Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

Hi, to all my other May sleevers out there. So everyone should be at or close to their two months surgiversary. Congratualtions!!! I hope everyone is doing well and on the right track to feeling back to normal. I just wanted to post this so everyone could share their own update and also any down falls they have had. We are all new to the process and can share in the new sleeve experience together. I have been keeping a pretty detailed blog, 1 monthly, of my stats including weight loss, sizes, inches and personal notes if anyone is looking for more information. So good news I am 10 weeks out and down 41lbs. Yippee!! Can't wait to see what another two months will bring.I am…

Hi guys, I'm on my Ipad from my hospital bed, so excuse any errors! Surgery went well. As expected, i had some pretty big scar adhesions from the band, but nothing my doc couldn't handle. Unfortunately, i had REALLY bad nausea and dry heaving the in the recovery room and for about 2 hrs when I got into my own room. Ugh..that was awful! But it's under control now and I feel a million times better! Incision and gas pain is totally manageable! I've been sucking ice chips, walking every hour and am staying ahead of the pain w/my meds:) Should be outta here around 2p tomorrow and am looking forward to seeing my baby boy and working towards a great recovery! Oh--just some advi…

I was sleeve on 6/30, so a bit over a week ago. No matter what I put into my stomach - even plain Water - makes it hurt. The Protein shakes I'm supposed to be subsiding on? They hurt worst of all. Is this going to stop anytime soon or did I just make a huge mistake with this surgery? I've been posting on another message board and no one else has this problem more than a week out. Thanks.

Well my friends, it wasn't/ isn't as easy as I thought it would be! Before surgery as I was on the gurney waiting to be wheeled into surgery I had a major anxiety attack.. sweating, I got clausterphobic an HAD to go to the bathroom soooooo bad! I was one hot mess I tell you! Anyway, I did make it to the O.R. and got all prepped on the table, According to the surgeon, the operation was a complete sucess and was pretty much textbook.... But then the real "FUN" started.. I woke up sooooooo sick to my stomach and in sooooo much pain! I ended up dry heaving for a few minutes and they administered every type of ani-nausea meds they had available.. It took a while for them to …

I am 7 months out and have lost a total of 120 pounds. I noticed that I have a red line that starts at the middle of my back and goes along my spine to the top of my butt. Does anyone else have this? I'm wondering if it is an odd stretch mark or like a skin fold from all of the lost weight. Thanks for the input!

I had my final meeting with the surgeon today. My surgery date (removing lapband and revising to sleeve) on July 19th. My doctor said that there will be a drain tube in place and should be removed right before I am discharged. Has anyone had a drain tube immediately after surgery??? If you did was it to prevent the port incision site problems everyone is discussing???? Had my band since 10/2009 and my port flipped and band slipped. I opted to have it removed and revised to the sleeve instead of repairing the band.

I'm only 4 days in and am at a loss....I don't think broth has any nutritional value so why eat it? I am busting my brain to figure out how I can get in more protein and water. Oh, btw, I am missing meats & vegis! Any suggestions on a grocery list or recipes for this newbie?

C'mon July sleevers, we need to rally some support for each other! I posted a poll for a group name but only one person replied Group name aside, we should be posting more in here especially since July will be here in no time! I'm starting my 2 week pre-op liquid diet on Monday. How is everyone else doing?

Newly Sleeved on the 24th last month, doing well, just always looking for support around here!

Good luck to the sleevers for July 11! ccbcdeke amybaby33 Texasmom65 Bitties JayMiss Marilynn And anyone else who is getting sleeved then too. Please update us when you can.

i everyone my surgery will be on July 12,after months of waiting and dr.visits im nervous as heck i didnt think i would be this way but i am im praying everything goes right during surgery im confident im doing the right thing,has anyone else felt this way?

Ok i am new to the forum so hi all, I am having my sleeve on fri and am sooo nervous i went out today with my 3 kids and their dad for a walk in the park, It made me think im actually scared inside thinking of what could happen and i want to be around to see my girls grow up! ok so thats probably just my mind and nerves playing games! I then have a part of me that cant imagine being thin! I also am excited to think its my turn to be able to be thin and healthy! So is any one else feeling this way or have felt this way! Please some one some advice would be great im trying to just think positive and know its all gooing to be ok! I think im just scared lol.

