I am still learning to listen to my tummy.  I had made it about a
week without getting foamie, then they came back.  Dense proteins are
stil hard - tuna used to be good, but that has been funky lately.
OMG! I will totally forget and eat too fast.  I pay for it. I am glad
eating is still hard since it is going to take me a bit longer to get
this down.  Then if I have a bad time eating, I can't eat much more
the rest of the day.

I was just wondering what your tummy tells you?

When I am hungry (need to eat) I will get really deep bubble/burps.
There is nothing else like them - well, maybe like drinking a Coke
fast and you can feel the bubble come up from your toes and then it
produces a huge throatie belch (yeah, I got class! :-)) - it is kind
of like that but not as forceful or nose tingly.  The other day I got
the hiccups BAD.  I may have ignored the slow burps.  I have to
really listen to get what it is telling me though.

Then when I am full - if I eat slow enough - I will get a slight
tightness (not quite a full feeling.  I really don't feel full ever.)
and then I will hiccup once or twice.

If I push it, I get really uncomfortable and then feel like it is all
sitting in my esophogus..... like eating too fast or something
dry..... and I need a drink.  IF I take that drink, I feel like I am
going to die and have to stick my head in the toilet.  :-P

I have no idea what size mine is!! Is it something we should know?? I
will ask next week.

--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "Heather"
<smithheather71@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone ! I hope everyone is doing well and losing lots of
weight!
> Ok, so here is my question...My surgeon emailed me today because I
> asked him what size bougie he does and he said 40. So I would like to
> know, those of you who have a 40 bougie, how do you feel?? Still have
> hunger issues? Are you losing weight? How many calories can you
consume
> a day? Um I guess anything else you would like to add would be great!
> I'm getting closer to 10% goal and I'm getting really excited! Thanks
> everyone!
>
> Heather
>

I am working with Dr Alvarez, I may get sleeved on August 30th.

I am nervous, I have tried and tried doing WW I have lost 15 lbs since March.  I am looking forward and I am scared, ready for making a healthier outlook.
----- Original Message -----
From: "LisaRN" <ladiesassie2@...>
To: AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 1:09:31 PM (GMT-0500) America/New_York
Subject: Re: [AstronomicallyStunningVSGer] Re: Welcome new members

Welcome Michelle I only had a 2 wk liquid diet preop...thats all my doc required, which is why I went to him in the first place really...I knew I couldnt lose the weight... Im happy that some people can...thats awesome.. I wish u all the best with the diet... the VSG is great... I had mine March 17..and have lost 71 lbs so far. Its been a struggle getting used to the new changes..but seeing the weight drop has been incredible..   LisaRN My groups: Nurses Online --- On Mon, 7/21/08, skylersmom@... <skylersmom@...> wrote: From: skylersmom@... <skylersmom@...> Subject: Re: [AstronomicallyStunningVSGer] Re: Welcome new members To: AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, July 21, 2008, 4:16 PM Hi my name is michelle and I am hoping to be sleeved in october. I had my meeting with my surgeoun last week and was really hoping for the lap band in august but he feels very strongly with my high BMI the sleeve would be better for me and he also wants to see me take off between 50-70 lbs before then.So I am madly doing my research on the sleeve and was happy to find this group. I started with 2 weeks of clear liquids last thursday and then will alternate with 2 weeks of solids and repeat this till october.   I am doing ok with this so far would like to hear if any others have gone through this too. I have a starting weight of 434 and am only 5 ft. I am 41 and have a 6 year old and am hapily married. Hope to be able to lend support and gain support here.  ----- Original Message ----- From: LisaRN To: AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups. com Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 4:13 PM Subject: Re: [AstronomicallyStun ningVSGer] Re: Welcome new members Hi Bernice....havent talked to u in ages.. wow 66 lbs...thats awesome...ur gonna pass me real quick lol Im at 71  lbs right now LisaRN My groups: Nurses Online --- On Sun, 7/20/08, Bernice <byoung1028@aol. com> wrote: From: Bernice <byoung1028@aol. com> Subject: [AstronomicallyStun ningVSGer] Re: Welcome new members To: AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups. com Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 8:24 PM Hi my name is Bernice (Bernice Y on OH). I was sleeved on 4/9/08 with a starting weight of 346. Today I weigh 280 and have lost 66 pounds so far. I started with a BMI of 57.6 and now am at 46.6 WOOHOO!! The problems I am having is getting in enough protein and water. Other than that I am happy with my sleeve. It feels so great to get rid of all the clothes in so many different sizes knowing that I won't ever be back in them. --- In AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups. com, "Gwen" <pengwen13@. ..> wrote: > > Hi! My name is Gwen (Gwen S on OH). I was sleeved on 6/3/08 and I > have lost 24 pounds so far. My starting BMI was 56, it was around > 51/52 when I had surgery and now it is around 46. YAY! > > I am with Lisa - I am happy with my sleeve, just never thought > getting the weight off would be so hard. I have stalled many times in > my less than 7 weeks with it. The best thing though is that I am > losing. I know that I wouldn't be at this weight without it. > > I am really happy to have found you all. > Gwen > > > --- In AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups. com, "celticm0m" > <Celticm0m@> wrote: > > > > I know we've been quiet here lately. I've been in and out of town > this > > past month and attempting to play catch up at work. > > > > But we've had an influx of new members in the past few weeks. > Please, > > I welcome you to introduce yourself. > > > > > > I'll start! > > I'm Lauren. I got my sleeve June 5th, 2007. I've lost 175 pounds > with > > 100 left till goal. I started out at 425 pounds with a BMI of 77. > I > > now weigh 250 and a BMI of 46, i think. > > > > To everyone else, please welcome our new members!!! > > >

