Hawaii50

Sorry to hear your not feeling so well. I too had a lot of chest pain for the first 4 days or so, with super tiny sips. It seemed if I would walk around while sipping (basically pacing my room) that helped a little. Your really swolen still for surgery and mine was way better day 5 an on. I can't answer to the throwing up, hopefully someone here can help. Good luck, I do know that everyday I feel a little better.

It gets better, promise! I drank so much lemon water during this stage and tried to keep busy reading, walking, taking a bath. Good luck and it will be so worth it when your surgeon can have a better go at making your new tummy.

I LOVE coloring! Hang in there girl!

I was answering emails and doing a few hours of computer work the day after surgery! I own my own business and didn't really have the option to take time off. I was working 4-6 hours at Day 3-5 and back to 40+ 1 week later-office work only. I am in week 2 and back on the road working in garden centers doing light duty, no lifting over 30+ and still being careful bending over at the waist. I'm pretty tired at the end of the day, in bed by 10pm. Feel great but everybody is so different. Pre-surgery, I couldn't sit still for more than an hour at a time I am always on the go! I'm sure when I can get more protein in, I'll have my old energy back.

Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery!

I posted this on your other thread: Wow, congrats on your loss!! I'm not exactly sure, but those are both high in sugar, are you having reactions to other sweets? I have never been a huge fan of dairy and stick to skim milk myself. Good luck in finding an answer, just wanted to say Great job!

Wow, congrats on your loss!! I'm not exactly sure, but those are both high in sugar, are you having reactions to other sweets? I have never been a huge fan of dairy and stick to skim milk myself. Good luck in finding an answer, just wanted to say Great job!

Not sure on the acryllics, but I actually did a pedi the night before surgery thinking I wouldn't be able to bend over to do one afterwards. The poor nurse that had to remove my toenail polish ...it was one of the first things she did right after I was admitted, I felt so bad! It was for safety so I'm glad she did, but boy my toes are ugly without polish! I was only home for 2 days before I scheduled a mani and pedi at the salon!

Congrats!!! What a great success story, thanks for sharing!

Oh yeah! My dream last night was one of my girlfriends making sandwiches and was so alarmed and pissed that I wasn't eating she actually started charging me with some roast beef and cheddar in slow motion, right before the beef hit me in the face....I woke up, thank god! I think I feel more differently about my friend than the food now. haha! These kind of dreams happened to me for months when I quit smoking, it's crazy how real they make you feel, I would always ask my husband if I smoked the night before, and he would re-assure me time and time again. I never have them anymore, it's been 2.5 yrs. Hopefully the food dreams will subside too.

Right on girl! You are so right, it is a major mental prep! Just wait till post-op...you will be REALLY surprised at how little you can survive on! And all those years of stuffing my face like the end of the world was coming. haha!

I kept my same workout which is about 3-4 miles of walking each day and I also play sports 2 days a week. I felt totally fine, just make sure you drink plenty of water and of course listen to your body and stop if you need to. I totally needed to fill the time with lots of activities to keep my mind off food during my 2 week pre-op diet. You'd be surprised how little your body really needs to function, at least I am after all those years of forking in all the calories.

I was sleeved on 3.28 and was the last to go for the day at 6:30 pm. I wasn't nervous until they started wheeling me down the hall and then I kinda freaked out. I wish I had asked for something like an hour before surgery. I'm sure they would have given it to me. I had the same leak tests, 1 right after surgery and the other one 2 days later. I didn't think the liquid tasted as bad as my other 3 sleeve buddies, but Trish gave us a 'bariatric taffy' to eat right after and that cleared the taste. My pain and bad nausea were managed really well. I had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia (felt very short of breath, and nausea, and super low blood pressure) so they put an oxygen mask on me until the next day which helped alot! However, since my blood pressure was so low, they couldn't give me the Torodal (which lowers BP too). They gave me something else and it did take the edge off, though I was still feeling pretty bad-I'm sure just normal 'major surgery pain'. Nothing I couldn't handle, but I was still very aware of the pain. The next day when my BP was back up, I was given Toradol and felt much better. I felt waaaaay better once the drain was out though. I would highly reccommend Dr Kelly, Trish and the wonderful staff to anyone!

I'm only 8 days out, but I feel great! I am still really careful not to bend over at the waist and lift over 30 lbs unless I have to. I have all my energy back and can work several hours on my feet doing labor at garden centers. I do however think a lot of my healing has to do with having a great attitude, it is what you make it! Congrats on your date, your gonna do awesome!!

