Bonnielass

Hello Ms. Lisa, I had an unusually long recovery because I ended up having some internal bleeding. The surgery itself went well. I am a bleeder. So it really is nothing to do with the surgery, I just tend to bleed a lot. They gave me two units of blood while I was in the hospital and it stopped the bleeding. It wasn't a leak per say. I think the bleeding was coming from my surgery sites, you know the six little holes they make, but I'm not sure. Now it's just a matter of building up my red blood cells again so I'm very tired. Although I'm now three weeks out and starting to feel a little more energy, i.e. I can now take a shower, dry myself off and not have to lie down because I have no energy:thumbup:. I've even done a little very light housework. As far as carbonated drinks go, I don't drink them normally so I've never asked. Someone else will have to answer that one. What is plication?

Can you tell me how to put the little bar at the bottom that shows your loss of weight progress?

:blush:Oh, my gosh, I'm so jealous. I'm almost three weeks out and am just starting to get some energy back. I finally get to puree some chicken. I never thought I'd be able to eat it but it tastes pretty good after not having any real food for so long.:thumbup: It's wonderful that you have so much engery.

Hi Shrinkinggrl, Have you tried the ready made Premier Protein? They sell it at costco and Sams Clubs. It works for me. Maybe I was just lucky to find it.

Today is my second week since my sleeve operation. Unlike everyone else I did not recover right away and everything did not go completely smoothly and I am not walking a mile a day! First of all this is only my experience no one should get scared because of it. Doctor said everything was fine and the surgery went off perfectly, but my pain kept getting worse (same night of operation) and I kept feeling weaker. By the next morning, I was feeling really, really weak. By mid morning blood started coming out of the wound next to my belly button. I guess there was no more room inside for the blood so it had to come out somehow. My blood pressure kept dropping and my pulse kept rising. They took a blood count every couple of hours and my red count kept going down. I guess it was pretty obvious I was still bleeding internally. They finally stopped giving me Heparin (blood thinner) to prevent blood clots in my legs and gave me a blood transfusion of two units. I felt better after that and was able to go home within 16 hours of their continuously monitoring my red count. I ended up spending two nights in the hospital instead of just one. I checked in on Wednesday morning and checked out on Friday evening. My recovery has been very, very slow. Before the operation, all the stories I had heard were miraculous; walking a mile within a day or two, back to work within two to three weeks. At first I was really down on myself telling myself to stop being such a whimp. I really started feeling depressed like, ?What the hell?s the matter with me? Why can?t I snap out of it?? I know that I have a very, very high pain tolerance. I assumed that translated into quick recovery. Now I know different. I?m still recovering very, very slowly. If I walk just a short ways, I?m out of breath and tired. I am making progress though. Oh yeah after the first three horrible days of Isopure when you can finally get back on your regular Protein shake mix, I was so elated?until I started having diarrhea. The first day I had diarrhea only after the Protein drinks (EAS). By the second day, I was having diarrhea after anything I put into my mouth including Water. Obviously this was not helping me to feel stronger. Thanks to the prayers of my daughter?s youth group and everyone else who was praying for me, the thought of changing the type of protein popped into my head and I switched to the ready made Premier Protein which is a whey protein as opposed to EAS which is a soy protein. That did the trick. No more diarrhea. Now I was constipated. A little Phillips Milk of Magnesia did the trick. I?m finally normalized now. My first bite of cream of mushroom Soup felt like I died and went to heaven. It took me a day and a half to finish a can. I switched to cream of chicken next and after ? a cup I got such a horrible pain in my left side I actually had to take pain medication. That pain lasted for days. I mean really, really painful. I kept thinking, I had no idea that gas could be this painful. About two days after the pain started I noticed new bruising at the site where the pain is. I?m going to see the doctor tomorrow so I?ll discuss it with him. It seems like maybe I?m bleeding again? Finally after two weeks I?m just starting to get some strength back. I think I?m on the road to recovery now. I?ll know more after seeing my doctor tomorrow. I can?t even imagine going back to work in just 20 days. I just don?t think I can do it. I?ve always prided myself in being a tough you-can-do-anything kind of person. This really has me beat. Maybe God is breaking down that pride a little bit. It?s a very humbling experience to have to admit that I?m not as strong as I thought. My doctor is excellent, my care was pretty good at the hospital. I do not in any way blame them for what has happened. I am a bleeder. When the nurse was prepping me for surgery and told me she was giving me a shot of Heparin for thinning my blood I told her it wasn?t a good idea because I tend to bleed. She brushed my concerns aside. If she had consulted the doctor and taken me more seriously maybe, just maybe, this may not have happened. God took care of me and that?s all that matters. I know I?m a bleeder because of my child births. The first one I lost so much blood that they wanted to give me a blood transfusion, but it was the 80s and I was in the Middle East. No way was I going to take any blood. So they kept me in the hospital for five days. They wanted me to stay longer, but I refused. Same problem with the second. Anyway now that you?ve read my novel. I?ll end this. Sorry to have taken up so much of your time. I just wanted to share with you so that if you?re not one of those miraculous people who rebound immediately, you won?t feel so all alone like I did. 09/04/10 Since I originally wrote this about three days ago, I just went in for my two week check up and my red blood cell count is still not normal yet but getting better. My blood pressure is still very low. In fact when the internist saw me I think he sort of freaked cause he ordered another blood count and an EKG STAT. So we had the results within about 20 minutes. He said not to get up too quickly cause I might get dizzy. If I do get dizzy to call him. To make sure I don't lift anything even slighlty heavy. I guess that's why I'm so very tired. Even just taking a shower, by the time I'm done drying myself off, I need to lie down and rest to catch my breath. I am feeling ever so slighly stronger day by day. If you're the praying type, I guess you could pray that I regain my strength quickly. That my red blood cells would multiply and my blood pressure would increase. Also that as I try to eat food and add a new one every couple of days that my system would be able to handle it with no difficulty. I have to see the internist again in six weeks and the surgeon in 3 months. I'm supposed to go back to work on Sept 20th. Both he and the surgeon said that if I need more time off from work they would approve it for me, but I would have to call them closer to Sept. 20th. Thanks for listening and God bless.

