Sparkle&Storm

I was sleeved 06/13. I had my 1 week post op yesterday... For the stats fans: 5'3" SW: 234 CW: 222 GW: 135 This last week has been utter hell! I have been in a severe amount of pain. I'm so jealous of the people who feel nothing afterward! My left incision is TIGHT and I have a huge bulge because it's so tight. It's swollen and hurts like a SOB. Especially when I go from sitting to standing. YOWZA! But the worst part is the pain with swallowing. Ever since my first baby sip of water on surgery day, I've had pain when I swallow. It is so much pressure and feels like a weight is sitting on my chest. Because of that, I'm not meeting my fluid or protein goals. The most fluid I have had in a day was 46 oz and protein was 32... And that was on my best day. My surgeon said she wasn't surprised I'm having issues because she thought the opening between my stomach & esophagus looked tighter/smaller than it should have been while she was in there. So that pain is because things are getting stuck. The plan is to go back in and have my esophagus dilated, but she wants to wait 4 weeks to give me time to heal. 4 weeks of this pain and exhaustion! Meanwhile, I have a standing order for IV fluids at my local hospital for any day I don't reach my fluid goals and anytime I'm feeling exhausted or just not feeling great. Which is all the time since I'm dehydrated and not getting enough protein! They also said I should wait to go back to work until at least a month or until after this issue has been fixed! I don't know what to tell my boss because I am not telling anyone about my surgery. Even worse... It's a brand new job! My first one after 6 years as a SAHM! I told them during my interview that I was having surgery (not what kind) and that I would need at least 2 or 3 weeks off. They said for the right person, they would make anything work and offered me the job on the spot. They said it was their first time ever hiring someone immediately, but they knew I was perfect for the job and team. That made me feel amazing! But fast forward a month into the job when it was surgery time, they only gave me 12 days off and put me back on the schedule. I told them I wasn't sure if I could come back that early, but that I would keep them posted. They sort of agreed to that... But a month? Now I don't know what to say! My doc provided me a note, but it says 'bariatric surgery' in the company letterhead. I can't use it... I only told 2 people about this surgery... My husband and my mom. And I am not comfortable telling anyone else. I'm sad it didn't go as planned... frustrated that my doc didn't fix it during surgery when she clearly saw it wasn't right, exhausted, and real tired of being in pain! Is anyone else going through this? I feel so alone! Please do NOT comment just to say "I never had any pain or issues!" Or "I'm going back to work 5 days post-op!" Yeah... Congrats. 😏😜😂 I can't tell you how disheartening it is to read all the stories like that. I'm glad for you, truly, but super jealous it didn't go like that for me! So, please don't be salty! Lol!

Yes, hun! The worst pain ever! My doc said it could take up to 8 weeks to disintegrate or "pop" and mine did almost exactly 4 weeks out. I just posted about it a couple posts up because it was the best day ever when that pain finally vanished! 😁 Hang in there!!

To answer my own question... About a month! Hallelujah!!!! It dissolved/popped about 3 days ago and my pain instantly went away, and my stomach flattened back out. No more deep, indent and painful bulge. Now if I can get rid of the swallowing problems, I'll be golden. Headed back to work on Monday... 😜

That's great!! I lost 13 really fast, too, then slowed down a bit. But I hit my 20 lb benchmark today! Woohoo! That's 20% of my weightloss goal in 3.5 weeks, so I ain't complaining lol! I got tired of liquids sooo fast! Lucky for me, my doc does pretty short phases. I've had lots of complications so eating chicken was great. But dangit, I'd give anything for a cracker to crunch! 😂

Thank you!! It's been awful, so this was a win for me! I was sleeved 6/13

I'm so happy! I had family in town over the holiday week, and I hosted a BBQ last night. I made chicken shawarma wraps that everyone assembled themselves, to keep it easy. After marinating boneless skinless thighs all day, and throwing them on the grill, I was successfully able to eat some of it! Everyone else had their chicken on some naan warmed on the grill and smeared with hummas, tabbouleh salad, and some tzatziki sauce. Yum! And while I didn't eat all that, of course, I did enjoy tiny bites of that delicious chicken with some hummus and tzatziki to keep it nice and moist. It didn't get stuck and didn't make me sick! Huge blessing after everything I've been going through with the stricture or whatever is causing my swallowing issues. Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel! Anyway, just wanted to share my little victory! 😊

You may not have a deep internal stitch. Probably half of bariatric surgeons perform surgery with this stitch. Apparently, it pulls things back into place. It is VERY tight. Mine causes a very deep indentation in my stomach. It's so, so painful. Painful to the touch. Painful to move. Its just flat out painful. It was getting better, but I did something to irritate it yesterday and I'm in such terrible pain today. My abdomen is swollen around that area and bruised. My surgeon said it would dissolve or even "pop" sometime over the next 8 weeks and that once it did, there would be instant releif. It sounds like you are one of the lucky ones who does not have the stitch! If you did, you'd know! Lol... I envy you so much right now!

