Kabranda

Hey Hugapug - I just got my sleeve 3/3/2010, the day before you. I just posted my experience on my blog today. It was a very good experience and I'm doing good and I can only hope your experience is as good. I'm eagar to share the journey with you - keep posting.

My surgery was 3/3/2010. It was done by Dr. Facundus of Alabama Surgical Associates, a Center of Excellence. Dr. Foreman also was in attendance as they do all their surgeries together. Per the bariatric coordinator they are close to receiving their 2nd Center of Excellence award. I'm 48 hours out at this time and I feel good. I still have some pain in my left shoulder and sometimes across the shoulders from the gas. And of course my stomach is sore but I can lay down, get up and walk around with little problem. A 36 bougie was used and they clip off the sleeve and test with 60 lbs of pressure prior to closing to have no leaks. They have never had a sleeve leak and only 7 leaks in 2500 gastric bypass surgeries. I have no drain and as the Dr. used 2 prior incisions from lap surgeries, I have less scarring than expected. I have had no nausea. I have glue over my incisions and was able to shower when I got home. I was in a bariatric wing for a 23 hour stay and received wonderful care. I did have some pain med issues but they had been expected as most pain medicines make me restless and itchy. When those symptoms appeared benadryl was added to my IV however as the symptoms has started already the restlessness and itchiness never completely disappeared. I did spend 12:00 to 12:15 the night of surgery walking due to the restlessness and it was not time for additional benadryl but the walking did greatly reduce my shoulder pain from the gas. I was very glad to get home and take the pain meds and liquid childrens benedryl at the same time and sleep in my own bed. I was able to lay on my side in my regular sleep position and catch up on my rest. I did run a slight temperature the afternoon I came home and did take liquid SF Tylenol for that. Working on getting my liquids down and cannot finish 2 oz of SF jello as I'm stuff at 1 oz. I do have some discomfort as it seems the liquid 'catch' at the breastbone and then go down. Some of that may be because I had a hiatal hernia repair done at the same time. I had planned to take off work until Monday 3/15 but I probably will work from home some hours at the end of next week.

LyndaRN - my count is almost over - tomorrow morning 3/3 is the DAY. Didn't have a pre-op diet just had to due clear fluid today and drink the poopie stuff..lol. Your day will be here before you know it!

Welcome Spaz80. You will find a lot of good information here on this site that will help you make your decision. You are on the right track.

Shanda, you look wonderful and I agree your husband-to-be is a hottie. I too viewed lots of youtube videos - thecitydoll as well as kellawanda, fierybutterflywings, gasticsleevereviews. I found them interesting, informative and the weigh-loss visuals were inspirational. However, I will say that the friendship and support here is the best. Best of luck on you upcoming wedding and keep us posted.

Girl you rock! You look as great as you sound. What wonderful motivation you are. Congratulations!

Stacie - I'm so sorry for what you are going though. Your posting about you leak is freaking me out as my surgery is this Wed 3/3. My Dr has not had a leak with the sleeve and only 7 with 2500 bypass surgeries so I'm hoping I'm not his 1st sleeve leak!! Did you Dr. test for a leak during surgery (before he closed) or later? How did he test? I'm curious because my Dr said he clipped off below the stomach and applied pressure on the esophagus and did air testing using more pressure than any cough I would have. I had not found this type of testing mentioned on the boards so I thought I would asked about you leak testing. Hang in there and best of luck.

Kat - I know exactly how you are feeling.... my surgery is this Wed 3/3 and I too have been thinking I won't be able to eat this or that. But I told myself that yes I can but not until goal weight and then anything I want -- but only 2-3 bites. After that, I quit stressing. I can do this and you can too because we will both have the tool we need to take 2-3 bites and stop. How empowering! However, I am still losing sleep thinking about the upcoming surgery. Usually I take Melatonin to help me sleep but forget to ask if I could continue up until surgery so I stopped 1 week out. Good luck.

Congratulation!! The day will be here before you know it!

You look like a million bucks and for only $10,500 ---- what a bargain. lol Congratulations!

For some reason, the thread was not showing me the last post of each of you before I replied. Beautiful pictures Tiff - I love the gulf beaches the best. I'm game I love road trips.

