Texarkolina

Second surgery date was successful in that I am sleeved. It was pretty rough because they had to give me so much medication to keep my heart rate up during the surgery and didn't give me pain meds for a while after. I have never experienced pain and nausea (from the meds) anything like the few hours after surgery. I came home on Wednesday, but was readmitted Sunday night for dehydration and shoulder pain. They were afraid that I could have a leak because I have so much pain in my left shoulder still. Tests were all negative. If I am still having pain on Wednesday he is going to send me to an orthopedic guy. They are wondering if they didn't damage my shoulder during chest compressions in the first surgery. This has been a horribly rough road, and I am a little glad I didn't know how bad it was going to be going in. Thus far today I have managed to get down a popsicle--that's it. The surgeon said it may take time but he has never seen it not get better. I am trying to have a positive attitude, but I am pretty miserable right now.

I was sleeved on the 30th and I am right there with you. I am still glad I had it done, but I am struggling to get in liquids. I am on pureed (per doctors orders) and made my plate with a tiny amount of pureed potatoes, ham, and asparagus. Sat down to eat with my friends, and got less than a tablespoon in before my body said NO MORE. Calculating how much protein I am getting in hasn't even crossed my mind because it is such a tiny amount. Liquids actually seem harder than "solids". I was emotionally spent this morning, but I feel better now. I know I will be happy with my decision later, but this is the hard part. I am confused about what I should/should not be eating and seem to live in a town that does not believe in sugar-free Popsicles. Wonder what happens if I eat a regular one? I am glad for one thing--I am still tired enough from the surgery that I need a nap or 2 a day--nice little escape.

I am 5 days out and it seems to get harder each day. I have been trying different flavorings and it helps a ton.

I have never experienced pain like I had when I woke up. There were some complications during surgery and they were holding off on the pain meds because my heart rate was low. I was in horrible pain when I was taken to my room--definitely a 10 or better--and didn't get on top of it for a couple of hours. I was an afternoon surgery, and they were able to get me up in a chair--even though I kept blacking out--for an hour before I slept for the night. I think they gave me every anti-nausea med made that first night because I felt so sick. Day 2 was nothing like surgery day, but still a little rough. I am on day 5 now and have little pain or nausea.

I am on day 4. I am able to get in 1/3 cup of full liquid like cream soup or pudding at a time. I eat for a max of 20 min. and give it up. I can drink a medium sip at a time and drink throughout the day. I am getting 30 ounces of water/crystal lite daily. I actually find it easier to get in full liquids and things that have the consistency of pudding or yogurt than clear liquids. I am trying to increase my intake.

I had a few complications and was in a lot of pain when I came to the floor. I would rate it a 10 on a 1-10 scale. They were having problems keeping my heart rate up and pain under control. The floor nurse put me on a pain pump, but I was too out of it and in agony to press the button. My sister sat beside me and pushed the button every time it became available for about 90 minutes and I finally got ahead of the pain. I have had some surgeries before and usually need Tylenol or something similar, but this was a whole different ball game for me. They left me on the pain pump--and I used it when I needed it--for 2 1/2 days. It made it easier to get moving since I could have a small dose rather than a large dose and be knocked out. I am now 4 days out and am just a little sore. I still have pain in my shoulder, but the surgeon says that it will probably work itself out in a few days. Other than the 2-3 hours right after surgery, the pain was tolerable and I had the means to manage it. Every surgeon is different. My surgeon has the attitude that you should expect some pain--this is a major surgery and you can't medicate all the pain away.

I was July 30 as well. Recovery was a little rough for me--a bit more pain than I expected. I had some complications and was given a lot of medication during surgery to speed up my heart. (I was originally scheduled for July 23 but was rescheduled on the 30th after my heart stopped on the table) They surgeon said they gave me a tremendous ."amount of meds enough to "jump start a 3 day dead horse." As a result of this I battled nausea, but i am doing better now.

I would be honest with him about it and expect that he will most likely reschedule you. I really struggled with the pre-op diet, too, but I am glad I did it because it helped me get my mind in the right place for after surgery. You may need to do it to help both physically and emotionally. Did you not do it at all? I think surgeons expect that people will struggle and possibly cheat some, but if you didn't do it at all that is different. Also, the nutrition in the Optifast is balanced and what your body needs before surgery.... Good luck

I realize they need to know and use it as a learning experience. I wish they wouldn't share that they know with me and begin each statement with "Oh my gooooooddddddd..." like they are rehashing what they did on Saturday night. I know it was odd for me to be back in the surgical unit as a support person for my friend so soon, but it was unnerving to have my medical mishap discussed over and over like a bunch of teenage girls with some juicy gossip. The surgeon said that he was going to meet me at the door and walk me through the whole thing. He also said, "you have our undivided attention now!" I guess I should look on it as a good thing that everyone is putting their A game up for the next surgery. Perhaps I will be in for a smoother ride.

Hang in there--62 pounds is amazing!

I would call the doc if it were me. You will be better off with the surgeon telling you that it is nothing to worry about so you can relax about it. Being stressed/worried makes it harder for your body to heal.

