TexasT

About 6 months post-op I started "shedding" hair - as it's so delicately put by some sources. Now at 11 months post-op it's finally starting to grow back in. The only complaint is that it looks like all the new hair is GRAY!!! OK, I'm no spring chicken I admit. I'll be 50 in a few months. But all of a sudden my "roots" look like the pure driven snow and not mostly pepper with a little salt. It looks like the Age Fairy sprinkled magic silver dust all over the top of my head. And those of you in my age group know that gray hair is sometimes curly and coarse, which does not match well with the rest of my straight and silky locks - ha! Looks like I'm just going to have to start buying the Clairol Nice and Easy in bulk from now on. For those of you wishing your hair would grow back in and are older like me - be careful what you wish for!!!

I have to add that I'm one of those that DOES still get hungry on a regular basis. So for some of us that does not go away post-op. Fortunately though with the sleeve you only have to eat a little and the hunger pangs are gone. Don't get in the mindset that you'll NEVER get to eat certain foods. That can literally drive you crazy and make you do things you'll later regret. Realize that once you reach goal weight you can eat whatever you want in small portions. I had a slice of pizza for dinner the other night and I've been dipping into a tub of pecan brittle that a business associate gave me all week. I don't really eat bread anymore, but I had a small hamburger (my first all year) a few weeks ago because I got a strong craving for a nice, juicy burger. It took me all night to eat it, but man was it good. I may go another year before I eat one again, but I think I can do this because I don't feel like I'm depriving myself, which forces that primieval "gotta get all the food I can or I'll die" mechanism to kick in. I agree with Tiffy that you might want to talk to someone regarding your food issues. I wouldn't wait until after surgery if that's an option for you. You need to focus not on your perception of what you think you'll be missing, but on the positive things you're doing for your health and your body.

My mother has the most gorgeous head of silver hair you've ever seen, so I knew my day was coming, I was just hoping to hold off for a few years more! I'm not ready to look like a senior yet, so I'm going to keep the hair color companies in business for as long as I can. I was talking to the pharmacist last week and said I'd had a hysterectomy at age 42 and that was a long time ago. She said "No way, I thought you were in your 30's" . I thanked her profusely and told her she already had my business so no need to go overboard! So as long as I can fake it, I'm gonna fake it - no full head of gray for me yet! But I know when I do get tired of the maintenance I will have lovely silver hair to look forward to.

I eat the Premier Nutrition Protein bars that are sold at Costco and Sam's Club. There are 3 flavors in each box of 12. They have 30g of protein, 7g of fat and 280 calories. These are the only ones I can stand the taste of, and I've tried many many kinds. If you go to a store like the Vitamine Shoppe, they'll let you return them if you don't like the flavor and they have tons to choose from.

I use Premier Nutrition Protein bars that I buy at Costco. They have 30grams of protein, so they're filling and these actually taste pretty good. I've tried many others and these are the only ones I actually enjoy eating. There are 3 flavors per box. I think Sam's Club also sells them.

I had my band for almost 4 yrs before my revision. My only complication was that I developed a hematoma in the area where my port had been. My doc had sewed that thing in there to stay for good, so it was a bear to remove and left a fairly large hole. The incision above the hematoma opened a week post-op and the blood drained out. My doc cleaned it, packed it and it healed from the inside out. I also had a hiatial hernia that my doc found and fixed during the revision surgery.

Hope your recovery is still going smoothly and you're getting plenty of fluids - a few ounces at a time!

Ask how many WLS he's done, then a breakdown of each type. What's his complication rate, including leaks? Has he had any deaths? How long has he been doing WLS? What are his pre and post-op diets? How much weight does he think you'll lose within one year? What does he suggest your target weight should be? How long will you be hospitalized? How does he control pain post-op? Will you have an implanted pain pump? What is his follow-up plan post-op? Will you see him in the hospital post-op or does he use a "floor doctor"? I had a floor doctor after my surgery and was very happy with her, so this is not a bad thing. You just need to know what to expect. If he finds adhesions or a hernia while operating, how does he handle? Just a few suggestions...I'm sure others will chime in too.

My family all know, so that hasn't been an issue for me. For strangers and co-workers, I tell the truth - that I've reduced my portion sizes and am exercising. I didn't say it was the "whole truth".....

Yes, you can drink broth, but you need to make sure and strain it. Even small pieces of meat or veggies can get trapped in the suture line and lead to a leak. You certainly don't want that complication or you really will have some explaining to do - ha!

I get Premier Nutrition Protein bars at Costco and munch on them at my desk during the day. They have 30grams of protein, so they're filling and these actually taste pretty good. Sometimes I also keep some nuts at my desk and eat a few when I feel that hunger twinge. I also try and eat an Activia yogurt every morning, but sometimes I just wait and eat it as a snack between breakfast and lunch.

