QueenCityGal

Miss Mac's synopsis is quite good. I will add that they will ask you what surgery you are having a number of times. They do a lot of check and cross check. They will put heated blankets on you and will attach these massaging leg things (sorry I'm sure there's a technical term for it but I have no idea what it is) - they help prevent blot clots. An hour pre-op, I met 4 or 5 nurses, 3 anesthesia people, saw my surgeon and her PA multiple times. It's very busy. For my surgeon, the surgery is a 45 minute process, barring any complications or issues, like hernias, etc.
After surgery, my experience was to wake up in my hospital room, with a nurse talking in my ear asking about my pain level. I actually shushed her (LOL) because my stomach felt like it was cramped up really tight. I could only whisper because loud noises seemed to make it worse. Anyway, once I came more fully out of the anesthesia, I was happy to be alive and was amazed at how great I felt despite the tummy/incision pain. The staff was amazing, checking on me, giving various drugs, and monitoring my drinking -- they immediately start you on Protein shakes in these tiny cups (1 ounce, I think) and monitor how much you drink for the entire time you are in your hospital room. At first it was difficult but then it got easier. My hospital actually has a white board in each room and they write your "goals" for discharge. As a former school teacher, I thought that was hilarious and pretty awesome too.
Probably the worst thing for me was getting up and down out of the hospital bed (they want you to walk, and they measure your pee [ew]). The moment you use your core muscles...ouch! I had 5 incisions and there was one just above my belly button that was sewn so tightly the roll of flesh was sort of suspended over my belly button. That hurt pretty bad for the first 2 days - gravity + stitches = ouch. I felt extremely lucky to have zero gas pains, but be prepared with Gas-X strips because it's a common side effect post-op.
Anyway, I checked out the next morning (once I met all my goals :-) ), and was at my house and recovering within a couple hours. I drank broth and Protein and tried to not move too much for the first 2 days. Day 4 was probably the worst as far as pain in the tummy but then I think it was Day 5 I could finally stand up straight without incision/muscle pain in the tummy. By Day 7 things were really good and I slept in my bed for the first time (reclining couch was a lifesaver for me during the first week). Post-op, I had pretty bad insomnia - still do, really. I only took the strong pain meds for the first couple of days, then I relied on the children's Advil and Tylenol that my surgeon recommended. It was amazing how exponentially better things got after the first week.
I hope this is helpful, and that all goes well for all of you getting surgery this month. While everyone's experiences are different and personal, it is nice to read about the step-by-step that some go through. Reading everything I could on this website is how I prepared myself mentally for the surgery, and I am really happy with my decision to have the sleeve done. Best of luck!

For those of you who have never had any kind of surgery, maybe I can put your mind at ease on the pre-op stuff. My sleeve is scheduled for 12/23/2013, coming home on Christmas day, and I have had 12 other surgeries. Here is what happened every time:
After you get into a surgical gown, you are taken to a pre-op prep area where they check your ID one more time, sign final consent papers, and help you relax from the jitters before you go in for surgery. That may be a shot or a pill, or even meds inserted in your IV. The IV is not so bad if your tech is skilled and your veins are obvious. If you are right handed, ask for it in your left hand or arm so that you can use your dominate hand freely. When they tell you that you are going to feel a little prick, you can tell them that Miss Mac's ex was a little prick
So, once the IV is in and secured and you are calming down, you can say toodle-loo to your support person. You will see them again in a couple of hours. Your doctor and your anesthesiologist should stop by to say they will see you shortly in the O.R. and answer any final questions you may have.
You get wheeled into surgery and transferred to the operating table, where they check your ID again and verify that they have the right patient for the right surgery. You will get an oxygen mask or one of those little thingies that just sits a tad little bit in your nostrils. The anesthesiologist will probably ask you to count backward from 100. 100....99....98....wake up...wake up....your surgery is over...you did just fine. So, you have taken a nap and received a new lease on life.
Ta da! There you are in the recovery room, coming back around. In this case, it will be your new birthday. So, Happy Birthday. I wish you happiness and health as you become the newer improved you. No point in worrying. It doesn't get you anywhere. I am sure you want this surgery like a kid wants Christmas. So, go into it hoping for the best. Take care.