I eat yogurt pretty much every morning. Protein shakes go straight through me, if ya catch my drift 😂🙈 so those are not my fave... Cottage cheese is good, but I'm tired of it. I'm tired of soups, plus they really aren't that much protein and kind of feel pointless. I didn't think I could have red meat, but meatballs sound bomb!!! Yum I WISH I could have eggs. I love eggs. But they get stuck and I get that intense pressure in my chest whenever I try to eat them. Same goes for tuna. Maybe it will get better after my endoscopy and dilation. I go in for IV fluids tomorrow... 🙄 How long did it take everyone for the super tight inner stitch to finally dissolve or pop?! My doc said it could happen anytime, but I'm miserable!!! I just want it to happen so bad so I can get some relief!! I'm so over being in pain! And I want to sleep on my side again dang it. Right now, it is way too painful.

I've posted about my bad experience in the June group, so maybe you have already read that. I was sleeved 06/13. After surgery, once I was no longer vomiting and coherent enough to speak lol... I started with ice chips. Just the teensy bit of water from a couple ice chips had me in so much pain. I felt like I had a huge weight on my chest, there is just so much pressure! My surgeon said that wasn't normal, but she wasn't surprised I was having issues because she noticed things looked too tight at the top (where esophagus and stomach meet). We were hopeful it would get better as swelling went down, and it has improved a tad, but it still is painful to swallow and I do still get that big pressure in my chest of things getting stuck. I am scheduled 07/19 for an endoscopy, where they will be dilating that opening to my stomach.. I imagine it's going to help a ton! I am not getting my fluids in because it is painful to drink, so I have to get IV fluids twice a week at least until it gets fixed. My surgeon said that me not feeling well and being exhausted has a lot to do with dehydration. I'm no doctor, but it sounds like you may be in the same boat! See if you can get an order for IV fluids.. even once a week might help. Just until they get your swallowing issues under control. The IV fluids are supposed to make you feel much better in general. Hang in there! It sucks feeling alone in having a rocky start, but I'm sure things will improve for us both! Message me if you ever need to talk or vent about it. 😘

Hi Kimber! I'm feeling better about my job situation... I had spoken with my surgeons office about maybe getting a standard note, and one arrived in the mail yesterday! No mention of digestive health or bariatric surgery. They really are awesome for doing that for me!! I spoke to my boss today and she was very nice and supportive. Said my health is most important, so that made me feel good. She wanted the doctor's note, of course, but that's standard fare and I was obviously prepared for that... I'm still on dilaudid and can't drive, so I sent it with my hubby after he stopped by for lunch. He took it in for me and said everyone in the office was very supportive and concerned. They told him to be sure I knew they were thinking about me and hoping I get to feeling better soon! That made me feel good 😊 So, how are things for you now? Did you have swallowing issues? How long did it take you to start feeling normal-ish again? I'd love to hear any tips or things that helped you get through the rocky start... or just more about your story! I've felt very alone as far as this experience goes, so it's nice to meet someone who also had a rocky start. Misery loves company, after all! 😉😂

Hey, lady! Sounds like we have had a similar experience so far! I was sleeved 6/13. I am struggling to get in my fluids, too. I haven't really been tracking my protein since my surgeon is more worried that I stay hydrated. I had a bit of a complication in that they tightened things too much at the top, so everything gets stuck going down and swallowing is painful. I have to go in 07/19 to have that opening dilated. For now, I'm getting IV fluids on Monday's and Friday's. I was super discouraged since I'm still in lots of pain, still on dilaudid, not getting fluid or protein in, have to get IV fluids....... while other people are like "I'm 5 minutes post op, in ZERO pain, and just participated in my very first marathon!!" 😂 You know what?!? It is what it is! 🙃 Everyone's journey pre-op was different... So it makes sense that our journeys post-op would be different, too! Either buy the Isopure, or get yourself some unflavored protein powder on Amazon... and shake it up in some diet ocean spray. I just started that yesterday, but I think it's going to help a ton! I'm really sensitive to all the over-sweet protein shakes. They are hard to choke down. I do have a favorite tho... IdealShape Mocha! It tastes great! 11g protein and only 1g sugar 😊 As far as regret, don't regret it, hun! Look at you! Down 21 lbs in only 17 days! You are almost in Onederland! 💃 That's incredible and the reason you did this, right?! Whenever I get discouraged (which is kind of often right now) I try to remember that! I'm down 17 lbs in 16 days! 234 on surgery day and 217 today! A pound a day?! What! That is so exciting! We've got this! It's just a rocky start... But we will get into a groove and be ok soon. Message me anytime! 😘