Okay, I'm a little over two weeks out and everytime I eat I burp several times like a beer guzzeling man. It's so embarassing. I hope it goes away or I'll never be able to eat out again! Does anyone know anything about how long it lasts?

Dear NCBLUDVL, My poor darling. Are you at home now? Have they stablized your kidneys yet? I know exactly what you mean about being out of breath. Don't be too hard on yourself you've only had your surgery what one week ago? I'm two weeks out and still have no energy. Together we can get through this and the fact that there's two of us means that we're not alone. There must be others as well.

Dear shrinkingrl, Oh you poor thing. The Isopure was sheer hell. I actually held my nose and swallowed. It's horrible and I did cheat and start protein powder a day early. So you must have just recently been sleeved. I will pray that you get enough protein.

I wonder why they can't remove the gas. Someone who invents a little suction device to remove the gas after surgery will make a fortune.

I just got a letter from my employer telling me that our insurance plan is called a "Cadillac" plan because it provides more than what is deemed necessary. We will now be charged a 40% tax in order to keep the same insurance when the new "better" insurance overhaul takes place. Let me assure you I have very average insurance through Kaiser. If this is better, I've got property in Florida to sell you. Who the heck is the government to deem what is medically necessary for me and my family? They need to butt out.

Hi p77tmey, I'm so sorry that you had to go through so much. It must have been very scary! I'm scheduled for surgery Aug 18th and getting a bit frightened. How were you able to increase your water intake? Are you able to eat at all?

You mean everything you went through was caused by a lack of water?

Were you ever able to determine what was causing the burning and constipation? How long did it last?

