sheila2050

Hi Ladies... I so totally understand the "ready to cancel" panic ! I'm just under a month out and I can tell you that I very well might have bolted off the gurney, glamorous backless gown flying in the wind, had they not given me that first "happy" shot. The "what if's" nearly drove me insane, but now I'm so glad that I didn't run screaming "don't touch me" !!! Was it easy ? No. Was it scary as hell ? Yes. Has it been a hard adjustment ? Yeah. Could I have lost almost a pound a day without this surgery ? No No No. Hang in there. All of the statistics are on your side. Have faith in your surgeon and go in thinking positive, healing, healthy thoughts ! It really does make a difference in your recovery.

I will be sending my brightest lights to you 2 ladies tomorrow!!
347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

All i can say is this... I am 2 weeks out. I had a hysterectomy and the sleeve at the same time. Surgery on a Friday, released by noon on Sunday, walking around the grocery store on Monday, the texas state fair 8 days after surgery. Zero pain. I mean literally, ZERO PAIN. Just a little discomfort from the drain till they took it out Sunday. The only feeling with the incisions is the steri strips are at the point of causing some itching. I just need to make sure I don't lift for 6 weeks but I am not sure if that is because of the hysterectomy or the sleeve. I had/have no pain eating or drinking. My husband was scared to death and he is amazed at my recovery and so relieved. I can't say what will happen in your situation, but I can say mine has been amazing. I wish you the very best!!

for those like me who are tired of drinking protien drinks guess what OMG. baratric advantage has a whey protien shot can you believe it i am so excited about this it is bariatric approved not made of collegen. www.baratricadvantage.com

My doctor said the highest risk for a leak is in the first 6 weeks. However, I have seen some posts on the site that indicate a leak can occur later out. It would be best if those who got leaks could weigh in on this question.

I've been wondering this too. I just found out at my NUT appt. that my dr. does a 2 week liquid diet before surgery, and I can't help but think of everything I've read and how drs. are all over the place w/ what they require. One week, two weeks, a month, a few days, ack! I wish I knew exactly what my own liver needs, so I can say "okay, it's this, and nothing else."

It's a chance for a different life. In that, it's really a miracle. A good time to be alive.

i was very nervous but rest assure the hard work is for your dr you just go in there before you know it you are out and waking up in recovery. you will be fine. i put it in gods hands myself

I was also sleeved in Mexico on 8/02. My Dr does not use a drain and I had a perfect recovery. I asked about a drain and he said the normal procedure is no drain unless he is doing a revision. Drains are another way to introduce bacteria into your abdominal cavity. I personally did not want one, so I am thankful he does not use them unless it is needed. I did much research and chose Dr. Alvarez and he is an amazing surgeon. He costs more $ but I was willing to pay it and I have never been sorry.

You know, I have been considering this surgery for a long time. When I spoke about it to friends and family I was sternly reprimanded and talked down to like I was crazy.
sooo to feel better I got lipo... two years later and I'm back in the same place if not worse than the Lipo and wishing I would have follow my first instinct to have bariatric surgery.
I started doing all the research went through my insurance and everything only to find that my insurance ALSO HAD THAT DAMNNNNNNNNNNN clause which doesn’t cover bariatric surgery.
So I figured out if I self-paid for Lipo in Dominican Republic, I’m going to have to save up and do this on my own.
This time I didn’t tell anyone but my husband.
When I started researching Mexico, I decided I wanted Alvarez right off the bat and then..... I got his price and almost cried jajaja.
I knew I couldn’t afford him especially as I was going to have to pay this by myself with no one’s help.
Sooooo my second choice was Kelly and only because I had heard less of him than Alvarez.
Eventually I researched a few more and still came back to Kelly. I’m glad I did and I have set my date for February 25th 2013
I hope my experience is a good as everyone else that I have heard has had a positive outcome with him.