My husband loves to golf - in fact we live on a golf course. There are 3 skills to golfing - 1. playing golf 2. driving the cart and 3. drinking beer. If you can answer yes to 2 of those you are a golfer. Tiff, you think your hubby is a golfer? lol Due to the arthritis in my knees and back I no longer play but I'm still a golfer! I guess after this surgery I'll after to try to play again as I can't drink the beer.

Thanks so much for taking the time to tell about your experience. My surgery is scheduled for this Wed 3/3/2010 and I was beginning to feel a little nervous and reading your experience made me feel much better. Hope your weight keeps going down and your recovery remains smooth sailing. Keep us posted. Congratulations!!

My surgery is 3/3 and I'm taking a couple of weeks off work so April might be a little tight for me but I'll be in Gulf Shores, AL (6/11-6/18 I think) and Destin the last week of August.

At my pre-op appt on Thursday I asked what size bougie and was told it was a 16 or 18 to make it easier to go down your throat and then it was expanded with air. My surgeon does not oversew as he said he finds the stitches creates more holes and more trama to the tissue. Prior to surgery end he clips off he bottom and closes off the esophagus and pressure tests the sleeve - the pressure is greater than any cough you would have. He has never had a sleeve leak and out of 2500 bypass surgeries he has only had 7 leaks. He is in practice with another surgeon and they perform all surgeries together so you have two attending surgeons from a Center of Excellence and I have met both - one did my initial appt and the other the pre-op. The diet they do is a little more restrictive than I have read on here. Day before surgery is clear fluids as is the week following surgery. The 2nd week is full liquids and the 3rd and 4th week is mushies.

Dr. Facundus @ Alabama Surgical Assoc in HSV is doing my surgery - it is a Center of Excellence. I'm glad to be getting it done locally.

My surgery is scheduled for Wed 3/3. I'm a mixture of scared and excited. Saw you had surgery in Dec, how are you doing? Any regrets?

Itstime - I'm in Meridianville, AL just north of Huntsville. Where are you?

I totally agree - I too am so weary of dieting and counting only to be confused... it is better to count points, fats, carbs or calories?? So confusing and tired you quit in defeat and learn to live with de-fat. It is empowering to have a clear path to a goal.

Jules - Congratulations, I'm very happy for you. My surgery date is 3/3/2009. We will have to keep tabs on each other.:thumbup:

My surgery is scheduled for 3/3/2010. In some regards you could consider it out patient surgery as I'm scheduled to stay 23 hours (so insurance considers it out patient surgery) but you do stay overnight in the hospital the day of surgery and go home the next day. The procedure is being done in a hospital (rather than an outpatient facility) so if any problems are encountered I would be admitted from outpatient to the hospital and stay longer.

Yeah! I got my surgery date today - March 3rd. I immediately was elated, scared and wanted to back out - all at the same time! Then I had to remind myself why I had made this decision and all the research I have done to assure this was the best decision for me. I want to thank everyone here that has been so open with their personal journey. Y'all are all such an inspiration and a source of knowledge and support. Bless you all. Kathy:001_tt1:

Welcome! I too have been using the site to get more information, answer questions and provide support. Good luck with your surgery. Kathy:thumbup:

Will be thinking of you tomorrow and remembering you in my prayers. Prepare for tomorrow but also be sure to rest and relax some today. I'm suppose to get my date tomorrow - so I'll be right behind you. Be sure to post and keep us all updated on your progress. Kathy:thumbup:

Aura - I too have been researching this surgery for a year. I began my research with the band to only find out that due to my arthritis I am not a candidate. I have read the responses above and will not repeat what has been said except to say that I whole heartily agree. I'm 56, 5 feet and 203 lbs and I also want to live a long life. Due to arthritis I need 2 knee replacements and fusion in my lower back. I need to do the sleeve to get my weigh down to have the best result possible from any knee replacements or back surgery. I don't know about you but the more research I do the more personal reasons I find I need to do this (lower BP, cholestrol, gerd, etc). I have done all my pre-op tests and find reassurance in the depth and number needed. I have been approved and cleared by my primary care physician. Next step is pre-op appt and scheduling my surgery date. Good luck, and keep in touch.