MOBD

I like the entire team at USA. They work well together and are all very kind and professional. Dr. Richards is the ultimate professional. He doesn't joke or laugh. He answers all your questions very seriously. My husband said the only time he saw a smile out of him was when he came out of surgery with me....he said you could tell the guy just loves operating. He seemed so happy to explain how the surgery went! My nausea was controlled with nausea meds that included IV meds before and during surgery and after surgery. They also put one of those Patches behind your ear before you go to surgery and you keep that post op when you go home. I also got RX for Zofran for nausea when I left the hospital. I had no problems except when my patch wore off after 3 days and I realized it was time for a new patch! I'd recommend going for a consult with Dr. Richards to see what you think. I have no complains, had an excellent experience with the entire group. The nursing staff at the hospital is also excellent. Richards will only let nurses that have been trained in the bariatric protocol work on that floor. They are all very kind and excellent. Let me know if I can answer more questions. It was the best decision I have ever made. I am so happy with my new self!!

My husband and I both had the procedure. His surgery was Jan 7 and mine was March 12. The reason we had it at different times was due to ability to get off of work. It worked out fine that way for us. I was able to take care of him for recovery and then when I had my surgery he could take care of me. It's awesome that we both had the surgery. Now, we share food if we go out to eat and both of us understand each other so well. The only one in my family who is having problems is my 16 year old. She says there is never any food in the house anymore She's fine...she just misses my Paula Deen style cooking!

Thanks! I can't figure out how to turn his picture right side up. His name is Duffy and he is a Goldendoodle. I ordered a bathing suit over the weekend. I'll try and be brave a post a pic of myself. I'm a short 5'3" and weigh 186 today. I hope I look as great in my new suit as you do NurseMeg!!

You look awesome! I love the suit too. I went bathing suit shopping last weekend. It's just so amazing to be able to put on a suit and feel good isn't it??

My husband and I both used Dr. Richards at University of South Alabama in Mobile Alabama. I also referred my best friend. She lives in Virginia and she was self pay. She came down for the surgery this month. I have another friend also who used Dr. Richards. I love this team. They are all so very kind and professional. I respect Dr. Richards. He is an excellent surgeon. I had no problems and neither did my husband or my friends. Let me know if you need more details about Dr. Richards! I highly recommend him!

I have the Mirena and I told the doctor. I had no problems and have had NO period since the surgery:)

I cleaned out my closet this weekend. I'm only 1 month post op but I've already gone down a size. I packed them up and plan to do resale later. I did take two bags of clothes to Goodwill this morning. Took all of my Lane Bryant bras! I was so happy to see them go!!!

Nothing feels as good as... on my one month post op day (4/12/13) trying on a slim fitted pencil skirt that hasn't fit me in over two years easily zip up and look fabulous This surgery has changed my life!!!

It's amazing that it seems like just about everyone has a 3 week stall. Mine lasted about a week. I tried getting more fluids but I am not sure it matters. I think it's your body chemistry adjusting after the surgery...just my thoughts. I started losing again in the 4th week. Don't worry too much about it!

I know most docs say no to Ibuprofen (motrin)...my doc prescribed it for me at about 2.5 weeks. I was having lots of pain in my left side at the incision where they removed the stomach. She felt that it was inflammatory pain and she decided ibuprofen was appropriate. The problem we had with is was the dosage and obtaining in in a liquid form. I had to get a compounding pharmacy to specially mix it for me because she wanted me to take a full dose and in the liquid that comes as children's motrin that would be like having to drink 1/4 cup of the stuff. Long story short, the compounding pharmacy mixed a liquid for me that I took at a dose of 1 teaspoon every 6 hours...(it cost $79 out of pocket) It was the best money I ever spent! The stuff tasted horrendous but it did help so much with my pain. I'm off of it now and feeling great. So, ask your doctor before you take anything... of course...but I took it and it worked! No pills though...my doc says no pills for 6 weeks post surgery!

My surgery was March 12. I've done pretty well, had tons of gas and constipation during that first week. Overall, I have been feeling pretty good except for the pain I have under/at the site for the stomach incision. It hurts so bad when I turn or move certain ways. I have a very difficult time getting myself up from a laying down position in the bed. I am just wondering how long this pain will last? I just keep thinking it should be gone by now. I wear a compression wrap thing when I sleep at night to provide support, but that even with that, I still have pain when I move certain ways. Does this pain happen for most people for so long? Any advice or ideas are appreciated!! Thanks!

I am 3 weeks and 5 days post op. FINALLY, last night I was able to sleep on my stomach again. It took just that long for the persistent pain in my left side at the stomach removal incision to finally go away and allow me to lay peacefully on my tummy. Just wanted to let all the stomach sleepers know...you will eventually be back in your favorite sleeping position! Also, I'm off all pain meds now and don't need the compression garment around my belly. I feel like a normal person again. So for me, it's been about a 3 1/2 week route to pretty much full recovery. One more bit of advice. I only took 1 week of work off to recover because I don't have a demanding job. I recommend 2 weeks. I really needed two weeks, because of the fatigue I felt from change of diet and recovery I guess. I was very worn out for the first two weeks. I love that I did this for myself. It is so very cool to be able to eat like this and not feel starving like I used to when I tried to diet!! So happy!

