Cknorte

Amy, ask away. And don't worry, we were all nervous and scared before surgery and this forum has been a lifeline for me...... If we don't have an answer then at least we can give you support and then maybe someone will know the answer and we will al learn.

I have no idea if they used a catheter or not. I know they put something down my throat to help with breathing during surgery. I never felt a thing, once they rolled me into the pre-op I was a little nervous and scared (I was there by myself) they gave me a first dose of something to calm my nerves, and then they rolled me into the ER. It was clean and sterile and staffed up. The anesthesiologist turned on the stereo and they all started jamming (I felt like I was on Scrubs for a second)....in the meantime, the anesthesiologist is giving instructions to the nurse and is starting to administer drugs to put me to sleep, he held an oxygen mask over my nose and that is the last thing I remember. I woke up in post-op and told them to leave me alone...that I just wanted to sleep.....no nausea no vomiting, no dry heaves. I had my proceedure with Dr. Corvala. I paid $8000 plus cost of travel to San Diego. But once I had made up my mindo to have this proceedure, the people at Angeles Hospital were on the ball, they were able to schedule me for the following week and put me on a Protein only/liquid diet to shrink the liver.... I am feeling great and getting to know my new tummy....it is hard to wrap your brain around quantities..... Yesterday I ordered some bisque (only thing in room service that was liquids - business trip) It was also the first time since surgery I ate/drank something so rich and heavy....I ate about 1/2 cup....and felt great and pretty full, I took an extra spoonfull, and had to lay down, because I started to sweat and immediately knew I took one sip too many.....so I didn't barf, but I could finally start feeling full and what full feels like....it'll take a little time to get it all squared away, especially when if you are like me you were used to eating not only 1/2 cup but maybe 2 cups of Soup....ha!

I was just wondering, if it is considered a soft/mushy food. I mean mashed potatoes are considered soft/mushy why not potato dumplings? I know it is way high carbs, but during the mushy/soft stage it may be another thing I can turn to that is not tuna or mashed pot. Thoughts?

I think that after you heal, as said before it is really hard to stretch out your new tummy, however, I'm only 1 1/2 weeks out, I was a diet coke addict, and I haven't missed it really. I've talked to a few post sleevers that do have carbonation, and are ok, others have tried it after they are fully healed (6 weeks ish) and find out they don't like it anymore. You have your stomach, albeit a much smaller one, but it is a full functioning one...so it's up to you and your nutritionist. I may try it after I am healed and if I hate it or it bothers me....I'll probably be addicted to crystal light by then....ha!

Amy, I am 1 1/2 weeks out. I had my surgery 2 weeks ago in Mexico, at Angeles Hospital with Dr. Corvala. I think the surgery started in Iran/Greece. There have been some studies in Brazil and here in the US at the Cleavland Clinic. I was scheduled for the VSG, and then started reading about the Plication and about 1 1/2 weeks before VSG I changed my mind and opted for the Plication. My Dr. has me on 2 weeks liquid, then I start 1-2 weeks mushy and then slowly start introducing solids....I'll try and PM you the diet post op. You can follow my progress on my blog.. Fat Woman on a Mission Also, Angeles Hospital has a webinar that you can sign up for. From others I have talked to it is very very informational and it answers a ton of questions. I haven't seen it, like I said, I changed my mind and plowed through. http://www.angeleshealth.com/procedures/weight-loss/gastric-sleeve-plication.aspx I did pre-op for about 1 week, it is for your safety and to shrink your liver, but it also may be that with your BMI you may not have to do this. It's for us "BMI over 45" I think (I am at 49.5...still short of 50). I lost 10lbs the first week post op. I am happy with my decision, I haven't felt hunger, not like olden days I need to eat or I will kill hunger. I am eating/drinking my Soups and Protein shakes. I probably get in around 600-700 calories a day. My insurance won't cover WLS, and I had start treatment at Angeles Hospital in Tijuana. If I had to have any other elective procedure, plastics or anything like that, as long as the Dr. I chose had rights at this facility I would go back in an instant. Surgery is a personal decision, but I felt way more comfortable keeping all my bits and pieces. If for whatever reason in the future I have a "need" to undo, I can. I don't think I will. It is a journey/marathon not a sprint. But I also have over 120lbs to lose. The nutritionist and Dr. Corvala all seem to think that I can hit 100lbs loss by around 7-8 months, which to me seems unbelievable...but it's one week at a time for me. Good luck on your journey, and feel free to PM or post here if you have any questions.. CK

