AmMatthew

Thanks. Today was a better day for sure. I went to a coffee shop with my dad, and then to a hardware store since he likes to play fixit man on the house. I was TIRED afterwards, but I think that getting up and about is a good idea. I slept about 4 hours in the afternoon. Sleep is pure bliss for me, but I have an irrational fear that I won't be able to do the stomach crunch to get up. I'm sipping from either a teaspoon or a tablespoon, and I can almost constantly sipp until I've done a cup to a cup and a half over a half hour. But my doctor did the leak test with the florescent stuff and said that I had really quick transit from the stomach to the intestine. It was cool to see the banana stomach in action on the screen. Pain is reduced, but I still walk like an old man, and I am protecting the side with my drip which is my dominant hand. Contemplating going to the movies tonight. The missus wants to go out.

Me too. I was done on the 16th (evening). But i still have discomfort. Cant tell if it's gas or the wounds. Except when i cough which is the worst and knowit's the wounds. But I'm hoping each day gets easier.

Getting my sleeve tomorrow with Dr. Chitrit. Every pre-op test came out fine. A bit nervous. Probably will be more so tomorrow.

Dear all: Thanks for the great wisdom on this board. I've mostly been lurking, until I made my decision to do the surgery. Your comments were critical. Here is my problem: I was planning on getting the sleeve right before Thanksgiving. This works well for me, because as a field scientist, my critical field work time is in January, February and March. I need to be mobile and have long days. My second child is due in April, and knowing my wife, and the fact that we live abroad, I don't want to wait until after the baby for this, because I might never do it. I'd rather be thinner with more energy when number 2 comes along (and for the field work). So, late November sounded good, and I was looking at airfares, etc. Until, yesterday.... So, as a scientist, my goal is a tenure track job. Right now I'm on a yearly contract with no benefits. Tenure track, and then tenure is the holy grail. I just got invited to interview for a tenure track position that I'm really interested in. But the interviews include giving a lecture and a full day (8 am until 8 pm, with social meals....let's say a lunch with students and dinner with faculty). And it is scheduled for the second week of December. I'm not too worried about being tired (but maybe I should be), but instead I'm worried about eating (or should I say not eating, rather drinking). I'd like to think that university types would be all Enlightened about this stuff, but my experience tells me other wise. I could wait until after I return, or I could try to rush the surgery next week (I already started a pre-op diet to give me options.) Thoughts? Advice? All is quite appreciated. Thanks a ton! Matt

Thanks a ton. It sounds like I should consider surgery next week, if possible (shudder).

Thanks guys for all the posts. Agreeing with all that you've said here, it would be likely that I could return to work relatively quickly afterwards, especially, since right now work consists of sitting at a desk in my own office in front of a computer. The interview is different. Not only is there a 6 hour trans-continental flight, but also a very long, full day on my feet, with few breaks, and probably little sympathy for time outs for slow slipping of shakes. I think that the best course is to either try to get it done next week (which would give me a month out) or wait until afterwards. I'm impatient too. But, I've started a strict no-carb diet, which makes me feel like I'm on the path to somewhere. I guess it's time to call my doctor and discuss my options.

I've been contemplating WLS for about a month and a half seriously, and today, after looking at all of my digital fotos over the last 8 years or so, it became clear that I was losing the yo-yo battle. Since childhood, I had weight issues, but sports and vigorous field expeditions as a scientist kept the weight largely in check. For whatever reason, I started gaining tons of weight during my wife's pregnancy and since the birth of my daughter (3 1/4 years ago) I've steadily gained and gained weight. I weigh 290 now and I wrestled in college 15 years ago at 190, so I figure that I have about 90 lbs. to lose. I'm a 36 year old guy. I've decided to get a VSG. I live in Panama, where Dr. Chitrit has done a ton of these procedures, including several prominent Panamanians. I saw him a little over a month ago, and since I'm self pay, I can basically pick my surgery date. I've been lurking on this board ever since. I appreciate all of your posts. So, here's my issue. I am a field biologist here, and our heavy season is mid-December until March. This is summer here, when it rains less, and everyone wants to go to the beach, etc. Is it realistic to try to get surgery in 2 - 3 weeks? And then be out in the field in another 4 weeks? December has trips to family friendly sites, and it will basically be cabin camping with just light walking, but long days. By late January, there will be some fairly strenuous jungle expeditions with considerably hiking. Since I'm the boss, I don't have to go on all the planned trips, but these two in December and late January I have to go on. I shudder at waiting until March to do this, but I'd like to hear the opinions of folks that have been down this road. Since my wife is pregnant, and not doing well, I want to have my folks down here, just to help out with our daughter, etc. Will one week be enough? How soon can I expect to be back on my feet? We don't have any family here in Panama, so I want to make sure that I have enough of a support network. I thank you all in advance for your help.

Cheri: Thanks for the super helpful advice. It made sense.....until yesterday..... I'll post a new post to fish for more advice... But I'll probably write you privately for even more. Matt