VegasOne

I had my sleeve surgery on OCT 01 and so far I am down 82 pounds. Started at 285 and I am now 203 and I am still losing! I have gone from size 42 waist to size 36, from 2XL to LG shirts. I no long take cholesterol meds, triglyceride meds, and I've just came off my blood pressure meds. I am only taking Vitamins. I am a happy camper!!! I'm getting lots of compliments and I feel so much better physically & mentally. Physical chores and even exercise are so much easier. VSG was a great decision for me. I have so many plans for my life and now I think I will actually live long enough to enjoy those plans. Best wishes to all...

@freddie8_8 Go have your surgery with Dr. Corvala and get off this page

@@VegasOne congrats!!! Your doing awesome!! Can't wait to be there alongside of you ????

I restarted coffee a few weeks after being sleeved. I have 1 or 2 cups a day without problems. I am now 8 weeks post-op.

@@newbiesleever
Just try to carry something to drink with you and sip it as much as you can. I finished the antibiotics and I am still taking all the meds except the pain killer. I didn't need it and didn't feel like it was doing anything anyway. For me, it seems like liquids go through my stomach really fast, so I can drink a fair amount, just not huge gulps.  My surgery was exactly a week ago. I returned to work today without any problems. I am a little more tired in the evening, but surely not pulling in many calories yet.

Hi everyone! Well, I made it back home yesterday. I had my gastric sleeve last WED OCT 01. Everything went just fine. I don't think I could have had any better care and attention than I received at OCC. Relaxing at the Marriott TJ for a couple of days was just awesome. The surgery itself was not nearly as painful as I as expected. My abdomen was a little sore the first day only to lessen each day after. Four of us had our drain tubes pulled on the same day. The other three said it didn't bother them at all, but for me it did hurt a bit - but was over very quickly. Looking forward to some serious weight loss!

Hello everyone! I'm new to the forum. I'm scheduled for gastric sleeve at Obesity Control Center (OCC) on OCT 01. Like most, I'm full of emotions, little anxious, excited, but determined. Anyone else going at the same time?

@@newbiesleever
Just try to carry something to drink with you and sip it as much as you can. I finished the antibiotics and I am still taking all the meds except the pain killer. I didn't need it and didn't feel like it was doing anything anyway. For me, it seems like liquids go through my stomach really fast, so I can drink a fair amount, just not huge gulps.  My surgery was exactly a week ago. I returned to work today without any problems. I am a little more tired in the evening, but surely not pulling in many calories yet.

So I got my drain out today! Yay!! It wasn't too bad but definitely felt uncomfortable as he was pulling it out. The OCC told me I was okay to leave tomorrow. So far, no real pain or issues... I'm more worried about getting my liquids in. How often did you all drink? Little sips every 5, 10, 15 minutes? Also, did you keep up with the medicine that they give you? I got an antibiotic in liquid form to take for the next 5 days, an antacid, a pain pill and an anti-nausea pill. I'm excited to go home and start having Protein Shakes and yogurt in a few days. It also hasn't really sunk in that I've had the surgery. It doesn't feel real yet. I guess when I go home and change the way I eat, it will feel real.

My experience so far:
Since my mom and I are from Southern CA, we drove to the San Diego airport and parked there and went over to Terminal 1 where we were to meet the driver. We got there early like at 545 and the pickup time was 7. Our driver ended up being late so we were waiting 2 hours. Not a super big deal, was actually entertained by people watching. The driver picked us up and 2 other patients. When you cross through the Mexican border, since we are in a van, all of us had to get out and get our luggage, go through a building where they X-Ray our luggage and then hit a button, green means you're good and if it's red, then they'll search your bags. All of us were green. We left the building and waited for van to get the go ahead. This whole process didn't take too long, maybe 15 minutes.
Off to the Marriott to check in. It is a very nice hotel, lots of staff and felt secure. Our room was pretty decent but the beds were hard as rocks. I'm sure I won't mind the next couple nights cause I will probably be out of it but I got no sleep last night, just kept tossing and turning, either from the bed or the looming of the surgery.
Got picked up by the Marriott shuttle at 6:20 am to go the OCC, filled out paperwork, met with the nutritionist who was very informative. She weighed me, measured me, gave me my goal weight and went through the different phases of eating. Then met with cardiologist. Did good, was the first surgery patient of the day. Went to my room which is very nice and changed. The nurse gave me medicine, started my IV, met and talking with Dr. Martinez who is super nice! Off the OR! And Just like that I was out and waking up! The waking up part always sucks, cause you're thinking what's going on?! My mouth was super dry and I had a really bad taste in my mouth. I was coughing pretty bad so they put something over my nose and mouth to help.
I haven't been in pain, just sore. If anything my chest and throat hurt. Pretty much all day, I've just wanted to burp. I wish I could let out a big burp and I feel like I would feel better. Lol Got up to walk a couple times. Mostly, I'm just tired and I'm sure not sleeping last night has something to do with that.
So far the care has been great, I saw Dr. Ortiz briefly out of the corner of my eye when I was being taken back to my room. Said I did great. I didn't have my glasses on and I'm blind so I couldn't see him very well. lol
Everyone's post on this board helped my make decision to come here and I just want to say thank you for that! I hope my post encourages others to do the same. You don't need to worry about the Mexico thing, you're in great hands and meeting other patients and being with them, makes you feel more comfortable.