Sorry for your loss of your Dad. Sometimes that still gets harder as time goes on cause you really realize not just how much you miss them, but how much they've missed. It's good to know that we will be able to see them again someday.
As for your weightloss, or slow weight loss, I honestly think you're not losing as much because you aren't getting enough Fluid in. My doc told me while I was still in the hospital that the fluid was way more important than the Protein. Lower protein wasn't going to kill me, but lack of fluid would. Get that Water, shakes, Soups, whatever liquid you can in....IN! You will feel much better when you do. And the weight loss will pick up. And more than a 100 pounds to lose? Oh honey, you're NOT the only one. I'm right there with you girl:)

I originally was scheduled with another doctor sent him a deposit and everything and backed out. I don't know I just got this weird vibe anyway I was glad I did because someone that was there at the same time had complications with that doctor. She was afraid to post negative about him but I am so glad I did not go to him and that I had that intuition about him.

Once I realized in Baltimore surgery was 17000 it was a no brainer. I did my research and flew to Mexico the next week. I am 8 weeks out with no complications and very minimal scars (you can't even tell unless I point them out) Total spent was 4500 for surgery, 1000 for airfare, and 500 fun money for sightseeing when I was released from the hospital. Yes I was able to go sightseeing the last 2 days in Mexico. Down almost 30 lbs so far. Agree great investment!

Me too. I was healthy and lower bmi. Took $6000 out of an investment fund and went to MX. Best investment in myself ever!

I flew to Mexico and had it done. My BMI was only 31.

Woooo Hooooo!!!!
My surgeon's office submitted all the required paperwork to insurance for approval yesterday. Hopefully I should hear back in a few days. I was technically already pre-approved by them prior to getting my testing done and meeting with the NUT and having the Psych eval done. BUT now - it is almost time!!!
Yea!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! You have convinced me NOT to travel 4 days post-op. I will tell my office "sorry."

It would make my arms too tired...
Seriously on a business trip noooo....and hell nooooo....
First off, if you can't make it that looks poorly on you, the expense would be excessive, and stress and flying after just don't add up...also - if you have a complication and then are stuck away from home that would not be good at all.
Alot of people do fine, alot of people would be fine...I am the stick in the mud that is going to say "and if it don't"...

I would agree with the other posters. I know long flights like that, and they are hard on the body period. My worry would definitely be the care you might need if there were complications, on the plane on where you land. Would you have language barriers, trying to explain your surgery?
Also, it's common for some to have low electrolytes, dehydration, and overall weakness and fatigue in the first two weeks. Will you really be functional for your job on the other end of the flight?

No, not only do you risk DVT but you won't have the energy. You will also be putting yourself far away from your medical care and most issues arrise in the first 7 days (leaks). I think you should change your surgery date if you can't change the trip.

Do you think you'll really be up for a 10 hour flight and related business obligations only 4 days after surgery? I wouldn't have been....... If you do fly, I'd make sure to get traveler's compression socks, walk a bit up and down the aisles at least every hour. Honestly, if it were me, there is no business worth risking blood clots for and that is your greatest risk sitting in a plane for 10 hours. Not to mention you are still VERY early in your recovery from a MAJOR surgery. Me? Wouldn't do it - but wish you the best if you do

I had the crud a few weeks ago and gained but it came off quickly after I was over it. Get better soon, I feel for you.

It's basically Water weight. It will come off really easy. I fluctuate by a couple pounds constantly and it always comes down. You are doing great and have a lot to go also. Get well!

I am on week 3 from surgery 9/24/12. I am doing good I think. During surgery my surgeon noticed something on my gallbladder so he removed my gallbladder too.I guess we really do not need it. Once in hospital room. I had a hard time with weakness. Trying to get walking in was hard. Had to have transfusion. I stayed 2 nights. Kinda hard when your family wants you home. Since then I am just trying to figure out the food/water/vitamins. I have now gone to the gym dizzy or not for 4 days in a row. Feeling better every day!Down 30lbs since the start of this process. I can't wait to feel good enough to try on clothes.