SIZE SEVEN

Hi All, Surgery: June 17 2009 Didn't mean to make you worry...I just needed a few days to figure out what to do AFTER surgery! So many of you had gung-ho post surgery comments...I have been wrestling with who I am now. I have not been one for deprivation and certainly food has been available and plentiful all my life. This liquid phase has been hard for me and Debbie. I know it's only a few days, but it feels like a lifetime. I'm Type II Diabetic and "no sugar" has me feeling really weird. We call each other a couple of times a day because we feel HUNGRY. I know it's not "real" hunger, but gosh darn, it sure feels like hunger! Someone asked me to watch her fresh hot pretzel at the airport when we were departing. I wanted to tell her, "Lady, you don't know it, but I'm homicidal right now, and I'll take you out for that pretzel!!!!" Only kidding-but not really. My surgery went well and my experience with Mexicali, Almater Hosptital, Dr. Aceves and team were wonderful. I can't believe the care and attention to patient needs they have. I have never experienced so many kind and compassionate people in one hospital. I'm glad Debbie and I did this together. We have great pictures of us walking the halls with our IV poles and back sides flapping in the breeze! Our last meal at the Lucerna Hotel was one for the books. I had SEVEN pieces of garlic bread, a Soup bowl of French onion soup with a giant puff pastry on top, beef medallions of tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and did I mention TWO supersized Sangrias? No wonder I didn't care that I was having surgery the next day!!! Surgery day, they gave me two "happy pills" and all I remember was being wheeled out of my room and telling the nurse she had a nice plant on her desk and the next thing I knew I was back in the room...surgery over! Now THAT'S they way to have surgery!:frown1: Day Two was rougher for me because I found out I had a hernia repaired, and some scar tissue remove from an old gall bladder surgery as well as the sleeve so I took it easy all day. Debbie was standing in the doorway with her IV pole asking me if I wanted to go shopping with her!!! Now where do two old broads go shopping while attached to IV poles??? She definitely has more stamina than I do! My sense of humor is returning so that's a good sign. I am learning that I'm a new person now...one who has to adopt some better habits. The old me is resisting (big time!) so with time I'm sure I'll be on the gung ho list like most of you! Thanks for caring about us and we're glad you are all out there. It's very helpful to write down feelings and fears and know others understand what you're going through. If you're reading this and considering surgery and need a doctor, Dr. Aceves is THE MAN!

Don't leave me out! Not with this gaggle! Count me in!

My husband bought me ART LESSONS! I have always wanted to take art lessons, but have been too busy working. He felt since I am making lifestyle changes with eating food, I should indulge in even more lifestyle changes. I love that he chose something I would look forward to doing (rather than eating and thinking about bariatric surgery). We will be splitting one meal when we go out in the future. He has learned to make several lo cal sugar free Desserts in tiny portions. We both plan to take walk in the mornings. He often asks me how I'm feeling (physically and mentally about the surgery) with true compassion. Sounds sappy I know, but I'm glad he's supportive in these small but encouraging ways!

Buena Suerte with your decision Peri77. It is not an easy one. My surgery is coming up (June 17) so I can't speak from experience. I commend you for considering making healthy choices for yourself. It's the first step in the process. Keep your focus on your health and the right decision will come to you. It is amazing how even the smallest effort at exercise has shown results for me. I cut out sugar, caffiene and high carbs for the past two weeks and just "moved around" alot more by 20 minutes and have lost 8 pounds pre op. I'm still doing the surgery because I need the life change. Your English is muy buena!

JUNE 8: EARLY MORNING WORRIES! I woke up about 5AM this morning thinking about my upcoming surgery! I'm part scared and part excited. I'm excited for surgery day because I have confidence in my doctor and hospital. I have had surgeries before so I know what to expect. What I'm scared about is the rest of my life AFTER surgery. I live in a small tourist resort town in Texas (www.visitwimberley.com) where life revolves around dinner clubs, lunch groups, social picnics, church pot lucks, bake sales, and FOOD at every occassion. Social eating is my life. I worry about being the one drinking a protien shake at the Mexican restaurant instead of a jumbo plate of enchiladas! I am so used to caving in the minute I smell sizzling fajitas or feast my eyes on a table full of pot luck casseroles! Here it is almost 6AM and I've been pondering about all the upcoming summer trips where family and friends will be cooking and gathering around a bountiful table! What do I do without my usual cooking, serving and refilling plates? This old habit has been with me a long time and I'm not sure how to replace it. :001_rolleyes: What is my "new" role? What does it look like and how does it feel? :huh0: When I visualize all my caloric choices in the future, how do I know, in that split second, what to choose instead? :thumbup: Will I have the "new" ability to make the right choice?:thumbup1: I've made a decision to do this surgery for my health and a new lease on life so it has to work. With support from friends and forums like VSTalk.com, I feel I am not alone. There's always someone with an encouraging word! They all seemed to have transitioned well after surgery, so the sleeve must have helped their mind as well as their state of hunger and will power issues. I know when the weight starts coming off and I begin to feel better, the "new" habits will begin to take over. I am lucky to have my friend (Debbie811) who is having surgery the same day and will be in the room next door. Our wild and crazy husbands will also be with us for support during surgery and BEYOND. Pot Lucks won't go away so I need to mentally deal with them now and forever!

