Hello new here, VSG 2/25 and stalling already! - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

baddoggie · 03-25-2009, 05:26 PM

Part of the problem is my surgeon is on the other side of the world.

I started here, with a weight loss clinic attached to the main hospital, but when insurance wouldn't pay $30,000 for the sleeve, I looked overseas. I found a surgeon in Belgium who had done 500-600 sleeves and had a very low complication rate, for $6000.00.

BUT, having done that, the surgeon here refuses to do any follow up nor can I go to the nutritionist I was seeing, etc.

So all the support and info I got beforehand, I no longer have access to. I TOTALLY forgot about the importance of protein, for example.

But I think my surgeon did a good job (if he did anything at all that is!) because I have not had any issues with reflux, foamies, vomiting, pain, digestion, etc. There are times I feel very full, but at other times, not so much.

I am 4 weeks out. Lost 20 lbs the first 3 weeks, and stalled this last week (but I had been adding carbs and sweets back in and today when I took the forum advice and stuck to proteins I'm a lot less hungry).

I think I'll see how it goes with sticking to the proteins, and if I stay stalled, I'll get an ultrasond or barium study and see what's up in there. he did show me pictures..... but I guess they could be pictures of anyone's stomach... I don't want to name him because I'm sort of, kind of, insinuating something's not legit, when I REALLY don't know that at ALL. In fact... could I have lost 20 lbs in 3 weeks without having a true sleeve??? I couldn't before surgery!

Hychap2009 · 03-25-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddoggie

Are there still people on here?
I need some help! Or answers to my questions at least.
My surgeon gave me pics of the operation, so I should believe him... but why am I hungry all day? I thought the ghrelin would be gone! Also, I could eat solids one week post-surgery and I have been able to eat an entire plate of food... it seems to depend on the type of food... I just had 4 cookies and several pretzles covered in chocolate because I had a low blood sugar episode (which used to happen to me often, but this is the first time since surgery) and I had to get sugar into me pronto.

I lost 20 lbs the first 3 weeks and the past 4 days I haven't lost anything.

I'm confused, why can I eat so much?

The other day at a party, i ate a whole plate of food.

Then at dinner, I'm full after 3 shrimp and some asparagus.

I don't understand why I feel so full sometimes and at others can eat almost like I did before.

Is it possible he didn't do the surgery??? I mean, I sure felt enough PAIN (he refused to give me pain killers other than Tylenol).

i can drink soda, no problems. I thought that wasn't going to be possible.

I loved the first few weeks when I was losing a pound per day. What is going on???

Help!!! Please!!!

Hi, I'm pre-op so I'm not speaking from experience. Really I'm quite suprised by some of the things you've said and done. Although I recognise that you have since had valuable advice on this forum, (thank God for TT) and a change of mindset. Well done.

It's worrying that you were not aware about the rule of drinking with meals, I believe you are supposed to drink at least 30 mins. before or after eating.
I love to drink with my food, but I'm trying to practice not doing that.

Why would you even attempt to eat a full plate of food? Surely, before your surgery this was something that you would have considered. Having to make a big change to your portions. Did your doctor not discusse the size your pouch would be? I'm waiting to have the Gastric Sleeve surgery in May. My understanding is that your stomach is now the size of your index finger, there abouts. Unlike the Bypass, anything between 75% to 85% of your stomach has been removed.

Drinking Soda, OMDays. Apparently this can streach your new pouch.

Now you've done your new shop, your on the right track. I suggest you stick with the forum for support. People have been really supportive to me, lucky for me I found this site before my surgery. Have a look on YouTube for great high protein meal/recipe ideas, (search WLS recipes). Remember your pouch is but a tool, you still have to do the work.

Wishing every success on the rest of your journey.

Regards

Hyacinth.

Aviator · 03-26-2009, 07:28 AM

Hyacinth is exactly right. VSG is a tool. You can cheat it by taking in high calorie liquids, and carbs. Or by filling it with food and then "washing it out" by drinking afterwards.

The rules are simple really:

1) Eating: Take in 80 gms of protein per day. Do not drink 45 mins before or afterwards. At meals eat the protein first, then the other stuff. Pick low fat proteins like fish, chicken, and low fat cuts of beef and pork. About 4-6 oz is all you should take in in any given meal. (I use a small plate.)

2) Drinking: 64-80 oz of unsweetened clear liquid per day. (Water preferred) Lots of times when you think you are hungy, you are actually dehydrated. Your urine should run clear. If yellow you are dehydrated.

3) Prohibitions: No carbonated beverages at all. They stretch your sleeve out and make you feel hungry. No alcohol till goal.

4) Frequency: Eat 5-6 small meals - B, L & D + two or three small low sugar snacks.

5) Carbs: Avoid high glycemic veggies - potatoes and rice, etc. Sugars of all kinds. Sucrose, fructose. Limit fruits at first too.

6) Good veggies: Pick green veggies - broccholi, cabbage, spinach, green salad. You know which ones.

7) Snacks and fiber: For snacks pick high fiber stuff. If you take Metamucil or some other water soluable fiber bars, be sure and wash it out of your stomach with water immediately after eating. Fiber sitting in your sleeve, will stretch it.

