kaykay

Good advice already given. One other point, if you are someone who needs to take NSAIDS (anti-inflammatories) on a regular basis, the sleeve might be a better option for you. (Some drs don't like their sleeve patients to have NSAIDS ever either, but generally, it is generally considered by most to be ok to take the NSAIDS after you are healed with a sleeve, but NEVER with a RNY) Not sure if that matters to you, but if it does, that's one advantage to a sleeve.

Well, here I am back in the "men's room!":blushing: My husband is down about 23 or so since first seeing his surgeon, but only about 3 since the surgery. We saw his surgeon yesterday. I think this is because after his surgery they took him off these heavy duty diuretics he had to take daily before. So he is retaining some water and they know it. But they still didn't want him back on the diuretics yet because apparently, they are concerned about him getting too dehydrated in this early stage. Congrats on your big loss this week.

Well, let me just say, downinsocal, as my husband's surgery date got closer, I began to also ask him if he was sure he wanted to go through with it etc. Now, understand, his BMI is very high and I am totally supportive of him doing it. I wanted him to do it very badly. But at the same time, I didn't want him to feel like he "had" to do something this life-altering if he really didn't want to. I think sometimes people may question you and emphasize the negative because they do want to make sure that you realize there are risks and that this is not a "walk in the park." I think most people by the time they get down to the weight loss surgery, they are usually pretty informed about what it involves....but others don't always realize that. I know that probably not everyone we know was in agreement with my husband's decision to do this even though his starting BMI was about 59. Even at that, it is controversial to some extent. At the end of the day, you just need to be confident in your own decision about it.

Ok, I confess! I'm a lady here in the "men's room!" :biggrin::blushing: Yes, I think there are probably more ladies overall who have had weight loss surgery than men. My husband had his sleeve done the same day you did, Paul. I'll see if I can get him to come in here and post!

If they can be crushed, you can put them in a small amount of water and down them that way. It's not always real pleasant (taste wise) but it can be done if necessary. You can put them in a medicine type tiny cup. Put the water in first and the med kinda floats on top.

Yes, my husband was sipping a little bit of caffeine too (before he was really supposed to.) He is about 10 days out now and his surgeon's office allows a minumum amount of caffeine at this point. (full liquid stage)

Well, it can be scary when you look at the risks. I think the reputable bariatric surgeons try to make their patients aware of any risks too prior to the surgery. But, on the other hand, there are associated risks with every surgery. If we focused on it, we would probably not have any type of surgery or take any type of medication. The question that usually has to be weighed though is how large are the risks really and how do they compare to the risk of NOT having the surgery/procedure or taking a certain med. Also regarding some possible long-term effect of "death" or paralysis of the stomach, that was mentioned, let me remind you that it is entirely possible to live without a stomach at all. (Unfortunately, a close friend of mine did when she developed stomach cancer. Not desirable to be sure, but she adapted to eating without it just fine.) _________________________________________ My husband had VSG on 7/28/09 Dr. James Davidson Dallas, Texas

Yes, they do. They helped my husband with his severe headaches, but I guess it kinda seems like a waste of good pain med to have to be taking it when you are not hurting from your surgery just cuz your head is hurting so badly. In other words, after he got home, there were some times he would not have needed the pain med except for the headaches. But yes, the pain med helps with that too.

Hope things improve for you. I did read in my husband's manual from the surgeon that many people about a month or so out start having a period of "buyer's remorse" about having the surgery, but that it generally passes as things settle down. Praying for you....

Thanks, Brad. Hope you will keep us updated on your progress.

My husband got one at Target that he likes. I can't remember the brand name.

Welcome aboard! Congrats on getting your surgery approved and done!:001_smile: My husband had the sleeve done on 7/28 here in Dallas. He had originally planned to have the RNY possibly, but he, too, upon learning about the sleeve really wanted to go that route. We were not able to get insurance coverage (or for any weight loss surgery, for that matter because his employer's insurance excluded it) but ended up doing a self-pay which the Lord provided for us when it seemed impossible. Hope things go well for you. I think you will find a lot of good info and support on this site.:lol0:

Hi, Jenn! Looks like you and I live pretty close. (My husband and I live in Plano.) My husband had VSG surgery with Dr. James Davidson on 7/28/09. I can also confirm what Vegas Angel said about living with no stomach at all. My dear friend had to have her entire stomach removed due to cancer some years back. She adapted to it fine. Kind of amazing how God designed the body with such adaptability.

Yeah, my husband had problems with caffeine withdrawal headaches too after his surgery. He wasn't off caffeine before. Kinda surprised us, though, because he doesn't drink coffee. He mostly drinks Water, but I guess his body was getting enough from just a little Diet Coke and iced tea that he consumed some. I, on the other hand, drink quite a bit of coffee and Diet Coke but when I've had to be off of it, doesn't seem to affect me. Guess it just depends on your body. Sounds like you are on the right track...just weaning off slowly.:001_smile:

My husband's information book from his surgeon says that it pushes the food through too fast and that it could possibly stretch the sleeve. So it's probably a combination of all these things.

Woohoo!:001_smile::w00t::lol0::thumbup::thumbup:

Praying that all goes well for you, Linda.

Are you concerned about telling him that you are going to Mexico for it? Or just doing the procedure in general? My husbands internist has been very gung ho for him to do it for quite some time. He changed physicians a couple of years ago and his previous physician was also very much in favor of him doing weight loss surgery. However, his BMI is very high. So that could influence them too.

My husband just began the journey last week. Thanks for sharing your encouraging story and pics!:thumbup:

Well, he spoke to his surgeon's nurse practitioner this morning. She felt that caffeine withdrawal was likely the problem. That had occurred to us as well. Thanks for your responses and hope everyone is doing well.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I've understood about the NSAIDS too. Obviously, NSAIDS are generally hard on the stomach for anyone, not just bariatric surgery patients. But some people feel their situation is such that they must have some. I understand that some people have even chosen the sleeve over the RNY because for bypass patients NSAIDS are totally forbidden.

Not sure either. With my husband, we are about to find out. He is going to call his nurse practitioner (surgeon's nurse practitioner) to find out about his decongestant for sinuses. Obviously, right now it has to be crushable or a capsule that can be opened. The only one I know for sure they have approved is Tylenol. It is my understanding that eventually with the sleeve, you can also take NSAIDS like Advil thought there may be restriction on that till healing has taken place.

I didn't like the idea either, but generally, you will not usually be conscious for it. I had a cold at the time, but even so my throat was not even sore or scratchy. It was nowhere near as bad as I expected. I didn't like having a tube put down my throat.

Well, he had his surgery Tuesday. Had a diseased gallbladder removed at the same time. Everything went well and he is doing fine. He did have quite a bit of pain coming out of recovery. When the floor nurse asked him about his pain level, he described it as being a 7. However, it seems that they controlled it quickly and it has been controlled since. So...anyway, we are at home now and he is on Clear liquids doing well. :001_tongue:

Praying all goes well with the surgeries and the recoveries.