Swiftflow

Awesone both of you guys are doing good. I also want to warn you not to do much bending twisting or lifting. I felt so normal that I stopped thinking about caution yesterday and bent down while I was walking to scratch the back of my calf and then pulled up with some sharp pain to my side. It is definately pressure on the internal incision as my external ones are fine and eating is fine. So as a man its tough not to grab the grocery bag or reach over and do something cause you feel good. I am hoping it is just a strain--nothing has herniated at the site yet...

Seems to be a theme for those of us around 40 and obese. Lots of time spend self -loathing during every diet failure, every fat joke, every mocking look, etc to harm us mentally as much or more than we did physically. We do need to realize our own value apart from others in order to get past these feelings--the funny thing is in doing that we become more attactive to others. This happens to many of us--at 40 married 20 years with 2 kids and I still can feel all alone in this struggle.

yuck, hang in their buddy. How is the Fluid intake coming?

Wohoo! Glad to hear it. You are going to rock the sleeve.

Woot! Post as soon as you are able and let us know how it is going. Best wishes to you!

The anticipation is the tough part :confused: I am sure going to liquids will be a tough change, but use your motivation and excitement for this process to help keep you on track. I did not have a pre-op, but I have done liquid diets in the past. Once you get past day 3 everything is smoother. Also enjoy the rapid weight loss the liquid diet will bring and just remember this time you won't be gaining it back! Stay positive and realize how this will get you to your goal. If you do struggle use your support systems to help get you back on track. Your gonna rock the sleeve.

Adding this to my favorites! Another favorite of mine is this one: Weight Loss Stall or Plateau

mmcclure, This is a very old thread. I think you will find that the posters that are still here on this board are here to help you. In fact go look through the regular posters in the main forums (pre and post op and stories) we have a good mix of people who had VSG's here in the US and in Mexico (a few from other countries) you will find them helpful. This is a side forum and a very old thread--please don't judge the community here by this thread. Whatever you decide, good luck to you in your journey. If you need help please ask!

Immore, No problem, let us know what he says. stcyt: I hope it does. The 3 on 1 off idea is an idea that has been out in the dieting world for a bit, but it is hard to do when normal dieting because of the hunger during the low days and the discipline etc. I thought using these shakes to do this while I have no hunger might be a good method to not fall into a low calorie slump that happens after going so long on 600-800 calories or less. Right now im doing 1800-2000 calories on my 1 off day.

Just wanted to blog my recovery experience for those going into this process new and want to have some details. I went into the hospital as planned at 6:30 am to get ready for my vsg. My only real concern was that something would come up and they would have to postpone my date--I waited and wanted this done so badly that I was relieved to see that everything was on track. They called us to the pre-op area right away and proceeded to take my vital signs and weight me in for the anesthesia (right at 320.8 lbs). I got gowned up and the rest was a blur of everything coming together quickly I.V., heparin shot, blood pressure, etc. Then I talked to the OR nurse and my surgeon about getting a DVD of the laproscopic procedure--they said they could probably do that. Before I knew it, it was time to kiss the wife good by and ship me off to surgery. The anesthesiologist had told me we would go in and they would have me switch beds etc etc.. but I don't remember anything after saying goodbye to the wife. They say the cocktail you get pre anesthesia does make you forget those few minutes... I woke up in recovery and boom I felt some pain. My head was so cloudy I could not shake this cloudy dizzy feeling and the pain what seemed to be all over. They were watching me to see when I woke up so I let them know right away that I needed something for the pain. I remeber checking down my gown to see if I was one of the few who needed a drain--whew no drain--so I was happy. (Dr. Stewart does drains if needed, and they told me about 1 in 10 get them.) They shot something in my IV and I was able to dose off a bit. I woke up in another room after that--I saw the TV so I knew this was the regular hospital room, so I asked about my wife. Some confusion there, but they use a portable pager to notify any family that you are ready--Dr Stewart did see them right after to let them know all was well, but the next notification post recovery was not done yet. It was around 11 am then and they reached my wife who had been joined by my mom. When they came in I was still foggy but ready to get this healing process going. I needed to go to the restroom and they asked if I wanted to use the portable urinal and I said that I wanted to get up and go. I took the trip to the bathroom slowly but then I insisted on making a lap around the hallway as well so I could shake some of the gas I had been belching up. I did OK on the walk but the anesthesia post effect was just plain annoying making me feel like there were cobwebs in my head. The walk did get me nice and tired though so I went down for a nap and sent my wife and mom out to grab there lunch. This nap seemed to do the trick and my head finally started feeling clearer. Although a true nap was somewhat difficult. They had anti-clot things on my legs inflating and deflating non-stop and every 30 mins the blood pressure cuff on my arm would auto check my pressure during the first few hours. That thing just annoyed me :cursing: They had set my first liquid intake at 6 hours post op and that was due at 3pm. My first pain med was wearing off about 2:30 and I could feel it wearing off because each gas bubble or shift would give a slight more pain. I asked for meds and they gave me the option of oral liquid or IV. Since it was still before my 3pm time I was scared to drink so I asked for the morphine via IV--OK the morphine does work, but let me tell you that crap stings like hell going in the IV and through your body for a sec. I wish I had taken the liquid--anyway, that got me feeling better so it was time to pee and lap the nurses station again. I got into a habit of walking every chance I could to help speed recovery. I took about 2 ounces of liquid at a time, but that crystal lite lemonade was too sweet for me so I switched to ice and plain water. Later on through the evening I tried jello, sugar free pops, chicken broth, etc getting up to 4 ounces per hour or more if you included the ice chips I kept chewing because it helped with the cotton mouth. I kept timing my meds at 4 hours and would walk even late at night right after the meds and then nap again after the walk. All through this time I did have to burp with every drink or bite of ice--probably the gas finding a way out as valves opened. Walking also brought on some burps. By Thursday morning I was up and around quite a bit and got free from my IV, so I would surf the web, walk around, and then nap as needed until the doc finally came by to release me that afternoon. I was really feeling great. The wife drove us by the Doc's office, we picked up the DVD from the surgery and said hello to the staff there and headed on home. Anyway, sorry for the long story, but I figured I would detail it here for those who may be going through this process soon. Overall it was a great recovery! Looking forward to the journey ahead.

