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Hello Lara! California Post-Op here! Glad you are here and I hope and wish nothing but wonderful things for your future. Welcome!
I just am so happy this website is still up and helping so many people both pre and post operative in this VSG forum. I have been looking for my surgeon Dr. Paul Cirangle, MD for the past year. He performed my VSG in 2006. The last time I actually spoke with him was last year and afterwards no sign of him period. I moved and misplaced his post-op instructions especially the diet information. If any of you are his patient and have a copy of those documents would you kindly share them with me.
I ask this because I have put on ~25=30% excess body weight after I became ill multi-organ failure from an infection (community acquired pneumonia.) I'm better now I rejoined 24 hour fitness just waiting for the face cradle to place under my mask to breathe as needed when I work out.
I did what I remember diet wise what I did concerning protein intake, low carbs, 2 quarts of water daily; however, I am not getting into a keto state and I know I need to exercise. In 2006 after the 13 month point I just kept loosing and I realized that I have a small to medium frame. My baby brother and I could wear the same size virtually and he is well fit.
This weight gain in different as I am older as result, I need some guidance from anyone in the forum. I have been encouraged to speak with Dr. Alvarez, MD and I see that he is very active and knowledgeable when is comes to the VSG procedure. As a RN I chose Dr. Cirangle, MD because his post-op complications where extremely low. I still don't experience hunger just head hunger at times. I have been looking at Bariatric Advantage's website especially their Keto-starter kits and the ingredients. I just purchased a exogenic powder from the Vitamin Shop and my protein from GNC thought I don't believe it's helping my body experience a keto state. the Keto powder it is the same as the Bariatric Advantage keto product so I am trying it including Isopure protein which was the drink The BHP exogenic powder I never used after my surgery of course supplements are not studied however, BHB is a compound made in our bodies I hope it will help me get in to a keto state.
If I am just complicating matters by not having exercise that I know I have to do even though I didn't after my surgery. Dr. Alvarez, MD recommended cardio activities, As for weight lifting and machines with weight I am considering a trainer so I can avoid hurting myself. However, trainers in these gyms are expensive though 24 hour fitness has a good rate of $303.00 for 4 sessions a week.
The issue for me is I am on a fixed income as I have not returned to nursing I mean I started nursing school at the age of 16 and became a practical nurse. Now I am a RN with a master's degree in nursing specializing in nursing education. I have been a nurse for 29 yrs. I'm still considering nurse anesthetist school also. Despite, the work I put into becoming an RN was an optimistic endeavor for me conversely, I now want to attend law school as another option I am interested in environmental law and Hawaii's law school is in the top 100 best law school at the University of Hawaii. But I need to do one thing at a time and right now it's getting my BMI back down. My fellow VSG partners I would love to hear your helpful words and encouragement. Please don't hesitate in writing me back including any questions, comments, or concerns please let me know as I am seriously in need for support.
Thank you,
Lamont K. Pippins, RN, MSN/ED, BSN
Greetings from Arkansas!
I've been lurking for a while now and thought it was time to jump in and say hello. I'm hoping to have a sleeve done in the coming months and have my first appt with my doctor next week. Our insurance has a specific exclusion for wls so I will be private pay. Been researching options for that.
Anyway - just wanted to say hello and that I am thankful for this site. I've been doing a lot of reading and have gained a lot of helpful insight.
Lara
I think you've got some great insight here and I hope you find something that works for you. I know some that track calories and wouldn't try anything else and have been very successful and I know some that have been on WW and have also been successful. I would think it may be helpful for you to talk with your dietician that might also give you some greater insight as well. I'm nearing my 10-year surg-iversary and I recently chose WW and have been successful to continue weight loss. I liked the flexibility of WW for my life. I've lost 30 lbs on the purple plan and I'm continuing weight loss. Although, it has been slow about a pound a week or so has kept me motivated. I struggled with reactive hypoglycemia for 3.5 years and then 2 years of working through it with an endocrinologist. I'm on the right medication now to help me control it and I do carefully watch my carb intake and what type of carbs I do eat. I think the best diet will be the one you can work on confidently and something you can manage for the rest of your life for your health. Best wishes to you!
So sorry for what you've been through. The only thing I can comment on is the hair loss. I'm not surprised you didn't see any hair loss until a few months after chemo. As I understand it; while stress (chemo, surgery, illness, etc.) can cause hair to stop growing, the hair doesn't usually fall out until new hair is ready to grow in. So ironically, by the time you see the problem, the underlying cause has usually been resolved. For that reason, I don't think vitamins or anything else would help. If hair stylists are open in your area, perhaps you could go to one who is experienced in this area who could give you a cut that makes hair loss less noticeable. (And even if hair stylists aren't open in general, there may be an exemption for your situation. I seem to recall a similar exemption here in Ireland.)
I would talk to your medical team about throwing up after eating. It might not be caused by the sleeve, but having a smaller stomach could be exacerbating the problem. I'm guessing they could put you on a PPI or something to help with the nausea.
Sorry my response isn't more useful. I don't have any experience in this area, but I didn't want your post to go unanswered.
Thank you, worth watching for anyone considering a pouch reset.
Hi Everyone...Im post Gastric Sleeve surgery 2 years. Last November I was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Had Chemo in Dec and Immuno therapy Dec/Jan/Feb. I was official in remission on March 1st but now Im having issues like when I had my surgery 2 years ago. Massive Hair Loss (very scared on this as I had none during cancer treatment), throwing up after eating (like I did at the beginning after sleeve surgery)...things like I had at beginning of surgery. Has anyone had a similar experiences...wondering if this is normal or ????????????????
Good Morning!
For those of you that have asked me about a Pouch Reset, I made this video:
Regards
Dr. Alvarez
