kyle.odom

I haven't done a lot since I got home from the hospital except sleep and have some Soup or Protein every few hours. Although I'm getting tired of being "tied down" so I think I'm going to shower and get moving. One of the major issues I have, is, unless I take pain medication, I can feel the drain tube inside my abdomen and it drives me crazy! Then I take the meds and it makes me sleepy. Slowly things seem to be settling down and getting back to normal though. The drain comes out in 5 days, and you better believe I'm counting!

Thanks guys, I'm doing okay gas pains in my shoulder won't go away, but other than that I'm doing fine. Ready for the drain to come out!

Hey guys....Surgery is tomorrow morning! Cross your fingers for me please!

I am in Dothan, AL where you located? I'm excited and ready to just do it and get it over with so that I can begin the "after" process. Are you ready?

Thank you and thank you! (She thanks you also!)

When I came close to backing out, I was told by my PCP that the wife of one of the bariatric surgeons in my area had had the sleeve surgery and that she thought it was the best decision she has ever made. When she told me that, I knew that if that surgeon felt confident enough for his wife to have the surgery, I had nothing to worry about. Good luck!

My insurance covers the surgery, but I have to 50% up to the allowance. My copay was about $1050.00, but I have a $150 copay to the hospital and a copay for anesthesia. I am still not sure what the anesthesia copay will be. However, if I have a hernia, my insurance will pay 100% for that. I was not required to have a EGD so I will not know if they have had to do a hernia repair until I come out of surgery. I am scheduled for this Thursday. Good Luck you guys!

In the city that I live, there are 3 surgeons that perform the Sleeve, Band, and the new "Balloon" surgeries. Just after I was approved by my insurance for the sleeve, it became real. There was a week or two that I decided against the surgery because I was going to do it all on my own. Then I had an appointment with my PCP, just a check up. I was talking to here about my 'cold feet' and asked her what her opinion was with the surgery and what she thought about. She told me that she was not going to tell me to have the surgery or not to, but that I had been approved by my insurance and I, at least, needed to keep the remaining insurance requirements, just in case. She then told me that one of the surgeons wives had had the sleeve surgery in the past year and that she absolutely loved it. That was my determining factor. I felt like if a surgeon that performs the surgery daily has enough confidence in it for his wife to have it done, its safe enough for me. And my surgery is this Thursday, lol. No cold feet now!

I am using premier Protein, vanilla flavor and I really like it. Today is one full week in the liquid diet and I've been using them at least twice a days for the past 7 days and haven't gotten tired of it yet.

Good luck with your recovery! I'm scheduled Thursday, 3 days away!

thanks for your input!

Hey guys! I am a little late to the forum here but I am here in Dothan, AL and my surgery is Thursday April 14! I am excited, but how is everyone doing thus far with their sleeve?

My surgery is scheduled for April 14 also. My surgeon requires a 10 day liquid diet to shrink the liver. I have been curious as to why different surgeons require different pre op diets. Today puts me on day 5 and all I can think about it cheating. I've done extremely well up to this point. Although I have had a can of well drained chicken and a dill pickle spear for dinner twice this week. I have also had a few strawberries or blueberries in the AM's with my Protein shake just for a little bit of CHEW. I am 6 days from surgery but I am wondering if I will put myself in danger if I do have a decent meal, but still very healthy. Keep in mind that I have been eating a low carb/high protein diet for the past month and have a current bmi of 35.5. Any thoughts/suggestions?

April 14th for me!

Okay guys, today was my pre op appointment with my surgeon. On Wednesday of next week, I have a pre op appointment with the anesthesiologist at the hospital. The following Thursday (April 14) is my surgery day. Up until today, my family has seemed extremely concerned and critical about my decision to have VSG. However, I took them both (my parents) along with me to my appointment today so they could ask my surgeon any questions they have. They now seem to be excited for me. I am started my liquid diet on Monday. Does anyone have any suggestions? Keep in mind that, if I lose anymore than 12 lbs during the liquid diet, I no longer qualify for the surgery. (My current BMI is 36) Does anyone else have a surgery date of 4/14? I need a surgery buddy!

