Hi all. This is the day after I met with my surgeon. My surgery is set for 9/15 and thanks to reading the many posts here, although anxious, :scared0: I went in equipped with a and a list of questions. I feel he answered all of them honestly. He gave me 2 options for diet starting today. 1. 4 protein shakes per day, (no solid food) plenty of water. 2. 2 protein shakes-1 light meal. I went to a local big box vitamin store and found Jay Robb Whey with Stevia and no artificial sweeteners, no artificial anything actually and since I don't use artificial sweeteners and prefer organic food I was happy. Since I have learned so much from so many of you I discussed many aspects of the surgery and stomach size was one of them. He told me that the bougie size he uses is a 38... He said it is small but not too small and justified it's use by explaining that the risks of developing strictures and not having enough space in the stomach (it closing) is higher when the smallest bougie is used. I asked him about nausea and he said that in some cases after sleeve surgery people can experience prolonged nausea and reflux and their is medication to help with that until it subsides. He said that this can happen because of the drastic change in stomach size and that each individual's body adjusts differently. The thought of prolonged nausea, (like 2 months) really scares me (I get emotionally upset when I am nauseous because I become terrified). I was in his office about 45 minutes. We talked about leak risk, pain, gas...etc. etc. and then he weighed me and examined my abdominal area. He also told me that although he doesn't anticipate this that since I had some previous surgeries their could be, if too much scar tissue, a risk of not being able to go through with the surgery.:sad0: Also that in rare instances the intended sleeve needs to be reverted to a RNY on the spot but said he must tell me these things in the rare event before my signing the consent papers. Lastly he told me to call him if I have any additional concerns. So far he has been very responsive and has called me back within the same day I call him. So I hope I covered everything and now it's my responsibility to stick to the diet, and pray that my surgery will go well. Now since I am moving Sept.1!!! I realized that my blender is packed away in a box among a bunch of boxes. So I need to run out and buy some sort of shaker to make my first protein shake. I'm trying hard to stay calm, my mind is constantly thinking about what I am about to do. I thank God for Vertical Sleeve Talk and thank all of you for making it happen.:sneaky2:

Congrats. on your date. It sounds like you have a good Doc. Best of luck to you during your journey. Keep us updated.

Wow Lan you have a lot going on. Sounds like my life at any given point. Will you be fully moved and unpacked by surgery??

Congrats. on your date. It sounds like you have a good Doc. Best of luck to you during your journey. Keep us updated.

Thanks so much Ky...It was really a pleasent surprise to get the OK from my insurance company. It's probably the only thing that has gone, (thus far) smooth. Thanks again.

Wow Lan you have a lot going on. Sounds like my life at any given point. Will you be fully moved and unpacked by surgery??

I sure do hope so because the stress of this move is through the roof (it's painfully complicated both physically and emotionally). Originally the apartment I am moving into was going to be vacant and accessible to me (for my belongings) this week- I'd looked forward to at least unloading boxes and having a new bed delivered and set up. But I was informed today that I won't be able to move anything in until the end of the month :crying: when I'll have to move everything in all at once :smile:. I live in the upstairs floor of a 2 story house now and carrying boxes up and down to stack in the porch downstairs is doing a number on me, knees, hips and fear of getting another abdominal hernia. Anyway I think I'll have enough time to get what I need unpacked and in order before the 15th so I have a bit of comfort to come home to. I sure hope so. Thanks for asking...it's good to be able to vent.

You might look into seeing how much it would be to have someone move you -- I used a place here in LV called Cheap Cheap Movers -- they were GREAT and it cost be about $200. There is also a group called Starving Students ... I'm sure there must be something in your area like that -- they do all the moving-- up and down stairs, load it the truck and unload it - up and down stairs as needed. I did all the packing. They even put the boxes in the rooms as they were labeled.

I think I will do that VegasAngel. Good suggestion. Thanks so much.

LAB2k

Congratulations on making a decision and setting your date!

Soon we will be seeing "less of you". :)

How did you like the shake? What is the name of that product? I'm like you...stevia is my only option...can't tolerate the other stuff.

Cajun

Thanks Cajun. Yep the date is set. I suppose most of us go through differing phases of emotion. Part of me fears that after having the surgery I will regret that I did. My mind keeps reverting to the "what if..." mode. It's different when a surgery is not elective because then the rational is that it has to be done-ie. the hernia repair. I'm rambling...sorry. I've also got a migraine headache today so that doesn't help.

About the Jay Robb shakes...I have 1 jar vanilla and 1 chocolate. I used option #2 for my first day 2 shakes and 1 small meal. At this point that is the best option for me. Stevia is the only sweetner listed in the ingredients, so it's acceptable. As far as taste-it's good, a light mild chocolate and a nice taste to the vanilla. If you want to try the Jay Robb brand be sure that you check the label because I was informed that some of his products contain both artificial and natural sweetner. There are other Whey products that have stevia but since I didn't have time to order via the web, I went with what my local Vitamin Shopp had stocked. Let me know what works for you.

