Joisey01

Oh no! Keep your head above Water and keep on track. One day at a time. Your surgery situation will all fall into place. I'm saying some prayers for you. Hang in there.

lol good luck. and i had to post this vid from bad boys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUH3JQjcweM

I want to:
be off all of my medications
fit in an airplane seat without infringing upon my neighbor's space
walk to my heart's content
not sweat to death after picking up something off the floor
to have my husband be able to put his arms all the way around me.
It's the simple things in life.

Well, I'm sitting at the airport waiting for my plane. Headed to San Diego, then Tijuana for surgery tomorrow with dr ponce!! Super excited!!

I did hear from her today. Nausea and pain better controlled but struggling with the Protein.< /p>

Had my one year follow up today. (Actual date will be 10/13/2012). Down 155 lbs. Off all medications other than a few Vitamins. I still find it amazing everyday that I now have the energy to work all day (Im an RN) then come home and push mow the yard, go to Zumba and still go out and do in the evenings. I was laying on the couch with my boyfriend the other night and he asked what I was doing. After thinking for a minute I realized I was playing with my rib. I have ribs!! Like real ones and a collar bone to match:) I have never been so happy that I did something in my life! This surgery saved my life!

Good luck, I'm also going to to be sleeved tomorrow morning !!!!!!!

Soooooo excited from Bloomfield nj having my surgery in valley in ridgewood with Dr Shrope I was approved in 3 days def not expected but def great news super happy cant wait!

Bit nervous ok a lot o.0. I go in at 6am to be sleeved at 8am. I will post on here as soon as I'm able. I hope all goes well wish me luck hugs

My doc advised that if your energy level plummets to try apple juice that is slightly diluted. It could be because your sugar levels are low. Apple juice is light and sweet. If you try it, I hope it works!

I walked a mile in 33 min and I'm darn proud of that!! Especially since I have arthritis in my lower back and right thigh.
Now for the 2 miler . I'll get there slowly but surely.

I was sleeved 4 days ago. I was one of the unusual ones. I was very calm, very ready for the surgery. My blood pressure was perfectly normal, oddly enough! It hadn't been normal for 3 years.
Do as the medical team tells you and do it to the best of your ability. Not everyone has a great experience after surgery. Walking the first time is going to feel like they are asking you to climb Mount Rushmore and kiss Lincoln's nose. In two hours, it'll be easier.
Manage your pain first. If you don't, everything else will be harder. Don't try to suck it up and think you can do it on your own. It will only make it harder.
One day at a time. It's all you can do. You will do well! Just remember, this is my opinion and my experience. Every single sleeve is different.
Hang in there and take a deep breath.

I was sleeved 4 days ago. I was one of the unusual ones. I was very calm, very ready for the surgery. My blood pressure was perfectly normal, oddly enough! It hadn't been normal for 3 years.
Do as the medical team tells you and do it to the best of your ability. Not everyone has a great experience after surgery. Walking the first time is going to feel like they are asking you to climb Mount Rushmore and kiss Lincoln's nose. In two hours, it'll be easier.
Manage your pain first. If you don't, everything else will be harder. Don't try to suck it up and think you can do it on your own. It will only make it harder.
One day at a time. It's all you can do. You will do well! Just remember, this is my opinion and my experience. Every single sleeve is different.
Hang in there and take a deep breath.

Good luck for a speedy recovery!!

I'm 11 days put.. Each day gets easier. My body reminds me once in a while I had major surgery. I feel pretty darn good. Learn something new everyday. Just remember this is your journey and each of ours is different. I've lost 11 pounds. I walk everyday. That's the one thing I can say you really need to make yourself do. You will feel better for it in the long run! Good luck!!

I'm so excited you would think its my turn to head to the losers bench! This means Ill have my best friend around a little longer than I would have,hopefully. My surgery is in TJ in March, while hers is in the states. I've helped guide her through the process and will continue post op. I feel like a walking sleeve encyclopedia with my obsession to research everything to death and the wonderful people here on VST are much to thank for a huge amount of my info and knowledge. Thank you all and I look forward to the continued "friendships".

That's awesome!! I had trouble too, I wish I'd know about THAT!!
Dr. Kim is awesome, huh? I couldn't be happier. Good job! Go get it!

