akwitham72

I am 16 days post-op (surgery on Dec. 17). I am wondering how long everybody stayed swollen? I still am very bruised on my abdomen where the hole was for the instrument. Even though I had to bleeding complication (under All Things Dr. Ponce in the Mexico thread). I just still feel so swollen and sore. Today is the first day I mights actually get in an entire 33 oz. bottle of water and 60+ grams protein. It has been rough getting all of this in. Anyway, just curious as to when I won't feel so sore and swollen? Thanks!

I had my surgery on December 17th so just a little over 4 months. I have lost 47 lbs. so far and am at 137 wearing a size 6 pants today felt so good. I eat whatever I want I just can't eat much of anything. I cannot do any bread, pizza or crackers as I throw up. I cannot do much meat unless it is shredded or it feels stuck and I barf. Started running and doing kettle bell and feel amazing. I wanted to he down to 120 but would be more than happy with stopping at 130.

KatiKati, I am here to tell you it will get better, but you will be up and down the whole time. I was sleeved on December 17 th. I spend 5 days in the hospital in TJ, had to have a blood transfusion, and came home with the drain tube for 20 days. I still have a huge blood clot on the right side of my abdomen which makes me not able to really work out. To top it all off my husband went off on me three weeks ago in front of my entire family that I selfishly left my family and risked my life to have this surgery and after 14 years left me and our 3 kids. On the bright side, I have lost 30 pounds that I never would have lost without the sleeve. So I really am here to tell you things could be worse and they do get better. Keep your chin up and breathe. Keep coming to this wonderful place for support from people who get it. Stay strong. Angie

KatiKati, I am here to tell you it will get better, but you will be up and down the whole time. I was sleeved on December 17 th. I spend 5 days in the hospital in TJ, had to have a blood transfusion, and came home with the drain tube for 20 days. I still have a huge blood clot on the right side of my abdomen which makes me not able to really work out. To top it all off my husband went off on me three weeks ago in front of my entire family that I selfishly left my family and risked my life to have this surgery and after 14 years left me and our 3 kids. On the bright side, I have lost 30 pounds that I never would have lost without the sleeve. So I really am here to tell you things could be worse and they do get better. Keep your chin up and breathe. Keep coming to this wonderful place for support from people who get it. Stay strong. Angie

I had my drain tube in the 5 days I had to be in the hospital. I had to go home with it in from Mexico (I had a bleeding problem after surgery) for another 13 days. To say the least it SUCKED! It hurt so bad around the drain site where the skin started to grow around the tube and every time I moved it would bleed and I would have to change the dressing. It hurt really bad when they pulled the stitches out around the tube but the pulling out part did not hurt at all. It was heaven when it was finally gone.

I am being really diligent about waiting the 30 before and after sometimes a little longer afterwards. I am having a hard time getting my water in and that bothers me since I know how important that is. Do we have to wait the 30 minutes before and after we have our protein shakes too since they are liquid as well I wasn't sure. I feel like all I do all day is worry about my food and liquid and getting it all in and right. I hope it gets easier.

Hi everyone. With all that I went through it seems crazy that I will be three weeks out tomorrow. I got a call on Friday stating that my last labs showed my hemoglobins went back down again and I am now anemic which I have never been in my life. This would account for my extreme tiredness. My surgeon said I could not jog for two months only walking. I have not done anything as far as exercise so far because I am still so sore and bruised and I still get tired just taking a shower in the morning. I also am having extreme gas and heart burn. I never had any hunger pains whatsoever the first week and a half but now I feel hunger all day. Is this due to the gas pain and heart burn? Do any of you have any suggestions or know any meds I could take or ask my doctor for to help this?

I think I will try the Isopure. As long as it is not too sweet. Sweet makes me kind of icky feeling now. I don't know why I am so bruised but it is pretty black and large. My incisions are great even where the drain tube was left in for so long. I am really trying to get 2 protein shakes in a day for sure to get 50 grams. Work went pretty well today but I am pooped for the day and down on the couch until bed. Everyone needs to really take it as easy as possible to get their energy back.

Hello Everyone. I am not new to the forum but new to all of you. I was sleeved on Dec. 17 as well and am down 15lbs. from 180. I feel really good about this. I am unable to get all of my protein in or my liquid at this point. I have vomited a few times I think from eating too fast or that one bite too many. I did have a bleeding complication after surgery and my blood pressure dropped to 90/30 and I passed out in the hospital. I ended up having a blood transfusion with 3 bags of plasma too. I ended up staying in the hospital a couple extra nights. I came home with my drain tube in for 13 extra days. I got it out this last Monday. I went back to work today and did pretty well considering how extremely weak and tired I have been every day. Drying my hair takes forever because I have to stop several times to rest my arms. I am on the mend though. I fell like I have stalled the last few days on the weight loss. Yesterday I was really not able to eat anything because it made me feel sick. Today was a better day and that seems to help the scale move. I think our bodies go into shock and I know for me when I don't eat enough food I will not lose weight. I spent the first 10 days on clear liquids and then 10 more on pureed. I get to move to soft foods like fish, tuna, soft chicken, eggs etc. next Monday and I cannot wait. I am going to meet a couple girl friends tomorrow night and I think I might actually order some chicken brochettes (they are really soft and tasty) and chew them up really good. One last thing. I am still very badly bruised and really swollen. How long did everyone stay swollen and sore? I am also sore on the right side of my body which is weird to me because isn't the stomach on the left side? Anyway nice to meet you all and hope we all keep up with each other on this thread since we are all on the same time line.

