BigManIndia

Surgery on 5-Aug-2011. Lost 33kgs (72lbs) since surgery; 45kgs (99lbs) since pre-op highest. :-)))

Folks, Quick check-in. 52.6 lbs down in a little less than 3 months! Feel like a new person already, and loving it!

Weight loss by Week since VSG (5-Aug-11), for whatever its worth! ------------------kgs----------lbs Week 1---------5.3---------11.7 Week 2---------2.9---------6.4 Week 3---------2.6---------5.7 Week 4---------1.9---------4.2 Week 5---------2.0---------4.4 Week 6---------2.4---------5.3 Week 7---------0.0---------0.0 Week 8---------1.7---------3.7 Week 9---------2.3---------5.1 Week 10--------1.1---------2.4 Week 11--------1.6---------3.5 Week 12--------1.2---------2.6

Correction! 56.2 lbs down in 12.5 weeks! :rockon:

First follow-up earlier today. Doing just fine. Down 7.6 kg (16.72 lb) in 11 days. Practically no nausea. Slight residual discomfort around one incision only. Back to work. No hunger. Switched to semi-solids today Was apprehensive about staple removals - did not even feel 12 of the 14 - just heard the clicks - slight tug (not unpleasant) on two. Quite a relief! Good luck and best wishes to all fellow sleevers.

Folks, my 5-day update, for whatever it's worth... Summary: Feeling GOOD, and getting BETTER each day... Weight Loss: 3.3 kg (7.26 lb) in 5 days! Diabetes: Off my medication since the surgery; blood sugar levels are currently in the normal range. Waiting to see what happens once I move to the pureed, then solids... Energy Level: Great. Am up early, and do not feel the need to nap during the day (1-2 hours daily, earlier!). Some phases of feeling dehydrated and low, but learning to adjust diet accordingly. Am walking 2-3 times a day. Pain / Discomfort: No pain. Just some residual tenderness around 1-2 incisions. Some nausea / gas, but learning to adjust diet accordingly. Diet: Clear liquids - chicken Soup, sugar-free apple juice (a little!), lots of home-made liquid yoghurt (we call it "lassi" in these parts), Protein shakes (of-course!), lentils soup. And Water... Emotions: This is the most difficult part. The surgery is a quick and sharp lesson in understanding the difference between "eye-hunger" and actual physical hunger. The body is no longer hungry, but the mind still is. Has provided an amazing perspective on just how much my life centered around "food" - all my "fun" plans had a strong food element - vacations, social engagements, family outings et al. It was also my anti-boredom go-to solution. Will have to learn how to have fun w/o food now! But that seems such a small price to pay...

Nearly toppled the OT table getting on... The anesthesiologist and his assistant had to hold it steady!

Great going MeMe. Wishing a quick & smooth recovery for u...

Returned home this afternoon. My story, thus far - hoping it helps... Thu-4-Aug: Checked-in to the hospital in the evening. Some bloodwork, to ensure my numbers are in control. Antibiotic allergy test. Anti-coagulant injection. Full meal at 10pm. Fri-5-Aug: Surgery day! Had to wait in pre-op for an hour (this is a HUGE hospital!), nearly toppled the OT table getting on , woke up in post-op, with a bit of gas pain, pushing up into the chest. Doc told me they had to push up my liver to pull out the stomach, so I would have bruised my lungs / diaphragm a bit. The pain medication worked quickly, and I was comfortable within 1-2 hours. Six incisions - guessing two were to "manhandle" my liver - these are the only two that are somewhat painful. Nothing to eat or drink - on IV fluids through the day, and night. Op started 10:30am; done by 1pm; moved into a room by 7pm. Quite comfortable in bed, except for the gas discomfort. Apparently, they pump you full of gas, to help with the surgery... Sat-6-Aug: Slept well through the night - comfortably. Got out of bed at 7am (two incisions are still tender!) and walked around the room. On IV fluids through the day; they did a "leak" test (fluoroscopy), and then allowed me to sip some Water, coconut water, and some sugar-free apple juice. Sun-7-Aug: Again, slept well. Discharged at noon, and back home. Have to consume at least 2 litres of Fluid - seems like a mountain. Frequent walks around the room - the tender incisions are better. All in all, a very "manageable" and not-so-unpleasant experience. So all of you sleevers-to-be - just smile! And good luck with your surgeries! Great hospital - fantastic surgeon - self-pay (no insurance coverage in India yet!) - cost me around $6000 (incl hospital stay). Connect with me, if you need a lead. Last, but not least, appreciation for my wife, who stood with me like a rock through all this, and made it all so much easier. Love you!

Good luck, fellow sleevers. All the very best, and God bless. See you on the other side...

Hey Mama, MeMe, Trizzy, Sara, Your support HAS made a huge difference. Thank you! Mama / Trizzy - hope you are doing good, after. MeMe / Sara - good luck with your surgeries...

Thanks for the encouragement - MeMe & Trizzy - means a lot! Checking into the hospital tonight, so they can keep my numbers in check for the surgery tomorrow morning... This one is for me, and my family. "RECLAIM YOUR LIFE..." - Auto Advert

Surgery on 5-Aug... Why are my feet suddenly so cold? And what are these knots in my stomach? But I AM doing the right thing. Morbid Obesity Hypertension Type 2 Diabetes Dyslipidemia sleep Apnea Knee / Joint / Body Pain

Please add me on the 5th... Thanks!

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