Congrats Joisey ! So glad to hear that your recovery has gone so well ! I was sleeved on the 18th and I also, am doing well. Except for a screw up with the hospital that kept me in recovery for 7 hours (yep, how ridiculous !!!), some post op sickness (which thanks to recovery room drugs I have no memory of), and that gawd awful clear stuff they make you drink for part 1 of a 2 part leak test making me want to hurl, my recovery went pretty well. Was up and walking at 1:30 in the morning and having a really hard time sipping (kept making me want to hurl). I ended up being kept a third night in the hospital because I wasn't getting enough Fluid down, but as soon as I told them to take the pain pump full of morphine and STOP giving me anti nausea meds (which were keeping me so knocked out I couldn't even hold a conversation without dropping off mid sentence) I felt SO much better and was able to more than double my fluid intake in 24 hours ! Sometimes the meds make your recovery harder instead of easier ! The pain was tolerable, but you definitely know you've been cut on. I went in expecting the worst and found that I was pleasantly surprised and relieved. In all honesty, the jury is still out since it's all still so new, but I'm trying to stay positive that all will be well but keeping an eye out for any funky feelings or odd signs that something may be up. I was beyond nervous and had they not given me that little pre op nerve tonic shot when they did, I very well may have bolted out of that hospital, bare butt hanging out of the hospital gown and all ! I'm feeling very fortunate and blessed but remaining on high alert for any issues. Go in expecting the best possible outcome but still be mentally prepared for potential complications. Positive thinking isn't easy when your terrified, but it really can help your recovery. After all, the mind controls the body. My mantra, prayer, or whatever you want to call it going in was "please just let me wake up. I'll deal with whatever else comes after that". Again, CONGRATS !!!

I've about decided that I think I'm a success story already. I was sleeved yesterday. I went in very calm, rested and so ready. Even the doc was surprised at my calmness. He said he doesn't see that very often. I felt bad since the girl next to me in the pre-op room was having a meltdown.
I was the first surgery of the day. I was back in my own room by 09:00. When I was really with it, the first thing I wanted to do was walk. My hubbs was the GREATEST.
I'm not sure how it happened (probably because I was up and at 'em first) but at the 2 in the morning walk, I met up with a handful of VSG patients. I was whipping around the floor pretty quickly. I'd stop nearly everyone and gave them words of encouragement, helpful hints.
By morning I was considered the floor's head cheerleader. My reputation preceded me, I guess. It was so cool to see everyone out there getting their groove on!
THE BEST HELPFUL HINT:
I can't remember who told me this, but after surgery, may people can't pee. I was one those people. If you have trouble peeing, (I am NOT joking) put your tongue to the roof of your mouth and push. I swear! It works. Once you take your tongue from the roof of your mouth, your stream stops! This trick alone allowed me to finally pee. It's crazy, I know!!
I've also decided that the hospital is no place for sick or recovering people! I didn't sleep a wink last night. I would no more and fall into never never land then someone would come in to poke, prod, take temps and all that. It wasn't horrible or anything, but I didn't sleep at all. Why does the internist find it necessary to do a basic exam at 03:00? Really? That couldn't have waited until morning?
My largest incision gave me some grief. It was very weepy. That bandage had to be changed several times. By the time I was discharged today, it was under control.
Every single person I came in contact with from admission to discharge was THE BEST! I strongly believe that if you go in with a positive attitude, your outcome will be positive. By this afternoon, I had not only hospital personnel stopping by, but I had fellow patients stopping by to say hi and just chat. It was THE BEST experience!
Now that I'm home, I took a 3 hour nap. I'm finding that when I finally settle into a comfy position, I'm apparently not moving from that position. I'm waking up very, very stiff. But once I get moving, it gets better. The liquid Tylenol definitely helps. I'm not waiting for the pain to get out of hand. I'm trying to nip it in the bud. Hopefully tomorrow I'll need the pain meds even less.
My surgery was a complete success. I did have a tiny hernia that Dr. Kim repaired while he was in there. I don't feel any worse for the wear from it. One stop shopping! Can't beat it!
Water is going down nicely. I have had no nausea at all. I'm going to re-incorporate my diluted Crystal Light tomorrow to get the variety back in my liquids. I'm on liquids until my post-op visit next Friday. Sipping is VERY important! Constant sipping. It was very rough not having anything by mouth yesterday after surgery. I don't think my mouth has ever been so dry in my life.
The leak test was interesting. The liquid you have to drink is probably the worst thing I've ever had in my mouth. After that swallow, I was so afraid I'd throw it up. Luckily I didn't. I passed the leak test and was able to start sipping one ounce at 15 minute intervals for 4 hours. I passed that with flying colors, too.
I'm tired, for sure.