15 pounds gone forever! congrats!

There is a product called suplimed that is a high calorie shake with good balanced nutrition used to help support or gain weight for those with illness. Ask him if he would consider operating on you if you upped yourself to a maintenance calorie level before, during and just after the proceedure... It may not work, but I thought I would throw the idea out there. The Weight Gain Supplement That's Your Sensible Weight Gain Solution p.s. I use this product for my normal calorie days as I am experimenting with 3 day low cal,1 day normal calories to see if it will prevent stalls. It does taste good.

My mom is an RN and she first freeked out when I talked about WLS. After that initial shock over a couple of weeks we talked about the specifics and medical details of the Sleeve and how it was so much better than lap band or RnY long term. I had good info on my doctor and his reputation and this also helped. Turns out she is the one who agreed to fund my opperation as I was self pay--so I did get from freaking out to funding if that tells you anything. It's really is about the medical details and the personal details of my lifelong struggle to lose weight. She has seen my yo-yo up and down and be successful in many areas of life besides this one. Seeing obesity as a disease is important. Have your medical info ready when you talk to her, and best of luck. Personal Suggestion: Sell her on the sleeve first, then talk about where you might have it. Tiffykins post with medical research links: http://verticalsleevetalk.com/pre-operation-vertical-sleeve-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/4886-best-sources-information-research.html#post42692

I love this aspect of the sleeve! You are still using it as a tool and working it when needed to keep you at your goal!

Tiff listed my main reasons as well. I also want to add that the most common sleeve complication risk is a leak even though many great surgeons cary less than 1% occurance, but the risk of a leak with the RnY is MUCH greater as you are joining two different tissues and using a different type of seam. Overall surgery risk is much lower on the sleeve.

Hmm interesting. I started the PPI on day 3 at advice of the doc--but I never had acid issues the two days prior to starting. Anyone think I should try without them for a bit to see if acid is even an issue before creating a situation in which they will be needed?

After having my surgery with Dr. Stewart and watching the video of my proceedure, I want to add that I highly recommend him as a post-op patient now as much as I did pre-op. There are allot of hoops to jump through for his office--lots of education pre-op and post-op education as well. They don't want to "sleeve ya and leave ya", thier goal is for you to hit goal wieght and not just to cash your check! I like that. I think many of the good DFW doctors have that same philosophy, and thats why they are rated so highly.

Ahhh to run again.. I hear ya on that one. There is nothing better than that feeling when you hit your second wind. We will be there again soon I hope. Granted I may break down and cry when I feel it again the first time!

Best wishes to you--you will do great! I am just a few days out myself, by I am already feeling human again. My suggestion while in the hospital: Expect anesthesia to cloud your brain a bit immediately post-op--It may not for you but just be prepared for it, it does pass after the first good nap or so. Ask for your pain meds when you need them. My pain seemed really bad that first hour but then it all got so much better. Walk every chance you can--for me a few minutes after meds was perfect time to start walking. Follow your Doc's advise on getting started with sipping water or Ice chips to get your liquids in. Don't let them forget about the sugar-free popsicles! they are a nice treat.

That is a positive note! I had no pre-op diet but I choose to do one on my own just because I was NOT doing this thing as a quick fix--I knew any weight that I would lose would be permanent and I used this opportunity to move closer to my ultimate goal. You are 10 pounds closer to your goal now. Don't even weigh yourself post-op for a couple days because you retain Water from the procedure and your swollen and bloated at first. Then poof it just flushes away--literally. All of that to say don't judge any of your goals post-op until you get past the bloated post-op feeling. We are close in our starting numbers so it is good to see your progress!

Just checking back in. How are you doing after a couple of days? Hopefully the swelling has gone down allowing for more liquids! Just trying to keep track of my other 4/28 sleevers! Let us know!

Your last option does sound more resonable, I am sure that a surgeon could take a look at your stomach and see what state it is in and maybe look at a partial gastrectomy to allow it to be "normal" vrs sleeve size wich is meant for those of us needing to lose allot of weight. Best of luck to you in your journey.

Awesome! Great to hear your doing good. Sip, walk, and take good care of yourself. Keep us updated on progress!

Mine has gone down quite a bit today--much less than the days before. I think we are processing the gas from the proceedure still. The long walks with the wife have really helped work it out. I do still take gasx a few times a day too.

Don't worry as much about liquids (I mean if you are able to take in more that is pretty normal from many posters), the stomach's job is to hold contents until they are liquid and then pass them into the small intestine. So Water seems to pass right through for some of us and not "fill" the sleeve as long as you don't guzzle. Even today I am noticing as long as I take a breath between each sip and don't guzzle I can drink quite a bit of clear liquid. I had 16 ounces today during a 45 min walk (yesterday it was 8 ounces on the walk). This is going to differ for everyone based on swelling etc, but be aware that liquid freedom can be a downfall if you use high calorie liquids and not just water or sugar free drink.