Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

My VSG Story, had surgery 6/22/16



Recommended Posts

Hello everybody,

Never posted on this forum before, but like I'm sure many others are, I'm a long-time lurker

Decided to have bariatric surgery in December 2015, after having switched PCPs and going through a full physical with my new doctor.

I'm 5'4", 32, have 3 young kids, and at the beginning of this journey (and actually also my preop weight) was 285lbs.

Essentially my new doc told me I'm 100% healthy. Great blood work, excellent blood pressure, no problems at all. I expressed to him that I was concerned about being so overweight, and having been this overweight for more than 5 yrs without any success keeping it off. He suggested I look into bariatric surgery. I told him I was not comfortable with the idea of rerouting my digestive system, and then he brought up vsg. He showed me some research and numbers that proved, in long term studies, vsg patients are as successful in keeping the weight off as gastric bypass patients. I was intrigued and began my own research into vsg.

In December I decided to have vsg at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Matthew Kroh. After going through the countless pre approval appointments and meetings in order to get insurance to cover the surgery, I was finally approved and given my June 22nd surgery date.

Honestly my main concern before having the surgery was not the procedure in itself, but what would my life be like afterwards?! How would my recovery go?? Would I be able to take care of my kids, since my husband could only take a week off of work to help out. I was stressed about it.

The 2 week pre op diet was not too bad, I cheated a little bit and had a bite here and there of things, and then went completely liquid 5 days prior with no cheating. I lost 10 lbs before my surgery day. (Prior to that I went on a total eating bender during the month of May, skyrocketed up to 295lbs, since I had convinced myself that I would never be able to eat again - ha!)

Day of surgery (Wed) I was nervous. Mostly about anaesthesia and the normal surgery worries. Everything went smoothly and my surgery took a little over 2 hrs.

When I woke up in pacu, I was suuuuuper nauseated and throwing up. But I was also super foggy and medicated and it was all just a blur of throwing up and being given ivs and anti nausea medicine, going in and out of sleep etc.

By the time they got me to my room in the bariatric recovery unit that afternoon, I was less foggy but still nauseated and with a pounding headache. My nurses said they thought it was from the anaesthesia. I pretty much slept all day, got up to walk the hall in the evening when my husband came to visit, and then crawled right back into my hospital bed and slept again. When moving around it felt like I had really sore abs, not much else. I had a lapro procedure and the incisions were covered with surgical glue. No drain. The large incision where they remove the stomach was the most tender. Really nothing bad at all though.

The next day (Thurs) I was allowed to drink Water and it went down fine. My horrible headache was still there but not much nausea. I also ate a sugar free popsicle, which was a little relief to my headache for some reason.

Because my head was hurting so bad I was just taking the wimpy way out and asking for pain meds just so I would be knocked out and wouldn't have to deal with it lol. They were giving me percocet every 4 hrs since the liquid oxy that is initially prescribed was making me nauseated and gagging. It cut the headache but never really made it go away entirely. They also gave me immitrex for headache but that didn't work either. I walked the halls a couple times but mostly just laid in bed and tried to sleep. The nurses would check on me with how much Water I had drank, and I was able to drink a couple oz. every hour, so I met the requirements. It really wasn't hard like I expected - I thought I would have to take these TINY TINY sips, but I was able to take a medium sized satisfying sip without a problem.

On Friday, the 3rd day, I was able to go home. They told me I could start a full liquid diet (phase 2.) I wore an abdominal binder, which is GREAT, I highly recommend you ask for one before you leave hospital. My husband drove me home, we stopped at cvs for prescriptions, and then I crawled in bed again. It was a rough night, still dealing with ridiculously awful headache and nausea, taking percocet so feeling foggy etc. At about 5am I asked my husband to grab me a premier Protein shake from the fridge and I sat up in bed and drank about half of it: HEADACHE GONE!!! #hallelujah!

Once my head stopped pounding, I was able to stop taking the pain meds so frequently, and by Sunday I was completely off of them.

Honestly my experience has been a dream. I went in on Monday for a post op checkup and I drove myself, I seriously forgot I had had surgery only 5 days prior. I was told by my docs that if I tolerate phase 2 perfectly fine, I can slowly start integrating real foods in like flaky fish, soft cheese etc etc. I tried mashed potatoes: nope, felt like a rock going down. Little pieces of cheese, thumbs up! Salmon, went down great. Just have to chew chew chew and remember to take small bites of everything.

It is AMAZING how little I need to eat to feel full. I mean like 3 bites? Maybe? It's unbelievable really! I was always somebody who could put down a large pizza, no problem. I couldn't finish a slice of cheese yesterday

Anyways this has been an amazing experience so far, and like so many other ppl, I only wish I'd done it sooner. I went for a long walk this morning and can't wait for longer walks, and maybe even long runs!

So far I'm down 12 lbs from my original surgery weight of 286, and just 12 lbs makes a difference in how my clothes fit. Now I'm just impatient for the rest to come off!!

Will update on progress. Good luck to you all!

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Edited by APanda911

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Apanda - I had mine on the 21st. I started a thread in June for us June/July people. Come on over. Everyone will want your story. Look for

Late June Sleeve Buddies?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks so much!! I was hoping there was a group somewhere with late June people!! :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Update: I am 15 days post op, and I've lost 15 lbs! Struggling to get all of my Protein requirements in, but otherwise doing well. Energy is good, incisions are almost completely healed (one is pretty much invisible at this point!) and my digestive system is functioning pretty much normally (no more excess gas/diarrhea etc)

Will update at 30 days post op with a progress picture!

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Its so worth it!! Congrats. Prayers!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using the BariatricPal App

I had my sleeve may 21,15

Sent from my SCH-I535 using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×