I'm officially sleeved! So far, so good!
 
Will write a longer update later

Hey All!
Just a quick update. I am 6 months post-op tomorrow! I'm extremely happy to report that I am down 100 POUNDS!!! I'm 5.5 pounds away from onderland and 23 ponds from the OCC's goal weight! I'm so extremely pleased with my decision and the results. I look and feel like an entirely different person!

I'm so glad it went well VegasOne!!! I'm driving to San Diego in a couple hours... Getting more nervous and excited as the hours go by!

Hi everyone! Well, I made it back home yesterday. I had my gastric sleeve last WED OCT 01. Everything went just fine. I don't think I could have had any better care and attention than I received at OCC. Relaxing at the Marriott TJ for a couple of days was just awesome. The surgery itself was not nearly as painful as I as expected. My abdomen was a little sore the first day only to lessen each day after. Four of us had our drain tubes pulled on the same day. The other three said it didn't bother them at all, but for me it did hurt a bit - but was over very quickly. Looking forward to some serious weight loss!

Hi everyone! Well, I made it back home yesterday. I had my gastric sleeve last WED OCT 01. Everything went just fine. I don't think I could have had any better care and attention than I received at OCC. Relaxing at the Marriott TJ for a couple of days was just awesome. The surgery itself was not nearly as painful as I as expected. My abdomen was a little sore the first day only to lessen each day after. Four of us had our drain tubes pulled on the same day. The other three said it didn't bother them at all, but for me it did hurt a bit - but was over very quickly. Looking forward to some serious weight loss!

The picture is showing a little funny, it looks stretched. Attached is another, it shows my before, this was taken back in June at 88 lbs lost.

Hi VegasOne
1. I returned to work 14 days after surgery. I actually am enjoying the first weekend after my first week back. I too have a desk job, and to be honest with you I feel great. Biggest worry was ensuring I had all my liquids and Protein.
2. I do not know of anyone that had someone stay with them, but let me assure you that you will be sleeping most of the time anyhow and you will be well taken care of by the medical team. Your companion will also be fine at the hotel, the staff there are great and my companion felf safe on her own.

OCT 01 for me. Doing the pre-op diet, now to toughen up on the 2 week pre-op. We will be on vacation until surgery day, so a lot more Vitamins, supplements, and Protein Shake to carry with us.

Just keep asking. Or even call. Who are you communicating with? For me it was Carolyn other than one time she was out of town and I got a response from Lori. I emailed dozens of questions and always got answers.
 
Good luck to you! You will be amazed at how awesome this surgery is.

I was pretty tired and hit the couch when I got home, but certainly doable. I really don't remember having major energy issues that affected my work. I just had to make sure and have plenty of Protein Drinks and fluids along for the day since I was on liquids for 18 days. I had to stop at the convenience store for milk or Vitamin Water a few times when I didn't plan ahead.

1) I returned to a physical job (walking, standing, bending, lifting, squatting) after 1 week, but had to limit my lifting to less than 20 pounds for 3 weeks.
 
