AB2B

Miami, FL

I'm officially post-op! I'm writing this at the end of my first day in hospital. It's been a day full of frustrating gas pain, moderate nausea, and some incision pain, but meds help with that. (I opt out of nausea meds because it only lasts five minutes at a time.)

That being said, I have not experienced the so-called "Sleever's Regret" — not once! In fact, I'm actually planning my vsg anniversary trip to Disneyland in 2018!

I hope I can pass gas tomorrow because it hurts something AWFUL! Other than that, I'm still very happy with my decision and look forward to all the new adventures.

Thanks for reading! ️

Follow me @vsg_dan on Instagram if you want!

March 9th! [emoji95][emoji322][emoji95][emoji322][emoji95][emoji322][emoji95][emoji322][emoji95][emoji322][emoji322][emoji95]

Congratulations! So happy all went well. Thank you for sharing.

I was not allowed to. The fruit in particular would probably counteract the liver shrinking aspects of the diet.

Hey there!! Back with an update!Yay!!
I just got back to my hotel and my surgery was done yesterday (2/10/17).
I was a little surprised by how quickly everything went. I mean super duper quickly! But I did have a few complications as I have been cursed with hard to locate and even harder to hit veins. The anesthesiologist had to put my iv lines in.
The shuttle take you in at 6:15am and you're in the waiting room with final paperwork stuff and final payment.
They call you in to finalize your dietary plan and also do the EKG...then you wait until your room is ready.
When you go to your suite, you quickly change in your gown and then the phlebotomist comes in to give you a little Xanax and does your IV.
The surgeon comes in and chats with you for a moment and then it's show time.
The procedure took less than 45 minutes and he not only staples but he also does a reenforced suture over the staple line to prevent additional complications.
Past that, walking around after surgery went pretty smoothly and I still have "rolling" gas bubbles which are annoying beyond belief!
Before they release you from the hospital, they have you do a tiny barium swallow to make sure your tract is completely clear and then you're released to go back to the hotel!!
You have to keep walking...the more you walk, the faster the rolling bubbles will be relieved.
I've got a final follow up on Monday and head back over the border by about noon that same day.
Feeling pretty good (past those bubbles) and have no regrets whatsoever.
The only major things I will also add:
If you buy your meds that are prescribed there at [/url] OCC , it's about $190 with a credit card. If you ask the hotel shuttle driver, he can take you to a local pharmacy that will sell you all the drugs for about $70 bucks.

Bring or buy a pill crusher. (There's a Walmart near the hotel or if you go to an offsite pharmacy...or pack one with you.

I have the vitaleph  shakes , but I also bought powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury  Protein   powder  (online only) the  chicken   broth  and the unflavored variety...to break up the chocolate/vanilla shakes...you will get tired of those flavors quick. The unflavored powder can be mixed with juices or just water!

That's it!!

Sorry for the novel!! But you're going to do great!!

It is now midnight and yesterday at 1:00 I was sleeved! I was beyond scared but I'm doing great now! I had gas pains in my chest making it hard to breath in, but I walked as soon as they would let me and after two walks and plenty of burping I have no more gas pain! I have been using my pain pump and have even been able to get some sleep. I have been sipping Water constantly with no issues. I wanted to thank everyone who helped pep me up and calm my worries. I don't think I could have done it without you all and my support system at home. Feeling awesome on the other side!
Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App

This video really helped me with the decision. It's from a surgeon in Michigan. It goes into some of the myths about being able to lose the weight yourself vs. bariatric surgery. I hope it helps!

Studies show that losing weight is far more complicated than we ever thought. I tried for 40 years to lose the extra weight, but only got heavier. WLS was the re-set I needed to have a fresh start at a healthy lifestyle.
Poor food choices IS the main cause of obesity, and yes, if you don't address it you'll undo all the good work the surgery did. My recommendation is to see the surgery as part of the strategy. Education, nutrition, therapy, and setting lifestyle goals are equally important.
Without the surgery you might be able to lose the weight if you employ those other factors but it'll be harder and take longer, meaning there is a better chance you'll give up and fail. You've probably experienced that already. I can't tell you if it's right for you but I can tell you that surgery succeeded for me (and several of my friends) where 40 years of going it alone failed.
It's okay to have second thoughts. It's also okay to talk to a certified person to help you through this. Best of luck!

Hello AB2B I am scheduled for my surgery on February 22 I am very excited because it seems like it was moved up a little better fast for me but however I have been in the process to get this done since last July. After successful meetings and Endoscopic and colonoscopy and all kinds of things like that I started my two week pre-op diet last week and I am happy to say that I have lost 17 pounds yippee. Unfortunately I gain weight during the process to get me thus far


Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats!

I did that and gained ten pounds , what I realized is that it won't be the end of the world.you will be able to eat again trust the process

Im going to say something alot of the judgemental folk here will probably be mad at me for saying. Go eat what ever the hell u want n desire n get it out of ur system now b4 surgery n b4 ur liver diet. I did, i told my doc n his response was at least i was honest n not to binge, just have small portions of my faves n get it out of my system b4 the 3 week diet pre surgery. So, Decent portions, dont go crazy n have a thanksgiving size plate. Every1 heals differently and after surgery, its a lottery, there may b some foods u may no longer tolerate. Also it will be quite some time b4 u can have n enjoy that "taco", for instance. Yes im new to VSG, 5 weeks out n 30 pds down, get my Protein n Water in, back 2 work n just started light workout for those that will ask n say im to new to know anything. However, everyday im pist i didnt have those damn tacos b4 surgery. They haunt me. So in order not to fail, the taco n i have a 5 de mayo date :-). I looooove Pasta, i had it b4 surgery n got it out of my system, havent even thought about it once in 5 weeks. Get your last supper on, enjoy it, say farewell to it, maybe you'll meet again someday in the future bec once ur post op its serious business. U may stumble but u wont fall flat on ur face bec you'll know it was a long journey to get to this point n u don't want to ruin ur final outcome. Plus ur stomach will kick u in the ass if u try to put something in it its not ready for. Good luck. Hope u appreciate my honesty and that it all goes well for you. See u on the losers bench soon.

March 9th! [emoji95][emoji322][emoji95][emoji322][emoji95][emoji322][emoji95][emoji322][emoji95][emoji322][emoji322][emoji95]

Those chickens almost got me a couple of times too!


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

NEVER EVER EVER go to the Grocery store when you are 3 days in to your pre-op liquid diet. My preparation left a lot to be desired. I decided that starting my liquid phase 4 days early was a Great idea lol. They almost had to mop up the drool on aisle 9. I wasn't even obsessing over any of the wrong foods but those Rotisserie Chickens were calling my name laying there looking all Sexy. I am Thankful to say that I survived and left the Store felling like Conan The Barbarian all Rough, Tough and Victorious.

Thank you for posting this. Glad you paid attention to your body and phoned the doctor.
Feel better real soon.

Any info on your approval?

So, I got my approval today and now I'm just waiting on my Doctors office to call me with my preop appt date/Surgery Date! I'm just so excited! So thankful!

Congratulations! I received my call on Thursday for approval surgery date is set for March 9th!
It's incredible how the fear shifts from worry about not getting approved, to "OMG, this is really happening!!"
We will look back on this and be so happy with our decision.
Best of luck to you.

I found out yesterday that my surgery date is March 24th! I'm so excited
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations! I received my call on Thursday for approval surgery date is set for March 9th!
It's incredible how the fear shifts from worry about not getting approved, to "OMG, this is really happening!!"
We will look back on this and be so happy with our decision.
Best of luck to you.

Really spend time researching and reading about the surgery, how you need to care for yourself afterwards, what each food stage is and how to make this a long term sucess story. Prepare for coming home by having things in so you don't have to go shopping. Have support arranged for when you get home. Keep busy, the pre op diet isn't easy to do, so keep your mind and body busy.
Not too long now!! Exciting times
Kate

This is a great, and very timely, post. I have been reading more and more posts lately where people admit that they aren't following their plan (both food- and water-wise). Hopefully they read this one!

I hope you continue to feel better!

Hello everyone,
I just wanted to share something with you all that will hopefully be helpful to those who haven't had surgery yet, or to those who are post op and need to be encouraged to get all of their liquids in each day (64 ounces or more per day).
I made a post on here several days ago, I was concerned about dizzy spells that I was having. I wound up going to the doctor this past Thursday because of the dizziness. My blood pressure was fairly low (for me anyway)-- 96/70. I am 13 weeks post op and my blood pressure is usually up around 125/75.
I remember my surgeon and nutritionist stressing from the very beginning how important it was to get in your liquids everyday. So I had been making a point to do that, and since the very beginning, I had no trouble getting in about 76 ounces a day. However, within the last couple of weeks there were a few days I had unintentionally slacked off some. I was finding that food and drink were filling me up more than usual, and by 7 p.m. each night, I could literally not drink any more liquids.
So, after my doctor's appointment Thursday, things started going downhill. I went out grocery shopping Friday and when I got home, I was incredibly fatigued, I have never felt so rotten. It was like a ten ton truck had run me over. On top of that, I was dizzy, my blood pressure was low and I had a horrible headache. ALL of these problems continued through the weekend. I called my doctor's office this morning and they said to go to the ER. I just got home from the ER. They did an EKG, scan, bloodwork and gave me IV fluids. I found out that I have a urinary tract infection and that I was mildly dehydrated. Instructions are antibiotics for the infection and to drink more fluids.
I want to say that I only got "off program" with my liquids for a few days. You just can't do that. It is SO IMPORTANT to get your fluids! Luckily, my case was mild dehydration and a UTI, which is no fun. But others have become dehydrated to the point where it can cause even worse problems and it can land you in the hospital for days if you don't stay on top of it!
Sip, sip, sip! Don't forget to drink!