Well, Smelly Melly, it looks like you're in really good hands. Tiffikins and all the people here are so very helpful. I know a few people here that have had the sleeve but not after removing the band. They are virgin sleevers. They didn't have any problems. The longest hospital stay was two days. Most were just overnight and most felt like going back to work after two to three weeks. I do know you're not to lift anything heavy for many weeks. Do you have to lift your children?

G'day Smelly Melly, I lived in North Sydney for 2 yrs. LOVED IT!! You Aussies are great:biggrin0:. No I haven't been sleeved yet. I've been through my classes that are mandatory by Kaiser (ins.) and that's taken nearly four months. The waiting list for the actual surgery is approx five to six months from now. Are you considering surgery or have you had it already?

I ditto both CLK and Tiffikins. I think most Americans do. Our so called representatives just don't want to listen to us. This is nothing short of a power grab. Once they control the healthcare system and ALL that money, we're gonners.

Thank you Thinoneday, I always hear about the lack of timely healthcare in Canada etc., but I've never heard about it from someone who actually lived there. I think our healthcare system here in the US needs some adjustment but nothing like what they are proposing right now. For instance I don't think someone should be turned away or charged outrageous prices for healthcare because of a previously existing condition. I don't think there should be caps on the amount your insurance company will pay for you. I also think that medical malpractice suits must reined in and people who are not legally here in the US should have to pay for ALL costs associated with their healthcare. Unless it's a life or death situation the illegal person should be turned away if they can't pay. Hard working US citizens who can't afford health insurance let alone enormous hospital bills can't get the care that illegals are getting for free. Actually the illegals are not getting it for free it's costing you and me and every other tax payer.

Hello, just wondering what sort of questions I should be asking the surgeon when I meet him/her? Thanks

Thanks a million.

Tiffykins, you're the best! Thanks so much for your help.

Dear NJSleever, You are never alone. As long as you hold your little boys and your husband in your heart you are never alone. I'm sure they are thinking of you all the time. Just picture your thoughts and their thoughts creating a bridge that cannot be broken. I don't know if you're a person of faith, but if you are then you know that God is always with you. Even in your darkest hours He is there holding you. I pray that He will give you strength, complete healing, and comfort. May you feel surrounded by his love and care at all times. You can count on us, too! God Bless you.

Wow, thank you all for answering my questions. You are so supportive. I feel so encouraged. I never knew that this kind of discussion over the internet could be so helpful. What is this called what we're doing..."chatting?" Can anyone tell me if "pm" means private message? How do I learn how to use this site? Thank you so much. I'm sorry that some of you have had complications. I'm glad you're recovered Tiffykins. VegasAngel, I read somewhere else on this site that you are still experiencing a lot of difficulty. I am so sorry and will keep you in my prayers. Windyacres_2000, I agree that the comorbidities are here and now. Mine are under control with meds, but my family history has a record of people dying young mostly from heart disease complicated by obesity. I don't want to wait until I'm older and sicker before getting the surgery. I want to do it now while I'm still relatively young, 51 years old. My dad died at 55 and my uncle at 52. It's like gambling and rolling the dice am I safer getting the surgery or trying my luck without it? Scary decision no matter what choice I make. Thank you all very, very much.

It's so wonderful to hear of all the wonderful success stories. I'm considering VSG but have not heard of any complications yet. I know there must be some possible complications. Can anyone fill me in on what they might be or what you have personally experienced?

Thank you so much for answering my question. I'm really worried about it. I read somewhere that the leaks are almost impossible to fix expecially at the esophegeal gastric junction. I'm knew to these kind of sites and don't really know how to use them. I found your blog but only read that you had drains and something TPN (don't know what that stands for). Don't know why you had drains or how long you suffered with your complications. Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

Hello Windyacres_2000, Would you do it again even if you knew you would be going through all those complications? I'm considering having the surgery, but I'm very scared.