8) Vitamin supplements: (Daily) Multivitamin, Vitamin C, and B-complex. I also take CoQ-10 (antioxidant), 3 capletss of fish oil, and a baby aspirin.

So there you have it. VSG weight loss in 8 easy steps.

(Youre a wonderful lady Hyacinth. I cant wait to see the NEW YOU!)

Good luck.

Hychap2009 · 03-26-2009, 09:59 AM

I came across this post on TT today. I found it really interesting although I've not read all of it yet. It's lengthy though.

Hope this is helpful.

Pouch Rules for Dummies

Regards

Hyacinth

Renee3846 · 03-29-2009, 12:28 PM

Hi Baddoggie,
Your last post surely shows you took the advise of others and you are truely trying to get it all figured out. You do need about 80 grams of protein a day, I still drink 2-3 protein drinks a day to make sure I get that or close. My surgeon said we should not drink while you eat because you want to feel full longer, thus not eating as often. Also, for sure give up the soda even if you can drink it, it is a huge waste of extra calories you do not need. Some of the hunger you are feeling my actually be "head hunger". The next time you eat, try real hard to listen to your stomach as to when it signals "I am satisfied" not "Full". This will help you understand the signals you should be watching for not the "full signal" but the "satisfied signal" I will admit, it is not a easy road to travel but it does get easier with every day, week, and month that passes and as long as you are true to yourself, and use your new tool the way it is intended, you will be successful! Reasearch, research, research and ask questions like you have/are, this is a great way to get support and information that will help you along your journey. Also, are you taking multi-vitamins? Vitamins are as imprtant as the protein, you do not want to become vitiam difficient, Vit D is one I was low on even though I have been doing what I need to, so please be sure to get thet checked out, this was done by blood draw. Take care and best wishes with your success!

Renee'

baddoggie · 04-06-2009, 07:57 AM

Thaks guys, I'm doing MUCH beeter, now that I've had a refresher course on what I'm supposed to be eating.

I suppose most of you have follow up appointments or support groups you go to, or nutritionists attached to your weight loss clinics, that remind you frequently of the rules to eating post op.

I lost all that so i only had what i could remember... until I went on line and found every one and several forums.

Thank goodness for the internet!

My stall has stopped and I'm still able to eat whatever I want, but I'm doing it protein first and I've lost 3 pounds in the past 4 days. So my total loss so far (since 2/25) is 24 lbs in a month and a half.

However, just to clear things up, i was able to eat solids 10 days after surgery with no problems. I did chew carefully and eat slowly, but there was no food not allowed by my surgeon. I've heard some of the surgeons in Australia and New Zealand also allow for solids at a week post op, so perhaps it's just a different post-op philosophy. Can't say I'm sorry I didn't have to do liquids and mushies for 4 weeks pre-op and then 4 weeks post-op. Although I bet people who do lose a lot more weight (I didn't have to lose any pre-op for the European surgeon, but the U.S. surgeon that I ended up not using did have me lose 5% of my body weight before he would even meet with me.)

Anyway, thanks for the help getting back on track (even though some of you have quite a judgemental tone... seriously! Lighten up a bit!) I do appreciate the time it takes to type all that out and remind me of the lessons I learned during the last year pre-op.

Aviator · 04-06-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddoggie

Thaks guys, I'm doing MUCH beeter, now that I've had a refresher course on what I'm supposed to be eating.

Anyway, thanks for the help getting back on track (even though some of you have quite a judgemental tone... seriously! Lighten up a bit!) I do appreciate the time it takes to type all that out and remind me of the lessons I learned during the last year pre-op.

Most often the written language fails to convey so many aspects of human communication - which is especially true on forums. I have read that 90% of our communication is non-verbal: eye-contact, facial expression, accent, mood, body language, perception of confidence, and gestures - just to name a few. It is amazing really what you can surmise about a person from the clothes they wear, to the car they drive, to the way they carry themselves, and by the way they verbalize their thoughts.

So much of that is absent in a forum such as TT. The people here either are obese or have been, and as such, have often been the object of judgemental people. Also, I note, and for the same reason, many obese people are particularly sensitive to it.

I rather doubt anyone meant to give you offense. In re-reading what was written, it seems to me more of an analytical thing about what you were doing than anyone trying to be critical of you as a person. There is a big difference. You just had surgery, and had a premature stall. That is counter-intuitive, you must admit. But often a stall happens about 3-4 wks out.

I'm quite certain no offense was intended.

But in reading your recent post, It seems you are on track and in the groove now. Congratulations! If you follow those simple VSG rules, the weight will melt off over the coming weeks.

And welcome to TT. I was wondering about what happened with you.

ardita · 04-06-2009, 11:26 PM

It sounds as though the discounted surgery route-overseas-was an incomplete package in terms of nutrition and psych prep. Those don't cost much in the big picture and if you haven't, you should seriously consider hiring your own WLS nutritionist for a session or two.

How was your recovery?

Good job finding your way here and being a quick learner. As a pre-op VSG, it is comforting hearing you can make it work if you just follow the rules! I'm gonna print them out and post them everywhere!