I just received a phone call that my surgery time has been moved up by an hour and fifteen minutes. Now, I am to be at the hospital at 7:45 am with surgery at 9:15 am tomorrow. Woo Hoo!!! But, the lady said, did you do your blood work? I told her I went in last Tuesday and the only bloodwork they drew was blood typing. Everything else was done on May 27 and the surgeon had told me that he wouldn't need anything else. So now, I may have to do even more blood work. Sigh... Clear liquids today - not happy about that - it's already screwing with my head at 8am....

For the last five days now I am the happy "owner" of a gastric sleeve! My surgeon said that my revision was one of the most complicated surgeries that he has ever completed. My abdomen was full of scar tissue from my Lap-Band surgery (which he also completed) nearly five years ago and my stomach "pouch" that was created by my band was totally distended/dilated. My surgery was supposed to be about 2 hours and it ended up being just over 5 hours! Considering how terrible I have been feeling for the last two years or so, I'm not surprised that I had so many issues, but I never believed it would be anything quite like what the doctor found. It just goes to show you th…

Well today is the last day of my old life. Although I'm allowed a meal today (lunch only), I'm doing liquids all day long. My husband and son are going to do Protein shakes with me today. They are so sweet. I go in at 9:30 tomorrow morning. So in a little more than 24 hrs, I'll be on the other side. I don't even have my bag packed yet....LOL I figure that will give me something to do today to focus on. Also going to get my fridge organized and all my stuff in one area, so it's easier for my hubby to find for me if needed. I have all my other things in one area on the counter. I ordered my chewable Vitamins, Calcium and B-12 last night, so it should be here b…

I was finally approved today by BCBS. I'm so excited and scared. I don't know what to do next. I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

She didn't make the news because of her failed Gastric Bypass procedure, but the horrible media sure made a point to put it in their news article. She's about to loose her house to foreclosure. I'm not sure I feel sorry for her financial woes if she was living on borrowed income - but I do feel sorry for her that the press can't seem to leave things like her weight alone. I have to wonder how much her weight re-gain has to do with her lack of generating new income. I know myself how much I withdraw from social activities when my weight increased. I can't even imagine what it would be like as a celebrity and having to face the ridicule by the media and such knowing t…

Hey All, I just did some research on the topic of using a straw after WLS. Checking on this board and a few others it seems like a controversial issue. I was told at my preop appointment not to use one after surgery. With all the trouble I'm having getting the Protein shakes in, I thought I'd try to figure out why. It appears the concern is with air, some people draw a lot of air in with a straw. I went ahead and tried one this morning with my carnation Breakfast shake and it seems to make things a lot easier. Anyone have any opinions on this? I'd love to hear what others have heard from their doctors and nutritionists. Thanks, Mike

Good luck to today's sleevers. Please update when you can.

Someone once told me that you cannot do much about the length of your life, but you can do a whole lot about the width and depth. So, think about improving your Life Spaces. I promise it will make a world of difference. Consider having Weight Loss Surgery and changing your life. If you are on this board you are thinking about it or have a date already set. I had a sleeve almost 3 years ago and it has changed my entire life--you can do the same thing with your life. You are going to feel sooooooooo much better and become healthy. Life is short don't give one more day away of your life being unhappy and unhealthy and being overweight. Hugs, Suzanne

Hey there Firecrackers. At 1 week out, I thought I would share some random thoughts on issues of concern to the soon-to-be-sleeved and the newly-sleeved. Clear liquid Diet- Why is everything neon-colored? I'm so happy to start full liquids tomorrow so I can consume something that is a color actually found in nature. My designated diet shelf in the fridge looks like a circus with all the varieties of Isopure, Powerade Zero, Protein bullets, and SF Jello. I don't care if ever see them again but the neon SF Popsicles can stay. Although the Isopures and Protein bullets are not the greatest tasting things I ever drank, I highly recommend working them in somehow for at least…

I'm in the process of being evaluated for VSG at EMMC with Dr. Toder. I don't have a very supportive group of friends to help with this process. I'm looking for a mentor who can answer questions, etc.... Cindi

My surgery is 8 days away and Im really excited!

Monday my Potassium was 3.1. They tried to give me potassium via IV and it COOKED my veins, so they had to stop. Doctor sent me home and told me to try banana's...which I did...not successfully. I did find a protein shake that had like 500 mg of potassium and I was able to get in half of it. Last night I was up til 3 a.m with leg cramps and this morning it was no better. I called the office and they are sending me for a STAT potassium level. I just hope and pray this gets resolved quickly...and to be honest...I'm so over it. I just want to recover like a normal person. UGH.

I'm not too sure what to think about what a co-worker told me. Where I work the are over 300 employees. The insurance company held a workshop for WLS with a nurse that gave the information on the different types of surgeries. I was confused by what she was told by the nurse. That the Mini Gastric Bypass procedure is the same as a VSG????? I'm a little bit upset that a medical professional (Nurse) would say that. Now correct me if I'm wrong, the two procedures are not the same and shouldn't be considered that they are. I felt as if the employees that attended that workshop walked away so misinformed. I know that the insurance company will and does not cover nor does it ack…

Announcing my surgery date, July 27, 2011. I know it is barely July, but it is still July. I am excited, anxious, relieved, and ready to get this show on the road. Hope all July sleevers are doing well and getting ready for the big day. Sheila

http://www.ext.colos...dnut/09312.html

I am new to this blogging thing but I am really excited to connect with other people that are going through the same thing as I am.. I have the sleeve on June 17th and everything seems to be going great...I am down 28 pounds and starting to feel much better... I actually go to my two week check up tomorrow... I have had a few complications but nothing major. At first it was the gas that killed me.. I thought I never would get rid of the trapped gas.. Then it was the tiredness and dizziness from the lack of anything other than liquids but once I started my mushy diet I really noticed a difference.. I feel alot better! Im excited about this change in my life!

I AM SSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOO EXCITED I GOT THE CALL YESTERDAY THAT I WAS APPROVED!!!!!!! IT ONLY TOOK 2 DAYS AFTER THE PAPERWORK WAS SENT IN!!!!! MY SURGERY IS ON MONDAY AUGUST 8TH!!!!!!!!!!! ONLY 51 MORE DAYS!!! EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT GETTING SLEEVED AND I AM GETTING THE LAP BAND NOW I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just curious about those who traveled a distance to have their surgery in Mexico. .. How did you handle follow-up on the procedure? Did anyone NOT have follow-up by a doctor? Did anyone have to try and "find" a VSG friendly doctor when you got back home? I am never sick and rarely go to the doctor. In the past 5 years I have gone once a year for a regular check-up. Last year I had mentioned "lap band" to my PCP and he was dead set against it. So IF I a go proceed, I will probably have to find a new doctor. Has anyone ever been turned down by a doctor for having VSG?

Hi all, new here - VSG back on 12/12/10 - now down 139lbs... Still loosing but slower now; about a 1 lb a week - how about you?

Who's going to Bonnarrooooooooooooooooooooo this year? What ya eating while there?

Good luck to the sleevers going today. We'll all be thinking of you. Please update us when you are able to.

I need a new scale! I can step on mine 3 times in a row and get 3 very different numbers. I would like to find something more accurate. Does anyone have a scale that you would recommend? Thanks!

Still on Clear liquids.... I can't wait for something with some substance..... I never thought I would fall in love with SF Jell-o!!!!! Can't wait for full liquids.. Do I really have to wait for two more days??? Patti PS..... I have lost 14lbs in the 8 days since my surgery... my gosh, I can't imagine it is going to go like this but wowee!!!!! I am losing weight!!!!!!!!!!

I'm very excited! and nervous! Will have my preop nut consult and hospital tests done on July 20th. I start the pre op diet on July 15th. Here we go!!!! Here I go!!!

I'm at the hospital now getting all of my preregistration done so that I can go to the beach this week then have my surgery on the 18th! And better yet, even though I have about $650 left on my out of pocket (deductible has been met), they didn't ask me for a dime! This is starting to feel real! I go for my last appointment with my surgeon at 12:15. Any suggestions on last minute questions? I know when I'll be released, when I can shower and, um, have fun and what size bougie he uses. Any other suggestions?

I originally started this Quest by attending an info session at NYU Langone Medical Center in the city. I've since changed my plan and am now hoping to have my surgery done by Dr. Aaron Roth OR Dr. Miguel Silva (still deciding, dont judge me). They both are affiliated with Columbia Presbyterian's Advanced Center for Surgery and they work out of Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY which is conveniently close to home for me. Empire BC/BS is my insurance company, I'm praying that things go smoothly with them and the approval process.

