lizzybeth

Thanks all. I do feel like I am having a speedy recovery but I still don't want to push it. I actually slept on my stomach last night with no pain (I started on my side but must have flipped over at some point). the worst, if you can call it that, is the gas pain / cramping in my stomach when I drink). I have to remember, like my doctor said, very small sips. Today I am having Jello and I consume 1/2 teaspoon about every 15 minutes or so. I don't want to rush it. I have been walking a bit. I was told to start at 6 minutes three times a day, then gradually go up from there. No lifting, no stairs, no exercising in extreme heat for several weeks (too bad my laundry area is down stairs...hubby will have to take over that area for a while ) Overall, I do not regret it. If I could do it over again, even this early in the game, I would.

I arrived at the hospital, with my husband, at 9am on Tuesday. Was immediately whisked into the pre-op area where they gave me a johnny, wrist band, compression stockings and my IV. They also put a Dramamine patch behind my ear and said it was to help with nausea after. I was in that room with my husband until about 10:30. A nurse game in and said they were going to give me something to relax me. He said "this stuff ls like having a few strong drinks!" From that point on, I only remember kissing my hubby goodbye, and moving from the bed to the operating room table. The last thing I member them saying to me was "think of a happy place." I not sure if I woke up in the post-op area, but I do remember them wheeling my bed to a room. To me it felt like they were doing about 100 miles an hour. I almost wanted to raise my hands up in the air and go "Wheeee!". When we got to my room, I tried so hard to open my eyes but I was super groggy. I know my parents, husband, doctor and nurses around telling me that we were done, things went well. The doctor did tell me that they found a few cysts on my liver but she said it was nothing to worry about. After sleeping for a few hours, my visitors returned and I felt slightly groggy, but no pain at all. I was up and walking around and talking fine. I was able to sleep in my side a bit with out any pain, but I think they gave me the high octane drugs. They gave me torrodol and dilauded as a "press the button and you will feel better." thing. They gave me anti nausea meds too. I was walking a lot the next day. The nurses were even impressed, they said they had not seen anyone walk and move this well. I was taken down to have my leak test (boy, is that clear med disgusting). My doctor was there for the leak test and I asked her if she was sure she removed part of my stomach because I felt pretty good! The leak test went well ( no leaks) and I was cleared to start sipping Water. It was when I started to drink that I started to have pretty bad cramps / tightening in my new belly. They wanted me to have about 30cc's an hour. That was a but hard. I slowed down and they gave me more meds. My third day in the hospital, I spoke to my doctor about the cramps and without thinking, took a sip up juice. She said "no even smaller sips. take very dainty sips. That must have been why I was cramping. I thought I was taking small sip but i guess not. I came home about 4pm today and took a nap. I have been drinking (small sips) and had a SF popsicle for dinner. Feeling overall very good.

thanks. I just posed on my journey (the post title is 'Sleeved July 10th - My Story. How are you doing! You must be home I hope. I hope you have a fast recovery.

I used skim milk as well, and am also sleeved tomorrow (have to be at the hospital at 9am). And I have lost about 8 pounds too (tjloser - we're like sleeve twins, haha!)

I never did either until I saw one post from a girl who called her bulge her "alien baby." Google "lap band port protrusion" and you can see a few picts. I dont think everyone has it, but it was enough to freak me out! Some of the bulges are huge!

I, like most posts above initially wanted the band. At the seminar and half way through the process, I was convinced I wanted the band. It was "safe" and reversible if needed. After many, many months of research and talking to people, I changed my mind and felt the sleeve was the best choice for me. In one of my classes (as required by insurance and my surgeon's office), there were some people there that spoke about their experiences. 3 were "banders." 1 had problems and was at a higher weight than when he started, one woman complained about frequent vomiting and one women overall liked her band, but did talk about "slimies" coming up (I suspect it was like foamy spit coming up?). The woman that was sleeved loved it and had no problems. When I researched the band, I read things about slippages, vomiting, too much restriction, too little restricting, the port flipping, erosion and other things. I even saw several pictures of people who, once they did loose the weight, their port was so visible beneath the skin, it was like a big bulge. I definitely did not want that! I like that the sleeve was a "set it and forget it" thing (I know you still have to work at it by eating well and everything - what I mean by that is that you dont have to go for fills and unfills to try to find your sweet spot) Do some reasarch, talk to your doctor so that you make the best decision for you.

I get migraines. Sometimes very severe (I have been to the ER a few times with migraines - when my meds are not working or are just not staying down). I usually take 2 Imitrex at the onset of a migraine. My fear is that I will get a migraine after surgery and will not be able to take my meds. I am not talking 6 months out when, hopefully, I should be able to take them with no problems - but a few weeks out when we cant take pills or a lot of water. Anyone been in this situation that can tell me what you did?

