shutterbug

Hi Ann, Dr. Pleatman does a leak test while still inside but I'm not sure if it's on the portion removed or the portion left inside. What I can tell you about Dr. Pleatman is that he is very experienced. He is a surgeon, not as personable as his office staff but for me the bottom line was that I wanted a good surgeon versus personality. He makes himself very available by cell phone and email and called me on my way home from the hospital to check on me. I liked that. I too, was wondering about the leak test and I didn't come out with a drain tube either so was expecting that. They watch you pretty close in the hospital and I suspect if you need a test they do one before you leave and if you are going to leak they know in a few days...but honestly if you go to his site and on the top left.. it says contact us.. it will send an email he answers most of them himself and I would ask about the leak test directly.... Overall treatment has been good and for me the first 2 days of recovery were hard, but not in the form of surgical pain..that is surprisingly low. I had the gas go up in my chest and that made it really painful to swallow anything. I was nauseated the 2nd day but I think I had worked myself up into a tizzy was very restless and they had talked about sending me down for a leak test but didn't do it because Dr. Pleatman said I would be much sicker if I was leaking... so I guess that is a good guide-line to go by.. Dr. P is the first guy to do any bariatric surgery lapriscopically and had done far more than any other doctor in my area I think you are in good hands but please do ask any questions.. he likes to answer them... keep me informed... when is your surgery? Some motivating news.. I'm on day 4 post op and able to get 6oz of milk with Protein powder in.. as well as I have lost over 12 lbs. My hubby is cooking right now and it smells good I miss chewing but I'm not that tempted to eat... I believe this sleeve has saved my life and I'm glad you are considering it too. Good luck to you.. stay in contact and I will answer your questions as I experience them. ~Chandra

I am post op day 3 and feeling much better today. I have not had near the amount of chest pain and am able to take about 4oz of liquid in at a time. I made a small (4 oz ) Protein drink today from skim milk and unflavored protein and some sugar free caramel flavoring (used in coffee alot).. it was yummy.. I will have one of those later as well with it warmed up a little. I can't tell you how good it feels to not be as concerned with all the post op chest pain and worries about not getting in enough fluids. ... today I have had ENERGY.. to boot... not sure where it's coming from but I have been trying to make myself take it slow in case I crash later.... still to wake up and feel energy.. was wonderful.. that right there alone.. if that continues would make the surgery 100% worthwhile to me.. to not be so dragging and tired! Looking for Paula, girl from BayCity, Michigan who had surgery the same day I did.. hoping she is well... Thanks everyone! ~Chandra

Hey Paula, My chest pain is almost gone today but was really bad too.. I wanted to cry it would hit me so hard, actually I did cry in the hospital. What I just learned on the boards that no one told me was to use warmth on your chest... like a heating pad or if you don't have one of those .. something you can make at home is to take white rice.. put it in an old sock... you can microwave it for about 3 min..and it holds heat for about 30 minutes... reusable... try that... I feel for you because I was thinking what did I do.. did I make the wrong choice with surgery... and no one else on the floor where I was had the chest pain so I really felt all alone.. I have had some today but not nearly as bad.. tolerable.. and I did find that if you drink warm ..it's much better.. try warm milk... that made me feel better.. if you are still on clear.. try broth or tea.... Hang in there.. keep me posted! ~Chandra

Thank you ! If today is any indication of how it will be then I'm a happy happy camper. I am seriously have had more energy today than in my "life" pre-surgery. I am trying to lose 120 lbs and I just noticed your tiker, Tiffy, can't believe you only have 20 to go.. WOW.. how amazing! Congrats to you! ~Chandra

Thanks everyone.. doing much better today, day 3! Have gotten about 30oz of liquid down (including popsicle) and was able to add Protein today to some milk! That was yummy.... today is the first day I could eat COLD anything and it was great.. wow those sugar free popsicles are good now after surgery .. previous to that I think they would have not seemed sweet enough for me! I am down 12.5 lbs since surgery and I know it's Water weight but it's WONDERFUL to see the scale move in that direction! Have a good day! ~Chandra

