bobbyswife

I use my iPhone app but when I joined I didn't use Facebook, mostly because I didn't want some people to know I was on here. You might have to rejoin using a username and password? Or, maybe try your facebook logon?

When did you have surgery? I get headaches when I don't get enough protein, but I'm still pre-op so that's only my best guess...

hahaha! We had a great time and actually stayed in Metairie!

When I started this process I was just so excited to find out that my insurance covered bariatric surgery after researching the process for over a year, that I left out an important piece to the process. It was all kind-of a whirlwind though, when I got my consultation appointment literally for the next morning after trying to get in to see the surgeon that I was set on using. Once that appointment opened up at the last minute, there were so many emotions going on and so much excitement that the ball was FINALLY rolling, I neglected to make a list of questions to take with me to my consult. Now, to be clear, I had been researching this procedure and my surgeon and his center of excellence for a very long time, so I was already very much aware of the process and most of the national statistics, but I didn't make a list and that was a bad idea. Fortunately, the nurses and staff have been great about replying to my questions as I have them, but I wish I had been armed with them so that I could have spent more time with my surgeon in the beginning. If I had it to do over again, this is the one thing I would have changed. So, I have made a list of questions for you, the reader, to use for your consult. You may already have a list, and if so, just take a look at these and see if there is anything you missed. The more information you have in your arsenal the better prepared you will be and the more likely you will be to succeed post op! How many years have you been performing bariatric surgery? What type of training have you had in bariatric surgery? Are you board certified? Are you FACS? (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) Do you use staples, sutures, or both? After the stapling of my sleeve, will you over-sew the staples? What is your complication rate? What is your mortality rate? More specifically, what is your sleeve leak rate? How many trocars will be used for my surgery? I have read that most leaks happen at the top, or at the bottom; are there any extra measures taken to protect against this happening? Will you leave in a drain that will need to be removed a few days later? Will you put me on Lovenox or other blood thinners after surgery? What type of compression devices will you use on my legs to prevent blood clots? If I have a hernia will you repair it at the same time? Do you remove the gallbladder during surgery? What size bougie will you use? Is your center or your hospital a center of excellence? Are you a member of ASBS? (American Society of Bariatric Surgery) How many sleeve surgeries have you performed? How many do you typically do each year? How many nights will I be in the hospital? Does your facility offer support after surgery? When will be my first post op appointment and how often will I check in at the office after that? Does your bariatric center offer a clothing exchange among other patients? These are the most important questions that I think need to be asked. Feel free to add your own! Make sure you take a good pen and leave room to write in all your answers.

I can't give you any tips because I haven't started yet, but I will be at the beginning of Dec. preparing for my 12/18 surgery, just a month behind you. I am not looking forward to the 2 week pre op diet, but I know that if I can get through that I can handle anything lol. I would suggest getting yourself a journal and be prepared to write down what you're feeling. I am also about to start a good book that I've been hearing a lot about called The Emotional First Aid Kit by Cynthia Alexander.

Another one is what size bougie will the surgeon use. Recommended sizes for almost all instances (unless BMI is over 50) are 32-40. My surgeon is using a 34.

You look FANTASTIC! So happy for you! I can't wait to be where you are!

@@alwaysvegas I hope my experience is like yours!

I can't even begin to imagine the anxiety you are feeling. I am still 45 days away from surgery and I'm already a wreck sometimes. When I get nervous I read all the success stories and look at before and after pics. Please keep us posted!

It all depends on the surgeon whether or not they'll set you up that day. Be ready with LOTS of questions. Make a list of all the things you need to know. Make sure your hospital is a center of excellence and ask about complication rates, leak rates, preop diet, post op diet, every question you can come up with. You'll still be thinking of questions after your consult but take your questions and a pen and write down all the answers you get. That's what they are there for. Some sample questions: After the stapling of my sleeve, will you over-sew the staples? What is your complication rate? What is your mortality rate? More specifically, what is your sleeve leak rate? How many trocars will be used for my surgery? I have read that most leaks happen at the top, near the esophagus; are there any extra measures taken to protect against this happening? What brand of liquid Protein is used for the pre-op diet? Will you leave in a drain? Will you put me on Lovenox or other blood thinners? If I have a hernia will you repair it at the same time? Do you remove the gallbladder during surgery? There are lots more and you can find a ton of sample questions if you look for them on this site and on Google. The better informed you are, the better you will do!

Thanks for sharing! I start my pre op diet around the beginning of Dec.

It sounds like you know exactly what to do. Get off the sweets, stop drinking, eat your protein first, don't drink while you eat, and exercise. Go back to basics. Don't overthink it. Exercise is great for preventing disease, too. Start walking NOW.

My friend who is a bariatric surgery nurse and has lost 200 lbs since his surgery 18 months ago swears by them. Only ate half at a time for about 6 months but now can eat the whole thing.

Do this:

Hey everyone! Sorry I have been traveling for work but I'm back today. Please PM me how to find you on Facebook and your phone number and I'll do the secret group on there today.

Hi all! Yes, sorry I have been out of town. I am planning a meeting at my house on Monday at 7:00. If everyone will PM me their name, phone number and how to find you on Facebook, I'm going to make a secret group in just a minute.

I don't discriminate

Monday, November 3rd at 7 pm at my house in Bethlehem, GA (between Loganville and Winder) some of us will be having our first in person meet-up group. If you live in Georgia and are interested in attending this group support and you have been sleeved or are to be sleeved, please consider joining. If you are interested, please PM me your email address and how to find you on FB to add you to the group. I do not intend in any way shape form or fashion to "lead" this group, as I am a newbie myself, I am simply volunteering to facilitate this meeting since there has been an expressed interest here in the forums. My hope is that we can do this once a month (?) and that each person will bring their own questions, experiences and perspectives as we all support and lean on each other through our journeys.

I posted a notice last Friday and nobody responded. I was willing to offer my home next Monday night at 7 pm in Bethlehem. Whoever is interested just needs to PM me with their name and phone number and how to find you on Facebook so I can create a private group for it.

I'm down for whatever y'all want to do. We can sit at the park or we can start a group at my house. Whatever everyone is most comfortable doing!

EWWWWWW why???

Are you getting enough protein and water?

Breathe. Your weight fluctuated before surgery, it will surely fluctuate after.

Make a list of questions NOW. I forgot to ask so many things. Thankfully I had this site, but you need to hear some things first hand. Grab pen and paper Some good questions to ask: Is your hospital a center of excellence? (very important) What is your complication rate? What is your mortality rate? How long will I be in the hospital? What does your preop diet and post op diet look like? Will you give me samples of bariatric Vitamins to try? Will you give me samples of Protein powders to try? How long will I need to be out of work? Will you repair any hernias you find while you're in there? So much more...

Why didn't I think of that? Just fill up and follow the schedule on the left. Refill and follow on the right.