Roo101769

It is completely normal to be nervous. Just make sure you hang on to the things that got you to this point. You may find yourself questioning it, but I will assure you it does get better. I am exactly 2 weeks post op today and I feel SO much better than I did the first week and a half. Each day is a step in the right direction. Just follow your bariatric team's rules and plans and you will do great!

My last pre op appointment with my surgeon consisted of him asking if I was ready and had any last minute questions and me asking what I still wanted to know. Then they gave me the time to be there for surgery...That was about it. But as stated before, every practice is different.

I am so sorry to hear your journey has been so difficult so far, but very glad to read your story knowing you are still here and able to write it! I too have blood clotting issues. The problem, no one knows why. I too have been tested for any blood clotting disorder under the sun with negative results. It all started years ago when I developed a superficial clot in my right leg. It wasn't a DVT, but it DID hurt the same. I spent a week in bed and then weeks recovering. Years went by and it was forgotten. Then in 2011 I had knee surgery to clean up some arthritis. Surgery went fine, but two days later I developed a DVT behind my knee. I was hospitalized and a day later had and embolism that resulted in blood clots in both of my lungs. I too spent a few days in ICU. That DVT was determined to be because of the surgery, so I spent 6months on blood thinners then went back to my normal life. Early this year I started having problems with my right leg. I feared it was another clot, so I had it checked. In March they said no clot, but probably vasculitis. About a month after my leg was worse, red and swollen from mid calf to my foot. I was checked again and this time a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) was found in my upper thigh. Since there was no known cause, this is what set off the first round of testing. I was put on Lovenox injections for about a week, followed by oral warfarin.(Coumadin) It takes about 3-4 days for warfarin to reach full effectiveness in your system. Anyway, I stayed off work a couple weeks to allow the swelling to go down. I returned to work and on the second day my leg ballooned up and was bright red. My doctor had me sent back to the ER to have the leg rescanned. This time they found the clot had grown larger, and had started to move further up in my vein. A small piece had broken free and I had a second pulmonary embolism. Given the fact I had been under treatment for several weeks when this occurred, that set off alarm bells. I was now being seen by a vascular doctor and a hematologist. I was fitted with an IVC filter to catch any further clots before they reach my heart/lungs. The hematologist ordered every other test imaginable to determine why I was clotting like this. To this day the answer is still unknown. The reason I decided to have WLS in part was to help improve my circulation. I had to clear it with each doctor who treated me for the clots, as well as the other clearances needed. I am on blood thinners for the rest of my life, with surgery I just had to switch from oral to injections for about a week. Since I have the filter already in place, the risk of another embolism was much smaller. ( If I did develop more clots) I walked into surgery a very high risk patient. I took every precaution I could, but knew it was a gamble. And luckily I walked out fairly unscathed. I do have some issues with a couple incisions due to the blood thinners effecting my healing time. ( and the tissue is a bit "mush" ) Other than that I was fortunate that I did ok. Sorry for the long story, but wanted you to know I feel for you and have an idea how you feel. Good luck, speedy recovery, and hope it is smooth sailing here out!!!

I already informed my family that I will NOT be preparing Thanksgiving dinner this year. I have been the hostess, cook, financer, and clean up for 12 years now. Since I will only be about a month out I won't be able to eat and enjoy everything I usually fix, so I am on strike. They can have tv dinners, or turkey sandwiches. Next year will be a different ballgame, but this year I am playing it lazy. One year I can sit and watch parades and relax...sounds ok to me!!

I am sort of looking forward to the three week stall, in a weird way. That means I am three weeks out from surgery. My body is really healing and adjusting. I am ready for that. I start week three next Monday. ( Meaning it is two weeks post op- starting the third) I have only lost about 10lbs since surgery, but I am down 43lbs from my highest weight so I am still happy. Just taking it all one day at a time. I am following orders best I can. Each day it gets a bit easier. One day I will have a "normal" day (the new normal) and it will probably shock me. So ride out the stall and keep on keeping on!!!