I'm doing ok! Still struggling to get fluid/protein in, but I'm doing my best and that's all I can do! I'm supposed to go in for fluids on Monday's and Friday's, but I think once a week will do fine if I can just get my fluid up a bit. I was really down on myself thinking I was failing at this... No one else seems to be in pain or struggling 2 weeks in. But ya know what, that's ok! That is their journey, and this is mine! We all heal differently and our surgeons are different, our bodies our different, and our experiences are unique. I'm down 17 lbs in 16 days!! I sure as heck can't complain about that! ☺️🙌 Where are you at in your journey? Thanks so much, Nettie! I know I'll get through this bumpy part and then it will be smooth sailing. So appreciate your support! 5'3" SW: 234 CW: 217 GW: 135

Thank you guys! My company is pretty small, so there isn't an HR department. But I'm thinking I will call my boss next week and tell her over the phone I experienced complications and see what the response is. If she is a good boss, she won't even ask for a doctor's note, right? She will just wish me well! Hahaha I can only hope! 😉😉 My doc office called yesterday after my apt to follow up on something, and I did ask for a generic letter. I said I didn't tell anyone about my surgery and I'd like to keep it private. I told her I knew it was a weird request, but asked for a note without digestive health and bariatric surgery on it. She said they would "look into it" but not sure if they can do that. In my mind, it's such an easy thing to do! Write a new letter. Use the hospital logo, but leave out the department info. Simple. But I guess I just have to wait and see... And thank you for the encouragement! I should be starting mushy phase on Wednesday, but that's probably a no-go with my swallowing issue. Darn it tho! I miss chewing so much!

Oh! I just checked and my anti-nausea meds list blurred vision as a side effect! Thanks for mentioning that, cuz I was really worried something had actually changed my eye sight permanently lol I just walked for 30 minutes and I've gotta say... it really helped my perspective and pain. Before that, I had just been doing about 10 minute walks. I'm glad I forced myself to do 30 and I think I'll keep setting my timer for my walks. It really did help! Still struggling to get my fluids in. My surgeon office called yesterday and said they want me to get a minimum of 30 oz and work up from there. I hit 30 yesterday and I'm working towards 40 today. I have to remind myself that this was a HUGE surgery and to just be kind to myself as I adjust to my new life. I'm going to savor a few ounces of roasted red pepper and tomato soup for dinner. It's my favorite! I'm also cycling duilodid (spelling) and Tylenol to stay on top of my pain. That's really helping at the moment.

Great suggestions here! One thing to note is that my vision is royally messed up! I can hardly read as I type (even wearing my glasses). Sorry in advance for any typos lol... Ok, so I had surgery 6/13. I am not doing well. Whenever I swallow something it feels like a heavy weight is on my chest. And the incision where they removed my stomach from is soooo swollen and painful. I wish I was doing as well as some of you! My doc said she might have tightened things too much and I may need to have my esophagus dilated if it doesn't stop hurting when I swallow. But dang does my left side hurt!! I can't get comfortable sitting or lying down, and when I stand up to walk, the pain takes my breath away! Is anyone else struggling like me?

Good luck!! It's not a fun experience, but we will survive and emerge healthier and stronger on the other side!!

Thank you all for the encouragement! Honesyly, I'm in a ton of pain... That gas pain is no joke! And swallowing the tiny droplet of water from an ice chil is so very painful. My left abdomen is hugely swollen and tender, which makes it hard to find a comfortable position. My roommate is a chatty Cathy with lights on all night... Those are the downsides at the moment. But I KNOW good things are around the corner! So I keep going on walks and pushing through the pain. It will be worth it! I can't wait to get home to my own bed lol

OMG I'm so nervous! I get sleeved today!!! My alarm goes off in 2 minutes, but I've been wide awake for 30.. lol! I had a dream I slept through my alarm and woke up at the time I was supposed to check in... And did the whole mad dash to get there, but was too late. Thank goodness that was just a dream!!! I have a lot of mixed emotions this morning though. Am I doing the right thing? Or am I brave? Am I going to be successful? Will I fail at this like I've failed so many other times? So many feelings! Either way, it's time to get up! Please keep me in your thoughts today... This is my first ever surgery and I'm pretty scared!