Hi everyone. I am just now posting because it is the first coherent moment to do so. So I am going to give my experience and it is not pretty and I didn't want Paigers to read it before she came. 1. Dr.Ponce, his team of doctors, Trish, and all of the nurses are AMAZING. 2. This has been the worst hell I have ever been through. I came out of surgery with the most pain I have ever felt in my life. The gas was so bad I couldn't move. I dry heaved all night long over and over until most of the next day. My drain tube leaked throughout my bandages and everywhere with blood about ten times and had to get changed while in such pain and they had to tell me to not walk or get up anymore except to use the bathroom. I got up to use the b-room around 5:00 last night and I totally passes out taking down a nurse with me and she went out in a wheel chair (sorry!) my friend thought I had a stroke because when I woke up my mouth sagged and no coherent words would come out. 6 doctors and 5 nurses came rushing in. I got to the bed and all of my words were slurred. The cardiologist and Dr. Ponces assistant came in to do an EKG immediately. They thought I had internal bleeding and were going to do a scope on me through the drain tube hole. Dr. Ponce got up hear ASAP, as he was in surgery but they were consulting him. He checked me out even sticking his finger into the drain tube hole (ouch). They decided to do a blue die test with a scan the next morning to really determine if a scope was needed. I slept really good last night. The pain is better and nausea is gone. I am still leaking through my tube which isn't normal and going to just do the regular leak test soon. So right now I would say I would never do this ever again or anything like it, but I know in a couple months this will all past and I will be very happy. It is just going to take time. The "HOT" Doctor just came in and told me I have to get some blood because I have lost to much which probably contributed to my pass out yesterday. I also have to stay another night in the hospital until I leave for my flight later tonight to be monitored. I am very glad about that just in case. I also want to look out for Paigers. So there it is not so pretty, but I am alive and I will get better thanks to the awesome staff. Thank you all for the support you ROCK. Angie

I got the drain tube out this afternoon. I am so happy to be free of that thing. I can now sleep in my bed and not the couch. It was still over 40ml so I am a bit worried about what happens to all the Fluid that isn't getting to drain out. I asked the doctor and he said oh if you start to bloat up they will just cut you open and stick it back in. NICE! Anyway I am feeling good and happy to be able to just focus on my diet and keeping up with my Protein and fluids. Thank you all again for the support you all ROCK.

Hi everyone. I made it home last night at 7:00. I saw a doctor this morning and my blood stats have gone up just not well enough. I am still draining too much fluid so I still have the drain tube in. I go back in on Monday for more blood work. He really wants me to get some protein going and electrolyets. He gave me a prescrition for low potassium as well. I will come around it is just going to take some time. It is unjury chicken soup and vitamin water with clear protein powder in it for me. Will keep you updated. Angie

Good news-aim going home today unfortunately probably with the drain tube. My hemoglobins did come up this morning. I am going to see my PCP office tomorrow for follow up. So no missing Christmas thank goodness. Just reallywish I knew what was going on with me and the draining.

Well they gave me a six hour regimen of coagulating medicine all last night and drained and measured the tube every hour and guess what I am still draining. I have been begging to get home and leave on another airline today at 2:55. I am not real sure what they will do at the point since it hasn't stopped. I know they want me here two mores days, but I really want to go home even if it is with the tube and I get to my doctor. I don't want to do anything stupid either since I have been receiving such great care here. Paigers it was so nice tosee you yesterday and I am glad you are doing well. I will try to see you later today if I can. I get really weak fast even just a trip down the hall and back I am ready to sleep awhile, O.T.R. I think the hospital is incurring the cost since this is happening while I am here after their surgery. Dr. Morales (Ponce's assistant) was upstairs researching my problem until 11 last night and came down himself later to look at the tube and drain it himself. They really are so awesome here and I would tell anyone who comes to Mexico for this surgery that this is the surgeon and staff to have. I am still holding out hope to leave before Christmas since my friend does have MVP status with Alaska Airlines through her job. Will post later. Thanks again for all the support. It is calming and better than dealing with my worried family. Angie

Well Doctor Ponce just left my room and I will be here 2 more days. My blood levels have lowered even from when I passed out. I am still leaking out old blood and not clotting. They think I have some kind of blood disorder. I will not be able to fly home until the 27th making my friend and I miss Christmas with our families. They are stumped by me and have never had this happen before. Paigers is doing great though and I am happy with that. Keep you posted.

I must be going a little Wacko Jacko since it is getting so close to my surgery date. I have twice dreamt that I am on the surgery table and the surgeon and all the nurses and staff are totally making fun of me in spanish. "Hey guys we sure got ourselves a real big one this time." "She sure could of used a sharper razor on those legs and pits." I am knocked out during this time, but I can totally hear them and understand them (I don't speak spanish). In my head I am screaming "Hey *@$holes I can totally hear you!"

In exactly a week from today I will be on a plane about to land in San Diego and having my surgery with Dr. Ponce a few hours later. So ready I thouht it would never get here.

Tacroom- I am exactly the same stats as you. 177 weight and I want to weigh exactly what you do now maybe 10 pounds less. I have pre-diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesteral. I have watched my mom suffer with heart disease since she was 49 and at 40 with three kids to take care I don't want to go down that road. I am getting sleeved on 12/17 and can't wait. Good luck to all!

Congratulation! I am getting sleeved on 12/17 too. Good luck and can't to hear how your journey goes.