susan228

Thanks for starting this thread' date=' Susan! I'm annoyed & relieved at the same time. Hehe. Annoyed because I too have experienced frustration with the doctor's staff. I was scheduled to have surgery this Wednesday Jan. 9th & I found myself hounding the surgical coordinator for 3 weeks. Then on Thursday with only 6 days till planned surgery she finally tells me that my insurance is requiring 3 months of nutritional evaluations before approval. This is definitely something she should have told me from the beginning. I was pretty shell-shocked because i was already in the head space for surgery. Now that i know, I will be even more unrelenting with her as i continue. So, thanks.

I'm also relieved by your post though because I really feel like Dr. Trivedi was the right choice. So, it's comforting to hear your positive take after going through the surgery yourself.

How are you doing now? Also, I see that someone asked you about going back to work. how did it feel for you? Do you think it was the proper amount of time for you?[/quote']

The same thing happened to me! I had my date all set, then it got pushed off for six months because because of insurance requirements. I asked them about this possibility prior, and was told not worry about it, that they'd let me know. They do this often enough, you'd think they'd have a decent handle on the requirements.

I was very happy with Dr Trivedi. I would do it all over again, down around 61 lbs, no regrets at all. I feel great!

If I had a choice, I would have preferred to take two weeks off, instead of just one. The main problem was weakness, I was very tired all the time. This went away when I was able to move on to solid food.

Susan228 - I am having the same problem - sleeved last Wednesday. It's getting better' date=' but I still seem to be swallowing air with every swallow!

Can you explain what you did to stop this? I just can't imagine what I'm doing wrong!

Thanks![/quote']

Someone here advised me to try swallowing while I am fully exhaled. That really seemed to help, and then after a while it didn't bother me anymore

Hey Susan' date=' how is it going?[/quote']

Hi! Doing great, 4 weeks out, no regrets!

Hi' date=' I am in Wallington. I am with Dr Bessler and will be at Valley as well. I love Meredith and Gio.[/quote']

Wallington here too!

Yes I am

Wallington here! Advanced Lap. Dr Trivedi, HUMC, sleeved August 31,2012

Did they give you a drain or no drain?

No drain or catheter when I woke up. Just my IV.

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10081-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-thread/

Hey Ladies!

I just wanted to jump in here. I'm having surgery with Dr. Trivedi's associate, Dr. Ewing. I will also have surgery at HUMC. I was just wondering how HUMC is and if they let you shower and everything while you're there. Were you in a private room or double? Also do they have a special bariatric wing? Sorry to be a pain I'm going in for my sleeve on Nov 15 and I'm jut curious. Also, what did you bring with you?

Jump away! I LOVED HUMC! No complaints about them whatsoever. My room was a double, but I was alone in it most of the time. I think it's actually a gastro flooor, but most of the other patients I encountered were there for weight loss surgery.

As far as what I brought, "Lil Miss Diva" has a great little checklist posted that you can print, was really helpful. Chapstick, my phone & charger was all I really used though. The gown was decent, I didn't need a robe. The slipper socks were nice, didn't need to bring out my slippers either. I brought a heating pad for pain, but I forgot all about it. Their pillow was kind of flat, I might have brought one from home had I known. That was it, reallly. Your not there long enough to really need much, especially if you have someone there with you, they can always grab anything you might need.

I didn't ask to shower, although there was one in the bathroom.

Good luck, you're gonna do great! I would def do it again.

Well Susan, as you predicted, I really do have to keep on top of Dr. Trivedi's office staff! I submitted my insurance requirements about two weeks ago and when I called the insurance company the told me they haven't reviewed anything. I called y surgical coordinator yesterday and of course couldn't get her on the phone and I didn't even get a call back. Sooooo frustrating! How are you feeling? Still on Phase I? Any hunger?

Yes, that doesn't surprise me! Just stay on top of her, who cares if she gets annoyed, she needs to do her job! I kept ringing her extension all day until she picked up. I don't think she ever once actually called me back when I left her a voicemail.

I feel pretty good, thanks for asking! No nausea, no vomiting at all since the surgery. I started phase 2 this past Friday. Haven't been hungry at all. My biggest problem was getting used to not swallowing air when I eat & drink. The air kind of gurgles around & is uncomfortable. That is much better now though. already down 25 lbs as of Friday.

But in a way' date=' wasn't this all of us, until we decided to have surgery?[/quote']

Absolutely! Then we found a way to help ourselves.

The reason I feel disgusted over this is because people don't get help for what is such an obvious problem for some. If you're unhappy, and most fat people are, take steps to change it! Whether it's a diet change, or WLS, you have to do SOMETHING to make changes for the better. I have little sympathy for those who won't take steps to help themselves. Life is too short.

265 the day of surgery Aug 31st.

Today 244, down 21 pounds in 2 weeks!

Yay me!

I'm on day 12 and nothing but liquid so far. Also, NEVER trust a fart.< /p>

I exhaled before I took a sip for a while in the beginning

So far, so good! Seems to be going a little better. Thanks!

As a temporary measure' date=' try Gas X strips.[/quote']

Thanks, but got em. Only helps temporarily. There's got to be a way I can reduce the issue from the get go.

Hi, everyone!

