My Story Pre-Op Through 5 Days Post-Op I Hope This Will Help Some Pre-Sleevers Out There

[Sherry77 166]

I started gaining weight 5 years ago....and gaining fast. I put on 130 lbs in a little over 2 years. I had myself medically checked for everything. Every test to diagnose something that would cause such dramatic weight increase came back negative. I was so frustrated for a couple of years. I wanted the docs to find something wrong with me medically, then say here is a pill and you'll be back to your 130lb figure. No such luck! I finally had to come to terms with the obvious. I turned 30 (slower metabolism) ate crappy fast food daily, Stopped exercising, and was extremely stressed at work. Yikes by the time I snapped to reality and tried to change my behavior, I was in a strangers body. A body that was once very limber, now could barely bend to tie her shoe, or find any energy after or before work to be active. About 3 months ago I started talking to a friend at work who was having issues with weight as well. WLS entered the discussion, and I voiced an interest in the lap band. My friend mentioned a newer procedure her sister had gotten and demonstrated success.... VSG... I researched the band, bypass, and VSG. VSG made the most sense to me by far. I won't list my reasons in detail, as I'm sure they correlate to many others reasoning. Mid May I went to a seminar at a very reputable center of excellence and took the next step in making an initial consult with one of the surgeons, on June 8th 2012. I made up my mind to get the sleeve and started the approval process. My surgeons office sent all necessary documentation to my insurance company UHC and I was approved because my BMI was 40 or greater within 2 weeks. My surgeons office then required the following clearances: Pulmonology consult, dietary class, psych evaluation, pre-op support group class, upper gi, chest X-ray, and blood work up, etc. I was then able to schedule my surgery date for July 30th. I had to follow a strict pre-op diet consisting of only 4-5 Protein Shakes per day with sf Popsicles, and Jello 15 days prior to surgery. The day prior to surgery I was allowed only Clear Liquids and had to drink a 10oz bottle of magnesium citrate (bowel prep) the night before surgery I needed to gargle with 1/2 bottle of Listerine (my mouth was on fire) I also needed to shower with Hibiclense that night. The morning of the procedure I gargles with the other half of the Listerine and bathed with the other half of Hibiclense. I arrived at the hospital 2 hours prior to my surgery as told. I went to registration, everything was entered in the system already, and they took me up to the surgical floor. The nurses had me gargle with more Listerine, pee in a cup (pregnancy test precaution) and I changed into a high tech surgical robe that they attached a warming hose to. The nurse then hooked up my IV, the surgeon met with me briefly asking if I had any questions. I was then visited by the anesthesiologist, who explained they would inject some happy medicine to make me relax. They then wheeled me into the OR and lifted me onto the OR table... That was all she wrote. I woke up about an hour and 1/2 later in recovery. I had some problems breathing when I woke up ( not too bad) and they continued to monitor my pain. I was then transferred to my own beautiful private room with a view of a large swan pond. I was in pain but it wasn't terrible. They didn't have to put a JP drain in, and I was allowed to shower the next day. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I also did experience buyers remorse. I asked myself why i would put myself through something like this voluntarily, because of the pain, then remembered people on this site recolecting there accounts. The thing that helped me through so much of my hospital experience was the stories others posted on this site. I read so many posts, and educated myself prior to the day of surgery,and it helped. I knew the buyers remorse stage would pass, as it had for others. I am 5 days post op now and let me tell you it is sureel. Im sure I will run into more obstacles along my VSG journey but I know where to turn, and what tools are available. I really hope my story helps at least 1 person going through the pre-op stages. I am thankful this site was available to me.

[tybeeanna 14]

Glad you are doing so well, i go for last surgeons consult the 9th surgery on the 21 in Woodstock IL I am scared to death, for some reason no other surgery has shook me like this one.

[Sherry77 166]

Glad you are doing so well' date=' i go for last surgeons consult the 9th surgery on the 21 in Woodstock IL I am scared to death, for some reason no other surgery has shook me like this one.[/quote']

Don't stress. This was my first surgery ever. I am the biggest baby. If I can do it anyone can. Seriously!

[tifgrin 6]

Sherry77...we had a lot of the same issues! Now that we ate 6 days out I feel so much better. The first few days were rough but it does seem to get better everyday.

[Sherry77 166]

Sherry77...we had a lot of the same issues! Now that we ate 6 days out I feel so much better. The first few days were rough but it does seem to get better everyday.

I agree tifgrin :-) it is getting better.

[Sleeving into success 9]

I just wanted to tell you, as I read your story it was like reading my journal! I think this is a great rendition of what to expect on the operation week!

[Aaron in Tulsa 147]

Very helpful info! I'm curious as to the reason for the Listerine.

[Look@meitsEmily 26]

Thank you for sharing. Im getting close and the nerves are settling in.

[Kalimomof3 613]

I would guess the listerine was to rid the mouth of as much bacteria as possible before intubation and the hibicleanse was the same for the body.Most people don't even realise they were intubated except for the scratchy throat.

[Tiffany Talbert Corbet 46]

Wow, your doctor's office was ON it. Mine is like pushing a rope. I used to think it was the insurance companies to blame for the issues, but right now, it's looking like the office staff for the COE where my surgeon is, isn't the best and brightest out there. I started the process with my psych eval on June 10. Appt w/surgeon, dietician and pt 7/12, office took a week to submit paperwork, not remembering I had the psych eval the month prior and thought they were waiting on it when they hadn't requested it from the phych! Now 2 weeks later, (after I received an approval letter in the mail from the insurance company) the dr's office says they haven't received it. UGH....seriously? When was the last time you checked the mail? Now waiting to hear from the scheduling nurse to work on getting the other pre-op requirements scheduled prior to surgery. Insurance says scheduled for 8/31, but can't get info from dr's office.

Congrats on your successful procedure! I've never had surgery either, so to hear another newbie have such positive results helps set my mind at ease. As you can tell, I'm right there with you reading everything on here trying to prepare myself.

Thanks for the info!!

[mzlory 2]

Sherry77...we had a lot of the same issues! Now that we ate 6 days out I feel so much better. The first few days were rough but it does seem to get better everyday.

What did u Eat 6 days out?

[tifgrin 6]

I meant are instead of ate...lol

[Sherry77 166]

Very helpful info! I'm curious as to the reason for the Listerine.

They said it was an infection safeguard.

[Sherry77 166]

Wow' date=' your doctor's office was ON it. Mine is like pushing a rope. I used to think it was the insurance companies to blame for the issues, but right now, it's looking like the office staff for the COE where my surgeon is, isn't the best and brightest out there. I started the process with my psych eval on June 10. Appt w/surgeon, dietician and pt 7/12, office took a week to submit paperwork, not remembering I had the psych eval the month prior and thought they were waiting on it when they hadn't requested it from the phych! Now 2 weeks later, (after I received an approval letter in the mail from the insurance company) the dr's office says they haven't received it. UGH....seriously? When was the last time you checked the mail? Now waiting to hear from the scheduling nurse to work on getting the other pre-op requirements scheduled prior to surgery. Insurance says scheduled for 8/31, but can't get info from dr's office.

Congrats on your successful procedure! I've never had surgery either, so to hear another newbie have such positive results helps set my mind at ease. As you can tell, I'm right there with you reading everything on here trying to prepare myself.

Thanks for the info!![/quote']

Hi Tiffany, Stay on that dr office of yours. I had to stay on my office as they were saying they didn't get the psych clearance or pulmo clearance. I actually obtained copies and faxed them myself.

[SML1997 308]

Great info. Thanks for sharing