Sleevie WonderLand

Your post just made me want to watch "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Pretty Woman" all over again! Your post gives super romantic pre-ops like me hope! So happy for you and hubby, sounds like he's enjoying the new you as well!

We dont say alcoholics are taking the easy way out when they enter rehab, we commend them for it because quitting anything cold turkey is next to impossible when you are truly addicted. To me, WLS isnt any different. And although I havent been sleeved just yet, from all the posts I've read on VST, it's still a big struggle. You have 80% of your stomach removed, but the sad news is that our "fat brains" dont go out into the medical waste container along with it. We have to retrain and recondition ourselves on how to eat. We cant just pick any old piece of food up and eat it, we have to make conscious decisions which is certainly a battle when you're addicted to food. So although the weight loss stories sound phenomenal and seeing the before and after pics are mind blowing, dont ever think that making this major change to better yourself, your health and your quality of life "the easy way out". I wish you all the best and much success on your journey. I enjoyed this post, hope to read more from you soon!

Some of the posts I've read strongly suggest some sort of lip balm as some people complained that their mouths and lips were very dry after the surgery.

Did you click on the link? She goes into great detail about the entire experience. She's an awesome writer!

That's an awesome idea for after surgery, I never thought about it. I guess its the same as wearing a girdle after giving birth, minimizes all the jiggling and pain afterward.

That makes alot more sense.

I was reading a post in one of the groups and the topic starter mentioned that she was thinking about buying a compression suit after her surgery. Is this something I should be looking into? I always thought they were for plastic surgery/lipo suction patients. And ever since that post, all the ads on the right side of my screen seem to be about after surgery undergarments. smh Anybody out there using compression suits after their VSG?

The post below is quite amusing, and comes in parts so you'll have to find the post on VST to get the entire story. It's so well written and informative, it'd do you good to read it, especially if you're contemplating surgery in Mexico. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/21117-new-name-sleeved-in-seattle/page__pid__178955#entry178955 I'm home! I'm home! Oh, it's so good.... Well, I promised details and I won't sugar coat it but I want to start by saying: I have no pain (except for the first day...) and was up and walking within hours of surgery, have no nausea or reflux. I'm drinking 40+ oz of water, some broth, and eating jello with no problem. I have NO hunger. I've been walking 1/2 mile or more per day.... If I woke up with amnesia and someone told me I had major surgery on Thursday, I'd say, "Liar." RECAP: I'm a self pay, Mexico patient. My story "sleeve" story started about six weeks ago when I begrudgingly attended a WL Seminar to hear about the 'band'. I went thinking maybe things had improved and maybe, just maybe it was time to reconsider getting the band. Then, the clouds parted and heavenly music played~~Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Wow. Shiny. Must know more... Fast forward to July 6. I fly out, San Diego bound with my dad in tow (resume includes lots of Mexico experience, big guy--big arms, street smart). I'm 43 and 19 years married with teens. So, there is no hang-up about hubby not being with me...he's just not the best choice for me because he cannot stand to not understand what's going on. Mexico is not conducive to making my baby a calm companion. No harm, no foul...he is happy to stay with the kids on this trip! Before we hit the gate, Ricardo (our driver) is on the phone finding out if we are curbside yet. We agree to call as soon as we are...and sure enough, 2 minutes later we are safely ensconced in the silver Honda Civic, weaving our way toward the border. Ricardo speaks EXCELLENT English and is very knowledgable of the whole "sleeved in Mexico" process. He probably picks-up and delivers most of Dr. Kelly's patients...and he also runs for another. Anyway...all that to say that he is an excellent source of info, he's got the Doc's on speed dial, and is professional in that he calls ahead to confirm details with you. Good guy! As a side note, if you mention the theory that chewing gum is NOT allowed because it causes your stomach to make and release stomach juices/acids, he will have to pay me a royalty. So I appreciate your help there. Arrive Florence Clinic and are met by Trish as Ricardo delivers us to the reception area. The bldg. looks just as pictured on the exterior, the garden/courtyard is nice. I would liken the reception area to a 'nice' office or professional bldg. That changes as we are led to our room in the back corridor. The impression is less professional office and more motel. It's clean and you'll have everything you need, but really...it's like a motel room with surplus hospital furnishings. I'm given yet another health history form by the head nurse, Jessica. She speaks very good English also. Trish is a bubbly joy, Dr. Kellly is quiet and trying to greet me and give instruction/answer questions, Jessica the head nurse is speaking rapid spanish to a trio of nurses, and things are frankly, CHAOS. Everything happening at once. I found it amusing that no one respects that the Dr. is speaking and everyone has their own agenda. It feels like I'm standing on some trading floor. Eventually Trish and Dr. Kelly leave...and I'm left filling out the health history form that Jessica was requiring. There is some discussion about whether I will or will not have labs tonight, the people have gone...then they are there...then I am getting my IV so they can kill 2 birds with one stone. Take blood, get I.V. si? hahahha Let's just say that I am one of those that has to hydrate well before having blood drawn. So, as Maria (not so good English...Ok, virtually none) is trying to find a vein in my right hand, I'm suggesting she try my left as I am right handed and will need that hand for things. Important things, like wiping my butt? OK...I know that there is one or more of you out there that are worried about the 'bathroom logistics/gymnastics' of dealing with hygiene will having several incisions in your belly. Am I right? Maria can't locate a vein by touch and understands enough of what I'm saying to move to the left hand. After about 10 minutes, she decides she needs to find someone 'to help' si? Si! In about 2 minutes, Maria returns with 2 other nurses. Oh great, this one is NOT listening to my suggestion of 'left hand please' and Maria cutely tries to convey the same message. NOPE, guess the boss has arrived. She massages my hand for about 10 minutes and is pumping the 'ball' of my thumb. She's in. I have half a roll of tape now on my right hand holding this fragile accomplishment in place. Bathroom issues are now raging in my head as, gulp, I have also started my period that morning. OMG This is NOT going to be OK. Si? NADA! -----I gotta take a break and go to bed. I'm tired after my trip today and need to take a shower! A loooooooooooooong shower followed by a looooooooooooong sleep in my own bed. I'll finish tomorrow. Source: NEW NAME? "Sleeved in Seattle"

