Hi Everyone,

I've been reading these boards for a while but first time posting. I decided to post today since I officially scheduled sleeve surgery! My journey has been interesting thus far but not nearly as long/hard as some posts I've read. I originally started thinking about wls over 2 years ago. I had always been thin growing up and it wasn't until I had my first child that I began to gain weight. Actually after I had my first child I lost all the baby weight and fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans 2 weeks later (size 5). But it did not last long as I found my appetite had increased and the weight would not come off like it used to. That was over 16 years ago. Since then I've tried numerous diet & exercise programs. Bootcamp, weight watchers, slim fast, intensive bootcamp, jenny craig, well you get the idea. Each time the same thing would happen, I would lose a bunch of weight and then slowly regain the weight lost and some. I grew tired of the see-saw but never really thought about wls as my immediate friends & family view it as taking the easy way out. Also at 5'4 and 220lbs (my heaviest to date), I was looked at as not having the large amount of weight which would deem wls appropriate. In other words, you don't have that much to lose so you should just work out and eat right. That stuck with me for a long time. I think during the exercise and diets the lowest I came down to was about 180lbs.

Anyway about 2 years ago I began intensely researching wls. But before making the decision, I decided to give myself one year to do it on my own without surgery. Well a year later and although I initially lost 20lbs, I gained it all back and am at my heaviest weight to date. That was it for me. So I began the process of getting approved for surgery. Since I have BCBS, the only requirements were BMI over 40 or BMI over 35 with co-morbidities. Every doctor I checked out online was in-network so I made a couple of consultation appointments to feel them out. Next I just had to have 2 dr. visits (the consultation satisfied 1 visit) and one psych consultation. At both consultations I received a script for blood work. The one I ended up going with was more thorough with their bloodwork requirements, while the other one set me up with a surgery date on my first visit. I didn’t go with the second one because I felt like they were treating me in a rushed manner because of my “easy” approval requirements and it felt kind of like they were a salesperson.

The first place, (nj bariatric center) I felt they were more professional and I felt more comfortable with the doctors but the office staff leaves much to be desired. I almost went to look for another place because of my dissatisfaction.

I decided to go to a different psychiatrist rather than the one associated with my doctor’s office just due to logistics of when they would be in the office (I missed my first appt. and so had to reschedule for one a month later). I found one that had Saturday hours and met with her and she was able to write my report and send it off that same day.

My bloodwork came back with some issues requiring follow-up: had low iron so was put on iron pills, EKG came back with something troubling on my heart so had to see a cardiologist to get cleared (the cardiologist required 3 visits before clearing me).

So I finally got all of my “extra” clearances and met with the doctor for the second time to go over the results of my tests. I was then told that now that I was cleared I would be called to schedule my surgery. The next day I was called and was offered surgery dates as early as June 5 but I decided instead on July 12 because my daughter will be out of school by then and able to help me around the house.

So here I am. I still have to get some pre-surgery bloodwork done at least 2 weeks before surgery. I also have to meet with the doctor again to sign some consent forms and I have to view a video on the surgery. So from my first appt on 2/10 to my scheduled surgery date of 7/12 it will have taking me approximately 5 months and some of the delay has been self-inflicted. I am excited and nervous.

Finally got up and walked at 7pm to the bathroom to pee. Weird thing is that pee wasn't one continuous stream rather it would start then stop for few seconds then go again. Happened about 3 times. I knew I wasn't done cause I still felt that need to urinate feeling but that's how it came out.

Also getting up and walking felt my first bout of nausea. And let me tell you it does not feel good. Nurse went to check to see if I could have nausea medicine but I fell asleep again so not sure what happened.

Still keep falling asleep. Falling asleep while writing this. Also iv being in bend in arm is really annoying. Every time I bend arm machine beeps. Can't even type on phone with both hands cause of it. Sigh.