I haven't tried these but I am calling on Monday. You have to call to get samples, I think you just pay for shipping: PrescriptFit, Medical Nutrition Therapy and Weight Loss Plan

I made the yummiest bean soup last night, couldn't handle chicken anymore.... In a pan, sauteed a little onion, garlic, jalapeno, weiners (I didn't have ham in the house so used 2 fat free beef franks), and tomato......until the tomato sort of starts to cook....(added some chicken buillion - the mexican in me can't cook without my knorr suiza) Dumped it all in the blender with a can of pinto beans, and liquified......pour into pan, added water to blender to "rinse and get extra water"....and heated up...voila.... I was so sick of chicken and canned creamed soups, plus I also needed the fiber to get the pipes moving again....(oh! and boy did they move this morning) It was heavenly......

Take comfy baggy clothes, especially for a car trip. I didn't have too much swelling, but my incisions were a little tender. Also take a pillow that you can press against your belly in the car, against bumps and uneven road.... Good luck

I totally relate. I was scared and undecided. I had scheduled my sleeve and then re-scheduled to have sleeve plication. I've heard wonders of Dr. Almaza. But do check out Dr. Aceves and Dr. Corvala. They are both in the same area and price range. For me it came down to hospital stay vs. recovery house stay. I just felt more comfortable in a hospital for those horrible just in case thoughts.... Check all of the Dr.'s out, they are all within range in price, and all three I have heard great things about. I had my Plication with Dr. Corvala at Angeles Hospital in Tijuana. So far so good....and I feel like I made the best decision in my life..... Once you make up your mind....surgery doesn't come soon enough! Good luck and keep us posted......:thumbup1:

Oh and yeah! I'm aiming for 200lbs first, then I'll work on the rest....

10lbs down!!! I couldn't stand it...had to share....I have never lost that much in a month, much less a week! yay!

I flew down last Wednesday afternoon. Got to San Diego at about 5:30pm, the Angeles Hospital Driver picked me up at baggage check and drove directly to the hospital. I flew in later in the afternoon so I could check into the hospital the night before. I was done with pre-op testing and settled in my hospital room in Tijuana by 7:30pm. I went to bed, the next morning they started my IV, put on my awesome compression hose (the worst part of the whole thing) and I was in surgery around noon on Thursday. I was back in my room around 4pm, and started walking around 6:30. That night was hard, I was in pain more like severe indigestion than "real" pain, I don't know what I was expecting. they gave me some good pain meds and I slept almost all night. I had a flouroscopy test Friday morning, was cleared for liquids (clear) and kept walking. Friday I took a shower, felt like a "new" woman, somehow makes you feel human again. All day I felt gradually better. I was released from hospital Saturday morning. The driver took me back to San Diego, where I met my husband and we started the drive home, around 7 hours....... Not bad, and the drive home wasn't as "hard" or "hard at all" for that matter.. I have pictures of the hospital room on my blog... Fat Woman on a Mission There is definitely some language challenges if you don't speak Spanish, I am bilingual so it wasn't a problem for me. But the staff knows basic English, and are really good at trying to make out what you are saying, or signing out (lots of pointing and stuff) questions. All of the other bariatric patients there did not speak English and weren't complaining at all. I felt really cared for. They let you sleep at night and don't come in unless you beep them, and then they are there within seconds.....it has been one of the "best" hospital experiences in my life....I went by myself and was in the hospital by myself, I had no issues at all.