I sure do hope so because the stress of this move is through the roof (it's painfully complicated both physically and emotionally). Originally the apartment I am moving into was going to be vacant and accessible to me (for my belongings) this week- I'd looked forward to at least unloading boxes and having a new bed delivered and set up. But I was informed today that I won't be able to move anything in until the end of the month :biggrin2: when I'll have to move everything in all at once :001_rolleyes:. I live in the upstairs floor of a 2 story house now and carrying boxes up and down to stack in the porch downstairs is doing a number on me, knees, hips and fear of getting another abdominal hernia. Anyway I think I'll have enough time to get what I need unpacked and in order before the 15th so I have a bit of comfort to come home to. I sure hope so. Thanks for asking...it's good to be able to vent.

Humm. I would make notes about what needs to be unpacked first, example: Blender and cups. You don't need to unpack your whole kitchen right away because well........ you won't need it for a long time after surgery!

Bathroom: Us ladies do like our bathrooms in order.

Bedroom: Very important to make it as comfortable as possible for you since you might be taking naps often. Get your TV set up with DVD player or computer in there or whatever. Also a nice chair to sit upright and read in. Make sure your excersize clothes and comfy clothes are handy along with work clothes depending on when you are going back.

Next: Living Room. TV, DVDs, a place to read. Nicknacks can wait. Decorating can wait.

Now if you do all the must does first you can putter around if you have extra time and put stuff away but you are ready and able to take care of yourself right after surgery without having to move and lift boxes which you CAN NOT DO under any circumstances after surgery.

Thank so much! I agree it's a good thing I labeled the box with my kitchen stuff already. I want to do just that, prepare the place for what I will need post op. Thanks again.

LAN2K

I bought a sample of the Jay Robb Vanilla and Chocolate today at GNC. I prefer the chocolate...tastes great with fat free milk. Hopefully my taste buds won't change after the VSG!

I have worries too about being sorry afterward...it seems everyone does. ....but then I tell myself, I can't keep on like I am going...becoming more overweight and more limited in what I can do. So it is worth the risk to me. The odds are so good that it will be successful, when you see the statistics.

I don't have my date yet but sent in my papers to be evaluated...have started to modify my eating and exercise already, and feel better after just one week. Am also collecting things to take on the trip, that other sleevers have talked about on forums...

One day soon we will both be on the bench!

LAN2K

I bought a sample of the Jay Robb Vanilla and chocolate today at GNC. I prefer the chocolate...tastes great with fat free milk. Hopefully my taste buds won't change after the VSG!

I have worries too about being sorry afterward...it seems everyone does. ....but then I tell myself, I can't keep on like I am going...becoming more overweight and more limited in what I can do. So it is worth the risk to me. The odds are so good that it will be successful, when you see the statistics.

I don't have my date yet but sent in my papers to be evaluated...have started to modify my eating and exercise already, and feel better after just one week. Am also collecting things to take on the trip, that other sleevers have talked about on forums...

One day soon we will both be on the bench!

Big smile here cajun. The Jay Robb is pretty good, the sweetness is OK although I like a bit more. I mixed my Jay Robb chocolate shake today with a bit of organic instant coffee I picked up at a local "Trader Joe's" grocery store. It tasted pretty good. I've been mixing the powder with 1% milk. In the afternoon I used 1/2 cup of orange juice and a few chunks of pineapple some ice and made a really refreshing frozen smoothie.

The only thing that grounds me in my decision is how confounding it is to rid myself, myself, of this excess weight. Who knew that after I hit menopause, what once was at least somewhat manageable would become impossible... my belly has become so stretched that when I eat I feel as if something is going to tear inside of me. My knees hurt so intensely that I have to get on all fours to prop myself up into a standing position if I am seated low (like on a beach chair or towel). My heavy belly pulls...It hurts to stand too long, (hips and lower back), it hurts to walk too long (hips and lower back). My middle and belly are so heavy that I'm always in pain. I'm hardly living...It's true I'm scared...a coward! But live or die, (and I pray I live)...I know that I am going through with this...and I am bracing myself in every way I can.

It's great that your paperwork is in! You will be having your surgery in Mexico? It seems the doctors in Mexico are excellent. There aren't that many surgeons in the US that do the VGS. I do hope that the surgeon I found has what it takes to do the job on me and do it well. I'm just going to surrender it over to God and pray that He is in it every second of the way.:thumbup: Let us know when you have your date!

Lan,

You are going to be ok. It is normal to worry about surgery and what life is going to be like afterwards.

I am just pretending that I have this "thing" in my abdomen that has to come out of there for me to live. I know that God will take care of me through my journey. Good luck!

Lan,

You are going to be ok. It is normal to worry about surgery and what life is going to be like afterwards.

I am just pretending that I have this "thing" in my abdomen that has to come out of there for me to live. I know that God will take care of me through my journey. Good luck!

Thanks Ky.hen...I needed that. ...and the very best to you too.:thumbup:

I bought some stevia to add to the shakes if needed but actually I find them plenty sweet for me without it...I'm more of a salty then sweet lover.

Yes, I chose a surgeon in Mexico. I feel very good about the decision. Am just awaiting approval from him before asking my employer when I can get time off from work scheduled so I can GET ER DONE!

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