TexasRed1978

I was in a lot of pain days 3-5 of my surgery. I called and they increased my loritab dose, and it made all the difference in the world. I wish I had called sooner!

Wow, small world. I'm sorry your post op was bad. That's really frustrating. They don't usually do a 2 week appointment with out of town patients, but since I don't live that far really I requested to be treated like an in town patient. Maybe you're right that they knew I was coming from far away and didn't want to rush it. Could also be a difference in people as well. Also, my appointment was early in the morning, maybe even the first of the day and that sometimes makes a difference.

I'm guessing I had to take it for the same reason. I was already dressed and waiting for discharge when they told me to drink it, so I didn't think to ask. Mine was gritty too, put the nurse poured it directly from the vial into a medicine cup for me to drink. I swear I have never tasted anything so foul.

I was self pay with Dr. Nick. I had surgery on 6/25. I had my pre-op appointment with him in late May and when I asked when they were making surgical appointments she said June. I had a lot going on in June, so I requested that date. Depending on when school starts and how much recovery you need, it may not be too late. Personally, I would say you need at least two full weeks off post op. I am almost 3 weeks out and would not want to have to teach yet. Although, I am a bit of a wimp. Also you will be on liquids only (no jell-o, pudding, yogurt even) for 3 weeks post op, so you may be weak for those 3 weeks. I didn't have to do anything pre-surgery other than the 2 week pre-op diet and pre-op testing. As an out of town patient, I did my pre-op the day before surgery. (Although I am healthy, so my only pre-op was blood work and an EKG, some people have to have more done and I don't know if that can be done the day before). My surgery was on a Tuesday, they put me up in a hotel on Sunday and Monday. I had surgery on Tuesday and stayed two nights (Tues, Wed) They put me up in the hotel Thursday night as well. I decided to stay until Monday for my own peace of mind.

I've had insomnia off and on for years. I've found that a sleep mask does wonders to help me go to sleep and stay asleep. It took me a while to find one that didn't bug me, but my bout of insomnia have decreased in number and severity since I started using a mask 3 years ago.

Count yourself lucky. My surgeon requires 3 weeks of liquids only. And he means liquids, no jell-o, no yogurt, no pudding, no purees, etc. His definition of liquids is anything that can go through a strainer easy; no lumps, no bumps. I have 4 more days to go! Of course he also said that in 6,000 procedures he's only had 2 patients with leaks, so I trust him.

I was also self pay. I had my appointment with him in late May and because of my schedule, I scheduled surgery on 6/25. You do have choices for self pay, but the hospital in Plano charges about $20,000 compared to $8,200 at Forest Park Dallas, so you probably won't be having it in Plano I payed Dr Nick's portion the Friday before surgery and the hospital's portion the day before surgery when I did my pre-op testing (out of town patients do it the day before surgery). I really scraped together everything I had to pay for this, so FYI, both Dr Nick and Forest Park Dallas will let you split the fees among multiple credit cards. The drain coming out was not comfortable, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. The nurse also removed the other tube (I didn't know what it was, but I guess it was the medicine ball) before check out. Did anyone else have to drink liquid potassium before they were discharges. I did not have the best time immediately following surgery, but when I look back on it, drinking that seems like the worst part! I'm pretty sure it's what Satan's urine must taste like!!

I'm in Abilene, which is about a 3 hour drive from the Forest Park Dallas location. Travel home was not the best. I kind of wish I had rented a Cadillac or something that drives smoother than my Mazda5! I am feeling so much better now. I still have a lot of pain at the largest incision site when I move certain ways, but I am off the hydrocodone and am just taking tylenol. I had my 2 week post op on Wednesday with Wendy, the PA, at the Plano office. I was a little worried about it since some people on the thread had a bad experience there, but the appointment went great. She checked my incisions and I didn't feel rushed at all. I've also emailed her a few questions this week and she responded very quickly.

My doctor did not set a goal weight per se, but he did say that I could expect to lose about 80 lbs based on averages. That would put me at 163. I was about that weight in high school, and of course at the time I felt fat. I would prefer to actually be at a healthy BMI after going through all of this, so I picked 135 because 139 puts me at a BMI of 24. I have a large bust and much lower than 135, is just not realistic for me, even though it appears so on the BMI charts. I was 135 for about 2 years or so in college. That put me at a size 6-8, and when I look at pictures of myself from that time I look healthy and my body looks comfortable. I've been uncomfortable with/in my body for a long time, and I would be thrilled to reach 135 or so.

Wow. I was at Forest Park on 6/25 as well!. I'm doing much better now. I had a really rough time the night and day after surgery. I was incredibly nauseous and they could not get it under control. I had zofran, phenegen, reglan, repeat. I couldn't walk because getting out of bed made me vomit (It actually was not as bad/painful as you would think). Finally the got me a stronger anti nausea drug (I think it started with a p and ended with a zole) and that worked starting Wednesday evening. Since I am an out of town patient I was hospitalized two nights. I also stayed in a hotel near the hospital until Monday (first day Dr Nick required, the rest for my peace of mind) I had horrible incision site pain days 3-6 post op, but I called and they upped my hydrocodone which made all the difference in the world. I never had the gas pain people talk about though. Now, I am starting to feel way better.

When I did the breathing exercises in teh hospital, I kept coughing and the respiratory therapist said "good we want you to cough". So, coughing may be a good thing.

