katybelle7

Had a huge hiatal hernia repaired when changed from band to sleeve last week. It never bothered me with band, doesn't bother me right now with sleeve. I do take med mentioned above. With any WLS, you take your chances. Your healthier body and chance at a longer life are worth it, tho!

Just had mine done 9/3. Having a lot of trouble getting enough fluids in. Doc said he didn't care about protein right now, just push fluids. I had no problem drinking all that water before surgery, but now water, juices, broth...all tastes yucky. Right now I'm eating ice chips for something to crunch. But only have about 12 oz of fluid in me for the day. Don't know how I'm going to suck up more! Vomited up water earlier this morning so had to start all over again.

@@BryanFromLondon I would tell people you're watching your calories and exercising more to stay/get healthy. Then change the subject to the weather!

Had my surgery on 9/3. All went well. Can't seem to get all my liquids in now and in a terrible depression. Anyone else go thru this right after surgery?

My NUT said I could start drinking regular coffee at 6 months out. I think you're well past that time limit, so go enjoy a cuppa Joe!

I've had RLS for years. I use Mirapex prescribed by my PCP. But quinine water (tonic water) 8oz at night should help you. Google RLS for other ideas. Since tonic water has fizz, you'd want to shake it up a little to eliminate carbonation. But it works! I've used to bar of soap too. Does nothing for me.

Now I'm really needing a buddy. Came home Saturday afternoon from hospital..weighed. What a mistake! I'd put back on the 10 pounds I'd lost before surgery, I assume from the IV for nearly 3 days. I'm down 8 pounds now from that 10, but having a terrible time with liquids. NOTHING tastes good, especially water. It's noon and so far after vomiting up water and diluted apple juice, I've managed to get 8 oz. of liquid in me! And depression has set in and I'm crying, crying. I don't know why. I'm thinking this was the dumbest thing I've ever done in my life! I'm not in much pain at all and had no pain meds since about 10 last night. Maybe coming down from the meds is causing the tears. I've decided to try ice chips to get liquid in me. I'm tired of sweet tasting drinks and broths. Sorry I'm so blue on here.

@@ru8914 Yes, I had the sleeve on 9/3. I was staged at 5:15 am(first pt of the day). IV went in about 6 am, anesthesiologist came and talked as well as his nurse. Saw the doc quickly, he'd been prepping the robotics for surgery. Surgery scheduled for 7:30. I was knocked out when they wheeled me in at 7:30. 4 hours later, I'm told, I went to recovery and the doc came out and spoke to my very nervous hubby. He was told I'd be a couple of hours in recovery and then sent to a room. This was at lunchtime, I finally made it to my room at 5 pm, my hubby was a wreck not knowing what happens to my 2 hr recovery period. And when I did show up at 5, I was still sleeping until 8pm. The hospital was not crowded, plenty of rooms were available on my floo so that wasn't the reason for my long no show. Lastly my doc gave orders for NO walking for 24 hours, I was allowed to dangle only once during that time. Next day I walked once, following day I walked twice and was finally released. I'll see the doctor on 9/21 and will very definitely question him on what happened to cause those delays as well as the 'do not walk' order. From previous surgeries I know walking speeds up recovery time. When I have answers I'll report back here.

P.S. I was in recovery for nearly 5 hours before being put in my room, where my hubby could finally see me, but I was still unconscious for another 3 hours after that. The hospital wasn't busy so that wasn't the reason for the long recovery room stay. I was told recovery room would be about 2 hours. Had surgery 9/3/15was released 9/5. Now that I've written all this down, I see I have a few questions for my doc when I go for my 2 week checkup!

I was in for 4 hours. They removed old lap band, did the VSG, and repaired a large hiatal hernia. I have 8 puncture holes if you include the one from removing my drain.

Ok, got sleeved on Thursday. 4 hour surgery because of the lap band and a large hiatal hernia (I never knew I had). Because of the long surgery I'm just now going home, but I'm feeling pretty good right now! Doc decided to keep me on the lovenox (blood thinner) for a week at home because I'm not 25 anymore! First reference to my age he's ever made. The hardest part of the surgery is getting in and out of bed...I don't know how the tummy tuck people do it! Don't know if I've lost any weight while here, so I'll weigh as soon as I get home. So except for being sleepy due to pain meds I'm doing really well! Skuper, what's your hospital story?

And don't get me started on artificial sweeteners! (That are in all my protein drinks from my hospital)! The dietician actually hung her head when I asked if there were artificial sweeteners in the stuff I had to buy from them for my liquid protein.

Have you read Pandora's Pantry? A real eye opener to the food industry. Things we thought were healthy for us are chemically changed...especially soy, it's really not for human consumption! And I always used Canola oil thinking it was a good fat. But it goes thru so much processing, you wouldn't want it in your home!

Call my doctor and see if he can recommend anyone at St.josephs. Just had my surgery 2 days ago. And he did all three things at once. Lap band out, haital hernia, and sleeve in one fell swoop. Feeling pretty good today! Only pain med has been Tylenol. My doc said the only reason to do it in two operations is if there's too much scarring for his stapler to go thru. Dont want any leaks. Tested yesterday for leaks, I'm good to go! Good luck to you!