I kind of feel the OP on this. My situation was a little similar. When I started the whole process I was given a list of things I had to complete before insurance submittal. I did them. When I was done, I was told it would be time to submit.... only to get another letter stating i needed to complete two more requirements before submittal because "insurance requirements have changed". Total BS because there were no changes to my policy nor was it after a policy renewal. Thank goodness I was able to complete these last required tasks in a timely manner... nonetheless I was pissed because my surgery center should have known this to begin with (or they just goofed and sent me the wrong requirement letter template). I eventually called my insurance company inquiring about these "requirements" and they told me their rules and requirements have not changed in years.
There is cause for concern here because there is zero tolerance for errors when it comes to medical stuff. Whether it be paperwork, procedures, diagnosis, surgery, whatever.
I've spent the last two years dealing with the medical disaster of a family member, and I totally get the frustration. The only way to sometimes force these professionals to do their job right is to be assertive and not take any crap and let them know you're on top of them.
I would have probably changed my surgery center based on the above, but I already came too far and my surgeon is tops in the area so I'm sticking it out. Fingers crossed there are no more issues or confusion post-op!

Hi everyone,
I have a suggestion. Since December is fast approaching and this thread has over a thousand responses, it's getting hard to keep up with everyone and their sleeve dates. Would anyone be interested when December hits to maybe start new threads so that the ones who are sleeved within a few days can keep track of each other's journeys since we will be going through exactly the same things at the same times.
Any suggestions on how to categorize? Maybe something like
Dec 1-5
Dec 6-10
Or even a week at a time. What do you guys all think? I'm sure we are all very happy to have so many people being sleeved in December like ourselves but I'm also sure we will probably be paying closer attention to those who are sleeved the same day or within a day or two of ourselves more.

I can promise you post op it will be MUCH easier to remember and follow suit. I too worried about the eating too fast / not chewing enough thing. I also worried about NOT drinking around meals. All of these were lifelong ingrained habits. Once I started eating post op it was no longer a concern. I could feel as things hit my stomach. I waited to see how my stomach would react to it. I didn't drink because it wasn't really needed at first, not on liquid diet. Now I have been allowed to start introducing "solids". I had a turkey burger last night for dinner. Just a single patty, cooked with a piece of ff cheese and maybe a teaspoon of light mayo. A couple times during the course of the "meal" I had to stop and wait several minutes before continuing. I probably did not chew well enough and I could feel it when it hit my stomach. ( not pain, but uncomfortable) Your sleeve will help you remember what you need to do. But it is very proactive of you to be trying now! Just keep up the good work and you will succeed..

Big ups to all the holiday season sleevers!

Going through this whole process, makes one realize just how much society is food-focused. I finally told my best friend today about my date (she too is overweight and knew I was thinking about it but didn't take me serious) - all she said was "are you nuts? you're not going to be able to eat all the holiday goodies!"... and to that I said "hooray!" She just couldn't fathom the idea of giving up all the gorging on holiday food.< /p>
I know some people here will want to have a little binge before their surgery, have a last pigout on some favorite or no-no foods, etc. Me, I'm preparing now both mentally and physically by already cutting way back, eating right, and doing the high-protein thing (I've done this many times before on attempts to lose weight but always gained it back!). Knowing that I'm all in with an irreversible procedure now, easing into the pre-op liquid diet this way would be much more helpful than calorie cold-turkey I think.
How is everyone else tackling this?

I'm not going to miss the food fest. And, I'm looking forward to saving a ton of money at the supermarket going forward!

Happy Sleevemas to all the December folks!!

Big ups to all the holiday season sleevers!

Going through this whole process, makes one realize just how much society is food-focused. I finally told my best friend today about my date (she too is overweight and knew I was thinking about it but didn't take me serious) - all she said was "are you nuts? you're not going to be able to eat all the holiday goodies!"... and to that I said "hooray!" She just couldn't fathom the idea of giving up all the gorging on holiday food.< /p>
I know some people here will want to have a little binge before their surgery, have a last pigout on some favorite or no-no foods, etc. Me, I'm preparing now both mentally and physically by already cutting way back, eating right, and doing the high-protein thing (I've done this many times before on attempts to lose weight but always gained it back!). Knowing that I'm all in with an irreversible procedure now, easing into the pre-op liquid diet this way would be much more helpful than calorie cold-turkey I think.
How is everyone else tackling this?

