Hello

I am new here – I just found the application and thought I would Participate. I thought it might be helpful to talk to others that are going through this process. I've been considering bariatric surgery for almost 10 years now but, I never wanted to have the gastric bypass or the lap band. I have multiple illnesses and disabilities. To me, the sleeve seems to work the best as far as my needs go. My immune system is shot so, I have to be careful with anything that I do. I'm honestly extremely scared of the surgery. It's not the surgery itself but just having another surgery altogether. I have had close to 20 surgeries and they've all been difficult. So going through another one is a big deal for me. I'm almost completely through the process – just waiting on insurance approval. I should have that early next week. Despite my fears, I just want to kind of get it over with. Otherwise, I'll just continue to worry about it… LOL

I just thought I would see if this was something that would be a positive thing or support group. I'm going through a lot right now my life and I am hoping That it'll get better soon.

Have a good day,

Natalie

Welcome Natalie. Joints for this wild ride where you from

In my recent experience, this surgery rated about a 2 on a scale of 1-10 with my hysterectomy being a 10. The recovery part isn't even on the same chart as the hysterectomy.

The VSG will be my 12th surgery under general anesthetic. My knee replacements were my pain level "10". Since the VSG will be laparoscopic, I am not so worried. The incisions are smaller and less invasive they are not as obvious when they heal. Am I expecting pain? Yes. There will be meds for that. Am I expecting discomfort? Yes, but I will be sleeping in my lift recliner the first couple of weeks. Am I expecting to be disgruntled over a liquid protein diet? Yes, but the prize is a healthier me. I can barely walk now. If I balk and don't do this, I will be in a wheelchair shortly. I am going to claim my life back and take responsibility for it by having a VSG. I have been "dieting" since 1978 and gained an additional 100 pounds in the process. Time for plan B.

I was surprised by the anesthesiologist recommending an epidural to me. This occurred as soon as I entered the surgical ward. I'd never had one and the thought of it caused me a small amount of anxiety but I chose to go with his recommendation because he indicated I would have significantly less pain after surgery. I'm thankful I did because pain-wise I was really in pretty good shape. The epidural itself was not painful just unexpected. I guess I like to know ahead of time what to expect. It was all good though.

When I go for my surgeon visit on September 18th, I am adding this to my list of questions. I get epidurals in my lumbar and sometimes thoracic spine to treat radiculopathies 3 - 4 times a year. They are really helpful for soothing over nerve pain for months at a time. Since this sounds like an additional tool for pain relief, I will ask about it. You do mean IN ADDITION to general anesthetic and not instead of....right?

When I go for my surgeon visit on September 18th' date=' I am adding this to my list of questions. I get epidurals in my lumbar and sometimes thoracic spine to treat radiculopathies 3 - 4 times a year. They are really helpful for soothing over nerve pain for months at a time. Since this sounds like an additional tool for pain relief, I will ask about it. You do mean IN ADDITION to general anesthetic and not instead of....right?[/quote']

Yes, in addition to general anesthesia. I truly do believe it helped me a lot. I would definitely choose the same again.

Honestly, I don't know if it's really the pain that I'm worried about… Although I have had several situations where the pain was so out-of-control my doctors have a very difficult time control. I don't know if it has more to do with my own mortality… I've had so many surgeries so many complications that I feel like it could be very difficult going through yet another. We're going on really sitting down thinking about my fear is, I can't pay my finger on one specific thing. I just been through so much healthwise it doesn't help that my husband recently walked out on me… I never really needed anyone or felt like I needed anyone – I always about it with the gung ho attitude and take the world on at every turn but when you very much, you given and really show yourself and show them your weaknesses… Maybe that has something to do with it I don't know. I really didn't psychoanalyzing myself can you tell? I'm all over the place.

By the way – I'm in San Antonio. Originally from San Diego.

Well, the surgeries been approved by the insurance… The tentative date that I have right now is for the 17th. I'm looking forward to it… I admit though I'm a bit scared and anxious just dealing with the idea of having surgery again but the procedure doesn't take that Long… It's all in the healing in the aftermath. Does anybody want to be on a liquid/broth diet with me for the three weeks after surgery? If you're interested in more info… You can find it here: http://www.bmioftexas.com/default/your-options/sleeve-gastrectomy Their websites pretty informational and there's a lot of stuff you can look at…