Tarain

This reminded me of a dream I had before my surgery. I dreamt that I had lost a lot of weight but when I looked in the mirror it was all from my chest. I mean I was flat as a board. My DH came in the room with his shirt off to compare and his man boobs were a lot bigger than mine! What a nightmare!

See, I didn't even know about the air leak test. The number of leak tests was something I actually meant to ask about before surgery but I was so freaked out that my mind was completely blank! I didn't ask any questions at all. I'm not a very good surgery patient in that respect! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the drain is also used to check for leaks while you are recovering in the hospital. I think it will show the blue dye if you have a leak. Is that correct or just my imagination?

I have no medical background so I cannot honestly say if it is important to have an assistant surgeon that is physically helping during the surgery. I will say that I was sleeved by Dr Kelly and all went perfectly, I wasn't a band revision but he did take out my gall bladder during my surgery. I will also say that when I had my surgery and while I was recovering in Tijuana, Dr Kelly only performed 2 - 3 surgeries in a day. I might have been concerned about this if he was perfoming surgeries all day long, because of the aspect of fatigue. Once again, just my opinion, but as long as he had a medical Dr in the room assissting him as needed, I was comfortable with that because Dr Kelly has an impressive background. Another thing that makes it ok with me is that the surgery itself is not a long surgery and is considered to be more safe than other WLS. Still, I could certainly understand how some would feel more comfortable if there were more surgeons working on them. I guess it comes down to your own personal comfort zone. I have never read of any complaints about Dr Kelly's surgical skills or any complications from surgery. Honestly, complications can happen to anyone, no matter how many surgeons are working on them. The best advice I can give you is to do what you are truely comfortable with. If this is something that is going to be in the back of your mind the whole time then maybe you should consider another Dr. Good luck with whatever you decide! I hope more people will chime in with their opinions. I know it's a big help when you can hear different points of view.

I was sleeved on March 1, 2011 by Dr Kelly. I was given 2 leak tests, which I believe he gives to everyone. The first is done immediately after the surgery while you are still knocked out so most don't even realize they were given that one unless they are told afterwards or they ask about it. The second was done 2 days after surgery just before being released to the hotel. My pain and nausea was managed very well. Anytime I felt pain all I had to do ask for the meds. I was very lucky and had no nausea. However, there are some who will have more nausea than others and may need additional help with that. It is different for us all. I was and still am very happy I went to Dr. Kelly.

I worried about this too! I couldn't imagine eating without drinking. I have to admit it was hard at first but it has gotten easier for me. I don't sip during my eating time either. I think eating foods with a low carb/low cal sauce or dressing helps a lot! But even if I don't use any sauce, I still manage fine now. Maybe it's because the amount of food I eat is dramatically smaller!

I am almost 5 weeks out and have just started getting in 600 cal a day during this last week. I can't imagine trying to eat more than that yet.

Ditto! It really is good. You should check it out, You can also find it at Netrition.com for $3.99.

I am just beginning my 4th week. During my 2nd week I felt the same way. I was always hungry and head hunger was a "you know what". It was really a hard week for me. During my 2nd week I started adding mushies and it became more easy. Head hunger was not as bad and the more thick your food is the less you are able to eat. Now my biggest proble is drinking all my Water. Once you add thicker foods you are more full and that makes it harder for me to drink so much water. I think it will get better for you, just hang in there. "You can eat so much right now because you are on full liquids and they are just running through your sleeve instead of hanging around to tell you you're full sooner!" This statement is very true!

Never tried that brand but the Fage 0% with Splenda, sugar free syrup, or sugar free preserves is wonderful. It is also very yummy with honey but I can't eat it like that this early out.

I use the unjury unflavored powder, add it to my Water, add a crystal light packet and add my miralax all in one drink. Works great for me because I can change up the crystal light flavors. I always add the miralax to my first drink of the day and leave it out the rest of the day. Tracy

How was your surgery? How are you feeling now? I hope all is well for you. I was there on the 1st and was very impressed with Dr Kelly. He did a wonderful job on me! Tracy

Just 2 more weeks to go? That's great, time is going by so fast! How are you feeling about your upcoming surgery? Nervous, excited or both? Tracy

