Dixies Mom

I'm post-op day 5 and doing well! Out looking for a new car today. Just took Tylenol for pain this am. Ate some awesome broth from soup at Sweet Tomatoes for lunch. I was actually hungry for something other than flavored water. I tried a protein shake last nite and it didn't agree with my tummy. Looking forward to continuing to heal and see the rewards of this life-changing surgery!

Awesome you loser!!!!

Sleeved this past Monday 4/25 and was fortunate to not have had gas pains as bad as others on here. I'd already had my gallbladder out, tho, so I think that's why i didn't think the gas was that bad. I was extremely excited to pass gas on Wednesday morning as were all the nurses! I was up doing 5-10 laps per walk and everybody kept saying, "you need to go home!". After my phosphorus was replaced via IV, I was sent home. I've been sipping, slurping, gassing, and sassing (LOL!) since I've been home. I've even driven myself around to run some errands.

LissaD--Dr. Todd Wilson did my surgery on Monday. I'll be honest...I'm an FP---and he needs some help with his bedside manner. However, I heard all the nurses there say he is an excellent surgeon! He had fellows and residents rounding with him and one of his fellows assisted in my surgery. I LOVED the nurses on 9 Jones bariatric floor! They were so kind and supportive throughout my entire stay! My husband loved all of the care I received. I would recommend Memorial Hermann to anybody who will listen!

I would recommend speaking to your surgeon's office staff. Even if your insurance doesn't cover the band, your surgeon may likely require you to have a psych evaluation prior to surgery. My surgeon's office gave me a list of psychologists that they recommended and I picked one. I liked her a lot! She's even speaking at the support group meeting I'm planning to attend next week with my DH.

Oh yes! I took my own pillow, too! The staff at the hospital knew I was somehow in the medical field (I'm a family physician) when I showed up with my pillow! There is nothing better than smelling your pillow and home as your're falling asleep to all the bells and whistles of the hopsital.

It is not unexpected to have concentrated urine with ketones when we are rapidly losing weight. As obese people, we are naturally dehydrated. Once we start replenishing our body's Water stores with 48 + ozs of water a day, it will become common to not have to urinate so much. It seems counter-intuitive but it really does happen. I am disappointed in your surgeon's office--they should have somebody call you and discuss what's going on. I hope this helps!

I don't have sleep apnea but I would take your CPAP machine with you. I just got home yesterday and found I only used the following from home: robe, slippers, toiletries, and reading materials. Just wear the hospital gowns they give you. Be prepared to be utterly exhausted. I slept for about a day after my sleeve. Yesterday I felt like a new woman! I was up @ 6 am walking the halls and tolerated liquids very well! Hope this helps you.

I'm only 5'2". Slept better last night at home than at the hospital because I didn't have anybody waking me up to take vital signs, draw blood, walk, or use the bathroom. I'm tolerating liquids well and have been up walking around the neighborhood. Looking forward to sharing my success with this fabulous group of losers!

All, I'm two days post-op now and finally feeling great! I never felt like I need to have a "last supper" because I know I'll be eating again in 6 weeks. I even went to the big Mexican Easter fiesta surrounded by food, food, and more food. I didn't waiver. All I kept thinking was "I can have smaller portions of this next Easter!!".

Day 2 post-op and seem to be doing well. If I can pass gas-- which hasn't happened so far--I may be able to gomhome today.

Lilyv--I'm scheduled for tomorrow, too! Best of luck to you! I look forward to being on the losers' bench with you!!

Congrats!! I'm scheduled for tomorrow and have been on liquids for 5 days. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Looking forward to a new beginning! Good luck to you!

Eating my last broth, SF Popsicles, and water before midnight. Have to be at hospital at 9am. Here's to a new me!!!

Tomorrow is my day, too!!! I'm excited and scared at the same time!!

My surgery is this Monday, too. I haven't had as much time to freak out since I was just approved 10 days ago. My insurance changes on May 1st and won't cover the surgery so it was now or never. I am a physician myself and understand ALL the risks associated with this surgery. However, I feel the benefits FAR outweigh the risks. We are scheduled for an Alaskan cruise at the end of June and I can't wait to see how good I'll feel by then. I look forward to a new beginning on my life's journey and spending a lot more time with my loved ones than many of my family members were able to do. For example, I had a 35 yr old cousin died in Sept 2010 of a massive heart attack. Fear is normal and good, to a point. It keeps us in touch with reality. I am decidedly more excited than scared, though, so I'm looking beyond the actual procedure itself and the healthier lifestyle it will afford me!!

All--I'm in Houston, too!! I'm having my sleeve this Monday at Memorial Hermann in the medical center. My insurance covers it and I only had to pay $840!!! There are VSG support groups available out there--I'll be going to the ones in the med center since I live in Pearland-- and it's my understanding that anybody can attend the support groups! I'd love to meet up with some locals for Texas-sized support!!!

OMG! What an amazing transformation and what an inspiration! I'm scheduled for my sleeve this Monday, April 25th. Can't wait to start being a loser!

Empress and ybnormal--I'm with you both! I'm scared, too, but am also at my wit's end with the weight loss and gain roller coaster. All of my grandparents, both of my parents, all of my aunts and uncles, and several cousins have diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc. My dad has 2 stents in his heart, too. I even had a 35 yr old cousin die in September from a heart attack. At this point, I have none of those health issues. However, if I don't take proactive measures, I will be right there with them. I'm 40 years old and weigh 290 lbs. I have a fantastic husband and a wonderful 2 yr old. I am not making this choice for anybody else but me. The benefits to my life will certainly affect others, though. So yes....it's scary but it's also a gigantic step in the right direction! BTW, I'm scheduled for April 25th so I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Mina--I'm an FP--I understand your concerns. I like the post above as it has some very, very solid and doable solutions. When is your procedure? Mine is this Monday. Would love to keep up with a fellow physician during this process!

I'm with you saucy! I'm just too scared to verbalize all of those things. From reading this website, I feel confident that I'm making the right decision for me! Plus, my faith is keeping me sane when I have doubts. I feel that I'm being given an opportunity to make the changes I need to live a fuller and happier life....and I'm taking full advantage of that opportunity!!

Sophie--where does Dr. Marvin work from? I'm scheduled for my sleeve on Monday at Memorial Hermann in the Medical Center with Dr. Todd Wilson. I'm scared and excited at the same time!!

I'd love to keep up with all of y'all since we'll be the post-Easter bunnies!!!

Thanks for sharing!! I wish my parents and brother were supportive but they're not. I'm so glad my husband is on board! You're lucky to also have a supportive mate and look forward to sharing my successes as I am scheduled for my sleeve this coming Monday--April 25th!

Hi txhouston! I suppose you live in Houston or are from Houston. I live in Pearland and am scheduled for my surgery on Monday. Where did you have your sleeve done and who was your surgeon? Having doubts about my surgeon---not because of his skills but his lack of bedside manner.