amandalynn76

How are you feeling? I was approved last week, but I still need to go to the pulmonologist before I can set the date. How long did you take off work?
Amanda

I have really been going back and forth as whether to post here or not. I guess I am sort of a "forum person" in my hobbies and areas of interest, but I have to be honest, I have avoided posting on this site or even looking at it for a couple of reasons. I found this site only a few days before my surgery but when I found it I found more negativity and frightened people then I found inspiration. Actually, I have gone here and gotten the (bleep) scared out of me by a few posters, every time I see their posts I get knots in my stomach. The main poster that does that to me has a screen name that starts with the letter "i". Everybody is terrified of leaks and all the negatives of this surgery and I just haven't been able to relate to many of the topics. Below I will share some of the basics of my journey so far.
First off, I am a 35 year old male who is 6 feet 3 inches tall. I wasn't fat my whole life, I actually weighed 218 when I was 19 years old. That was pretty close to a "perfect" weight for me. I got into a business where the guys I worked with partied, ate, and drank to excess. Over the years I ballooned to 445 lbs which is where I have been for the past 2-3 years. In 2010 I was considering the lap band but chickened out. I was back on in 2011 but chickened out again. In 2012 I HAD to make a decision because I was put on Metformin for borderline diabetes and Lisinopril for borderline blood pressure as well. That was it. I started again with the nutritionist appointments and made an appt. to see my surgeon who is located downtown Chicago a few miles from my house. My first appt. with him was in early October 2012 and he suggested a VSG instead of the lap band because of the large amount of weight I wanted to lose. I left thinking about it and did the rest of my pre op requirements such as upper GI, psyche, EKG, etc. I saw my surgeon again on November 14th, 2012 and we decided on the VSG (which I really didn't know a lot about). We set surgery for December 21st, 2012.
Because I am a big fella, my surgeon put me on a 28 day pre op liquid only diet (to shrink my liver and loosen my skin) which I started on November 23rd, 2012 (the day after Thanksgiving). The first few days were tough but I have very strong will power and stuck to it, following the requirements to the letter. I didn't cheat even once. Again, not even once. After about 12 days it was smooth sailing and I just plugged away and kept up the exercise plan that I had been doing for over a year which was just walking 1.5 miles, three times per week at my local YMCA. I didn't weigh myself even once the entire plan and weighed myself the morning of surgery. To my astonishment I lost a staggering 49 lbs!!!!I I couldn't even believe it, to be honest with you I began to sob like a little girl! I went from 445 to 396. I was just so shocked. My surgeon told me that I broke his practice record which was previously 45 lbs for a pre op diet. Again, I LOST 49 LBS IN 28 DAYS!!!
On the morning of December 21st, 2012 I was ready for surgery at a major hospital downtown Chicago. I arrived, valet parked, checked in, and was laying on the table prepped for surgery within 1 hour just waiting for the anesthesiologist. I was in surgery about an hour and a half later and the surgery took 2 1/2 hours. I am going to cut the details of my hospital stay down so readers aren't sitting here all day reading. Any questions just ask me. I wanted to leave the hospital the next evening but my surgeon said that he wouldn't allow me to break two records and that I should stay another night. Quick recap, I was checked into my room after surgery at 6pm Friday night and was discharged from the hospital at 11am Sunday morning, less then 48 hours after entering my room.
Upon arriving home I checked my weight, expecting to have lost a few lbs, and actually gained back 2 lbs due to all the fluids that were pumped into me. I was back up to 398. My recovery went ok I think, I was in a lot of pain along my largest incision which is about 3+ inches wide. I was on Tramadol which sucks. It took me 9 days to finish the 25 pills that I was prescribed since I was skipping doses. I was home on Sunday morning and by Wednesday morning I was off to the YMCA where I walked only one lap around the track. I limped around and talked to my friends there before going home. I was back at the YMCA on Friday and actually walked 5 laps (a half mile). I finally weighed myself on Friday, one week after surgery, and I was down from 398 to 391. I weighed myself again on Sunday afternoon and I lost another 4 lbs from Friday to Sunday, 9 lbs in 9 days, ending up at 387 lbs, 58 lbs down in 38 days.
So that's basically that. It's been over 10 days now since surgery and I am feeling like a million bucks. Here are the "scary" parts. I am using the term scary because after reading this site I would have thought I was going to die from this surgery. I HAVE NOT been nauseous even for one second since surgery. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOT thrown up, or even gagged for that matter, not even once. I AM ABLE to drink 60ozs of Fluid per day. I just started puree on Saturday, 8 days out, and it's been perfect. I had 4 ozs of low fat cottage cheese (which I LOVE) today as well as only one Protein Shake, a bowl of Tomato Soup, and plenty of Water. I AM NOT hungry, EVER. I just eat to live, that's it. Today I feel the best that I have felt since surgery. Every day gets better. My goal is to lose 220 lbs, 100 in three months from the start of my pre op diet on November 23rd. I WILL do it.
I know I left out a bunch so fire away (or ask any questions that you want).

