meepmeep17

HI, I'm Kristina and I am an RN who was sleeved in May 2011. I have been a nurse for 7 years with 5 years in Critical Care and was a CNA for 3 years during college. Dr. Ramos Kelly in TJ did my sleeve and I had no complications, other than my husband leaving me 2 weeks later. I lost 75lbs and have regained 7lbs, but I'm working on that.

My life has changed so much in the year since my surgery. Some of it was expected but most of it was not. My story started about a year and a half ago with the death of my mother. She died as a result of a life long battle with obesity. She was 54 years old when she died at 325 lbs. I watched her struggle with her weight and all of the comorbidities for my entire life. I struggled with being overweight my entire childhood, teens, and now my twenties. As an ICU nurse, I knew it was only a matter of time before I had diabeties, high blood pressure and heart disease that killed my mother. She passed away in November and I started researching VSG in January. I realized insurance would not pay for it due to my BMI of 37 and no comobidities. I was 5'6, 225lbs, and a size 16/18. Self pay was going to be my only option so I started looking at surgeons. Dr. Ramos-Kelly fit my criteria and was willing to answer all my questions. Being a nurse, I just wanted to make sure everything would go smoothly. My husband at the time wasn't supportive due to the cost, even though I was paying for it from my own money. On May 15, 2011 we flew to San Diego and stayed the night at a hotel. I was sooo hungry and was ready to get the surgery over with. The next morning, the driver picked us up and took us over the border to Tijuana. We arrived at the hospital and were greeted by an interpreter. They took me back to the room and had me change into a hospital gown. The nurse came in and started my IV(on the first try, a miracle with me). They drew labs and the cardiologist came in to do an EKG. About 3pm they took me back to surgery, I was nervous due to some previous complications with anesthesia that almost cost me my life. Dr. Kelly came in and held my hand and told me it was going to be ok. The next thing I knew, I was in my room with an oxygen mask over my face. I was hot and having a little bit of gas pain. An hour later I got up and put my pajamas on. I had a drain and 5 incisions on my belly. Within a few hours, I began to throw up. I expected that because of my reaction to pain medication and anethesia. It subsided about 8 hours later and at 3am, I was walking the halls with my IV pole. They let me shower in the morning and I spent the day walking and reading. My sleeve sisters, that I had gotten to know by phone, and I got to visit. On the 18th, my drain and IV were removed. We were taken to another facility for the leak test. It turned out great and we were taken to the hotel to rest some more. Dr. Kelly came to check on me in the afternoon and our prescriptions were delivered. The next day, we went sight seeing with Trish and got some souveniers. The next day we flew home and I was not having pain. Over the next few weeks, I struggled to get enough fluids and protein. My husband left two weeks after my surgery. I was 28 years old and had been with him my entire adult life. It wasn't a good marriage but we had no plans to divorce after being together 10 and half years. At least we didn't have children because I wanted to wait to loose the weight. I had never been told about the high divorce rate after WLS. I don't have answers as to why he did what he did, but it doesen't matter now. By July 4th, I had lost 35lbs and was trying to keep from losing my mind as well. July 6th, I was leaving the hospital after working 12 hours and needed to get some boxed to pack up some of my bigger clothes. A tall, handsome man, who worked in the area I had been directed to go for boxes, asked me if I needed help. I told him I needed boxes and just point me in that direction. He insisted on helping me out to my car with them and the rest is history. That tall, handsome man has been my boyfriend for 10 months and is the absolute love of my life. He has been so supportive through my weight loss and body image issues. By January, I lost a total of 75lbs. I am 15 lbs under goal and am very healthy. My labs are great and I have had very few complications. My only complications are orthostatic hypotension(blood pressure drops when I stand up too fast) and mild gastritis(due to taking ibuprofen). I take all my vitamins and prilosec. I am no longer able to take ibuprofen, which sucks if I have a headache. I started out at a size 16/18 and am now a 6/8. My back and feet don't hurt anymore. My blood pressure went from 137/85 to 95/54. This journey has changed my life in so many ways and it wasn't easy, but it is sooo worth it. I am the happiest that I have ever been in my life, not just with the way I look, but with my life in general. Life didn't go the way I had planned, but thankfully God had better plans for me.

I promise it will get better. I was very afraid and scared of the huge changes that were to come. My BMI was 37 and didn't have any coomorbidities, so I was thinking that I could cancel the surgery and do it on my own. Add being an ICU nurse that only sees abdominal surgeries that go wrong, I wanted to get back on the plane and go home. It has been almost 6 weeks and I am 30 lbs down. I would do it over again, even though it is one of the reasons my marriage is ending. You are doing this to live a better and healthier life. It doesen't mean you won't eat things you want anymore, just less of it. Good luck! I am praying for you.

I have had this issue for years now. I was diagnosed with colitis 10 years ago and due to diarrhea, end up with hypokalemia. Potassium is really important to your heart and body. If mine is too low, I have chest pain and my left eye twitches non stop. They can give a powder that you can mix with Water or capsules to supplement your potassium before they put you in the hospital. Good luck!

I am so sorry you are having a rough time. I didn't have that issue after surgery. I am a nurse and I say you are probably dehydrated. There are medications they can give you for nausea. They have Zofran dissolve tabs that you put under your tounge or Phenergan gel that you put on your wrist. Call your surgeons on call service that they have for the weekend and ask for one of the two. If you are not able to keep down fluids after that, go to the ER. The diarrhea is probably from all of the liquids, I did have that. If you can drink Gatoraid or Pedialyte for the electrolytes. Good luck.

Good luck!! I am an ICU nurse and I was concerned that I would be someone who had complications. Too much knowledge can make it difficult to be a patient. My surgery was almost one month ago and I have not had any issues. Like you, I had a BMI of 36 and was self pay. I hope you have an uneventful recovery!

Hi, I was sleeved the day before you and I get tired really easy. I go back to work Sunday as an ICU nurse and am freaked out I won't have enough energy. I have been off a month and still am not ready to go back. I can do about 3 to 4 ounces at a time depending on what it is. Good luck, I am told it will get better.

I was really hungry days 2 through 10. I woke up on day 11 and it was gone. It should get better when you get to mushies. Good luck!

I had surgery on May 16 with Dr. Kelly. I will be off for 4 weeks due to my job requiring lifting. Being a critical care nurse, I am always running around at work. Pain isn't the issue, just energy level plus lifting restrictions.

Originally I went to my GI specialist and she was very negative about it, possibly because she only sees people with complications. My PCP was behind me 110%, even with going to Mexico. I explained why I wanted VSG and the reasons I was considering Mexico. I went to Dr. Kelly and she looked up his credentials, so the fact he was trained in the US made a difference. I had my surgery 5/16/11, got home from Mexico 5/20/11 and had an appt with her 5/23/11. I am going to WLS clinic next week to meet with a NUT and and their exercise person.

I have already been making homemade broth and getting Protein Drink samples. Ugh, not looking forward to the 3 day preop diet!

I am having my surgery May 16 with Dr. Kelly in TJ.