travelchick

Hey everyone, This thread has been such an inspiration for me! Before surgery, I could barely fathom 30 lbs. off in a month. It's the incredible story I told my friends about what was possible with VSG. Now, I'm 24 days out from surgery and 22 lbs. down! I'm especially shocked since I started at 210 with a height of 5'1". That's a huge percentage of my total body weight GONE, and I'm thrilled!

Hey there, Awesome Augusts! This is my first time to check in after my surgery on Aug. 31. I'm doing really well. I'm already in ONEderland with just over 10 lbs. lost! I awoke in recovery to learn that my spleen was removed. Not 100% sure why this happened, but apparently my surgeon knicked something and I was losing quite a bit of blood. His options were then removing my spleen laparoscopically or opening me up Frankenstein-style. I'm fine with the spleen removal. I'll just need a couple immunizations. Now I'm without a gallbladder and a spleen. Are there any other unnecessary organs they can take out? I spent one night in the hospital, as planned, and loved the hourly morphine. I had no trouble making up for the blood I had lost in surgery and was walking the halls right away. Since Tuesday I've been recuperating in my comfy couch nest in front of the TV. My doctor didn't have a specific Clear liquids phase, just full liquids for 3 weeks. I am loving popsicles more than anything! The flavor gets rid of the nasty hydrocodone taste, and they are just fun to eat! I'll see the doctor on Tuesday and then fly back home to Atlanta that night. Work on Wednesday will be tough! Luckily I have the kind of job where I sit on my butt, and no one will notice if I put my head down for a few minutes.

Hey, Awesome Augusts, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel coming. Just a little over 5 days until my surgery. I found out that my doctor has post-op instructions a little different from what I've been reading about here. Apparently I don't need to be on just clear liquids at all. I can go straight into full liquids, but then I need to stay on them for 3-4 weeks. His office also says I'll be able to swallow all of my pills with no problem. Does this sound crazy to anybody?

Hey, Ms. Hart38, This could be crucial information -- 9/1/09 is next TUESDAY, not Monday! I know because my sleeve surgery is scheduled for Monday, August 31. Whatever you decide on, I hope it goes well. travelchick

Have you guys tried Jolly Time 100 Calorie Healthy Pop Kettle Corn? It is my absolute favorite, and guilt free! It's endorsed by Weight Watchers and is only 1 point for an entire bag. They come in slightly smaller bags than regular microwave popcorn. Also, it's kettle corn, so it has just a touch of Splenda sweetness.

I recommend eating sugar free candy very sparingly. When I have more than one or two pieces at a time, I get terrible, uncontrollable, embarrassing gas.

I'm 36 and live in Atlanta. My surgery is Aug. 31 -- in 13 days! Is anybody else out there hoping to be done "cooking" (losing weight and getting tucked) in time for their 20th high school reunion? I'm just two years away from that, and I hope I'll be pretty close. travelchick

Hey everybody, I know there are diabetics out there, so hopefully you'll check this forum! My surgery date is in less than 2 weeks (hooray!), and I'm curious how quickly you've seen improvement in your levels after surgery, and how long until you were able to throw those pills away! Currently, I'm on Metformin and Glipizide, as well as Lisinopril for hypertension. My surgeon's nurse says I'll be able to swallow all my pills without a problem after surgery. Has this been your experience? It seems to be contradictory to the liquids only philosophy. At least I know I can split the pills into smaller chunks. My surgeon is located in another state from where I live, so I won't have regular follow-up appointments with him. How often do you guys think I should see my PCP to check my stats? Is 3 months post-op too late? I realize my speed in weight loss may be a factor in this. travelchick

Oh, how 'I've been dreaming about some plastic surgery -- the finishing touches to my future transformation. I used to think a tummy tuck would be my first, but then I heard about a circumferential lower body lift. This lifts your tummy, the lower back/hip area, and your mons area (that's the fleshy part of the vajay-jay). Now this would make a dramatic difference on how pants fit! I'd also like a brachioplasty to get rid of my arm wings, but it won't be first. I'll just wear sleeves a little longer. Same deal with the boobs. At least you can wear a heavy duty bra to keep the sagging girls hoisted up. Maybe I'll marry into money and can also get a boob lift one of these days. travelchick

It's so comforting to know so many of you have found success with VSG after a band complication or failure. After getting some family help in addition to my own money in order to pay for my band, I'm not thrilled to buy a whole other surgery. However, I can't think of a better investment than my health. A monthly payment to Care Credit will be tough, but worth it. travelchick