Think I know what I want from Santa this year..I will be far enough out by Christmas. I can start have visions of sugar plums (or pig parts) dancing in my head!!!

Cream of wheat is a winner for me. Takes me 3 hours to eat an entire bowl. ( one prepared package) Make it a little thin, and use skim milk for extra protein. I like plain with sweeter and pumpkin pie spice for flavor. Hope you find it enjoyable!!

I was sleeved same day as you. While I have not tried anything like ice cream, if I did it would be something like SF vanilla. Full sugar/fat ice cream with nuts in it is begging for trouble. But if you can from here on out, pick another option. I know you didn't go to this extent to keep on the same path and not lose the weight. I am sure there will come a time when you, I , everyone will test their sleeve in one way or another. But not this soon. Please be careful and let yourself heal. Revisit your NUT or doctors post op lists of foods to eat. While most would still be on full liquids, my doctor did tell me I could start on purees. Honestly, I haven't yet. I am not ready. I can handle cream soup (no chunks) and yogurt. Even had some cream of wheat. Just take it slow and steady...And good luck!!!

I was sleeved 10/21. My pre op appointment on 10/17 I weighed 283, my post op appointment on 10/29 I was 273. My high starting weight ( As of 8/1) was 316lbs. But I am still trying to get all my fluids & protein in daily.

Won't lie to you folks, first week is probably the hardest. (unless there are complications) Nothing you won't get through, but it is tough. I was sleeved 10/21. I started feeling somewhat better by 10/24. Still have occasional left side twinge and I'm tired. But I am back at work and dealing with it. Just take one day at a time and do what the doctor says!

I am on lifelong blood thinners from repeated DVT / PEs. (blood clots traveling into my lungs) I had to stop taking my oral blood thinners and start SELF INJECTING Lovenox ( same basically as Heparin) before the surgery. Then was supposed to continue injections for four days post op. Well..My only real issue from blood thinners was at the site of one of my incisions. It bled and oozed severely post op until they finally glued it shut. As I was told by the surgical resident. Because I am on blood thinners the subcutaneous tissue there was "mush". All my other sites they were able to stitch a few layers to close, but that one only the very top layer was able to hold. After the glue no more bleeding. I do have nasty bruises on me because of the blood thinners. And the nurses, who are trained professionals, still managed to create some HUGE bruises and a big ole' knot that hurts to this day!! So I admit I skipped the final day injection because I had no where to put it between their boo boos and my incisions. But over time it is all getting better. I wish you well and hope you heal soon!

I am just south of Dayton OH. I forgot to mention one little tid bit. Sunday is my daughter's 5th birthday. Timing is everything!!! LOL Oh well, I vent then move on. What else can I do? I prefer to laugh instead of cry....

I think it is completely normal to have doubts. Second (third, fiftieth) guesses to if this surgery is really what I want & need. Be honest with yourself is all I can say. It is forever. If your weight will never go down, continue to climb, and hinders your life in any way....Well you know what I mean. Is it possible to lose weight by diet and exercise if you really, really try? Well yes it is. And what are the REAL chances you will try that hard? I am a single mother to a little girl who is turning five this weekend. Trust me, I thought very hard about this. I have a history with blood clots and embolisms, so dying was a very real fear when I was considering. But every precaution was taken. No stone was left unturned. I had my affairs in order. I made a will. I prepared for the what ifs....And I had the surgery. Because at the end of the day the "what will be"s if I didn't have the surgery far and away outnumbered the "what ifs". I plan to be here for my daughter, until a ripe old age. The only way I knew I could better guarantee that, and also be an ACTIVE part of her life, was to have the surgery. Search your soul and I think you will have your answer.

