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- Before surgery Compare procedures, plan ahead, and get honest pre-op answers.
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Everything posted by Starwarsandcupcakes
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can i take care of myself after i leave hospital?
I was fine by myself after being driven home from my gastric sleeve. I don’t anticipate my sleeve to RNY to be any different on the 11th once I’m discharged home.
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New and Scared
WLS is a complete mind game. You aren’t doing anything wrong if you’re following your post op plan. You aren’t cheating yourself and definitely hold off on any exercise besides walking for a while as it can lead to injury. I’m going to suggest that maybe you try and find a therapist to talk with to help you better navigate this new way of life you’re now living. Might help put your mind at ease. Also, shove that scale in a closet and leave it there for now. Only weigh yourself at the office that way it puts less pressure on you with the scale.
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5 years post op and have huge REGRET!
I can’t believe they waited so long and you haven’t been given the option of an RNY revision. Everything you’ve said sounds like be minus the extra surgeries and time. I’ve had GERD pretty bad for the last 5 months (Pepcid and protonix with tums) and a new hiatal hernia (had one repaired with my sleeve in December 2019) and my revision surgery is in 9 days. I definitely think you need a second opinion for sure! Sorry you’re in so much pain. I really hope you get answers soon!
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Appeal approved VSG to RNY on 8/11!
It’s really not. It gives me 2 weeks of pre-op diet and that’s it. The nutritionist is calling me tomorrow and then I have a final pre-op visit the day before surgery.
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Scheduled my surgery date!!
Add spices to make it more flavorful. Try freezing protein shakes to add to coffee instead of ice. There are some protein powder soups out there I suggest that will lend to variety. Also, try freezing crystal light until slushee for a treat.
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Appeal approved VSG to RNY on 8/11!
I got the call from my surgeon’s office that my appeal for revision surgery was approved! Already scheduled surgery for 8/11! I can’t wait to get rid of this hernia. I can’t wait to get rid of the GERD and esophagitis. Most of all though, I can’t wait to get rid of these hiccups and be able to sleep more than 4hrs at a time without having to wake up and take tums again.
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Do and do not eat foods.
I was told to avoid caffeine during the liquid and soft phases after that it was as tolerated. I was also told to avoid skin and seeds on fruits and veggies, fried foods, high fat meat and dairy, and pasta which I rarely ate pre-surgery. Best advice is to follow what your surgeon has outlined for you because what works for one might not work for the next.
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Weight gain.....
I, unfortunately, don’t have the luxury of staying home. I worked over 70hrs last week, on top of running a small business (not included in my work hours) and setting up college classes. I’m dealing with a hernia of almost my entire sleeve that causes intractable hiccups and fighting with insurance trying to get the surgery I need approved is no picnic. I also have my own children to take care of by myself and a disabled father that I help care for. There’s a lot of stress there and even if I don’t change my eating habits stress causes me to gain weight. I’m glad I haven’t and have actually lost about 10lbs but it’s been rough. I have noticed an increase in mental health crisis episodes lately which might be why I’m working so much so others can care for them and I can take over their work tasks. Not everyone is equipped to handle the same situation in the same or a positive way. Having patience and understanding goes a long way when we don’t know the path the each individual is walking. While it may be easy to just say, “you know what to do so why aren’t you?” We also have to be mindful that as a whole most people have never experienced a pandemic of this magnitude before so coping mechanisms for everyone is different when life is completely thrown off kilter is expected. All we can hope for is trying to make each day a little better and healthier than the last.
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Pulling and pain at main incision site 5 weeks post sleeve
I had concerns about this a couple months post-op when I asked in office about it the NP said it was most likely scar tissue. That doesn’t mean it can’t be a hernia. I do have a hiatal hernia as well but that pain is up by my ribs. You can always bring it up at your next visit.
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Wellbutrin
I was allowed to swallow pills while in the hospital the day after surgery. It was especially important for the Wellbutrin because anytime I stopped taking it abruptly it gave me heart palpitations and sent me into hypertensive crisis. Maybe try cutting it in half. If you can take it that way you won’t have to cut it again since it’s so small. Although I will say I wasn’t allowed/able to swallow huge pills like my multivitamin or calcium until the week after surgery.
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Abnormal EKG?! :-(
That’s amazing news! I bet you’re so excited!
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What to pack for the hospital
Things I took and used included comfortable shoes to walk the unit, comfy clothes for wearing, pajamas, hairbrush and hair ties, phone and charger, and my knee brace.
