SoCalDixieGal

Thank you so much for the detailed information! I did find out that my surgeon is okay with me taking Ambien the night before surgery. I just don't think I'd be able to sleep otherwise!

That's so fabulous! Congratulations.

I'm a band conversion and will have I believe one extra leak test. If there's a leak it's definitely back to surgery for a quick repair. From everything I've read, they are possible several weeks out, but most occur early on. icon23 - so happy it's going well for you! Congrats!!

I actually appreciate the horror stories. It helps identify things to watch out for and additional questions to ask. I do think a lot of folks enter into these types of surgeries very lightly and knowing all the consequences is never a bad thing. It may be rare, but it can be horrible. I feel that knowing and hearing of the negatives will keep me healthier in the long run.

So sorry to hear that. Do you know if your surgeon used any additional technique in addition to the staples? Double buttress, sewing over stable line, clips? The leak stories definitely are scary, and also very informative. I appreciate knowing what to look for and to definitely take immediate action if things are "off" in the recovery period.

This has been a great thread to read and really mirrors how I want to live post VSG. If you've ever read Why French Women Don't Get Fat you might want too . . . has a similar type of feel (the whole "eat real food" movement). Just looking forward to the day when a small amount of very high quality food is satisfying! I've had difficulty picking a goal weight as I just don't know, and I really don't want to pick a goal size as sizes are meaningless. I don't want to be defined by someone else's standard!

If you're looking for tiny silverware - go check out Pier 1. I noticed they carry what's called appetizer forks. They're metal and little tiny things. Might be exactly what you're looking for. I think I remember seeing spoons too.

When I was recovering from the lap-band surgery I discovered the Syntrax Nectar line. They are more fruit flavored base. It was a nice change from the vanilla/choc milky stuff. You might give those a try.

Peel is typically a chemical peel. There's an associated plastics surgery center tied to my Dr's facility (run by same group too). So, I'm scheduled to have that done on one of the days where I'll be returned for the daily check-ups. I've surgery on Monday and the peel on Wednesday. I wanted it on Thursday though. I don't leave until Saturday (band-sleeve conversion so they keep a bit longer).

so glad to be reading these boards so I'll know what to expect!

I did go read through my insurance policy and discovered that emergency complications from non-covered procedures will be covered. Definitely research your policy! And, I have to thank these forums for reminding me to do so!

Definitely round down the height. I was self pay when I did the band and would have made the insurance requirement but I thought I was a bit taller than i was! I still would have needed to gain a couple of pounds, but heck, I'm really really good at gaining weight It is really stupid what they make you do. Especially as while I've been working toward my revision the doctor said that recent weight gain is bad because that fat nearly always goes right to the liver and makes this surgery more dangerous. So if you do gain it, try to lose it again!

That's awesome! Can I ask how long you had your band? I've had mine for five years without a whole lot of complications so I wonder about the scaring situation as well.

I've had the band for five years - revising next month. Very similar experience. I lost about 20 lbs in the first 6 months then another 30 over another 2 - 3 year period. It took quite a bit of fill/unfill to get somewhat decent restriction but I never had great restriction. I found I had to really have more self control than anything else - which annoyed me as I thought that band would help more with that! The biggest things that helped me avoid being stuck were taking TINY bites. Chewing more than you ever think you need to, and taking more time between bites. I also had horrible time with chicken and scrambled eggs were always a no-go. I could eat an omelet though and would make 1 egg omelets. Dark meat chicken would be better, but white meat was just too dry.

I think this emotional side of it is pretty common - you've just broken up from a major relationship with food that you've had for years. And, it wasn't exactly a healthy & sane relationship from a mental standpoint! I haven't been sleeved yet, but went through the similar process with the lap-band I had done five years ago. I missed feeling "normal" for a while. But then I had to remind myself that eating a HUGE bowl of pasta or an entire bag of chips wasn't "normal."

I get the joy of being on a business trip during one of my 2 liquid diet weeks . . . at a conference with cocktail reception, client dinners, etc. Yeah, that's going to be fun. I have to be charming and nice and all that crap while I sneak off to my room to make a shake. Good times!

Not sleeved yet, but all the forums talk about walking and somewhere I read a heating pad may help. Good luck!

If they do daily checks I'd stay the extra day. Mostly for the peace of mind that I'm okay, and the surgery is okay. While you may feel fine to travel, traveling is hard on your body (I fly almost weekly for work). I'd stay just for that one extra day of being close to the surgeon, etc.

Definitely check on what they want you to do hoop wise as others mentioned above. I've read posts by others who had to do 6 months of nutritional visits, etc ahead of time before they could even get a date. But, there are also some pretty big benefits to having your surgery local if there are complications, etc and additional support is needed. Sometimes it's not just about the money. This is a life time decision. Does waiting a few more months make that big of a difference? If my insurance covered it, I'd wait just so I'd have the full local medical support provided by a local surgeon.

I'm scheduled for a peel, but several days after surgery. Agree that the next day is a bit aggressive.

I'll admit, the complications and such I've read about for this surgery make me nervous. Heck, who wouldn't be. And being self pay,we are bombarded by all the messages and fear about complications. So, I just finished pouring through my insurance plan legal disclosure documents. Yeah, fun read. Big relief in that my plan will cover emergency services for complications resulting from non-covered services. Phew. Hopefully I won't need to take advantage of that but glad to know i am covered in the event of an emergency.

Looking forward to the day when a small amount of high quality cheese, a few escargot or a bite of pâté will be enough. Quality and not quantity baby!

Actually with smaller portions you can break out of the typical chain type family restaurants and dine at the more upscale establishments. 2 people (with one sleeve) can dine together on probably one meal and spend the same as you would have done ordering appetizers and two entrees at the other place.

Was thinking about throwing out my scale this morning. I've not had surgery yet, and need to lose a set amount of weight before surgery so can't do it now. But, for my entire life I feel like I've defined myself and success with a certain number on the scale. How I felt about myself was tied to that number. If I was gaining weight, it didn't stop me from gaining but made me beat myself up. When I lose, it's either not enough or again, how I define success. Do I really want my life after the sleeve to be defined by the number? Should I base it more on how I feel and look? It's something I'm thinking about. I've struggled setting a goal weight because I simply don't know. I don't know myself as an adult at a healthy weight. Is it even possible to cut the cord to the scale after being obsessed with it for so long?

I'm on a partial liquid diet before going full liquid for the 2 weeks prior to surgery. It's a huge mental game and challenge. I'm thinking of it in terms of this: if I don't do it, it's possible for my surgery to be postponed. I want the surgery therefore I'm going to do the liquid diet. Part of the reason for the liquid diet for me is that I have a goal amount to lose as prescribed by the surgeon. No diet = no loss = no surgery. As for helping, I find that hot tea really helps curb my appetite. It might just be because it's hot, but so far I'm finding it helps.