I feel so behind everyone :(

I was sleeved on Feb 7, 2008. As of last Friday (7/18/08)I've Lost 52
pounds. My starting BMI was 50 and now it is 42.

Let's see, I've made a few mistakes. I have not been working out like I
should. In the beginning, my protein levels dropped. I've discovered
that failure to get in adequate proteins will cause you to stall in
weight loss. As long as you keep those proteins coming, you'll drop
weight.

Forget the weight numbers though. What I find awesome is the lose in
inches. I haven't taken the exact messurements yet, but pre-op I was a
large size 24 (nearly 26), and now I'm about an 18. Not even quite 6
months yet!!

Notably, I hit another goal with my weight last week. It was my first
official under 250 pounds weigh-in. I've been setting my weight goals
in incriments of 25 pounds. Next goal is to get under 225, but still, I
haven't seen the 240's is about 6 years!!!

">those of you who have a 40 bougie, how do you feel?? Still have
> hunger issues? Are you losing weight? How many calories can you
>consume"

Hello Heather,

I seem to be the only person here who actually has a larger than size
40 bougie. My doctor used a 44 French bougie, However, he does (and did
for me) sinch it really tight, plus reinforce it with a line of staples.

I feel hungry when it's time to eat (approx every 4 hours), but it's
not real bad. Plus, it's satisfied really quickly. One bite of food and
I could go another few hours without eating (of course I couldn't live
off of that). I'm nearly 6 months out now, and can still not consume a
whole dessert-size plate of food.

I've lost about 52 pounds so far, however, I'll admit I have not been
working out. Of course I use working full-time and goign to school full-
time as my excuses, but their not good enough. I am trying hard to hit
the gym this week.

Good Luck with Everything!!

It's great to see you have such a great attitude toward your surgery
and the lifestyel changes.

So many people argue the bougie size which is so rediculous. You are
either going to work the sleeve or not. You'll lose the weight, but no
matter what size bougie, or even the procedure you have done, the
ultimate way to keep those pounds off is to change your lifestyle in
that first year.

Remember, the sleeve (or bypass, or band, or etc.) are only tools to
help you get their. They won't keep you there unless you learn to make
it work for you!

