nienie

I was going to go with the band then the sleeve and ultimately went with RNY. I learned alot at the seminar and did not like the long term statistics with the band. Too many revisions and slips that cause major scar tissue and can ruin any chance for further WLS. Plus I didn't want to have to have two surgeries if the first didn't work. The sleeve is too new and my surgeon's only concern with them is they have seen leakages as far as two years out. I didn't like that statistic either. It was also decided with some of my other comorbidities it would be best to have RNY so I could reap the benefit of what the RNY does...

I was so nauseated after surgery for the first 48 hours that I LOVED the catheter. I only had it the first day but not having to move made it so much better. It really didn't hurt and no problems when they took it out either...

I was told nothing more then 10 pounds first two weeks then gradually can work up to 40 pounds in 6 weeks. Just suppose to be careful

Most use drain tubes. My program is was in the hospital from Thursday til Sunday and they pulled the JP drains right before I left. They use them to drain all the blood inside and watch for leaks as i had to eat blue ice chips for two days. It is almost better to have the drains to get rid of the excess then have your body try and reabsorb. I will say they are uncomfortable and when they are taken out it felt like razor blades ripping through my insides but once out I felt instant relief.

There is no normal for weight loss. Every person is different and will lose weight differently. Age, medication, sex all those things can contribute to how fast weight comes off. My thought is a loss is a loss and remember the weight did not go on overnight. I also think that it depends on what you are eating. If you are sticking with high protein and not many carbs the weight might come of faster. A few pounds a week is great

Hey everyone! 12 days since surgery- first post op appointment and those awful stitches out. I feel so much better. 15 pounds lost since admission so I will take that. I didn't gain in the hospital but I was so sick and had a horrid recovery with nausea that it doesn't surprise me. Started Step 3 diet today so actual food- one item a day but better then just liquids, jello and yogurt. I stay on step 3 diet until my next appointment in March. Have a great night

This is where my pain was the worst and still hurts. I had two JP drains and when they puled the one from the left side I thought I was going to die. My program has us in the hospital for 3-4 days so we get Jp's out and you feel much better prior to discharge. I was told that alot of the equipment goes throught the left side so that side if often more tender. Like I said this is still my problem side and I had surgery the 24. Hope you feel better...

I was the same way. I let the surgeon know right away. Unfortunately, one of the side effects is nausea and I had terrible effects of it. From day of surgery Thursday until Saturday afternoon- I spent most of the time in bed due to nausea- no throwing up though. I had a scopolamine patch on and they also sent me home on Sunday on one. Zofran didn't help much but they gave that to me every four hours along with phenergan and compazine, prilosec and reglan. Most of mine I think was from the Fentanyl PCA and patch and then pain. Much better after discharge..

I had surgery Thursday 24 of January. I got out of hospital Sunday. I am on full liquids but nothing sounds good.. I see surgeon Tuesday and I believe I will get advanced to step 3 diet...

I wish I could think of food-nothing sounds good.. I still get slight nausea and continue to have scopolamine patch on. The only things I drink are broth water and protein shake.. I have been so extremely tired that I usually only make it up for an hour then nap for three.. I just hope that goes away.

I feel the same way too. I had surgery the 24 of January. My biggest problem is all i want to do is sleep. I have no energy...

Hey everyone! Released from hospital yesterday afternoon so only there Thurs-Sun. I can't say this surgery was anything easy. First, the gorked me out of my mind with PCA fentanyl and a fentanly patch. Made me so sleep I could even get up with out almost passing out. So finally Friday after noon (i think) they switched me to liquid Vicodin which still knocks me out but at least not trying to put ice chips in my eyeballs. Nausea was also terrible. They gave me zofran, vistirl, compazine, reglan. FInally Saturday about noon my nausea subsided and I was able to actually look at really attempting the liquid meals they brought up.. I still have considerable pain under my rib cage left side and left side is the worst side as this is where all the equipment goes. JP drains I had 2 were taken out before I left and that was the only time I cried because when they pulled them out together the left burned and felt like it ripped through everything inside me. I am happy I had them but boy not fun to have taken out. I also had a hard time with IV's as they would n't last long due to all the meds they were giving me and the speed in which they gave them. I did learn to love my IV tylenol... Made me feel the best. I am home and just working on getting liquids down as to not become dehydrated. I do have an abdominal binder that is starting to drive me crazy so that might have to go and my doctor said that is okay. My throat was sore for a few days post op due to tube and coughing up anything is a nightmare. Thank goodness it is over -hoping everyday is better. I have follow up appointment on Feb 5 and am full liquids no cereals til then. No appetite at all so I know I wont go nuts... Just thought I would check in... Hopefully as the drug fog leaves me I will converse more but boy am I still out of it. Having my mom go get just plain Tylenol elixer for pain to see if that helps.. And yes,, walk.walk walk and sit up in chair as much as you can. I was compromised most of Thursday and Friday due to nausea, dizziness and being to gorked to know what i was doing .. Good luck to all the future surgeries....