I agree with you Rogofulm! My previous comment was not meant as a reason not to see your doc, but was a reason why some people weren't participating in the aforementioned study. I feel you should see your doc regularly. She/he is as much a tool in your weight loss as your WLS is.

My own surgery is tomorrow at 6am. I've been up and down so much through this ordeal, but today I'm kind of numb. No fear, no euphoria, no anything. Just want it over with. I will be happy when I'm not thinking about ME all the time and can finally involve myself in other things. I've been totally self absorbed through these two weeks of liquid dieting and know after tomorrow I'll have two more weeks of liquids. Hopefully when puréed foods begin I can start falling off the ME bandwagon again and start living a (semi) normal life again!

I agree with Folly. There are many reasons people don't report in. Moving, weight gain, AND weight loss. When you've lost your weight and kept it off, why bother returning to the doc with no complaints. That's another more positive reason than just weight gain. Also co pays, forgetting, and procrastination are more reasons. Keep your glass half full is my attitude!

@@patricia How much did you lose before surgery, and how quickly is it coming off now? In my 2 week prep I've only lost 10#. They put me on liquids for 2 meals and 1 regular meal a day. I was fine until the lap band was emptied. Now I'm hungry all the time. Luckily I haven't gained any back, but it would be sooo easy to! @@skuper My surgery date was changed to the third, so I'm only one day ahead of you. I'm happy to hear your age, we're not alone in our quest to be healthy and happy at our age! I don't know about you, but my doctor hasn't blinked an eye about my request for the sleeve, and hasn't referred to age being a problem for this surgery, nor did my PCP. They seem to be be of the opinion we should just go for it!. I am getting nervous though, but excited too. Never thought I'd be excited about shopping at Goodwill for "new" clothes, but I'm starting to think this really is going to happen! Dreading the actual surgery and hoping the hospital stay will go by quickly! Let me know how you do on Friday. Good luck on an uneventful, successful surgery with only good things coming at you afterwards!

My granddaughter just started college this last week also! I'm getting excited, surgery date is only 4 days from now. I ordered and got the Unjury. It's so much better than the New Direction my doc wanted me to use. Liquid diet afterward shouldn't be too difficult, but monotonous. I did it with the band, I can do it with the sleeve. Have you gone the the hair falling out stage? I just found out about that recently but I'll worry about that when the time comes. Also, are you finding you have less appetite than before surgery? Does that really happen? Doc removed all saline from my lap and last Monday so I have a (sort of) whole stomach again, and I find I'm still hungry after having my calories for the day. Grrrr! I'm sticking to the diet but I'm envious at what my hubby can eat now. Guess that's it for me for now. Hope all is well at your end!

I thought the JAMA article was interesting in that they did over 440 surgeries, but really only had about 50%feedback at 1,3, and 5 years. I'm not sure how scientific that research is at that rate. Did I miss read the numbers?

My revision from lap band to sleeve is scheduled for 9/3/15...4 days from now. I'm so glad I found these responses. I'm already having feelings of remorse over knowing I can't eat as I used to. Strangely, I'm also regretting losing most of my stomach. It seems like an odd thing to grieve about, but it's been a part of me my whole life and I feel as if I'm losing an arm or a leg. I've also been on an antidepressant for a number of years, and was told by my PCP to go off ALL meds two weeks ago. So my first 10 days on my pre-op diet have been challenging. Not sure when I can go on my antidepressant again, so am prepared for more depression these next two weeks. Since I've been warned, I'm sure I can handle it. I'm looking forward to my surgery, and feel more prepared now!

My NUT said I had to use New Direction the two weeks before surgery. It's only available thru doctor's offices and taste terrible! I quickly ordered from Unjury and it's such a welcome difference, I don't care what the NUT said. I'm sticking with it for after surgery too. Try a few supplements out there; you may decide Unjury, although not what you want forever, is better tasting than many of the options out there! And luckily it isn't forever! There is a light at the end of the tunnel ✨

I wish people wouldn't say the sleeve becomes less effective over time. The sleeve remains restrictive over time. The person with the sleeve might become less effective with their diet choices, but the sleeve itself won't change.

@@Pinkgirl1234 My pcp suggested either the sleeve or the bypass. But I'd had pancreatitis once and decided I'd do better with the sleeve and direct access to the pancreas if ever needed. I think the choice is 6 one way and 1/2 a dozen the other My feelings are whatever we choose for ourselves, it's the right choice at that time. You've done your homework, me too, so now we move forward! I'm not having problems with my pre-op diet and don't anticipate problems afterwards. If they happen, they happen, but I'm refusing to worry about them till they do! I'm only anticipating a happy future that no longer revolves around food, but around a healthier body, new clothes and keeping up with grandkids!! Best of luck with your by-pass choice. I'm happy for you and hope your outcome is wonderful!

@ okcpirate My doctor, with Northwestern Medicine in Cgo, says the sleeve does NOT lose effectiveness over time. Appetite may return in 6-18 months, but the sleeve stays restrictive and does NOT expand over time. He says anyone who gains weight after having the sleeve a number of years isn't being truthful with themselves or others and are eating calories they shouldn't be eating, and are blaming the sleeve. I trust my doctor over the article you sent. Sorry. As you can see I'm feeling less insecure as my surgery date nears...Sept 3.