I'm not going to miss the food fest. And, I'm looking forward to saving a ton of money at the supermarket going forward!

Happy Sleevemas to all the December folks!!

Big ups to all the holiday season sleevers!

Going through this whole process, makes one realize just how much society is food-focused. I finally told my best friend today about my date (she too is overweight and knew I was thinking about it but didn't take me serious) - all she said was "are you nuts? you're not going to be able to eat all the holiday goodies!"... and to that I said "hooray!" She just couldn't fathom the idea of giving up all the gorging on holiday food.< /p>
I know some people here will want to have a little binge before their surgery, have a last pigout on some favorite or no-no foods, etc. Me, I'm preparing now both mentally and physically by already cutting way back, eating right, and doing the high-protein thing (I've done this many times before on attempts to lose weight but always gained it back!). Knowing that I'm all in with an irreversible procedure now, easing into the pre-op liquid diet this way would be much more helpful than calorie cold-turkey I think.
How is everyone else tackling this?

I'm not going to miss the food fest. And, I'm looking forward to saving a ton of money at the supermarket going forward!

Happy Sleevemas to all the December folks!!

Big ups to all the holiday season sleevers!

Going through this whole process, makes one realize just how much society is food-focused. I finally told my best friend today about my date (she too is overweight and knew I was thinking about it but didn't take me serious) - all she said was "are you nuts? you're not going to be able to eat all the holiday goodies!"... and to that I said "hooray!" She just couldn't fathom the idea of giving up all the gorging on holiday food.< /p>
I know some people here will want to have a little binge before their surgery, have a last pigout on some favorite or no-no foods, etc. Me, I'm preparing now both mentally and physically by already cutting way back, eating right, and doing the high-protein thing (I've done this many times before on attempts to lose weight but always gained it back!). Knowing that I'm all in with an irreversible procedure now, easing into the pre-op liquid diet this way would be much more helpful than calorie cold-turkey I think.
How is everyone else tackling this?

I'm not going to miss the food fest. And, I'm looking forward to saving a ton of money at the supermarket going forward!

Happy Sleevemas to all the December folks!!

You can put me in for December 17th yay

Looking for someone around that date to buddy up with, NY state area preferred. Anyone with me on this? Feel free to message me, thanks!!

You can put me in for December 17th yay

Looking for someone around that date to buddy up with, NY state area preferred. Anyone with me on this? Feel free to message me, thanks!!

You can put me in for December 17th yay

Looking for someone around that date to buddy up with, NY state area preferred. Anyone with me on this? Feel free to message me, thanks!!

You can put me in for December 17th yay

Looking for someone around that date to buddy up with, NY state area preferred. Anyone with me on this? Feel free to message me, thanks!!

I got my date, I'm going in on December 17... stoked, nervous, scared... and excited!

Wow you cancelled after (most likely) so much waiting and hard work to get to that point? Are you able to reschedule?
I asked myself also what you wrote but as the post above says, sleeve is fairly new and not used hardly as much as the RNY was 5+ years ago... so that's why you won't see much if any 5+ year sleevers out there... also it's been suggested to me that people who have WLS are usually into the online forums and post about their experiences for probably the first 2-3 years, then lose interest and drop off because they've gotten used to and settled into their new life. So that could be another reason for not seeing many veteran experiences out there.
I've just gotten approved for the procedure after 5 months of process and red tape - while I am also nervous and have my concerns, I'm convinced that the outcome will surely be better than my current physical state and quality of life. I'm stoked and can't wait

Good news finally! My angst about this process have (hopefully) come to an end...

I got the news I was approved today! **happy dance****happy dance****happy dance**
Sorry I've had a little negativity before - just dealing with so much medical nonsense for the past few years; medical red tape is sooo frustrating to get through.
Anyway I'm stoked! Nervous and anxious now too. Awaiting calls/letters for the date and other pre-op stuff now. Maybe this will be a nice Xmas present for me!

