amsterjonathon

Hi All-- I was sleeved in Buffalo, NY with Dr. Posner on April 3rd. Surgery went very smoothly and I was home the following evening (the 4th). Had some pain from the 'pumped in gas' from surgery (shoulders and chest) but that subsided more and more the past couple days. They found I had a hiatal hernia and fixed that at the same time as surgery (got a two-fer..lol). Today I'm kind of wiped out as I had my first post-surgical visit and my drain removed...glad it's out but wow, that was intense for me. Many people have told me it was not a problem for them at all but it was almost passing-out kind of pain for me. I'd recommend taking a lortab before if you're having this done just in case. Still on liquids for another week, then moving into purees, then softs a week later. Looking forward to some texture...they explained to me that the reason I"ve been hungry is that liquid just moves through quicker than solids (makes sense to me). Happy to have our group of 'aprils'...nice to know that there are other people in our same shoes out there...we can do this. Amy

i was 4/3 also... i think we are living parallel lives after reading your post...lol. tuesday is my first puree day also...feeling kind of leery about that switch. where were you sleeved? i was buffalo ny amy

me too! buffalo general in ny... where did you all get yours done?

sorry-it's been a rough day all around. didn't mean to be so sharp in my response. have a good day.

I understood this from my doctor's explanantion in the hospital as well as the descriptions online, both in this site and others. My concern, and the concern of my doctor's office when I called, was that it HAD subsided, and then came back(severely) at the very moment she removed the drain. They were concerned and told me if it continued or worsened at all to get to the er as it may indicate that the drain had scraped something and they feared a leakage was occurring. I am aware of the gas and that it's outside the actual 'stomach gas' issues that gas-x can solve. Nothing was helping which is why I was seeking some advice a few days ago. Worth sharing so someone doesn't mistakenly assume that it's just 'normal' and may indicate more trouble if it's returned or worsening. Thanks, Amy

hi i am having this same nasty sharp pain in my left shoulder joint. it was more general at first and had actually subsided by day 4 . on day 6 i had my drain removed and it literally was at that moment that i had searing pain in the shoulder joint return and it hasnt stopped. the pain wakes me up.... when did you finally get relief from ur shoulder pain? thanks amy

it was day 3 or 4. try room temp Water... the icy cold made it kimd of painful at first. and i agree that walkimg is like some magical cure for us... it helps your body "normalize" in many ways after the anesthesia and gases used in surgery. best of luck... ill keep you iny prayers

As reassuring as it is to know that we are all in this 'left shoulder boat' I am concerned about it. It had all but subsided after day 4 and the day (day 6) that I had my drain removed, it came searing back at that very moment. I'll try to walk more and I'm keeping up with the Tylenol and ice pack but, wow, does it hurt. Same exact place that you've described (in the joint). Maybe the drain being pulled out somehow 'reactivated' the nerve irritation that had subsided?? Any thoughts or support would be appreciated, Amy )

You look fantastic and so positive! I have wondered, though, do you tell people who ask that you had the surgery? I've been very sensetive about telling anyone and always wonder how others feel about that. Does it minimize the 'accomplishment' of geting healthier and fit? Bear with me, I'm trying to mentally deal with what's to come---the good and the strange. LOL Good for you! Keep taking care of yourself--fantastic work! Amy

are u on pain meds? if not ask for some. i had some trouble at the beginning with swallowing due to tube used in thrat during surgery. swelling will subside and it will get easier...take care.

Hi all- I was sleeved on Tuesday (4/3) and am due to go in Monday (4/9) for post op check up and removal of the drain. Can someone tell me what to expect with that procedure...they've advised me to take a pain killer as it's 'rather intense'. What I am wondering also is do you feel relief after it's out...it's really just plain uncomfortable. Thanks for advice/input on this. Amy

Hello again all. Well had the drain removed this morning...GLAD I had a lortab in me. My experience was pretty intense-painful. But very happy it's out. I"m kind of wiped out tonight between the drive and the 'event'. Had a meeting with the nutritionist basically keeping me on liquids until next week then into the puree's for a week, then soft foods. I'm sure I'll be back for advice on those changes. Lisa-thank you for asking about me....yes, surgery went very well and I was home the next evening. The post surgery pain mainly focused on the shoulders/chest from the gas they pump in and that stupid drain. Tomorrow I expect I'll feel better/less whipped. BUT--I'm down a few pounds already which was great to see. Thanks for the support guys, Amy

Thank you for the responses....maybe I'll just do tylenol instead of the hydrocodone (hate the way it makes me feel). Amy

