Let's make this the official January surgery date thread. I will be having my surgery on 1/31/2020. I was certain that I was going to have the vsg, but I'm learning more and leaning towards the rouxny (rny) gastric bypass. Whatever you decide, let's get this thread started and support one another. I'm just starting it, but anyone can feel free to jump in and keep it going ?.

On 01/22/2020 at 18:13, BadWolfGirl said:

My RNY surgery is Monday and I'm starting to freak out. My surgeon is one of the best and I'm relatively healthy otherwise so I have no real reason to worry.

I had an abdominalplasty (tummy tuck) to remove skin and fix diastasis rectis (separation of an muscles) five years ago. I've also had multiple orthopedic surgeries (hockey) ansnmy gall bladder removed so it's not the pain I'm worried about, pain I got lol. But because of the previous abdominal surgery I'm worried there will be too much scar tissue inside and not enough skin to "blow up my stomach cavity" and have to have an open, which is such a longer harder recovery.

I guess I'm curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation? It seems everyone's recovery is so varied - some people are miserable and some are fine in days. I work from home in publishing and research so planned to work a few days after surgery (deadlines wait for no man lol)

My situation was the same. Had tummy tuck exactly five years ago. My surgeon said the surgeon took longer because of it and one of the incisions is larger because she had to use special tools (by larger it’s 1” instead of 1/4” like the others). Definitely not open surgery and my recovery has been smooth. My incisions were healed by my first post-op visit. My surgeon also said my stomach lining or wall was extra thin due to the tummy tuck so she had to be extremely careful. She’s also a top surgeon here in NYC at NYU Langone-a center of excellence.

My situation was the same. Had Tummy Tuck exactly five years ago. My surgeon said the surgeon took longer because of it and one of the incisions is larger because she had to use special tools (by larger it’s 1” instead of 1/4” like the others). Definitely not open surgery and my recovery has been smooth. My incisions were healed by my first post-op visit. My surgeon also said my stomach lining or wall was extra thin due to the tummy tuck so she had to be extremely careful. She’s also a top surgeon here in NYC at NYU Langone-a center of excellence.

Okay that makes me feel a little better, thanks!

Glad you're doing so well!

I'm a good patient and will walk and be compliant and handle pain well so I hope that helps

On 01/22/2020 at 12:24, jubug09 said:

Second day in ICU. They had complications and had to cut off the top half of my larger stomach and I had a leak. I'm not having nausea or vomiting and the invitation sites are door but not unbearable. What's killing me is the drain and my shoulder. I hear shoulder pain and issues before surgery and being in the Jesus pose on the hard table for five hours just killed it. Having to stay at least one more night and keep the drain in for a week ugh.

So sorry to hear that you had complications. It will get better-everyone here can attest to that fact. Don’t let the pain get away from you-every time you’re due medication-ask for it. When you get home you’ll be surprised at how fast you’re able to transition to liquid Tylenol. Wishing you a speedy recovery. It’s uphill from here.

On 01/22/2020 at 18:25, BadWolfGirl said:

Okay that makes me feel a little better, thanks!

Glad you're doing so well!

I'm a good patient and will walk and be compliant and handle pain well so I hope that helps

You sound like my twin!! I have a very high tolerance for pain (last March I walked around for hours on a broken foot thinking it was just a sprain before finally going to urgent care and learning that it was a clean break). I knew I needed to walk so as soon as they got me to my room, I walked and haven’t stopped. Discharged next day after surgery and only took prescription pain med the first day home then switched to liquid Tylenol for one day then no pain meds. I sincerely believe pain is good in the sense that it lets us know how our body is healing. I have followed every detail of my surgeons instructions with diet and walking and two weeks two days post-op it’s as if I never had surgery. The ab binder and ice packs made a huge difference in comfort and helping the swelling and bloating, which honestly was the worst part for me, and I’m still using sippy cups because immediately after surgery every sip from a regular cup caused heart burn, no matter how small the sip. Never experienced any nausea at all. You will do fantastic. Having had the tummy tuck I remembered that the plastic surgeon had me in an ab binder for swelling, otherwise I wouldn’t have had one because unfortunately my surgeon didn’t mention using one. Good luck!! Please let me know how everything goes.

You sound like my twin!! I have a very high tolerance for pain (last March I walked around for hours on a broken foot thinking it was just a sprain before finally going to urgent care and learning that it was a clean break). I knew I needed to walk so as soon as they got me to my room, I walked and haven’t stopped. Discharged next day after surgery and only took prescription pain med the first day home then switched to liquid Tylenol for one day then no pain meds. I sincerely believe pain is good in the sense that it lets us know how our body is healing. I have followed every detail of my surgeons instructions with diet and walking and two weeks two days post-op it’s as if I never had surgery. The ab binder and ice packs made a huge difference in comfort and helping the swelling and bloating, which honestly was the worst part for me, and I’m still using sippy cups because immediately after surgery every sip from a regular cup caused heart burn, no matter how small the sip. Never experienced any nausea at all. You will do fantastic. Having had the Tummy Tuck I remembered that the plastic surgeon had me in an ab binder for swelling, otherwise I wouldn’t have had one because unfortunately my surgeon didn’t mention using one. Good luck!! Please let me know how everything goes.

That's so reassuring! And yes I still have my ab binder from the tummy tuck and have it in my hospital bag just in case they don't have one for me! Thanks for taking the time to reply. You've helped my poor nerves

1 hour ago, TattooedSeaStar said:

I’m freaking out too. Not because of the surgery but because I’m scared of the pain. I usually have a pretty high pain tolerance but who knows- this could be the time it’s different.

