skifast1998

Artichokes, Yes. This is still an active group. Not many posts in the last month or so. Congrats on having a surgery date. I'm 6 weeks post surgery. I had my sleeve done on 2/16/12. I'm thrilled with the results. No problems at all after surgery. I do recommend following the Nurse Practioner, Surgeon and Dietician's advice pre-surgery. I followed it to a tee and I think this made a difference on such a successful post surgery experience. The more weight you can lose pre-surgery the better also. They wanted me to lose 30lbs which I did but it was hard til I started on liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. I actually found it easier to be on liquid diet... No more food options just stick to the liquids.. I've lost 25lbs since my surgery date and 30 prior so total of 55 since my first consult on Oct. 26, 2012. I had my surgery at Lahey Clinic. I'm happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. I know I found these forums very helpful easing my fears and concerns pre-surgery. Skifast1998

Hi Ssansoucie, I had my VSG done on 2/16/12 at Lahey Clinic and they just started offering this procedure this year.. Numbers aren't high for them either and I was also nervous about this. BUT my surgery went very well and my recovery has been so fast I'm even surprised!!! It all depends on how good the surgeon is.. If the surgeon has done hundreds of bypasses like mine had the VSG is a simpler surgery to perform. I got over my anxiety by keeping this fact in mind. They don't have a ton of long term data on the sleeve either which they will warn you about. I will tell you the radiologist at Lahey who did my leak test raved about this surgery and thinks it is going to become the 1st choice by most in the very near future. It is scary and stressful making the decision and I was just like you. But as mentioned the procedure was not bad at all for me. I'm not even a week out and up walking around, doing light chores and I feel like I could even go back to work. Might be pushing it but I do computer work which isn't physically taxing. This was the very first surgery I've ever had and I'm 52. Hardest part for me has been trying to get the required fluids down after surgery and learning how to treat my new stomach and understanding new fullness signals. Signals are Very different than pre-surgery... I think coming out of the anesthesia was harder than the actual surgery too... I think we are lucky in MA. to have as many good hospital/doctor options as we do.. I don't have any experience with Newton Wellesley but have heard good things about it.... I was happy with my care and surgeon at Lahey Clinic. Good luck with your journey!!

Hi There, My surgery went very well! I am so glad it is behind me but doctor said I did very well... Guess my liver looked fabulous! I only had two bouts of nausea. One was when I was coming out of the anesthesia and then when they took me off the diauladin intravenous pain meds. But as soon as the gave me the anti-nausea meds I was fine. I stayed two nights in the hospital. I was very happy with my care at Lahey. I took a shower for the first time this morning and that felt wonderful. I get tired easily but each day I feel better. Trying to get down the recommended fluids is tough... If I sip too quickly I burp alot... It is a process getting use to the new you... I'm sore like I did a million situps but pain meds help with this. All in all I'm doing well!! Thanks so much for checking!!! I'll keep you posted as I progress.. Oh one thing that I think others have experienced but bummed me out was that I gained 9lbs while in the hospital. My sister-in-law who is a nurse said it is because of all the IV fluids they pumped into me and this weight will be lost quickly.... Did others experience this weight gain while in hospital??

Hi Dee, Glad all is going well for you. My surgery date is a week from today. As mentioned I'm getting it done at Lahey Clinic in Burlington Ma. I am suppose to be able to start introducing soft foods on Day 8 after surgery. First week is all liquids and 3-20 gram Protein Shakes a day. Then on day 8 for Breakfast I can have one scrambled egg for breakfast and a shake for lunch and dinner, day 9 one egg for breakfast and 1-2 oz. of soft Protein for lunch and 1 shake for dinner. Day 10 egg, and 1-2 oz of soft protein for lunch and dinner. That is how I've been instructed to start introducing food.... Congrats on the weight loss!!

Hi All - I started my liquid diet on Wed. 2/1. I'm already down 11lbs for a total of 23lbs since initial consult for WL Surgery. I feel sooo much better on these shakes and have so much energy!! Anyone else experience this??? Don't get me wrong at times I'm really physically hungry but all in all I feel it has been easier since all my food options are off the table and this is all I can consume. I feel more fit for my surgery. Doctor wanted me to lose 30lbs by surgery date (2/16) which I think I will exceed now. On my way down the scale thank goodness!!! BTW - I'm on HMR 800 shakes...

Congratulations Jessica!! I have the same amount of weight to lose as you... I get my surgery on 2/16/12... Can't wait to have it behind me. Glad it went so well for you. Fingers crossed I have the same experience. I start the liquid diet this Thurs. Hope to lose at least 10lbs with this.

Bedhead - Sorry to hear your struggling. But you make me feel like I'm not alone.. I have put a few good days together w/food and exercise and tonight I went to GNC to get my postop Protein powder and Vitamins. FYI - GNC is having a buy one get one for 50% off sale right now. They will let you return the Protein Powder if you try it and don't like it so you aren't stuck with it so that is good. It isn't cheap...

Are people struggling with losing recommended pre-surgery weight?? Probably a stupid question since all of us wouldn't be here if we were masters at this. I guess I thought once I had the surgery scheduled I'd just automatically fall in line because of it but I'm struggling. I've lost 15 of 20 that Nurse Practitioner recommended. Surgeon recommended 30 lbs. I start the liquid diet next Thurs. I think I'm in a bit of this is the last time I'm going to eat syndrome. Can anyone else relate??

Fcrespo, Thanks for posting this. I am like you and thinking all these scary thoughts! Glad to hear it wasn't bad. I can't wait to have the actual surgery behind me and move on to health!! I so hope I am like everyone else and say it is the best decision I ever made!!!

I am getting my VSG done in Burlington, MA. at the Lahey Clinic. VSG surgery has just started being performed in New England it seems during this past year. Not alot of long term data. My hospital just started offering it this past year. How about in other areas of the US, like Texas and California?? Have they been offering this procedure longer than the past year??

You are the second person that told me that 2/16 is their bday and it is a lucky day!! :-> Fingers crossed!! Curious.. How is everyone handling telling people?? I know it is a personal decision? I've been open about it and told everyone close to me... Some of them are big gossipers so the word is out I'm sure but that is ok with me.

Hi Sandy, Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. I've never had surgery in my life! I guess I've been really lucky so this has added to my anxiety but I have not made this decision lightly. I've also read everything online and watched ALOT of youtube videos. Initially I was going to get LapBand but know a few people in my inner circle that have not had great success with it. I only want to do this once so opted for VSG... From what I see and read the majority of folks are happy with it. Congratulations on your success!! I hope to be in your cirlce soon. I have over 100 lbs to lose... I can't wait til I can fit into chairs and move freely to ride a bike, walk more etc. I love to move and be outdoors but now I'm held back due to my size.

My date February 16, 2012. I'm nervous!!

Hi Sandy, I'm from Massachusetts and I'm scheduled for VSG Surgery on 2/16/12 at Lahey Clinic. Sounds like you've had a positive experience with your VSG Surgery. Any tips pre-op that you can share with me? Are you happy you had the surgery? Thanks in advance.

Hi Boston Sleevers, I just joined verticalsleevetalk.com today. I am scheduled for my VSG on 2/16/2012 at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. with Dr. Brams. I'm a bit nervous because I met with the Dr. on 12/23/2012 and he said they have only performed 12 VSGs at Lahey. He mentioned that VSG Surgery is just ramping up in New England due to Insurance Companies just starting to pay for this etc... Are other folks in the Boston area finding that the number of VSGs at hospitals is in it's infancy and numbers are low?? It is making me concerned... Thanks in advance, Robin