Bandme1

Congratulations....i am so afraid I am thinking of backing out or switching to lapband.....I am afraid of feeling sick afterwards and the acid reflux.....pain is not a fear for me as I have survived a 4.5 pound tumor and major surgery....I cannot tolerate nausea.....I am 8 hours from my doctor so there is little prep and interaction....I am supposed to schedule surgery sometime this month! HELP for the fearful!

If the nausea is what you are worried about, definitely don't go with the lapband. I was sleeved 3 weeks ago and had zero nausea at all. Everything I've read about the Lapband is that the nausea continues way past just the surgery. I was the most nervous about nausea too, but they kept me pumped full of anti-nausea meds and even when I went home, I still have not had a single bit of nausea. I was VERY scared going in to the surgery and was SO relieved when I came out and did not have any nausea.

Surgery is set for tomorrow at 2:30 pm. Soon I will official be on this side of the message board. I am very nervous and excited. I will post again when I return home .

Toyia

Congrats! Cant' wait to hear how it went!

So I am nervous .....i keep questioning myself . Any words of wisdom ?

I lost 6 pounds in the 4 days before my surgery. I was a nervous wreck and couldn't eat anything. My stomach was in knots and I contemplated backing out. When I woke up from surgery, I couldn't believe it was already over. I had myself so worked up over nothing! Honestly, you are going to be just fine. Don't let that last minute nervousness let you back out. Just try to stay calm. Read up here on the forums and get as educated as you can. When you are educated about what to expect, you feel more in control. The more in control you feel, the less worried you will be Use that nervous energy!! You will be SO glad you did it once you are on the other side! Best of luck to you!!

I couldn't agree with you more!! Why have the surgery done if you don't want to eat small amounts?

I went out to dinner with a large group of friends the other night and cut off a tiny piece of my husband's chicken and just ate very slowly and enjoyed the company of my friends. I was SO full off such a small piece of chicken and I was so excited that I could feel so satisfied after such a small amount. It's exactly why I got the surgery done. I didn't feel deprived in any way. This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself!!

Honestly, I'm a little shocked at some of the reasons for regret. I'm 18 days post op. I've not had a single regret at any time. Surely you didn't go into this without realizing this was going to change your entire way of eating!? Did you really think that you would lose weight by still being able to eat full meals? Isn't that what got us into this mess? Not all of us, but a mass majority of us had no control over our portions, or the things we chose to eat. So now your regret is that you cannot sit down and eat an entire meal with a friend!? I... well, I'm sad for you about that. I went to dinner with a friend just a couple of days ago, and I was ecstatic that I could only order a piece of fish, and more ecstatic that I could only eat a small portion of it! It was THRILLING! There was a time when I would go to that same restaurant and scarf down an entire meal.... that put me at over 300 pounds! Why would I NOT want to give that up? From what I've read, all the things we go through for the first few months are NOT permanent. Yeah, it sucks that you have to have liquids for a couple of weeks, and pudding, and mushy stuff for a month, but its temporary. This is a long term change that will change your entire life! There is NOTHING embarrassing about eating a small portion of food! If ANYTHING your friends probably wish they got full on such a small amount! Embrace this change... and expect nothing but greatness from it.. because in the end, that is what you are going to have... a GREAT NEW YOU!

Hi,

I was sleeved with cute pie by Dr Aceves, so please add me!

Unfortunately I am only able to edit a post for 30 days. It is past the 30 days so it will not let me add you to the list. Congrats on your sleeve though!! Isn't it so great to finally be on the other side?!

Just curious if it's the Protein that shrinks the liver or is it the weightloss? I've lost 7 lbs since Tuesday but im mostly drinking Water and not drinking the shakes.

