Malaika

Bee - No questions are stupid - ask away - and someone will have an answer for you, I am sure.

very well put carolyn!

Way to go tiff - i am so proud and happy for you - keep it up - you'll be at goal before you know it!!!!

While I was on clears, I drank the SpecialK Water, I didn't really worry too much about protein while on clears and fulls. When I started on mushies, I would blend some cottage cheese with an egg and a little mayonaise (sounds gross, but was actually good); string cheese was easy for me to get down; the little cans of chicken salad blended, also made egg drop with tofu Soup (recipe is in the recipe section) which was really tasty. That's all I can remember right now, if I think of other things I ate, I will be sure to let you know!

Congratulations AK - glad to hear all went well and that you're on the path to recovery and continued weight loss! Keep us posted on your progress!

JoAnn - don't leave us! There are others on the forum that didn't have the sleeve - Jachut has the band and so does JaffaSteve - you don't have to leave us just because you're having a different surgery -- Like Carolyn said - I am sure there won't be a lot of differences in the post-op issues and we'll be here to help you anyway we can!

Bee- Welcome to the VST family and congratulations on your surgery. It sounds as though you are doing quite well - keep up the good work and, as Donna said, use your commen sense - you know your body better than anyone, so listen to it and take guidance from what it is "telling you" and you'll continue to do great.

Those are great pre-op NSV MountainLover - keep them up. Congrats on your 12/2 surgery date, too.

Lettie - Welcome to VST and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I, too, went to a seminar set on the band; however, after hearing about the sleeve, and hearing the doctor say that if he needed to have WLS the sleeve is definitely the way he would go, I started researching the sleeve and decided on it instead of the band. And, I'm so glad I did -- I had my surgery in Mexico and the pre-op tests required were blood work, urinalysis, EKG and chest x-ray.

I found that when I was on liquids, that if I took a small sip and waited, I'd burp, then I could take another sip -- I guess the liquid in the stomach forced the air that was in there to come up. That is how my post-op liquid diet went - sip, burb, sip, burb - but no throwing up -- I didn't have that trouble until I got into mushies - then I just had to concentrate on eating small portions and eating slower- putting my fork/spoon down in between each bite, chewing, chewing, chewing and then swallowing before taking another bite. Hope this helps.

Good idea GLW - I think I'll do the same!

WOW - 5-10 days - I'd go crazy -- I showered in the hospital as soon as the IV came out - and every day thereafter. My doc used dermabond, too and covered the incisions with some type of cloth tape - they told me to shower, wash the incision areas with anti-bacterial soap and then pat them dry when I got out of the shower - eventually they all fell off; however, it took over a week for that to happen - you can't even see most of the incisions, only 2 really show up and one of them is almost gone, too. I say put some bandaids over the incision areas and take a shower!!!

Hi Liz - The VSG was my first major surgery, too. I wasn't worried about anything but the anesthesia - however, all went great and my worries were for naught. I did't have a catheter - not all surgeons use them, so maybe your's won't either. I think December is a great month to have the surgery - you'll be able to avoid all the holiday "junk" that seems to appear the entire month. Luckily for me, since my surgery, I can't stand most anything sweet - it tastes sickening sweet to me, so I am able to resist temptation to eat candy. I agree with Cajun about the best surgeon and having all surgeries in Mexicali! Hopefully your husband will come around and see how much this means to you -- I am sure he's going to love the results!

I don't buy dry edamame - I buy it at Sam's in the frozen food section and then zap it in the microwave - it comes with sea salt, but I don't generally use it - I LOVE edamame. Several restaurants around here have it on their menus as an appetizer, so we always order a couple to share at the table.

I haven't, but what a GREAT idea!

I am 5 months out and just now have started to lose my hair -- I was hoping to not have to go through this experience - luckily I have very thick hair, and so no one else really notices it -- I'm not sure how long it lasts; I'm hoping not long. I am going to start taking Andrew Lessman's Skin, Hair and Nail Vitamins and see if that helps slow or stop the process. I am sure others on this site will have stories/suggestions of their own to help you out. For me, the surgery would still be totally worth it even if I end up bald - that's what wigs are for!

You'll be fine to return to work - I have a desk job, too, and although I was really tired by the end of the day, I was able to function at the office without any discomfort at all. Just remember to get up and walk at least every hour and to sip, sip, sip while you work.

Maria - Welcome to VST and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. We'll look forward to following your success when you feel up to posting. Show your mom this forum and let her read how many of us have gone to Mexico for their surgeries and have actually lived (sarcasm here) to tell their stories. I didn't tell ANYONE that I was having the surgery or going to Mexico until AFTER the fact, as I didn't want to have to listen to their doubts, etc. and I didn't want to have to justify or explain myself - my body, my choice.

Thanks for sharing your story Burnout and I am sure it well help other men (and women too) in understanding what you have gone through and what they have to look forward too -- keep up the good work and you'll feel GREAT before you know it!

I agree with everything everyone has said about Dr. Aceves - he's the bomb. As for follow-up, I just recently received an email from Dr. Aceves team (5 months out) wanting to know how I was doing, did I have any questions and how much weight I had lost -- this was sent at Dr. Aceves' request. Bearded also received a follow-up email and he is 4 months out. They are great and awesome and so is the hospital. I would be more concerned about "catching" something in a US hospital or surgery center than at Almater Hospital - they clean so often germs don't stand a chance!

We may be making a trip for another matter; however, I'm not positive - I'll let you know though if it's around 12/4 and definitely we'll meet!

Okay - I have a few pair of jeans - ranging in size from 22 (maybe 24) to 18 - they're in pretty good shape - most are Gloria Vanderbilt. If you're interested, let me know.

Joon - GREAT ADVICE - thank you for offering that to Lan (and anyone else who may have the same issues) Lan - I found 1 and only 1 Protein drink that I could finally tolerate and stayed down/in --someone here told me about OH YEAH -- I got it at GNC - only 1 bottle - it was $3.99 for just one - but I didn't want to spend alot until I knew if I could tolerate it/like it ... it was the Cookies and cream flavor - not too sweet, not too thick - lactose free -- I suggest you give it a try - it's way less carbs than the Naked juice you're drinking. Just a thought.

AWESOME Haley - wish I could ride with you ... I love to horseback ride ...

Sweetie333 -- I didn't drink Protein shakes at all post-op - they were either too thick, too sweet, made with milk which made me sick ... so I just found other options to get my protein in -- so Protein Shakes are not a necessity - just an easy way to get in your protein. As for flavors - that will be a personal choice - for what tastes good to one, may not taste good to you -- your best bet would be to order a lot of different sample sizes and see which ones you like/tolerate the best.