Yes I had same problem
With IV machine - you won't be on it for long - but it does case lack of sleep ( for the whole ward)
I was on anti sickness meds and a drip-
Relax - it's getting better even if it feels worse

I done hit nurses button 3 times at 11pm and ain't no one come. Either these buttons not working or I'm being ignored. Finally guy came by cause he saw light on as he was walking by. Told him I needed to use bathroom and he helped me. I chalked it up to maybe there was a shift change.

So once again at 12:30am hit button. Took 3 mins for someone to answer and I told them I needed to go to bathroom. 5 mins later had to call again when no one showed up. Second time girl came right away but still... Am I being unreasonable in thinking that was a long time 1) to get an initial response and 2) for someone to show up

Don't get me wrong the nurse and her asst are nice. Very polite. Just this response time got me concerned

It's 2am. I just got my second dose of anti-nausea medicine. Let me tell you the wait to 2am was a struggle. U tried going to sleep but around 1am I was just counting the mins. Now just waits big for it to kick in.

Well the nurse came in to give me more pain medicine so I took the opportunity to get up and walk. She said she trusted me to walk on my own since she saw me walk to bathroom. I started my walk at 3:15am and was back in my room at 3:20. I did the whole floor in that time. It honestly felt like nothing. With one caveat, I do not feel good and haven't since receiving Zoloft. It's like it had the opposite effect. Also. My throat is killing me again not sure what that's about. But yeah my chest hurts also my tummy but that may be because I've had nothing to eat since 1pm Tuesday and nothing to drink since 11:40pm Tuesday. And only water today until midnight.

4:30am did another walk around the floor. Walking feels regular to me. Just chest is in pain and now I'm feeling soreness in tummy. I haven't released any gas either.

Sounds like you are not being given the right pain meds - I felt no pain in hospital- I was given a pain patch as I am allergic to co- codamol - the patch lasts 7 days and with a drip of paracetamol and also eventually soluble paracetamol I was happy.

How long was your surgery? Your throat hurts because of the breathing tube that was placed by the anesthesiologist. This will go away in a day or so. It may also take you a couple of days to pass gas. The soreness in your abdominal and chest area is probably from the gas that was pumped in during surgery. It takes a few days for this to be absorbed. It's good that you are up, walking, and have peed early. Walking will help mobilize the pumped in gas and also help your bowels to release gas.

Surgery - RNY GBP
Surgery Date - 5/16/2017
HW - 368
SW - 352
GW - 150

Sent from my Note Edge

I attempted to do 3 laps around the 3rd floor. I was 2 and half laps in when I started feeling really nauseous. Had to go back to my room. Dry heaved and threw up little bit of water in sink. Now I feel bad. Nurse offered Zoloft but yesterday it made me feel worse so I declined. Still now may be the time to take it as I am not feeling any better.

I'm probably not going to type much today. Im in so much pain. Just one note I'm in the waiting area for my upper gi test and all the patients have the same look of misery on their faces.

Ok learn from my mistake. Ask for pain medicine! She was giving me antibiotics with Tylenol which she said would also help with pain. Yesterday since I was still on anesthesia I thought that would be enough. It's not. There's separate pain medicine they can give you. The good stuff. Man I feel so much better. At one point the pain was so much I was crying. And I didn't have to be.

Thanks for sharing. I'm loving hearing about your journey.

Sent from my SM-N920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Liquids are here!

So I just started crying as I was talking to the nurses. Ugh such a wuss I am. But once again push button and 5 mins later still waiting for someone to answer. Finally when they came in I explained what had been happening and my frustration. They apologized. Of course I know it's not their fault. All the nurses and everyone I've met is nice just something happens and I get forgotten. At least that's what it feels like. Can't wait to get out. Liquids just arrived. Wish me luck.

Just some of what was happening that caused me to breakdown. And I'm not usually an emotional person like this.

The nurses are nice. The staff just doesn't answer when u press the call button!
I actually fell asleep waiting for them. Was in so much pain started crying man. It was the worst. Imagine being alone sick and no one is coming to check on you. And u can't do nothing for yourself cause you can't move. [emoji24] At least if I can get home I know someone there cares about me. Shoo.