Back~To~Amy

Yup. Best site and support ever!

I had a drain and didn't even feel it. Actually, I think I was 2 days postop when I discovered I did. The nurse pulled this little fluid filled bulb out of the pocket of my hospital gown and I asked what it was. And, that is how I found out about it. It didn't hurt while in me. Others said it didn't hurt coming out, but mine hurt big time. I was never do glad to have it out.

Be careful about purchasing too much of those. They only sell them by the case and they rin anout $25.00. My 3 friends I met here who all had surgery on the same day and by the same doctor as me all used the shakes from costco -- Premier Protein during our preop diet. However, postop we all find them quite heavy and none of our sleeves like them. If you are on the Dallas side of the metroplex, I'd be happy to meet you and bring you a few of the chocolate ones that you can try after surgery. Then, if you like them you can have someone get you a case of them.

You said it! The support here is top notch. These people have been so much help to me preop and since my surgery last Tuesday.

You are quite welcome. Oh, and don't freak out if you are pulled and searched. It is a random thing and the few times it's happened to me, it was done very respectfully. If you think of any more questions just ask. I'm sure either me or someone here will have an answer for you.

First of all, gallbladder attacks are more often than not brought on by high fat foods. Please do see a doctor soon. I kept having "the worst attacks ever" like someone above posted. They were usually in the middle of the night (typical, but not always) and they would last about an hour and a half. Then, I had THE attack. That one was 10 times worse than the other ones I thought were the worst attacks ever. I lived alone and after puking more than I ever had and enduring the pain and all the other symptoms for almost an hour, I knew this one wasn't going away so I called my sister and told her I was calling 911 and to meet me at the hospital.prior to this. I kept saying I was gonna see a gastroenterologist but I kept putting it off. BIG mistake. Gallbladder pains can radiate and cause pain in many places. There is usually pain at the location of your gallbladder too.....on the right side pretty much straight down from the breast nipple at the bottom of your rib cage. Please, if you think it may be your gallbladder, don't do what I did. See a doctor soon. It will not get better. It only gets worse and the pain is off the charts and unrelenting without some good narcotics. And, if it ruptures, it can be dangerous. Oh, and for me, recovery after surgery was a breeze. My recovery now from VSG is a lot more painful. I guess after THE gallbladder attack, surgery pain was no where as painful. Take care!

Nerves are completely normal. I think we've all had them. Come here for support as much as you need!

I'm only 4 days postop. Should I feel hungry? I'm having trouble with protein right now. Artificial sweetners are agreeing with my tummy. I've gotten in 30 grams of protein today but cannot go through again what I did earlier to get more in this evening. I'm allowed creamed soups but I keep those to a minimum. My paperwork doesn't say how much soup I'm allowed to eat on a day. Is it okay to increase it to feel full? Also, I'm running a low grade fever (99.2) and am feeling weak. I assume the weakness is lack of nutrition since surgery. Any words of wisdom from you postopers on how to feel full and better is appreciated.

I drank all my protein in one sitting over time. I like the idea of breaking it down to smaller portions that are mixed in each hour with my water and/or other liquid. That way, I'm not just drinking my protein all at once. It was so heavy on my tummy and let's just say, I had no constipation issues today. Thanks for the awesome idea. I think it will definitely be a keeper for me.

I've had and continue to have very little issues with gas after surgery day. However, when I do have an issue, 2 Gas X strips do the trick. Hope you blow your hubby out of the house soon! :-)

The band is only initially lower risk. Once your stomach has healed from the VSG (about 12 weeks), there is virtually no risk. The risks with the band begin and continue while it is in your body. I was initially against VSG because they were cutting and removing the majority of my stomach. During the similar, the doctor said something that struck a chord. He said that VSG is relatively new but they have been cutting and removing portions of stomachs for medical issues such as cancer amd ulcers and other stuff since the early 1900's. That statement was the beginning of my research on the VSG and I never looked back. The band is very high maintenance and seems to have a lot of complications. Why don't you make a post here that you can show your Mom asking people to post about their band experience. There are a bunch here who are revision from band to VSG. Or, better yet, have your Mom come here and ask questions. Good luck to hoh in making your decision and in your journey.

Oh and one more thing. Use this board. The people here are priceless. I've been here with several issues and there are always people here to help. Family and friends are great support, but cannot truly understand what you are going through like the people here can. That is, unless they've been through this too.

Good luck to you all. I'm now 4 days postop and it has been an up and down journey. I've had moments of regret mostly because of unconteolled pain, but as I type this I have adequate pain control and no regret. Keep us posted.

Of course you worry. According to your user name you are a mother and that's what mothers do. Thanks for your support.

Thanks mama. My paperwork actually says I only have to call my doctor if it's over 101 degrees. My nurse told me a low grade fever isn't unusual. I was thinking about my fluid intake and I have been getting most of it by water. I made myself 8 ounces of chicken broth with a buillion cube dissolved in it and drank that. I finally do feel full. I also recently took my pain medicine and it has Tyelnol in it. So I'm hoping soon I will be fever and pain free on addition to my belly being full!

I have been in a huge amount of pain unable to stand up straight since they took me off the morphine at the start of day 2. I figured this wa normal amd it would get better. Then I remembered what my discharge nurse said about calling my doctor if my pain level wasn't under a certain level after 45 minutes of taking my pain meds. Therefore, I called them and they were more than happy to call me in something stronger and man oh mam can I tell a difference. I feel so much better. Yeah, I can still feel the area of my source of pain, but instead of a constant and annoying pain level of around 7, my pain level is around a 2. I'm a much happier girl right now. Finally, some relief! Some may ask the reason I chose to post this. It is so you learn from my lesson and don't suffer in pain when there is something out there stronger and/or better equipped to treat your pain. My outlook on this whole process is so much sunnier now that I'm not suffering so much!

Wow! I am so sorry you had to deal with what you did. That is just awful! The place where I had my surgery was awesome about controlling my pain. The first day I had serious gas pains. Since then, not so much. I can feel it and it feels better after I burp or toot, but it isn't painful. My severe pain was/is centered around that big incision where they pull the majority of your stomach out from. Just getting some relief from the pain has done a total 180 on my mental outlook. It's amazing the difference I feel both physically and mentally.

I just wanted to welcome you to VST and tell you the support around here is awesome! I can't answer your question though since I was sleeved just a day before you. Best of luck to you in your journey!

I'm only 3 days post op. but can already relate. I've had "buyers remorse" for having the surgery. What I discovered was it was all because of the intense pain I was in. I ended up calling my doctor who called in something stronger. Now that my pain is under control my outlook is much, much brighter! Don't let your pain get out of control! Call your doctor!

Tingling can be from many things. I would suggest you call your doctor back and tell him/ her what occurred.

Unfortunately, no one can tell you if you have anything to worry about as a lot of factors play into how your skin shrinks. One of the big ones is your genetics which are different in each person. I too worry about this. What I do know is I've read a ton of people say they'd rather be thinner with loose skin than to weigh what they weighed when they started this journey.

I too had crazy sleeve dreams right before surgery. I haven't had one in the 3 days since and I've slept a lot since then. Maybe the conflict worked itself out or maybe I'm not remembering any dreams due to the pain meds I'm on.