It's the weight loss that is shrinking the liver. Your liver is surrounded by fatty tissues and when you lose weight, it comes from there first The more weight you lose, the more your liver will shrink, which makes it easier for the surgeons to get to your stomach. The easier it is for them to get to your stomach, the less they have to pull around on those incisions

The Protein is also very important though. Proteins are basically "building blocks" that your body uses. When you are healing, your body uses all those building blocks to rebuild and help you heal faster. If you are already protein deficient when you go in for surgery, you are not gonna have a very easy recovery process. Also, your body can't store excess Proteins. It uses what it needs at that moment and then flushes it out, so it's not like you can just eat a bunch of protein and then think you're good for the day. You have to keep giving it to your body. Also, your body survives off protein, so be sure to get those shakes in

Hey all,

For the most part I'm handling everything well. I'm keeping myself distracted but I really can't believe my surgery is this Friday. My biggest fear is that my cute angelic chubby cheek face will get saggy. I feel pretty silly thinking that...but it is a thought and I looked in the mirror this morning and had that common fear tingle all over my body. UGGGGG! I'm not worried about the surgery at all. I'm a surgery pro.

Hubby was all worried last night that I would get skinny and hotter and leave him. I reassured him that he is the only man for me...but he is still afraid. :/

I'm freaking a little....but will be OK. I've been pleasantly plump my entire adult life. Since I put on the freshmen 30. I admit I am a little afraid of what being skinny will feel like and worry about the extra attention it will bring. In the past I have sabotaged myself because of all the attention. Have lost the same 30 lbs over an over and gained it back I didn't like the attention. Anyone else...need a buddy to help work through these similar thoughts as we start getting "skinny".

Congrats!!! You're almost there! Can you believe July is already almost over? You will be SOO happy once you are on the other side and it's over with.

You know, I haven't even worried about what it will be like to be skinny because even after all the research and knowing everything I know, my mind still hasn't connected the two. There was a size medium shirt on clearance at a store the other day and it was only $2.50! My friend told me "You should buy that, you'll be able to fit in it soon..." and I just couldn't do it. I couldn't buy the cute cheap shirt because I still don't believe that I'll actually get that skinny. It will definitely be a mind trip once I start losing clothing sizes. lol!

Oh my gosh.....I was reading all of this and just realized I am going to have a heck of a time....I sleep on my tummy. What am I going to do?

I am also a tummy sleeper. It's been hard sleeping on my back!! I think that's why the recliner helped because I could sleep still slightly sitting up and not just flat on my back. By Day 7 I was able to start sleeping on my tummy as long as I caaaaaaaaaaaarefully rolled over on it and just stayed in one spot. It was SOOO nice!! lol.

I was wondering what the average timeframe people are taking off from work for recovery. I work as an accountant and am planning a Thursday surgery. I plan on taking the rest of that week off and all of the following and returning to work the next Monday. So basically 10 days off in a row. Should this be ok?

You should be fine I also have an accounting job. I had my surgery on a Monday and I returned to work the following Monday. I was pretty tired and I left 2 hours early but by today, I am feeling great and working the whole day. Today is my Day 10, and that is when you would be returning, so I think that will be plenty of time for you

Also, almost all of my pain is gone. I still have a little tenderness around the incision sites, it's just that i get SOO tired. Literally I can walk up a flight of stairs and I feel like I need a nap. lol. So it's really just the fatigue that you'll have to deal with.

My surgeon didn't require any liquid diet at all. We had a pre-op diet that started when I went to my initial consultation because they wanted us to lose as much weight pre-op as we could. It was just a high-protein, low-carb diet with Portion Control. They told us to eat light the day before surgery. Like... not to go eat a giant steak or anything. I had chicken salad and some scrambled eggs throughout the day, but I was so nervous I didn't really eat much more than that anyway.

The pre-op diets are just to shrink your liver and make the surgery easier for the surgeons. I lost 22 pounds pre-op on the low-carb diet because I wanted my surgery to go as smoothly as possible. and it paid off!!

I am on Day 10 and I am still sleeping on our reclining couch. I don't know what I would have done without it. I tried sleeping in bed and I just could not get comfortable. The recliner was great because I could ease myself back and forward to get Water, etc. I think a couple more nights on the recliner and then I'll be able to sleep in the bed. I tried sleeping in bed on the first night and it hurt SOOOO bad trying to lay down and get back up. It wasn't worth it to me.