Hey Lisa.  Looks like you are doing very well!!  If I start to catch
up, I will reach out my hand and give you a push.  Need to keep you
ahead! hehe
Bernice-



-- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, LisaRN
<ladiesassie2@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Bernice....havent talked to u in ages..
> wow 66 lbs...thats awesome...ur gonna pass me real quick lol
> Im at 71  lbs right now
>
>
>
>
> LisaRN
> My groups:
> Nurses Online
>
>
> --- On Sun, 7/20/08, Bernice <byoung1028@...> wrote:
>
> From: Bernice <byoung1028@...>
> Subject: [AstronomicallyStunningVSGer] Re: Welcome new members
> To: AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 8:24 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi my name is Bernice (Bernice Y on OH). I was sleeved on 4/9/08
> with a starting weight of 346. Today I weigh 280 and have lost 66
> pounds so far. I started with a BMI of 57.6 and now am at 46.6
> WOOHOO!! The problems I am having is getting in enough protein and
> water. Other than that I am happy with my sleeve. It feels so great
> to get rid of all the clothes in so many different sizes knowing
that
> I won't ever be back in them.
>
> --- In AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups. com, "Gwen"
> <pengwen13@ ..> wrote:
> >
> > Hi! My name is Gwen (Gwen S on OH). I was sleeved on 6/3/08 and I
> > have lost 24 pounds so far. My starting BMI was 56, it was around
> > 51/52 when I had surgery and now it is around 46. YAY!
> >
> > I am with Lisa - I am happy with my sleeve, just never thought
> > getting the weight off would be so hard. I have stalled many
times
> in
> > my less than 7 weeks with it. The best thing though is that I am
> > losing. I know that I wouldn't be at this weight without it.
> >
> > I am really happy to have found you all.
> > Gwen
> >
> >
> > --- In AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups.
com, "celticm0m"
> > <Celticm0m@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I know we've been quiet here lately. I've been in and out of
> town
> > this
> > > past month and attempting to play catch up at work.
> > >
> > > But we've had an influx of new members in the past few weeks.
> > Please,
> > > I welcome you to introduce yourself.
> > >
> > >
> > > I'll start!
> > > I'm Lauren. I got my sleeve June 5th, 2007. I've lost 175
> pounds
> > with
> > > 100 left till goal. I started out at 425 pounds with a BMI of
> 77.
> > I
> > > now weigh 250 and a BMI of 46, i think.
> > >
> > > To everyone else, please welcome our new members!!!
> > >
> >
>

----- Original Message -----

From: LisaRN

To: AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 4:13 PM

Subject: Re: [AstronomicallyStunningVSGer] Re: Welcome new members

Hi Bernice....havent talked to u in ages.. wow 66 lbs...thats awesome...ur gonna pass me real quick lol Im at 71  lbs right now LisaRN My groups: Nurses Online --- On Sun, 7/20/08, Bernice <byoung1028@aol.com> wrote: From: Bernice <byoung1028@aol.com> Subject: [AstronomicallyStunningVSGer] Re: Welcome new members To: AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 8:24 PM Hi my name is Bernice (Bernice Y on OH). I was sleeved on 4/9/08 with a starting weight of 346. Today I weigh 280 and have lost 66 pounds so far. I started with a BMI of 57.6 and now am at 46.6 WOOHOO!! The problems I am having is getting in enough protein and water. Other than that I am happy with my sleeve. It feels so great to get rid of all the clothes in so many different sizes knowing that I won't ever be back in them. --- In AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups. com, "Gwen" <pengwen13@. ..> wrote: > > Hi! My name is Gwen (Gwen S on OH). I was sleeved on 6/3/08 and I > have lost 24 pounds so far. My starting BMI was 56, it was around > 51/52 when I had surgery and now it is around 46. YAY! > > I am with Lisa - I am happy with my sleeve, just never thought > getting the weight off would be so hard. I have stalled many times in > my less than 7 weeks with it. The best thing though is that I am > losing. I know that I wouldn't be at this weight without it. > > I am really happy to have found you all. > Gwen > > > --- In AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups. com, "celticm0m" > <Celticm0m@> wrote: > > > > I know we've been quiet here lately. I've been in and out of town > this > > past month and attempting to play catch up at work. > > > > But we've had an influx of new members in the past few weeks. > Please, > > I welcome you to introduce yourself. > > > > > > I'll start! > > I'm Lauren. I got my sleeve June 5th, 2007. I've lost 175 pounds > with > > 100 left till goal. I started out at 425 pounds with a BMI of 77. > I > > now weigh 250 and a BMI of 46, i think. > > > > To everyone else, please welcome our new members!!! > > >

Hi Gwen...