Just popping in to say HI! and YAY! counting down to June 13th. My first appointment at my surgery center was way back in August... OMG it's taken forever and I'm SOOOO ready to get sleeved!

I have Regence BCBS of Oregon. They fought me tooth and nail to get this thing approved. It finally went to a panel yesterday. I called this morning and they said it was “partially” approved. The sleeve gastrectomy is APPROVED. Thank the gods!!!! Hale-freaking-lujah! But... the 1-day inpatient stay is DENIED. Huh? They said they didn’t feel the surgery was complex enough to warrant an inpatient stay and that they would require a lower level of care, such as outpatient observation. 😜 I’m like, sorry, my surgeon is at a center of excellence and they don’t want me to die. But ok! 😂 Has anyone dealt with this? I called the coordinator at OHSU, but she doesn’t work Fridays and there is no one else who handles scheduling or insurance questions. So frustrating!!! She leaves at 4 every day, too, so it’s been so annoying trying to work with her. But that’s another issue altogether! lol! My required 6 month weight loss program ended in February, but I’ve been fighting with insurance ever since. It’s been 9 months now and still no surgery date in sight 😖 I’m so over this crap!!! How did you get around the inpatient stay? Or convince insurance the surgery is complex?

Really? That’s so surprising to hear. I’m glad it was great for you, but my experience at OHSU has been less than stellar. I’ve had to basically hold the coordinators hand throughout this entire process, constantly reminding her to do things that she’s forgotten. Repeating myself over and over and it doesn’t seem to sink in. It was like she wasn’t listening to me, ever. I had to tell her at least a dozen times that my records from my primary doc could be easily accessed electronically as they were linked with OHSU. Plus, she would say she was going to submit something on a Thursday, then wait a week and a half to actually do it (and only then after I sent a mychart message). I feel like this process would’ve been much smoother with a different coordinator. She made me do so much on my own and refused to ever call my insurance herself. It’s felt like the blind leading the blind! 😆 On the plus side, I absolutely loved Dr. Husain once I finally met her. So having a fantastic surgeon with awesome bedside manner is a major advantage. I know it’ll be worth all the frustrations in the end! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Wow! Good to know! My surgery center is a 3 hour drive, so I’m not quite sure how to arrange it all, but a nearby hotel may be involved. I guess we shall see!

Interesting... They sent a copy of the letter to my email, and it definitely says the inpatient stay was denied. I find it crazy that the Dr. on the panel wasn’t even a surgeon (speciality was Internal Medicine) and yet they feel qualified to assess the complexities of this surgery. While, yes, that Dr. is probably great at diagnosing rare diseases, they are not a surgeon... Yet, they state the surgery doesn’t warrant an inpatient stay. Seems to me that my surgeon (who has been performing/teaching these surgeries for ages) would know better than he would, but hey... what do i know, right? I’m glad to hear it can still work out! I'll definitely be working with my surgeons office. I just wanted to hear from others who have been through it since I have to wait until Monday and I’m impatient! 😉

Welp, it happened. Insurance denied my surgery. Twice. We are on the third appeal now... I have literally done EVERYTHING they required. Jumped through every single hoop for the past 9 months. I meet every qualification. And they are still FIGHTING approval. I’m pissed. My doctor is pissed. I’m about to pull my hair out! Deep. Deep. Deeeeeep. Breath. Wish me luck on the third appeal, guys. I have a feeling I’m going to need it! 😭

Hi y'all! I'm brand new here... so a tad about me. I live in Oregon. I'm 29, married, and a SAHM of two kiddos. My kids are my motivation! I want to be a good role model for them... and I want to be the best mom possible! You all know how it is... lugging around all this extra weight is exhausting! Everything hurts all the time. I look forward to running around and PLAYING with my kids without getting winded all the time. Hikes. Bike rides. SWIMMING! I've been too ashamed of myself to wear a bathing suit in public for years. I'm ready to be the best version of myself and put all those insecurities behind me. I have finished my 6 month program and finally met my surgeon last week. I'm anxiously awaiting insurance approval so I can get my surgery day on the books. Exciting! And terrifying! Fingers crossed I don't have to go to battle with my insurance company So.... for those of you who have been through this with families: how have managed cooking for your family post-op? What advice can you share? We are committed to eating healthy as a family long-term, but I'm kind of wondering how to manage everything during the liquid diet stages. Any tips, tricks, advice?