I am feeling completely blah today. In no way does it reflect my continued happiness with getting my sleeve, nope. Just life in general. The same things that were there pre op are lingering post op. I was sleeved 10/21. No complications. No real issues. I will admit I had rose colored glasses on going in so I did not give the idea of MAJOR SURGERY enough credit. So, the ensuing recovery period has been maybe a bit tougher than I gave credit to. But all in all it has been ok and yes, I would do it all again. I am healing well, lost 10lbs since my pre op appointment (4 days prior to surgery) and I am moving along. Today I returned to work. That could be a large portion of my negativity today. Yesterday, when all was said and done, when I was cleared and planning my return to work, when the surgery was water under the bridge and no take backs....I was informed I was not being paid for the time I took off! Not that it was a complete surprise. I work for a company that can only be said to be un employee friendly. The fact they even covered WLS in the insurance still blows my mind. The company does NOT offer any form of sick time. You get 10 days vacation annually- period. ( I have been here 18+ years) And, to be very blunt, my pay STINKS. I literally make a few dollars (per hour)above minimum wage after all this time. And for the record I am their accounts payable department. I'm it-period. It is a multi million dollar manufacturing company. Needless to say I have chose to stay here so it is much as my own fault as any. ( I have looked elsewhere in the past with no luck) Anyway, I just think how they handled this stinks. I was off a bit earlier this year for a DVT/PE. I worked from home for several weeks to continue my income, until I was cleared to come back and work in full. ( I was only paid part time though) It really is no surprise they decided to pay me nothing for the week and two days I took off. But I think someone should have said something BEFORE it happened. They knew for months (since August) I was doing this. I could have planned my finances around the time a bit better had I been forewarned. Instead I sort of assumed I would be paid since nothing was said. Guess I learned what happens when you assume!!! And to add insult to injury..I come back and there is a mound of work left on my desk to do. Very little was actually done during my time off. So I do not get paid because I wasn't here, yet I am expected to do the work anyway. Needless to say I am cranky. I am tired, my back and head hurt, and I have a real attitude about being here. Well here is my little secret. Once I lose the weight. Once I am more "marketable" because I am no longer obese, I will be seeking greener pastures. I will repay their years of concern for my well being (NONE!!) in kind. See ya suckers!!!!!!! Ok- sorry to vent/ rant. Needed to unload.

I just had my first post op check today.( sleeved 10/21) Doctor said I am doing great. I have lost 10lbs since my pre op check on the 17th. (Down 40 lbs from highest weight) He told me to go ahead and start incorporating purees into my diet. I can't do much at all, but that little bit does help with the "tired" feeling. I came home and made a bowl of "cream of" soup..Cream of chicken, cream of potato and cream of broccoli. Mix all together then put a couple spoonfuls in a blender with equal parts milk. Blend then heat and eat. The combined tastes are great. And it will last for a while. Anyway, good luck on your post op!

I have absolutely nothing to say but glowing reviews about the hospital and staff that took care of me during my surgery. I was sleeved at Grandview Hospital in Dayton Ohio. This is an older hospital in a bad part of town that has had a bad reputation. But several years ago it was brought into a network of four hospitals in the Dayton area and went through an extensive remodel. The hospital is beautiful now. Clean and modern, yet warm. My room was basically private. When you enter from the hall it splits into two rooms. So I had privacy and plenty of room for visitors. The bathroom was very large and easy to manuever in. And the staff were beyond compare. Each person truly seemed to care about me and my well being. So I give the highest props to all at Grandview Hospital in Dayton Ohio!

I was sleeved 10/21 as well. They did what they could to prevent nausea, but I ended up throwing up the same evening. After that they gave me a lot of meds to fight it. ( not good to do that right after surgery). Every time they gave me pain meds in the hospital they had to do an anti nausea chaser. Since I have been home it is less. My stomach is trying to "kick start", sometimes I'm not sure if I feel hunger or nausea. Today I have been trying hard to get in my fluids and my vitamins. Pain is better tolerated so I am not taking so much of the pain meds. I burped a lot in the hospital, but didn't do the rest (to relieve gas) until I was home. Now it comes and goes fairly easily. My added bonus was my sinuses were a mess pre op. While they were not bad enough to reschedule surgery, the post nasal drip certainly has helped nothing. And for some reason no one thought to put the bubbler on my oxygen while I had it so it dried the sinuses a lot. Been dealing with bloody nose issues for days now. I do feel a gradual progression back to "normal" with each day. But I do have to admit I didn't know exactly what to expect until I got here. It has been hard, but I still feel worth it.

