Laura_W

I didn't take the time to read through all the responses so this might be redundant. But there is a lot of gas pain. They have to inflate your entire abdomen with air in order to perform the surgery. Some air gets trapped in when they close and it will reek havoc on your chest, your stomach and your shoulders and back. The only way to get rid of it will be to walk. You won't feel like doing it but get up and walk every chance you get. It will make a huge difference in your recovery. Once back home get up and walk often. Take a could laps around the house every hour even at night time your first few nights at home.

I've bought syntax nectar unflavored off amazon. Have you tried Jay Robb? It's 25 grams protein, all natural, lactose free and sweetened with stevia. I mix the strawberry flavor with coconut water. I buy Jay Robb off amazon too. They have the best prices.

I was sleeved 3 weeks ago today. That hunger feeling could be acid. Did your dr prescribe an acid blocker? Whenever I get that hungry feeling I usually haven't taken my prevacid that day. Once I take it, that seems to help. I'm on pureed and eating lots of Soups. I've ground up pork and chicken in the food processer and add it to Soup blended with soft cooked veggies. Also eating scrambled eggs, cottage cheese with mashed up peaches, Beans, and hummus with meat added to it for more protien. I am so sick of protien shakes so trying to get as much protien into what little food I do eat. Eating about 1/4 cup at a time right now.

July 17th and down 27 lbs (10 from pre-op diet)

Regarding self pay and pre & post op diets: I was self pay with Dr Kim and had the VSG last week and paid both Forest Park and Dr Kim using Care Credit. The price is $12,300 - here's the break down: $250 - scheduling fee to dr Kim applied to surgery $5,050 - Dr Kim and surgical assistant $6,200 - hospital fee $800 - anesthesiologist these fees include radiologist fee, bariatric university class and material, floow up appoitments for 1 year, pre-op appointment and testing at hospital, support group meetings for life. Forest Park gave me 2 years at no interest and Dr Kim's office gave me 6 months no interest both through Care Credit. I was on a 2 week pre-op liquid diet I bought from them that cost me $180. After surgery you do 1 week Clear liquids, followed by 2 weeks full liquids and then 2 weeks blended/pureed foods. Hope this helps!

I was just there and sleeved by Dr Kim last week. I had to check in for surgery at 4:30 AM - yes, I said AM. I was in surgery by 6 am. My husband had a problem with the receptionists in the waiting area finding out information after the surgery. His pager went off and when he went to the desk he was told to have a seat and wait. He went back up there several times and they told him each time to just sit and wait. He had never met Dr Kim so when he saw him walking around the waiting room he wasn't sure it was him. He went to the desk and asked if Dr Kim was looking for him and was told once again to sit and wait. Then he eventually got a page to go wait in my room. He was very frustrated to say the least. At this time he had no idea what condition I was in or if the surgery had went well. He expressed his problems to the nurses and they sent a patient advocate up to speak to him. Dr Kim made a personal visit to the room later that afternoon to discuss everything. Yesterday I received a certified letter in the mail from Forest Park addressing the issues and what they have done to rectify them. Although we had a problem, it was handled in a professional manner by the facility and Dr Kim. I stayed one night and went home the next afternoon. I overpacked. The only things I used were lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste and hairbrush. I wore my hospital gown and hospital socks the whole time. I wasnt able to change into the PJs I brought because of the IV. Had to have IV demoral till I had a swallow test, then was givin liquid vicodin. My husband stayed with me overnight on a pull out chair. One of the nurses brought all the bedding and made it for him. They offered him sandwhich and chips snack packs they had pre-made. Nurses were great. Very helpful and experienced.

I'm 5'4" weighed 218 before the 2 week pre op diet. Just sleeved 7-17-12 was 207.5 before surgery and this morning I'm at 199 - havent been under 200 in years so I was very excited!

I was sleeved on Tuesday 7-17 and feeling like I was not prepared either. First day in the hospital I was really regretting it. I had alot of pain and vomiting in the hospital that kept me asleep most of the time so I wasn't walking like I should have. Once home I was having horrible gas pains all over my stomach and ribcage most of the time with and without liquids. My stomach noises were scaring the crap out of me. I finally called my drs office Friday and talked to the nurse. She told me to drink a cup of coffee or tea in the morning - that the heat would help, take gas-x around the clock and double my daily dose of Prevacid and to WALK WALK WALK. Also water was killing me so she said to mix my protien with crystal light or Propel. All of that has made a huge difference. I was suprized how much walking helps with the pain (as I expected it to make it worse). I'm already down 18.5 lbs since starting the pre op liquid diet, so I know this will be worth it...and it is getting better each day. Just hang in there.