My surgery is less than 3 weeks away.... I am really nervous, I have never had surgery before. Did any of you have any complications, or weird outcomes that you weren't expecting? Also, what are some of the things you wish you had taken with you to the hospital but didn't?

I was very scared going into this. Seems everyone you talk to knows omeone that has died or had a horrible time with bariatric surgery. However, statistics show that your risk of dieing is about the same as having oral surgery. As I have learned in my travels, we only hear about the bad stuff. People that are sucessful dont hang out on this site for long. Per the head nurse where I had surgery ," 99% of the patients have no complications". Of coause I did my research when selecting a Doc. The entire team has never had a death and have been offering bariatric surgery for over 15 years. As for sleeve surgery the team of three surgions have had a total of one leak in 5 years. They perfom over 500 a year. Thats damn good odds. They have on the other side fixed many a botched mexican bariatric jobs. Many on the site took the Mexico path with great results. All comes down to doing your research and make price secondary.

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by par1959

a few people have had complications...but your life is probably more "complicated" with the weight... Mine was very textbook...

The one thing I wish I had was some carmex...my lips were sooo dry all the time...but most everything you need is provided...

Good luck...let us know your progress!

PS Oh Yeah...my phone charger! ABSOLUTELY!!!

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by BigGirlPanties

I used NOTHING I took to the hospital but my tablet and phone charger. I did use my toothbrush but NOTHING else made it out of the bag.

A "complication" I had which was really an inconvenience was anesthesia totally messed with my bladder and sphincter so going to the bathroom became an exercise in patience to get the urine OUT. I couldn't open or contract my bladder! It all resolved with time and I am still feeling pleased when I void that I can do it now! LOL - but I am celebrating all victories here!

less than 3 weeks away.... nervous, never had surgery

@@sleevedmanda

i see you are a newbie

welcome to the group

no surgery ever???

i can only imagine how scary the thought of surgery must be for you

its good not to have your head in the sand

your eyes are wide opened

i "think" the success with WLS is 99.9%

you don't remember those

the bad stories stick out in your mind and memory

any/all surgeries do have their "possible" problems

its ok to be a little scared

the next 3 weeks you might feel happy, excited, nervous, anxious, overwhelmed etc etc

normal feelings

you are going to be changing a big part of your life (food)

you made the wise decision to have the sleeve

its ok to 2nd guess yourself a "little"

but not enough that you change your mind about having WLS

read these boards thoroughly

you'll see many questions and answers you might be thinking of

post your questions too

also use the search button in the top right hand corner

you will be seeing your doc again pre-op

write down list of questions to ask him and NUT

good luck for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life

who deserves it more?!!!

speedy recovery

kathy

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by proudgrammy

@@par1959 Thanks for the encouraging words. I have a wonderful dr. and feel everything will go as planned... I guess its just the jitters! But you made me feel a lot better!

@@BigGirlPanties I will definitely be sure to bring my carmex and phone charger, Thank you!!

@@EverLearning Good to know and I'm glad everything is back to "normal" for you. Congrats!!!

@@proudgrammy Thanks for the warm welcome... and yes I feel all those things!!!! (mind reader!) Every time I do start to 2nd guess wls.... I tell myself "What the heck are you doing???" Self doubt can be a powerful thing.

I took a magazine with me. The only complication I ran into was dehydration three days later and had to go to the ER for fluids. Very very typical...... Sip sip sip as much as you can.

Make sure that they put your IV in you non-dominate hand/arm. If you are right-handed everything will be more difficult if the IV is in that same hand/arm. When you do get to the OR, the anesthesiologist will probably ask you to count backwards from 100. 100...99...98....wake up wake up - hey, you did fine. Next thing you know, you are in your hospital room to begin your new life.

I had complications and Im in a lot of pain and a bit scared....everybody says its going to get better but after 3 months of pain, I can only hope....

I had complications and Im in a lot of pain and a bit scared....everybody says its going to get better but after 3 months of pain, I can only hope....

oh @@ArthurTower I'm soo sorry you're having such a terrible time. Does it hurt when you swallow, or a constant pain in your abdomen??? Have you talked to your surgeon? I hope you get better soon and sending healing thoughts your way!

They found a stricture, It has been treated twice with endoscopic dilation and the third time with dilation plus the put a stent inside the sleeve to see if they can fix the stricture....

It has been very painful and the nausea is horrendous.....

How exciting for you! The only things you really need for the hospital are: robe, slippers, toothbrush & paste, hairbrush, carmex, phone & charger and maybe a tablet and magazine. You need to spend time walking and sipping, walking and sipping, repeat again! I don't even know if this is allowed (never asked) but my son brought me sugar free mints because my mouth was like the Sahara desert. They helped more than anything else. Good luck, you are on your way!