Just getting started at Ssm St. Louis. Anyone care to share information about their experience and maybe "life lessons".

@@jaxson5 Welcome! Yay another "show me state" Member! I am newly sleeved 11/4 but if you have any specific questions I will try my best to help you out and If I can't there are plenty on here who can!

Thanks, I've read so many postings, good, bad and ugly. How's it been for you so far?

Well overall it's been good. I've been "lucky" to not have any issues with food or liquids this early out. The whole approval process was smooth without issues. The time went a lot faster between start to finish than I thought it would. Surgery went well, I was in a bit of pain In recovery and then the first 3 days I was home until my pain meds where adjusted but other than that I really can't complain. Oh except I hated my JP drain but I took it out and felt instantly better just small trivial things. Of course my case , journey ect. Whatever you want to call it Is probably going to be different than yours in different ways since nobody's process is exactly the same but that's my story in short. It's a learning process and I just stay calm, focused and roll with It.

Thanks for sharing, I'm a RN and love to read the experiences, some how it makes me feel I'm in control of events, however I work with surgical patients and I know how one twist of events can causes a different outcome for a patient. I'm still wondering how much time I'll need off work too.

Well again everyone is different but I'm 10 days out now and I have 0 pain. I could work a full shift and not have a problem. My surgeon also gave me a b-12 shot today although I told him I really don't feel like I needed it. I'm not low on energy at all. The last thing I was waiting for was getting my staples out today, other than that I would say I've been back to "normal" since day 7

Where do you have staples

@@jaxson5 I had staples over my insisions. 14 all together. I don't think it was nessasary it just left more marks. I don't think all surgeons do that and had I known he would I would have requested he didn't ....but he did and they are out now

Thanks for sharing. Just got news that I have to do 3months with nutritionist, I was really hoping to have sleeve in Feb, but my first appointment is not until end of December.

I had no staples. I had 6 incisions. 2 1" the rest 1/2". Steri-strip last over top. I also had an umbilical hernia which caused an incision in my belly button. Which was the only actual pain I had. I didn't take any pain meds post op other than Tylenol in the hospital. I was only in over night. As a nurse u know and are aware of the gas pain. Just walk walk walk! I'm a nurse too, we make the worst patients ☺️ I'm 3 weeks post op and finally feeling great! Good luck with your journey!

Oh and I didn't have a drain tube either

Edited November 15, 201411 yr by kikicoates78

I'm so happy to chat with you! Are you a floor nurse? How much time off will you need? Sounds like your procedure was very smooth, I'm just getting started. You just gave me some hope!

I'm not a floor nurse. I am actually not practicing at the moment. I took a couple years off. I felt like I was missing my last baby grow! I've been off almost 3 years now. I started sewing for my daughter, and it bloomed into an online business. My husband just surprised me with an actual studio/shop in town so I'm in no hurry to get back into the routine of shift work

You should check out my blog (linked in signature). I started it after my very first pre-op appointment and I've been posting there for 13 months now to document my journey. Good luck to you!

I am also starting my journey i already went to my first Nutri visit have my second dec 12 and from there i need two more and ill do psych and pulmonologist and cardio and ill be ready to send it all out to my insurance. my surgeon said it should all be done with in 4 months. I'm very excited. p.s i am attending a seminar 2morrow.