Suko67

Hi there: I am almost 3 weeks post-op and I get the pain in my left, upper chest near my left shoulder. I correlate this pain to when I get "too full." So I've been stopping eating before I get full--then within a few minutes--I do feel "full," but without being over-full and hence no shoulder pain.

Hi Fran25: I had these same feelings for about a 10 days after sleeve surgery (April 16, 2013). As a person who (unfortunately) had many medical surgery (non-weight loss surgery) I can attribute some of my depressive feelings to the normal side-effects from general anesthesia. I cried in the radiation department because they left me alone for 10 minutes to fix the film before my gastric emptying X-Ray--I had unfounded fear that I was abandoned! I am so sorry that you are feeling this way. I truly understand your regret, but I think that (as mine was) it will go away as some things start to become more normalized for you. AND as you see the pounds come off! I can say from very recent experience that the first two weeks are hardest for some of us! We are in mourning. I liken it to a break-up with a boyfriend who's relationship with you is toxic. It still hurts like heck--and we only "remember" the good times--but forget why it was so bad. Until you get through the mourning faze-- the depression and regret will remain. I started to accept these changes--I remembered why I HAD to get this surgery, and then I realize that I got rid of my toxic relationship with food. I agree with the other members that recommend that you seek counseling if you are feeling such depression and regret. I can tell you it does get better.

Hi Matt: A low grade fever is the most common complications after surgery. You should make your surgeon aware if you have a low grade fever, which is a temperature that is one or two degrees above the normal reading of 98.6 degrees. If your low-grade fever persists for several days, notify your surgeon that the fever has not resolved. I found that I continuously had a low-grade fever throughout my hospital stay (6 full days post-surgery) which was one full week d/t uncontrollable vomiting and doc's fear of dehydration. However I found that IF I did have my temp taken as it was abnormal- I would sit up and take some deep breaths (as much as I could then) and then blow a few times using my IS. This helped blow out the trapped C02 in my lungs which in turn lowered my natural internal body temp. As far a weakness 5 days out, you may have to define what you consider weakness bc that is so subjective. I can say I was incredibly weak for first two weeks!! Getting stronger now. If I were you, I would say these signs and symptoms warrant a call to your surgeon. Even as a RN for 20 years, I never discount the speciality information you get from your bariatric surgeon! Don't want things to go from bad to worse!! Best of luck. Let me know how you are feeling!

Sleeved April 16-- I'm an RN... How long till I can really go back to work?I has my VSG on April 16th. I work as a Reg. Nurse and my employer will not let return to work until I can "lift" a minimum of 50 lbs! Everything I have read so far does not address at what point I can lift 50 lbs so I can return to work.

Thank you both for all the information! I didn't know there was a Sleeved Nurse group! Great idea! Most specifically, my employer stated that I must be cleared to do solo CPR and as well as lifting at least 50 lbs! I seriously doubt if I (or many of my overweight fellow nurses I work with) if I could really lift 50 pounds as an obese nurse--out of shape as I was! I wish our hospital had "light duty" work for RNs ????. That is unfortunately not an option.

Thank you! I am feeling better every day!

Hello all You Forty and Fabulous! I just turned 46, and for my birthday present I was sleeved April 16, 2013 ???????????? I have spent the majority of my life as a thin, fit, athletic person but as I crept towards 40 I gained weight--lots if it! I had a BMI of 37 when I got (insurance) approved for the sleeve--because of my BMI at 37 with a couple serious co-morbid conditions! I tried and tried for 7 years to try my old (healthy) habits of eating right and exercise, I would lose 20lbs-then gain 30 back. Then I hit the vicious cycles after hitting surgical menopause (ESP) after I had some pre-cancerous ovaries removed and endometrial ridden uterus! I was doomed to plaster the fat even with a so-called diet--and then I have been too tired to exercise after spending 12 hours on the "floor" as a hospital RN!! So it's been just a little over 2 weeks and I have lost 20lbs!!!????☺???????? 79 lbs to go and I am SERIOUSLY dedicated!! Yay! To those of us in our 40's!!!

Hi there!! So glad to meet a fellow Idahoan "Sleever". My recovery has been a bit tougher than I imagined--I was hoping to go back to work May 3, but my doctor nixed that on the last visit--this past Tuesday. I even wound up spending a full week in the hospital due to uncontrolled vomiting --yucky! I feel a bit discouraged because I haven't rebounded as soon as my friends who got sleeved this year! ????

Hi Pinkeye! Dr Korn is my surgeon too! I was sleeved on April 16, 2013. I started with a BMI of 37, but I have co-morbid conditions--so surgery was a medical necessitity. I had some complications after surgery so I remained in the hospital for a full week. yuck!! But the positive news is that I have lost 19lbs since surgery ( just 15 days!)!! I was so excited to see fellow Idahoans on this site--but I see most have not been active for some time If any locals are still active--please let me know! I am looking for co-encouragement ???????? Thanks!!

Hello All Idahoans!! I live in Boise--and I was sleeved April 16, 2013. It's been just a little over two weeks and at my first weigh-in I've lost 19 lbs!! I am looking for online, and local "Sleevers" for co-support and co-encouragement! I look forward to hearing from you all!!