SKCUNNINGHAM

If you go to www.surgery.com, it will tell you the following (I got this from typing "deaths from sleeve gastrectomy" into my search engine) The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery lists the complication rate in vertical sleeve gastrectomy to be relatively low, even among patients considered to be at high risk. Cumulatively the overall mortality (death) from vertical sleeve gastrectomy is 0.39 percent—lower than with traditional bariatric surgeries. (last updated 11/24/2009) From an article on www.gastricbypassfacts.com, here is a extract from "How Does the Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?" The risks and complications of the sleeve gastrectomy:As with all forms of weight loss surgery, the vertical gastrectomy does carry risk and these will clearly vary from one patient to the next and must be discussed with your physician. Complications might include: Gastric leakage and fistula 1.0% Deep vein thrombosis 0.5% Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5% Post-operative bleeding 0.5% Splenectomy 0.5% Acute respiratory distress 0.25% Pneumonia 0.2% Death 0.25% http://healthengine.com.au/article/sleeve-gastrectomy.html This article quotes " The mortality rate in gastric sleeve is 1:500 and it lies between the gastric band, which is the safest, and the laparoscopic gastric bypass, which carries the highest risk." So the first source says 3.9 patients out of 1000, the second source says 2.5 patients out of 1000 and the third says 2 out of 1000. So I would feel comfortable (based on these 3 sources) saying the death rate is somewhere between 2 and 4 per 1000. To contrast that - imagine 1000 people walking around that are your height and weight - with your exact health problems. How many of them would die in the next year from their health problems? From something I was reading this week on another forum - surgeons who perform 100 or more sleeves per year have lower risk rates. Hospitals that perform over 150 sleeves per year have lower risk rates. If you are considering a surgeon, ask how many procedures he/she has performed in a year, and how many he/she has performed in total. Then ask the same two questions about how many of his patients died. This will give you an idea where your surgeon is versus the norms. Also ask about the hospital you will have the surgery performed in - how many procedures do they do a year? Any surgery is scary and has risks. You can't go through life avoiding all risks. For me - the risk of dying of heart problems from NOT DOING this surgery and staying obese was much higher than the risks from the surgery. This surgery was the right decision for me. I wish you good luck on making your decision.

Everyone's full signal is different. Some people sneeze, their noses run, or they get some signal from their stomach. Maybe you get the bubbles. Sharon

If you think my face looks 21, God Bless You for the compliment. It's been many years since I was 21. Sharon

Hang in there, it does get better. Here's why I was emotional after surgery. My body doesn't like being cut on, that alone takes time to recover from My body doesn't like being put under anesthesia, that takes time to recover from (weeks for me). My comfort foods were taken from me and I was having to face life (and emotional upheaval) without them. I felt like crap and was having trouble swallowing anything. My digestive system was torn up and I was having trouble "going". My stomach muscles rebelled every time I tried to sit up, lay down, or roll over. I didn't feel like having relations with my husband, which really put me in a bad mood. My disappearing fat cells were dumping estrogen into my system like crazy - making me an emotional wreck. So you are probably feeling some or all of the above. Believe me - in a few weeks it will all get better. Sharon

I take a prescription Pepcid morning and evening (still at 2 years and 9 months). What I would do when I got that feeling after eating is to take a GASX dissolving strip or chewable tablet, then drink something warm (cup of broth or tea). Seemed to make it go away. Once I was healed from the surgery, I tried not to eat more frequently than 4 hours. I would drink broth in the interim or other non calorie fluids. If I am really bothered by acid or reflux, I supplement the Pepcid with Prilosec morning, evening or both.

I like my cottage cheese sweet (with unsweetened fruit) I also like mix a few tablespoons of it into yougurt. The craziest way I eat it is to mix about 2-3 Tablespoons of Salsa into about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Looks awful, tastes good.

I would not let them deter your decision, you are an adult and it is up to you. You might also gently remind them that people who love each other stand by and are supportive of each other, even when someone is making a decision the other party doesn't approve of. I'm sure you could pull a few examples of where you stood by them even though you didn't like the choices they were making. Best of luck to you.

I used my weight from the day I had my consultation. It was pretty close (within 5 pounds) of my max weight. Never have been pregnant, so that wasn't a concern for me. Sharon

If you want an easy food plan to go on prior to your TT, follow the pre-surgery diet your doctor gave your prior to your Sleeve. Mine was liquid Protein drink 2X per day and a salad with lean protein on top for dinner. All the broth and no calorie liquid you could drink. Also - write down every morsel you are putting in your mouth and see what your patterns are.

