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After an entire adulthood of being obese, I finally came to the decision to have weight loss surgery. After trying every diet and exercise plan (including Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins, Curves, New Lady Fitness, Club Fitness) and eating my way to 320 lbs (on 05 May 2011), I knew that with my family history of heart disease, strokes, diabetes and hip replacements that I had to do something other than eat myself to death slowly.

My primary care physician recommended Carolina Surgical Associates here in Greenville, SC. I can say that the staff is completely professional and caring. I was made to feel like family from the moment I walked in the door.

I went onto a Protein and vegetables only pre-op diet on 09 May 2011 and lost 17 pounds from that day until the day of my surgery, 23 May 2011.

The medical staff at the St. Francis Bon Secours Hospital East Side facility have been more amazing than words can express. There has never been a time that I have felt anything other than warmth and genuine concern from everyone from the custodial staff to the RN's.

I did a lot of research on this website and others so that I would know what to expect as far as pain. I have been quite sore, but I have not suffered too badly. I did two laps around the floor yesterday and did well. I think I overdid it today trying to take a shower. My near-navel incision started to hurt pretty intensely and I had to get a little help getting dressed. But, after sitting still for awhile and staying hydrated, I'm feeling better.

I have found it best to only sip 3 teaspoons of liquid in a row and stop so that I don't become nauseated. So far, I burp after those three spoons :rolleyes:, so I stop sipping for a few minutes to let my tummy rest.

So far, that's all I have, but I look forward to posting many more updates.

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Fantastic!! So glad you are doing well after surgery. The burping and tummy noises will be constant for the next few weeks :-)

Take it easy and listen to your body-

Congratulations!

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Welcome to the family. Sounds like you are off to a great start. Kudos to the pre-op weight loss. I look forward to your continued success and future postings.

Deb B)

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Glad to have you on this side! Each day will get better. Sounds like you are doing great so far.

Holly

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Congrats! I look forward to your future updates. :D

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I would like to thank everyone for the good wishes! It's nice to have a place to turn to express the things that happen during this process. For those who think this is an easy way out, I sincerely beg to differ. Just trying to blow my nose, cough and attend to bathroom functions present more of a challenge than I could have imagined. (Keep in mind this is my first surgery EVER!)

I am thankful for my sleeved predecessors and their advice and hope to be an inspiration to those who will join our numbers soon.

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Congrats- I hope that you are healing up well! :)

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Yayyyy congrats to you!! I am just over a wk out and I am so happy I was finally able to do this! It gets better every day. I have had a great recovery so far. I'm hoping you have an easy speedy one too!!

:)

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Congrats Kelly!

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    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
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    • ChunkCat

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