First off, let me tell you that everything you are feeling is totally
normal.  I felt the same way post-op.  Nothing was the same.  Food,
just didn't have the same effect that it once did.  Which was a great
way to start invigestating other ways with dealing with my emotions.
Instead of turning to food, I did other things.  And then I was on
the journey to recovery from my own eating addiction.  Of course I
still have my moments when I slip up, but the best things about the
sleeve is you can just get back up and start again.  It makes it so
much easier to keep going.

At this stage, you want to measure out your food.  Stick to 2 oz's at
each sitting.  Your body's signal of "fullness" is delayed for some
reason and if you don't pay attention to how much you are eating, it
will be too late and you'll have made yourself sick...  blech...  So
I suggest you measure everything...  stick to 2-3oz's whatever you
feel comfortable with.  Eventually you'll be able to "eyeball" it..
but stick to measuring for now.  Makes things easier.

There are some things I can eat more of and some that I can eat less
of.  But at the beginning I was very restricted.  Drinking water for
me was also a chore...  but just keep pushing fluids and it will get
easier.  Try taking bigger sips and see what feels comfortable to
you.  At almost 14 months out, I can drink 90+oz's a day and it's no
biggie.  I can gulp along with the best of them.

Have you had steak recently???  Each surgeon is different, but mine
suggested to wait 6 months post-op before eating steak.  Because it's
so dense, it's harder for the stomach to process and makes a healing
tummy work too hard.  My suggestion is to wait a few more months and
try it again...  My first steak was right at 6 months post-op and man-
o-man was it yummy!!!

Just enjoy these first few months...  they will be the easiest.  Work
on changing those bad habbits into good ones and start getting in the
routine of exercising now.

Best of luck and we're here when you need us!
Lauren
starting 425/current 247/goal 150
VSG 6/5/07


--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "Gwen"
<pengwen13@...> wrote:
>
> I am almost 7 weeks out.  Sometimes I don't feel like I am eating
> enough.  Other times I feel like I am eating too much. Should we
try to
> get to 'full' stage each time or should we try to stop short of it?
>
> I know texture and density makes a big difference.  Other than
yogurt,
> I feel kind of nauseated after eating for a while - even after
> drinking.  Water is also a chore for me to drink.  It just tastes
> gross. Is all this normal?  Does it go away or become more normal?
It
> isn't like it was just after surgery, but it is very unpleasant and
I
> think is part of the reason I have no desire to eat anymore.
>
> Part of me wants this to stay the way it is just because I will not
> feel like eating.  The bummer is having those romantic thoughts
about
> how something is going to be so great to eat....and it ends up
being a
> let down.  Like steak when I was able to have it. It was just
eating.
> LOL  Times sure have changed!
>
> Anyone else have this?
> Gwen
>

I know what you mean Gwen.  Eating has become a chore I keep asking
myself: Is this worth it?  How long will I have to chew it until it
will go down?  How much protein is in this?.  Some days I just want
to sit down and eat whatever it is, but I also know that is what got
me to where I am.  Hang in there, I hear that it gets better
Bernice
--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "Gwen"
<pengwen13@...> wrote:
>
> I am almost 7 weeks out.  Sometimes I don't feel like I am eating
> enough.  Other times I feel like I am eating too much. Should we
try to
> get to 'full' stage each time or should we try to stop short of it?
>
> I know texture and density makes a big difference.  Other than
yogurt,
> I feel kind of nauseated after eating for a while - even after
> drinking.  Water is also a chore for me to drink.  It just tastes
> gross. Is all this normal?  Does it go away or become more normal?
It
> isn't like it was just after surgery, but it is very unpleasant and
I
> think is part of the reason I have no desire to eat anymore.
>
> Part of me wants this to stay the way it is just because I will not
> feel like eating.  The bummer is having those romantic thoughts
about
> how something is going to be so great to eat....and it ends up
being a
> let down.  Like steak when I was able to have it. It was just
eating.
> LOL  Times sure have changed!
>
> Anyone else have this?
> Gwen
>

Hi my name is Bernice (Bernice Y on OH).  I was sleeved on 4/9/08
with a starting weight of 346.  Today I weigh 280 and have lost 66
pounds so far.  I started with a BMI of 57.6 and now am at 46.6
WOOHOO!!  The problems I am having is getting in enough protein and
water.  Other than that I am happy with my sleeve.  It feels so great
to get rid of all the clothes in so many different sizes knowing that
I won't ever be back in them.