I had this surgery 7 days ago in Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Corvala. As far as surgery is concerned and having to pay, I don't think I could have picked a better Dr. and facility. I feel great, still on liquids and the Dr.'s office is pretty prompt to respond to any questions or concerns. All my pre-op testing was done the day before surgery and my post of will be done by my local PCP unless something dramatic happens. I am energized and feel almost back to normal. I have a little gurguling and gas pains still , but walking takes care of all of it...... Seriously I feel good, today I did 45 minutes on elliptical.... I weight tomorrow so I'll let you all know how it goes!

GAS-X is the bomb! it totally helps with getting rid of ALL gases....take it and walk....I'm a week out tomorrow, I actually went to the gym yesterday and did 25 min on treadmill.....it gets better soon....and remember.... You can't OD on gas-x!

I know it's a weird question, but I've been on clears, and yesterday moved to full liquids. I can drink broth and tea (iced or hot). It takes me about 30 minutes to down a 8-10 oz mug. My Protein shake in the morning is made with Water and is 12oz, also it takes me about 30 minutes....not really because I feel full or it hurts to drink more, but because I am trying to "re-teach" myself to eat/drink SLOWLY So last night I had my first full liquid other than Protein Shake....I took a can of progresso cream of potato Soup ready made, added a can of chicken broth to thin it out, and put it in the blender....after a week of broth this felt like heaven in my mouth....it took me about 30 minutes to finish off my mug.....but I noticed that after about 10 minutes, I felt a little pressure in my chest, like the gas feeling after surgery...not as bad...but sort of like that....I took a gas-x, walked a little and it went away.... Today I wen shopping at costco for the usual....they were sampling, those yogurt to go, little individual sleeves, each about 2oz, I thought, that would be a great idea to have in the fridge to just grab and go...I swear I took a tiny sip, I could feel it going down, and when it hit, it felt like I had swallowed a knife pointy side down......so i guess I am not ready for yogurt or maybe not ready for lactose....who knows...but I'm back on broth for the rest of today just in case.... SO long story....but really....what does restriction feel like...I got fat because I was a volume eater, and never really felt full, so I am wondering how I will tell when I'm about to hit "the point of no return"????

Ricotta cheese with marinara sauce in the oven...a fake lasagna...tastes like it and smells like it, but no noodles.... I'll be on mushys next week so I'm getting prepared....can't wait!

I had surgery last Thursday, all is good and I am feeling pretty normal, I have discomfort on the incision spots but other than that I'm feeling pretty good.... I went back to the gym today, back to cardio. I am still on clears, and so I took it easy. I talked to my trainer and he had me start with 5-7 minutes of cardio on 3 machines (bike,treadmill and elliptical) he wants me to add a minute a day for the next week so I can get back to my 40-45 minutes of cardio pre surgery. I got a little sweat in, I didn't feel light headed, came home, showered and alcohol-ed down my incisions...just precaution from after gym....but all is good... So far so good.....

Thanks, I figured it was diet related. Thanks for the info.

Seriously, my pee, sweat and breath have a peculiar smell. It doesn't smell like typical pee or body odor, it just smells strange and not too pleasant. My husband says it is probably detox for years of poor health choices, and the fact that I am mainly on Protein...protein shake for Breakfast and chicken broth for dinner and lunch.... Anyone else "suffer" this issue? does it go away?:crying:

Thanks... It is so weird that I feel so good.....I do tire faster, I think lack of calories, and body adjusting to major surgery....Our bodies are amazing things..... I just made a new batch of chicken broth, for the next 2 days, and then will whip chicken, veg and broth to make a full liquid Soup..... I'll keep you all posted.... CK

