RickMG

Congratulations and to a speedy recovery!

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

Don't worry about a thing. If all you had were two puffs and the last time you actually smoked before that was over a month ago, you have nothing to worry about. I thought that I wasn't going to have the nicotine test until right before the surgery. I smoked two cigars on Sunday and they called me on Monday and asked me to go get the test. This was almost a month before the surgery so I was having my last cigars. Anyway, put off the test until that Friday. It really worried me because they didn't call with results by the next Tuesday. A week later they still didn't have the results and told me that was normal on nicotine tests. When it did come back they called and said it was negative.
I checked on the cigar board and nicotine has a half life of something like 3 days or less. Of course cigarettes would be worse because I didn't inhale cigars but it's been plenty long for you.
I don't know what's going to be worse, the cigars or the food.

Hey Rick, I'm on day 15 now. You're not alone here... we've all been through it or will go through it soon enough. Get ready, once you're off morphine your largest incision site will start to hurt underneath in the muscle wall. For me that lasted about 6-8 days after surgery but for some it lasts longer. You're going to start shrinking soon but it's a struggle at first. Be prepared to hate and then love your decision and then hate it again only to come around and hopefully love it.

Rick. Congratulations. Truly, you will feel little pain. WALK WALK WALK! Passing gas is a blessing - so keep walking.

Congratulations and welcome to the "club". Sounds like you are off to a good start, it is important to follow your Dr's orders and focus on the big three: Protein, Water, and healing! Every day gets better and keeping positive without focusing on your scale will help overcome the "bumps" (heartburn, feeling stuffed, and weight fluctuations) as they come alone and then disappear.

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

Yep, I'm just here to Celebrate, but I was just so excited to see a number lower than 200lbs for the first time since around 2007.....I was just blown away!!! It's really happened!!!! And I don't ever have to go back ever again....this surgery has already changed my life!!!! YES!!!!

I think it is perfectly normal to have second thoughts. I surely did. I have to tell you though having the VSG was the best thing I could have ever done. Yes, I wondered why in the world I did it and what in the world had I done to myself several times at the beginning but WOW what a difference a year makes!!!! I am over 100 pounds down, run a 5k, not just once but 3 days a WEEK!!! I am feeling much much better and love having a new lease on life! Yes, take this next step seriously, but also know that everyone feels this way. Hope you feel better about it soon! No matter what you decide, do something!

I had the same thoughts...and almost cancelled the morning of the surgery. I did pretty well on the pre-op diet and I thought if I just kept doing that I would keep losing weight...but then I realized that I had lost weight many times over the years only to gain it back plus some. This was the opportunity to help me keep it off for a change. I ended up having the surgery and was one of the fortunate ones who had absolutely no problems, very little pain, and can eat anything. I still get hungry (I am 3.5 months out) but am able to control what I eat much more easily. I have lost 60 pounds and feel like I have a new lease on life. I exercise now and participate in so much more and my self esteem has soared. This decision is a personal one, and yes there are risks...but the risks of not doing it far outweighed the risks of doing it for me. I was pretty much guaranteed high blood pressure, diabetes and my joints were already starting to bother me...last weekend I ran my first 5k. I know you read a lot of horror stories online and wanted to give you a positive one to think about...but again, you have to do what is best for you...

You look phenomenal. You were beautiful preop too!

So blessed!!!!
9 months out
Start weight 246
Today's weight 135
111 pounds gone FOREVER
NEVER looking back!!!! THIS is living!! We all deserve to feel this way!!!!

I didnt tell anyone except my husband before surgery. I just told everyone i was taking a 10 day vac. I was able to go back work fine and nobody has noticed except that I am looking good!! I have told 2 friends now... what can they say after the fact...

I totally understand. Mine was supposed to be 90 days, but my surgeon was pregnant at the time and decided to take off 12 weeks, which put a monkey wrench in it. I promise you, it'll be here before you know it! Take this time to do your research, get your meal plans together, get a good Protein Shake (I can recommend a couple) and just mentally get yourself ready. I spent a lot of time looking at pictures and dreaming about this day. Now I'm almost 5 mos out and I'm LIVING that dream! Stay positive and focused. Also, start using MyFitnessPal. It is my BIBLE. I record everything I eat to stay on track. You'll get there girl!

Thank you and I will update as soon as possible. I only met Dr. Morales once a few weeks ago for about 15 minutes and I assume he'll come in and visit before the operation. He seemed like a great guy then and like you said everyone else has been terrific too. No, hadn't attended any meetings. I'll see how I feel afterwards but don't know if I will plan on any. I like this way.
25 lbs in less than a month, that's fantastic. I hope my results are as good. Thank you for the good words about Dr. Morales and the best wishes.

I'm in St. Louis. I am just over 4 months post op. I work for Mercy and had mine done thru there as well. If you have any questions, let me know! And stay positive, it'll go by fast! Mine was also 6 months and it flew by

I just began my journey in August of this year and I have a six moth waiting period. I am driving my family crazy from talking about this surgery so much. I think it would be a good idea to have a buddy who is going through the same thing to support one another. My family is supportive but there's nothing like having someone who can relate by your side too.