loveshackdeb

Thanks so much! I remember the nurse at the hospital telling me to wait til they fall off, but my hubby was getting concerned because they are starting to look dirty here and there.. It made me queasy just thinkin about removing them! I go for my 2 weeks follow up on Wed, so I am sure they will check it out then Thanks so much for your quick response!!! Have a good night!

Nooo I would not remove steri strips. They will fall off!! You can clip the edges if they start peeling back. Unlikely to happen but the steri strips are there to prevent a wound dehiscence (open up).

Hello Everyone,

I'm 10 days out from laproscopic VSG surgery and my steri strips have not fallen off by themselves as of yet. Should I remove them? My hubby keeps encouraging me to do so..

Thanks!

Deb

Hello! Congrats on having your surgery tomorrow! I just had my VSG surg last Wed 9-14-11 and I know how hard it can be leading up to it! It is much harder before surgery to do the liquid diet FOR SURE and after surgery, you really won't want anything if you are like me! You will have different sensations in your new little tummy, not hunger really, but just a bit different. I keep trying to figure out how I can possibly get in that 64oz of liquid that my doc requires, but just know that it's a process and that too will come in time. The hospital called me today to see how I 'm doing and I told the nurse that about the having a hard time with the liquids and she said don't worry... it will come as the swelling goes down. So just be prepared for that. The first few days will be rough, but just remember.. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THEM! I have 6 incisions and only the main one on the left hurts ALOT. The doc warned me that it would, because that's where they put the camera in and where they pull the stomach out... Just make sure to take the pain meds as long as you need them to help you through and BELIEVE that each day will get better!!!! Best of luck to you and I will be sending prayers your way!!!!! See you on the loser's bench!!!! Deb

I have these feelings at times too. I had my surgery back in January. I am 36. I suffered with anxiety and depression prior to the wls but what I have experienced since then is totally different. What you have thought about, scared I won't succeed, scared you are too young or that you will have side effects. I got past all of these feelings by believing, really believing that I would. You need to remember that you did all of this not only for yourself, but also for your family. So that you will be around to see your kids grow up etc. The diseases that you would very likely have gotten from being obese would certainly have taken you away from them. You will succeed, you are not going to rupture your suture line and you are going to feel great soon! It took me a while, and I had some extenuating circumstances related to the surgery crop up and I got past them and feel better all the time. I have my moments of anxiety, but then I think them through and take some deep breathes and these moments pass too. I don't know how far out from surgery you are, but just follow the diet you have been given, and live your life. Enjoy your life because you did a great thing for yourself. I truly believe it takes people with serious guts to get wls. It is laughable that people think we are taking the easy way out considering the mental aspects that many of us have to deal with.

Good luck to you and remember we are hear to listen and help you get through this. :bigear:

Thanks for this wonderful advice. I am having my VSG next week on 9-14-11 and have been feeling excited and scared too.. My therapist told me not to have the surgery for the emotional aspect of it - like hoping it will cure the depression I've been having for the last few years. He said to do it for the medical aspect of it - like not getting obesity related diseases and feeling better physically. He said it's very taxing to be carrying around all the extra weight and it will be so good to get rid of that. He said the mind is a very complex thing and may find something else to be depressed about - so don't have high hopes of it curing everything. That really helped me a lot. I've known it wouldn't cure my head from the beginning, but was fearful that I was still "hoping" it would. Having him say that helped me to feel better and to not be let down later when the weight is coming off and I am still possibly depressed. Hopefully feeling better physically will help the depression at least a little!!!

Thank you! I have been weighing the sleeve vs. bypass and this puts it all in context ! Exactly what I've been looking for!

Welcome;

Yes - the sleeve will work. You don't have to "diet" for the rest of your life. I eat what I want but choose healthy foods first and then have some Snacks too. At 8 months out I am at goal weight loss and do not fear regaining weight. Our stories are similar - I too was a self payer since in the US, I was not severly obese so insurance would not pay - at 75+ poungs overwieght I did not qualify, so I paid for the sleeve totally out of my own pocketbook. Lost and gained back weight more often than I can recall, without the ability to keep weight off long term. What I received was a permanent restriction, so I eat and enjoy all foods just in moderation. I eat meat, fish, vegetables, fast food, pizza, fruit, pastas, choosing among the best in smaller quantities.

Why choose the sleeve vs. bypass? My friends here will give you other reasons than what I list.

• No malabsorption issues like with bypass - ie Vitamin deficiencies
• Less supplements to take for the rest of my life
• My intestines were not rerouted, just part of my stomach taken. I have a normal functioning digestive system, unlike bypass.
• I don't experience hunger, really I don't. Head hunger but not the mantra of "I am hungry" that my body used to scream all the time
• Can take NSAIDS - over the counter pain meds, unlike bypass
• No dumping syndrome, which can be quite scary to those who experience it
• Long term weight loss is similar for both surgeries
• I can eat what I want...but am restricted to how much always. Bypass you have foods that will always be no no's. A single piece of good dark chocolate is enough to satisfy me and it tastes so good!
• Complications are less. I don't get diarrhea, gas pains when eating some treats.

I love my sleeve and made the best choice for me. Never will I regain my weight as long as I do not feast on just milkshakes and chips. I am free from me and am able to no longer "diet" and fail over and over. I have won. Best wishes!