I cant agree with everyone more. Your writing skills are fantastic. I was able to visualize everything almost like I was right there with you! Thanks for sharing your talent and your experience with us!

It's not lying if she had the surgery before she signed the contract. But I kinda agree with you, you cant really tell who's had WLS and who didnt.

WHOA. I just looked at the Jonah Hill story. I didnt even recognize him!

I think the stigma would go away if celebrities opened up about it. Our society lives through celebrities and whats put in front of them on tv, magazines, etc.

Insurance companies would never allow them to showcase sleeved participants. They would lose too much money if everyone started getting sleeved and no longer suffered from all those comorbidities. LOL @ Greek Yogurt = WLS. I love it! I have to incorporate it into my rehearsed weight loss surgery answer I plan to give to people when I finally get sleeved and slim down. Lol

Kelly girl, you said it all! all I can do is nod in agreement with you. I guess no one wants to be judged for having surgery to assist with weight loss. You seem like a "stronger" person if people believe that you worked out and changed the way you eat to lose weight. I'll be right in line with the celebs talkin about my low carb intake and my newly found exercise regimen.

OMG, I am so with you on this one! I am pretty sure the Nurse Practitioner in my surgeon's office will report me to the FBI soon for stalking her. Trying to make sure I qualify and get approved for this surgery has been all i can think about. I can probably recite my insurance company's WLS surgery policy by heart because I've read it so many times. I'm on VST constantly, always intrigued by the new posts that come up.

You know, I have seen the little positive and negative signs and have used them from time to time. Too bad more people arent aware of them. I dont have the link to the article, but if you go to the main yahoo page, it's one of their featured stories. I believe the paegant queens name is Bree Boyce or something like that. There are before and after pics, and she doesnt even look like the same person.

I like this one http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=90819

I thought compression garments were worn by people who've had plastic surgery, namely Lipo suction and tummy tucks. Is there a benefit to wearing a compression suit after VSG? I would imagine that wearing one after losing lots of weight might help contain some of the loose skin...Somebody let me know so I can start savin up my pennies in case i need to get one!

I think I'm really addicted to facebook. After reading your reply I was searching frantically for the "like" button. SMH.

I saw a headline on the Yahoo! opening page about a paegant queen who lost over a hundred pounds before winning her crown recently. Before I even read the story, I already came to the conclusion that she had some sort of WLS. I skimmed through the article, looking for proof of my theory, but only saw something about "changing her diet" and "learning how to cook healthy foods" and "working out 30 - 60 mins a day". I dont believe the hype, but I've noticed now that since I've discovered WLS, I think everyone who's lost lots of weight has had some sort of procedure done. Recent celebs that come to mind are Jennifer Hudson, Raven Symone, and Jordin Sparks. Raven and Jordan didnt lose as much as Jennifer so I can believe that hiring a trainer and/or personal chef could be involved in their case, but I think JHud had a VSG. *dont judge me*

Hey Lily! Welcome to VST. What more can I say that hasnt been said already? I've had so many anxieties and fears calmed from reading the posts on this site and I'm sure it will be just as helpful to you too. I'm learning that there's truckloads of info available to us - I havent even looked into the recipes section yet, but it's great to know that when I am at that point of this process, I can just click into that forum and find just what I need. Feel free to post anything, you're bound to have someone chime in and give you some encouraging, and positive advice/info.

