband that I'm hungry again. While I can eat very little, I'm hungry again within 2 hrs. I'm trying really hard not to graze, so I force myself to eat a couple more bites at mealtimes so I'm not hungry again in 2 hrs. That might not be a great idea, I take it.

I guess I missed the part that ur still pre op. Thought u already had ur surgery. See what happens when u assume? The month before my band surgery (4 yrs ago) I gained 8 lbs from eating all the stuff I thought I'd never be able to eat again. Guess what? There's nothing I can't eat. Gained 8 lbs for nuthin...

And it didn't kill u, blind u, or mame u? Wow. A donut, a burger, a taco, a pc of pizza - they're all ok to eat. On occasion and in small amounts. If u told me after have most of my stomach removed that I'd never be able to have a donut, life would be very sad. Ok, bring on the nay-sayers who "never" eat anything but meat and veggies....

Nighttime snacking is definitely my downfall also. I eat a semi healthy Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (only eating 6-8 bites) but start my mindless snacking at nite when I lie in bed and watch tv. Thought about making my bedroom off limits for food. I have 22 lbs to get to goal and I made a deal with myself last month. I'd start trying to lose again after the holidays. Until then, I'm happy maintaining. Hubby also gained 40 lbs over the last 9 mths since he's been eating carbs willy nilly (he's usually an Atkins fan) and also has plans of starting Atkins Induction on Jan 2nd. So while I won't be doing Atkins, I can certainly cut down on my bad carbs and cut out the nighttime snacking. And my nightly glass of red wine - of course while in bed. I'm hoping my eating carbs (not to mention that we recently moved in with my FIL and hubbys daughter. MIL passed away 2 mths ago so we're helping out FIL) and others eating carbs (I don't eat much so I never really caused him to stumble but now that there's 2 other people in the household, not sure whats gunna happen) don't make my husband stumble. Anyway, as I was saying, I know where ur coming from. Snacking is the culprit on much of our weight gain or at least preventing us from losing. And I don't mean 1/2 an apple with PB. I'm talking a handful of cheese Its, a scoop of ice cream, 1/2 PB and banana sandwich, a few bits of dinner leftovers, a handful of corn nuts, 5-10 Hershey Kisses (who can resist the green and red ones at holiday time?), an ice cream sandwich, or 1/2 Starbucks biscotti. All things I've snacked on this past week So on jan 2nd, I will ban all food in my bedroom. That oughta help take off the final 22 lbs (albeit slowly. I know the last 20 are the hardest) Good luck to u too!

Wow! WTG! Congrats! U look fantastic!

My dr also double stitches, lowering the rate of leaks. He uses a 34 bougie. I think thats a happy medium. Not sure there's much of a difference when it comes to real life. 32/34/36. It may mean the difference between being able to take 5 bites vs 6. You mentioned a low bmi with revision. My bmi 5 mths ago when revised was 28. I had 40 lbs to lose (now I have about 18). U can have a totally normal bmi and still be revised. As long as ur have a history of obesity, they realize that if u have no tool inside, ur likely to gain back all that was lost. Good luck!

I had a pokey thingy too. At my 4 weeks appt, they said the stitch was accidently left in. It poked all the way thru clothing. They were sposed to take it out before leaving the hospital.

I started at 174 and a bmi of 28 (I was a band revision). I've only lost 22 lbs in 5 mths. Not 1 lb in 3 mths. My doing. Decided to maintain till after the holidays then tackle the last 22. If I just cut out my nightime snacking I think that will have a huge impact. The less u weigh, the slower you'll lose. Just look at Biggest Loser. And ur gender makes a difference too. Men tend to lose faster (totally unfair) Good luck...

I currently get food stuck, almost like my band is to tight, although I am completely empty. Do patients with VSG, get food stuck, like Lap-band patients? There's no structure getting in the way but sometimes it feels like I still have my band in. If I eat too fast, it feels like it's stuck. I know in reality that there's nothing in the way but it sure feels like it. Do you have to chew the food until there is just nothing left to chew, like you do with the Lap-band? Sure do Are there no no foods, like there is with the lap-band? It was years before I could eat a sandwich after having the lapband put in. I still to this day can’t eat dry meat, like steaks or pork. If u have problem with some foods, u may have problems with the same foods. I can eat everything, just in really small quantities. The only things I couldn't eat with my band were: pancakes, pineapple chunks, and pizza crust (all p's). I can now eat those things. I'm a rebel. I eat Pasta, bread, potatoes, rice, and chocolate (unlike most people on this board) Are you able to drink when you are eating, unlike the lapband, where you should wait at least 30 min. Ur not sposed to. For the same reason, u wash the food down quicker making u hungrier sooner. However, I was never able to drink after eating with my band cuz the food would act as a "plug" and whatever liquid I put in there afterwards would come right back up. Since it feels similar when I eat now (like there's a "plug") I'm too afraid to try to drink. After 4 yrs of having the band, I'm pretty used to not drinking and can feel when I'm ready (about 30-45 mins) How long was it after your VSG surgery until you could really eat solid foods? 4 weeks of full liquids before starting soft foods. Longest 4 weeks of my life. I cheated after the 1st week with my band but didn't cheat once after sleeved. I was paranoid about causing a leak (rare, very rare). That first bite of refried Beans was like heaven How much food can you eat? Let’s say a year after surgery are you still only able to eat 1/2cup of food at a time? I have read that some poeple feel like "they forgot to put the sleeve on". Does that mean that some days you can eat more then you normally can? I don't measure or weight my food. I just eat until I'm satisfied. A few times I've counted the bites just to see how much I'm eating (and I'm 5 mths out) and I eat about 10-12 bites of any given meal (like I said, I eat everything. Example meal: last nite I had homemade crock pot chili with cheddar cheese on top. I ate 8 bites. I also made cornbread. I ate 3 bites. For Breakfast I'll eat 1 egg and 1 pc of bacon or sausage. Or 6-8 bites of oatmeal. For lunch I'll eat 2/3 of a Lean Cuisine, half sandwich, 1/3 of a burger, 3/4 of a taco, or 1 bite of each of 8-10 items on a buffet) It's the beauty of my sleeve. I know I could lose faster (I'm focussed on maintaining until after the holidays when I'll tackle the last 22 lbs I have left) if I counted everything I put into my mouth but if I could do that well, I wouldn't have ever need wls in the first place. If we could eat healthy in small quantities, none of us would have needed wls. I enjoy not dieting and losing slowly. I'd be happy if I never lost another lb (going from 248 to 152 is pretty good, IMHO) I'd be happy in my size 8 jeans. But that part of me that wants to get to 130 and maybe a 4 is still there, nagging me! So I will cut out my nightime snacking (Cheese Its, dinner leftovers, 1/2 PB and banana sandwich, or popcorn) and that oughta help. I will also watch my carbs (not too low tho). I WILL reach my goal! Good luck with ur decision. So glad my band is out. My band was slipped for 9 mths before it finally herniated (caused from frequent vomting, even after a complete unfill) and caused pain with every bite of food. Had my revision 5 mths ago. I've vomited once (vs daily with band). My fault, ate too much.