mpi

I had this happen after gallbladder surgery. I was teaching a class and looked down and my shirt was full of blood. It is very scary and when I called the Dr. they seemed so unconcerned I was really freaked out. When I went to them after school they explained that it needed to work itself out of my body. Whew!

I had a large hematoma that has been draining for a week now. I keep the wound clean and change the dressing a couple of times daily.

When I had my thyroid removed one corner on my neck was open, one day I noticed one corner was runny I squeezed it and the same thing happened dark thick yuck can out, I squeezed until it ran clear.
It healed so nicely after that.
Our bodies heal themselves in strange ways.

Well, since you're at the sleeve site, you'll find that we chose the sleeve over the band! However, the band to sleeve revision forum is a pretty good place for you to start reading.
I, too, was going to get a band. After a great deal of research, I opted to self-pay for a sleeve rather than have the lapband surgery, which would have been covered by insurance. The number of self-pay patients here should be a huge indicator to you. Many insurance programs still do not cover the sleeve, and yet we're opting for it over covered procedures like the bypass or band.
The sleeve will relax over time and have a larger capacity but it will never stretch to anything even remotely close to your old stomach. Eighty-five percent of your stomach is removed; what's left can only give so much. We're talking about a capacity of one to one and a half cups at three years post op, in my case.
I have seen posts about regrets. In fairness, many later revise this opinion but there are a few that we see now and again that are unhappy despite losing weight, or unhappy because they haven't lost weight.
You will need a proton pump inhibitor (like Prilosec) for 6 months to a year, as well as sublingual B12 and Calcium. I also need Iron, but I have needed to take Iron supplements for most of my life. A Multivitamin is important until you can eat adequately. You will not have malabsorption, however, and supplements are something many people can cut back on or stop altogether after a year, with the exception of the B12, which you will never again absorb as well with such a small stomach.
We have a vets board and yes, there are many of us at or near goal several years out. I'm three years out and within 8 pounds of my goal weight (I just had a baby).
It's important to understand that you can eat around the sleeve the same way you can eat around a band or a bypass. The sleeve will do one thing: reduce the size of your stomach.
It may remove your hunger permanently. Maybe not. I am three years out and almost never feel actual, physical hunger.
Head hunger? The emotional desire to eat? The attachment to food and all the food rituals we use in our society? None of that leaves. The sleeve is a surgery for your stomach, not your brain.
So know going in that you will be forced to face disordered eating habits in order to succeed long term. The sleeve is not a diet. It is a restrictive tool that will help you change your lifestyle permanently. But even with 15% of your stomach, whatever made you obese is still going to be there. This applies to any surgery you would consider, however, so I don't think you can avoid this part of the process!
Good luck whatever you decide. There is a wealth of information here on VST, and remember that threads and posts several years old are still relevant today. Do some searching and you are sure to find both happy and unhappy patients.
~Cheri

So glad you called your doctor & doing well. Take care!

Glad you're ok!!!

Glad to hear this!! I was worried and very glad your surgeon is on it! Mine came to the ER at 2 a.m. to look at my scans and when they found the abscesses they scheduled emergency surgery at 5 the next morning, which was a Saturday or Sunday! Thank God for surgeon's that see patients and not dollar signs!!

Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you, but I'm still in hospital and only had access to the site tonight!!
So after I called my surgeon on Sunday afternoon, he basically cut me off and demanded I get to the hospital ASAP. He arrived as I did (I sh"t myself). He organised a CT Scan, ECG, Blood test etc....immediately. He basically said what you guys said - that it could be a leak or a blood clot. BUT, I didn't have a temperature and other 'leak' symptoms, but he wasn't taking any chances.
It turned out that I did have air bubbles trapped in my diaphragm and pushing up my chest AND I had a fair bit of inflammation.
I was on the drip since Sunday night, nil orally until today and antibiotics through the UV since Sunday.
Today, I'm on tablet form antibiotics, liquid diet and am scheduled for another CT Scan in the morning.
If the scan comes though better/ok, he might send me home WITH the antibiotics......I'm crossing my fingers because I actually feel 80%better, and at least I can cough, sneeze, yawn, AND fill my lungs with air!!!!
(I'm not an asthmatic, but I felt I was having an asthma attack AND had a really really bad chest infection - that's why I kept ruling out that it wasn't gas pain. I've had gas pain and this was nothing like it - For those of you wondering 'What kind of pain I was talking about in the first place)
I take my hat off to my surgeon, he doesn't take any risks and genuinely CARES about his patients.
Will keep you posted after my scan tomorrow.
Thanks for your support guys, and those of you reading this and considering this surgery.....don't be alarmed, I consider this a good thing because its nothing major and easily treatable.
; )

Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you, but I'm still in hospital and only had access to the site tonight!!
So after I called my surgeon on Sunday afternoon, he basically cut me off and demanded I get to the hospital ASAP. He arrived as I did (I sh"t myself). He organised a CT Scan, ECG, Blood test etc....immediately. He basically said what you guys said - that it could be a leak or a blood clot. BUT, I didn't have a temperature and other 'leak' symptoms, but he wasn't taking any chances.
It turned out that I did have air bubbles trapped in my diaphragm and pushing up my chest AND I had a fair bit of inflammation.
I was on the drip since Sunday night, nil orally until today and antibiotics through the UV since Sunday.
Today, I'm on tablet form antibiotics, liquid diet and am scheduled for another CT Scan in the morning.
If the scan comes though better/ok, he might send me home WITH the antibiotics......I'm crossing my fingers because I actually feel 80%better, and at least I can cough, sneeze, yawn, AND fill my lungs with air!!!!
(I'm not an asthmatic, but I felt I was having an asthma attack AND had a really really bad chest infection - that's why I kept ruling out that it wasn't gas pain. I've had gas pain and this was nothing like it - For those of you wondering 'What kind of pain I was talking about in the first place)
I take my hat off to my surgeon, he doesn't take any risks and genuinely CARES about his patients.
Will keep you posted after my scan tomorrow.
Thanks for your support guys, and those of you reading this and considering this surgery.....don't be alarmed, I consider this a good thing because its nothing major and easily treatable.
; )

After 3 weeks of hell... I can now confirm there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I ate all normal soft foods today after a hellacious 3 weeks. It was amazing!!!! 2 pieces of steamed shrimp and one Tomato slice with a small slice of fresh mozzarella for dinner. No pain, no nausea, no reflux, and I feel full. Just finished my 30 min wait and sipping some sugar free juice. There is hope for all of you suffering - just keep looking forward.

Hi guys,
Sleeved on Tuesday 2nd July, so it's my 5th day post op.
I can honestly say I feel ok...surprisingly!
I think after readying up on the forums so much, and after the pain I underwent with the removal of the band.....I just expected to be in a lot of pain, BUT.....it's not as bad as I expected.
I haven't taken any pain meds since Thursday night.
The only thing that is uncomfortable is my chest/lungs. I do feel some tightness, but I'm trying to walk as much as I can and doing my breathing exercises whenever I remember.
I must say, i hated the 'leak' and 'swallow' test the following morning after my op......OMG, YUKKKKKKK! I don't know how they expect you to drink 2 glasses of .... &@$! when you can only really drink 50 ml an hour! And... Lying down flat to have the CT Scan was really REALLY hard and horrible. It's was so hard to lie down flat while they are taking images of your chest, it felt like someone had punched me in the tummy, and I just couldn't catch my breath. Out of this whole experience, this was the worst for me.
I'm 2 kilos down, and am drinking my fluids fine.
Am really looking forward to going home today and getting my life back!
Good luck to you all
; )

Well done!
What a great feeling, I know! (Lost 55kg with my band. But gained 30kg since I had it removed)
Can't wait for that 'feeling' again. My op date is the 2nd July, all the best!

OK, people. I know we are all used to having me be the fattest one in the group, but times have changed and you HAVE TO GET OVER IT!!!
For those of you who now outweigh me, Yes, I do weigh less than you now. And I'm taller than you so my BMI is lower, but we won't talk about that. Please pull your face back into a look that approaches normalcy. I promise I will never bring up my weight or yours. I did this for my health, not so I could lord it over those who are still struggling with weight. I realize you have spent years patting yourself on the back because you are not as big as me, but those days are past. Pull up your big person panties and move on.
And for many others, yes, my goal weight is less than what you currently weigh. No, I will not be anorexic at a healthy BMI of 22. Please don't compulsively ask how much I now weigh each time you see me and then calculate how much I have to lose before I weigh less than you. Please see the notes above for how I prefer you to handle this brave new world.
Best wishes,
Lynda

I had a revision from band to sleeve 3/23 of this year and I feel like it is my chance for a do over! I have lost all the weight that I had gained and it has already slowed but due to a stall and from what I have read, no different from anyone who has had the sleeve. I couldn't be happier

Hi all, was banded 3 years ago and loved it, I lost about 55 kilos. I actually had a 'life'. I was able to buy clothes that i actually liked and not anything that i fit into, i felt so healthy, the confidence was great, i loved dressing up in front of my daughters and then hearing them say " oh mum..... you look beautiful", i loved how i learnt how to run and then competed in marathons........ it was all great! until, i began vomiting everyday in January this year for 4 weeks, to the point where I couldn't even keep sips of Water down. I became so malnutrition that I was forced to get me band removed because it 'slipped'. After the surgery to remove the band, i was confident so much that i really thought I could keep the weight off, especially because i knew now how to exercise and eat better. BUT unfortunately the weight piled on and have since put on 30 kilos!!! I feel so disgusting, unhealthy, no self esteem ...actually worst than how I felt at 117kilos! So, I decided to be sleeved and my op is scheduled for 2nd July. I can't wait to get me life back to how it was last year. No doubt, I'm scared of any complications, but I pray for a safe and healthy future after July and pray that God guides those doctors/surgeons hands! I look forward to continuing to reading your posts/thoughts/ideas/etc.... And I will do my best to try answer and support you guys as much as I can as.
Good luck to you all AND congratulations to all of you who have successfully been sleeved already!
You are all so brave!
MPI

OMG! I am so excited. I just got my surgery date. JULY 5. Hello Independence. Excited, Scared, Nervous. Ready for my new life.

Yes, it feels good and scary all at once. My father asked me today when I told him, "Tam, are you sure you want to do this? What if you get stomach cancer or something and they have to take out the rest of it?." I was silent for a moment, and then replied with "I will cross that bridge, if and when I come to it. For now I am doing what is good for me and my life, and this is it." I 100% believe that I am making the correct decision and yes, it wont be easy, but who ever said life is suppose to be easy? Also, what part of fat life has been easy. Pain, big clothes, tight movie seats... Thank you all for your support.

Great idea!
Feeling good....getting my liquids and Protein in! No nausea, no vomiting. Still a bit tired, but hey, it's only been a week. Even had a normal BM (never thought I would be so proud of poo - ha ha).
I've even lost 5 lbs from surgery day to today....yes, 5 lbs in ONE WEEK! It still seems too good to be true. This may be the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I'm 15 days out. Today is the 2nd day back to work and I'll see my Dr. later for the first follow up visit. Hoping I can start on purees tomorrow and thicker stuff like cottage chees and oatmeal. 28 lbs so far. Blessed not to have much nausea unless I swallow too much or eat too fast. Gas pains were the worst. I'm finding the Protein Shakes I make myself are good ( coconut or almond milk, whey Protein, greek yogurt and your fav fruit) , as are Premiere's, nectar fruit protein mixes you mix with Water, and Muscle Milk. My husband bought a Nutri-Bullet (made by Magic Bullet) and that will turn anything to liquid and preserve all the nutrients and Fiber in it - flaxseed, walnuts, spinach, kale, all fruits - this thing is amazing! If you buy it from the website, you can get this great book that gives you all kinds of recipes for the mixes. You get a LOT of nutrition packed into each cup you make. This is going to prove to be a great investment. Just drink the first few at night, at home, as they act as quite a cleanse in the beginning, until your body gets used to drinking pure nutrition.

I am also a band to sleeve revision and have not once ever regretted. It is such a totally different experience from the band, you will love it. Good luck and let us know how things go.
Sent from my iPad using VST

I would like to share my amazing journey of taking control of my health and life by making the decision to have Gastric Sleeve surgery in Mexico alone. I had a wonderful experience and recovery and I am so happy I did it! Dr Kelly was extremely caring and professional and in my research one of the most skilled and experienced surgeons in the world. He truly cares about his patients, he was so tenderhearted I trusted him instinctively.
Staying at the TJ Marriott is like a vacation, the staff was charming and helpful and I felt extremely safe and relaxed there. The hospital is clean and professional although I won’t lie it is not like the U.S. but the staff was kind and the surgical room was modern and proficient, everything else seem a little “clinic-ish” and sort of “old school” but I felt safe and cared for-I made a few friends there who were also having surgery, they were both RN’s and they said that the care was excellent too. The nurses were all so kind and even fun and spoke good English but it doesn’t hurt to brush up on a little basic Spanish. I traveled alone and based on my experience here are some suggestions...
· Contact the airline for handicap service for trip home-they met me at the curb with a wheel chair and escorted me through everything, meeting me again at my connecting flight. I boarded first and was assisted with my carryon luggage it was very helpful. I suggest an aisle seat as well.
· Bring Bouillon cubes and tea bags for travel.
· Bring clothing without a waist, a zippered robe, crocs or good soled slippers.
· Bring eye Patches and ear plugs for sleeping and a laptop with DVD’s or Netflix for there is only Spanish TV but free wifi at the hospital and hotel.
· As for contacting the states-email and Facetime are free otherwise contact your cell carrier for international services.
· Bring cash in small bills for tipping (believe me the service so exceptional you will want to tip all of them)-pesos would be helpful but not necessary.
· Oh and bring sunscreen for I laid by the pool with some of the other new “sleevers” while the waiter brought us popsicles!
I have lost 45 pounds in 8 weeks and 7 inches off my abdomen, I feel wonderful. I felt so good within 30 hours after surgery that I was bored! I felt almost normal while at the Marriot but 1 week post op I was exhausted (discovered quite normal) so I took easy for 2 weeks after to ensure a full recovery. My suggestion for your post op recovery is you stock up on Premier Protein readymade drinks at costco (30g Protein and easy to get down), electrolyte drinks (to keep off dehydration), chewable or liquid Vitamins and Tylenol, a variety of Soups. I followed the protocol given by Mexico Bariatric and I have never vomited or had any complications. I can eat anything I want now but without the Ghrelin hormone, my desire for food is much less. I know it is a just tool but it feels so good to feel satiated with a small portion and to have control. I try to eat this each day; 60 grams protein-60 carbohydrates 60+ ounces of just Water as well as many fluids I can and shoot for 900 calories (I stopped losing when I dipped below 800 but I was 320 when I started) For me it has all been well worth it-I love my new life, I feel free and hopeful for my future!