want2lose

I was one of the lucky ones. Hardly any pain, and feel great now. I'm at the 1 week mark. I have my experience posted if you want to read about it. Everyone's pain level is different. You'll do great! Best wishes.

Thanks so much for this great post! I decided to print out all 32 pages to keep on the table so I can access it immediately! This does contain great info! :thumbup1:

I felt I was well cared for. My husband was taken out for one meal but then we had to ask/remind them to order meals. Sometimes my husband only ate once. If you ask them they will help you order and food will be delivered. I had a good experience with my surgery, but if someone asks if I would refer, my comment is, it has to be your decision. Even though leaks are possible anywhere, I would hate to refer someone and if they were that 1%, I would feel awful. It was the right decision for me. :thumbup:

I had it removed because I wanted it done. I heard and also read about people having problems with their gall bladders after losing weight quickly. Many said they wished they had it done at the same time. Also since you would be already out, it would cost less than if you needed to have it out later. Best wishes for your surgery and keep me informed how you are doing.

Sleeved May 14th, 2010 I had the sleeve done May 14th, 2010 in Mexico. My surgeon was Dr. Almanza. My surgery went well. Here are my details... My husband and I flew to San Diego with another couple. We were picked up at the hospital and taken directly to the lab for blood work. From there we were taken to Jerusalem Hospital. I got ready for surgery and was on the OR table and I don't remember being put out! (Must be pretty good stuff! LOL) I woke up in the recovery room. (I also had my gall bladder removed at the same time. Heard many stories about people having gall bladder problems after losing weight so quickly and wished they would have had the gall bladder removed right away). I never felt the chills that some people experience from coming out of the anesthesia. Threw up a few times then felt much better. Was lucky in the gas area also. I didn't have too much. I walked back and forth down the halls a bit. If I hip-upped I would feel slight pain. Did have diarreha but that cleared up in a couple of days. There were 4 leak tests. The fist two are done in the operating room and I don't remember those. (Air test and purple dye) The third one is where you drink that nasty purple juice to see if any seeps into your drain. Leaves your teeth and tongue as purple as Barney! The forth is where they take you to radiology and you drink a liquid and watch it go down your stomach and see if it leaks out. There you get your xray also showing the stages of this test. Some say this is the worst tasting of all the tests, but I'm not sure...that purple stuff was pretty nasty...all 8 oz of it. My care was good. Every person that took care of me sanitized their hands then put on gloves before changing my bandages. I think the part that hurt the most was when they changed bandages...good tape...ouch! LOL I stayed an extra day at the hospital because of having two surgeries, (Sleeve and gall baldder removal) then went to the recovery house. That was nice and my care was good also. The only thing I wish different is that they would have someone who stays at the hospital and recovery house that speaks complete english. Many of the care takers don't speak english, and all my spanish is good for is counting to 10! My husband had questions but they couldn't understand us to answer our questions. There are a couple of caretakers that know some english, but they are not always on. All in all, my surgery went well. I was forunate not to have a leak and feel wonderful.

Yes, I saw Dr. Brenda. She was very nice. She was the one that removed my drain.

Best Wishes! I had my done last Friday without complications and feel great. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that everything goes perfect for you!

I had the sleeve done May 14th, 2010 in Mexico. My surgeon was Dr. Almanza. My surgery went well. Here are my details... My husband and I flew to San Diego with another couple. We were picked up at the hospital and taken directly to the lab for blood work. From there we were taken to Jerusalem Hospital. I got ready for surgery and was on the OR table and I don't remember being put out! (Must be pretty good stuff! LOL) I woke up in the recovery room. (I also had my gall bladder removed at the same time. Heard many stories about people having gall bladder problems after losing weight so quickly and wished they would have had the gall bladder removed right away). I never felt the chills that some people experience from coming out of the anesthesia. Threw up a few times then felt much better. Was lucky in the gas area also. I didn't have too much. I walked back and forth down the halls a bit. If I hip-upped I would feel slight pain. Did have diarreha but that cleared up in a couple of days. There were 4 leak tests. The fist two are done in the operating room and I don't remember those. (Air test and purple dye) The third one is where you drink that nasty purple juice to see if any seeps into your drain. Leaves your teeth and tongue as purple as Barney! The forth is where they take you to radiology and you drink a liquid and watch it go down your stomach and see if it leaks out. There you get your xray also showing the stages of this test. Some say this is the worst tasting of all the tests, but I'm not sure...that purple stuff was pretty nasty...all 8 oz of it. My care was good. Every person that took care of me sanitized their hands then put on gloves before changing my bandages. I think the part that hurt the most was when they changed bandages...good tape...ouch! LOL I stayed an extra day at the hospital because of having two surgeries, (Sleeve and gall baldder removal) then went to the recovery house. That was nice and my care was good also. The only thing I wish different is that they would have someone who stays at the hospital and recovery house that speaks complete english. Many of the care takers don't speak english, and all my spanish is good for is counting to 10! My husband had questions but they couldn't understand us to answer our questions. There are a couple of caretakers that know some english, but they are not always on. All in all, my surgery went well. I was forunate not to have a leak and feel wonderful. :thumbup1:

Mine is May 14th....getting excited!

I am scheduled for surgery May 14th. I am going to have Dr. Almanza. I have tried to lose weight before and have succeeded. Now throw in a thyroid problem....with the medicine I have gained and can't lose. I learned of VSG surgery when I met a girl on vacation and she shared her story with me. After talking longer with her I found out she actually lives only about 1 hour from me! I am doing this for me...right now we haven't told anyone except my son and daughter. Once I lose weight and more questions may arise, I may come clean....maybe I won't...LOL Best of luck to you.

I hear ya about having your "lasts"! My husband and I have visited a few of our favorite restaurants in the last week. Saying good-bye to some of the meals I will not be ordering anytime soon! I told him when we go out (once I'm ready for regular food) maybe I will order salad bar and he can cut me a piece of what ever he orders! :thumbup:

That is too funny. There are times when my husband I and go out to subway and spilt a footlong....he tells me I'm such a cheap date!!! LOL He said I'll really be cheap when we go out after surgery!! Tells me I'll be able to live off the 6 inch sub for days....LOL

Wow, I have UHC and when I talked to customer service they said weight loss surgery was not a covered benefit. Must be different between states!

Hi everyone, I have been reading many posts. Some good, some bad. In less than 2 weeks I will have VSG in Mexico. I am tired of not being able to do the things I use to. A few years ago I was informed I was hypothyroid. Couldn't figure out why I felt sluggish and couldn't keep up bike riding, playing tennis, and so on. Thanks to the meds I have gained weight and no matter how healthy I eat, or how much I exercise, the weight does not come off that easy. My knee is such a problem at times. I get up and feel like it just wants to pop. I spoke with my doctor and I asked her what she thought about this surgery. Since she said it was not her field, she gave me info that I could attend meetings and learn more. I heard of Dr. Almanza through someone I met on vacation. She had him and filled me in on her experience. I contacted Melissa (Patient Coordinator for Dr. Almanza) and she has been wonderful answering all my emails everytime I email her....which has been alot. I am nervous but excited also. I will post my experience once I have it done. Can't wait to be lighter and able to get back to my old life! :thumbup:

It's great your insurance is covering this. Mine won't. Even though I feel having the VSG would save in health costs in the future, a lot of insurance companies don't see it that way.

Thanks everyone for the replies. After reading many posts on different sites, we have decided that we will have the gall bladder removed at the same time. I appreciate everyones advice.

Has anyone had any gall bladder problems after VSG? If so, how long after? Did anyone have their gall bladder removed with the surgery?

Thanks for the info. For some reason I had it in my mind you could only eat 3-4 ozs at a time. I'm still researching but hard to figure out what you eat, how much and when.

When you are back to normal food after surgery, can some of you please tell me what you eat for the day....if you ever eat out, how do you manage, what you order, etc. I know you will eat less after the surgery, but am wondering what a typical day is like. Thanks for any replies. :thumbup:

Thanks everyone for your replies. I plan on checking with my doctor, but if she tries to talk me out of it, my husband and I think it is still the right choice for me. I'm hoping to have it done by the end of May. :thumbup:

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. My TSH levels have been in the normal ranges. I haven't talked to my doctor yet. Not sure how she feels about surgery. She keeps saying to eat better and exercise more. I have done that but still don't lose weight.

I have heard about VSG and am starting to research it. I have an inactive thyroid and no matter what I do I am having a hard time losing weight. Since taking my medicine I have gained almost 30 pounds. Has anyone had this procedure done that has hypothyroid proplems? Can anyone share any info? Thanks. :wink0: