iegal

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Hello; I was a VSG outpatient with the NEW program for surgery. Are you staying overnight? Dr. Quebbemann, Dr. Chin or Dr. Braverman? To all you newbies, there is a great thread of what to take to hospital on this site under General Sleeve Surgery Discussions. Here is link. http://www.verticals...surgery-thread/ Tips: Wear loose clothing. I wore a zip up jacket so I did not need to pull anything over my head. A bra that snapped in front so I did not need extra help to dress. Pants with a draw string, no elastic around waist or waitband since you might be bloated from gas. Slip on shoes are a must and no high heels. HA HA At home: I love the idea of a heating pad post op as this tip helped me out a lot. Also, try sipping drinks at room tempature. I drank refrigerated G2 gatorade (zero calorie/surgarless) and that was not easy, but room tempature really made a difference. Prefill your perscriptions, if any. chicken noodle broth...diluted and strained. Any taste besides those nasty sweet Protein shakes were welcome. A spouse who is willing to sleep in another bed for a few days since he tosses often. Don't recommend stocking up on a whole bunch of protien items. Many report a change in taste, so what you like now you might not be able to tolerate or gag down post op. I threw away so many prepurchased protien drinks. Save yourself some $ if you have someone who is willing to run to the store for you. Check out stores that have things you can drink for the first couple of phases. Good luck to you all! I have no regrets besides knowing I should have done this sooner.

Me too - but back in Sept 2010. Would choose same surgeon again, and again. Happily living at goal.

Go to members and send a message to twoboysandagirl I believe she had her surgery done there. Oh - and she is at goal too!

Surgery: The New Program in Newport Beach, CA Surgeon: Dr. Brian Quebbemann To see my surgeon in action - click on blue link in my signature down below. This is a clip from The Dr's TV show in November 2010 showing scarless VSG surgery. $18K for scarless surgery.

Good advice from above. Your therapist needs therapy or to retake some courses. On here you receive a wide breadth of information, relating with newbies, just been sleeved or experienced sleevers. We have different surgeons, different genders, different affiliations, different frame of references but what we do share in common is our desire to be healthy and also be in normal BMI range. We can empathize and share with each other. You are a grown adult who can self filter out obvious bad information or advice. Think you reading these posts will not do damage to you.

I think you need to read your two favorite quotes...over and over. Yes, reaction is completely normal as you are having an optional surgery. Suggest you write down why you want this surgery and why you need this surgery. Be honest, putting down shopping in junior section is okay. Next, since you are new to site, read some of the NSV (non scale victory) posts by scrolling down. These are my sleeve brother and sisters getting excited over more than just a pound weight loss on the scale. Be excited, a new you is close at hand - insert your two favorite quotes please here. I love my sleeve and have no regrets. Best wishes and keep us posted.

Agree you are making a wise choice by sticking to your diet plan and not adding the fruit. Point of diet is to shrink liver so your surgeon has better access to your stomach with out any complications like a laceration. Sorry to tell you that IMO the preop diet does not get any better. I suffered horribly but never cheated. Worth every second of gut wrenching hunger during those long days and nights. Little did my stomach know that its days were numbered. Countdown to a new you. Good luck!

Thanks for the giggles.

Thanks for reminding us how important it is to stay hydrated. We need to get around 64oz of non caffinated liquids a day. Did you know low blood pressure is a side effect of not drinking Water? Think is why you can be lethargic. Glad to hear you didn't have major complications...like surgery. Hope you are feeling better and drinking often.

Hmmm. I believe the stomach is swollen from surgery. I too had a problem getting in my liquids. Was lucky to get in 30oz a day for that first week.. I used a shot glass 2nd week to keep track of intake and still had to force myself to sip from it during every 15 minutes. Not doing research as well as you beforehand, I also tried to drink cold Water. Room tempature watter or tepid decaf tea was much easier. Adaption is what you need to get through those first couple of weeks. You learn what works and what doesn't. Now I am able to get in 64oz without an issue although I still do not chug down liquids as I used to prior to surgery. Keep up the great questions - the more you ask, the better prepared you will be.

Although I was never banded, there are many on this site who were banded and now are sleeved. You may want to scroll down a little and find that forum for additional support. Almost all of us have second thoughts, questioning "what am I doing?" Optional surgery is a choice. Many write a list of why they want surgery and what are the benefits. I have a new life without complications. Now I can do so many things that I would never have even thought of before. I hike without getting a rash on my inner thighs. No longer have to wear shorts under my skirts for the same reason. I buy clothes off the rack. I share meals when dining out and save a boat load of money. I feel better about myself. People treat me differently. I am healthy. I go to the gym more often. I stand in front when getting my picture taken, not behind someone. I am not always behind the camera. My children hug me in public more often. My mom thinks I am too thin, since I am her size now. My dad is proud of my ability to keep the weight off. I have a chin...not three. What else can you add? The new you is just around the corner. I have no regrets - except maybe not getting this done earlier.

