Lyrakl

I had my surgery at St. Alexius since it was so close to my house and the nurtitionist I saw was through there. I loved my nurses and she tried to get the Physician's Assistant to write me a prescription for liquid pain meds to take home, but the PA wouldn't because I'd gotten sick on one the day after surgery. I think I got sick because it was the first thing in my stomach after so many days of fasting and liquid only, and I was newly sleeved. Of course I was going to get sick. I ended up with a pain med drip during my stay in the hospital, and when I got home I was fine taking the liquid meds that my regular doctor wrote a script for. Did you see just one Physician's Assistant? I don't mind seeing one, but I saw three different ones in the hospital and I'm seeing yet another one for my follow up. I initially had an appointment with Dr. Crane for clearance, but he (or someone from his office) canceled and said because I was seeing another pyschiatrist every three months, he could clear me without seeing me. Maybe because I was self-pay they just pushed me through quick. From my initial consultation to surgery was a month and a half. My behavioral class pre-op was $10, but when I called to check the support group schedule they said the price was $20. I had Dr. Rantis in my seminar, but I was initially thinking about lap-band and he wasn't that positive about lap-band, so I went with Dr. Guske, even though I ended up changing my mind to the sleeve anyway. Thinking back on the seminar, it did seem like Dr. Rantis was a little more hands on with his patients.

I just found out my surgeon's office charges $20 a meeting to attend the support group meetings. Is this normal? It's not that I can't afford the $20, but it just seems like bad taste to have the in-house psychiatrist charging money for a support group. Has anyone else been frustrated with their surgeon center? I swear every dealing I've had with them has been an issue. First my one and only nutrition meeting was a bust because the dietician kept dozing off while she was talking. She was sick and I felt bad for her, but now that I'm sitting here one week post-op struggling with what I can eat, I see that I could've used a dietician who was at her best. Then the Friday before my Monday morning surgery, the scheduler called to tell me that there were problems with some of my pre-op tests and some of them hadn't even been completed, and she left it to me, on a Friday afternoon, to deal with it all. I spent the whole weekend before my surgery literally sick with anxiety before it was all cleared up on Monday morning, a couple hours before surgery. Turns out the scheduler was looking at the wrong file on the computer. No apology or anything. There's no consistency and I deal with a different person every single time. I made my required follow-up appointment with a specific Physician's Assistant, the one person in that office that has been professional, and I find out I'm seeing another PA, not the one I made the appointment with. It seems like most people love their surgeon center and they've been really helpful to them. I feel like the second they got my money (I'm self-pay, $23,000 cash upfront, every penny I'd saved and borrowed for the last four years in order to do this) they left me on my own. Literally. i came home from the hospital with no prescription for pain meds. I had to call my General Physician's answering service on a Friday night so he could write me a prescription for something stronger than over the counter Tylenol. They have all this advertising on youtube about how they care for their patients and see them through this process, and that wasn't my experience at all. It seems at the very least they should have a point person to talk to. I thought when my surgery was over I would be able to let it all go as long as I came out of it with the correct procedure done (which I did thank God! I was so worried after the wrong file fiasco), but because I still have to deal with them and their disorganization and now to find out they charge for support group meetings. I'm so angry at them!

It's good to hear your first three weeks were hard. I'm 7 days post-op and so miserable. Everyone says I should be so happy because surgery went perfect, it was single incision through the belly button so no scarring, and I've somehow lost 25 pounds in a single week, but right now I'm like, why the hell did I do this to myself. I hope and pray that like you that in the near future I will be happy I did this.

I had my surgery exactly a week ago and I'm miserable. I don't think in terms of regret because I know in the future I'm going to be really happy and know it was worth it. But, it was not as easy as I thought it would be.

Omigosh!! I pray my saggy skin turns out like yours, because I really don't see it. You look amazing.

my username is Lyrakl. If you need my email address to find me it's esemjae@gmail.com. Also, here's a link to my blog. http://otherwinter.blogspot.com/ I just started using MFP, and right now I'm on full liquids, so I would love to have MFP friends to see how it all works.

This is my first full day home from the hospital. I've managed to get my pain meds in and my lovenox shot, plus a walk. It's been rougher than I thought because they had a hard time managing my pain in the hospital since I got so nauseous on the narcotics they gave me and refused to take them. They put me on Tylenol IV which was better, but when I got home, I was screwed. I ended up crushing expired Vicodin and putting it in pudding. Not the best option, but I was ready to go on a pain rampage last night, and then ended up having a nice sleep and was able to walk and get stuff done today. I don't like using what little food I get to take the pain meds because it tastes so terrible, so I can't wait to be pain free! I had my surgery on Tuesday the 19th, and five days later the scale shows a loss of 8 pounds! I did have my period during surgery, so some of that might be water weight, but I'll take it anyway.

Ugh! I have those too. Once a day for ten days. They told me to jab it in quick, but I really find if I push firmly and let it sink in like its butter it hurts less. So expensive too!! Mine were $326 with all maximum discounts.

