TexasT

Are you using the Isopure ready-made (which are clear liquids)? It took me trying several flavors to find a couple that I could tolerate. I liked the grape frost, and have even mixed some grape kool-aid to "beef-up" the flavor. I bought several brands of Protein powders, and would drink them when I forced myself, but really preferred the ready-made. One think I found I could drink in the beginning was cold coffee mixed with a chocolate powder and shaken with crushed ice. My doc considered that a clear liquid. The Vitamin Shoppe and GNC have lots of Protein drinks in the cooler that you can buy just one of to try. That's what I did with the Isopure to find a flavor I liked. Good luck in your quest!

I was also able to eat salads as soon as I got on regular foods with no problems. It was such a relief since I couldn't get them down when I had a lap band. No problem with mayo either, though I use the one made with olive oil. I've made tuna salad, chicken salad, and egg salad with no issues.

I don't know about the stall, and I know all docs require different post-op diets, but it seems really early to me for you to be able to "eat what others eat, just small portions." I was on a liquid diet for 3 wks post-op, soft diet for 2 wks, then regular diet starting on week 6. Going this route, I lost quite a bit at the beginning. Are you limiting carbs and calories (from fats, high calorie liquids, sweet tea, ice cream or junk food)? I also had a band, and got very good at "eating around it" by consuming high-calorie things that slid right through it (cheese dip, milk shakes, etc). Even with a small tummy, it's possible to eat things that help the fat hold on for dear life. Once I started on mushies, I kept to pretty much Protein only for the first couple of weeks (refried black Beans, meat from corned beef hash, tuna pureed and moist). Even when I could eat a regular diet, I started out slowly with adding a few things here and there along with my mushies and Protein drinks. It sounds like you're doing great with exercise, so keep it up. If you follow the food rules to a T, the weight will eventually start coming off again. Our bodies are genetically engineered to hold onto fat when we cut calories, so it might be taking yours just a little while longer than usual to get with the program and shed the lbs. I know it's frustrating to have gone through all of this and not see better results. But I have faith that you'll be successful and will see the scale moving in the right direction before you know it.

Congrats to you both on having your surgery today. Be good girls and follow your post-op diets, get all your walking in, and keep sipping those fluids. I know you'll do great!!

I've had no issues at all with sliming, etc. with the sleeve. I got nauseated twice from eating too much, but once I learned how much to eat at one time I've been fine. food doesn't get stuck, it just goes right on down. I eat out whenever I want, and eat whatever I want, just in smaller quantities. My husband and I might share an entree, or I'll order an appetizer for my meal, or just get a regular meal and take home the leftovers (I can usually get another two meals from one). I've had several business dinners, and if someone asked if there was a problem with my food or why I didn't finish my meal, I just said I had a big lunch and wasn't very hungry. Sweet and simple. You will be thrilled with the sleeve. Getting my band removed was the best thing ever! It felt so good to start losing weight again and not have to deal with that horrible plastic mess inside my body. Good luck!

Now that I'm pretty much at goal weight, here are a few things that still amaze me and that I can't believe are real: *Seeing bones again and that I had forgotten were there (cheekbones, collarbone, hip bones) *Losing 8" in my waist in 4 months *Feeling and looking younger than I did 15 yrs ago! *Walking past the Lane Bryant store on my way to Victoria's Secret (ha!) *At the age of 49, wearing the same size I wore when I was 17

Great news! Try not to second guess yourself too much, because it's just a waste of time. Having my band removed was the best thing I've ever done. The sleeve is SO much easier to live with - I know you'll be very happy with your decision. Plus, if you're like me, you'll be at your goal weight in no time. After a 3-yr stall, I'm thrilled with the success I've had with the sleeve.

Mommytoethan - I also had a revision from band to sleeve done in January. The only complication I had was forming a hematoma in the space where my port had been. This is just where blood pools into an open area. Normally the blood will just be absorbed back into your body. But for me, the incision above the hematoma came open, the blood came out. When this happens, the wound has to heal from the inside out (it can't be sutered back up due to the possibility of infection). I had to pack the open wound for about 6 wks until it completely healed up. It wasn't painful, just a nuisance. Other than that, everything's been great. I've lost the rest of the weight, I can eat whatever I want (in small portions), and I don't have to worry about food getting "stuck" like I did with the band.

That's probably all you'll actually need in my opinion. I brought a book to read, and had my hubby keep my IPod with him, but didn't use either. I was either up walking the halls pushing the IV stand along, trying to get fluids in, or resting. Good luck!