Does anyone know any tricks that will help me stop swallowing air when I sip? I'm 11 days out, still on Clear liquids, not using a straw, taking it slow and trying to be mindful. I can drink fine, but I know that this gurgling discomfort is because of the air I'm swallowing. Thoughts?

Best of luck on your journey! It only gets better from here!

I'm nine days out too, and sometimes feel like I'm going to lose it. I just screamed at my dog. I want to get out of my skin. I can't get away from me. You are not alone.

Thank you. I'm quickly getting to the end of my rope. Day 9, 5 more days of Clear Liquids.< /p>

Oh, yeah. My surgery was Friday and I was home Saturday night. They do the swallow test to check for leaks. If all is well then they start you with the Clear Liquids. Their requirements to send you home are 1) make sure you are urinating properly (anesthesia makes your bladder "sleep") I personally had no problem with this. 2) make sure pain is managed. They give you a prescription for percocet to go home with 3) make sure you are tolerating liquids.< /p>

I could have stayed another night if I felt I needed it, but since I met the requirements I was able to go home. I got home around 9 pm Saturday

The thing that scares me the most is NOT knowing what to expect' date=' so I am grateful that you are sharing your experience and giving a heads up! I have never had any surgery before, so I guess that is what is freaking me out the most. The most I ever had done was a widsom tooth extraction lol, I think I was only under anesthesia for about 30 min for that procedure.

I called the office today and they told me they received all of my paperwork to submit to the insurance, which was a load off my mind. The only thing I have left to worry about are my PATs and my Medical Clearance.

I was hoping I could come back to work after about a week off, would you say that after a week you are feeling to tired to get back to your normal daily routine?

I am having my procedure done at Hackensack. I live in Sayreville, originally from Englishtown (by way of Brooklyn).

How long were you in the hospital? Did you feel any hunger while you were in Phase I? I can't imagine not chewing for almost a month! lol

I am so anxious, I wish my surgery date was sooner [/quote']

I would make sure that now that they have the paperwork, that they actually SEND it to the insurance. I would also then confirm it with the insurance. This was where I had my problem with them. She said she'd send it, then it took her a month to actually do so.

My surgery was Friday, so six days now. It would be tough if I had to go into work tomorrow. Not impossible, but tough. I have a desk job. I don't think I could do it if I did something physical. I'm scheduled to go back to work on Tuesday. I'll let you know how it goes. Plus, everybody is different. I think it also depends on how you can handle your liquids and stay hydrated. I've been doing well with them, but weak nonetheless.

Hackensack was absolutely wonderful. I do not have one complaint about their care.

I have not been hungry at all. There have been some rumblings, but I feel that it's the gas shifting around in there. That stopped after a couple days. The worst is the endless barrage of food commercials! I look away, and the want for food passes pretty quickly. (ask me that question again on day 14, lol). But no, no physical hunger at all.

Don't worry, the time will pass and you'll be on the other side before you know it!

Thank you Susan' date=' I can't wait to be with you on the losers bench! I will let you know what happens Tuesday hopefully everything does work out and I will have it done with Dr.Trivedi [/quote']

You are welcome. This forum helped me so much, I am happy to pass my experiences down to others on their way.

Thanks so much for your post' date=' Susan! I have had the same experience with Dr. Trivedi's office staff. They don't return calls and even when i am able to get my coordinator on the phone, she makes me feel like I am bothering her. Still, after having met Dr. Trivedi, I can't imagine having another surgeon for my procedure. My surgery is scheduled for 10/18.

Can I ask what was "difficult" about waking up after the surgery?[/quote']

Honestly, not to scare you, I was in a bit of pain. I think it was mostly because my abdominal cavity was filled with gas, it presses outward against the fresh incisions and was quite unpleasant. Plus waking up from any anesthesia just isn't fun. You're very groggy and kind of out of it. On the bright side, I informed the nurses of my pain and they had no problem turning up the pain meds. Also, as I said, it only lasted a few hours, then I began to feel better and better. I'm now 6 days out and my only complaint is weakness, which is totally normal.

As far as the coordinators, just keep on them. I think it's important to be proactive in your own case, know what's going on, and insist that things be handled in a timely manner. The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Good luck, and feel free to ask me any questions that pop in your head. What hospital are you using? May I ask what town you are from?

Sigh I know how you feel I his all summer long at my house' date=' just relaxing with the kids poolside..saw a bunch of moms the other day from school not one said anything....I lost 90 pounds ! people suck lol[/quote']

You can bet those hens started squalking the second you were out of earshot. And only because they were jealous! Walk proud!

I'm feeling pretty good, waking up was no picnic, I must say, but after about five hours I started feeling markedly better, and have felt a little better every hour since. My biggest complaint was the gas, most of it is out of me now. I'm able to drink my liquid just fine, I never had any nausea at all. No regrets. I'd already lost 13 lbs when they weighed me in at my post op on day 4. So exciting!

I tell you, for half the price, I think Jersey City Medical Center would be quickly growing on me, lol. Closer to your home too, right? I'm in Wallington, not too far. 11 grand isn't bad for the convenience and support you'll be getting by staying here. I've heard good stories about Mexico too, and most seem to do great.

I hope you're decision comes easy, I'm sure everything will work out just fine! I'll be happy to try to answer any questions I can for you.