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Vsg/bypass in Ohio anyone ? 7/28
I’ve lost about 45lbs in 7 months but overall since being with my surgeon I’ve lost a little over 100lbs. I haven’t had the revision yet but I’m hoping soon because the GERD from the hernia is no joke. Try not to be scared. It’s an amazing tool and gateway to a healthier life. Also, I asked for medicine cups to get in my water while in the hospital which helped. Having water at different temperatures also helped find one I tolerated best. And walking does help with any pain you might have. Wear a binder if they offer you one.
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Vsg/bypass in Ohio anyone ? 7/28
I had a VSG in December 2019 here in Ohio. Waiting on insurance approval to get a revision due to hernia that’s caused severe GERD. I bet you’re super excited for it. It is life changing!
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Preop liquid diet. Cheated [emoji21] no judgment plz!
If you search the forums you will see that it’s a common thing. I know I did, so definitely no judgement here. Try to stick with it from here on out though because it’ll give your surgeon and you the best possible outcome on surgery day.
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Please help. I can’t eat healthy
Maybe start over with your post op diet from the day after you have surgery. Maybe that will give you a better idea of what exactly to avoid. Remove skins and seeds from fruits and vegetables to reduce gas, combine protein with veggies for a stir fry or salad. Maybe try smoothies as a way to get in more nutrients.
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Please Help! Surgery tomorrow, threw up bowel prep
You can buy more magnesium citrate at most stores with the other stool softeners and laxatives. I never had to take that as part of my prep so unsure what your doctor would want but call their on call to see what they say.
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Night Shift RN Here, Needing Advice Please!
I’m not an RN yet but a monitor tech and work 1900-730. I usually eat like this- 1700- dinner at home usually lean protein and veggies (150 calories) 2100- protein shake or bar sometimes I skip this (100-150 calories) 2300- yogurt with fruit (usually blueberries) (100 calories) 0200- veggies and/or protein shake (50-150 calories) 0800- snack when I get home usually egg white or cheese stick with a veggie (75-150 calories) I usually get my liquid intake in between meals and usually hit 80+ not including protein shakes. Right now my calorie intake is aimed at 600-800 a day with at least 60g of protein. I’m usually pretty good about reaching those goals most days.
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Bariatric surgery combined with another procedure
I had a sleeve and hernia repair done and then 45 days later had hardware removed from my knee. I would have the one that takes the longest to recover from first and then do the next one while still on leave. My bariatric surgeon wanted to wait 6 weeks after hardware removal to do my sleeve but I was able to reschedule the hardware to later as the recovery time for that was only a couple weeks.
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Frustrated with insurance denial
His words to me were “you need a revision to get rid of the GERD. I’m sending over a request for insurance approval.” This was July 1st. He wanted to have me in for revision before August. My surgeon is definitely a non-nonsense kind of person so I’m positive that he’ll be sending over an appeal as well.
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Frustrated with insurance denial
I called my surgeon’s office today because he submitted for a VSG to RYGB and was told it was denied because they want me to do 6months of supervised weight loss. I just had my VSG in December 2019! plus, their reason isn’t even listed under the revision surgery section in the handbook. Since then I’ve developed a new hiatal hernia, GERD to my mid esophagus and esophagitis. Of course I’ll file an appeal but I’m just frustrated. I’m sick of only getting 4-5hrs of sleep a night because the chest pain from the GERD is so bad it wakes me up. Im sick of taking the max allowed PPIs on top of 8-12 tums a day, and Thorazine for the hiccups causes by the GERD. I sent my surgeon a message asking for another prescription because I can’t take it anymore. I'm jus so frustrated. I just don’t want to be in pain anymore.
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Keeping Hydrated week 3 post opp
Try drinking things that aren’t water to get to your mark- broth, tea, decaf coffee, Powerade zero or see if you’re allowed crystal light. For me the big thing was changing the flavor up so I’m not bored with getting in my fluids. Right now I’m drinking tea with lemon and Powerade zero even almost 7 months out. You can do it! If you really need it try getting a water reminder that beeps at you every so often to remind you to drink.
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Sleeve to Bypass due to GERD
My sleeve didn’t cause my GERD, the tearing of a new hiatal hernia did. I had one repaired when I had my sleeve done in December 2019 (264lbs) I ended up developing a new hiatal hernia mid March (232lbs). My surgeon sent me for a barium swallow. So along with the GERD to mid esophagus and the hiatal hernia I also have esophagitis from it. I'm just waiting on insurance approval for my revision. I honestly loved my sleeve but since the hernia happened I have only lost 10lbs in the last 4 months and am currently sitting at 222lbs. Some days I find it hard to eat because I feel so nauseous all the time and developed intractable hiccups because of the GERD. If I could do it again, I’d still have a sleeve.