Elizabeth, Thanks for this information and the time you took to look this up. I couldn't find a benifit for them (stockings) either. I think doing the walking and plane exercises will be enough. I'm not good at staying in bed. What did you do during the two days after surgery in the hospital? Was walking around hard after surgery? Does everyone get acid reflux? I don't usually get that so I'm wondering why so many people seem to have trouble with it. How long will that last after surgery? Sound like some people have it all the time.

Thanks for your replies. Both are very helpful. I plan to get an isle seat on the plane and walk around some. It's a three hour flight so I'm not too worried. I wore those compression stockings around the house for about three hours to try them out and they did make my legs feel better, but you should have seen me try to take them off! They are so tight I danced around the bedroom for 10 minutes trying to get just one of them off! I think I might skip wearing them as you have suggested. The instructions say they "help" prevent thrombosis, but I still don't see how.

Not to change the subject, but I bought some compression knee high stockings for the plane ride home (for my upcoming surgery 6/17). I bought the size that fits my ankle/calf measurment. I struggled to put them on and they feel really tight. Once I got them on, they feel pretty good (except where I bend my knees. Is this the way they are supposed to feel? Is this helping or cutting off cirrculation? Did anyone else buy these? I tend to swell up with fluids (when flying) and am worried the restriction will cause more swelling. Advice, please?

June 2 2009: My first entry. My best friend and I are having VSG surgery in Mexico on June 17th in Mexicali with Dr. Aceves. We fly from two Texas cities and meet up in San Diego on June 16. We'll have tests that day and get ready for surgery the following day. We stay in a nice hotel the night of the 16th and three nights at the hospital and depart for home June 20th. Our husbands are traveling with us so this should provide quite a support group! (They think the end result will be that they married two "hot chicks" so dear Lord, let the fantasy become reality!):001_rolleyes: I know everyone talks about "the last supper" the night before surgery, but I have to get past thinking my life is over with this "last meal". I want my experience to be successful. I have cleaned out the pantry of all "last supper" type foods and restocked with "first supper" foods for the rest of my life. I am embracing "protien" and smaller portions and can't wait for the day I can go to a restaurant and order with control instead of wild abandonment!:thumbup: I can't wait to give away my old baggy clothes and stand in the front row instead of hiding on the back row when people take pictures. I want to buy a belt; a flashy belt people will notice and wear it with confidence. Did I mention I am a Type II Diabetic? This is the real reason I am going for this surgery. I am sick of Diabetes...shots, pills, A1C tests, doctors, more tests...and the expense is horrendous. We spend $13,000 a year (out of pocket) for Diabetes upkeep; money we don't have. If there is a remote chance I can reverse this Diabetes then I'm going for it. (The new flashy belt doesn't hurt either!) I know the surgery and the sleeve is not a panacea but a mentor; something designed to help my success. It's up to me from Day 1 to work with it and not look for ways to deceive it. This will be hard because I have a thousand excuses why I haven't followed a healthy lifestyle over the years. I must be truthful with myself and face the hard facts that I got this way on my own volition, one excuse at a time. It's time to break that cycle once and for all. Failure is not an option. A NOTE ABOUT THE DOCTOR WE CHOSE: Due to sites like this, and the unbelievable attentative nature of Dr. Aceves' staff, my friend and I both have few worries. You all have been through it and made it to the other side, and we feel sure we know what to expect, with many thanks to your input. If you are considering this surgery and haven't chosen a surgeon yet, you should consider Dr. Aceves. Even though we are pre op, his staff has painstakingly answered EVERY single question with prompt caring responses. If all docs ran their business this way, there would be less apprehension involved in making this kind of life changing decision. It's also a testament to the way he performs surgery by managing the smallest details with compassion and knowledge. I will keep you posted on our progressions like others before us. I never thought I would look forward to surgery! :thumbup1:

We're flying. My best friend and I are having the surgery the same day! Our husbands are coming too (although I think mine will be at the hotel pool as much as possible!). Our flight back to Texas isn't too bad, but we have another hour & a half drive home to Wimberley. Were you able to go outside during your hospital stay? What did you do during the days you were recouping? TV, walking, computer? I don't know how to sit still so this will be different for me to "rest". Did they send you home with any other instructions or exercises, etc.?

Good luck with your surgery! I am very pleased with all the pre op help of Dr. Aceves' staff and from what's posted by others; the surgery appears far less stressful than one imagines.

5/31/09: My girlfriend and I are both scheduled for VSG on June 17th with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. We've been best friends for longer than we can remember so it seemed like a good idea to go together! Both husbands will accompany us (although I fear mine will be drawn to the swimming pool at the hotel!) Only kidding! We are both fortunate that our husbands are very supportive which makes this decision much easier. It seems the liquid phase is difficult for many because of the potien consumption. I bought Isopure in bottles but haven't tried it yet. Anyone have an idea on how to doctor up the taste? Any thing you wish you would have packed to take for the stay in the hospital?

Thanks for the very descriptive run down Elisabeth. I am having VSG on June 17th with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali too! I'm not worried about the surgery but petrified about what happens for the rest of my life. I have a multitude of poor eating habits and fear unconciously eating and drinking liquids at the same time. Is that hard to do? What happens if you do? I'm also a fast eater (I was a school teacher with a 30 minute lunch break for years). Were you able to overcome poor eating habits?