I started asking questions and was able to get the bariatric coordinator to discuss the episode with the head of anesthesiology. He said that if he had been in the room that the procedure would have continued. He said that my surgeon made a judgement call and chose to stop the surgery, but that it wasn't necessary. I am fine with the surgery being stopped. If the surgeon felt like he and/or the anesthesiologist was too shook up and/or not prepared to continue, then he made the right call. He said that everyone does anesthesia differently and while the person doing mine didn't do anything, wrong, that most anesthesiologists would have pre-treated a person my age with a medication that would prevent my heart rate from dropping. Begs the question of why this isn't done for everyone?? My best friend had surgery Thursday, and everyone recognized me and came to me to talk about it. They acted like it was this huge thing and it seemed like everyone in the hospital knew about it. The reaction of various people in the hospital being so dramatic was more nerve racking than what actually happened. I am a little disappointed in the lack of professionalism, and irritated at the overall insensitivity of the hospital staff. No one should have approached me with "Oh my god--I can't believe what happened to you." I feel better after asking some questions, and they have assured me that the anesthesiology person assigned to my case on Monday will come up to the pre-op area and talk with me and my family before I go back. I think I am going to refuse to go down until this happens.

I didn't even have an appointment with the surgeon--or a real conversation about what happened. He pawned me off on a cardiologist, who was very good and thorough in his exam/testing. He said that without records from the monitors in the OR he cannot say for sure, but rather speculate what happened. Seems they cannot provide the records, so the guy that wasn't in the room is the one that is answering my questions. Not real comforting. They surgeon is out of town until Monday, but I have made up my mind that I will not let them take me down to the staging area until I meet and talk with the anesthesia guy and the surgeon and hear how the intend on getting a better outcome--specifically that I not DIE during this round. Still feels very overwhelming. Everything from how to keep my heart beating to will you use the same incisions and how will that affect the scarring are things that I would like to have answered. I just feel so weak and discouraged.

Well that sucked. Went in to the surgery--surgeon made 2 incisions--put camera in one and then slowly started inflating my abdomen.. Then my heart stopped. I was out for about a minute and they had to do chest compressions to get my heart started again. Surgeon decided that he should stop since this is an elective procedure. I saw a cardiologist in the hospital and went through tons of tests. My heart looks ok. They decided that it was just an unusual reaction to the gas and that I may have been too far under. I want more information than that...... So--I am back home with my entire stomach--couple of incisions--very sore body and chest--and a mouth so dry from all the medication that I feel like it is stuffed with cotton. Not so successful. My nurse said that the surgeon "lost his mojo" and was nervous the entire rest of the day. They said that this is a known, but rare, possible complication especially in women,but it normally results in a slow heart rate, not a heart stopping. My surgery is scheduled once again for July 30. Now I am extremely anxious and frustrated.

I work in human resources and know way more about FMLA than I ever wanted to. If you have been there a year INCLUDING your time as a temp, then you qualify. A lot of HR people are confused about this. If your total time with this company--even though you were a temp--is 12 months or more let me know and I will find the information that you need to take to HR to help them understand that you do qualify.

So I just started a new job and was told that one of the people at the divisional group asked before she me me, "What does she look like? and Am I still the thinnest and prettiest in the group." Although she is thin, she is not very pretty. I would like to knock her off of that role. :ph34r:

My surgery is in 8 hours. I am surprised that I actually feel very peaceful about it. I think I have asked all the questions and looked at the options/risks enough that I am confident that I am making the right choice for me. I am sitting at home wearing my hospital bracelets (had to get them early because they had to get blood ready just in case) and that makes it very real that I am a patient. I expected to be terrified, but at this point I am at peace.

Well that sucked. Went in to the surgery--surgeon made 2 incisions--put camera in one and then slowly started inflating my abdomen.. Then my heart stopped. I as out for about a minute and they had to do chest compressions to get my heart started again. Surgeon decided that he should stop since this is an elective procedure. I saw a cardiologist in the hospital and went through tons of tests. My heart looks ok. They decided that it was just an unusual reaction to the gas and that I may have been too far under. So--I am back home with my entire stomach--couple of incisions--very sore body and chest--and a mouth so dry from all the medication that I feel like it is stuffed with cotton. Not so successful. My nurse said that the surgeon "lost his mojo" and was nervous the entire rest of the day. They said that this is a known, but rare, possible complication especially in women. Everyone signed off and my surgery is scheduled once again for July 30.

I understand on the clothing thing. It is hard to find great pieces when you are plus sized. I lost weight a few years ago and was really frustrated at having 3 options--wear clothes that didn't fit well, spend a fortune on clothes, or get a couple of things in each size and wear them over and over again. Hope your ankle is better!

Best wishes. Mine is July 23 also, so we will be joining the losers club the same day!

Wait for it....once you are at goal and stop losing things will shuffle around a bit--you might get some back then.

Baffles me why they don't just take them out to begin with. I am pre-op---already have gallbladder pain from time to time--and my surgeon will not take it out when he does the sleeve.

If you hold up a pair of size 28 pants and a size 26 together, the 28 is larger by about 3 to 3 1/2 inches in the hips. If you hold up a size 2 and a 4, there is only about 1 inch difference. The larger the size the more weight you will have to lose to go down to the next size. I have been all over the chart and the difference between a 20 and a 22 was about 25 pounds for me. However, I only had to drop 13 or so pounds to go from a size 14 to a size 12. This chart may help you. http://www.womenssizechart.com/

I am July 23 also---nervous here too! How do I find the facebook group!

Hi. I am kinda sneaking in here to the POST surgery forums before my surgery--ssshhhh...don't tell. How long after your surgery were you able to drive short distances? Thanks losers....