vikingbeast

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.)

So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle."

Day before surgery
Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon Jello. Got about 830 calories in.
Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery".
Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses.
Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia).

Day of surgery
Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way.
A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV.
My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up.
My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours.
I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep.
Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me Water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée Soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something.
I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything).
Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived.
When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of Protein Shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable.

Day 1 post-op
My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower Protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided.
Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters!
Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of Fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra Protein Powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me.
I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise.
I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

It's that the stress of surgery, caloric restriction, and emotions accelerates the natural cycle by which your hair "dies", but the rate of replacement is normal... so basically it all falls out faster than normal but takes a few months to regrow.

My VSG was yesterday. The worst parts are not being about right drunk enough Water (get some Biotene spray, it’ll hep with dry mouth), the gas bubbles from all the gas they inflated me with, and just how easily I get tired.

I barely feel anything from the incisions, can get up and down without issues, and can sleep on my side if I’m careful about turning.

I was on two blood pressure medications. One contained a Water pill, and my PCP decided that since I'll be struggling to hydrate, I don't need to take the one with the water pill.
In two days—TWO DAYS—my uncontrolled (pre-meds) blood pressure dropped from 155/95 to 134/75.
I really don't understand how that would work physically, but I'm not going to argue with it!

I was on two blood pressure medications. One contained a Water pill, and my PCP decided that since I'll be struggling to hydrate, I don't need to take the one with the water pill.
In two days—TWO DAYS—my uncontrolled (pre-meds) blood pressure dropped from 155/95 to 134/75.
I really don't understand how that would work physically, but I'm not going to argue with it!

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.)

So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle."

Day before surgery
Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon Jello. Got about 830 calories in.
Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery".
Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses.
Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia).

Day of surgery
Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way.
A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV.
My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up.
My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours.
I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep.
Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me Water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée Soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something.
I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything).
Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived.
When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of Protein Shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable.

Day 1 post-op
My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower Protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided.
Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters!
Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of Fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra Protein Powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me.
I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise.
I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

I gained 6 lbs overnight from the fluids they put into me. But I've also been peeing like a racehorse.

Just stick to the plan.

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.)

So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle."

Day before surgery
Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon Jello. Got about 830 calories in.
Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery".
Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses.
Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia).

Day of surgery
Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way.
A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV.
My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up.
My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours.
I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep.
Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me Water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée Soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something.
I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything).
Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived.
When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of Protein Shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable.

Day 1 post-op
My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower Protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided.
Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters!
Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of Fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra Protein Powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me.
I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise.
I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

I was hospitalized for three weeks for a bout of cellulitis and had to go through a long course of "nuke it from orbit, it's the only way to be sure" antibiotics. If it is hot and swollen, go to the ER.

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.)

So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle."

Day before surgery
Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon Jello. Got about 830 calories in.
Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery".
Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses.
Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia).

Day of surgery
Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way.
A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV.
My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up.
My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours.
I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep.
Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me Water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée Soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something.
I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything).
Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived.
When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of Protein Shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable.

Day 1 post-op
My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower Protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided.
Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters!
Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of Fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra Protein Powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me.
I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise.
I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

I gained 6 lbs overnight from the fluids they put into me. But I've also been peeing like a racehorse.

Just stick to the plan.

Settled right in your shoulder? It's the CO2 they used to inflate your belly during surgery. If you have someone there with you, have them burp you as they would a baby, only harder. This too shall pass (i couldn't resist!) Thanks for the update!

I just had it and while I felt hungry yesterday, today I can't even look at food. If it stays this way I'm gonna be a thin as a rake in no time at all.

I've been reading so many stories on here about people having to go fight for their insurance to cover things. I even started taking notes about things people said to their insurance so that I could just be ready for what I thought was inevitable. I even got a letter from them saying they needed all these pieces of paper that I know were submitted (turned out to be a kink in their process).

But CIGNA approved my pre-certification in THREE BUSINESS DAYS. I just got the notification! Now we just schedule a date, do all the pre-surgical testing, whatever they require for a pre-op diet (it looks like just one day of liquids, which is weird) and pray it doesn't get cancelled due to the Covid surge. My insurance coordinator at the bariatric clinic was 100 percent on top of things and had all my ducks in a row before I was even aware I needed ducks. 🤣

This isn't a flex... I really, truly, was expecting to have to fight, and I'm so relieved I don't, that I feel like I lost thirty pounds already!

Civility on the Internet? Oh my gosh, I need to go buy a lottery ticket. (Seriously, kudos to you both.)

Hi Leslie, welcome to BP. I have been on the emotional rollercoaster (my surgery is in... uh... 36 hours) and it is totally normal. But honestly, finding this site has been a lifeline for me, I would almost certainly have chickened out otherwise.

Hi Leslie, welcome to BP. I have been on the emotional rollercoaster (my surgery is in... uh... 36 hours) and it is totally normal. But honestly, finding this site has been a lifeline for me, I would almost certainly have chickened out otherwise.

I'm pre-op but have lost 17 lbs. since I started seriously considering this process (and 34 from my high)... today I had to park in a somewhat tight spot, and only had to open my truck door one "bump" to get out. Surgery is in exactly week... I can't wait.

I keep telling my fiancé I'm gonna be his arm candy. This gives me hope that it'll be true.

So glad I saw this—because this is the route I intend to take. (I already CrossFit, so have a whole bucket list of CF-related things I want to do once my weight isn't the limiting factor.) My coach does also program "functional bodybuilding" which I will be following to try and shore up the (inevitable) loose skin.

You both look AH MAY ZING.

I have had to purée meat before when taking care of someone with eating issues, and the Magic Bullet (which sounds like something very different but really is a blender) is top notch.

My first goal was 180. The last weight I remember when I was social and comfortable enough with my appearance that I went out and did things like bowling league. I just reached 180.7 today!!

*applauds wildly* Both transformations are ah-mazing and serious goals! I just need plague-related things here to settle down so the gyms can re-open, because as soon as post-op allows, I will be out of the gate like a dog at the beach.

Best of luck!! I'm on Tuesday and the anxiety is real!

It really depends how much you like what your current therapist is doing outside of the weight topic. If you feel like you want her to be in your life, then just don't talk to her about weight loss and use bariatric support groups for that.

If she's turning into one of these preachy, teetering-on-the-edge-of-anti-science types, maybe now's a good time to thank her for what she's done for you and find someone who aligns better with your goals. It is YOUR life and not open to anyone's—not even your therapist's—judgment.