--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "Gwen"
<pengwen13@...> wrote:
>
> Hi!  My name is Gwen (Gwen S on OH).  I was sleeved on 6/3/08 and I
> have lost 24 pounds so far. My starting BMI was 56, it was around
> 51/52 when I had surgery and now it is around 46. YAY!
>
> I am with Lisa - I am happy with my sleeve, just never thought
> getting the weight off would be so hard. I have stalled many times
in
> my less than 7 weeks with it.  The best thing though is that I am
> losing.  I know that I wouldn't be at this weight without it.
>
> I am really happy to have found you all.
> Gwen
>
>
> --- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "celticm0m"
> <Celticm0m@> wrote:
> >
> > I know we've been quiet here lately.  I've been in and out of
town
> this
> > past month and attempting to play catch up at work.
> >
> > But we've had an influx of new members in the past few weeks.
> Please,
> > I welcome you to introduce yourself.
> >
> >
> > I'll start!
> > I'm Lauren.  I got my sleeve June 5th, 2007.  I've lost 175
pounds
> with
> > 100 left till goal.  I started out at 425 pounds with a BMI of
77.
> I
> > now weigh 250 and a BMI of 46, i think.
> >
> > To everyone else, please welcome our new members!!!
> >
>

I am almost 7 weeks out.  Sometimes I don't feel like I am eating
enough.  Other times I feel like I am eating too much. Should we try to
get to 'full' stage each time or should we try to stop short of it?

I know texture and density makes a big difference.  Other than yogurt,
I feel kind of nauseated after eating for a while - even after
drinking.  Water is also a chore for me to drink.  It just tastes
gross. Is all this normal?  Does it go away or become more normal?  It
isn't like it was just after surgery, but it is very unpleasant and I
think is part of the reason I have no desire to eat anymore.

Part of me wants this to stay the way it is just because I will not
feel like eating.  The bummer is having those romantic thoughts about
how something is going to be so great to eat....and it ends up being a
let down.  Like steak when I was able to have it. It was just eating.
LOL  Times sure have changed!

Anyone else have this?
Gwen

Hi!  My name is Gwen (Gwen S on OH).  I was sleeved on 6/3/08 and I
have lost 24 pounds so far. My starting BMI was 56, it was around
51/52 when I had surgery and now it is around 46. YAY!

I am with Lisa - I am happy with my sleeve, just never thought
getting the weight off would be so hard. I have stalled many times in
my less than 7 weeks with it.  The best thing though is that I am
losing.  I know that I wouldn't be at this weight without it.

I am really happy to have found you all.
Gwen


--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "celticm0m"
<Celticm0m@...> wrote:
>
> I know we've been quiet here lately.  I've been in and out of town
this
> past month and attempting to play catch up at work.
>
> But we've had an influx of new members in the past few weeks.
Please,
> I welcome you to introduce yourself.
>
>
> I'll start!
> I'm Lauren.  I got my sleeve June 5th, 2007.  I've lost 175 pounds
with
> 100 left till goal.  I started out at 425 pounds with a BMI of 77.
I
> now weigh 250 and a BMI of 46, i think.
>
> To everyone else, please welcome our new members!!!
>

Im a day late.....but I hope everyone had a good 4th..

we went to a huge Fireworks display at our fairgrounds.. It was amazing!
My daughter was mesmerized..so was I for that matter..

have a great weekend!

Lisa

My name is Linda.  My BMI is 54.  I am planning to have VSG surgery
in mid December.  I have been researching WLS for about 2 years now.
I mentioned it to a friend and the next week, she passed a newspaper
article about a surgeon in our area who does VSG surgery.  (I had
been researching the lap band.)  My husband and I attended the
information meeting and met the surgeon, Dr. Beltre.  We just loved
him!  He showed a recording of him doing a VSG procedure during the
meeting-- then I knew VSG was for me.  I am sure that's what took me
so long to make a decision.  The option of gastric bypass or lap band
just weren't speaking to me.  VSG it will be.  I am happy to join the
group.  By the way, I am gatormom6 on the OH web site.