Thank you, and good luck to you as well! The staff at the weight loss center told me about not getting below a certain weight. At my preop appointment last week I mentioned something to him about not getting below a certain weight for insurance purposes. He just kinda nodded along and kept going. I don't think I will have any issues getting below that weight, but I have my fingers crossed. 9 more days to go before surgery!

I work in the medical field, so I'm constantly around a lot of "know it all's" but I refuse to lie about what why I am taking off work. I am sort of a no BS type of person, and feel that my decision to have the gastric sleeve procedure done is my choice and my business. However, if someone asks what I am having done, I will tell them, and when they start to tell me why I should not have it done, or that I'm not big enough to undergo such a procedure, I just tell them that my decision is made and continue with my convo/work. Therefore, most of my coworkers know and I'm okay with it. Truth is, a lot of the people with so many opinions would probably have it done as well if they could afford it or if their insurance would approve them.

Shutter....I don't know that I'm really even hungry, but i just want food. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that probably has something to do with why I'm even having the surgery. I have had a nagging headache today, and I think it is from not having any caffeine. It will be hard to kick the sodas. Enjoy your chicken noodle soup without the noodles. My surgeon told me not to have any sort of broth where a carb was cooked in it because the carbs are left in the broth.

Today is day one of my 10 day liquid diet. Surgery is scheduled for April 14 (next thursday). I am almost at the end of my first day on the liquid diet, and I think I'm going to just go to bed, lol. I can have broths or bullion, sugar free liquids like popsicles, Jello, crystal light, even coffee with sugar free cream, etc. I can also have high Protein low carb Meal Replacement shakes. Today I have had a bit of a variety of what is "allowed" and like everyone else, I am less than satisfied. I have seen posts and other info that says that after the first three days, it seems to be less of an issue. One thing that I have found to be a little more satisfying than broth is the ramen noodle flavor packet in 2 cups of boiling Water. No noodles of course but it seems to go down a little easier. Has anyone else found anything that seemed to sit better than others? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Okay guys, today was my pre op appointment with my surgeon. On Wednesday of next week, I have a pre op appointment with the anesthesiologist at the hospital. The following Thursday (April 14) is my surgery day. Up until today, my family has seemed extremely concerned and critical about my decision to have VSG. However, I took them both (my parents) along with me to my appointment today so they could ask my surgeon any questions they have. They now seem to be excited for me. I am started my liquid diet on Monday. Does anyone have any suggestions? Keep in mind that, if I lose anymore than 12 lbs during the liquid diet, I no longer qualify for the surgery. (My current BMI is 36) Does anyone else have a surgery date of 4/14? I need a surgery buddy!

Hey guys, I go in and meet with my surgeon again on March 31 for my pre-op appointment. On April 4 I will begin my 10 day liquid diet, and the surgery is scheduled for April 14. I know that, with time, I will have this, and other, questions answered by my surgical team. However, at this point, a million things are going through my mind. My main question is, how much time did you guys take off of work? At one of the surgery meetings I had at the bariatric center, we were told that it would require 2 - 3 weeks off of work but for more sedentary positions (such as my job) it is possible to return to work after as little as one week but it all depends on the surgeon and his decision. I know that everyone's post op experiences are different so that also plays a role. My surgery falls on a Thursday and, when I requesting time off, I told my boss that I would plan to be back sometime during the middle of the following week but it could change, and if it did I would let them know. So, the question is, how long did you guys have to take off, especially those of you with desk jobs? Thanks for the input!

Almost a month ago I was so nervous and had so many questions that I almost backed out. I talked to my PCP at a Dr's appointment and she put me at ease. What really made me realize that I was making the right decision was when I found out that one of the surgeons wives that performs VSG on a regular basis had the sleeve and thinks that it is the absolute best decision that she's ever made. At that point, I said, lets do it!

4/14!

April 14th is my big day!

Thanks for all the input, even though every situation is different, it's nice to have a general idea. I have enough of sick and vacation leave to take as much time as I want, however I'm not a "sit at home" type of person. But I do understand that energy levels are a lot to consider. Even though I work at a desk, I am constantly getting up and down and walking around. I will be sure to let my boss know it may very well be more than a week!