I am a patient of Dr. Nicholson in Dallas. I think he is wonderful, so much that I have my testimonial on his website My process for picking a surgeon was to find out the criteria my insurance used for approving surgeons. I was covered on four different insurance plans while I was qualifying for surgery (long story). All of the policies required a "Center of Excellence" surgeons, so I limited my list to those surgeons in the area. Then I did research on what the risk factors are for the surgery and how to minimize them (I am a statistician, so forgive me for this approach). Two key things that can minimize the risk is 1) pick a surgeon that has done at least 50-100 of your surgery (sleeve) in the last 12 months. 2) pick a hospital that has supported surgeons performing your surgery (sleeve)at least 50-100 times in the last year. So I limited my selection to those doctors and hospitals. I was pushy getting this info - I didn't care how many bands and bypasses they had done - I wanted sleeve data. Then I went an met my surgeon candidatess. Pick the one you have the best raport with that practices at the hospital you want. My selection was Nicholson. Have never regretted that decision one moment.

This is one thing I never stopped doing. I had my hair done colored at between 5 - 8 week intervals from the time I had surgery. I made sure I had it colored right before sugery, so it wouldn't need to be something I had to think about while I was recovering.

My response is only my opinion - I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. I am 2 years and 7 months out from surgery. For the first 2-3 weeks, I primarily drank Protein drinks, then my doctor started moving me into real foods. There is no agreed upon "one best way" for VST post op care - so doctors do what they think is best. I think the doctors who work with dieticians in their practice are probably better informed. But I am the kind of person I did a bunch of reading on my own outside of what my doctor provided. Also a lot of it is personal preference and how much an individual wants to have to think / plan / prepare their food. Protein Bars and drinks can give you a balanced diet (except for fiber) with very little effort and can keep you out of the kitchen. I use to make a Protein shake (with powdered protein, fruit and yogurt) every morning since Breakfast food isn't my favorite. I use protein bars and drinks when it is convenient (flying on a plane, etc). I don't get as much satisfaction from them as I do with "real" food. I think the important things are to make sure you get sufficient protein, liquids, Vitamins and Fiber during the first year after surgery. Making sure you get quality protein in is more important than what the protein is. BEWARE - all Protein shakes / powders are not the same quality of protein. As you move into year two, you will find the things that work for you and it will become more routine. Best of luck to you Sharon

Congratulations! You are doing great. Your post really inspired me. I have been sleeved 2 years and 7 months as of today. I am looking forward to my 3 year anniversary.

I am 2 years and 7 months after surgery. I started taking Biotin as soon as I had surgery and was able to swallow the pills. My hair did thin, but it is now back to pre-surgery levels if not actually thicker than before. I think I eat better now, which is reflected in the health of my hair. It seems to grow more quickly, too. I continue to take Biotin. Hope this helps.

I couldn't handle chili at five weeks out. I would do a shredded chicken in broth, with a little rice, then mostly puree the whole lot. Or maybe a creamy, cheesy soup with some shredded chicken. Don't overdo! Be careful.

Lissa,I am so sorry you had such a scary experience with your attempted surgery and are still in pain with the gallbladder. I waited six weeks from diagnosis to surgery for my gallbladder, and remember how painful it was. I hope your surgeon can get it done soon, and there are no more problems with your heart. My prayers are with you. Sharon

I didn't have a drain,except for the first few hours, so I can't relate to your experience. But even without the drain, I didn't feel good the first few days and found it difficult to move around much. I was in the hospital one night, then went home the next day. I basically moved from the recliner to the bed to the bathroom. Getting up from the bed or recliner was the hardest. Since you feel as bad as you describe, I would be on the phone with my doctor or nurse PRONTO! Do they have you on anything for the pain? When is the drain coming out?

My surgeon has asked me to be in an ad for him! I was surprised and pleased. I have been interviewed by his ad agency, and the "shoot" will be later this month. I think it will be fun. There will be a video testimonial on his web site it may also be used in other ways. It surprised me because I am not some tiny size 4 person like some people get to at goal- I am happy with my size 10's and 12's. I am also not a "spring chicken" - I turned 55 last Christmas. I really would like to get rid of some jiggly saggy skin and would like my waist to be 2-3" smaller - but neither of those are happening before the end of the month! When everything is complete, I will post the link to the finished product. I am absolutely a believer in Dr. Nick (or I wouldn't have picked him). I am NOT becoming a "Paid Spokesperson" for him, or anything like that. I am doing this for him because I am thrilled with the changes I have made in my life since the sleeve. If I can help someone in their desision process to get WLS, that's great. So now the big question - what am I going to wear?