--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "celticm0m"
<Celticm0m@...> wrote:
>
> I know we've been quiet here lately.  I've been in and out of town
this
> past month and attempting to play catch up at work.
>
> But we've had an influx of new members in the past few weeks.
Please,
> I welcome you to introduce yourself.
>
>
> I'll start!
> I'm Lauren.  I got my sleeve June 5th, 2007.  I've lost 175 pounds
with
> 100 left till goal.  I started out at 425 pounds with a BMI of 77.
I
> now weigh 250 and a BMI of 46, i think.
>
> To everyone else, please welcome our new members!!!
>

Melinda, I found out that there is not much a difference between a 32
& 40 so either way I'm gonna ROCK my sleeve and do what I need to to
lose the weight. It could be a 60 and I would still continue to
workout and eat healthy, because I'm ready to change me lifestyle!
Thanks for your input.

Heather

--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, Melinda
<msrtweety@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Heather,
> &nbsp;
> I have to disagree with your surgeon.&nbsp; My surgeon used a 32
bougie for my tummy and I haven't had any problems with
liquids.&nbsp; Even at 3 days out I could get all my liquids
in.&nbsp; Granted in the beginning you sip constantly because gulping
is no longer advisable, but within weeks I found a modified way of
drinking, so I didn't even have to sip.&nbsp; Also, my surgeon likes
to make things extremely "snug" as everyone in his office mentions,
but even with that I'm doing fine.&nbsp; I will say it takes me 30-45
minutes to eat my small meals, which usually consists of 2 oz of meat
with cheese.
> &nbsp;
> If you have a lot to lose, you might want to discuss getting a
slightly smaller sleeve than the 40 bougie.
> &nbsp;
> Best of luck,
> &nbsp;
> Melinda
>
> --- On Thu, 6/12/08, Heather smithheather71@... wrote:
>
> From: Heather smithheather71@...
> Subject: [AstronomicallyStunningVSGer] Re: I have a question for
Post op people who have a 40 bougie????
> To: AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, June 12, 2008, 6:00 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks Lauren, It does help, any and all information I get is
helpful
> and educational. I'm really looking forward to this surgery and I
> really can't wait! I have 12lbs to go and I will be able to
schedule
> my surgery, so I'm hoping I will be sleeved by September. My
surgeon
> has to this date has only done 2, he's a Kaiser surgeon and they
are
> just starting to do this procedure. He said they do a 40 bougie
> because the 32 bougie leads to better wt loss results on average,
but
> there are several people who can't even tolerate liquids for the
> first year and really struggle. Unlike a gastric bypass, the sleeve
> cannot be dilated. Therefore, if the sleeve is too narrow, the
> patient really suffers for a good while. So I have faith in my
> surgeon and that he knows what is best for me. Thanks again for the
> info.
>
> Heather
>
> --- In AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups. com, "celticm0m"
> Celticm0m@ ..&gt; wrote:
> &gt;
> &gt; Hi Heather.
> &gt;
> &gt; I have a 34. I think that is the size that is most common for
> VSG's.
> &gt; Any smaller and you risk twisting, but usually any bigger the
> results
> &gt; aren't as good. Each DR has their own reason as to why they
use
> the
> &gt; size that they do. Alot depends on technique... do they sinch
it
> &gt; tight or do they just loosely staple the stomach... But keep
in
> mind
> &gt; that the difference between each is literally millameters. ..
> &gt;
> &gt; I suggest you as your surgeon why he uses a 40. How big that
> should
> &gt; make your stomach? How much in oz's will that size hold? What
> success
> &gt; has he had on people with high BMI's with a bougie that size?
> &gt;
> &gt; The more information you have the better you can make a
decision.
> &gt;
> &gt; With my 34, at 1 year out, I can eat about 3-4 oz's. More if
it's
> &gt; liquidy. I only get hungry when it's time to eat... but hunger
is
> &gt; just a gentle reminder that I'm empty now... Not like
before... I
> eat
> &gt; between 800-1000 calories a day. 65+g's of protein and 90+oz
of
> water
> &gt; a day.
> &gt;
> &gt; Hope this helps!!!
> &gt; ~Lauren~
> &gt;
> &gt;
> &gt; --- In AstronomicallyStunn ingVSGer@ yahoogroups.
com, "Heather"
> &gt; &lt;smithheather71@ &gt; wrote:
> &gt; &gt;
> &gt; &gt; Hi Everyone ! I hope everyone is doing well and losing
lots of
> &gt; weight!
> &gt; &gt; Ok, so here is my question...My surgeon emailed me today
because
> I
> &gt; &gt; asked him what size bougie he does and he said 40. So I
would
> like to
> &gt; &gt; know, those of you who have a 40 bougie, how do you
feel?? Still
> have
> &gt; &gt; hunger issues? Are you losing weight? How many calories
can you
> &gt; consume
> &gt; &gt; a day? Um I guess anything else you would like to add
would be
> great!
> &gt; &gt; I'm getting closer to 10% goal and I'm getting really
excited!
> Thanks
> &gt; &gt; everyone!
> &gt; &gt;
> &gt; &gt; Heather
> &gt; &gt;
> &gt;
>