Plumptious I was sleeved March 1st also, I felt like I was hit by a bus, I feel like I am recovering from being hit by a bus, I had the most awful pain in my left shoulder, also had huse stones in my gall bladder (they couldn't pull mine out until they crushed most of them; they were as big as avocado seeds), and if that wasn't enough, I got a visit from Aunt Flo on the day of surgery; haven't seen her in more than 4 months! My experience is almost identical to yours! I was also very weak and light headed; it was hard to get out of bed those first few times on the day of surgery. I have been lucky as far as the bleeding and nausea go. I did feel a little nausea now and then but they kept up on the meds and I never got sick; for that I am very thankful. I'll take AF over getting sick for sure! I have also been lucky when it comes to Water intake. The first 2 days I was only on ice chips and it made it very easy to get that down as it melted. Maybe you could try that if you haven't yet. Today is Post-op day 3 for me and I am feeling tons better compared to day of surgery. In fact, I went to the dentist today and had 3 root canals done. I will return tomorrow to have some caps placed, an extraction of a wisdom tooth, and get a mold done for some implants. Next tuesday I will have some gum surgery done with the implants placed. The fun never ends in Tijuana! Tracy

Well I am sitting here in the Hotel Lucerna in Tijuana! Today was a long and exhausting day but I am finally here! I will be having my surgery with Dr Kelly at 3pm tomorrow, the 1st. SO excited! can't wait to get it over with. I will be here until the 10th of March. I know there are a few coming here during that time; how are you all holding up? How's your pre-op diet going. Man the clear liquid portion of it really was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Well, can't wait to see everyone! Please remind me when you will be in Tijuana, when is your surgery and when you will be at the hotel. Tracy

My coordinator told me to do my best to stay on the diet, but they know many cheat a little. She said the last week is the most important so do not cheat during the last week. You still got a week so don't stress over it. The stress will probably do more harm than your slip up. Just focus on the week to come! Good luck and best wishes! Tracy

Plumptious, you beat me by 2 min! Lol Tracy

March roll call can be found in the Monthly VSG Support Group forum. this should be the direct link: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/13434-march-role-call/ Tracy

I'm so happy you got your date set! Congrats! Tracy

My surgery is scheduled March 1st but I will be there from Feb. 28 - March 10 because I am having some dental work done as well. So I will see you there! Do you know which hotel you are staying at? I will be at the Lucerna. Can't wait to meet you there! Tracy

Unfortunately, I'm going 1 month earlier : ( I have been trying to find someone going when I am going as well because i will be alone. So far I haven't had any luck but I still have 1 week left to find a "buddy". Do you know how long of a flight will you be taking when you go? Luckily I will be flying from Texas so it wont be too long for me. Tracy

Hello everyone! My name is Tracy. I am 39 years old, married, and have 2 stepsons. I am currently living in Texas but have lived in many places, including Ecuador in South America. Like many of you, I have struggled with my weight since childhood. I can't remember any part of my childhood that I enjoyed because I was constantly teased and ridiculed. As an adult I am still stared at and whispered about on a daily basis. I have tried countless weight loss programs, fad diets, etc..., and while I have lost weight, I have never lost all the weight I needed to and I always ended up gaining back everything plus more. I have suffered from anxiety, panic attacks and depression since childhood, and to be honest, I am just sick and tired of living this "fat life". I finally tried another weight loss program last year (MediFast) and I did lose 50 pounds. I am not doing the program anymore, but have managed to keep the weight off so far. My family wants me to continue with the diet but I have decided to get the VSG. From my past experiences, I just don't want to take the chance of not losing enough weight and regaining all the weight back. I am tired of it being such a tremendous struggle. I know it's not always going to be easy with the surgery but I think it will help me more than anything else I have tried and after reading so many of your posts I feel really positive about my decision. So now I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ramos Kelly on March 1, 2011. I am so excited but also scared to death! I just can't wait for it to be over with so I can finally join all of you on the losers bench! So get ready to make some room for me! Tracy

I purchased my plane tickets today and start my 2 week pre-op diet tomorrow. I honestly can't believe I'm doing this. I will actually be in Tijuana for about 10 days because I am going to have some dental work done while I am there. I hope these next 2 weeks fly by! Tracy

Hey everyone! March 1st with Dr Ramos Kelly in Tijuana for me! I start my pre-op diet on Monday. I am so nervous and so excited at the same time. I can hardly sleep! I am going to be so embarrassed when I finally get there because I have a big problem with anxiety and panic attacks. By the time I lay on the bed my face is going to turn bright red and I will be crying like a baby! Actually, my "attacks" will likely start on my drive to the airport. I am terrified of flying as well and I will be going by myself. God I will be so relieved when it is finally over and done with and I am back home. Anyway I can magically make my life fast forward to 3 weeks? Good luck to everyone! I can't wait to see how we all do! Tracy

I have a date of March 1st with Dr Ramos Kelly. So excited! Tracy

I'm a future sleever in Hondo, TX. Tracy