Although everyone is different. If it's not a huge expense, you may want to look into it just to be able to have the option if you want it. What if you have your surgery and can't get comfortable in the bed? You won't want to be messing with trying to rent one then.

When in doubt, it's probably best to go with what your dr. said. Mine also told me 6 weeks. Especially since your dr. is in Mexico, what if you go swimming and you do get an infection? Yikes...

I've never sneezed while I eat, although I'm still on full liquids. But I did have to sneeze the other day (I'm only 10 days out) and OUCH!! Holy cow!! That sneeze hurt like a beezy!! lol.

My turn has finally arrived. I am up way to early due to my gallbladder giving me one last shot before it is removed. I am just as excited about that as I am meeting my new sleeve.

Just as a side note, I have decided to name my sleeve, Ana Ana Sleeviston! I don't know why, I just like knowing I can talk to Ana and tell her to be nice to me and to help me attain my goal.

Soon I will be joining all those who came before me on the other side, and we will all be sleeve sisters together.

Good luck to everyone else who is being sleeved today along side me. I will be thinking of you and praying your recovery is a smooth one.

Sheila

Good luck, girl!! You'll do just great, I know it.

I thought they would never get to me. I was told to be at the hospital at 11am for 12:30 surgery. I guess there were a couple of emergencies and I didn't go to surgery until after 6. My poor wife was a mess and broke down and told me she didn't want me to have it done. Then the nurse told her it took about an hour and I was in the OR for three hours. How she kept it together through that wait I don't know. All is good now and it is just a minor bump in the highway to a new and better life.

Oh wow! What a horrible day! I'm glad all is well now and you are on your journey Congrats!!

Pulled pork sandwiches???? What is that? Call me dumb but really what is that? is that like shredded pork meat? never had that.

Really?? lol. It's pork that is slow cooked until it just shreds and they put BBQ Sauce on it. It's divine.

...maybe I shoudlnt' have told you. I don't want anyone else to have to suffer these cravings too!! lol

Thanks for the laugh this afternoon, I needed it.

You will get through it and it will soon be a distant memory. Trust me, I knew I had to turn off the tv during my recovery time when I thought the dog food commercials looked good.

Hang in there, it's all worth it.

Ahhh, the TV.... Subway pulled pork sandwich commercials are killllllling me!!!! lol

Dear food,

I miss you very much. I have been hanging out with your friend liquids for a while and just like fish and company, it got old and stinky after 3 days. I miss crunching and chewing. I stared longingly at my dog as she crunched away on her kibble. Oh, to crunch again! What does that feel like again? I don't think I even remember.

My friend/enemy scale tries to make me feel better by dropping her numbers to throw me a bone, and while that's great and all.... I miss chewing. I think I might go make a paper chain like when I was a kid to count down the days until I can enjoy you again. I can't wait to kick this jerk Soup to the curb.

So, Food... while our passionate love affair is what got me into this situation in the first place, I'd like you to please come back and let's give things another shot, in moderation this time. Let's not get all crazy like last time. Come on home, please. You've been dearly missed!!

Sincerely,

Me

I agree about them taking great care of you in the hospital! Also about nobody having complications after surgery. I think it has a lot to do with the skilled hands that operate on you.

Kaiser Richmond is ranked 3rd in the NATION for bariatric surgery!!! That is OUTSTANDING!!! Considering all of the bariatric surgery centers in the nation.

Kaiser Richmond also educates you to the hilt and if you don't comply, you don't get surgery!!

MLD, who was your surgeon?

Kelly

I had Dr. Im and I absolutely love him! I asked him who the second surgeon assisting him would be and he said Dr. Fisher I know you said that's who your surgeon was. I am so happy with the entire bariatrics program there. They are phenomenal and I can see why they are number 3 in the nation. I cannot recommend them enough to people.

