Hi. Just signed up and e-mail from Alex said to tell my story to get started. So here goes.

I had a VSG performed by Dr. Keith Kim at Celebration Florida Hospital on 29 July. Surgery went well and I didn't suffer any nausea other than from the pain meds. But the post surgery recovery time at home was definitely more hard core than I'd anticipated. I think the surgery group downplays the significance of the surgery but there's no denying - it's major abdominal surgery. I've had my gall bladder removed (old school style 20 years ago) and a c-section. And while I was much younger for both of those, the rebound on the VSG was nearly as bad as those prior experiences.

The path to surgery took 8 months. Between arranging financing (I was self pay), and pre-clearances - both cardio and pulmonary - it seemed like it was never going to happen. In total, the surgery cost me about 19K but I figure where is my better investment - a new car or a new me. I won.

So I'm 10 days out and pretty much back to normal. It's definitely taking time to get the hang of the eating/protein/vitamin/sip routine but I keep reminding myself to be patient. My first birth took 9 months....only makes sense that my rebirth take a while as well.

And to be honest, I'm making this post because I want to learn how to put up one of those cool weight loss count down graphics!!

Gastric Sleevely Yours

Hi Duchess:

Im in Florida too.. although i got my sleeve in Juarez, Mexico...on the 27th of July.. so we are but a few days apart.. lol

I have been struggling with the pureed foods and eating too fast. Other than that i have been very blessed because i dont have nausea and the pain is really gone from the incisions.. yaay..

I am just trying to wrap my head around the smaller tummy and portions.. etc.

Regards~

Congrats. It's great to hear you sounding so well only 10 days out.

Details with lots of handy pics are here on how to setup a weight loss ticker http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/13516-ticker-tutorial-for-vst-lbt-with-pictures/

We share our operation dates you and I, so we are sleeve brothers, My surgery went very well too, considering that I was in an ER with chest pains two days before I was to fly to Mexicali. I informed Dr. Aceves and he said - "C'on down" we will retest you here and send you back if we need to. Great, I'm 63;how many more shots am I going to get at this? The tests were negative again, for an attack, but he used additional drugs and precautions during the procedure. When tried to administer a spinal epidural my heart rate dropped to 50 bpm. 'You're one of the sensitive types,' my anesthesiologist told me later. They got it done though, even though it took them almost two hours.

Such a ninny... I had my PCP write me a weak prescription for Ativan (Lorazeapam) because I hadn't flown in 15 years. It did help with the flights, but it REALLY helped after the operation getting to sleep for naps and at night Combined with the pain pills of course. I have had some queasiness but no nausea or vomiting to this day. The only thing that is troubling me now a depression that I can't seem to shake off or figure out. It started, I think, when my ride and I left Mexicali for the return trip to San Diego. We headed out across the desert where i was born and raised. The desert has always seemed like the sea to me - a great mystery. Not this time though; it just made me sad. Sad to think of all the people that I had know there in my youth, and knew I would never see again. Sad because my Grandparents and Uncle are buried beneath its sand. Sad too, because I was leaving warm and caring people to return to uncertain life of self-inflicted solitude. Maybe I'll just go and get some more Ativan and mix another shake.

Best wishes, and when you find out how to insert those things please let me know.

Steve

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Hi. Just signed up and e-mail from Alex said to tell my story to get started. So here goes.

I had a VSG performed by Dr. Keith Kim at Celebration Florida Hospital on 29 July. Surgery went well and I didn't suffer any nausea other than from the pain meds. But the post surgery recovery time at home was definitely more hard core than I'd anticipated. I think the surgery group downplays the significance of the surgery but there's no denying - it's major abdominal surgery. I've had my gall bladder removed (old school style 20 years ago) and a c-section. And while I was much younger for both of those, the rebound on the VSG was nearly as bad as those prior experiences.

The path to surgery took 8 months. Between arranging financing (I was self pay), and pre-clearances - both cardio and pulmonary - it seemed like it was never going to happen. In total, the surgery cost me about 19K but I figure where is my better investment - a new car or a new me. I won.

So I'm 10 days out and pretty much back to normal. It's definitely taking time to get the hang of the eating/protein/vitamin/sip routine but I keep reminding myself to be patient. My first birth took 9 months....only makes sense that my rebirth take a while as well.

And to be honest, I'm making this post because I want to learn how to put up one of those cool weight loss count down graphics!!

Gastric Sleevely Yours

Woot woot! I think I got the ticker conquered! The links provided by sleevevangelist was the trick!

Gotta admit, I was stunned there were even replies to my post...logged off for a few and you all had replied!! I think I've found family!

I think the Mexico option takes incredible courage. I can't imagine having to go thru all this new mental stuff and have to deal with an unfamiliar location. Kudos to all of you who had the 'coajones' (about the only spanish i speak) to start your new adventure in a foreign land.

Welcome. My self-pay surgery means putting off the new car for a few years too, lol.. My sleeve isjust a couple days younger than yours so I'm right behind you on the healing. I really like your "9 month" philosophy; think I may borrow it.