DanaInNewOrleans

Hey!! Are you in New Orleans? Congrats to you too! Were you in Crescent City Surgical?

Hi everybody, Sorry I haven't updated until now but I had a rough couple of days with nausea, which they finally got under control once they found the right drug combinations. I'm finally home and doing well. I'm sitting here sipping warm black coffee -- I have never liked black coffee but at this point I'll take it. So I'll recap my experiences so the newbies can get an idea of what to expect. Thursday 12/20... 1 day before S-Day). Only Clear liquids this day and let me tell you, I was starving by the time the evening came around. I just kept eating sugar free Jello cups. I had a lot of friends calling to wish me well and ask it I was nervous. Believe it or not, I was totally at peace. I can't explain it but I was not nervous at all. Once midnight came it was nothing by mouth. I stayed up all night cleaning the house - I wanted to come home to a really clean house so that I didn't have to worry about it for a while once I got home. Also we have friends coming to stay with us for Christmas and of course I want the house clean! It worked out well because it kept me occupied. I took a shower at about 4 am with Hibiclens, then it was time to get dressed, wake up the hubby and head to the hospital ...we have to be there at 6am. Friday 12/21.... S(sleeve)-Day!!! 615am We are at the hospital and waiting to be called back. There are a few people in the waiting who look like they are relatives of patients...about 7am they called to "come on back"! I kiss the hubby goodbye and they bring me to a room, hand me a big plastic back and tell me to take everything off and put the gown on. The gown is HUGE --- and can't get it to stay on my shoulders. The nurse then takes me to the pre-op room and I get in bed. They called Jay (hubby) so he can come sit with me until I go to surgery. The two anesthesiologists that I'd already met came in to talk to me and both were great. They told me they knew I was concerned about nausea and they would everything they could to minimize it. Then they tell Dr; Lavin is running ahead of schedule and I would be next and it would only be about 10 minutes before they start! WOW. That was quick!! From that point on everything moves fast. They put my IV in (easy easy) and next thing I know they are wheeling me to the OR I kissed the hubby goodbye and yelled down the hall that "if I die take care of our cats" , to which the hubby yelled back "we have DOGS dummy" LOL... SO, now I am in the OR. They switch me to the OR bed and get me situated-- they put a mask over my face and then it was lights out immediately. It is amazing how quick it works. My last conscious thought was them putting them on the mask and me thinking, it smelled sweet. LIGHTS OUT! The next thing I vaguely remember is being wheeled out and to my room -- I was extremely nauseous and had to pee very badly. I get to the room and all I can think about is PEEING, although I'm not fully awake. They want me to wait. I say I cannot wait -- the want me to use a bed pan, I say no way, just let me get up to pee. The nurse relents and they help me out of the bed. I was totally unstable and so hubby and 2 aggravated nurses guide me to the bathroom. My nausea is awful and I have pain in my chest and shoulders-- which I knew to expect because of VST! It's the gas they pump you up with --- it goes everywhere. I have no pain in my stomach or my incisions ( I have 5 incisions). I battle nausea for hours-- they give different meds abut nothing helps. They finally find the right combination of drugs.... Reglan, Levsin and Zofran. Thank God!! I slept for a little-- then it was time get up and pee. That scenario went on all night....because they were giving me fluids I had to get up to pee every half hour or so. And every time I had to climb out of the bed and maneuver the IV pole, pee, maneuver back to bed, then try to climb in bed without killing myself! I think I probably did that 20 times. They have me sucking on ice chips and trying to drink a little, which goes good. I am able to sip and suck on ice with no difficulty. . In the middle of night I got up and Jay ( he stayed the whole night with me) and I walked around the entire floor. Then they bring me more liquid Lortab which helps the soreness so much!! It's is great. Saturday 12/22....1 day post-S(sleeve) All my nurses were awesome. A couple of my nurses had actually had the Sleeve done by Dr. Lavin, which is cool because they were able to give lots of advice and perspective. I walk around a little but the IV pole drives me crazy. They want me to eat a Popsicle and Crystal Light, which again, goes down fine. I finished the entire Popsicle and was able to sip the Crystal Light. All I want now is to go home and sleep since I haven't actually sleep since Wednesday. The nurse tells me that I should be able to go home but they've got to wait until Dr. Lavin gives the ok. I'm still connected to the IV which means I am still peeing constantly. I am soooo ready to go home. Finally the nurse comes in and says Lavin gave the ok. Yea!!! It will take a little while though because the nurses have to get the discharge papers together. I get dressed (which feels great to be out of that gown ) About an hour later the nurse comes in and goes over instructions, medications....etc. I sign my discharge papers and it's jailbreak time!!! I hug my nurse, thank everybody and we're off for home to see our fur babies (3 little dogs) that we adore. We get home, play with our dogs a little and I make some chicken broth, which goes down well. I am not hungry but do wish I could eat something-- head hunger. It sucks.. I am extremely sore all over. It's the kind of soreness that feels like the day after you've exercised hard and you're out shape. Or like if you have the flu and you cough so much that everything hurts. I take some liquid Lortab , lay down and sleep, sleep, sleep with my 3 fur babies next to me. I wake up late in the evening, make some chicken broth, eat a Sugar Free Popsicle and a sugar free Fudgesicle. I walk around the house a little bit and go back to sleep. Sunday 12/22 2 Days Post-S I wake up and feel so much better today! It's a big difference and now I know what the sleeve veterans mean when they say every day gets better. It's true. I'm sitting here watching the Saints game ( we're season tickets holders and are crazy about our Saints) and sipping black coffee and taking my medication one pill at a time. I have had no problem with sipping warm or cold liquids, although plain Water does not go down as easy. I ate a cup of Jello and feel good. So that's it!! I'm officially on the "other side" and it feels good! Good luck to all of you pending Sleevers!! ~Dana

