lucygoose

Hi Deb, I speak from experience - it does get better! After my complications and I went back to work I would carry some deli ham slice wrapped around a string cheese for lunch. I had to make myself eat it and could never finish half of it. Then one day I realized that I had eaten the whole thing! From then on each day was an improvement. Last night I ate about 9 shrimp and 2 deviled eggs. Hang in there! Just take one day at a time; at least try to get enough fluids in so that you dont get dehydrated and cause more problems; and let your tummy heal at it's own pace. It will decide to get with the program! Keeping you in my thoughts.

I can only speak from experience. I had my surgery in Mexico and did have complications. Severe ones. No bariatric doctor in all of Atlanta or surronding areas would see me. Period. And that was even with my hospital doctor calling and asking - REPEATEDLY. My care was provided by a doctor who is a Hospitalist who happens to be on call when you are admitted. When I went back for a 2 week checkup, he said that I did not need to come back for anymore followup. He obviously wanted to wash his hands of me too. That was scary and still is. I can certainly have my blood work done by my PCP but that is as far as that goes. I think most of us bank (literally) on the fact that complications are rare and happen to other people. And most of the time that is true. I had a wonderful experience in mexico and would recommend the surgery or doctor that I went to: but I would have a hard time recommending the location. However, I am still so thankful that I had the surgery and I feel GREAT now. But that peace of mind knowing I had the right aftercare would be priceless.

Congratualtions on your surgery date. Feb 18th will be my 48th birthday! I will be sure to send you out well wishes when I blow out the candles!

Deb, I'm so sorry you are feeling poorly. I had surgery on Dec 8 and did great until Christmas Eve. Mine was severe nausea and dry heaves. Hospitalized for 11 days. This is what the Gastroenterologist told me: In our stomaches we have a nerve called the Vegal nerve. It is a central nerve that controls everything from your stomach to your intestinal tract to your bowels. Sometimes during the healing process, this nerve becomes "disturbed". That doesnt mean that the nerve has been damaged during surgery. Mine was not. As your stomach comes together, or the healing begins to subside, etc - this nerve is affected. It can react in different ways from moderate to severe cramping, nausea, diahhrea, or in my case it actually paralyzed my entire GI tract. Yep, nothing in nothing out. Air from the 2nd endoscopy evidently triggered something to move again which landed me in the ICU for 2 days. I think everyone thought I was going to implode or something. Mind you this was from a doctor that was not very familiar with the VSG, but he does have experience with abdominal surgery patients and was highly recommended as a GI doc. Since no other Bariatric doctor would see me because I had surgery in Mexico I pretty much had to trust him. He also said that 99% of the time - even tho they are discomforting - cramps, nausea and other systems are just part of the healing process and are not major worries. This is a MAJOR surgery and healing is not complete in 3 - 5 weeks. Please try to rest and take care of yourself. I hope you feel better soon!

I was on a pretty high dose of Reglan for about 7 days while I was hospitalized with severe nausea. My doctor said that was pushing his time limit to be on it because of the side effects. Luckily, I didnt have any from using it.

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to give a quick update. The first of the month found me in the hospital for about 2 weeks with severe nausea and vomitting (dry heaves really). Well today - I FEEL GREAT! It is almost like that time never even happened. Of course as the hospital bills start rolling in I get a quick reminder. ugh. That's ok though. If that is what it took to start a healthy lifestyle then that is what it took and I'll just do what I have to do. I'm still trying to get use to finding the foods that work best for me but I'm learning. It may have taken me a couple of weeks of being seriously ill and LOTS of money, but I know in my heart that if I had not had the surgery, my life would have continued to be less than what I deserved because of my weight issues. I am already off 2 blood pressure meds and my sugar levels are perfect! the hubby says the snoring is minimal now:blush:. I'm still at a stall as far as weight goes but I'm not stressing about that either. Thanks for all of your support,

I had 2 huge accomplishments this weekend. 1st was that my almost 30 day stall broke! 2nd was that I am in Onderland! Sunday I did a happy dance at 199 and today I did another one at 198! It has been 10 years since I could say that and then only for a couple of months before the weight came back on. I feel fantastic and can only imagine how much better I am going to feel as I continue to get healthy.

