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[awesome info!!!!quote name=Lilee84" post="2285395" timestamp="1332967880] DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references. How do I embed the weight loss ticker? Click on the My Tickers link under your settings in the top right of any page on here. What can I have during liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc… When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows: Day 1-7 Clear Liquids Day 8-14 Full liquids Day 15-21 Purees Day 22-50 Mushies What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed. Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs. How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day. How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest. Best protein shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy unjury. What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods) How long will my surgery last? Typically about 45mins assuming there are no complications or other procedures (ie: hernia repairs) being done at the time of your surgery. Every surgeon is different so for a more accurate answer you should consult your respective surgeon. Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside. What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching. What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between. What do all these acronyms mean? In no particular order: WLS – Weight Loss Surgery NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…) NUT – Nutritionist PCP – Primary Care Physician VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy TOM – Time of the Month SF – Sugar Free WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off. What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own. When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity. When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home. What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink. Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however. I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses. I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon. Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy. When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks. How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay. Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign. Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling. What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult. What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases. Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases. Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.

NSV is a non scale victory

I weighed in at the gym this morning and it ready 239lbs!!!! The 270's, 260's, 250's, and 240's are gone for good. Now I can officially say that "I'VE LOST 40 POUNDS!!!" Instead of "almost" 40lbs! :woot: Denise, I hope you enjoyed your birthday!!! :happybday: Outdoorfriends, I hope have a fast recovery! Try some sit down exercises with weights and some side bends at your waist. It may not burn as many calories, but you'll have some kick ass arms and shoulders by the time you're done! :boxing: Kyethra, you seem to be having one problem after another. I don't know how you function. You're a strong girl! I hope things get better for you soon! :hug: Hazelbunny, You are doing AWESOME!!! :grouphug: lala3000, I don't know what's wrong with me girl! This is the second week that I haven't made it to the hospital. I have been running around in circles lately. I really need to get myself together. Biking from 63rd to Navy Pier is a GREAT NSV! WAY TO GO!!! CuddlyNymph, The restriction felt after fill #1 has alot to do with your band size and how aggressive your surgeon is with fills. Those with the larger band may need several fills, but if you have the smaller band like me it usually only takes one or two fills. I felt some restriction with my first fill of 1.5cc and 2 weeks later I went for my second fill of 2.25cc. I have good restriction now. I have another appt. on June 4th so we'll see...if I keep this same restriction I will tell my surgeon that I don't want another fill. So, If you have good restriction and you are loosing weight, you may want to postpone having another fill. Happy HumpDay!!!!!

I NEED SOME SIMPLE DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A TICKER!!!<p>NSV???</p> <p> </p> <p>MORNING YALL</p> <p> </p> <p>I WENT TO ASHLEY STEWART YESTERDAY AND JUST PICKED UP A SIZE 18 SHIRT I WENT IN 10MIN BEFORE THE STORE CLOSED SO I WAS IN A HURRY!!!! DIDNT EVEN THINK ABOUT TRYING IN ON JUST ASSUMED IT WOULD FIT!! </p> <p> </p> <p>SO I WENT TO TARGET AND TRIED ON A DRESS SIZE 16/18 </p> <p> </p> <p>!!!!!!!!!!!!WHOA NELLY!!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>IT WAS LOOSE AS A NAKED GOOSE!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>I TOOK IT OFF LOOKED AT THE TAG SIZE AND PUT IT BACK ON I COULDNT BELEIVE IT!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>!!!!!!!!I LOOKED PRETTY GREAT WITHOUT A GIRDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>I WENT TO THE DOLLAR STORE STEPPED ON A SCALE THEY HAD IT READ 230!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>I DIDNT GET TO EXCITED I ONLY TRUST THE DOCTORS SCALE!</p> <p> </p> <p>I GOT HOME PUT ON THE SHIRT AND GOT PISSED CAUSE IT WAS TOO BIG, BUT I HAVE IT ON NOW AND I PUT A WIDE BELT ON WITH IT AND NOW IT LOOKS PERFECT!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>GOODBYE SIZE 18/20 TOPS HELLO 16'S</p> <p></p>

I'm gonna be honest here. Since about two wks post-op (my banding was 3/14/07) I haven't really had to chew-chew-chew, take very long to eat a meal, or really have to slow down much at all, maybe on occasion in the a.m. Even after my 1st fill I didn't. But now I do. My last fill of an additional 1cc has done the trick. I knew by ppls posts and the LB rules what is expected of me when it comes to meal time. But as of Friday, I officially have to follow these rules. These few days have been hard. I haven't pb'ed yet but today i really wanted to. I thought i was gonna die. I spit and spit saliva but never did. This is taking some getting used to. Did good for dinner! went to Applebees and had the weight watchers talapia..yum-o! I had about 3 tbsp of it and a few bites of broccoli and 1 asparagus speer and I was totally full! Slow and steady really was the trick. I guess this is my NSV! I'm slowly learning how to use this cool new tool I have!....Oh, and I went down 1 pant size! woo-hoo Lost 30 lbs since November, 20 since banded. Thanks fro listening