This is my third day in the hospital. I was sleeved on Tuesday the 19th. They're having problems managing my pain. I want Tylenol IV drip, they want me to swallow liquid meds that made me so sick I wet my pants and was afraid of ripping my staples out. They want me to try it again today. I'm like just bring me the Tylenol drip so I can think straight. Drinking liquids is an issue. I feel like I'm swallowing huge amounts of air which is painful. It passes in a few seconds, but it makes it hard to get liquids down. Same thing happened with jello. I'm in a lot of pain and discomfort right now. I'm so jealous of everyone who had no problems with nausea and pain. Hopefully in a few days I'll feel like this was all worth it.

I'm in the hospital after being sleeved on Tuesday. They're having trouble managing my pain because the meds make me nauseous and all that retching and heaving makes me think my new stomach is going to rip apart. I finally got them to put me on a Tylenol drip and after having no pain meds the day after surgery, I finally have some relief. But they keep pushing the Loritab or whatever it's called because that's what I'm going home with. I don't care!! If it makes me throw up I'm not taking it. I'm hoping by Friday I won't need pain meds anymore. Do you think this is possible? When did you stop taking the pain meds?

My stomach looks like I'm pregnant with twins and hard as a rock. I guess the surgeons fill you with air during surgery. I guess it's gas and that's why it's important to walk and move. My roomie ate chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, and green Beans for dinner. It smelled good, but all I could think was pain when I looked at it. So far all I've been able to consume is about one ounce of apple juice. It tasted good but I don't line the way it feels in my stomach.

They moved my surgery up to 8:45 tomorrow morning. I have to be there at 6:15. I stayed home today after drinking the citrus of magnesia... but not too much happened. Was it supposed to? I also spent all day arguing with the finance people at the hospital. They wouldn't take my payment over the phone! Do they want my money or not?! And dealing with my surgeon's office because they lost all my bloodwork!! So much stress, but at least I was distracted. I'm praying for all you February sleevers! This is really scary for me, so if you're scared too, know I'm sending you good vibes!

I'm on Tuesday at 12:45 in Chicago. I have to be at the hospital at 10:45. I've been really nervous all weekend and now I'm getting really scared of surgery stuff like needles and anesthesia. But we're all going to do great!! Good wishes to all you!!

My surgery is on the 19th too! I've been freaking out all weekend. I'm starting my 24 hour liquid fast, and I'm starving. I guess this is when the mental strength needs to kick in, because I really have no idea when I'm going to have any nourishment in my stomach again. And I'm suddenly scared of everything. I keep imagining how scared I'll be when they give me the anesthesia, and I'm so scared of pain and nausea when I wake up. I think I need that sedative NOW!

My surgery is this Tuesday and I wish I had thought to ask for some anxiety medicine to help me out. I thought I was nervous before, but these few days are they worst and I can't even imagine what I'm going to be like the night before. I keep reading all the good experiences people have had. Some posters said to me, "Don't let this temporary uncomfortableness sway you. This is just a few days of stress. Surgery is going to change your life forever." And I'm really holding on to that. I'm also really trying to keep myself distracted. Lots of prayers to you!!

I was in the same position as you. I explained to my mom how I really thought this would help me with my future and how much pain and depression I was in now, and she became a full supporter. My dad was still "No no no no, absolutely not!" But he eventually came around. My surgery is on Tuesday the 19th, and this weekend I'm totally freaking out and having second thoughts, and both of them are telling me it's going to be fine and all over soon and not letting me back out. I think you should first really come up with how you know this surgery is going to help you have a better future. Then sit down and talk with them, and just stick to your plan. It may take them a little while to come around, but hopefully when they see how determined you are, and how serious, they will begin to support you.

I got one too and I'm supposed to use it after surgery. I totally forgot I had it until I read this post!!! Now I forget how long I'm supposed to use it.

I totally understand what you are thinking. I feel like I have room to play with too and I go to just clear liquids on Monday for Tuesday surgery. Honestly, I'm going to let myself have a small piece of chicken tonight and a salad. Just a small plate for dinner. I would be way too scared to do a fat girl pig out (I know that term so well!! I bet we would've had fun together!) because I'm afraid carbs and stuff will show up in my liver or make it slippery and hard to work with or something and close me up without doing the surgery. Don't do anything extreme!

I think you are such an inspiration sticking to your pre-op diet so well! I didn't do nearly as well as you, and I'm so scared my surgeon is going to not do my surgery. It is totally normal to be freaking out! My surgery is on Tuesday and I had a total mental breakdown yesterday, and all weekend I'm changing my mind every ten seconds and crying. I just keep thinking about all the people who had the surgery and say it was the best thing they've ever done and don't regret it for one second. I keep holding on to that. Just keep taking deep breaths and visualize your future in your new healthy body. Sending yout lots of support!

Mine is on the 19th as well! Exactly a week away! I didn't get my surgery date until last week so I've only been on the pre-op for 4 days.

Mine is on Tuesday the 19th. I was really nervous before the surgery date, now I'm like LET'S DO THIS!!! I think I'm mostly excited to just be not hungry. This pre-op liquid diet is pure hell for me.

I'm having a really hard time too. Tonight I ended up eating a small piece of fish and a salad. I'm good all day, it's a struggle, but I stick to it, but at night around dinner time I totally lose it. Tonight I was like, That's it! I'm going to Taco Bell and eating everything in the car!! Thank God I didn't. That little piece of fish made me feel so much better. I haven't been to Taco Bell in three years because it makes me sick! These pre-op shakes are making me crazy. My surgery is the day before yours on the 19th!