Wannalise, I had surgery in MX on Dec. 8th by Dr. Alvarez. I feel like I got excellent care. It would have cost me $25,000 to have it close to home and it cost me around $10,000 to have it in MX. However, about 3 weeks out I had complications that landed me in the hospital for 11 days. (unfortunately - they do happen even when you follow all of the rules). The hospital bills so far have reached around $50,000. I am resigned to deal with those the best I can and not let it affect every aspect of my life. HOWEVER, the one thing that I wish I could change was my aftercare. I have virtually none. Even tho the hospital Dr.s called every bariatric Dr. in Atlanta - no one would see me due to legality reasons. My care is limited to my PCP and Gasterenterolgist who admit they know nothing about the sleeve. So, as far as the surgery and it's experiences in MX I would do it again. To know that I had the aftercare I needed would be priceless.

Yes Mini-Me. We are all FAB-UU-LOUS aren't we? Early this morning when I went into the restroom here at work, I looked in the huge vanity mirror and thought I even looked smaller than yesterday! haha - silly me. haha - I dont care - I am going back in there just to look again in a little bit!! I am sure many of you understand - but I think I am on such a personal high today mainly because I KNOW that I will NEVER see those 200's again and limit my life to what I had let it become. I am not sure where I read it (maybe from one of you inspirational people here) but it stands true for me as well : " The more weight I gained the less of my life I lived". Now it's time to reverse it!!!

STALLS STINK!! I was sleeved on Dec 8th. By January 11, I had lost 40 pounds. (some of that was from being hospitalized for 11 days around week 3). Since January 11, I have only lost one pound! That is all in 23 days! I am getting in good calories now (at least 650 - 700), carbs in the 20's, Fat in the 20's, and Protein in the 75 - 90 range. Drinking lots of Water and doing eliptical or walking everyday. Somebody tell me what gives? For a while I was patient with the stall but everyday it gets more and more frustrating. Have I gone thru all of this ordeal for just 40 lbs? Do our bodies find a comfortable spot and decide to maintain there? I sure wish it would go back to week 2 and 3 when the scale moved even a little bit everyday. Jeez!!! I did have to go buy a few slacks this weekend and was able to go from a very tight 18 to a comfortable 16. So I guess that is an accomplishment in itself for 2 months - but the scale needs to MOVE!

WOOHOO! I broke my 3 week stall! Only by 1 pound but I broke it. Since I had gotten out of the hospital with the complicatons I bounced from 203 to 204. Today I was 202.0! I realized that I was not eating enough calories. My carb intake stays pretty close to 30. My Protein is hitting 50-65. But I'm lucky if I hit 500 calories. It seems the stuff that has the best protein doesnt have many calories. I could add a Protein Bar in there but then my carbs would skyrocket. Does anyone else have this problem ?

Thanks, For some reason my ticker will not update correctly. It should show that since surgery on Dec 8th I have lost 43 pounds.

I had my surgery on Dec 8th by Dr. Alvarez and have posted a few times here. Today is the first time in 2 weeks that I have been able to come back because I have been hospitalized for the majority of this time. On Christmas day (almost 3 weeks after my surgery) I developed symptoms of nausea and vomitting so severe that it required 5 visits to the emergency room, 2 admissions, a couple of days in ICU, 2 cat scans, an endoscopy, 2 weeks away from work, and being sicker than I have ever been in my entire life. I can be thankful that as far as the actual surgery was concerned, all of the test showed no complications. I guess my sleeve is what it is suppose to be. I called Dr. Alvarez several times and he always returned my call promptly each time. But then again, when he is in Mexico there isnt a whole lot he can do. He did request certain meds that I relayed to my doctors. Today, I feel ok. Getting a little energy back. I HAVE to return to work tomorrow whether I feel like it or not. Eating and drinking don't feel good. Does this strange feeling ever change? I have lost about 40 pounds but if I had to tell you today I would say the cost is too high. I had my surgery in mexico because insurance would not cover it. I am sure when the medical bills start piling up it will be in excess of $30,000. As hard as my doctors tried to - not one bariatric doctor in the Atlanta area would see me becasue of liability reasons. I am under the care of an internist / nutritionalist now. I know this forum is a positive place for research and I think that is wonderful. But I do wish that some of the regular posters who have had complications would give more attention to them. Or maybe once the complications are over and we accomplish our goal of loosing weight we forget the trials? I dont know. I only pray one day I will feel "normal" again. Thanks for listening.