Hi everybody, Sorry I haven't updated until now but I had a rough couple of days with nausea, which they finally got under control once they found the right drug combinations. I'm finally home and doing well. I'm sitting here sipping warm black coffee -- I have never liked black coffee but at this point I'll take it. So I'll recap my experiences so the newbies can get an idea of what to expect. Thursday 12/20... 1 day before S-Day). Only clear liquids this day and let me tell you, I was starving by the time the evening came around. I just kept eating sugar free Jello cups. I had a lot of friends calling to wish me well and ask it I was nervous. Believe it or not, I was totally at peace. I can't explain it but I was not nervous at all. Once midnight came it was nothing by mouth. I stayed up all night cleaning the house - I wanted to come home to a really clean house so that I didn't have to worry about it for a while once I got home. Also we have friends coming to stay with us for Christmas and of course I want the house clean! It worked out well because it kept me occupied. I took a shower at about 4 am with Hibiclens, then it was time to get dressed, wake up the hubby and head to the hospital ...we have to be there at 6am. Friday 12/21.... S(sleeve)-Day!!! 615am We are at the hospital and waiting to be called back. There are a few people in the waiting who look like they are relatives of patients...Ok, about 7am they called to "come on back"! I kiss the hubby goodbye and they bring me to a room, hand me a big plastic back and tell me to take everything off and put the gown on. The gown is HUGE --- and can't get it to stay on my shoulders. The nurse then takes me to the pre-op room and I get in bed. They called Jay (hubby) so he can come sit with me until I go to surgery. The two anesthesiologists that I'd already met came in to talk to me and both were great. They told me they knew I was concerned about nausea and they would do everything they could to minimize it. Then they tell Dr; Lavin is running ahead of schedule and I would be next and it would only be about 10 minutes before they start! WOW. That was quick!! From that point on everything moves fast. They put my IV in (easy easy) and next thing I know they are wheeling me to the OR. I kissed the hubby goodbye and yelled down the hall that "if I die take care of our cats" , to which the hubby yelled back "we have DOGS dummy" LOL.... SO, now I am in the OR. They switch me to the OR bed and get me situated-- they put a mask over my face and then it was lights out immediately. It is amazing how quick it works. My last conscious thought was them putting them on the mask and me thinking, it smelled sweet. LIGHTS OUT! The next thing I vaguely remember is being wheeled out and to my room -- I was extremely nauseous and had to pee very badly. I get to the room and all I can think about is PEEING, although I'm not fully awake. They want me to wait. I say I cannot wait -- the want me to use a bed pan, I say no way, just let me get up to pee. The nurse relents and they help me out of the bed. I was totally unstable and so hubby and 2 aggravated nurses guide me to the bathroom. My nausea is awful and I have pain in my chest and shoulders-- which I knew to expect because of VST! It's the gas they pump you up with --- it goes everywhere. I have no pain in my stomach or my incisions ( I have 5 incisions). I battle nausea for hours-- they give different meds abut nothing helps. They finally find the right combination of drugs.... Reglan, Levsin and Zofran. Thank God!! I slept for a little-- then it was time get up and pee. That scenario went on all night....because they were giving me fluids I had to get up to pee every half hour or so. And every time I had to climb out of the bed and maneuver the IV pole, pee, maneuver back to bed, then try to climb in bed without killing myself! I think I probably did that 20 times. They have me sucking on ice chips and trying to drink a little, which goes good. I am able to sip and suck on ice with no difficulty. . In the middle of night I got up and Jay ( he stayed the whole night with me) and I walked around the entire floor. Then they bring me more liquid Lortab which helps the soreness so much!! It's is great. Saturday 12/22....1 day post-S(sleeve) All my nurses were awesome. A couple of my nurses had actually had the Sleeve done by Dr. Lavin, which is cool because they were able to give lots of advice and perspective. I walk around a little but the IV pole drives me crazy. They want me to eat a Popsicle and Crystal Light, which again, goes down fine. I finished the entire Popsicle and was able to sip the Crystal Light. All I want now is to go home and sleep since I haven't actually sleep since Wednesday. The nurse tells me that I should be able to go home but they've got to wait until Dr. Lavin gives the ok. I'm still connected to the IV which means I am still peeing constantly. I am soooo ready to go home. Finally the nurse comes in and says Lavin gave the ok. Yea!!! It will take a little while though because the nurses have to get the discharge papers together. I get dressed (which feels great to be out of that gown ) About an hour later the nurse comes in and goes over instructions, medications....etc. I sign my discharge papers and it's jailbreak time!!! I hug my nurse, thank everybody and we're off for home to see our fur babies (3 little dogs) that we adore. We get home, play with our dogs a little and I make some chicken broth, which goes down well. I am not hungry but do wish I could eat something-- head hunger. It sucks.. I am extremely sore all over. It's the kind of soreness that feels like the day after you've exercised hard and you're out shape. Or like if you have the flu and you cough so much that everything hurts. I take some liquid Lortab , lay down and sleep, sleep, sleep with my 3 fur babies next to me. I wake up late in the evening, make some chicken broth, eat a Sugar Free Popsicle and a sugar free Fudgesicle. I walk around the house a little bit and go back to sleep. Sunday 12/22 2 Days Post-S I wake up and feel so much better today! It's a big difference and now I know what the sleeve veterans mean when they say every day gets better. It's true. I'm sitting here watching the Saints game ( we're season tickets holders and are crazy about our Saints) and sipping black coffee and taking my medication one pill at a time. I have had no problem with sipping warm or cold liquids, although plain water does not go down as easy. I ate a cup of Jello and feel good. So that's it!! I'm officially on the "other side" and it feels good! Good luck to all of you pending Sleevers!! ~Dana