Great to hear crosswind! I am also without insurance and went south of the border on the 3-28! I am feeling...actually pretty great, considering major surgery 8 days ago. ;o) Keep up the great work, this feels like the right club to be a part of! ;o)

Sing it Sister!! Once I made the decision to have the VSG, I haven't looked back! I feel so much better and only 20 lbs down! (a long way to go, but hell down is down!) You've come to the right place for research and support! You got this!! xx

Went alone and was totally fine! Like everyone else said: you sleep, you rest, you watch tv, pretty boring for someone else. ;o) I did meet another patient and she was great company the last 2 days!

Hi there! I too made the decision to head south of the border with Dr Kelly at the Oasis Center just over a week ago on 3.28. ;o) It was small compared to what the hospitals look like in the US, and maybe a little older looking, however my private room had everything I needed for 2 days. As soon as I was admitted, they started doing all my testing right there: Urine sample, EKG, medical backround, chat with the Dr and that was pretty much it. I had the sleeve done at 6:30pm and was up walking around about 1am, wanted to sooner however had really low blood pressure and they advised not to. The first 2 days was pretty bad-I mean it's major surgery afterall. However, the nurses all took such great care of me and Dr Kelly was great at easing my anxieties and answering questions. I went alone and it was totally fine. You are in bed pretty much the whole time either sleeping or resting in the hospital, so my husband would have been bored with nothing to do around the area. I brought a book, loose fitting yoga pants, slippers, gas-x, chapstick and a few changes of clothes. Everything else was provided. After 2 days, I moved to the really nice Hotel Lucerna with another patient that was sleeved the same day as me (my new friend and sleeve buddy). Dr Kellys' asst, Trish was right there with us to explain our meds, diet, answer questions, etc. She bought us Jello, gatorade and our gauze and tape for the incisions. She took other patients shopping, or whatever, however we were just as happy sitting by the pool getting some Vit D!! It helped to talk with another person who was going thru exactly what I was adn I would Skype with my husband in the evenings. I am thrilled with my decision to head down to MX for my sleeve! Once I had done all my research on the doctors and officially made my decision, I was sleeved within 3 weeks! I think prices can range from $5k-10k depending on the doctor and when you call, some may be running specials. I am healing nicely and was already back to work answering emails the day after surgery! Fully back to work last Friday, just 4 days post-op. Including the 2-week liquid pre-op diet, today I am down 21 lbs! I feel like I'm on the road to being who I really want to be!! Good luck!!

I'm scheduled on 3.28 with Dr Kelly! Yay!!! Just a few days away! I just finished 10 days of liquid pre-op diet and today is day 1 of 3 on Clear liquids, down alomst 8 lbs. GA Girl: yup, you need a passport. ;o)

"If you're not insurable over 40 and you're not insurable after bypass, it seems what insurance companies want us to do is diet and exercise so we never bother them with any kind of bill at all." So true it seems. It is reassuring that Aetna may be an option for 6 weeks post-op...I'll check into that. Seeing as I haven't had insurance for over 5 years, and am healthy except my weight, I am ok paying out of pocket for my preventitive health care, which has been very minimal. I am most concerned with the immediate post op aftercare from 1 day-3 months coverage. Keep me posted if you find anything else worth checking into and I'll do the same.

Hi there! It sounds like we are in the same boat. I don't have insurance and just today found out I was declined by Kaiser due to my BMI (40.2) and that I disclosed my surgery date for VSG. (3.28) I looked into my state's insurance from another post you made and found that it is over $300/month and still won't cover any issues that come from a pre-existing condition within 6 months of my coverage date. I also had a similar conversation with BCBS earlier this week. I am considering going back to my self-pay surgeon in MX for the 3-month follow up since I can't get a PCP easily. What are you considering-do you have a surgery date? My husband has Kaiser through his employer and we've never added me onto it due to cost. I wonder if I try to get on his next Jan, if I will be declined- I have read that you need to be 2 years/5 years post op without complications to re-apply to Kaiser and BCBS. ~Heidi

Hmmmm, just got my declination letter from Kaiser due to BMI and my upcoming VSG surgery. Just looked into PCIP for my state and the least expensive insurance per month is over $300 for my age bracket. However, this doesn't cover any complications for 6 months post surgery and that was what I was most concerned with. I guess this is my only route, until I have 5 years-no complications post surgery date and can re-apply to BCBS or Kaiser.

I'm doing this a little backwards: Self Pay...I have a surgery date 3.28.11 with Dr. Kelly in MX (Yay!) I have no Insurance, however I just applied to Kaiser. I am wondering if anyone if anyone else was in a similar situation and what the outcome for coverage was? Also, just a bit worried for after care here in the States. If I had to I could fly back to MX to be seen, however what about emergencies or routine follow up? Any insight or info is greatly appreciated! Heidi