Hey Friends, I joined LA Fitness on Sunday---and worked out today! It was a NSV moment! Denise

Hey Hazel - Yes, the fill was interesting. I kind of expected more restriction but then remember I'm only on liquids so there's not much to "restrict"...hehe. I thought I'd at least be tight this morning though and nope...nothing. So...just a side note and I'm gonna call it a NSV...hehe...sex with hubby is so much better without my big lower belly getting in the way. :-D He's lost his belly too since he's going to the gym with me...hehe. He'd absolutely die if he knew I was telling bedroom stories to ya'll. HAZELBUNNY...make sure you don't say anything if/when you meet him on Saturday. :-P

Thanks AfrykanViolet, I workout at a gym and I also ride my bike. I was stuck at 252lbs for 3 weeks and low and behold this past week I lost 5lbs!!! Keep at it and keep moving...that scale is going to move! Janine, I think we're the only ones that use the name "Marchies", but I should have at least put 07 in the original message. I'll see if I can go back and add it. Juli, Congrats on the NSV!!! Thanks Tracy! Welcome to Bandland...you finally made it!!! I hope your surgery was a success! I'll be peeking over at the April thread to see how you're doing! Guns, LLSibley, and anyone else having trouble cutting and pasting...don't worry about it. Just give us a daily or weekly update. We wanna see!!! kuebel j, my5grlz, and medge, I'm sending some "will power" vibes your way as you all wait for your fills! Hazelbunny, size 32/34 to a size 24!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! :clap2:

A truly meaningful NSV for me: apart from all of the appearance-based motivations as I've lost weight, I had fitness goals. They included being able to do one perfect push-up, one classic pull-up, and being able to run 1 mile comfortably. After a year and a half I have now achieved the mile, and it feels awesome!

The ladies will probably understand this one a little more than the guys. This is one NSV I have been waiting for the last ummmm decade or so ! ! ! This will probably cause a mental picture, but it's not gross or anything. I just wish someone could of been here to witness my reaction. Today, getting ready to head to the gym. I pulled on my new yoga type work out pants, and a tee. I was standing (with my legs together), pulling my hair back, and I noticed that I could see a tiny little triangle of light between the space between my thighs and crotch. I was so elated, it was a definite triangle of light gleeming through my legs. I kept bending over to make sure I wasn't seeing things, got on a footstool to see if it changed, I even turned around to see if I could see the light from behind. That wasn't as successful, but it was great that I saw that little light.

Congrats to EVERYONE!!! I too LOVE this thread!! Dange- Thats too funny 'bout the pants!! Good thing you were at home!! 1) I think one of my favorite NSV is being able to paint my toenails!! I could hardly bend over before to even clip them! 2) I can also put my cars seat all the way front- and still have room between the steering wheel and my belly!!! And I can even put down the arm rest now! 3) When going to a restaurant, not worried if I can fit into a booth! 4) Being able to wear summer dresses and feel like a lady! There is so much more... but thats what comes to mind right now.

I gotta tell ya....... it's been a while since I've had a NSV, or I have taken them for grated. I'm 1 year and 4 months out, so they have not come as quickly as they did in the beginning. But I had a few happen this week...... 1- I went to go pay my lawn person, and I saw his wife... and she just kept going on how "good I looked" and asked what size I was. well....... the last pair of pants I bought were a 14 ... She said OMG..... no way... I figured you to be a 7 You are SKINNNY...... tall and skinny!! (That was great and I thanked her for the compliment) and of course she threw in there that I didn't need to lose any more weight. 2- My boss asked me how much I weighed before surgery... another guy was in there and said...... you don;t ever ask a woman her weight or age!! lol But I answered him......my highest weight was 374 (Shocking for me to even tell him to be honest with you all ) I asked him...... before I tell you what I weigh now..how much do you think I weigh? His answer was............................135!!! I told him I loveed him!!! LOL I weigh 173......... he said you sure don't look like you weigh that much at all! 3- Now one I can "measure" I went shopping yesterday...... spur of the moment type of shopping... but I wantd a new pair of Jeans..... and............ I am in a 12-but could fit a size 10!!! LEVI's!!!!! I bought the 12... but after wearing them they are too big......... I should have gotten the 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't been in a 10............ ever in my adult life!!! A FRIGGEN SIZE 10!!!!!!!!!!! woooooo hooooooo!!WOOT WOOT!!!! MAJOR victory for me! < Happy dance> Yeaaaaaah for MEEEEEEEE!!

I don't know if this qualifies as an NSV but, I've been frustrated with the scale for 2 months now, it hasn't budged. But in the past week several people, including my TRX trainer, have commented that I look like I'm losing weight, and a pair of pants that are usually snug on me felt loose. The scale still hasn't budged but maybe the TRX is starting to pay off with a change in body structure, as I've been doing it steadily now for about a month and a half, also I started running in the past 3 weeks. They always say that when your scale is giving you problems to look to your measurements instead for possible changes. yay!

