Am I insane? Alone? Insane AND alone??

[Tiffykins 673]

Just to give an idea of cc's vs. ounces, and from someone that is a year out. I think a lot of people forget that each patient's anatomy will also play into our final sleeve capacity. I know I can eat more than some that have a 36 and even 38 size bougies. That doesn't mean anything is wrong with mine or the other people's sleeves, it's just how our bodies are made, and how we eat also contributes to how much we can fit in there. I can drink with my meals. Obviously, I'm going to be able to eat more than someone that doesn't sip with their meals. I don't do it often, but I can/do on occasion.

30cc/ml = 1 ounce

I can consume 6-8ounces of mushy, slider foods easily which equals 180-240cc/ml. It takes me on average 30-40 minutes to eat that much, but I can eat that much.

I can eat 3-5oz of dense Protein which equals 90-150cc/ml. It takes me about 30-40 minutes to eat that amount of solid meat. If I eat 3oz of meat, I can get in 2oz of veggies, maybe 3oz if I eat a bit slower.

My surgeon used a 32fr bougie as his guide. I lost additional stomach tissue at the top of my stomach due to the damage that the band did. I still never experience true physical hunger. I can consume plenty of foods by eating 6 "meals" per day. I average 1500-1800 calories a day. If I splurge and snack on junky foods, I obviously get in more calories. All the high calorie/slider foods fit in the sleeve super easily. All that means is that I truly have to make the best choice especially now that I'm further out. My surgeon believes that my sleeve is at maximum capacity at this point. It's worked out perfectly for me. I never experienced nausea unless I was on other medications.

I just thought I'd throw out some numbers for comparison, and let everyone know that at a year out it's a lot easier to eat a few more ounces than what we can at 2-3 months.

Cindy, you'll do wonderfully, stay positive, and lean on us. We're all here for you ! ! !

Edited June 21, 2010 by Tiffykins

[Papillon 7]

I feel the same way... one minute I am ready and gung ho ... then the next minute I am petrified. I have the same thought patterns... maybe I can do it myself... I can change everything. Then I realize if I was going to do it, I would have already made the changes. I have tried weight loss plans and programs until I am blue in the face. I lose the weight but sooner or later I drop everything and it all comes back with a vengence.

I have second and third thoughts about the surgery but the reality of my knees hurting and my feet on top of other health issues weigh on me more. I need to make this change for myself and the surgery will make it possible.

I have my last weigh in on July 1st... then blood work and PCP approval.... and then I can set a surgery date. I feel lucky that my husband will be doing the same procedure. It will make it easier to have his support and vice versa.

[pcindy 8]

To everyone who replied to this thread, I want to say, thank you. My conflict and indecision about going through with the surgery was getting worse, not better, as the date got closer. I was lucky enough to be connected through an aquaintance, to the nurse practitioner of a different, though equally renouned bariatric practice. We talked on the phone and she told me that all of the latest research shows that the 32 bougie is now considered the gold standard, and that I should have no difficulty supporting a healthy pregnancy after VSG. Apparently, gastric bypass patients have healthy pregnancies, and we all know about their post-op plumbing! She talked with me about the latest findings about obesity as a metabolic disease (is even teaching a class on it to 1200 RNs soon- of which I hope to be one). Anyway, she talked me down off the fence and I am feeling so grateful. I really just needed an expert second opinion from someone totally impartial, and I got it. Thank GOD!

So, I had an EGD yesterday (throat is SORE) and the "duodenal polyp" that they thought they saw in the upper GI is non-existant. I'm starting on Prilosec for the little bit of erosion they saw though, so at least, I'm going into this VSG with uber scrutiny! They even found a small hiatal hernia, so I'll get that repaired as well. I'm still not losing as much pre-op weight as they want, but I think I'll be okay. Thank you all for being a supportive part of my journey.

[Jane_J 117]

Hi Cindy, I am glad you are feeling happier.

Jane x