2) ask your coordinator. My room only had my bed in it, so don't know where another person would sleep.< /p>

I didn't see this post earlier and posted a new thread talking about my first week. I thought I'd just copy and paste it here for you guys.
I got my sleeve this past tuesday. Doctor had to repair a hiatal hernia. Truthfuly on Tues, Wed, Thurs. all I could do was think "why did I do this ?" I was scared, all of a sudden I was afraid everytime I took a drink or ate a popsicle. I don't know why , but it was scary. I was scheduled to go home Thurs morning , but early in the morning I had heaves and spasms. I was in tears scared. When the doctor came in he reassured me that it was nothing "unusal" and said he would order me a steroid and put me on a anti nausea and spasm med. He knew I was flustered and said, ' if you would feel more confortable why don't you stay one more night " and I took him up on that. After getting the steroid and starting the other meds things settled down and I began to feel like I just needed a little time to figure out stuff like , how much Water at a time, when to eat what (popsicle, broth or tea) and by Friday morning I was more comfident. By Sat. I was at the store with my hubby getting a few more supplies like some greek yogart, creamed Tomato Soup. We even went to Applebee's where I ordered water with lemon and some Tomato basil Soup. It was heaven to have some warm good flavor. I just want to let anyone know that those first fews days may or may not be ruff, but its only temp. I feel totally in control of this now. I'm on full liquids and satisfied, but am having no nausea, heaving . Its still feels like testing the waters sometimes. Im keeping a log until I get used to knowing exactly what I should put in my mouth next to achieve my goals. I think Im still short on my Protein but its only been a couple of days of figuring things out.

Oh, I forgot: I left my things in my room. My husband was in there though, so it wasn't an issue. But I did leave my bag, which had an iphone and iPad unattended in there throughout the night for bathroom trips. If I had been alone, I still would have felt fine leaving my bag in my room.

I was banded by Dr Ortiz March 2010, then did a revision to sleeve November 2013. My husband got his sleeve 6 months later in May 2014. They did give us all our prescriptions (bottles, not papers to go fill) the morning we left OCC. No need to stop to get them. I wished I would have brought liquid Tylenol. I ended up buying some at a small "farmacia" near the Mariott a day or 2 later, but the directions were in Spanish, so it was somewhat a guess how much to take. The pain really wasn't too bad, I had the gas pain, which I thought the Tylenol worked better on than the prescription. But the instant my drain was removed, I felt so much better!!! I would also take a couple tubes of gatorade powder, and chicken bouillon powder.
Also to anyone reading these posts, GO FOR IT! NOW THOUGH, DON'T WAIT! (I was not having medical issues with my band, just wasn't losing weight, and didn't have good follow up care once I moved from New Orleans to Texas.) I started researching the sleeve, then called OCC and set my date for 2 weeks later and started my pre op immediately. I don't do anticipation well. I just jump in. I did pre op for the band, so I knew what to expect. Also, there is no need to start early with the severe pre op diet. You will lose the weight on it for just 2 weeks. Three months after my sleeve, I ended up having my thyroid out, went severely hypothyroid for 4 weeks, still lost weight. By five months out and happy with my size at this point, although still 18 lbs from goal, my husband says he's tired of being overweight and wants to get the surgery! What?!?!? He wad supportive of it for me but said he would never do anything like that. So we scheduled him for 3 weeks later, some financial things came up, we debated, and decided, let's do it anyway so you can be on your way to goal NOW, rather than 6 months from now. So we went back to OCC, with liquid Tylenol in hand this time! Also this time I got pics with Dr Ortiz (he's a ham for pics). I never thought to do that either time I was there before. So less than a year later, I am maintaining goal weight, my husband is down 60 lbs since May and is happy with his size, although, he will be happier when he gets to his goal. But we are free from food. And free from so many pounds! Omg, and when I got on that plane after 6 months to head back for my hubbies surgery, I had so much more room in the stupid airplane seat!! That was great! But we are looking forward to going on another cruise and being able to do some of the things we couldn't do before because of weight restrictions. Like horseback riding and zip lining. So like I said, JUST GO FOR IT! The longer you WAIT, the longer you will carry the WEIGHT!

As you know VegasOne I will be there the 28th, surgery the 29th and I will stay two nights at hospital due to me having lap band to sleeve revision. So I will be at hotel day of your surgery. We are scheduled to leave on the 3rd. How are you doing so far on the preop diet? My husband is struggling but hanging right in there. He's lost 17 in a week on the phase1 Atkins diet. Next week starts his 2 weeks of liquids. Eeek!! That's going to be rocky two weeks in our household!!