AmyInOrlando

I never second guessed my decision to have surgery. I'd tried everything else. I'd lost weight and I'd re-gained weight. I needed this new tool in my tool box. If I'd kept doing what I'd always done (bingeing and dieting) I'd always have the same results. This was a last resort for me. I'd fought this battle for 55 years and even though I knew I would still always have to watch what I eat.. for me the choice was like antibuse for an alcoholic. I needed something to STOP the binge / volume eating. The good news is.... I may choose to eat a slice of pizza some time in the future.... but I'll never be able to eat the whole pie, and polish it off with a pint of Ben and Jerry's for dessert.

I think because we have to get in all our liquids with tiny sips we don't have to wait. There seem to be more sips then minutes in the day to get them down. I'm using a sippy cup and can only tolerate tiny sips. My goal is 64 ounces /day.

Dr Alvarez gave us a 10 day supply of some Mexican brand "Zantac" to take every 12 hours. I'm going to check with my PCP about something stronger because I'm afraid I'm going to need it. It sucks, because I didn't need anything like that on a routine basis before surgery. I sure hope I won't need them forever....

Campbell's has many 98% FF Cream Soups. The best one I've found is the Broccoli cheese. My Doc still has me on Clear Liquids till Saturday. I can't wait till I can have full liquids again. I've had a really had a hard time getting down any and all clear Protein mixes and liquids. After the first sip, they make me gag.

I had a fresh mani-pedi before going to Mexico last week. I expected to wake up with my polish removed from at least one finger or toe. Well.... you can run but you can't hide. I made it past the manicure police, but got punished with a hiatal hernia. At least I know now what I can blame my hernia on........ I lost 3/4 of my stomach, but at least my sense of humor is intact.

Hang in there Sweetie... I've had a rough time too. For some of us, it's just harder then others. I feel like all I've been doing is bitching and complaining while everyone around me are just breezing through this recovery period. A friend of mine said she suffered for 3 weeks with buyers remorse, now she wishes she could have done it sooner. She's doing great, and we will too. Bet I can whine louder then you can......

I never had an endoscopy, and didn't know I had a hiatal hernia till my surgery date. Dr. Alvarez repaired the hernia at the same time as my surgery. That procedure has really interfered with my recovery. The chest discomfort and shortness of breath has been terrible. I'm glad he was able to do the repair and proceed with the VSG at the same time, but the other 2 women that had surgery the same day as me are recovering much more quickly and without the chest issues I've been dealing with.

The chat room is pretty cool. I was in there the other night and at that time was only a few days post - op. They were talking about food, and at that point I didn't care if I ever ate another thing again. Talk of oysters and Sushi were making me sick, I had to leave... There seems to be a small crowd of "regulars" and others check in from time to time. It's great for me since I'm home alone recuperating... it's like having company.

You sound awesome. Although we were in the hospital together, My journey hasn't been that smooth. I've hit every pot hole beginning with the unanticipated Hiatal Hernia Repair. Nancy and Linda, my other two sleeve sisters are doing great as well. I can't wait to catch up. I'm still in the "Someone please shoot me stage" Chest tightness, shortness of breath, getting lots of water in but still having problems with getting the Isopuke down. Sometimes the Unjury chicken soup is tolerable, and other times I gag just smelling it. I'll be happy on Saturday when I can resume my EAS Advantedge shakes again. This morning I woke up with severe jaw tightness and pain. It hurt to open my mouth. Dr. Alvarez said it wasn't surgery related, but nothing like that's ever happened before. I restarted my Cymbalta today and just realized I'm able to take bigger sips of water today without feeling like there is a boulder in the center of my chest. I've got no Cardiac history at all, but then again no one knew I had a hiatal hernia either. Two nights ago Ed was sure I was having a heart attack and wanted me to go to the ER. I've read over and over that others have had similar experiences. Dr. Alvarez called me last night and assured me it's all because of that damn hiatal hernia. Today is one week since surgery. I sure expected to feel better then I do, but I'm so glad I had you and your Husband, Linda and Nancy with me through all this. Let's stay in touch.

First let me say.... Dr. Alvarez Rocks !!!! He and his staff were supportive, knowledgeable, and charming. The Nurses were gentle and kind. OK, with all the niceties behind me.... I am miserable. Turned out I had a very large hiatal hernia. I had no clue, had never been diagnosed, and was asymptomatic. It made my surgery longer and more intensive. My sleeve sisters were burping and farting (TMI), but not me... I was itching like crazy. No rash, just itching. They gave me a Benadryl with only dehydrated me more and made me more uncomfortable, and I was and still am itching. I was also coughing up white foam. Last night once I got home I fell asleep in my recliner. I woke up soaked in sweat. I peeled my clothes off and got in bed and began coughing up the taste of the vile liquid antibiotic. I'm doing my best to sip, sip, sip, but I'm so weak. Just walking across the room and I'm short of breath. Sorry for the whining, but this procedure was no "piece of cake". The gas has settled behind my left shoulder and I'm just miserable. I didn't have gastric reflux pre-op, but I guess I'm one of the "lucky ones" that has it now. Please.... somebody shoot me.

