Madison

Just thought I'd update... Healing is going well but still swelling a lot in my lower abdominal area I was brave enough to try on a two piece bathing suit!!!!

Please ignore my knee high socks!! Haha I actually was having a rough day... Asthma and still pretty sore

Thank you all for the nice replies! Amazon13, the pic of the incision line was taken Jan 3rd so about 2 weeks after the surgery. I had some issues with oozing from the left arm (into a huge blister) due to the swelling, but i'm left handed so that might have added to the swelling, finally he told me to take off the compression for a while to stop squeezing out all the juices...ewwww. I'm doing great with them now, starting to feel a lot more myself this last few days. I stopped by a store yesterday and bought...MEDIUM long sleeved tops! That was amazing considering before the WLS my arms measured around at 19 inches..and are currently swollen still and about 13 inches...6 inches of!!! crazy and I'm so happy..we are calling this summer...the "tank top summer"! I'll take some pic's at one month (this monday)to show you the improvements already.

I had my sleeve in Nov of 2011 and decided to get my arms done. I went to Dr. Steven Robinson in Columbus Ohio. It cost about $4800 paid all by me (no insurance coverage). I had the procedure on Dec 21st and was off work for 2 weeks. I have scars running the length of my arms from elbow to under arm pit. The left arm is still swollen (and more so than the right, but I am left handed) I have internal stitches and then external removable stitches. The stitches were removed after 2 weeks. I never had a drain. It was painful but more like someone punched me in the arms many times...they are numb along the stitch line still and the swelling might be present for up to 3 or so months. I had compression sleeves I was wearing till the 2 week mark but due to some drainage into blisters my doc stopped the compressions and the blisters have resolved I started "Scar away" silicon sheets with light athletic arm sleeves to hold them in place and use Vitamin E oil when the scar away sheets are not on.

I have the pic of the day before and then the day after surgery wrapped and the stitch line prior to the stitches being removed. Already the scar line is starting to fade in the lower end.
Gayle

Here's a before and after of me. 283 at my highest and currently 189lbs (10/14/12)

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Well I'm back to report some great news!!! After being told that I would NEVER conceive, I am now 5 1/2 weeks pregnant with my 1st child!! I am 5 months post op VSG (May 1, 2012). We were not trying and I definitely wouldn't encourage pregnancy this early after surgery but we are ELATED!!!! I am seeing a high risk obgyn to monitor my pregnancy, so far so good!! No morning sickness or weird cravings, just really sore breast!!! I can barely touch them they hurt so bad. So ladies, don't give up hope!!!! Pregnancy is DEFINITELY possible after WLS!!!! Just use protection or other forms of contraception while going through your WL journey!!! Will keep you posted!!!!
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I started this topic to keep track of my success with VSG surgery while having severe PCOS (all the bad symptoms including excess hair, Hair loss, bad periods, cramps, pain in ovaries, mood swings). I noticed that there isn't too many information on the VSG experience with PCOS, so I thought I'd post this publicly for future sleevers curious about what to expect.
8 weeks post-op (10 weeks "dieting" if you include pre-op) my period seems to have normalized. I think this is due to the weight loss (55 lbs) but mostly to all the exercise I did. I started walking daily for 30-60 mins 2 weeks before the surgery, and kept it up afterwards. After a few weeks, I lowered it to 4-5 times a week.
The first 3-4 weeks after the surgery, I actually had pain in my ovaries (probably cysts). Eventually this went way.
2 weeks after the pre-op diet (and a day after my surgery) I noticed that a majority of my mood swings were gone. It felt like the unsteady cloud in my mind had finally been cleared. I attribute this to all the exercise and lack of carbs. I've noticed that the white sugary carbs have very negative effects with my PCOS. My weight loss so far has matched others (and even exceeded non-PCOSers!) but I notice it stalling if I have bread/pasta. I limit myself to half a serving of toast/whole wheat wrap and one serving of either crackers/pasta/potato per day. I usually have less but never more.
When I have my period, I don't get horrible PMS like before.
I have an appointment for laser hair removal next week, I will keep you updated on the experience/success. My past experience with American Laser Center was a waste of time and money with no results, so I am trying a different clinic.
This is strictly my experience and it will vary among us, but I truly think that the activity is what's really pushing me towards greater success. It's hard but anything helps. I will post more under this topic in the upcoming weeks to let you know of further progress!

I was going to go with Dr. Baker (he was hilarious at the orientation!) but I ultimately decided on Dr. Foote. I think they were both very kind, and extremely talented. I will try to make it to the next meeting, that Monday is actually the day I have my 2-week post-op appointments scheduled! Can you give me an idea of what sorts of things they do/talk about at these meetings? I'm usually very shy/quiet. >.<