Had my sleeve done Friday. Big thanks to everyone sending well wishes my way. Between the positive energy and the superior skills of Dr Alvarez and team, I'd have to say I'm one of the lucky ones. Never had any nausea or severe pain. At 3 days out, I'm mostly just concentrating on getting hydrated. My little sleeve is still very swollen and I can only swallow a tiny sip every few minutes. Also,my left side is pretty sore and bruised where they pulled my stomach out, Not too surprised there. Everything I had heard about Dr Alvarez was pretty acurate. His team has this sleeve thing down to a science. They've done about 2500 sleeves now. Experience shows. They are all over …

I am so glad to have found this forum - especially for Band Revisions. I have been considering the sleeve for some time but have just begun to act upon it. I had LapBand surgery in March 2006. I never did lose much weight - 44 lbs at the most. I did well for the first 9 months or so and I completely fault myself for not having more success - but there were many personal and medical contributing factors as well. In any case after going to two different surgeons for years and having numerous fills and unfills, it has taken its toll - at this point I have not had a fill in probably close to two years however I know I still have restriction because food still gets st…

Hellooooo sleevers!! Place your bets, the engines start running on Monday April 25th!! ____________________________________________ SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal LilMissDiva.....???.................???............180............???

I have an appointment with my PCP next Friday. I Haven't seen her since February. It may be a shock to her when she sees me. When we discussed WLS last year she had never heard of VSG. So I gave her the info from my surgeons seminar. She thumbed through it and said okay let's get started. She is in for a surprise. I hope I can shed a few more pounds before next Friday. I'm excited to have a doctors appointment for a change. Lol. Deb

Hello, I'm currently not a sleever but is very excited and anxious about becoming one. I'm a single parent of two.My daughter is 7years old and my son in two years old. My question is,Will I need alot of help at home after the vsg surgery? because I live alone with my two children. My mom lives near by but she lives a busy life herself with going back and fourth everyday to see my grandmother in the hospital and making sure she is getting proper care.

Hey all just wondering what bougie did your Dr use? Are you happy with it? Any complications?

My Dr's office manager is on vacation this week and not in to schedule my surgery! How dare she! So I have to wait to Friday or longer to schedule. ugggggg!!!! I'm still hoping to get the 22nd. :/ :/ :/

I have 2 large containers of Nectar protein mixes - Roadside Lemonade & Crystal Sky - that I would love to pass on to someone who could use them. They have both been opened but only a few scoops are missing from each as I can't stomach the taste. If you're local or can meet me somewhere in the Nashville/Murfreesboro area you can have 'em!

Amazing about the little things...

WELCOME:welcome: to the rest of your life!! You've taken that step to get healthy, fit and FABULOUS!! Well that calls for getting up off that couch :behindsofa: and GET MOVING!! :target: So what is your plan for today? What is your workout plan for tomorrow? Next week? C'mon get it going!! Anything is good and having a plan is the first step. Most health and fitness message boards have "Gym Rats". We do not, UNTIL NOW!!!:grouphug: Like the header says, take a number but don't you DARE take a seat. Since I started the group I am Gym Rat #1. So... who's #2??? :tea: Note: You do not have to have a membership to a gym to be a Gym Rat. You just need to be m…

I finally got sleeved 6/28 with Dr. Cavazos in San Antonio, TX. I started my pre-op diet at 417. Prior to surgery I had to do a 10 day shake diet. I cheated a couple of days but the doctor said it still managed to do a good job shrinking my liver. 2 days prior to surgery I went on clear liquids. I've continued to be on liquids the past 9 days since I got out of surgery. Clear liquids being water, broth, sf jello and sf popsicles. I discovered the popsicles have an unfortunate 4 carbs each in them so I have been avoiding them. So in total I've not had any food in about 19 days. SO I'm hungry! I don't know about others but whatever stomach got left behind IS hung…

G'Day All Well it is the 10th day since my surgery and currently loosing at 3 pounds a day average, a Lot more than I expected , doing fine getting in 100 grams Protein per day plus almost 100 oz Water. I know that this will slow down but I am under dr's orders due to the major damage my stomach had suffered from previous operations I am on 4 weeks of the clear Fluid diet, I think that I will loose fast for these 4 weeks atleast. I have been walking between 1 and 2 miles per day, since I got home 1 week ago. Surgery took 8 hrs to remove the old lap-band and repair all the damage to my stomach area, my Dr was so tired after it and still had another one to do after me…