I am 23 days post op and wondered if anyone else has experienced what i did over the holidays. Since comng home from surgery I haven't had any complications. I have been able to drink and eat jello and pudding with no problems. In week 2, I did start feeling weak but for the most part I could just rest for awhile and keep on going. That ALL changed Christmas Eve day. I began throwing up continuously - to the point of dry heaves. I was admitted to the hospital on Christmas Day and just released yesterday (Tuesday). I had a scan done and the tummy looked great. Has anyone else been this far out and experienced nausea to this degree?

Today I am 15 days post op and going into my second week of full liquids. I have not had one complication and to date have lost 20 pounds. I do feel hungry ALOT but I read that is pretty normal. However, as of a few days ago I feel like I am running on empty. MY energy level is getting to be a big fat ZERO. By 6pm I feel like I have to either lie down or fall down. I am getting plenty of water and protein, taking multi-vitamins but my body feels like it is screaming for nutrition. Someone please tell me this is temporary and in my soft food stage it will get better!

HI BIGDD i FINALLY GOT MY SLEEVE YESTERDAY. EVERYTHING IS GOING GREAT. READY TO HEAD OUT TOMORROW. STILL PRETTY SORE AND WONDERING HOW TO GET SO MUCH FLUIDS IN BUT I AM GOING TO DO MY BEST. DR ALVAREZ REMEMBERED YOU - HE SAID THA WAS EXCELLENT WORK.

RCARTER I AM JUST 2 DAYS OUT TOO AND THE GAS IS REAKING HAVOC. IT IS MOVING AROUND LIKE A MINI TORNADO. WALKING IS HELPING SOME BUT MOSTLY JUST BEING STILL AND LETTING IT PASS. MY DOC DID SAY IT SHOULE EASE UP BY TOMORROW- I DONT KNOW HOW EITHER - IT ISNT GOING ANYWHERE. i HAVE ONLY HAD ICE CHIPS UP INTIL NOW SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE JELLO AND JUICE IN THE MORNING. iF ALL GOES WELL THEN I WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL FOR ONE MORE NIGHT AT A CLOSE HOTEL AND THEN BACK HOME ON FRIDAY! i AM ALSO FAVORING MY LEFT SIDE. AT LEAST MY DOC WARNED ME ABOUT TODAY BUT HE ALSO SAID THE NEXT ONES WOULD BE EASEIR AND EASIER. gOT MY FINGERS CROSSED.

I HAVE 3 SISTER'S AND UNFORTUNATELY, I TOLD EACH OF THEM SEPARATLY. WITHIN MINUTES I WAS CONRNERED BY NAYSAYERS! DIDNT MATTER THAT I AM THE SMALLEST AND HEALTHIEST OF THE BUNCH, I WAS LOOSING MY MIND. tHEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE COMFORTABLE IN MY FAT AND BEING FAT WAS HEALTHIER THAN SURGERY IN MEXICO. tHEY MAY NOT TALK TO ME FOR AWHILE WHEN I GET BACK BUT WE ARE ALL GROWN HERE AND THATS OK. i HAVE MY HUSBAND AND SON'S SUPPORT SO THAT IS ALL i NEDED. i WISH i HAD NOT SOLICATED THEIR ADVICE IN THE FIRST PLACE. DONT ARGUE WITH SOMEONE WHO WILL NEVER AGREE WITH YOU. YoUR PERSONAL TIME AND ENERGY IS TOO PRECIOUS

I was sleeved yesterday morning by Dr. Alvarez in mexico. Everything is going great. Very minimal pain. Mostly just gas pains that hit but walking some is helping that. At first I really did not think my "tummy" felt any different until I had some ice chips. Then I knew something was definitely different. A little nervous about this process and praying I can get myself healthy and stay healthy with this sleeve!

I am only 24 hours into this journey and was feeling a little bit scared and anxious, but Chancie reading your post gives all of us newbies encouragement. CONGRATS!

When I swallowed it felt like it just stayed right there. I did not hurt but I had to take a deep breath and straighten up if that makes any sense. It is getting a little easier.

