Newbie Questions

[Koda24 1]

Hello!

I'm almost all in for having VSG surgery at OCC in the spring but I keep reading so many forums and watching so many you tube videos it's starting to make my head spin! I do have a few questions if some of you could let me know your experiences that would be awesome!

I have inquired about having surgery on a Monday and could fly home as early as Thursday....

1. What day did you have your port removed and do a leak test?

2. Did the leak test make you have diarrhea? (Just thinking if I should spend an extra day there because the idea of being sick like that on a plane sounds like 0 fun)

3. Did you need to take blood thinners for flying so soon after surgery?

4. Is it true that after surgery you tend to have a lot more gas? Even months after surgery....

5. I have PCOS which is a contributing factor as to why I'm considering this surgery. I'm not wanting kids just to be a healthy weight.....for once. Anyone else out there have PCOS and the surgery? How is your journey going?

6. Is it realistic to be able to go to work a week post op?

7. I have zero desire to tell anyone I'm having this surgery, is going there solo etc okay? Were you able to drive yourself home after you made it back?

8. I've heard there can be a lot of pain even months after surgery, eating different foods etc is this the rule or the exception?

9. If you've had the surgery knowing what you know now what is one piece of advice you wish you could have given your self pre-surgery?

10. How uncomfortable was flying? If driving was an option would that have been easier? When flying would you have waiting more time been a better idea or was it okay to go when you were cleared?

Thanks in advance, I know that's a lot of questions but there is so much to consider! I also know a lot of these are from horror stories I've read. I thought I should read them too because its not going to be all rainbows and sunshine. I understand vsg is just a tool I get that part and I'm ready to put in the work again and finally be successful! I want to have my own transformation story!! <3 Thanks again and take care!

Also I apologize if I posted this in the wrong area.

[1234567890 328]

1. What day did you have your port removed and do a leak test?

• Leak test is performed immediately after Dr staples your new stomach and removes excess stomach.

2. Did the leak test make you have diarrhea? (Just thinking if I should spend an extra day there because the idea of being sick like that on a plane sounds like 0 fun)

• No, at least had no effect on me.. I was at hospital 2 days. De wanted to monitor and make sure I was able to meet my liquid intake prior to go home. If any complications I would be in good hands. By the way, no complications at all

3. Did you need to take blood thinners for flying so soon after surgery?

• In my case I had blood thiner shots few hours prior surgery, and first/second day while I was at hospital. This is just to prevent blood clog

4. Is it true that after surgery you tend to have a lot more gas? Even months after surgery....

• The reason for that is because Drs use gas to inflate your stomach. Once surgery is done, you still have residual gas. In me case Dr recommended gas X strips to release gas and walk as much as posible once you get up. It wont me easy because you will feel that gas discomfort in your abdominal area, chest and stomach. But will go away in days, every days that passes it feels better

5. I have PCOS which is a contributing factor as to why I'm considering this surgery. I'm not wanting kids just to be a healthy weight.....for once. Anyone else out there have PCOS and the surgery? How is your journey going?

• Not familiar about PCOS, sorry can’t contribute

6. Is it realistic to be able to go to work a week post op?

• ideally 2 weeks, but yes 1 week is realistic, I took 1 week off and came back to work. I still had a bit of discomfort in my stomach due gas.. but all good.

7. I have zero desire to tell anyone I'm having this surgery, is going there solo etc okay? Were you able to drive yourself home after you made it back?

• no need to be ashamed or hide it. As many people know about it, the higher support you get. At least to close family

8. I've heard there can be a lot of pain even months after surgery, eating different foods etc is this the rule or the exception?

• the pain is mostly discomfort due gas used during surgery. I was back to normal (100%) 6 weeks post surgery. You will have issues swallowing, meeting liquid intake or eating because your stomach pouch is smaller than a baby, it is like everything with time gets better, at my 2nd month post op I almost forgot I went through this surgery

9. If you've had the surgery knowing what you know now what is one piece of advice you wish you could have given your self pre-surgery?

• walk as soon as you open your eyes post surgery.. set your timer and walk every 1 or 2 hours. Take your gas x, use compression belt , at beginning drink coconut Water to hydrate, pain/discomfort wont last long as soon as you keep active. Most importantly do not hesitate, get it done

10. How uncomfortable was flying? If driving was an option would that have been easier? When flying would you have waiting more time been a better idea or was it okay to go when you were cleared?

• I haven’t taken vacations since then, so I cant say anything about it.. bit shouldn’t be an issue..

Best of luck pal

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had RNY gastric bypass rather than VSG, so some of my answers may be different from a VSG patient.

1. What day did you have your port removed and do a leak test? I didn't have a port. If a leak test was done, it was done during surgery.

2. Did the leak test make you have diarrhea? (Just thinking if I should spend an extra day there because the idea of being sick like that on a plane sounds like 0 fun) Diarrhea was not a problem, gas was.

3. Did you need to take blood thinners for flying so soon after surgery? I took blood thinners to prevent blood clots. The blood thinner was Lovenox and I took it for little over a week. It is very important to take this. You will also need to wear a TED hose until your activity is back to normal.

4. Is it true that after surgery you tend to have a lot more gas? Even months after surgery.... Yes. This is especially true in the hospital. Walking helps to relieve this initial gas pains.

5. I have PCOS which is a contributing factor as to why I'm considering this surgery. I'm not wanting kids just to be a healthy weight.....for once. Anyone else out there have PCOS and the surgery? How is your journey going? I don't have PCOS

6. Is it realistic to be able to go to work a week post op? At one week post-op, I was back on my feet again. But you may want to consider working part time for the second week, so that you can ease into it.

7. I have zero desire to tell anyone I'm having this surgery, is going there solo etc okay? Were you able to drive yourself home after you made it back? I had someone drive me home from the hospital. You will not be cleared to drive until the effects of any narcotic pain medicines that you consumed after surgery has passed through your system. I didn't take any pain medicine, in part so that I would be able to drive sooner. But even at that I didn't start to drive myself until around a week post-op.

8. I've heard there can be a lot of pain even months after surgery, eating different foods etc is this the rule or the exception? Prior to surgery I was constantly hungry. When I was eating a meal, I was already figuring out what I would have for my next meal. After surgery I lost my hunger and my meal portions were so small that it wasn't an issue. Because of RNY if I consumed more than what my stomach (reduced size) could hold, it would lead to dumping syndrome. The effects of dumping syndrome can last for around 4 hours and is painful. But there are pre-triggers that can warn you if you are approaching that limit.

9. If you've had the surgery knowing what you know now what is one piece of advice you wish you could have given your self pre-surgery?

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.
2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.
3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

10. How uncomfortable was flying? If driving was an option would that have been easier? When flying would you have waiting more time been a better idea or was it okay to go when you were cleared? After surgery, you will be under a reduced weight limit for what you can pick up. Your suitcases will be above that limit. So you will need to have someone help you with getting your suitcases home.

[FluffyChix 17,418]

Shazammmm! Great questions, and great answers guys!

[Koda24 1]

Thanks everyone for the responses so far! Your feedback is greatly appreciated!