I had a band for almost 4 yrs and only lost weight for the first 6 months I had it. It was nothing but trouble and I hated not being able to eat salads, most fruits and other healthy things because they got stuck and wouldn't go down. My surgeon told me most of his band patients needed a 2nd surgery due to complications within 6 yrs of getting the band. I needed my gall bladder out, so I decided to get the VSG at the same time and remove the band. Unlike the bypass, you will still be able to absorb all the nutrients from your food with the VSG. You will lose the majority of the hunger hormones your stomach produces with the part that is removed. Many VSG patients experience little to no hunger afterwards. I do still have hunger, but it's nothing like I had before. After the VSG, I lost the majority of my weight in the first 6 wks by being on the post-op diet (liquids, mushies, etc.). My surgery was last January, so at this point I can eat whatever I want, just much smaller quantities. I can eat more now also than I could the first few months. I still have to work hard to get my Protein in though, so I don't really eat bread anymore because it just expands in your stomach and doesn't leave room for the more nutritious foods. The VSG is a tool just like the band. You still have to make smart choices when deciding what to eat. I'm "lucky" in that the removal of my gall bladder made me have an adverse reaction to fatty foods now. So no more bacon, ice cream, fried foods, etc. for me. But now that I don't eat them anymore, I don't miss it at all. I'm happy at being at my goal weight and feel better than I have in 25 yrs. I'll be 50 on my next birthday and feel like the weight loss has taken years off my looks and added years to my health. I'm off my meds for high cholesteral/triglycerides, C-PAP machine for sleep apnea, and antidepressants too. Now I just take my Vitamins and PPI and I'm good to go. I really feel like you won't regret getting the VSG. We're so lucky this is available to us now. Best wishes on your continued research. I'm sure you'll make the best decision for yourself and your kids.

3.5 yrs after getting a band I went to my surgeon to discuss pain I was having to make sure the band was OK. Ended up that it was my gall bladder (which I had removed during my revision). But my doc told me that he was seeing more and more band patients that were having complications 3-6 yrs post-op with the band. I had been at a stall in my weight loss for pretty much 3 yrs and was very unhappy with the problems I had with the band - such as not being able to eat salads, fruit and other healthy things because they would get stuck. I was constantly running to the bathroom to throw up, or just sitting at the dinner table with "that look" on my face meaning the food was not going down. Tiffy had problems with scarring around her stomach where the band had been. I ended up with a hiatial hernia because of it. Removing the port during my revision surgery left a huge internal hole that filled with blood and caused a hematoma, which later ruptured. I don't miss ANYTHING about the band. Living with the sleeve is effortless, and I'm now at my goal weight. I'm about ready to print some T-shirts saying "BAN THE BAND!!!"

My revision surgery also included removing my gall bladder and tons of adhesions, plus fixing a hiatial hernia. Even with all that I can't say I felt much worse than after my band surgery. I was actually pretty shocked at how well I felt. Surgery was on Friday, went home on Sunday, back to work in my home office on Monday for a couple of hours at a time. I was only 30/lbs away from goal though when I had my revision, so that may have helped with my easy recovery.

Bariatric Advantage lozenges ( a little pricey, but willing to spend the money if they truly work, and I don't have to eat 10 of them a day to hit 1000mg of calcium citrate per day) Tiffy, I also take the Bariatric Advantage lozenges in the Cinnamon flavor. They taste amazing to me. I got samples in the hospital and have taken them all year. They used to be 400mg but they are now 500mg. I order mine from Diet Direct because if I get 2 bottles shipping is free. I have osteopenia (precurser to osteoporosis) because I had a full hysterectomy at age 41, so calcium is very important to me. I also take a monthly bone strengthening pill. But the BA calcium seems to really be helping. My nails are very strong, which is one way I can gauge my calcium and Protein intake.

My suggestion is to just start a "boobylicious savings fund" and buy yourself some new ones. That's what I'm doing. I got a couple of quotes so I'd know how much I needed. Now I'm just playing the waiting game, hoping the economy picks up and my company will start paying bonuses again so I can add to the money jar. Unfortunately my butt could use some help too, but I hope I can plump it back out with excercise.

I also hated life with the band, but had never even heard about the VSG. I went to my surgeon about my gall bladder and asked if he could put in a smaller port on my lapband because it always got "caught" on my ribs and was very uncomfortable. My amazing surgeon, who originally did my lapband, started telling me how he was seeing more and more band patients with problems after 3 yrs. I had my band 4 years and hated it. I had a pain around it, but nothing showed up with a barium swallow. Ends up I had a hiatal hernia in the area above the band, which I've heard is very common with band patients. He told me about the VSG and I decided to do it since I had to have my gall bladder removed anyway. I had everything done in one surgery (band removed, VSG, hernia repair, gall bladder and adhesion removal). I'm now down to my goal weight and I'm completely sold on the VSG vs. the band. I'm sure you'll be happy with your decision! Good luck!