Hi twobluecats, I have been on my pre-op for 7 days now - only 3 more to go! I am having surgery on the 8th. Unfortunalety my doctor's pre-op diet only consist of liquids (no meals). Around day 5 I realized that I wasnt getting very hungry anymore. Another girl in the office brought in Chinese for lunch today which has made it kind of hard but with only 3 days to go I CAN DO ANYTHING! I'm getting anxious about my decision too. Because of schedules and family situations I will be traveling to Mexico alone for my surgery. My husband is unable to go with me because we have a special needs son. Because of his medical needs it is impossible to leave him with anyone else. But with honest advice and encouragement from a lot of you on this board I really do feel confident that I can handle the next week. I know my family will struggle next week without me. But I know that I am taking steps to make sure that I am around to look after them a whole lot longer. It took a HUGE step in faith and perserverance for me to make this decision for my life and I have to say I am very proud of myself for doing it! I appreciate having a place I could just voice all of those emotions. It has given me the final confidence in myself that I needed. Please pray for me (and my beautiful family) next week.

I have my surgery next Tuesday and wouldnt you know it - every single person in my office is coughing up lungs and sneezing and probably running fevers. Good grief! I dont feel any symptoms yet but it would only be a miracle if I dont catch this virus. I am literally the only person out of 6 who isn's sick (yet). I anti-septic down about every 30 minutes. Do you think just a common cold would prevent the surgery?

oh you beat me to it slimsleeve! You are sooo close. I wish you all the best. I am looking forward to waking up and having my Carnation Instant Breakfast tomorrow. Now that might be a different story come dinner time tomorrow. ha As I stated before, I am very confident in my choice of surgeons and facilities. My biggest anxieties come from the fact that I will be flying for one thing - and traveling alone for another. My husband will be staying home with our special needs son. God has put on my heart for quiet some time that I needed to have a quiet/ healing spiritual retreat. I really do think he opened up all of the right doors for me to take this step in healing with just him to trust. It's a wonderful feeling to do just that. NOW IF HE CAN JUST MAKE SURE I DONT MISS MY PLANES!!! LOL

well tomorrow I begin my liquid preop diet for my surgery on the 8th. I am both thrilled it is finally here and reserved that it is finally here. My husband took me to IHOP tonight for that "final" meal. I think it was more for him than it was for me -but I did not loose the significance of those being my last pigs in a blanket for a long time to come. As always though, I ate too much and in the end, I missed the enjoyment of the food from being so overstuffed. One of my goals that I hope to get out of this journey is learning to appreciate the quality of my food much more than the quanity. Today I have also had a somewhat heavy heart after reading the thread from daughterinlaw. My surgery is also scheduled with Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. For several hours I reflected on this lady's complications. I wish her only the best in her recovery. I think however, there was an immediate assumption by some that she was failed preop and postop by this physician. Someone commented that not all doctor's are ethical and will just take your money. I believe that may have been a rush to judgement on a doctor's charactor especially when the only clear facts stated in this thread were that this poor lady apparently did not follow any of her doctor's advice. Any person going to Mexico should have a clear understanding that preop and postop services from that doctor or facility are going to be very limited or most likely via phone or e-mail. That does not mean that they are non-existent or not vital to our health care. But this is another country we are embarking to and we MUST realize the consequences that come with that. As for Dr. Alvarez and his staff, I can attest to the fact that his application is very thorough and does cover mental and emotional issues. As with any screening, if the applicant is not forthcoming then the real issues will never be addressed. He does have a very strict preop and postop diet. And once you have scheduled your surgery, his facility is very accommodating to ANY questions or concerns you have. I believe for many of us however, including myself, one of the reasons we choose to go the path of a mexican doctor is to eliminate insurance bureacrats and physcological examiners from making our health care decisions for us. I dont know if we can have our cake and eat it too though so to speak. We want the freedom to make choices for our bodies, but as soon as something goes wrong (whether it is our fault or not) we cant then blame someone for giving us what we wanted in the first place. I think that I am a pretty intelligent woman who has done my homework twice over. And whether or not most of you know it, alot of that included your personal experiences and your references to books and other avenues that I went down. Many thanks for sharing your joys, triumphs, and difficulties. With all of this said, I am going to remain with my choice of Dr. Alvarez. I guess my rambling is a sense of frustration that a doctor, whether he be mine or not, is coming close to being subtely villified for a patients obvious deception in presenting her readiness for this surgery and her inability or unwillingness to follow a predetermined care plan. After I have my surgery I will certainly relay the good the bad and the ugly if there is any. That is what I came to this forum for and for the most part that is exactly what I have gotten from it. Again, please keep me in your prayers as I begin this journey tomorrow. Please keep daughterinlaw and her family in your prayers, and please keep all of the doctor's that we put our faith, our future, and our lives in. Lucygoose