As Tiff said, Dr. Barker did my revision (he also did my lapband). All I had to have done pre-op was a cardiac clearance. I didn't have to have any extra tests before my consult. Let me know if you need any other info. I'm so glad I had the VSG done. I'm almost to goal now, after being stuck at the same weight for 3.5yrs. I've lost 7 inches off my waist since surgery in January, which just amazes me! I actually went out Friday and bought size 8 capris. My highest size before WLS was a 18-20. You will love having a sleeve!

I agree to not drink them too soon, but if when and if you do try one, I'd let it go pretty flat before sipping on it. You may find, like I have, that sodas are just too sweet post-op. And I used to love them before the sleeve! Now they just taste WAY too sweet, so I stick to tea and water.

Pre-op I was not a milk drinker, so the thick protein shakes were not my cup of tea. I was served Isopure ready-made at the hospital after surgery and liked them best over the others I had tried. Not to say I liked ALL the flavors, but I found a couple I preferred. The Grape Frost is one of them. It tastes like watered-down grape kool-aid. But what I did was buy some kool-aid to mix with it to give it more flavor. That really seemed to help.

Never argue with a woman One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, his wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book. Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, ' Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?' 'Reading a book,' she replies, (thinking, 'Isn't that obvious?') 'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her. 'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading' 'Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up.' 'For reading a book,' she replies. 'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her again. 'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading' 'Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.. I'll have to take you in and write you up.' 'If you do that, I'll have to charge you with Sexual assault,' says the woman.. 'But I haven't even touched you,' says the game warden. 'That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.' 'Have a nice day ma'am,' and he left. MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think.

I also had my gall bladder removed during VSG surgery, in addition to removing my lapband and repairing an undiagnosed hernia. I feel great now and am thankful I was able to do it all in one surgery. Plus I was self-pay, so it helped that insurance covered the GB portion so I paid much less.

I agree with Ryansgirl. I just read in a magazine recently (I think it was Self magazine) that when you lose weight it's 80% fat and 20% muscle, so losing some muscle is going to happen during weight loss. Resistance training, weight lifting, floor exercises will all help build it back. As long as you're getting enough Protein in don't stress about it until you're closer to goal. Do what you can to keep it to a minimum, but don't worry too much. Your fancy-schmancy scale may not be a good thing - ha! Sometimes TOO much knowledge is dangerous...

In addition to the acid blocker, I also take a sublingual B-12 tablet EVERY day to help my energy level. These are super-cheap at Wal-Mart and taste really good. So get some ASAP if you're not already taking them. Also, the more you are inactive, the worse you will feel. You really do need to get up and around, even if it's just walking around the mall or something. If the weather is nice, try to go outside and take a stroll. The fresh air will also help you feel better to. I agree that you may not be getting ENOUGH food in. 18 pounds in a month is super, but our bodies will hold onto fat with a vengance if it thinks we are starving it. We've all said it - but keeping up with your Protein needs will help jump start that metabolism back up. Please talk to your doctor about your stomach pain. I had my gall bladder removed, lapband removed, VSG and hernia repair all at the same time and only hurt for a few days. So a month post-op is a little long to be hurting. Of course, if you're not on an acid reducer that could be the cause. Let us know how you're doing.

I also had my gall bladder removed when I was sleeved, but also had my lapband removed and a hernia repaired. I had swelling only above the incision where my lapband port had been. It swelled up and turned purple. Ends up I had a hematoma - which eventually opened up, sending me to the ER. If yours is overall abdominal swelling then it's most likely due to the surgery. Some people just swell more than others post-op. If it's only in one area, is hot or painful, then I'd call my doc. Of if it doesn't start abating within a few more days.

I think you can tell from the previous posts that when people throw up (I'm not talking about at the hospital right after surgery), it's caused by something they've done that is normally preventable. Living with a sleeve is a daily learning experience for us all. You have to be very careful about how quickly you eat and how much you try to stuff in your tiny tummy. I haven't thrown up, but I have become nauseated after eating too much. I've started eating smaller amounts at meal times and keeping a Protein bar handy if I start to get hungry later. A couple of bites later I'm satisfied and ready to go awhile longer. Even after having a band for 3.5yrs and the sleeve since January, my husband still has to remind me to put less food on my plate. He'll just look at me and say "you don't want to make yourself sick do you?" and he's always right. I take some off my plate and I never even miss it. "Eyeing it" gets easier as time goes by, just be sure to not push it the first few months.

Since my sleeve surgery I've tried a couple of bites of ice cream on two occasions and a sugar cookie on another. I got terribly nauseated both times. I CAN eat fruit or even a piece of dark chocolate with no problems. But I got that feeling you described when I tried to drink some coke one day too, so I'm just staying away from all those things. It's not worth the horrible feelings and I don't need them anyway.