Choosing Insurance plans is like choosing between syphilis and gonorrhea. They all stink !! With my insurance I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I didn't have enough co-morbidities, they require documentation of a 6 month diet, and I wasn't employed by the hospital for 24 consecutive months (another ridiculous requirement). Had I lost 20 pounds, my BMI would have been too low..... so I'm off to Mexico and paying cash.. HealthChoice and Orlando Health can just kiss my big fat healthy Butt. Having to wait another year and gain more weight would have made me a higher surgical risk. I guess they would have preferred I'd have had high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Makes no sense.... maybe they hope you'll die before they have to approve a triple cardiac bypass. I'm a Nurse... they employ me to take care of their Patients. Their slogan is "Patient's First". You'd think they'd want their Nurses healthy and fit.... after all, we're supposed to be caregivers, teachers and role models. Health Insurance sucks.... and to think I have to prolong my retirement till I'm 65 to qualify for medicare. I wanted to retire at 62, but insurance and health care costs make that impossible. I feel like a hostage. Oh well..... thank God I've got the money to pay for my surgery, at least Orlando Health pays me well. Just one more rant, I promise... they also won't pay for cataract surgery till I'm too blind to read this post.

I'm 6 days out and my road to recovery has been anything but smooth. I'm hitting every bump or should I say pot hole.... Unfortunately, I was one of those that had to have a hiatal hernia repair before my gastrectomy could be completed. I'm miserable. The chest discomfort and shortness of breath are really wearing me out. I don't feel worse since returning home, but I don't feel any better either. I would have thought that at day 6 I'd be gaining some strength and endurance, but I still feel weak and miserable.

I chose Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras, MX. He was on the "higher end", and I paid $8700. I chose him because I was unable to find anything negative about him in everything I read. I watched very many of his YouTube videos and I wanted to be in a hospital rather then a recovery house. I was not disappointed. He and his staff were extremely attentive and all my needs were attended to. I'm a Nurse, so I tend to be hypercritical. I would definitely refer him to any friends or family that were considering this procedure.

You can't see what's going on inside your tummy. Don't just go by what you're feeling. You don't want to risk jeopardizing the integrity of your sleeve. It's still healing. Don't test it. This is no minor surgery. Follow your Dr's instructions to the letter. Frankly, Dr. Alvarez has his patient's on clear liquids for a week, then full liquids for 2 weeks before advancing to soft foods such as yogurt or pudding. I'm treating my little sleeve like a precious gift from Dr. Alvarez, with care and respect.

Post op instructions were to walk and sip. I took my Dog for a walk around the block this afternoon and felt like I'd ran a marathon. I'm doing pretty well on fluids and protein today, and I was feeling like I was ready to go for a walk, but it really kicked my butt. The shortness of breath is scaring me. I'm 5 days out, I thought I'd be feeling stronger by now. I think the hiatal hernia was more of a big deal then the gastrectomy.

Hi Urvashi, It was great meeting you and your Husband. Thanks so much for this post. You saved me a lot of typing. All I have to say is "DITTO". Unfortunately, I had to be one of "those people" with complications. I was surprised to wake up to find Dr. Alvarez found a large hiatal hernia he had to repair before he could do the gastrectomy. I would definitely recommend Dr. Alvarez to anyone considering this procedure. I was impressed with the attentiveness and professionalism of everyone. I'm sure I'll be jumping up and down in a few weeks, but right now I'm still pretty weak, the gastric reflux is very uncomfortable and the shortness of breath is a concern. I know it's all part of the healing process. My sleeve sisters are doing better with recovery then I am, but they are 10 years younger and didn't have the hernia repair. The worst part is getting down that liquid antibiotic, but tonight's your last dose. You will survive. Take care and stay in touch. Amy

Uncooked ??? Are you kidding me? Is it the crunchiness you're craving? I just can't even imagine. I'm only 5 days out, but I don't care if I ever eat anything again... I know, that's going to pass, but my instructions are clear. Protein and Produce.

Thanks... I didn't want to unpack my backpack, so I just put it in my rolling weekender. I'm so OCD... everything is neat in it's own little compartment.

I'm packed and ready for my trip. My backpack weighs about 10 pounds. Will that be too heavy? I have a weekender, it's heavier but it's on wheels. I'd rather just use my backpack. Will 10 pounds be too heavy?

I'm 4'12"

Gamergirl.... I sent you a PM with my phone number, call me

I found a way to make it tolerable. Mix it half and half with water. Then it's not half bad (or only half good)

I'm on day 13. I started at 204.8, and this morning I was 193.2, so I've lost a little over 11 pounds. My lowest calorie day was yesterday because I went from full liquids to clear. I drank 320 calories / 70 Gm, protein. When I was on full liquids my highest day was 755 calories / 70 Gm. protein. We're still pretty much neck to neck with the amount of weight we want to lose and we're only 1 day apart. Looking forward to seeing you in Mexico.

That's a great review. I'm having surgery on Thursday with Dr. Alvarez, I hope when I get back home I can report a positive experience as well. It sounds like the staff were very attentive and you were well taken care of. Take care, and I'll join you on the losers bench Thursday.

Good job.. Congratulations