I tried to do a search but could not find much. My doctor said that after surgery I had to wear compression stockings for 4 weeks. She said they go from mid-thigh to just below your heal (though I may wear them just to my ankles - I cant see how the few inches will make a difference). I understand that she wants me to wear them to prevent blood clots, but I have not read about anyone else having to wear them? Anyone else have to wear them? Looks like I will be wearing pants or maxi dresses for 4 weeks!

I did end up finding some at a medical supply store. They measured me and let me try on a few pair. The ones i ended up getting are the open toe (need to be able to wear my flip-flops!) , and are sheer (better than the think fabric ones which i suspect would be hot). They look like nylon stockings only a bit thicker. Only 25 dollars. Thanks for all the advise. I will not cut them and will wear socks when possible to help keep them clean.

Thanks all for the advice!

July 10th here!

Or have ginger tea

I guess I will head to the medical supply store this week. Not looking forward to wearing them in July but this is what the Dr. wants. The ones I have to get go from mid-thigh to just above the toe. I hate the feeling of stepping on fabric (I have long pants that I have to roll up) plus i think they would get dirty. Do you think if I cut them right at the ankle it would be okay? I cant imagine that there would be a huge difference between ankle length and "open toe?"

July 10th! Insurance approved the surgery so we are a go. Excited and nervous...

I would join too but I don't want anyone on FB to know. If it were a "secret" or private group I'd join. Is that even possible?

The surgeon was great, she answered every question I had and did not make me feel rushed! She spent an hour and a half with me. She did tell me that after my upper GI and barium swallow, they found I had "mild tertiary contractions in the distal esophagus." From what the surgeon said, the sphincter between my stomach and esophagus has mild contractions other then when I swallow. There is no evidence of gastric reflux though. She was strongly suggesting that I have RNY (which is not an option for me - it seems much too extreme) but also said that she would do the sleeve. Her concern was that i would have a lot of acid reflux after surgery. I asked her if she ever performed a surgery on someone with a similar condition and she said that she has not. Anyone out there with a similar situation? How did you do? Any extra acid reflux after surgery?

See, that's the strange thing. I dont have GERD, acid reflux or anything like that. I maybe have to take a tums or two once or twice a month after eating someting spicy or if I eat a lot of onions and peppers. I think I am going to go ahead with the sleeve (scheduled in August)!

I have hypothyroid too (Hashimoto's). My doctor just told me to see him more often as I loose weight so he could keep track of my TSH to make sure my levels are good. maybe she can get a second opinion?

I have not had surgery (yet) but have had an upper GI (and a follow up upper GI series). I was put to sleep for the upper GI so it was actually not bad - I didnt feel a thing (no sore throat or anything). I do know someone who was not put to sleep and it was not very comfortable for her. Ask you doctor if they put you to sleep?

I have passed all tests (upper GI twice, sleep study, blood work, classes, psych eval, etc) and have completed the 6 month requirement that my insurance says I need. My next appointment is with the surgeon, but they scheduled me for next month! I know every surgeon is different, but what can I expect on that visit?

Long time reader...first time poster..... I started researching WSL last year and was initially going to get the band, but after a ton of research, I felt the sleeve was the best option for me. I am in the last phases of my journey. I'm in the sixth month so I've had my sleep study, psych eval, blood work, EKG, upper GI, etc. (which my insurance requires). I was hoping to be all set to go soon but seem to hit another road block and I thought I would being a question to you all (there seems to be a wealth of knowledge here!) A bit if back story...at my first appointment, I told them that I did get heartburn - they ordered an upper GI. Before I had the GI, I changed my eating habbits and noticed that my heartburn almost completely went away, but kept the appointment. Lately, I only need a tums once to twice a month. I was told that they will not do the sleeve on me becaue of the heartburn. I was a little disheartned to hear that, because I find it hard to believe that everyone that gets the sleeve has never had a day of heartburn in their life. I am doing (at their request) another GI test to see if there are any changes. What do you all think of this? Are they really not going to sleeve me or should I find another surgeon?

Well, I had the barium swallow test. They said everything was normal - no signs of GERD / heartburn. Next step is to meet with the surgeon. I have gone through the entire 6 month program with eager anticapation of getting sleeved. Why am I all of a sudden questioning my decision? Am I sure I want to do this? Will I ever be able to enjoy food again? Will I ever dine out again? Do I really want to permanently loose part of my stomach? I hope that these feelings are normal. Any advice?

Thank you all for the info. I think I will have the test (I believe it's the upper GI series? I am going to swallow a liquid and they will watch it by x-ray??) If they still refuse to sleeve me I will go somewhere else. They mentioned that "if we cant do the sleeve, we will recommend the bypass." I feel that the bypass is too extreeme for me so that option is out. I have the test on the 18th and follow up with the nurse at the end of the month. I'll keep you posted!