Sleevie WonderLand

*bowing down to SeattleSue* I've become such a SeattleSue groupie (in some states it could be considered stalking) since reading your posts about your VSG experience. I can feel your vibe and spirit through your writing, and I'm totally hyped about you saying that I'm your inspiration for your blog. As for singing...I can carry a tune, but I'm definitely not at the Kirk Franklin level! Just promise me that you'll continue to post/blog...you HAVE to keep sharing your writing gift with us. Your sleeve will stop working if you dont.

The post below is quite amusing, and comes in parts so you'll have to find the post on VST to get the entire story. It's so well written and informative, it'd do you good to read it, especially if you're contemplating surgery in Mexico. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/21117-new-name-sleeved-in-seattle/page__pid__178955#entry178955 I'm home! I'm home! Oh, it's so good.... Well, I promised details and I won't sugar coat it but I want to start by saying: I have no pain (except for the first day...) and was up and walking within hours of surgery, have no nausea or reflux. I'm drinking 40+ oz of water, some broth, and eating jello with no problem. I have NO hunger. I've been walking 1/2 mile or more per day.... If I woke up with amnesia and someone told me I had major surgery on Thursday, I'd say, "Liar." RECAP: I'm a self pay, Mexico patient. My story "sleeve" story started about six weeks ago when I begrudgingly attended a WL Seminar to hear about the 'band'. I went thinking maybe things had improved and maybe, just maybe it was time to reconsider getting the band. Then, the clouds parted and heavenly music played~~Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Wow. Shiny. Must know more... Fast forward to July 6. I fly out, San Diego bound with my dad in tow (resume includes lots of Mexico experience, big guy--big arms, street smart). I'm 43 and 19 years married with teens. So, there is no hang-up about hubby not being with me...he's just not the best choice for me because he cannot stand to not understand what's going on. Mexico is not conducive to making my baby a calm companion. No harm, no foul...he is happy to stay with the kids on this trip! Before we hit the gate, Ricardo (our driver) is on the phone finding out if we are curbside yet. We agree to call as soon as we are...and sure enough, 2 minutes later we are safely ensconced in the silver Honda Civic, weaving our way toward the border. Ricardo speaks EXCELLENT English and is very knowledgable of the whole "sleeved in Mexico" process. He probably picks-up and delivers most of Dr. Kelly's patients...and he also runs for another. Anyway...all that to say that he is an excellent source of info, he's got the Doc's on speed dial, and is professional in that he calls ahead to confirm details with you. Good guy! As a side note, if you mention the theory that chewing gum is NOT allowed because it causes your stomach to make and release stomach juices/acids, he will have to pay me a royalty. So I appreciate your help there. Arrive Florence Clinic and are met by Trish as Ricardo delivers us to the reception area. The bldg. looks just as pictured on the exterior, the garden/courtyard is nice. I would liken the reception area to a 'nice' office or professional bldg. That changes as we are led to our room in the back corridor. The impression is less professional office and more motel. It's clean and you'll have everything you need, but really...it's like a motel room with surplus hospital furnishings. I'm given yet another health history form by the head nurse, Jessica. She speaks very good English also. Trish is a bubbly joy, Dr. Kellly is quiet and trying to greet me and give instruction/answer questions, Jessica the head nurse is speaking rapid spanish to a trio of nurses, and things are frankly, CHAOS. Everything happening at once. I found it amusing that no one respects that the Dr. is speaking and everyone has their own agenda. It feels like I'm standing on some trading floor. Eventually Trish and Dr. Kelly leave...and I'm left filling out the health history form that Jessica was requiring. There is some discussion about whether I will or will not have labs tonight, the people have gone...then they are there...then I am getting my IV so they can kill 2 birds with one stone. Take blood, get I.V. si? hahahha Let's just say that I am one of those that has to hydrate well before having blood drawn. So, as Maria (not so good English...Ok, virtually none) is trying to find a vein in my right hand, I'm suggesting she try my left as I am right handed and will need that hand for things. Important things, like wiping my butt? OK...I know that there is one or more of you out there that are worried about the 'bathroom logistics/gymnastics' of dealing with hygiene will having several incisions in your belly. Am I right? Maria can't locate a vein by touch and understands enough of what I'm saying to move to the left hand. After about 10 minutes, she decides she needs to find someone 'to help' si? Si! In about 2 minutes, Maria returns with 2 other nurses. Oh great, this one is NOT listening to my suggestion of 'left hand please' and Maria cutely tries to convey the same message. NOPE, guess the boss has arrived. She massages my hand for about 10 minutes and is pumping the 'ball' of my thumb. She's in. I have half a roll of tape now on my right hand holding this fragile accomplishment in place. Bathroom issues are now raging in my head as, gulp, I have also started my period that morning. OMG This is NOT going to be OK. Si? NADA! -----I gotta take a break and go to bed. I'm tired after my trip today and need to take a shower! A loooooooooooooong shower followed by a looooooooooooong sleep in my own bed. I'll finish tomorrow. Source: NEW NAME? "Sleeved in Seattle"