I'm finally home too! It's such a mood booster to be home! Glad everything went well for you!! We are Sleeve Sistas!!

Congratulations! 90lbs is awesome! I am sitting in the waiting room -- today is my surgery, finally!

Oh my God, it is finally here.... S(sleeve)-Day! My surgery is in 3 hours. Will be leaving for the hospital in 15 minutes.... Thanks to everyone here who has answered my crazy questions, given me encouragement/advice and support. I actually have VST and all of you to thank for getting me to this day. This was the first place I came for information back in August and it was VST and it's members that gave me the courage to do this.... And a special thanks to enuf is enuf....I'm not sure what your occupation is but honey, if you are not a motivational speaker or minister, YOU SHOULD BE!! You're awesome! I'd appreciate prayers and positive thoughts. And by the way, I am freaking starving!!! I've been on clear liquids for 2 days and well, I hope this is not a sign of things to come because I could a giant steak RIGHT NOW.... Thanks you guys! XOXOXO ~Dana

Thanks to everyone here who have answered my crazy questions, given me encouragement/advice and support. I actually have VST and all of you to thank for getting me to this day. This was the first place I came for information back in August and it was VST and it's members that gave me the courage to do this.... I'd appreciate prayers and positive thoughts. And by the way, I am freaking starving!!! I've been on Clear liquids for 2 days and well, I hope this is not a sign of things to come because I could a giant steak RIGHT NOW.... Thanks you guys! XOXOXO ~Dana

Hi, Yep, my doc requires the same thing... I also thought it was kind of odd. I just have to do it tonight and tomorrow before I leave for surgery. Good luck with your surgery! ~Dana

Thanks everyone! So I guess no lollipops! Of course, I know they are pure sugar but I was not concerned about that ( at least not at that moment). I wasn't thinking specifically about WLS --- I was thinking of pre surgery fasting in general. If a pre-op patient is allowed Jello they'd probably pick regular jello -- not sugar free. My thinking was that if a person is allowed regular jello I would think that a lollipop would be ok. Both have a ton of sugar. I've been doing Clear liquids since 8pm last night....just tired of broth and sugar free jello.... my husband has a stash of lollipops ( he sucks on them all the time!) and I came across it while cleaning.... Thanks again!

Trying to figure out if I can suck on a lollipop during my pre-op surgery clear liquid diet? My surgery tomorrow morning.....

Hi Shane! How are you doing?

Good luck Traci!! I'm hoping to give a play by play on 12/21... being able to read everyone's detailed experiences really really helped me with the anxiety of the "unknown". I really think that being involved here on VST is the reason that I am at peace. Thank you VST and all the wonderful people here who are so generous and kind to share their time, knowledge and experience!! Woooo Hoooo!!!! Go Decmeber Sleevers, Go December Sleevers!!! Yea US!!!!

