cajun

Ruthi,

Yes, it's a double whammy!

My ticker (once I find one) will look like yours. Starting at 180 and goal is 140-150.

Looks like you are doing great. Keep on keeping on!

I have a couple of questions:

"Once they are diagnosed, it becomes clear they had it from day one."

If a leak is found at two or three weeks, how is it determined to have been there from" day one"?

I would guess that some sleevers do everything right but still get a leak...what causes that, does anyone know?

Thanks for info.

Great idea, to check it out with bone density study once in a while!

Highest weight 280.

Goal: 150

That makes me a century clubber to be. "Have not had surgery yet but it's comin'!!!

Tiffykins,

I pray for your quick and total recovery. Sounds like you are making great progress. Your courage give me courage too! Keep it up, one day at a time!

Cajun

How Wonderful! I am so happy for you all!

Should we meet you at your destination with some ice cream?

Is there something you want to tell us??? Hee Hee

As an "always overweight" person, I am wondering if others finally decided to pursue WLS for some of the same reasons I have. I'm in the research phase but know I want a Sleeve, and will have one by the end of the year. Why did I not do this before I hit 60?

Well, I did not like the possible side effects from the options that were available (before the VSG). I was functioning "well", could do most of the things I wanted to do, until the past two years when I gained 20 more pounds. That put me over the top...130 lbs overweiight.

Now I can't tolerate gardening for more than 10 minutes I get so fatigued. Used to be able to walk a mile or two but no more...winded and tired. Used to be able to fly without a seatbelt extender...but not any more. Used to easily put on shoes...but it is hard to bend over and reach those feet now. Try doing toenail care when you can hardly reach them! We won't mention personal hygeine challenges!:eek:

Used to at least be able to find 2x or 3x clothes that were not tight...not any more. If the pickings are sparse in the 2x and 3x range, guess what's available above that?

Right! Visiting friends, or going to public places, sometimes furniture does not admit my hips! How embarrasing!

High blood pressure started 10 years ago. Recently legs began to swell a little. Reflux popped up! Gall Stones had to come out! Knees hurt from bearing the burden. Want to know how it feels to be a martian at night? Don a cpap machine!:001_cool: Every trip you take, the cpap has to be lugged along...can't go camping unless there is electricity to keep the lungs aerated! What a drag! Just makes you want to :svengo:

Now that I have gotten my gripes out, I must say how grateful I am to have discovered the VSG option. Even though my insurance won't pay for it, I am going to invest in my future...ensure my future!!!...by getting this done. The reseach is very encouraging, there is minimal risk compared to older methods of WLS, and thanks to this and other forums, I know where I can find an experienced and affordable surgeon in Mexico!

On top of that, the wonderful community here is such a support. i can't wait to see the new me on the other side of the work ahead.

Sooo..what about you?

Lib,

Has your surgeon prescribed a PPI such as Nexium or Prilosec? If not, and if you have reflux (GERD), you can get a stricture from constant acid in your esophagus. It causes a feeling of something stuck in the throat. You may need a modified barium swallow to see how your esophagus works when you swallow. Talk with your surgeon.

Don't let your concerns be disregarded...Don't let yourself become invisible and try to just "grin and bear it"...that 's what many of us do as obese persons, because we feel "less than" our thin counterparts. You had the courage to turn the corner and choose a new life for yourself, so keep moving forward. Assert your right to get good follow-up medical care for your complications. You deserve it. I know you will succeed and soon be feeling better!

A recent article in Web MD links long term use of anti-reflux drugs like prilosec and nexium to osteoporosis and bone fractures. (long term=many years)...don't panic!!!:001_cool:

Google

Acid Reflux Drugs May Up Fractures

to find the article.

It seems like any medication can lead to problems at times, but when used as needed and as prescribed, they can be a life saver too.

Hi Friends,

Leaks seem to be very rare but do you agree that it sounds like 2 weeks post-op is when they are most likely? From what I read, I think that may be the case. I have a theory about what might cause them.

Those of you who are nurses like me know that about 2 weeks post tonsillectomy, when the "scabs" fall off the wounds in the throat, there is an increased incidence of hemorrhage. Well, I wonder if two weeks post VSG when the stomach incision "loses it's scab", there might be a greater chance of a tiny opening showing up where it falls off. That is also a time when many people start to advance their diet, and maybe put a bit more into the sleeve, which could make the opening a little bigger still.

Voila. A leak!

Sound plausible?

According to his website, Dr Guillermo Alvarez also oversews.

Thanks for the info on unflavored Jello. I'll avoid it.

Cajun

I'm sure you are right about that! I have not even started pre surg diet yet since I dont have surg scheduled yet...but I'm sure the liquids will not be fun!

Watermelon has a very high glycemic index, so your insulin levels probably soared after eating it. That might have made you hypoglycemic and hungry. Kinda like eating candy!

"Had them load me up last night with anti-reflux, sleeping pill and pain pill" Can you swallow pills so soon after this surgery?

I'm with you on that one! ANYTHING with cheese is wonderful!

I'm sure you did nothing wrong. A small percentage of patients are bound to have a leak no matter what they do.

As a nurse, I am just gathering all the info that I can to help me have the best possible outcome, so I am learning from this wonderful forum about other's experiences, what to do, what not to do, etc. But I know that in the end, what will be will be!

Congratulations on getting your sleeve, and I hope you reach your goal sooner than you expect!

I wonder if it helps prevent this if Clear Liquids are continued a bit longer? I am planning for my surgery and want to be as careful as possible to avoid a leak. Another 4-5 days on clear would be worth it to ensure safety. Any thoughts on this?

sugar free yogurt?

How do they cover their own complications if you are back in the United States? That is one concern I have. Wish I lived closer to be able to get back to the surgeon if necessary.

Is unflavored plain Jello the same as Protein Powder?

Thanks for the responses. They were very helpful.

Cajun

Many of the energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine. Read labels.

Monday is YOUR day! I will be thinking of you and know that you will have a successful surgery. Thanks for all your posts on this forum. I have learned a lot from you and the others. Hope to have mine done before too long. First step: I applied for a passport this week!