Sherry77

Good luck everyone. Your not alone. We have all been there. Keep us posted.

It is REALLY getting frustrating how judgmental people have been on this forum lately. So much so that posts such as izuri's make me refrain from posting' date=' our visiting nearly as often. A simple "you should be careful to follow your doctors recommended diet" with your recomemded tips would suffice.

Seriously, get off your high horses people...[/quote']

I totally agree. The response was very harsh, just flat out mean!

Sherry77...we had a lot of the same issues! Now that we ate 6 days out I feel so much better. The first few days were rough but it does seem to get better everyday.

I agree tifgrin :-) it is getting better.

Glad you are doing so well' date=' i go for last surgeons consult the 9th surgery on the 21 in Woodstock IL I am scared to death, for some reason no other surgery has shook me like this one.[/quote']

Don't stress. This was my first surgery ever. I am the biggest baby. If I can do it anyone can. Seriously!

greetings' date='

new to the board, in the very beginning stages of this process. went to my first seminar today at alexian brothers. was wondering those in this area, how did you choose your doctor, do you recommend them? i have a bmi of 50 with no comorbidities and just ready to do this. i was originally considering RNY until i found out about the sleeve and now this just seems to be the better choice for me.

any advice, info etc. on this journey is greatly appreciated.[/quote']

I am 5 days pot-op. I had my done out of Alexian Brothers by Dr. Rantis. I had a great experience through Alexian Brothers. Let me know if you have any questions :-)

I started gaining weight 5 years ago....and gaining fast. I put on 130 lbs in a little over 2 years. I had myself medically checked for everything. Every test to diagnose something that would cause such dramatic weight increase came back negative. I was so frustrated for a couple of years. I wanted the docs to find something wrong with me medically, then say here is a pill and you'll be back to your 130lb figure. No such luck! I finally had to come to terms with the obvious. I turned 30 (slower metabolism) ate crappy fast food daily, Stopped exercising, and was extremely stressed at work. Yikes by the time I snapped to reality and tried to change my behavior, I was in a strangers body. A body that was once very limber, now could barely bend to tie her shoe, or find any energy after or before work to be active. About 3 months ago I started talking to a friend at work who was having issues with weight as well. WLS entered the discussion, and I voiced an interest in the lap band. My friend mentioned a newer procedure her sister had gotten and demonstrated success.... VSG... I researched the band, bypass, and VSG. VSG made the most sense to me by far. I won't list my reasons in detail, as I'm sure they correlate to many others reasoning. Mid May I went to a seminar at a very reputable center of excellence and took the next step in making an initial consult with one of the surgeons, on June 8th 2012. I made up my mind to get the sleeve and started the approval process. My surgeons office sent all necessary documentation to my insurance company UHC and I was approved because my BMI was 40 or greater within 2 weeks. My surgeons office then required the following clearances: Pulmonology consult, dietary class, psych evaluation, pre-op support group class, upper gi, chest X-ray, and blood work up, etc. I was then able to schedule my surgery date for July 30th. I had to follow a strict pre-op diet consisting of only 4-5 Protein Shakes per day with sf Popsicles, and Jello 15 days prior to surgery. The day prior to surgery I was allowed only Clear Liquids and had to drink a 10oz bottle of magnesium citrate (bowel prep) the night before surgery I needed to gargle with 1/2 bottle of Listerine (my mouth was on fire) I also needed to shower with Hibiclense that night. The morning of the procedure I gargles with the other half of the Listerine and bathed with the other half of Hibiclense. I arrived at the hospital 2 hours prior to my surgery as told. I went to registration, everything was entered in the system already, and they took me up to the surgical floor. The nurses had me gargle with more Listerine, pee in a cup (pregnancy test precaution) and I changed into a high tech surgical robe that they attached a warming hose to. The nurse then hooked up my IV, the surgeon met with me briefly asking if I had any questions. I was then visited by the anesthesiologist, who explained they would inject some happy medicine to make me relax. They then wheeled me into the OR and lifted me onto the OR table... That was all she wrote. I woke up about an hour and 1/2 later in recovery. I had some problems breathing when I woke up ( not too bad) and they continued to monitor my pain. I was then transferred to my own beautiful private room with a view of a large swan pond. I was in pain but it wasn't terrible. They didn't have to put a JP drain in, and I was allowed to shower the next day. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I also did experience buyers remorse. I asked myself why i would put myself through something like this voluntarily, because of the pain, then remembered people on this site recolecting there accounts. The thing that helped me through so much of my hospital experience was the stories others posted on this site. I read so many posts, and educated myself prior to the day of surgery,and it helped. I knew the buyers remorse stage would pass, as it had for others. I am 5 days post op now and let me tell you it is sureel. Im sure I will run into more obstacles along my VSG journey but I know where to turn, and what tools are available. I really hope my story helps at least 1 person going through the pre-op stages. I am thankful this site was available to me.

