Hello all - my name is Michele. I had my sleeve surgery December 19. Ate ( a few bites), stomach/throat making it's usual urgle, burgle, gassy sounds and wanted to make sure it was normal. Googled "gastric sleeve air trapped" and I landed on this website.
Anyway, what a roller coaster this has been. So I knew I needed my gallbladder out and that I needed to take my health more seriously. I decided to research weight loss surgery options in early December after many failed diets. Figured if they had to go in to take out the gallbladder, maybe I'd just have both done at the same time. Attended an informational meeting on December 8. I already knew my insurance would not cover WLS and I would have to pay for it by myself, but on the positive side, I wouldn't have to jump through the 12 million hoops they make you go through. After the informational meeting, I met with the surgeon, told him I wanted to proceed and asked if it could be done around xmas as I planned to be off for two weeks anyway. It was tentatively set for Dec 28.
The following Monday (Dec 10) I get a call and they tell me they can't do the 28th, but they could do the 19th. OMG. That's like next week. OMG. But I said OK. Went in for preop testing the 17th and had the surgery the 19th. Had basically one day to prepare. Mentally, physically, emotionally.
Do I regret it? NO! I am feeling hopeful about my future for the first time in a very very very long time. I am down 24 lbs in 11 days. I'm feeling like crap right now but each day gets better.
But word of caution to smokers.....
I lied to my surgeon and said I was a non-smoker (I know - bad girl). I was pretty sure they would not do the surgery if I told them I was a smoker. Thankfully, my pulmonary functions have not been seriously compromised (yet) so those preop tests did not reveal my smoking. But recovery has been harder because of it. I was in the hospital an extra day because of my breathing. Pulse ox readings were very low. I have to make a conscious effort to breath deeply to raise it. Hurts like hell to cough. Still feeling light headed. So when the doc says quit smoking, don't BS yourself, thinking you'll be fine. This is the time to quit.