2qtpies

Hey, there's a pretty good thread here on the forums (I hope this works) http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/181994-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-thread/ I had my surgery one week ago today at OCC, they will take very good care of you. I took my tablet and my e-reader, and did not use either while i was there, with the exception of on the flights. You definitely don't want anything tight around your belly, i found out the hard way (no dress with me) that all of my incisions are where my waistband rubs, even on the loose fitting clothes.

Pboop3137, what kind of foods are you eating when you encounter the pain? I think Slvrsax may be on the right track, if the pain you are having is on the right hand side, sort of up under your ribs. I had my gallbladder removed a few years back, and it does vary from person to person, but the pain is often mostly in the front area, but can radiate all the way around. Different foods, especially anything fatty, can trigger an episode. For me, one of the triggers was coffee, or any type of pork, "lean" or otherwise. I would definitely follow up with a doctor, If you are having pain similar to what I did, I wouldn't wish that on anyone! Slvrsax, if you have the opportunity to get that sucker removed before it causes you problems, I highly recommend it. While I'm on here, have any of you experienced anything with your incisions? I woke up this morning (I am now exactly one week out from surgery) and there is the big marble sized lump under the large incision. I emailed, and Dr.So thinks it may be a hematoma and has instructed to take ibuprofen every 8hrs for 3days, . I thought we couldn't take ibuprofen? Obviously I think Dr So knows more than I do, so I took one this morning, but has anyone else encountered this?

So, I'm scheduled for surgery on July 2nd at OCC in Mexico, but we decided to visit San Diego for a couple days prior to the surgery and we leave this Saturday. Saying I'm nervous would be an understatement. I have been on the liquid diet and don't feel like I've been losing enough, at this rate I will make the 5%, but I am disappointed with myself for not being able to reach 10% (I've never been given a target specific to me, just the standard 5-10% of body weight) It is one of the things that makes me second guess my decision to do this - if I can't lose the weight when I'm following a liquid/veggie diet (the closest I've been to 'cheating' is having grilled chicken and ranch dressing on a salad in a restaurant) how can I expect to lose weight after surgery? My body seems to fight me every step of the way. On the bright side, this process has definitely helped me learn about myself. We went camping over the weekend, and I never realized I had such a weakness for roasted marshmallows. I wanted one so badly, I had to leave my hubby and kids out there and go hide in the trailer before I gave in and had one. Same thing with hot chocolate, it turns out. There have been other revelations like that, but I think the marshmallows were honestly the worst. Anyone else worried about clothes? Even with the small amount I've lost, I need to keep yanking up my pants I think I may need to look into clothing exchanges in my area.

In the paperwork it said that anyone over 250 lb would need to have a consult with the nutritionist, but so far I haven't heard. Am I supposed to initiate that, or am I jumping the gun? I'm not booked till July 2, but I have some concern that if I don't get started asap, I won't loose the required amount pre-op. Can anyone advise on how soon after booking /or how long before surgery they had the consult?

Great idea guys! As much as I really value the input/experience of people who have already "been there, done that", I think it would be good to connect with people who are going through pretty much the same thing at the same time. I'm 5'10", at 307. I started looking into this half-heartedly about a year ago, then when I got serious about it discovered the province I'm in it takes about a year for the referral to go through and then a year of classes,appointments etc, with the possibility you may never be accepted for surgery. I definitely don't have that kind of time to waste, I want to get on with my life! Opted to do self-pay instead. I have no idea what a realistic goal for my weight should be, but for the time being I have it in mind for 165-175lb. Lower than that would be ok too, maybe. Its hard to say, as I have never been a "normal" weight my entire adult life.

Hi everyone, I am booked for July 2, also self-pay in Mexico. So far, the experience for me has been great, the coordinator answering all of the questions I've put to her. Ginaa, I don't know which surgeon you've been looking at, but the one I chose has a health survey to fill out, then the nutritionist contacts you after review of that. As far as the liquid diet, the info I have at the moment is two weeks liquid supplemented with unlimited green veggies,with a goal of 10% loss unless the nutritionist tells me otherwise.

Good Morning! You ALL deserve applause at the weight lost and hard work you've put into this! This is the first time in my adult life that I feel like I can do this, and you've all had a hand in that! I'm sorry I haven't been back to reply to my previous posts, things around here are have been a little busy. I have now completed the requirements and am booked for surgery on July 2, now I just need to book flights. One by one, the fears I have about doing this are disintegrating, but I can honestly say that I am very anxious about the IV. I have never had luck with getting them done, needing to be poked multiple times. The last time I had one, in addition to the multiple pokes, they had to call to have the room cleaned b/c we had a spill, its no wonder I feel queasy when I get them. I've been reading online to find tricks to make it easier, like being well hydrated (as well a you can be when fasting for surgery) arm exercises to help increase circulation in them, and staying warm. These all seem to be pretty focused on people who have veins that are hard to find, but mine have been called "wiggly", so do any of you nurses know anything I can do to help? So far, I've just been hoping they'll give me an oral sedative before they place the iv.

Thank-you briangie & kindle. My husband told me last night that I'm being a bit neurotic about the shake thing, of all the things I could be stressing about, I choose that, lol. On the bright side, it has really given my 16 yr son and I a topic to bond over! He has been doing protein shakes for about a year (and lots of activity) in the hopes of gaining more muscle, but I'm sure if he turned sideways he'd disappear. He certainly didn't get his metabolism from me. I've been trying to also read all the "do's & don'ts" of this surgery, has anyone encountered post-op "don'ts" through trial and error that you never read about during your research?

Hello Everyone! I've been following along here for a while now (it took me that long to read the thread!) and you all seem like a nice group of ladies. I must say that some of your posts have been instrumental in helping me tame the fear of leaving home to have surgery in another country. I have not yet booked the appointment with Dr. Ortiz, but I am hoping to do so this week or at the very latest next. Ora with OCC has been very helpful, and as of my last contact with her, my hopeful date of July 2 surgery (kids are looked after during that timeframe) was available. Now comes the real work. I told my parents about my decision last night, and was pleasantly surprised at their reaction, which was that of "you need to do whatever is right for you, and we will support you in it". I was really worried that this surgery would cause a rift in the family because I was going to do it whether they like it or not. I have a gazillion questions, and I'm really sorry if any of them have been hashed over again and again (possibly even in this thread) but and it seems like the more 'research' I do on the forums/internet, the less clear the right answer for me is. I am feeling overwhelmed at the sheer amount of information out there. I guess that the question mostly on my mind at the moment is regarding pre-op diet - have any of you used the Vitaleph stuff they suggest, and do you know if OCC is flexible on what type of shake is used? I have never been someone who likes ordering stuff from the internet, so I'm hoping to find an alternative in a physical store, although I haven’t been able yet to find the nutritional info on the vitaleph. I'm in Alberta, so if any of you other canucks have additional advice, it will be appreciated. Sorry for the long post!