So, I'm about 3 weeks post op. Before the sleeve I was a big sweet tea with lemon drinker...I'm an Alabama girl, so what can you expect right? I never used much artificial sweetners in the past. Maybe a little blue pack in my coffee. Really, I was a natural girl, liked sugar and butter...real ingredients. So, I'm having a really difficult time adjusting to all the unusual aftertastes that come along with the Propel, Vitamin Water, dasani drops etc. I don't like this stuff. I also don't like just plain old water very much. I know if I'm going to be successful, I must give up the sweet teach with extra lemon. How to do it though? Does anyone know of a southern tea beverage that is artificially sweeted and has lemon flavor...I mean one that is tasty and can compare to good ol southern iced tea. I keep waisting money buying these different drinks...they all seem to leave a coating in my mouth and a bad aftertaste. If I could get back on diet pepsi, it would be ok. But everyone says no carbonation for now. How have you all handled the changes in beverages since the surgery? Thanks for any ideas! I want to be successfull and I will try anything!! Thanks, MOBD

I am almost 3 weeks post op...surgery 3/12. I just cannot drink all the fluids they want you to drink. I'm lucky if I get 40 oz in a day. That's Protein shakes and Water...everything. I do eat a couple of sugar free popsicles everyday. I just can't figure out how you are able to drink 60 oz of liquids. I have something with me all the time but my stomach just can't take that much Fluid. I don't think I'm dehydrated...urine is pale yellow, so I'm not really worried about that. I just know that the more fluid the better right? I've lost 22 lbs since surgery, so I'm doing ok. I just keep judging myself and trying to meet the goals that the doctor has recommended... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank goodness I read this thread! It's been taking me so long to get all the meds down in the mornings...with crushing them and mixing them in apple sauce...seems like it fills up my stomach and I have no room for anything else for an hour.

I have the same pain. When you turn the wrong way...bam, it's like you are being stabbed! I went to see my doc about it and it's normal she says. It takes some people longer than others to recover. I just can't wait til it goes away so that maybe I can start sleeping on my stomach again! She did recommend that I continue wearing the compression garment to provide support. It does help me...I had surgery 3/12 by the way

Miralax! I mixed it with prune juice for a double whammy I was so constipated 5 days after surgery it was horrible. My belly hurt!

I am just about where you are 17 days post op. My doctor cleared me to eat anything 'soft and mushed up' when I went to see her on last Wednesday. I am sure you should clear your diet with your own doc though. I was having trouble getting all the protein in with the shakes...I was so sick of them! I've felt better eating some 'real' food since I was cleared to do so. I've only been eating little tiny bites very, very slowly but for me it has been working! Good luck!

Wow, I guess there are different opinions about this. My doc gave me an rx yesterday for ibuprofen. She believes I have inflammation and that the ibuprofen will help with it. I had to take it to the pharmacy to have it compounded into a liquid that I can take so i won't get it back until tomorrow. She asked me to take it every 6 hours for a 24 hour period and then let her know how I am. I'm 16 days post surgery btw.

Oh no! I thought for sure that the pain should be going away pretty soon. 24 days? Yuck! Are you wearing a compression garment to help? It's bad pain right? I hate it!

I have the same pain!!! I'm 16 days post op. I went to my doctor yesterday specifically about why the pain is continuing. She said some people just have it and it's part of healing. She recommended using the compression garment for support. She also recommended as much protein as I can get in because it will help with healing. She wrote me an RX for ibuprofen but I have to get it at a compounding pharmacy in liquid. I dropped it off this morning and it will be ready tomorrow. I'll let you know it works. Some people have this left side pain and some don't. That's what I read. I am plagued with it so I can feel your pain!! Good news is that it will eventually go away!!

I went back to my doctor today because I just keep having this terrible pain in my left side. She said it's common and that lots of people have it. She prescribed me ibuprofen but I have to get it at a compounding pharmacy because of the strength needed in liquid...so I don't have it yet. She said she believes an anti inflammatory like that will help reduce my pain. I haven't slept a full night since the surgery. I just hurt all the time and the lortab doesn't make it go away and that stuff just makes me more constipated. When will I feel ok again? How long does the recovery take? I also keep having nausea. She gave me a new RX to refill my Zofran but my insurance won't pay for it yet....and it's $500 out of pocket to fill it on my own. I just want to stop hurting. I'm not hungry at all but I'm getting the bottom level number of Protein grams I need and I am staying hydrated. I just need to feel better. It's this pain in my left side that is driving me crazy! I'm 15 days out, how long will it take to go away? The good news is that I've already lost 19.5 lbs and 2 inches in my waist measurement... Thanks for any support and advice!

You look gorgeous! I'm so glad I read your post tonight. I'm 15 days post op and had a meltdown tonight...just feel like I won't ever recover and feel good again. It will be all worth it if I can have a success like yours! I started at 221, 5'2" tall. After 15 days I'm at 201 and have lost 2 inches in my waist already. My goal is to be about your size...which is the size I was in my early 20's. Your success gives me hope! Thanks so much for posting!!

Thanks! I've already had my gall bladder removed. I just hope the pain goes away soon.

I am 15 days post op. I returned to work after a week and I believe it was too soon for me. I've continued to have pain and nausea. In fact, I'm going in to see my doctor this afternoon. I just have this terrible pain on the left side where they removed the stomach. Even the pain medicine doesn't stop the pain. I know other people who haven't had so much pain and I think I've learned that everyone is different. If I had it to do over again, I'd take 2 full weeks off of work to recover. I do think i've pushed myself and maybe that has slowed down my recovery. Good luck and get plenty of rest!