Just got the call from the hospital and I have to be there at 0630 am tomorrow. I am as ready as i will ever be. I have worked 12 hour nights that past two days with only minimal sleep and I am sure tonight I wont sleep well either. Good thing I will do alot of sleeping tomorrow. I have an awesome surgeon at a BCBS distinction center and center of excellence. I am hoping for no complications but will deal with whatever happens. I have an awesome support system at home with family and friends and all you awesome people on here that are doing this right along with me. If I do get a chance to post I will otherwise I will update everyone when I get out of hospital. Typical stay is 2-4 days, so Saturday or Sunday. I want to thank all those who have posted on here about their experiences and things we should do to help us along the way...

Well, leaving town at around 3 today. I have a little over a two hour drive to the town where I am having surgery. Surgery tomorrow... Not nervous...yet-lol. I will update probably sometime this weekend after I am discharged. Best of luck to all the other surgeries this week.

Good Luck to all those having surgery today. Just got done working the night shift. I have one more to go and then tomorrow afternoon I leave for my surgery that is on Thursday. I can't believe it is almost here-wow has time flown by. The hospital is 2 1/2 hours away from me so I have decided to stay in a hotel the night before as ND/MN weather is so unpredictable and I am sure I will have to be at the hospital early. A nurse will call me tomorrow afternoon to give me more details about when I have to be there and what time surgery is scheduled for. Have a great day..

Good Luck everyone!! Keep us posted..

That is when you tell them that you really don't care what they think as this does not effect them at all. Then you tell them that obviously they have never struggled with a weight issues because if they had they would know how hard it can be especially when secondary diagnosis hinder weight loss. I then proceed to tell them that i have spent the last 8 months doing many classes and research and with the assistance of my doctors have come to this decision. Last I let them know that surgery is not easy or an easy way out. It takes alot of work and wls is only a tool to assist you. I know how frustrating others ignorance can be as I have had to tackle it myself. I am an RN and have been honest with coworkers and friends. At work we see the bad patients of WLS and the complications so of course that is what everyone bases their opinion on. WLS has come a long way and I have seen many successful people.

Thanks that is what I thought. However, I have seen tons of GB drink caffeine. I don't drink much at all so I am not really worried about that..

Why do they not want you to have no caffeine??

Try increasing protein and decreasing carbs. This is the only thing that helped me and it will prepare you for the way you will eat after the program. I basically followed Atkins and did lose some, however with my insulin resistance and PCOS I just get stuck. The other thing to think about is what medications do you take daily. Sometimes NSAIDS will make you retain water and hold onto weight. With the amount of exercise you are doing you should see something. Are you also measuring yourself??

Lovenox can burn or sting. It is a very small needle and it is given in the adipose (fat) tissue around abdomen so it doesn't hurt as much. I am an RN and give these shots all the time. Some complain of a little pain but most don't. It is much better than getting a intramuscular shot anyday..

Wonderful news! I am so happy it was nothing to major and you are feeling better. I am also going to a center for excellence and that makes me feel a little better. Keep us updated and I hope your swallow study goes well

I Think my approval took 2-3 weeks. I was done Nov 30th and found out unofficially Dec 19 and officially 26th.. I have surgery Jan 24

Oh I am so sorry you are going through this. I know that there are complications and they are never fun. However, even those who have had complications have said GB was the best decision they made. I know right now you are not having any fun post-op with another surgery but just try and stay positive and think about your future. You are in the best place to have a complication and they will take good care of you.. Best of luck and Hope your second surgery goes good.. Thanks for keeping us up to date...

Hang in there! Complications are sometimes part of the process. Never fun but I know that in a few short weeks and then months you will be doing great. I would much rather have the complications while you are there in the hospital then at home. I am fully attempting to prepare myself for complications as my surgery is next Thursday. I hope I don't have any but things happen. Thinking of you and Hang in there..