Wow you cancelled after (most likely) so much waiting and hard work to get to that point? Are you able to reschedule?
I asked myself also what you wrote but as the post above says, sleeve is fairly new and not used hardly as much as the RNY was 5+ years ago... so that's why you won't see much if any 5+ year sleevers out there... also it's been suggested to me that people who have WLS are usually into the online forums and post about their experiences for probably the first 2-3 years, then lose interest and drop off because they've gotten used to and settled into their new life. So that could be another reason for not seeing many veteran experiences out there.
I've just gotten approved for the procedure after 5 months of process and red tape - while I am also nervous and have my concerns, I'm convinced that the outcome will surely be better than my current physical state and quality of life. I'm stoked and can't wait

I get annoyed when eating disorders are the major blame for obesity. Yes I'm sure some overweight folks are affected by some sort of eating disorder; but not all of us have eating disorders. Being born into a family with a long history of heavy people means genetic predisposition. Who in my family is NOT heavy?? I've always been heavy regardless of a healthy food diet and exercise. Also there are medical issues. In a Quest once again to get thin years ago I went low carb and heavily used soy products - soy milk, tofu, and eating edamame by the bags... in an effort to replace dairy and meat Proteins (98 pound weight loss there). Slowly, no matter if I starved myself and worked out like mad, the weight came back. Well unbeknownst to me, I killed my thyroid and my metabolism. No one ever warned me of the dangers of too much soy and the internet wasn't what it is now. A light bulb went off when I was at a chiropractor visit, I told him to be careful where he touched me because of these weird fatty lumps I had in random locations. He asked me "have you ever ingested large amounts of soy?" - I said yes, I did for almost a year. He said "well there's your problem, you probably have a bad thyroid and the excessive hormones in all the soy caused these lumps"...
Anyway long story short, I got my thyroid tested and bam, goiter and horrible thyroid levels. I've been on thyroid meds now for over almost 10 years and now have autoimmune thyroid too. Even on meds, the numbers on paper are good but the weight just won't come off.
So, I kind of get mad when I'm pooled with the genpop of overweight people, blaming an eating disorder. Especially by thin people who have never struggled with weight issues. I'm told by my potential surgeon that something about the surgery can boost a bad metabolism like mine, the process is still not fully understood, but it does happen when the nasty part of the stomach goes away. That is my only hope left, but I'm keeping it real and not expecting a fast loss (due to this bad thyroid of mine) so I won't be disappointed after the procedure (if I ever get that far).
Oh and PS: BEWARE OF SOY.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see and how do you feel about yourself (before and after surgery)?
Last night I got a bit of a wake up call. I was at a party where there were lots of picture being taken. I saw some photos of myself, and was like "holy crap, is that really me??" Was not feeling too happy because I look really large in pictures, yet I never felt like I had gained so much weight back, and didn't see myself as being so overweight. Reality check, bigtime. I'm way larger than what I perceived. In the mirror, In my eyes I still saw that person that I was 10 years ago, but on paper (and on screen) the fact is that I am so NOT that person I was 10 years ago... and not perceiving the true reflection of the person I am in reality helped lend itself to the big weight gain (again) I now think. "But I don't FEEL that large, so I can't possibly look so fat in pictures..."
Contrarily, I have a friend who had a full bypass a few years ago. She's dropped almost 200 pounds, yet she tells me she still "feels fat". She is far from that and looks good.
I know I'm overweight, but don't feel it sometimes. Well what I mean is that I do feel it physically (because I'm uncomfortable) but I don't feel that people see me that way or that I look that way, it's very strange. I suppose I need to keep looking at pictures of myself to reinforce my reality and the fact that I really need this surgery to happen. And when it does, I don't want to fail at it.