10 pounds a month is the average the dr. told me. You should be pleased!!

I don't think an average of ten pounds a month is bad..... In fact it's probably healthier!!! Hang in there!

I've about decided that I think I'm a success story already. I was sleeved yesterday. I went in very calm, rested and so ready. Even the doc was surprised at my calmness. He said he doesn't see that very often. I felt bad since the girl next to me in the pre-op room was having a meltdown.
I was the first surgery of the day. I was back in my own room by 09:00. When I was really with it, the first thing I wanted to do was walk. My hubbs was the GREATEST.
I'm not sure how it happened (probably because I was up and at 'em first) but at the 2 in the morning walk, I met up with a handful of VSG patients. I was whipping around the floor pretty quickly. I'd stop nearly everyone and gave them words of encouragement, helpful hints.
By morning I was considered the floor's head cheerleader. My reputation preceded me, I guess. It was so cool to see everyone out there getting their groove on!
THE BEST HELPFUL HINT:
I can't remember who told me this, but after surgery, may people can't pee. I was one those people. If you have trouble peeing, (I am NOT joking) put your tongue to the roof of your mouth and push. I swear! It works. Once you take your tongue from the roof of your mouth, your stream stops! This trick alone allowed me to finally pee. It's crazy, I know!!
I've also decided that the hospital is no place for sick or recovering people! I didn't sleep a wink last night. I would no more and fall into never never land then someone would come in to poke, prod, take temps and all that. It wasn't horrible or anything, but I didn't sleep at all. Why does the internist find it necessary to do a basic exam at 03:00? Really? That couldn't have waited until morning?
My largest incision gave me some grief. It was very weepy. That bandage had to be changed several times. By the time I was discharged today, it was under control.
Every single person I came in contact with from admission to discharge was THE BEST! I strongly believe that if you go in with a positive attitude, your outcome will be positive. By this afternoon, I had not only hospital personnel stopping by, but I had fellow patients stopping by to say hi and just chat. It was THE BEST experience!
Now that I'm home, I took a 3 hour nap. I'm finding that when I finally settle into a comfy position, I'm apparently not moving from that position. I'm waking up very, very stiff. But once I get moving, it gets better. The liquid Tylenol definitely helps. I'm not waiting for the pain to get out of hand. I'm trying to nip it in the bud. Hopefully tomorrow I'll need the pain meds even less.
My surgery was a complete success. I did have a tiny hernia that Dr. Kim repaired while he was in there. I don't feel any worse for the wear from it. One stop shopping! Can't beat it!
Water is going down nicely. I have had no nausea at all. I'm going to re-incorporate my diluted Crystal Light tomorrow to get the variety back in my liquids. I'm on liquids until my post-op visit next Friday. Sipping is VERY important! Constant sipping. It was very rough not having anything by mouth yesterday after surgery. I don't think my mouth has ever been so dry in my life.
The leak test was interesting. The liquid you have to drink is probably the worst thing I've ever had in my mouth. After that swallow, I was so afraid I'd throw it up. Luckily I didn't. I passed the leak test and was able to start sipping one ounce at 15 minute intervals for 4 hours. I passed that with flying colors, too.
I'm tired, for sure.

Almost everyone is nervous before surgery. I know I was but it was about be laying out all this cash as I self paid for surgery here in US. Could I financially survive my decision to have a large portion of my stomach removed?
HECK YES> I am thrilled and no regrets.
Can I make a suggestion? Write down 10 reasons why you are getting this surgery done and seal it in an envelope just before surgery (read morning of surgery to remind yourself) Then when things get tough, and this road is not always perfect, you can then reread why you did this.
Hugs! Be sure to write when you can about your recovery.