I am 5 days post op. I wouldn't worry about the weight gain as the hospital pumps you with so many IV fluids. Try using 1 oz cups to sip that helped me swallow less air. Also walk walk walk, that will help pass gas and alleviate pressure. I'm not sure what to say about the numbness in your tummy :-(. I hope this helps.

Wow I should of went to a hypnotist. I quit cold turkey 2 months ago and it was hell. Keep up the great work. I was so happy I quit, as I think recovering from surgery would have been a lot more dangerous had I not.

Sleeved July 30th 5 days post op down 15 pounds. I quit smoking 2 months before surgery, and as crazy as it sound it has been more difficult not to light up. I'm not hungry at all.

Thanks I added you both.

Take a look at www.skinnytaste.com. Her recipes are wonderful and easy to make.

Good luck!

What a great site.... I saved to my favorites.

What a super idea! Love it

That is great news Ramona :-)

I'm looking for fitness friends to hold me accountable and keep me motivated. Please send friend requests :-) my user I'd is Sherry_O

I weighed 257 before pre-op diet. After pre-op diet weight was 245. Post- op day #4 245. I was happiest 5 years ago at 130, however I'm aiming for a goal around 125. Main goal: keep my curves :-)

Take it from someone who has gained and lost and gained 130.. The expansion and shrinkage has caused havoc to my Tat.

I'm still having app issues

My dietitian told me many people have issues with Water initially, something about the properties. I had issues at first too, I was old to change the properties by adding crystal light and it works wonders.

Wow you look amazing. Love love seeing motivational pics. I can't wait until the day I can display mine. Keep up the great work :-)

Sorry to see you go big dog.... Unfortunately much of what you say is true. I do think this site can be very supportive in many ways though, you just need to weed through the negative comments and those who comment on everything regardless, if they know how to answere the questions. I guess when there are 35,000 people, there are bound to be several not so great ones in the bunch.... Good luck to you.

So glad your doing well. I agree the hernia repair seems to hurt worse. Hope all is still well.

I started my liquids an hour ago and I'm having the same issue. Water goes down' date=' and a painful air bubble comes up. Hopefully it's only temporary![/quote']

I would try apple juice or crystal light. They say the composition of Water will do that sometimes. I am having a difficult time with water as well. The nutritionist consult I attended pre-op warned that might happen, apparently it is very normal.

I had surgery on Monday and I feel 80% better today then yesterday... Im not as tiredvand moving doesnt hurt as bad, so hopefully tomorrow you'll notice a big difference too.

I wanted to let you all know.... I had surgery Monday afternoon and got home from Alexian Brothrrs yesterday. I think my recovery has been quite well, considering they fixed my hiatal hernia as well. They didn't even put a drain in? Everyone in the hospital was so wonderful!! The nuses, patient techs, and transport staff, however it is great to be back in my own comfy home. Hope everything is going well for all y'all. :-)

Yeah. I have UHC and they are QUICK! You probably won't even need to call them at all. They sent me my letter within a few days of the doctor's office submitting it and I scanned a copy to the scheduler and I was scheduled.

UHC is awesome.