I was in a training class for three days this week. At the first, we had to write some things down about ourselves to use in the "icebreaker" "get to know each other" time of the class. Once of the questions I had to answer was "what is your favorite food"? This stopped me cold. I really had a hard time answering the question. Before surgery, I could have answered this is a nanosecond. Now, I really had to think about it - and the foods I thought about writing down were totally different. Post Surgery A fresh, raw snap pea - nice and cold - and one that is full in its shell. A perfectly grilled scalllop or two Broiled salmon over a green salad Sauteed mushrooms Garden ripe tomatoe Moo Goo Gai Pan Crab Cakes Baked Sweet Potatoe Pre Surgery Brownies Ice Cream Chocolate Cake Lasagne Pasta Primavera Barbequed Ribs Moo Goo Gai Pan Scalloped Potatoes This might be the best NSV ever. My tastes have changed and my portion sizes are radically different. Love my sleeve!

I had two laparoscopies previously for female related issues. Both of those had fewer incisions than the five I had for my VSG. The two previous laparoscopic surgeries I had as day sugeries (on a Friday) and was back at work on Monday. For my VSG, I had it on a Tuesday, and went back to work three weeks later. I had a two hour drive each way to work and my doctor didn't want me to drive more than an hour at a time without geting out and walking around for a few minutes. The first week, I worked half days. My major side effect from all three surgeries was the recovery from the anasthesia. It takes me days to really recover from the anasthesia - I fall asleep at random times - I am really fatigued for a couple of weeks. I remember it happening before, so I wasn't surprised when it happened this time. The other thing people are doing during recovery from the VSG is dealing with the issues related to your stomach. It is going to be swollen and will not appreciate you putting things into it while it is in that state. But you will have to be continually drinking while you are awake to stay hydrated, and you will be learning what Protein drinks your stomach will tolerate. Your lower digestive track (bowels) will also be all out of whack after surgery and it takes people a while to get things back to normal after surgery. I did a full surgical prep before surgery (you know the routine, I'm sure). I think that helped me get back to normal pretty quickly. Good luck with your surgery. I hope it goes well for you. Sharon

As soon as I woke up in the hospital room after surgery, the nurse brought me Water and a clear Protein drink and some of those little cups they usually give you your pills in (smaller than a shot glass). She told me to fill the cup about 2/3 full (so I wouldn't spill it) and start sipping from it. She told me to start with about half of the liquid from the cup in my mouth at once. Sip, swallow - check to see if everything feels right, repeat. So it was maybe a teaspoon or so in my mouth at once. I took some of those little cups with me when I went home the next day and used them to gauge how much to put in my mouth at once. I sipped continuously throughout the day to make sure I was getting in as much Fluid as possible. As your stomach heals, you will be able to take in more at once. But you will need to focus on getting your fluids in, dehydration is something that is a very real issue if you don't get in a sufficient amount, No way I got in 64 ounces a day the first few days. I focused on drinking the clear (not milky) Protein drinks. My favorites were the Isopure PLUS brand (ordered from Amazon) in grape and punch. Each of those bottles is 8 ounces and 15 grams of protein. Good luck with your journey. Sharon

When I used to work out with a trainer, the plank (and all its variations) were his #1 exercise to strengthen the upper and lower abs. Another great one is the reverse crunch someone else listed. The one I could feel it the most in my lower abs was to lay on a work out bench, put an exercise ball between my feet (the large one you could sit on - you are going to have to squeeze it with your feet to hold the ball still). Slowly raise the ball to as high as you can comfortably raise it while doing a slow count to five. Hold it there while slowly counting to ten (five to start). Slowly lower the ball back while counting to five. Repeat. If you don't have a bench - you can do it on the floor, but the bench is more effective (I think).

I believe if you want to keep your surgery to yourself, that is your absolute right. If you plan on doing it that way, you need to develop an easy, believable story that will explain the radically different way you are going to be behaving after surgery towards food, drink, and exercise. Several people I have read about on this forum have done this. Once you have decided on your story you will tell, practice telling it until it sounds like the truth coming out of your mouth. I have started a new job and am not telling people about my weight loss surgery (for the most part). Not that I am ashamed or anything - I'm proud of it - to the point I made an ad for my surgeon. I really don't give a damn what other people think. I just don't want it to be the first thing they find out about me. People I lunch with know I am careful about what I eat, like to exercise, and only drink no cal non-carbonated drinks. It is easier for me now (16 months out) to do this. Good luck with your journey. Sharon

Amy - you are wise to be thinking about this. Counseling would be a great thing to consider - to find out why you have the problem you have. Hypnosis is another option that I firmly believe is a great help. Some people get strength from going to support groups (like alchoholics do wtih AA meetings) Reading books are good, too. I am struggling a bit right now with stress eating / grazing due to the pressures of a new job and traveling. This is a life long pattern I am working to change. That is why I have in my signature "the easy part is over, now the hard part begins" That refers to the mental part of STAYING THIN. The sleeve is a wonderful tool - but it isn't the only thing you need to stay thin. Best of luck to you. Sharon