Hello VST community. WOW.. I am finding this such a wonderful place to come. I am Chandra, almost 42 and making the choice to reach for my life..the life I'm supposed to be having not the one I'm hiding from by having the VSG. I am having surgery with Dr. Mark Pleatman in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan on Nov. 17th. I was feeling a mixed ray of emotions over the weekend.. wanting to eat that last big meal..get in all my foods that I love to stuff in and find it ironic that I don't have much of an appetite..being nervous about going under and the slight fear of not waking up.. being overwhelmed by the nutrition class and wondering if I will truly be able to live without my beloved sugar for the rest of my life and without my best friend FOOD in general... that truly is a very uneasy feeling for me. Coming here the past day has reinvigorated me into knowing this IS my choice. This is the choice I made that I need and I am on the right path. I am almost scared of the successes.. not knowing what it will feel like to be successful with losing weight and yet so ready and so anxious and so happy to be choosing to change. What will life be like if I don't feel like the fattest person in the crowd anymore? What will life be like if I can turn around my health now and live a better and longer life in the future? What will it feel like to be happier with myself and will there be a day that I look at myself for more than the 2 second quick check in the mirror.. will I like what I see.. will I smile more? What will it feel like to be able to choose clothing from more stores? sound silly.. maybe to someone who hasn't felt fat and limited by life by being fat. For me the simplicity and desire to just be able to "Live" my life is one of the most amazing forces behind me choosing to have surgery. It has not been an easy road, I have had to battle my primary care physician, fight my insurance, and more importantly reassure my family and friends that this is something I need. Letting people in on how miserable I am has made me start my journey months ago and made me face all kinds of emotions. I am choosing this mostly for my health...I won't lie.. I really would like to look better as well... but to change my health now before it gets more out of control is no longer a choice as much as a necessity. I am also looking forward to gradually coming out of the shell that I climb into and hide from being so embarrassed about the way I look... the way I feel. I often feel like everyone is staring at me because I'm fat.. I don't do as much in public as I used to and am looking forward to regaining the exhilarance of just LIVING! OK... new to blogging.. new to throwing myslef out there.. hope that this may help ONE person the way reading others blogs and posts has encouraged me. Today is my last day of normal food.. and though it's only 7:20 am.. Im wondering why my husband isn't up serving me the breakfast of a lifetime.. :ohmy:~ (not like I haven't had a 1,000 of those.. or 1,000 days of this is my last big day to eat I start another diet tomorrow).. there is always "tomorrow" happening in my life but now..... My tomorrow is the start of a better ME.. my tomorrow is....... Tomorrow I go on a clear liquid diet and the next day,Tuesday, I will be having surgery. I will blog as soon as I get home and update with how it went, how I feel and my vow is to be honest and trust in my choice and faith that there is something greater out there leading me to this choice. Have a wonderful day and be good to yourself! ~Chandra

WOW... so many things going through my mind, mostly excitement. I am sure the nervousness of going under and hoping to wake up will come tomorrow. I have surgery at 1:30pm and have to stop fluids tonight at 5pm.... it will be a long ride and wait for that surgery and can only imagine how thirsty I'll be ... did anyone out there have worries about things like not being able to just freely drink things anymore? What was it like the day before your surgery??

WOW... so many things going through my mind, mostly excitement. I am sure the nervousness of going under and hoping to wake up will come tomorrow. I have surgery at 1:30pm and have to stop fluids tonight at 5pm.... it will be a long ride and wait for that surgery and can only imagine how thirsty I'll be ... did anyone out there have worries about things like not being able to just freely drink things anymore? What was it like the day before your surgery??

Hi Kris.. I have a BMI of 50 and had no presurgery diet either except today, one day before surgery they have me on clear liquids and stopping at 5pm then taking a laxative.... I have to go from 5pm tonight until 1:30 (surgery time without even ice-chips)... that will be hard but worth it I'm sure. I was like you though and nervous that I was seeing so many presurgical diets.. it is an individual surgeon choice .. hope that helps...

I was just at Walmart getting a few things and ironically a long shirt like dress caught my eye.. it had like a wing pattern on it and I picked it up and saw it was a Miley Cyrus junior item too! I was looking to get it as a "one day" item but decided against it.... how fun for you to have your shopping day like that.. AWESOME.. I can't remember the last time I was even and XL .... that will blow me away... thanks for sharing! ~Chandra

I understand how crazy you must feel right now, my surgery is tomorrow and I'm having tons of emotions and nervousness but mostly it's just exciting.... I just really looked at myself in the mirror and let myself absorb how out of control I was/am and I'm focusing on the what will come..... hang in there!

Hi Bob! I'm new and in Midland.. close to you! I am thrilled to read your NSV's and look forward to following your progress! The Ipod Touch.. great reward! Enjoy! How to top that.. hmm.... I think that will come to you.. keep us all posted! ~Chandra

WOW congratulations! You are an inspiration for all us pre-surgery people and to hear you say you can eat anything you want and are satisfied is thrilling to me 2 days pre-op and nervous if I'm making the right choice. You have just reinvigorated me into knowing I'm doing the right thing! Thank you! ~Chandra

Hi Tracy, I grew up in Bay City, have lived in Midland for 12 years after living in Ann Arbor area previous. Did you have the VSG yet and if so how are you doing? If not when are you having it and where? Thanks for saying hello! ~Chandra

Hi everyone..what great feedback you are giving, my name is Chandra and I'm having the sleeve on Tuesday the 17th. I am also feeling a bit nervous about missing food, it's a hard concept to imagine only taking in a few ounces of food at a time and never chugging water/ liquids again.... reading all you comments about it being normal to be nervous and having no regrets is really the best thing I can hear right now. I am new and wondering how you add the scale at the bottom of your posts....

Hello to everyone, my name is Chandra and I am having the VSG on November 17, 2009! I'm so excited and scared and anyone out there feeling a little like.. what if it doesn't work for me like it does others? But really my question is that my surgeon does NOT require a pre-surgical diet. I am ok with that as long as it's a healthy decision. Anyone else out there have a surgeon that does NOT require a pre-op diet? and if so.. did they give you info why they choose to not require that for their patients? Thank you, ~Chandra:001_smile:

p.s. enjoying your live journal... you look great!