Even though you will be making adjustments after sugery your choice to have VSG is best for your health and the changes ahead. Am glad you are going through the emotions of what is happening to you. I cried real tears in front of a cheap all you can eat buffet about 1 month after surgery. Why? It wasn't really good food to begin with so why was I so upset? VSG forces to face your relationship with food. At almost nine months out, I am still a foodie, can eat almost all types of food (ethnic, spicy, dairy, sweet) without problems like bypass/banders - but now, I just eat less and am fully satisfied. The sleeve is a miracle for my life. Surgery is tomorrow right? Thrilled for you.

I am a totaly baby and avoid pain at all costs. My DH laughs at me when I tell him I am a "tough" woman. Ha So - I have had both a c-section and been sleeved. No comparision. Would have a sleeve surgery over rather than that c-section. I felt no pain from the surgery, really none. Some minor discomfort and could not sleep on my side for about a week. Only took my pain meds once and that was so I would sleep at night since my sleep patterns were switched. My surgery was outpatient procedure and I was home that night. Never had a drain, catheder, pain pump or morphine. I believe your pain depends upon your surgeon. What is his normal procedure to minimize your discomfort? Tell surgeon up front you are concerned and what can he preauthorize to help aleviate your concern. Good luck - I love my sleeve!

Thank you for the post and giggles. Guess we all need to think about our "new" style seriously.

Good luck EJ; You are in our prayers. Be sure to keep us posted on your recovery.

Dear Undecided; You have a great list of "what you do know" and "what you don't know" but I am confused. Your firrst is "I don't want to have surgery" Question = if you do not want surgery then why are you seeing a surgeon? What do you want? Stop - really think about this. What I read from your statements: You want to lose a significant amount of weight You want to be healthy You don't want to rush into anything You mention you can do this without surgery, so take the next year and really give it a good shot. If you can do it, you will lose the weight and keep it off. But tell youself if you do not lose the weight in that year and fail yet again, that you are going to schedule surgery to save yourself from you. Get of the rollercoaster and take charge. Surgery or not, you can have all three items above. Your choice on how you accompllsh the tast ahead. I have no regrets, except I wish I would have done had VSG surgery earlier. Good luck!

You look wonderful and must be thrilled with your weight loss. I could see the difference easily but most impressive is how your smile in post pic shows the smile in your eyes.

Now why didn't I think of that? Thanks for sharing!

Well, I am almost 9 months out and life is very different than from where you newly sleeved people are living today. I love food. I love the smell, texture, presentation of food and well as the taste. Ethnic food, YUM. Down home southern goodness food - YUM. Being sleeved does not mean I have given up food. I still love food and subscribe to several food magazines. I still cook. Now I am satisfied with a smaller portion. The smell does not tempt me because I eat more slowly and slow down to enjoy the taste. While others are shoveling in as fast as they can, I am smelling, chewing slowly and savoring. Don't worry, being sleeved does not mean you give up anything, except the large dining out bill. I now share a meal with my DH and we are both happy. Half the cost, same pleasure. Only all you can eat buffets (food was never great there anyway) are a waste. Things only get better. Congrats on your sleeve, don't fret, life as a VSG is good.

Sounds like you have had a rough start. Re: gallbladder - over 33% of all WLS patients need to have their gallbladder removed. This is one of the side effects of rapid weight loss. My surgeon perscribed pills to help prevent gallbladder attacks for the first three months. Think the generic name is Urisol? Happy to report, event though I prescheduled gallbladder removal surgery in Jan 11 (VSG in Sept 2010) I cancelled it since I had no ill effects. Hope you have a smoother recovery from here on out.

At least you asked a question. Better to ask than to stay silent. Good luck to you!

Not bad for 4 months? I would say great! You look wonderful!

I think almost everyone does this surgery laprascopic now. Check out link below - VSG can now be a scarless surgery. Surgery is done with a tool called the Spider via the bellybutton. You can watch this VSG surgery. The Doctor's TV show just aired VSG scarless episode again on Friday - orignally aired in November.

I have only tried the peach flavored tea. Love it. Sometimes I overdo it, you really only need a little. What did you think of the other flavors?