buckeyegirl76

My WLS worst case scenario has happened. Yesterday was nine days out from surgery and I went to my surgeon for persistent left shoulder pain, this is my only symptom. I have a small leak at the top of the sleeve near the esophagus. It appears to have walled itself off and is not leaking into the abdominal cavity. I have been admitted to the hospital until at least next Tuesday or Wednesday. No food or Water by mouth for at least 2 weeks. They feel like it has already started healing itself so the plan is to let it resolve on its own unless I develop a fever or my white blood cell count goes out of whack. Then it would be a stent and/or drain. I know I'm not the only one to face this but right now I'm mad, sad and scared. I have regret and worry I won't get better. I worry about the extra burden on my family and I'm angry that I did everything to the letter, was considered low risk and this still happened. i could use some encouragement from any veterans that have been through this. Sorry for the typos, one handed and drugged. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Thanks to those who replied to my post. It turns out I was just cutting out my pain killers too soon. Got the pain under control last night and felt so much better. Today has been my best day yet since surgery, I'm on track to meet my fluid, protein and vitamin goals! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

For the past few days I have had pain in my sternum area, I feels like I needs to belch but I rarely do. The pain radiates around to my back. I never had heartburn or GERD prior to the surgery so I'm not sure if this is what I'm feeling. I also have a sharp pain on my left side when I take a deep breath in. I'm taking my PPI daily, meeting my Fluid goals but not my protien. I've been walking, slowly, for 30-40 minutes per day. Two questions; has anyone else had this feeling? Could it still be gas pain? My surgery was last Tuesday. Thanks in advance. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I was initially supposed to be sleeved on Nov 22. During my pre op clearances the chest x-ray picked up on an nodule in my chest. After about a month of worry and follow up tests I am extremely grateful it was walking pneumonia. I've been all cleared and I'm rescheduled for January 31. Nervous but so excited to move forward with surgery! Good luck to all of the other January sleevers!

Good luck tomorrow. I'm definitely getting nervous but also excited!

Good luck! I hope we both have successful surgeries and easy recoveries!

Good luck to you on Monday!

Does anyone have any experience with Dr. Abbas from UH Cleveland? I was scheduled with Dr. Khaitan but due to a scheduling screw up I am either going to have to significantly postpone surgery, which really isn't an option with my job, or switch to Dr. Abbas. I'm kind of in panic mode because for the past 7 months I have worked with Dr. Khaitan and I know nothing about Dr. Abbas. I am having the sleeve. Any feedback would be appreciated.

My surgery was delayed. During pre op x-ray they found I had walking pneumonia, even though I didn't have any symptoms. I am now scheduled for January 31 at UH with Dr. Khaitan. How has your recovery gone? Are you happy you went with UH for surgery? I'm excited but getting nervous.

Good luck to you as well! I've started my pre op diet and I have my final appointment with the surgeon next Wednesday.

@@john925 and lmh@hotmail.com Hope you are both doing well. I just wanted to check in and see how your recovery has gone and whether or not you have liked working with Dr. Khaitan and UH for your surgery and follow up. My surgery was initially scheduled for November but got postponed until January 31 with Dr. Kaitan at UH Case. Anything you wish you would have know ahead of time? Any thoughts or suggestions on the entire process would be appreciated. Take care!

January 31 in Cleveland, OH!

November 22 in Cleveland, OH. Pre -op diet starts Nov. 8 Good luck everyone! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Does anyone have any information on Dr. Abbas with University Hospitals in Cleveland? I have spent the last 7 months working with Dr. Khaitan from UH. I have been approved for the sleeve and was toldthat Nov. 15 would be my surgery date. Today I learned there has been a scheduling error and I would have to postpone my surgery a significant amount of time, which isn't really a possibility with my job, or switch to another UH bariatric surgeon, Dr. Abbas. I am kind of in panic mode trying to find out anything about Dr. Abbas and hoping to hear from some of his patients before I commit to switching suregons. This isn't the end of the world but it has been really frustrating and unsettling to think of switching doctors this late in the game. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

@@john925, @@The Starving Mom, I hope you are both recovering well. I have my last NUT appointment at UH next Wednesday then everything will be submitted to insurance. I hope to schedule surgery for the first week of November. Any general feedback about your experience with UH? Dr. Khaitan is my surgeon. I'm starting to get excited and nervous!

I'm from Ohio and also going through UH. Hope to have surgery scheduled for early November. I'm having the sleeve. I hope your surgery prep is going well. Please keep me posted! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I know that the internal staples do not trigger the metal detector during a TSA screening but does anyone know if the staples show up on a chest x-ray? I'm assuming they do but that is a question I didn't think to ask my surgeon.

I have headaches a couple of times a month, usually related to sinus pressure or a mild migraine. I typically use Excedrin. What do you recommend for headaches that don't contain NSAIDs? How about medicine for cold and flu?

@@Lindsey Skinner Abbott if you find the list of approved medications please share. Thanks!

@@john925 Thanks for the feedback. I have so many questions for my consult on the 24th! I am glad to hear that recovery is going well for you. I hope you have continued success!

For any of you distance runners, Fit Cross enthusiasts or extreme sport participants. After the sleeve do you have any issues because of the very limited calorie intake; fatigue, dehydration, reduced performance, etc? I am pre surgery and concerned with being able to sustain work, such as hiking/climbing, over several consecutive days. I know initially I'll be limited during recovery but I'm wondering about 6-12 months post-op. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@@JamieLogical - Thanks for the info and good luck on the marathon next month!

I am pre surgery and for several years I have taken a low dose aspirin due to high incidence of family heart issues as well as high BP and high cholesterol. I have had what I would insider mild varicose veins for several years. I know we aren't supposed to take aspirin or NASID after surgery so I stopped taking the low dose aspirin about a month ago. Since that time I feel like the varicose veins have become more raised and somewhat painful/uncomfortable. Has anyone else experienced this? I am also on continuous birth control pills to co trip endometriosis. I know these factors increase my risk of a clot and this scares me. Wondering if I should be switching my birth control and possibly having my varicose veins treated prior to being sleeved? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I have my first consult with Dr. Khaitan later this month and hope to have surgery the beginning of November. Since it looks like both of you are ahead of me in this process any additional feedback you have would be much appreciated. Good luck to both of you!

I am half way through my required weight loss classes and leaning towards the sleeve. My question is will I be able to return to a physically demanding job post surgery, after my initial recovery period? I need to be able to climb, hike for long distances, push, pull and lift heavy objects. Am I being realistic, is this possible?