Hi everyone, I decided to sign up for this group, Maybe I can get off
the fence and make a decision.  I have been on the OH VSG board
as "wearydeb" but I don't post very often.  I had lost 200 lbs in 2003-
2005 and have gained back over 150.(i counted calories)  I had a
consultation with my Dr in jan of 07, but between my own fear, and
problems my two adult daughters with Downs Syndrome are having, and
trying to find someone to care for them when I have surgery, I keep
putting it off.  I was supposed to loose some weight, instead I have
gained 10 lbs(since my consult) I have bad varicose veins and a hiatal
hernia. I am also terrified of blood clots. I really need some support
and encouragement.   Thanks for "listening"   Debra

Thanks Lauren, It does help, any and all information I get is helpful
and educational. I'm really looking forward to this surgery and I
really can't wait! I have 12lbs to go and I will be able to schedule
my surgery, so I'm hoping I will be sleeved by September. My surgeon
has to this date has only done 2, he's a Kaiser surgeon and they are
just starting to do this procedure. He said they do a 40 bougie
because the 32 bougie leads to better wt loss results on average, but
there are several people who can't even tolerate liquids for the
first year and really struggle. Unlike a gastric bypass, the sleeve
cannot be dilated. Therefore, if the sleeve is too narrow, the
patient really suffers for a good while. So I have faith in my
surgeon and that he knows what is best for me. Thanks again for the
info.

Heather


--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "celticm0m"
<Celticm0m@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Heather.
>
> I have a 34.  I think that is the size that is most common for
VSG's.
> Any smaller and you risk twisting, but usually any bigger the
results
> aren't as good.  Each DR has their own reason as to why they use
the
> size that they do.  Alot depends on technique...  do they sinch it
> tight or do they just loosely staple the stomach...  But keep in
mind
> that the difference between each is literally millameters...
>
> I suggest you as your surgeon why he uses a 40.  How big that
should
> make your stomach?  How much in oz's will that size hold?  What
success
> has he had on people with high BMI's with a bougie that size?
>
> The more information you have the better you can make a decision.
>
> With my 34, at 1 year out, I can eat about 3-4 oz's.  More if it's
> liquidy.  I only get hungry when it's time to eat...  but hunger is
> just a gentle reminder that I'm empty now...  Not like before...  I
eat
> between 800-1000 calories a day.  65+g's of protein and 90+oz of
water
> a day.
>
> Hope this helps!!!
> ~Lauren~
>
>
> --- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, "Heather"
> <smithheather71@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Everyone ! I hope everyone is doing well and losing lots of
> weight!
> > Ok, so here is my question...My surgeon emailed me today because
I
> > asked him what size bougie he does and he said 40. So I would
like to
> > know, those of you who have a 40 bougie, how do you feel?? Still
have
> > hunger issues? Are you losing weight? How many calories can you
> consume
> > a day? Um I guess anything else you would like to add would be
great!
> > I'm getting closer to 10% goal and I'm getting really excited!
Thanks
> > everyone!
> >
> > Heather
> >
>