Thanks for sharing this info. This definitely solidifies my decision to get the sleeve. It makes the surgery seem even more necessary to me now!

What should I expect when I visit the cardiologist? I'm in the midst of scheduling all these different appointments, and I'm pretty clear on what the Gastroenterologist, Psychiatrist, and Nutritionist visits will entail. When ever I think of a cardiologist I get visions of an episode of The Cosby Show when Cliff had to run on a treadmill. It started off slow and he was showboating, and as the speed increased he lost his composure and could hardly breathe at the end. LOL I hope I dont have to do that.

Thanks Mrs. J! I'm gonna make an appt with Dutta today, guess I gotta gear up for that treadmill...

Thanks all! I'm hoping my clearance is on the simpler side too, the EKG thing sounds like a breeze.

So yeah, I wrote that title just to rope you in. Well it's true, sorta...I've been officially diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Ordinarily I'd be upset and worried about it, but for this situation, I'm happy to have it. You see, this apnea is my saving grace as it helps to qualify me for surgery. I had a 39.5 BMI, no co-morbs, and was worried that things wouldnt work out in my favor. But they did. I'm so glad they did! I met with my NP today and she told me to go full steam ahead with making all the other tests and stuff I need - psych eval, cardiologist, gall bladder sono, upper endoscopy, and chest x-ray. She said the sooner I get those things done the sooner I can schedule my surgery date. I also havent met with the Nut yet, so I made an appt to see her on Thursday. I started looking into WLS toward the latter part of May, so it's only been about two months for me, but I swear it feels like I've been pursuing this forever! I cant think about anything else, my poor hubby has gotten to the point where he just nods and doesnt even try to respond cause I'm like a motor mouth about all the things I'm gonna do when I lose the weight. Back to the sleep study thingy....I didnt think I suffered from it, but now that I think about it, it makes sense. I could sleep 12 hours straight and still wake up tired as ever. Honestly, I thought I was a light sleeper because I havent slept soundly in six years since my first son was born. I'm just accustomed to jumping up in my sleep, but maybe it was/is apnea all along. I'm not looking forward to sleeping with a mask on my face, but I am curious to see how different i will feel after using the CPAP. Oh, I just realized that I didnt mention it, but I have to go back to the sleep study center on Thursday eve so they can check my pressure (that's what the sleep center rep said), and I figured she was talking about the cpap business. So I'm looking forward to another night away from hubby and the kids (stop lookin at me like that, I dont take these little mini vacays for granted) in that cozy little fake hotel room. Today was a good day. Alot of my anxiety was relieved, now I can concentrate on getting these tests outta the way so I can get to my sleeve! Now I gotta figure out how to fix up my signature into a "to do" list so I can be fancy like the rest of you!

I was at a baby shower this weekend and there was an abundant buffet of all my favorite foods. I wasnt hungry, but I couldnt resist heading to the tables to get my grub on. As I made my plate (which could probably feed a small village) I began to talk myself out of pursuing the sleeve. I realized that I would no longer be able to eat to my heart's content (only my stomach's) and would probably have to give up some of the greasier/fried kibbles that were offered, and I was truly sad. I literally stopped in my tracks, looked at my plate and thought "what am I doing?...this is why I'm in this predicament now!"..... I handed the plate off to my hubby, and didnt even bother to eat. I know that I'll still have those greedy/fat brain issues, but if I try to fulfill them when I'm sleeved, my sleeve will definitely remind me that I am no longer capable of living that way. I CANT WAIT to have my surgery....hell, they can take 90% of my stomach if they want! LOL

Oh boy has that word "failure" haunted me for many years. Yo yo dietig is the biggest and fastest emotional roller coaster anyone can ride. I think its terrible that WLS is kept a secret - especially in comparison to all the infomercials and advertisements for weight loss programs that only supply short term weight loss. I'm grateful to have found this tool. I havent been sleeved just yet, but I know this time my weight loss goals are attainable, and I will be able to maintain them because I have no choice but to modify my behavior.