I totally wasnt trying to freak anyone out by posting this, I was hoping it would ease some anxiety for everyone as it did for me. But now that I think about it, I've had 3 c-sections, so this surgery seems like a peice of cake to me and reading this post just assured me that I can do it because I've endured worse. Please, dont be freaked out, if anything see it as being prepared! I feel so special..you read my blog! Thank you! (I'm feeling a little self indulgent today )

I am still trying to figure this VST site out. I had no idea that you responded to this post, and it was nearly a dang month ago! How's it going for you?

I had my sleep study done last night. I think I “passed” with flying colors. If you know my story, you’ll know that I’ve been worried about not qualifying for surgery because my bmi is too low and I havent been able to put on the weight I need (20+ lbs) to get it at the 40 mark. I took some measures to get my weight up at my last appointment, but it still wasn’t enough to get my BMI up high enough so we were counting on my blood work to show something – high cholesterol, diabetes, anything….again, no success with that either. My NP let me know that my last option was to be diagnosed with sleep apnea. We scheduled the sleep study for last night, and I’d like to give you a quick rundown of how it went. If you’ve never had a sleep study done, here’s a jist of what you can expect. I arrived at the sleep center at 9:15 and registered. The center I went to emailed me a packet of information and forms that they asked me to bring with me on the night of my study. I had to answer one part when I arrived, and then I gave the packet back to the tech. She was very nice, showed me to my room, and gave me a quick tour of the floor – showers, pantry, her station, etc. We chatted it up a bit as she asked me why I was having the study done. I told her that I was hoping to have VSG surgery and she mentioned that she was considering WLS herself . She instructed me to change into my night clothes in the bathroom (the cameras are in the room) and that she would be back in a few to wire me up. She came back in the room at about 9:45 and the wiring process began. She put little glops of this pasty adhesive stuff on my face and scalp (imagine super thick Vaseline with Elmers glue added to it). While she was wiring me she explained that the pasty stuff was for the leads to adhere and give better readings while attached to me. Long story short, she put wires in my scalp, chin, neck, chest, back, and legs. She put tape on a few of the wires, which felt like I was getting waxed when she had to remove them the next morn. She also wrapped some kind of belts around my torso, and taped an oxygen monitoring device to my left index finger. I kind of felt like Swamp thing when I stood up to get into the bed. The room was really cozy as I was able to adjust the temp to my liking. There was a nice tv mounted and I vaguely remember watching some of 30 Rock while she wired me, and then the 10 pm news was on by the time I laid down. The bed was comfy, but the pillows were super flat. I could have asked for a couple more pillows, but I wanted to use everything I could to get my snoring on so I dealt with the flat pillow and laid down on my back (I ALWAYS snore when I sleep on my back). Lights out, time to go to sleep. At home I usually sleep on my stomach or my side, and I don’t snore much as per my hubby, but I definitely drool like a teething baby. My sleep study sleep was completely different... I remember waking up a few times during the night because I was snoring so loudly. You know it’s bad when you wake your own self up with your snoring. At one point I felt like someone stuffed 100 pairs of tube socks in my mouth because it was so dry. I think I had a few episodes of apnea because I kept waking up from my own snoring. I did end up on my side eventually, and had to turn back over because the wires were making me uncomfortable. Next thing you know the tech is in the room (at 6 frickin 15 in the morn) chirpy and jipper as ever to wake me up. I sat up and felt like I had slept on a ton of bricks and had a bag of sandpaper in my throat. It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust and focus, but I was coherent enough to remember where I was. I asked the tech if she got a good laugh outta my snoring, and she said “don’t worry honey, you’re gonna get your surgery”, and that made my day. She reminded me of where the showers were and I got myself ready to get outta there. So all in all, it wasn’t bad at all. I wasn’t worried about actually doing the study, I was worried that I wouldn’t “pass”. Oh, did I mention that I had a nice large glass of wine with my dinner before about an hour before? I’m sure that helped. *wink*

I dont have a date yet, I really just started the process with Lawrence about 3 weeks ago. I did my sleep study last night, and the tech gave me a thumbs up, meaning I should be diagnosed with apnea which should get me approved for surgery. I was worried because my BMI isnt quite at 40 and I dont have any co-morbs under my belt, so I was really counting on this apnea thing to come through. I've been trying to gain weight to up my BMI but that wasnt working out too well either...I would have to gain about 20 lbs to get it up to 40. Hopefully I'll be hearing back from Jane soon, I'd like to schedule my surgery for the beginning of September since I'll be on vacation from work.