Like others have said, don't be shy asking for pain meds. And don't chase pain. Keep on the schedule allowed for the first day or two. Once the pain gets too far it can be hard to catch up.

Okay, I admit, I'm freaking out a bit now.

I wasn't going to order an ab binder, but based on the comments here, I ordered one and it will be here Friday. My surgery is Monday in MX.

Okay, I admit, I'm freaking out a bit now.
I wasn't going to order an ab binder, but based on the comments here, I ordered one and it will be here Friday. My surgery is Monday in MX.

Amazon prime is a gift from the goddesses lol

1 minute ago, BadWolfGirl said:

'aint that the truth!

Amazon prime is a gift from the goddesses lol

8 minutes ago, BadWolfGirl said:

Amazon prime is a gift from the goddesses lol

That's where I got mine. Ware it whenever I Walk or workout. Helps prevent hernias. 7 wks post-op.

On 01/22/2020 at 21:03, rene50 said:

Okay, I admit, I'm freaking out a bit now.

I wasn't going to order an ab binder, but based on the comments here, I ordered one and it will be here Friday. My surgery is Monday in MX.

I don’t know why all bariatric surgeons don’t recommend ab binders after surgery. I was absolutely miserable the first three days until I remembered I had to wear one after the tummy tuck so why not after gastric sleeve. I immediately felt better after putting on the ab binder and within two days all of the bloating and swelling was gone. I did read on here that a few people woke up from surgery with ab binders already on them so there are a few surgeons who know how important they are for recovery. When I sneezed without the ab binder, day 3 post-op, it felt like the inside of my tummy ripped apart!! Good luck!!

On 01/22/2020 at 21:03, rene50 said:

Okay, I admit, I'm freaking out a bit now.

I wasn't going to order an ab binder, but based on the comments here, I ordered one and it will be here Friday. My surgery is Monday in MX.

One very important thing to remember...the binder should not be tight. Just snug enough to hold everything in and has to be a post surgical binder and not a weightloss binder so your incisions can heal.

Hello All. I am scheduled for sleeve on January 30 with Dr. Udelhofen at Journeylite in Cincinnati, Oh. I am currently on a 21 day "liver shrinking diet" of lots of liquid proteins, no vegetables or fruits. I have completed all the pre op testing and paperwork, the only thing I don't have is a surgery time. I will only be staying at the surgery center for about four hours after the surgery- they make you walk, drink, and pee, then they cut you loose to a hotel for the night (because I live more than 1 1/2 hours from the center). If I have no questions or issues the next morning I am free to return home.

The first two days of the diet were the worst, I was not tolerating the quantities of protein powder in the packets, so on day four I called them and they now allow me to have a few other things such as lowfat yogurt, cottage cheese, or a small portion of grilled chicken in place of a couple packets a day. I am currently experiencing a few days of extreme irritability. I don't know if it's the diet, the nerves, the fact that I am not sleeping well, or what.

My questions right now are about Lovenox injections I have to take for 14 days after the procedure. Has anyone else had to do that and how difficult was it to inject yourself? I am slightly freaked out over that. Also, how soon have people been getting back to work? I feel like pain and healing wise I will be good to go after a week but I'm worried about throwing up at work when I am starting back on puree food.

Ok - 2 week post-op visit was yesterday. Down 24 lbs since my last weight check a few days before surgery, so 24 lbs in 26 days. Not bad at all. The NP was happy with my weight progress and my healing. They said I could go back to work on Monday, but I'm not good staying at home, so I'm back at it today. So far, so good.

On 01/22/2020 at 23:58, LincsMimi said:

Hello All. I am scheduled for sleeve on January 30 with Dr. Udelhofen at Journeylite in Cincinnati, Oh. I am currently on a 21 day "liver shrinking diet" of lots of liquid Proteins, no vegetables or fruits. I have completed all the pre op testing and paperwork, the only thing I don't have is a surgery time. I will only be staying at the surgery center for about four hours after the surgery- they make you walk, drink, and pee, then they cut you loose to a hotel for the night (because I live more than 1 1/2 hours from the center). If I have no questions or issues the next morning I am free to return home.

The first two days of the diet were the worst, I was not tolerating the quantities of Protein Powder in the packets, so on day four I called them and they now allow me to have a few other things such as lowfat yogurt, cottage cheese, or a small portion of grilled chicken in place of a couple packets a day. I am currently experiencing a few days of extreme irritability. I don't know if it's the diet, the nerves, the fact that I am not sleeping well, or what.

My questions right now are about Lovenox injections I have to take for 14 days after the procedure. Has anyone else had to do that and how difficult was it to inject yourself? I am slightly freaked out over that. Also, how soon have people been getting back to work? I feel like pain and healing wise I will be good to go after a week but I'm worried about throwing up at work when I am starting back on puree food.

Hi. Never heard of Lovenox and to be honest, kinda scary that they send you home the same day of surgery. I was discharged the day after surgery and the first night there was a lot of monitoring of pain and also heparin injections every two hours, compression socks to prevent swelling and blood clots and IV fluids the entire time because we’re unable to physically drink much water. Pre-op protein diet was only two weeks and I believe that’s the standard for most centers of excellence. That overnight stay in hospital was crucial for smooth recovery. I’m sure you’ll be fine but if you have any concern you should immediately call that surgery center. Wishing you a smooth recovery.