I'm 11 days post/op and for the first 3-5 days I had HORRIBLE incision site pain, especially when I would get up or down. (I never had the gas pain). Anyway, I talked to my surgeon and he upped my pain meds. They had initially prescribed a really low dose. I soooooo wish I had called earlier because it made all of the difference in the world.

I was sleeved on 6/25. 1. I had severe nausea. They could not get it under control with zofran. phenegrin, reglan, repeat. I threw up 4 or 5 times. it kept me from walking because I couldn't get up without throwing up. Throwing up didn't hurt as much as you would think, maybe because I still had so many drugs from the surgery in me. Finally they prescribed me something different (started with a p I think and ended with a zole) and that took care of the nausea. Since then I've taken zofran as needed. 2. I have a 14 moth old and there is no way I could take care of him by myself. My surgeon said that by a week out most people are self sufficient, but shouldn't be caring for a small child by themselves. I can't imagine doing it myself for another week or so. You should know I am a wimp when it comes to pain, but still I think it's best to have people lined up to help. 3. I believe I can bathe at 4 weeks out.

I was sleeved on 6/25 and am having a hard time too. I just got my hydrocodone dose upped significantly and that is making all the difference for me. I was having horrible incision site pain. I let my zofran script run out, and discovered that I really do need it. DH is out getting that right now. I am not doing well on protein at all. All of my protein stuff tastes horrible, but I'm trying a little more every day. As far as the sleeve itself goes, I don't have any problems. Everything I've tried has stayed down and I haven't felt uncomfortably full. It's just the stuff that goes with the actual surgical preocedure that is causing me problems.

I had my surgery on 6/25 and I have not had a bowel movement yet. The on call doctor (I called about my severe incision site pain and mentioned the no bowel movement) told me to take colace. I sent DH out to get some and he can't find the liquid version. Does anyone know where I could get it in person?

The things that got me seriously considering surgery: 1. For the first time I felt inhibited in the bedroom. Something about the 20 pounds I gained and didn't lose after my pregnancy really changed how I felt about myself. 2. I absolutely do not want to pass my food issues and/or obesity onto my 14 month old son. The thing that made me 100% sure I wanted to do this: I was talking with my husband about it, and he said that sometimes when he sees a very heavy person on a motorized scooter at the grocery store he thinks that will be me someday (He emphasized that he would still love me if that were me). It broke my heart.

Mine starts tomorrow! It is 5 protein shakes or bars a day plus 5oz of lean meat and 2 cups of non starchy vegetables and a teeny tiny amount of fat (like 6 almonds worth). The day before surgery I must have a liquid diet for dinner and nothing past 10 p.m.

I take 50mg of zoloft day and was just about to post a question about it. My surgery is 6/25. My pills are about the size of an immodium (I've seen other larger forms that were the same dosage). Is that the same size you have? I was hoping cutting them in half would work. There is no way you can just stop an antidepressant/anti anxiety med for a month, so there has got to be a way to make it work.

My 2 week pre-op diet starts on Tuesday. My doctor's office recommends the KetogenX bars, but like a fool I waited to long to purchase them. I am so confused trying to find some myself. I'm overwhelmed by the variety. So, I need other suggestions for high quality and hopefully tasty protein bars. Which bars have you liked? Are there some I should definitely stay away from?

My surgeon requires a 2 week pre-op diet to reduce fat in the liver. The diet involves 5 Protein shakes or bars a day plus 1 small meal of 5 oz protein and 2 vegetables. What is is about this diet that helps the liver? Is it the high protein? Low fat? Low carb? Low calorie? The liquid instead of solid? That it leads to weight loss? I'm curious because I think I will be more likely to follow it the more I understand it.

TMI but to not fear crushing my hubby during 'adult activities' One of the reasons I decided to get this surgery now is because with the last 20-25 pounds I've gained, for the first time, I started to worry about the crushing my husband thing. It's making me self conscious an inhibited during adult activities.

Thanks everyone. So it seems like the liquid portion is not directly related to reducing the fatty liver or weight loss, but it is an easy way to get a LOT of Protein in and also leads to weight loss? I guess it is also practice for post-op. Is that right? To be honest the pre-op diet scares me more than post op since I'll still have my normal hunger and stomach size pre-op. Plus, the one diet I never ever tried was a liquid diet because I knew that I would not be able to do it very long, so I am nervous about that diet. Fortunately, I can do Protein Bars in with the liquid part. The hospital handbook said that even though all of the surgeons have different pre-op diet guidelines that all of their diets allow for unlimited broth, sugar free Jello, etc. I need to check with a NUT at my surgeon's office to make sure that is correct.

I'm looking forward to not huffing a puffing when I walk a short distance Being more active with my baby and husband Wearing normal size clothes Feeling good in my body

Wow! That's where most of my weight is as well. (Although my tummy is B shaped) I would LOVE to have similar results to yours post surgery. (Surgery date is 6/25/13). That is just a huge change, and think how much healthier your organs are too with less fat surrounding them!

Have you talked with your surgeon about your concerns? I am getting sleeved on the 25th of June and I have a 21 pound 13 month old. My surgeon said that for the first week post op I will be pretty self sufficient, but that I shouldn't be the one taking care of my baby. I asked about lifting him after that, and the surgeon said that I should be fine, but to be careful about it and to stop if it hurts.