Nancy Rivers

Congrats on hitting the 50 pound mark!

Welcome to the forum and good luck tomorrow!

Hi and welcome to the forum. Check out the different areas of these forums - you'll find lots of information. Another place that I have found lots of of information is http://vsgfaq.wordpress.com/ I chose to have the sleeve instead of the bypass mainly because there are a lot fewer potential complications from the sleeve as well as no mal-absorption issues like there are with the bypass. As far as how long down - it varies depending on the person, but generally a couple of weeks off of work - depending on the type of work you do. I would be sure to ask your surgeon about it though since you are concerned about it. I am self pay, as well as several others on the boards. My insurance specifically excludes any form of weight loss. I haven't had the surgery yet, but I am definitely going to get it done. I am tired of being tired and watching my health go downhill. I'm just 38 years old and can barely stand for 5-10 minutes before breaking out in a sweat and can hardly walk 10 minutes. I've already had back surgery once and my knees are killing me. I know that loosing weight will help all of these things. I have tried loosing weight using a number of different diets over the years and none have worked. I know this surgery will work long term - having a smaller stomach will force me to make the lifestyle changes that I can't seem to make on my own.

Congratulations on getting your sleeve and on your weight loss so far! It sounds like you are doing great! Keep up the good work!

Congratulations on your surgery! I'm sure it will go fine. Keep in mind the reasons why you chose to have the surgery and that should help with the nerves. At least that's my theory.

I also haven't told my family and I have no plans to do so. Only my sister is online and she doesn't know I have a YouTube or Facebook accounts (I don't think she even knows what those are honestly). I know for a fact that if they knew, I would be hounded endlessly about not doing the surgery. She is a "retired" nurse who teaches nursing at a local community college and she is dead set against any type of weight loss surgery - saying that it's too new, not safe with too many complications, etc. She was also overweight and lost quite a bit of weight by dieting and thinks that I should be able to as well since she could. Well I am not her (thankfully). I am living with a couple in Ohio (renting a room from them for work) and they know. Primarily because I need a ride to/from the hospital. He had had Lapband surgery about 4 years ago and ended up having it taken out last year due to a massive erosion and is still having issues with his stomach from it. They are supportive of my decision. A few of my students also know (since I had to cancel class on Friday so I could go back to Michigan for some tests). My students are all adults - many older than me. I've had mixed reaction from them. Many will say "I hope it works out for you", but I know that there's a fair number that don't think I'm doing the right thing. But at least they have the decency to not try to talk me out of it. I am debating telling my boss at this point. I wasn't going to, but he may be planning to have me teach a class in another location - and if so, I may need to tell him then. I'm actually a contract employee - so it's not a typical work relationship. He's always been supportive of me taking time off when I want it, but I've also made sure that it wouldn't hurt his bottom line as it were when I take my time off. I believe he would be supportive of my decision to have surgery, but I just don't want to tell him if I don't have to at this point. If I do, I won't lie to him and tell him that it's a different surgery as that could hurt our working relationship.

Congratulations on the 50 pounds! That is a tremendous achievement!

Congratulations!

It will pass. From the information I've been reading, the stall is normal and can last for 3-4 weeks. It is just your body adjusting to the new you. While you may not be loosing pounds, there are other changes happening - like loosing inches. You have already lost 20+ pounds - that is GREAT! So, the sleeve is working for you. It's hard, but just be patient. It sounds like you are doing everything right, so this too shall pass. You just need to let your body get adjusted to the new you.

Wow, what a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing!

You have done a great job! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story.

Renee, I'm glad you are home and feeling better. I'd like to thank both you and Lynn for sharing the your experience. Thankfully, I don't have the same conditions that Renee has, but I do know that I don't react to medications the same way that many others do and this reminds me that I need to tell that to my surgeon. So, thank you again.

Congrats! That is an awesome loss so far!

I'm so sorry you are having a hard time with the pre-op diet. The theory behind the pre-op diet is to reduce the fatty deposits around your liver so it is less likely to accidentally get nicked during the surgery (it's easier for the surgeon to keep it out of the way if it's not covered with slippery fat). I know others have had solid food up to the day before surgery because their doctor didn't tell them to use only liquids. I'm no expert, and probably will give the wrong advice here, but I would say go ahead and have a small amount of grilled chicken - if that will help satisfy your hunger. Just make sure that you chew, chew, chew it and don't "pig out" on it. Or try something like Jello (it's generally on the Clear Liquids list after surgery) to see if that would help.

Congratulations on getting the sleeve! From what others have said, getting everything in this soon after surgery is tough but it does get easier. Your stomach is rather irritated right now, so it takes time for it to settle down. Sorry you've been having pains from the gas, that should soon go away too.

You look awesome! Thanks for posting.

I hope everything went well with your surgery. Hoping to hear an update soon.

My surgeon said it really depends on the person and the type of job. He said that most take two weeks off, but he's had a few who go back after one week and a few who took 6 weeks off!

I haven't been sleeved yet, but based on what others have said on here, I wouldn't worry too much about not following the diet for 2 days. If you are really concerned about it, contact your surgeon and see what he says about it. Keep in mind some doctors don't have their patients follow a special diet before the surgery. Relax and think of the reasons why you made the decision to have this surgery. That will help calm you down I think. Also keep in mind that the rate of complications from the surgery is really rather low - especially compared to some of the other types of weight loss surgeries, and definitely lower than something like an open heart surgery for example. You will do fine with the surgery.

I don't think you are too eager. This is the beginning of a new life for you and you are just excited about it. Besides, starting the packing process now ensures that you won't forget anything like you might with a last minute packing.

I'm sure everything will go well for you. Congrats!

Thanks. It's just a bit frustrating that he wouldn't even look at the information I sent to him until he was in the office with me. I knew he would support the decision as he did give me a referral to a bariatric surgeon in Michigan. I just couldn't go to that one because of my work situation (they see patients on Tuesdays - which would be impossible for me working in another state). He was also concerned about the after care - suggesting that I find a PCP down there as well since I potentially won't be in Michigan as much as he would like for the proper follow up care. I told him the surgeon had a pretty extensive after care program and he seemed satisfied with that. Of course, my surgeon had also asked me if I would be around for the aftercare when I first met with him. I'm glad they were both concerned with that to be honest. It helps put me at ease for choosing the surgeon that I did.

Glad to hear sarsar made it home. Hope you are doing well. Renee, I hope you get feeling better soon.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on making your decision. You'll definitely find a lot of support here - I know I have. I'm just starting my WLS journey, but I am constantly having the second and third thoughts about my decision. When this happens, I just remind myself of the reasons why I want to loose the weight permanently and the reasons why I chose this surgery. It really does help. Keep researching and learning about your surgery choice. It's amazing what information is out there if you search for it.

Congratulations! I hope the call comes soon for the scheduled surgery!