So could this theory be the reason behind why I still have hunger here and there? Maybe when I get to more solid textures and my stomach has to do more to deal with it, the satisfaction will last a tad longer. ???

god bless u for being able to get tjat horrible liquid hydrcodone down. so bad i cant get a full dose...have been using pills cut down to tiny tiny chips instead.

chips? was sleeved yest moring in buff ny. surgery not bad, i fod hsve a hiatal hermia that had tp be fixed but acc to sorgeon it was textbook otherwse. some stingy lind of pain in stomach area but the real pain has been shoilders amd chest die to gas pumped in during surgery....monster sleepy but ive been upwalking abt five times and doimg bathroom #1 successfully four x. im wpndering if its even possible to have a tad hrtburn from just ice chips?anyone else? hungry amd looking frwrd to broth or sething after the swallow stidy to be done this am. seriosly not bad overall so far...wish me luck on the swallow tst please ;o) amy

well, I"m home now...happy to have slept in my own bed and have showered. My swallow study went well, etc and soress in the chest and shoulders subsiding slowly but surely. sipping my stuff is still an odd sensation--can you all feel it moving down as you swallow, or it just me? my doc's instructions are sort of confusing as they want me to take Calcium citrate liquid daily along with tylenol liquid as needed. However both of these contain sucralose, which is on the 'no-no' list. anyone have experience with this? just trying to walk, keep hydrated and get through my daily shake (which has the full 60gms of protein) that should keep me in line each day and fill in with broth and Water, etc. TTYS---hope everyone is doing well out there, Amy )

Hello all- So glad I found this website--it's always less daunting to know you're 'not the only one' out there and can discuss what's going through your mind (which works overtime with big decisions like this) I meet my surgeon tomorrow morning with hubby and my sister to set a date. April 3 is being strongly considered, at my request and the surgeon's office OK, as my Easter week off will minimize the need for lots of sick time. My background is that I've always been the 'big one'. The youngest, yet largest sibling. The big, funny friend. The mom who can't jump into the mix for anything too physically demanding. The overweight bride. The airplane passenger they all dread sitting next to--and who prays that she won't have to ask for an extender. Ugh...I'm sick of all those labels. I'm ready to start fresh and get healthy. I have sleep apnea, take BP meds, have knee pain, back pain, and am on anti-depressant. I'd like to eliminate those eventually. I have finally decided that my love affair with food is not so 'lovely' and I want to see how the other half eats. I have a loving, (thin) husband who is very supportive but doens't really 'get it' the way we all do..he is very supportive of whatever I do though and I'm very thankful for that. I have to boys 7 and 10 years old who need a mom with more energy and confidence. I want to be able to set a good fitness example for them too (and maybe show up in some of their childhood photos..lol) I actually started this process, in Buffalo NY, in November 2010 with original intentions for surgery in early 2011. They'd put me on S. Beach diet as part of their pre-surgery requirements...I'd done very well on s. beach and the surgeon gave me the choice as he felt I was an excellent candidate but since I was having success did I want to try on my own? I did try on my own and eventually (again) failed at weight loss. So I"m back...but this time for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy as I'd, over my year, heard several stories of how the lap-band required a great deal of maintenance and had some pitfalls along the way. Maybe it was meant to be that I waited as my insurance carrier, which covers the VSG now would not have last year. So, cross your finger and say your prayers for me that I get my surgery scheduled and I can join you all in the Quest for a new beginning. I'm ready. Nervous about surgery but definitely ready. Moreso than ever before. Thank you for any advice or support you can lend me. I've told a very select few people (a couple close co-workers, friends, and family) and plan to keep it to myself generally. Amy

Surgeon visit went very well! I'm scheduled for surgery April 3 at 7:30am! It was a productive morning---my husband and sister both came with me for any information needed and I got my meeting/exam with surgeon completed, blood work done, chest x-ray, EKG and heading back tomorrow for the pre-surgical education session. Anxious, excited, and relieved all at once. All these high-strung feelings are making me tired...lol. I'd lost 9 lbs since my visit in late February, to boot. Thanks again for all the supportive chat ) I was going to start a new topic/thread to 'announce' my news but couldn't figure out how...lol. Amy

Thanks for all the supportive responses. I'm nervous but ready. I'm finding some interesting developments in the folks around me that know about it. Namely, my sister (normally supportive) is kind of back-pedaling about being with me the day of surgery. This causes some stress as my husband def can't be there if it's happening April 3rd...who did you all have with you the day of surgery?

I'm nearing your step as I meet the surgeon on Monday to hopefully schedule for April 3 surgery...crossing my fingers. Seeing all the unabated support and encouragement in here, I think you have nothing to worry about. Good luck!