I had NSV last Sunday... My girlfriend came over... and we were just gonna hang out.. then we decided to go play Bingo... well..... I LOVE to shop now, and to LAYER... hehhehe.. something I NEVER did "Heavy"......anyway... I just added a "little black jacket" over my turtleneck sweater......... and she said... "I want a "little jacket tooo"........... well.......... I had a brown one to match what she was wearing.......... she tried it on and it fit...... a little big, but loooked good. The NSV part of this story is........... She is one of my VERY SKINNY friends........... and could wear something of MINE!!!!!!:biggrin0:

I have veins you guys! Can you believe that? All I see now on my hands are veins. My belt that I purchased a million years ago when I lost weight and went down to 275 has extra holes tha tI made. Well, I have to make more holes now. That belt was from Lane Bryant and was for a size 26. I am also pass that 275 weight loss from before, WOOT WOOT! I am able to cross my legs better now. I don't know my exact size but I do have a few XL shirts that I can fit. I am too scared to go to the store to try clothes on because I don't want to be disappointed. The very best NSV is that I am happy with the face that I see in the mirror now. I hope that everyone will achieve there goals and continue to lead a healthy lifestyle. Later Losers!

So I guess this is a SV and not a NSV, but I made it through the holidays and lost weight! To be honest, I'm shocked because we were in Switzerland and everyone kept feeding us cheese fondue and potatoes! Not to mention lots of sugary goodies....I remember the days before my sleeve and the holidays meant at least a 5 lb gain.....life is good and I love my sleeve! Just wrote my LAST post on my blog A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER. I posted 24 photos....12 BEFORE and 12 AFTER....all my after photos are the best NSV's ever. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Great NSVs! I had one yesterday. My sister in law who is also a masseuse kept commenting how much thinner I am while giving me a massage! Any other masseuse would have freaked me out but since she is family, it was music to my ears!

That's even better than the going down sizes NSV's. Health improvements is what it is really all about.

WOW is all I can say. Everyone of you has done exceptional. If anyone has any doubts, these posts will change there minds. Thank you so much for sharing all your NSV's. Susan you are just beautiful, what a transformation.

mutti - those are awesome NSVs Stoongal and Cajun - congrats on no more BP medication too!

I am almost 4 weeks post op. Although my NSV's are not as huge yet, I can say that: I'm down 31 lbs Friends and family can SEE the difference in my face and chest. Measurement wise I am down 2 inches in both waist and hips, AND 4 inches in the chest. Although I haven't tried on jeans yet, I can tell a difference in the stretchy waist pants I've been wearing. And when I went to buy new sports bras last weekend, I have gone down a size (huge accomplishment). My next appointment is tomorrow and hopefully I will be cleared to do more exercise as I was told to walk 30 min. a day... Only! However, I am so pumped with the weight loss right now that there are not enough words to describe my excitement and motivation! Especially since I have done every diet imaginable and countless exercises in the past and lost nothing. Granted my thyroid problems haven't helped, but this surgery is helping me to change that and get back to a healthy weight.

Ok, I've had many of the NSV mentioned being almost at my year mark but recently I had to purchase new bras and I just ordered the same style but the smaller size. Well, when I got them I discovered they were 2 clips on the back! I've not been in a 2 clip bra since my mid teens!!!! Gone are the days of 4 hooks being necessary to help hold the girls (and the fat). Yay for me! :-)

This is the first time I have an NSV to report. I when on a business trip this week , flew to Mn. by plane, asked as I was broarding the plane for a seat belt extender as I usually have, Sat down in my seat decided to try the seat belt without the extender just to see if it would fit and low and behold it not only fit but I was able to cinch it tighter by 2-3 inched. On the trip home I got daring and tried to put the tray table down (I always try without being able to use it) and it went down flat and I didn't have to force it. I haven't been able to do eithere for more years than I can remember, next time maybe I can get the armrest down to. Brenda

Thanks for getting this thread pinned LilMissDiva. It's my favorite read and I'm sure others feel the same way! GO NSVs!!! :cheer2:

I wanted to share two NSVs; both happened yesterday. First one is about smoking. I used to smoke (keywords used to).. up until about 2 months ago. I knew I had to give up smoking and quitting hasn't been my problem in the past. But instead of setting a date one day after my dental cleaning was nicely done I decided I'd have just about enough of this. Wasn't bad.. wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.. it just happened. Wouldn't have happened if I had set a date and tried to prepare for it... it just did.. anyway, my NSV was that today I took a drag from hubby's smoke and felt nauseous. Now, that might not sound like much but you know how the saying goes.. you don't quit smoking, smoking quits you! I think it just might have left me for the last time. My second NSV was about water. As one of my first steps toward preparing myself I decided to get my water intake regulated. I've always been big on water, grew up drinking delicious tap water and have never had a problem with it like some people do. However... once I started actually measuring how much I drink I realized that 64 ounces was a loooooong ways off from what I was drinking. Listen up people! You may not be drinking as much water as you think you are. I was very much surprised by this especially since I thought I had 64 oz down pat! But today I actually did have it down, all 64 oz of it. God knows I haven't had to pee this often since I was pregnant! [emoji12] H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19