Hey! I'm with Dr. Lavin at Surgical Specialists! Did you have your surgery at Crescent City Surgical? How are you feeling? ~Dana

LOL!!

ME ME ME!!!

2 Days 12 Hours 52 Minutes............ Today was my pre-op at the hospital -- blood work, meet with anesthesiologist, etc. The admit/billing rep that did my paperwork had the sleeve done last February -- by my surgeon, Dr Lavin. She's lost 85 pounds and said it's the best decision she's ever made. She did say the first week was HARD. Not pain wise or hunger wise --- emotion wise. She was having a hard time adjusting to not chewing anything for 10 days. Everyone's doc is different and Dr. Lavin only allows Clear liquids for 7-10 days. She said by day 4 after surgery she was crying uncontrollably. But she said it got better every day... So, After the paperwork is done I go to the admit nurse-- well guess what? Yep, she had the sleeve -- done by Dr. Lavin (of course, Dr. Lavin is THE man) on June 28th and has lost 60 pounds. She said it was soooo easy-- she never had any nausea, pain and adjusted very well to almost all foods. And of course she says it was the best decision she ever made and it's the happiest she's ever been in her life. And then the admit nurse told me that my floor nurse the day of surgery is.....yes,that's right, another of Dr. Lavin's patients. She had it done about 18 months ago and just finished having plastic surgery. Apparently she is now a knockout! ( She's only 26). Obviously that pre-op visit today was extremely reaffirming. On the way over there today Jay (hubby) mentioned how surprised he was that I didn't seem a bit nervous about the fact that my surgery is in less than 72 hours. I really can't explain it... I'm really not nervous. Now, I AM apprehensive about the only clear liquids thing for 7-10 days...that's got to be miserable. I find it so strange how everyone's doc has different instructions...just seems like that by now there would be an accepted "gold standard" of Gastric Sleeve post op guidelines. Some patients here on VST are allowed mushy food just a few days after surgery. Some can start Protein shakes, but not mushies for 2 weeks..... it's all over the map... I'm ready. And I'm counting down to December 21, 2012.... Good luck to everyone who is having surgery this week!!!

Hi! I'm tentatively scheduled for about 8:30am -- I'm the second case that morning. They sometimes move the schedule around so they'll let me know the definite time on Thursday. What time are you scheduled for?

What a great post!! Thank you so much for sharing this. Your success sounds like exactly what I'm hoping for!

Keep us up to date if you feel up to it! Everyone says walking walking walking helps with the gas... ~Dana

Good luck Niki!! A new life awaits you!

Hi, I really enjoyed reading your post. Very interesting! With regards to fats...Dr. Atkins, who was THE low carb guru loooong before the latest craze in the last 20 years, always stressed that low fat / high carb diets were the road to obesity. Of course, everyone's body is different. For me, low carb was the my answer and my salvation 12 years ago. I lost 160 pounds on Atkins and I believe that had I been informed about it 20 years before that, I would not have had the struggle with morbid obesity that consumed my life. I have kept the majority of those 160 pounds off, I believe, because I never went back to a high carb lifestyle. In my normal everyday life I avoid carbs. Yes, I have gained back about 60 of those 160 pounds over the last 6 years but I really attribute it to body set points, hormones and not being quite as strict with my low carb way of life. I feel like the gastric sleeve will be an additional tool for me along with my low carb philosophy. Congratulations on your success! My surgery is the 21st and hope it will put me back on the road to losing weight. ~Dana

Thanks Denise! How does the wheybolic protein taste?

I haven't tried Isopure since so many on here call it Isopuke....lol....

Hi! I have finally found 2 protein powders that I actually LOVE. I actually look forward to them.... nectar chocolate Truffle (my fave) ABOUT TIME Birthday Cake I initially was buying RTD shakes-- my favorite of those were Atkins. But I doctored them up with a little Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, low carb milk, ice...and I put them in the blender. Once I tried the Nectar choc truffle I haven't had any of the RTDs. The Nectar choc truffle is awesome.... I put 3/4 scoop ( 1 scoop is normal serving), 2 tablespoons cottage cheese, 3 or 4 ice cubes and 6oz of low carb Hood milk. It takes just like chocolate milk -- actually I like it better than chocolate milk because the real stuff is waaay too thick.... You can also add a tablespoon of sugar free pudding powder... it ends up being around 175-200 calories. Easy easy to drink, at least it is before surgery. My surgery is on the 21st.... I'm hoping that it still tastes as good after surgery as it does now. By the way, you can buy the Nectar on Amazon... ~Dana

Good Luck Ladycat! Keep on posted...everybody loves to hear other's experiences....it's very comforting. Sending positive thoughts your way.....