I was sleeved 10/21. I had some minor complications, but nothing really dramatic. My surgery got bumped into later in the day, ended up being done at 2pm instead of 10am. So that evening was shot. I did have trouble waking up fully from it. They sort of held back pain meds due to this so I was super hurting by the time it was worked out. I also had terrible nausea. I actually did throw up a bunch of blood (sorry-TMI) before they could get me setteled. I think I got stronger anti nausea stuff after that. I had one incision that was oozing LOTS of stuff. I had a drain on left side, this was the right. The surgical resident who was in during the surgery said my subcuteneous tissue was "mush" due to being a blood thinner user. They really didn't have anything to stitch together there, so it was sort of open. At the end of day two they came in, cleaned it well and then applied a LOT of pressure. It hurt, but ended up working. Then the put derma bond over it to glue it shut. Having the drain pulled did not feel good, but help ease the left side pain a bit when gone. So far at home I have had trouble with fluid intake, but getting better. I have to give myself Lovenox injections thru tomorrow and can't wait for those to be done. I didn't get one in deep enough and now have a sore spot on my already mangled tummy from it. And I have been having stomach spasms. Nothing terrible, just a very weird feeling. Think it is just trying to restart and will take some time to smooth out..That is all for me. Nothing earth shattering by any means, but I will be happy when I am at the end of the surgical healing process!

I can say pre op wasn't easy, but it wasn't too bad. Especially when my body started burning fat for fuel and my hunger level dropped. But now I am two days post op and I can see where it is going to be hard for me. My stomach doesn't want anythng and I am still feeling nausea. I will have to force myself to consume anything for a while, until this part passes. But everything does get better in time, so I am sure I will make it past here too!

First official "after" post! I made it through surgery. I was told it was a total success. After surgery not so much..(but this is me-everyone is different) I had a hard time waking up, and when I did I hurt! (They were with holding some of the pain killers until I came out of the anesthisa well) Left side is the achey side, either from where they take the stomach out or the drain. Right side incicion has been bleeding heavily. They are sort of concerned, but no panic buttons being hit yet. ( I am on blood thinners for life. While I discontinued before surgery it could be effecting it) I have been up to the potty and to walk a couple times, so most gas pain is minimal. Just taking it moment by moment with my new best friends-ice chips! LOL In the end this will all be a memory and I will be so glad I endured it.

Less. Than 5 hours until surgery time. I have been fighting a cold or sinus infection, yesterday it was winning. But last night it started clearing up and today it isn't that bad. So I think the surgery will happen. Wish me luck and see everyone on the "other side" soon!

I am scheduled for my sleeve at 10am, but. I am having doubts if it will happen. I have a cold that is causing me a bunch of head congestion, post nasal drip and coughing. I should be having nerves about it, instead. I am worrying it won't happen. I am trying to stay positive and pray I feel better by morning!

I have been practicing deep breathing, as they suggest to do pre op to avoid pneumonia. My lungs don't feel bad, it is mostly post nasal drip cough. I have been getting out all I can. Also used my Netti pot which helped a little bit. I will just get up annd go tomorrow and see what happens. I've come too far and I am too close to not try. Maybe a new day will bring better health.

I have been fighting it ever since last Monday. I have bad allergies and when they flare I usually end up getting sick. Well that happened and today I feel like crud. Have head full of junk and a cough. Unless I clear up drastially I do not see them doing the surgery tomorrow! I have gone through so much to get here. I have had to switch from oral warfarin to Lovenox injections (self administered!) for two days now. I am ready mentally and emotionally. I just pray and worry my physical catches up!!...

My biggest concern right now is allergies. I have some post nasal drip making my throat scratchy and I have a cough. I do not need full blown pneumonia post op! I really hope it doesn't effect surgery. I am so ready for Monday at 10am! Just hope I feel better before I feel worse!!!