And everyone should know - get that "Last Supper" mentality out of your mind. With the VSG we can all eat whatever we want once you're at goal weight. I ate a hamburger just last weekend. Needless to say, it was the first whole hamburger I've eaten this year. And it took me hours to eat the whole thing. But I was craving a burger, I bought a burger, and I ate that burger. And I'm just fine. So someday you WILL be able to eat these things in moderation. But for now, stick to your pre-op diet. Have your surgery, follow the guidelines, lost the weight - which I have no doubt you will do. Then when you are at goal or near it, go ahead and indulge every now and then. You'll only be able to eat a few bites anyway. And you may realize that what you once thought was so wonderful and decadent you just really don't care about anymore. You feel better being thin and eating healthy foods, you realize bread and carbs only fill you up and don't leave room for the Protein. And you find you don't miss them anymore. But sometimes...only a burger will do - huh? I feel your pain - hang in there!

After my VSG surgery I only had one complication, and it wasn't a major problem. It was also due to having a lapband previously and having it removed. I developed a hematoma (pool of blood) in the area where my port had been. It got so big that the incision above it opened up and the blood came out. The doc cleaned it out and it healed from there. As someone who has had 2 WLS procedures, you are making the right decision to get the VSG. In your case, I would suggest seeing a counselor before you do anything else and make sure you know this surgery will not solve your depression or emotional eating issues. It will make it easier to control what you put in your body, but I've seen a few people on this board that haven't done the "mental prep work" and end us just as miserable after surgery. As for your friends, it sounds like they don't have your best interests at heart to say the least. Overweight friends may be secretly jealous and wish they could do the same, but lack the courage. Thin friends may prefer to hang out with people they don't have to feel "competitive" with in attracting the opposite sex, and now they may be afraid you'll get more attention. Those people have their own issues and lots of times don't even realize it. It sounds to me like you're doing your research (you found us - ha!) and I trust you'll make the right choice. And if your friends can't handle the "new you", I'd start looking for new ones. Good luck!

I'mm 5'3". My doc wanted me to get down to 130#. I'm currently around 137 and feel fine at this weight. In fact, all my family (who are all "naturally" small) say I shouldn't lose any more weight or my face will look too thin and my skin too loose. My booty's flat as a pancake as it is - I agree and don't want to get below 135.

Dr. Wade Barker did my lap-band and my revision to the sleeve. He's an EXCELLANT surgeon. He uses Forest Park Medical center, which I highly recommend. In addition to my revision, Dr. Barker did the following during the same surgery: fixed an undiagnosed hiatal hernia, removed my gall bladder (had been having problems with it for about a yr) and cleaned out tons of adhesions I had from 5 previous abdominal surgeries. Dr. Barker has many years of experience in laproscopic surgery. He started out as a general surgeon but now is primarily bariatric. His office will give you his stats on how many of each surgery he's done, complication rates, etc. The staff is very nice and knowledgeable. My only complaint is that you have to wait quite a while before appointments sometimes. But to me, that's not an issue if the doctor and staff are good. A couple of weeks post-op I had a hematoma develop where my lapband port had been. It caused one of my incisions to open up. Dr. Barker was in surgery that day, so they told me to go straight to the hospital. Dr. Barker came in as soon as I got there and took care of my problem. The follow-up care in his office was very good. I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to say to NOT use Dr. Glenn Ihde. He is new to the bariatric business. When I was in the hospital after my VSG, we met another patient who he had done WLS on and totally screwed up. They had to have another doctor "fix" whatever he had done. Also, I took my 18yr old son to him for abdominal pain (he's on my insurance) and after a colonoscopy he wanted to remove part of my son's colon. We went to someone else for a second opinion and they said there was nothing wrong with my son other than spastic colon and that the problem Dr. Ihde said my son had could not even be diagnosed with a colonoscopy. I've lost all trust in the man now.

Here's what I take and have had no problems: Centrum Ultra Womens (I buy the store brand). This is not a chewable. sublingual B-12 (I also buy the store brand - cheap and tasty) Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate Lozenges in Cinnamon (chewable and taste like cinnamon candy)

When my wedding ring got too big to wear I went and bought a $10 fake so I could have SOMETHING on my hand so it wouldn't feel weird. I wore that for a few months until the hubby and I went on our 25th Anniversary trip to Italy last May. While in florence, my prince of a hubby bought me a completely new ring - the most gorgeous thing I've EVER seen. He got it on the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), which is where all the great jewelry stores have been in Florence since the 1500's. Our daughter had been studying there this past spring semester so she was with us when my hubby got down on his knee and asked me to spend the next 25+ years with him. We were all in tears as he put the new ring on my finger. This was a once in a lifetime trip for us, and this moment made it even more special. Did I mention that I have the BEST hubby ever?

My post-op diet sounds just like Lisa's. It is possible that you're hungry - some of us do stil feel it even with less ghrelin being produced. But a lot of times it's just gas or acid. I assume you're taking some type of acid reducer? You might want to try one of the clear Protein drinks, like Isopure ready-made. They taste kind of like kool-aid. You can sip on them all day like Water and they don't get gross after awhile like the Protein drinks you mix yourself do. They will help with the hunger instead of drinking plain water.

I'm not sure what they mean. Your tummy feels the same except that it gets full very quickly. So I would definitely call that "restriction". And of course, many of us have less hunger hormones, so you don't feel like you're starving when eating such small amounts.