You know, guys, I'll be honest here. I am a HUGE DRINKER! (not booze, yall!!!!) I can remember as a very young child drinking at least two glasses of Water BEFORE our food arrived if we ate out. That has always been the case. Now, I have also ALWAYS HATED water! LOL. As an adult, I always drank gallons of Diet Coke. Once I was sleeved, I actually cold turkeyed from DC a few months before not even realizing I was going to be sleeved so I had broken the habit prior. I did have the occasional diet drink or carbonated diet something but nothing like before.
Once sleeved, and having the need to get the water/fluids in I found that the Water made me nauseous and discovered Crystal Light (I know - I know - don't give me any guff about the aspartame) I now drink at least 12-15 cups of water a day always with my favorite citrus Energy CL. And I drink during, before and after meals. It doesn't phase me. I have played around with it and I don't get any hungrier if I wait or don't drink prior.
Now, in the early stages of recovery I did adhere to the policy simply because I could NOT eat/drink and needed to get my Protein in. At 3+ years out, I don't see myself not drinking with my meals. I don't actually drink much at all. Maybe a few sips because I don't eat much food either!!!!! STILL. Here is a good explanation of the Pyloric Valve and how it works with fluid:
The function of your Pyloric valve is the single most not talked about important part of understanding how and when you should eat and drink.
The Pyloric Valve is just that....It is a valve that is located at the bottom of your stomach/sleeve. This valve is in between your sleeve and the lower intestine. The basic definition of a valve is an apparatus that opens and closes.
When open this valve it is about the diameter of a dime. When closed it’s opening is closed down to the diameter of the head of a ballpoint pen.
Dense Proteins and harder to digest foods will cause the Pyloric valve to close to hold the food in your stomach for pre-digestion...... stomach acids breaking down this “Rough” food.
That’s why we are told to eat dense Proteins first.....To close the Pyloric Valve so food stays in your stomach/sleeve longer so we have a sense of satisfaction.
It takes about 30-60 minutes for the food to clear the Pyloric Valve...... Than it’s OK to drink.
That is also where the term slider food comes into play. A slider food does not close the Pyloric Valve and as the term is intended.....food slides right past an open Pyloric Valve.
There is a video that gets posted every so often that is supposed to explain food going past the Pyloric Valve. The guy uses a funnel and has apple sauce or something in it....and it shows the apple sauce dripping out the end of the funnel very slow. Than he pours water on top of the apple sauce to dilute it, illustrating drinking after eating.....and the diluted apple sauce runs through the funnel end faster. Than he concludes that this is how your pyloric valve works.
Well, it is a great video that only tells half the story.....remember it’s a valve...and he is only showing it in the open position....
So now the other half of the Pyloric Valve function..... You eat a dense Protein like chicken that causes your Pyloric Valve to close. Say for example your sleeve has a 4oz. capacity.....and you eat 4oz. of chicken.....your sleeve is full and holding all 4 oz. of chicken for pre-digestion because your Pyloric Valve is closed.
So now try and drink something....where is it gonna go? Up.....Up until it hits another valve of sorts..... the Esophageal Sphincter (valve) and above that is a flapper valve. The function of these two valves is to hold food, bile and stomach acids in your stomach and not backing up into your air way. This is a very high pressure system. Thats why when you eat to much or drink after eating a hard to digest food and your Pyloric is closed.....It hurts cause you pressurized your intake track. Vomiting would be a natural pressure release.
So you can see how learning and understanding how the Pyloric Valve works is important as it pertains to eating and drinking with a Gastric Sleeve.
So that was kinda like VSG and the Pyloric Valve 101
As you get further a long you will want to use the Pyloric Valve in other ways to keep food in your sleeve longer to stay satisfied longer.
A sleeve empties faster than a stock un altered full size stomach so sometimes it’s beneficial for you to learn what foods stay in your sleeve longer to extend satisfaction.
Dense proteins are #1 in closing the Pyloric Valve. Chicken, steak, pork, fish.....in that order seems to be the way it goes for me.
Other foods that are hard to digest and help close the Pyloric Valve are foods like:

Broccoli Stalk
Asparagus
Celery
Cucumber with Skin
Radish
Cabbage (I’m testing this right now)
Bell Pepper

So I hope you understand my 5 cent tour of the Pyloric Valve and how it effects the way we eat with a VSG and how important it is to work the Pyloric Valve to your benefit.