Did you call your insurance company to see what the requirements are for the surgery? Most insurance will only cover if your BMI is over 35, and that is with 1 or 2 co-morbidites. I have united health care and it was covered, but my BMI was 41. I would check on that before you do the rest of your procedures. I'd hate to see you go through all that, then get denied.

I live in the Joliet area and was sleeved at silver cross in New Lenox. Where are you from?

Just in time for the fall cooler weather.
1 lb. ground turkey breast (regular ground turkey is higher in fat and calories so make sure to use turkey breast)
1 large onion
2 cups low fat cream
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1 can white navy Beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can chick peas (drained and rinsed)
Saute turkey and onion until fully cooked. Add the Beans and chick peas, seasonings, and cream. Stir and simmer for 20 minutes.
It's that easy and delish!
Enjoy.

I just am discovered a sugar free caramel Syrup from Walmart. It is so good. I use 2 cap fills and some cream. You would never know its sugar free. In my opinion, I think it's Starbucks quality.

Haha 60 lbs = 5 Weiner dogs!

I will definitely talk to him about this, I just wonder what long term acid production will do to the sleeve over the years. I will be scheduling my surgery as soon as I get my pulmonary appointment cleared, so I'm guessing it will be scheduled mid May.

The hospital stay was good. The nurses were ver nice and helpful. I was uncomfortable from the incisions and the drain. The drain was a nuisance. Your are pumped with a lot of fluids, so your constantly having to pee. It was a pain in the but to use the bathroom because of the ivs and the drain hanging off. I did have a catheter the first day tho. It wasn't too bad. The morphine button took the pain away but made me sick, so they gave me anti nausea mods, which helped a lot. They give you broth and Jello the next day, but I had a hard time keeping it down. I didn't get too much sleep because the nurses are alway checking your heart monitor and fluids. I loved the rooms, It was super clean and inviting. Over all It was great, considering I had surgery. I'd do it again if I had to. Great staff,very attentive and caring. I had a male nurse And I thought he was the most compassionate.

I was just sleeved with dr Joyce 5/13/13. The staff was amazing. I can't say anything bad about about my experience.

I'm a stylist. I had my surgery 5/13 and I can drink pretty well. I am going to give myself a few extra minutes between clients so I can take time to drink. If you get a lot of colors you can focus on drinking while they are processing. You will be surprised how much Water you can get in after a week. Well at least I feel I can get a lot in. It's the food that's hard to get down for me. I'm a week out and feel great. I just have a little tenderness where the incision sites are.
Happy styling!
Amanda

I also use a straw and have been fine. I just try not to sip too big

How bout your drain site? I couldn't believe there was just a hole in my belly! I keep replacing the gauze, but the little bit of oozing sticks to it. It gives me the heebie geebies!
Btw, thanks for everyone's input

The hospital gave me puréed scrambled egg the morning after my surgery. I've been eating them about every 3 days. Very filling, but taste so good compared to all the Protein Shakes. I'm 1.5 weeks out.

I had my revision on May 6th and I was allowed to start pureed food a few days ago. I have had a scrambled egg, rigatta cheese with a bit of sauce in it, tuna salad and oatmeal. All went down fine but I only ate about 5 bites. My Dr. is a bit more flexible with his diet restrictions than some others. Good luck!

10 pounds lost forever, here. Never going to see them, again. Yay!

May 13th here, and congrats on your date!

May 13th here, and congrats on your date!

I will definitely talk to him about this, I just wonder what long term acid production will do to the sleeve over the years. I will be scheduling my surgery as soon as I get my pulmonary appointment cleared, so I'm guessing it will be scheduled mid May.

I had reflux issues prior to surgery as I had a hiatal hernia. This was repaired during my VSG and I have not suffered since. 20+ months post-op here and doing well in this department (and most others, too!)

I used to live west of joliet. I had wanted to use Dr. Joyce but I found out my insurance wouldn't cover i have heard many good things about him and knew some people who had their surgeries there.
I hope you enjoy your experience

Flip it on her.
When she gets in her car to go to the store, she's a cheater. The car is a tool to make transit easier
When she goes to a resturaunt, she's a cheater, she's s paying someone to cook for her.
When she buys new cloths, she's a cheater, why not break out the needle & thread?
We all do things to make our life easier every day. Many of us find food to be our weakness, if getting a tool to help with the heavy lifting is cheating, then I'm a proud cheater.

My dermatologist gave me an antibiotic when they get really bad. I have also heard the Botox shots in the affected area can also help. They have left a lot of scaring from the acne like bump under the arms and groin. Tanning seems to help too, the sun and uv lights have a germicidal effect on the bumbs, and dries them out.Tunneling is also a sign of hidradenitis. I'm wondering if insurance will cover a breast lift and a Tummy Tuck due to the break outs where my skin rubs together.
Amanda