I'm 3 days out, and today I had this for my morning shake. It mixes with 12 oz of Water, and was to me DELICIOSO! Here's the nutritional infor....it is on the higher calorie count, but for me at this stage where I'm still on clears, this gives me a good calorie surge in the morning and 60g. of protein! Serving Size 3 scoop(s) Servings Per Container 17 Amount Per Serving % DV Calories 280.00 Calories from Fat 10.00 Total Fat 1.00 g 2% Saturated Fat 0.50 g 3% Cholesterol 15.00 mg 5% Sodium 300.00 mg 13% Potassium 450.00 mg 13% Total Carbohydrate 7.00 g 2% Dietary Fiber 1.00 g 4% Sugars 2.00 g Protein 60.00 g 120% Calcium 280.00 mg 28% Micronized Amino Acids: 8.50 g ** Glutamine (as whey Protein Isolate and Micronized Glutamine) ** Arginine (as Micronized Arginine and Whey Protein Isolate) ** Leucine (as Whey Protein Isolate and L-Leucine) 7.70 g ** L-Carnitine (as L-Carnitine L-Tartrate) 500.00 mg ** Amino Acceleration System: 239.00 mg ** Carbogen ** Aminogen ** Patented Bioactive Polypeptide enzyme ststem ** Enzyme Matrix ** ** Daily Value (DV) not established ? Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs: Calories: 2000 2500 Total Fat Less than 65 g 80 g Sat. Fat Less than 20 g 25 g Cholesterol Less than 300 mg 300 mg Sodium Less than 2400 mg 2400 mg Total Carbohydrate 300 g 375 g Dietary Fiber 25 g 30 g Calories per gram: Fat 9? Carbohydrate 4?Protein 4 :scared0:

I'm home....feeling great....not hungry, no pain..... I've updated my blog....you guys could take a look..... I detail my experience at hospital in TJ, have a few pictures and will update continuously....Fat Woman on a Mission I'm glad I had this procedure, my Dr. was so nice and knowledgeable and took time to answer all my questions.... I got into hospital Wed. night, had surgery Thursday afternoon, and left hospital at noon on Saturday....Drove (well I rode) home 6.5 hours.....sipping on gatorade 03.....

I got home last night, it was a 6.5hr drive home from San Diego..... I was pooped, but felt great to be home.... My exit from the hospital was a little delayed, my BP spiked early yesterday morning, they say it is normal as a response to anesthesia, they gave me medication and observed me for a couple of hours until it was back to normal and then a few more hours.....but yay! I got to leave....I was ready...felt pretty good to, except for the BP headache that followed me all day! I drank Gatorade 03 on the way home (the one with protein) and had chicken broth when I got home...went to bed and slept all night....well ok, at about 2am I couldn't stand the headache anymore and went for the Excedrine Migraine (my Dr. said I could take any analgesic I wanted, as long as either in liquid form or had it dissolve in my mouth, I bit the bullet and had them dissolve in mouth) - my headache went away....thank goodness.... I woke up today a NEW woman! Had a Protein shake (GNC AMP60) chocolate....so good, and 60 gr of protein per serving..... I am on my way....feeling good, no pain and drinking my liquids!

Any minute now, I should be taken to the OR for my gastric plication.... Send good thoughts everyone!

You should be fine, you are actually being proactive and everyone will appreciate. Try to make sure that the seats you do get, have armrests that swing up, sometimes they want to make it "more comfortable" for larger people, and offer the emergency row, well those armrests are static. Also, make sure you have your seat assignments before your flight, print those out and on the day of your flight make sure they are honoring those seat assignments. To figure out what seats work best or are closest to the front of the plane, so you don't have to "inconvenience" people when it takes you longer to get off the plane.....Airline Seating Charts - Best Airplane Seats - SeatGuru My husband is 360# and I am 300# (I'm actually in Mexico now, having surgery in a few hours, already at hospital), we've never bought an extra seat....me let people deal, but I guess it's how you carry your weight, my hudband's is all belly so he can sit in the seat and just needs an extender, me, well I'm all legs and butt, but don't usually need an extender. If you want you can buy your own extender, and that way you don't have to have the skinny stewardess look at you funny....LivingXL.com - Large chairs, sturdy scales and more for big, tall & plus sized living. Also check to see if it ends up being less expensive to buy business class tickets. I see you are in Seattle, check to see what plane you'll be flying, some of the regional jets are only 2 seats on each side or 2/1 configuration. Hope all goes well.....best of luck....and don't worry, let the other's get annoyed....see you will never see them again, and on your way back, you'll have started your journey to a "new, healthier, you!"