Dajones

My pre-op clear liquid diet was a week before surgery. I think it's to shrink the stomach and to also give you a "taste" of what to expect post-op. I bet they've had people go on the clear liquid a week before and end up backing out before surgery. I also was put on a statin to shrink my liver before surgery even though my cholesterol was normal. The liver can get in the way during surgery so the smaller, the better!

Cucumbers kill me!!!

I had my VSG on October 10 and I'm down, as of this morning, 39 pounds. I'm extremely pleased. In calculating it out, 6 weeks is 42 days. That's almost a pound a day! Look at the big picture! Just imagine 6 months from now!

The black poop is likely old blood inside your stomach from the surgery. Blood got in your "new" stomach area during the surgery and is now making its way through your digestive tract. My doctor told me I would throw up black blood about 12 hours after surgery and I did. Lots of it. Thick and nasty. I got it all out and I felt SO much better.

I've had really good results with New whey Protein "shots." It's 3.8 oz, comes in different flavors (mixed berry, grape, blueberry, watermelon) and it's 42 grams per 3.8 oz!!!! At our local grocery store, it's kinda expensive ($2.68 each) but for a woman, it's more than half of what you need for one day! I then follow up with chicken, Beans, cottage cheese or other.

My doctor prescribed me Carafate. He said it "coats" the stomach and I may need to be on it for the rest of my life. I take it twice a day in addition to Omeprazol once a day. If I forget, my stomach reminds me - it's like I'm a fire-breathing dragon!

I was supposed to spend one night so they could do the leak test the next morning. I had the leak test and everything was fine. The doctor came in that afternoon doing his rounds and informed me that I would be there another night because my white cell count went too high and my potassium level too low. I was not happy but understood because I live about 35 minutes from the hospital. I would have hated to have gotten home, had complications and had to be rushed back. This is MAJOR surgery and should not be taken lightly. When I had my first consultation with the doctor, I asked about having it outpatient. My doctor said if that was the route I wanted to go, I could find another doctor. There are complications that can happen and the best place for you is in the hospital, not home. My sleeve was done 10/10/14 and I went home with drains that remained for two weeks. I was put on a clear liquid diet for one week PRIOR to my surgery and I took a statin to reduce the size of my liver before surgery (I don't have high cholesterol). I'm grateful my doctor was over-the-top cautious with every aspect of my care. I've had friends that have also been sleeved and haven't had to go through the pre-op liquid diet, taking statins and were sent home without drains, but I'm still grateful that I'm doing extremely well after 5+ weeks, down 36 pounds, and I give the credit to my doctor and his care and concern for my overall health.

I report to the hospital this Friday at 6:30 and am scheduled for VSG at 7:30am! I've been on a clear liquid diet since pre-op last Friday. I'm so weak, shaky and light-headed from the clear liquids! I was told emphatically that I have to get 60 grams of protein per day but there's no way on a clear liquid diet! I've been drinking Ensure Clear Protein drinks and drinking various kinds of broth, but there's no way I'm getting 60 grams, maybe 30. And, all this, pre-op is without intake amount restriction. Next week, post-op, it's still clear liquid AND I'll be limited to what my new tummy can hold. Other than that, I'm nervous and excited! Between the surgeon, the nutritionist and the various nurses, they've all scared me to death! I'm really healthy though which is in my favor going into this. My blood pressure is low to normal, my cholesterol is low to normal, blood sugar normal, etc... but I'm still nervous. From my weigh in, bloodwork, EKG, etc... last Friday, and this morning, I'm already down 11 pounds! I feel it though...

I'm a 46 year old single woman. I work for a municipality and have been in this field since college graduation. I lead a fairly active lifestyle, but not as active as I would like. My weight is beginning to cause me to sit on the couch more than I'd prefer. I play golf and I own a boat and love to fish. These activities take energy and well-being, of which I have very little, more mentally than anything. I've been on several diets over the last 20 years and have lost a ton of weight, only to gain it back plus 10 pounds. I chose the VSG because it will force me to change my unhealthy lifestyle. It will cause me to change my eating habits and think twice about EVERYTHING that crosses my lips.

I've done my EGD, gall bladder ultrasound, bloodwork, etc... and I have pre-op and dietician visit on October 3. I'm scheduled for surgery on October 10. I'm considering asking the surgeon if he'll remove my gall bladder also while he's in there. It's private pay so there's no insurance hassles on it. I've heard and read nightmare stories about gall bladder attacks and gall stones after the surgery so if I can prevent it, I'd like to. Anyone have the same idea or thoughts on the gall bladder removal?

I'm October 10! I go in for pre-op and meet with the nutritionist on October 3. I've already started some grocery shopping based on what I've read here. I'm getting excited and I just want this over and behind me.

I have an uncle that I am very close to. He's always been large and has had health problems, including a heart attack in his 40's and another two years ago, in his 70's. Due to his last heart attack, his began seriously dieting and exercising. He now weighs LESS THAN I DO. That was my ah-ha moment.My crappy lifestyle is what got me in this situation, all self-induced. As the saying goes, idiocy is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I am FORCING myself to change, for the better. I am having the sleeve surgery on October 10, 2014 and I intend to be healthier and happier.