Oh yes Greek yogurt is good and very versatile. And it helps keep the digestive tract going! I do the Chobani Zero plain - 7g carbs and 18g protein, which is the most for a Greek yogurt I believe. I sweeten it with a little Splenda and add a few drops of vanilla or almond extract for a nice rich flavor. Or you can add in a little Crystal Light or other sugar-free drink mix and make your own flavors to keep it interesting.

A couple days ago I told my mom and two aunts about my decision to have the WLS.
My one aunt is ok with the idea, but pushing me to the band (I don't want that) because she thinks it's "safer". I have not heard from the other aunt, but I'm guessing she is against it. My mom, on the other hand, has shot down the idea hard and wants to know why I want to "risk my life" for this drastic procedure, and that I don't need it if I only "put good food in my mouth".... THAT, coming from a wheelchair bound 400+ pound woman who has been obese most of her life, struggling with compulsive eating disorders herself. In fact, all the women on my mom's side have been heavy, riding the non-stop diet wheel most of their lives.
I have people who depend on me, I refuse to be in a wheelchair myself by the time I'm 50, I want to be comfortable again and gain quality of life back for as long as I have left on this earth. I've tried hard my whole life to keep the weight off, it goes then comes right back again. I'm trying hard now and it just doesn't work anymore. The most discouraging thing is that I'm eating way better and around half the volume of what I was over a month ago and I haven't lost a freaking ounce.
For the first time since I've started pursuing this surgery I have an inkling of doubt about it. Will this even work for me, is what I think. I should have never mentioned anything to anyone.
I'm hoping my fellow Buffalonians here who have gone through with it already can give me a little push back in the right direction... ugh

My dad arrives from India today so I have to make something his 90-year body (and teeth) can enjoy, AND tomorrow is soft foods day for us! yay! We were told to eat meats that were out of a crockpot or pressure cooker so they were soft. So here goes.
This is massively modified from Anupy Singla's Indian Crockpot book a) not make enough to feed the entire state of Texas and not to blow the roof off your head with her version of spice.
I'm Indian. Believe me when I tell you, this is the BEST chicken curry I have ever had and the EASIEST.
Ingredients
1 onion peeled & quartered
5 garlic cloves peeled
2 inches ginger root sliced roughly
2 tomatoes quartered
I tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam masala, can buy ready mixed or I will post my fav, easy recipe shortly
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1.5 lbs of chicken, skinned
1 bag of baby spinach
1 2 inch piece cinnamon
4 green cardamom
2 whole clove
Method
1. In a food processor, grind together everything except the chicken and the spinach and the whole spics. Make a nice, smooth paste. This may take a few minutes, be patient.
2. Put the chicken pieces in a crockpot, and pour over the yummy-smelling sauce you just made. Add the whole spices, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
3. Chop up the spinach and add during the last hour of cooking.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6.
Us Sleevers may have to eat the chicken without the sauce and eat the sauce separately or something.
Makes 6 servings of chicken (3 oz each, 21 gms of Protein each
EDIT: Forgot the tomatoes in the first version and also the whole spices! brain is mush

Hey guys, ok today I'm extremely bored here at work (trying to keep my mind off of "what's for dinner?!"), and I'm kind of a computer nerd so I was messing around looking at the group feature settings... I made a new "group" on here just for the Buffalo/WNY folks. I was testing it out to see how it worked, and was going to delete it but now it won't let me delete it until there are other members
I like to keep my FB separate from anything else I have going on, so maybe this group feature here would be a good way to be a "group" instead of replying to just one long thread (like here), yes? And you wouldn't have to leave this site.
I made it public, so I guess anyone can join without an invite. Click here and join the group if you like, and if anyone wants to moderate or own it just let me know and I can change settings. It could be pretty cool.

Sleeved June 27th by Dr. Pham - Southtowns girl - 50++ lbs down!!
I would add that I find Dr. Pham to be a very intelligent surgeon. Perhaps one of the most compassionate people in the medical field that I have come across. Nice to hear that others have had positive experiences with their surgeons.
Fantastic to find a group of WNYers here. Not surprising that the group is energetic and willing to help out others.
Feel free to email/PM me if you have questions. I am not as good at responding to the forums/boards.
Wishing everyone the best on their journey!