ravenjeh

Just curious if there was anyone else...

My consultation is FINALLY here! Tomorrow my husband and I will be driving the 4.5 hours to see my surgeon and to get a surgery date! Woo hoo!!! For the past month, I have been jotting down questions to ask him. Here they are: -What bougie size, and does he oversew -What is the post-op diet -Does he use a catheter -Does he use a drain -What Vitamins and acid reducers do I need to use post op -How soon can I take my regular medications (anti-depressants) after surgery -Do I need to change my anti-depressant (Effexor XR) because it is extended release -What gallbladder risks are there and do I need to take a gallstone preventive pill (Actigall) -Does he perform a leak test Did I miss any important questions? Any advice would be awesome Thanks, guys!

Has anyone used Dr. Borland in New Iberia, Louisiana? I had been researching going to Mexico for surgery as I am self-pay. But I came across his name on this forum and looked up his website. For only about $1000 more than the surgery I was getting done in Mexico, I can have it done in a neighboring state only 4 hours away rather than 13 hours away. I've only seen one reference about him on this forum, but he is the Chief of Surgery at the hospital he performs the surgery at and has been a bariatric surgeon since 1982. I guess the only thing I find a little odd is that he performs the surgery as an outpatient procedure; a few hours after your surgery they release you from the hospital and have you stay at one of the local hotels for a few days where the doctor makes several "house" call visits to check on you. I'm assuming this is why the procedure is cheaper than most U.S. doctors; no hefty hospital bill from being admitted. I called the office today and the staff was very nice and informative. I asked if doing as outpatient is safe and she said yes, he has done over 200 sleeves. Is that comparable to U.S. doctors? The mexican doctors that I had researched had done closer to 2000 sleeves... She also said that because of it being outpatient, they do not do any high risk patients (very high bmi, heart disease, etc.), I am healthy and only 29, so I am definitely not high risk. Anyway, just wanted to see what you guys think about .

I am under 10 months post op. I've hit my goal and could not be happier with my sleeve. But for the past month, I have had bouts of pain in my back around my ribcage, sometimes going to the front of my abdomen. Very uncomfortable; I can't seem to get in a position for relief. But the pain isn't unbearable. This happened about 3-4 times a week, for a couple of hours each time. I assumed it was just back pain. Last week after supper, I began having this horrid pain that started in my back that expanded around my rib cage to my stomach area. I was crying and couldn't find a position for any relief again. Incredibly painful, but I was afraid to go to the ER for fear of it just being an unimaginable case of gas. So the next day I went to my doctor and he thought it might be kidney stones. I went for a ct scan (no dye) and it came back normal. That very night I had an attack of pain so severe that I couldn't hardly breathe. The pain started just to the right of my stomach and flared all the way to my back. I dropped to the floor screaming and writhing from the worst pain I have ever experienced. My husband came home to take me to the ER and after 20 minutes, the pain immediately stopped. We went to the ER anyway and they did a ct scan with the dye, along with bloodwork and a urinalysis, and I could not believe it when they told me it was all normal too. While it has not happened since, I've been wondering if it could have been a gallstone that passed. I'm not sure if it would show up on a ct scan a few hours after passing. Has anyone else had gallstone pain post op or gallbladder attacks? I truly don't think that pain could possibly been caused by gas. My sister had to have hers out a few years ago.

Today I had my fourth major attack. From everything I've read, it's gotta be gallstones. Two weeks ago, I called every GI doctor in my area and next Wednesday, the 15th, is the earliest anyone can see me. But that seems like an eternity with these attacks. I've vowed to go to the ER, a much bigger/prestigious ER mind you, if it happens again tonight. This is the pits

I can't seem to prevent the nausea, even went I take food with them. I drink my protein shake first. I wait a few minutes and then take my multi-vitamin, calcium, and fiber therapy capsules at the same time. Then I eat a little something just to have real food on my stomach. And I still get a little nausea/sour stomach feeling a few minutes later. It really tempts me to not take my vitamins, but I know I must. Anybody else have this problem?

Ughhhhh, here I am saving up the last bit of money for my VSG next month, and I get a toothache in the back on my mouth. My gums on that side are red and inflammed. So, I touch way back there and it feels like under my gum is a "point". And if it is the point of a wisdom tooth, it is coming in sideways . So I'm popping advil and painting my mouth with orajel in hopes of it not being a wisdom tooth. How much does it cost to get one cut out anyway? I had one cut out a few years ago, but I had dental insurance then and also used general anesthesia. Definitely won't be spending the extra money for that now. I'm 29, I thought I was past the age of wisdom teeth. Grrrrr, this could not be happening at a worse time.

You will be so glad you that you did it! This was hand's down the best decision I have ever made. It can be a little nerve racking in the days pre-op, but it will be so worth it. I haven't had any problems. The only pain I had post-op were stomach spasms the first week or so. But that's what the sleepy pills are for Good luck!

Ok, ever since surgery I've had this problem. Before surgery, I would have it every once and a while. Now, its every time I stand up fast, and a lot of the time when standing slowly. I know it's a blood pressure thing. Does anyone else have this problem? It's getting really annoying

I drink Body Fortress Whey Isolate. Every time I drink it, I get horrible stomach cramping and diarrhea about 30 minutes to 1 hour later. But, I've been living with it just to make sure I get my protein in. I can still eat other dairy product just fine. Anyway, I'm tired of it so I'm thinking about switching to soy protein. Is there a difference taste wise? Or are there different types of protein shakes that are lactose free?

Ok, just tried Lactaid with my whey protein shake... does NOT work, at least for me. I'm off to order soy protein shakes now : /

Still here and loving my sleeve! Good luck on your upcoming surgeries, guys!

So has anyone tried taking Lactaid before drinking your shake? I think I might go buy some today and try it.

I'm 5 months post op by Dr. Borland, and I haven't had the first problem. My experience with him, his staff and the surgery center was awesome. I can't say enough great things about him. Good luck with your surgery!!

Just an update: For the past 5 days, I have been taking my vitamins at night right before bed and it seems to have helped a lot. The first night I did get a little nauseous, but I've noticed that since surgery if I so much as think about the possibility of throwing up, I get a little queasy. No problems since. Now I don't dread taking them

Yep, the anesthesia causes it. Not fun, but normal.

Sounds really crazy, but try putting mayonaise on your hair and letting it sit a few minutes before washing it out.

Ok, so if I take all my vitamins at bedtime, would it mess up the absorption of my other bedtime tablet- antidepressants? Geez, who knew simple vitamins could be so confusing...

Don't worry too much about getting enough protein at first. I was on clears for the first week, then on full liquids, and THEN started protein shakes. It's just part of the process; it will get easier to get your protein in later. As far as the hair loss... I don't think there is too much you can do to prevent it post op. Some people have better luck than others, but mine started at about the 3 1/2 month mark. While I lose a lot of strands in the shower, it isn't really noticeable otherwise.

The "tube" is removed before you wake up. You don't have to worry about that at all. And not everyone vomits after surgery. I never got sick and my surgeon said there is a 50% chance that people will or wont have nausea/vomiting issues immediately post op. The surgery and post op life isn't nearly as bad as you are probably imagining it. It wasn't for me, and I'm a cry baby too