I saw a headline on the Yahoo! opening page about a paegant queen who lost over a hundred pounds before winning her crown recently. Before I even read the story, I already came to the conclusion that she had some sort of WLS. I skimmed through the article, looking for proof of my theory, but only saw something about "changing her diet" and "learning how to cook healthy foods" and "working out 30 - 60 mins a day". I dont believe the hype, but I've noticed now that since I've discovered WLS, I think everyone who's lost lots of weight has had some sort of procedure done. Recent celebs that come to mind are Jennifer Hudson, Raven Symone, and Jordin Sparks. Raven and Jordan didnt lose as much as Jennifer so I can believe that hiring a trainer and/or personal chef could be involved in their case, but I think JHud had a VSG. *dont judge me*

Congrats Bryn! The vets say it gets better with time, so keep on pushing. Excited to see you transform throughout your journey!

to not have to sit in the phlebotomists chair for 10 minutes because they cant find a vein in my fat arm (just had this happen to me the other day) to wear an ankle bracelet without an extender to get into a booth at a restaurant in one fell swoop, rather than having to push my self all the way back so I dont get wedged in between the table and bench to wear a pair of stylish boots that can fit over my calves to wear some little panties that dont disappear into all my folds of flesh (the "g" in g-string stands for "gone") to wear my shirt tucked into my slacks with a belt and not look like the Michelen man Take full body photos, not just headshots To wear some color. The majority of my clothes are black and brown and grey. My favorite - I cant wait to finally play that carnival/amusement park game where the man tries to guess your weight. I used to steer clear of that one!

Hey Red! Once a Noo Yawker ALWAYS a Noo Yawker! I'm excited for you about your upcoming surgery!

Your post just made me want to watch "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Pretty Woman" all over again! Your post gives super romantic pre-ops like me hope! So happy for you and hubby, sounds like he's enjoying the new you as well!

We dont say alcoholics are taking the easy way out when they enter rehab, we commend them for it because quitting anything cold turkey is next to impossible when you are truly addicted. To me, WLS isnt any different. And although I havent been sleeved just yet, from all the posts I've read on VST, it's still a big struggle. You have 80% of your stomach removed, but the sad news is that our "fat brains" dont go out into the medical waste container along with it. We have to retrain and recondition ourselves on how to eat. We cant just pick any old piece of food up and eat it, we have to make conscious decisions which is certainly a battle when you're addicted to food. So although the weight loss stories sound phenomenal and seeing the before and after pics are mind blowing, dont ever think that making this major change to better yourself, your health and your quality of life "the easy way out". I wish you all the best and much success on your journey. I enjoyed this post, hope to read more from you soon!

Some of the posts I've read strongly suggest some sort of lip balm as some people complained that their mouths and lips were very dry after the surgery.

Did you click on the link? She goes into great detail about the entire experience. She's an awesome writer!

I was reading a post in one of the groups and the topic starter mentioned that she was thinking about buying a compression suit after her surgery. Is this something I should be looking into? I always thought they were for plastic surgery/lipo suction patients. And ever since that post, all the ads on the right side of my screen seem to be about after surgery undergarments. smh Anybody out there using compression suits after their VSG?

That's an awesome idea for after surgery, I never thought about it. I guess its the same as wearing a girdle after giving birth, minimizes all the jiggling and pain afterward.

That makes alot more sense.

I cant agree with everyone more. Your writing skills are fantastic. I was able to visualize everything almost like I was right there with you! Thanks for sharing your talent and your experience with us!

It's not lying if she had the surgery before she signed the contract. But I kinda agree with you, you cant really tell who's had WLS and who didnt.