I have not had nausea or vomiting either. That was the thing that I was most afraid of. I also didn't ever have any gas pains, luckily. I lost 6 pounds in the 4 days before surgery because I was so nervous I couldn't eat and just felt sick to my stomach from the nerves. When I got to the hospital they did give me a pill to help calm me down and it worked. I didn't feel loopy or anything, it just helped me relax and go with the flow. I am amazed at how incredibly easy the whole process was.

Honestly, it was so much less painful and so much easier than I expected that if they called me up tomorrow and said "The surgery didn't work, you have to come back in tomorrow and get it redone." (which I know that would never happen, but still) I totally would. I felt kind of silly afterwards for being so scared about it. But I definitely know how you feel!

The nurses and staff at Kaiser Richmond were fantastic and took great care of me. You are going to be in great hands and seriously, it is not as bad as you think it will be. The only things you really feel on Day 1 are the IV and the heparin shot and those are over in less than 5 minutes. After that it's smooth sailing. They keep you on pain meds so you are comfortable.

I can't believe the surgery is already over for me. It feels like it should have been so much worse. I know some people have complications, but I have yet to see someone on here that was sleeved at Kaiser Richmond and had any major complications. Everyone I've talked to has breezed right through. You'll be home by the next day feeling so happy that you are done.

Hey if anyone is out there im looking for a surgery buddy or maybe just some words of encouragement lol

I was sleeved last Monday at Kaiser Richmond I would love to answer any of your questions Just send me a message. Congrats!!

How's everyone feeling? I went from being super excited leading up to getting my surgery date... to super scared once I got my surgery date. And then the last few days, I've felt good and at ease. Now today, with 2 days left... the panic is setting in. I start liquids today, we'll see how that goes. I have no doubt that I will be able to stick to it, but I probably won't be a pleasant person to be around.

I felt the exact same way!! I lost 6 pounds in 4 days before my surgery. I just had no appetite because my stomach was in knots I was so nervous. Honestly, the worst part was getting the IV put in and even that wasn't so bad. It's over in just a few seconds. You aren't awake for any of the gorey stuff, you go to sleep and wake up loaded up with pain meds. My stomach muscles have been sore (obviously, I was "stabbed" 6 times. lol) but even that wasn't as bad as I anticipated. It just feels like I did a TON of crunches. The first 2-3 days are the worst and then it's pretty much smooooooth sailing.

Overall, I had it hyped up as a WAAAAY bigger deal in my head. I think because I was imagining it so much worse, I was very pleasantly surprised in the end

Small disclaimer: This is just how it went for me. I know many people have had a very similar experience to mine, though so there is a good likelihood it will be the same for you Best of luck to you!

I'll have to look for some of these. broth is kinda boring for a vegetarian. Thanks for the tips.

Knorr and Herb Ox have a very yummy veggie broth. I am not a vegetarian but so far it is actually my favorite broth that I've tried so far

I am having my surgery in the US and I am scheduled as the first procedure of the day (8:30 a.m. surgery start time). I met with a pre-op nurse the other day and she indicated that I would likely be able to go home the following afternoon if all went well. Is a one-night stay normal? For other US patients, how long did your surgeon advise your stay would be and did most of you only stay one night? I know that all could change if there are any complications but just want to get an idea of what is "normal."

My surgery was the last surgery of the day (3:30 p.m.) this past Monday. I came out of recovery around 8:30 p.m. and I was released from the hospital Tuesday morning around 11:00 a.m. I was in the hospital less than 24 hours. I also did everything they told me to and I drank Water when they brought it to me. I didn't have any complications and have been getting in all my fluids. I am Day 5 right now and feel fantastic. I still have a little pain around my incisions when I get up and when I'm walking but that is it.

I was sleeved at Kaiser in Richmond, CA. They told me that a normal hospital stay is 24 hours or less. I guess it just depends on the hospital and the surgeon? Best of luck to you!!

thanks! it sounds like the flintstones are the way to go bcuz they are on my NUTS list also.

Yeah, that's the route I went and I actually look forward to taking my Vitamin every morning. It's so nice to be able to CRUNCH on something and have something that's not a liquid!! lol!