recovery time and unique circumstances

[Globetrotter 1,340]

Hello everybody,

I am a new member though I've lurked for a while now.=) After years of research into every kind of WLS I chose VSG and once I made my decision things moved rapidly. I made the decision 1 week ago, have my consult with Dr. Jossart via phone on June 1st, and could potentially have the surgery the first week in August, I guess the rapiditiy of the process is due to being self-pay.

My unique circumstance is that I work in Iraq as a civilian deployed with the Army. My RnR is for the month of August and I have the option of having the surgery then, but I would be returning to Iraq after only 3 wks recovery time. I knew that VST forum members would understand my excitement and the role it plays in the decision process; I don't want to rush, but I really want to rush! Is 3 weeks enough for recovery time? I'll be back to the states for good after 3 months and we have good docs here so I wouldn't be without care. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you everybody.

[thinoneday 445]

Hello everybody,

I am a new member though I've lurked for a while now.=) After years of research into every kind of WLS I chose VSG and once I made my decision things moved rapidly. I made the decision 1 week ago, have my consult with Dr. Jossart via phone on June 1st, and could potentially have the surgery the first week in August, I guess the rapiditiy of the process is due to being self-pay.

My unique circumstance is that I work in Iraq as a civilian deployed with the Army. My RnR is for the month of August and I have the option of having the surgery then, but I would be returning to Iraq after only 3 wks recovery time. I knew that VST forum members would understand my excitement and the role it plays in the decision process; I don't want to rush, but I really want to rush! Is 3 weeks enough for recovery time? I'll be back to the states for good after 3 months and we have good docs here so I wouldn't be without care. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you everybody.

Well this is my experience only. . .remember EVERY body is different and some require more rest and healing time then others. . . but I was up and running the halls 6 hours after my surgery and fully recovered within 1 week (my experience), that doesn't mean you'll do the same. . . if you have other surgeries, take how you recovered from them about the same way. . .this was my 18th major surgery and I have learned over time how to adjust to pains and aches and how to move, get up and so on. . so this was a total breeze for me. . .the lady next door to me in the hospital was not going to move if her life depended on it. . . she just laid there moaning and groaning and having her family members cater to her in every way postion. . . the 3 days i was hospitalized she never once got up. . . so you see we are all different. . . good luck and all the best with your surgery!

[Tiffykins 673]

Hey there and welcome.

I think you would be okay as long as you can get in your fluids. Knowing how hot and miserable it is over there in August due to my husband being over there a few times, your main concern would probably be staying hydrated. Some have issues early out getting in fluids, others have zero issues at all.

I know you would be able to take Protein back with you, or order it from Amazon. My husband ordered his from there while he was in Afghanistan last year. So, you'd be able to get in Protein for energy.

If you're in a staff position, and not out in the field, you will be able to stay cooler I'm assuming.

Dr. Jossart can help guide you through your recovery, and it's great that you'll have med care over there in case you were to need it.

Stay safe, and let us know how your consult goes.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

Thank you for these great answers, Thinoneday this will be my first ever surgery of any kind, if you don't count wisdom teeth. Tiffykins, I am in an office setting and have pretty good postal service for Amazon, drugstore.com, etc. I'm a little concerned about the difac food though, the only healthy options are boiled chicken, boiled eggs, and steamed broccoli, and even the healthy options are absolutely soaked in salt.

I guess I was concerned that my excitement might be rushing the surgeons decisions and I don't want a rushed surgeon! I'm seriously giving consideration to the August date, and I'm looking forward to the consult.

[CraftyChristie 62]

Everyone recovers at different rates but I can tell you that I am typically a SLOW healer and at 10 days out I feel like my normal self. Almost zero pain, walking lots every day, and not too low-energy (I think because I am getting all my Protein and water.) The thing I would worry about for you at 3 weeks is you will still be on mushy foods most likely. Will you have available the types of foods you need, and the ability to make sure you can eat your 1oz every 2 hours without fail? These things are important to the process.

[Kelly G. 2]

I was off work for 3 weeks after my VSG. I wanted to be off long enough to make sure I would have the stamina to work 12 hour day and night shifts. I work a high stress console job and had no problems returning after 3 weeks. Best wishes to you.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

CraftyChristie - I hadn't thought about the constant need to eat, an oz. of Protein every 2 hours? Well, it's approx. a 16 hr flight in 2 parts, I suppose I could have packets of Protein Powder in my purse to mix on the flight? Do you think the airport would let me have some 2 oz. jars of babyfood to carryon? What about those protein gel shot thingies that cyclists use?

[pumpkin07 32]

I think you always have to factor in the chance of complications too. The what ifs. If you did have complications, where would that leave you? You would need to have a Plan B. Seeing as you will be so far away from home, I dunno, I would think waiting makes some sense.

I was self pay, and I rushed. This led me to go with a doctor that was good and my surgery was fine, but not the very best with before/after care. The other problem is I did not go through the classes and therefore really didn't know what to expect. I hadn't heard of the sleeve except when I went to my surgeon's office and asked him what surgery he recommended for me. I had a 1 hr group nutrition consult and a psych evaluation for a few minutes. Whereas friends of mine went through all the grueling nutrition counseling sessions with their doctor and totally understood everything much better than I do, and they still have many classes they can attend whereas my doctor has 1 session a month allotted at a time I can't go.

When you are cash pay doctors have a tendency to open that door for you, but if I had it to do over again I would have gone through 3 mos. of classes and kind of gotten a better sense of who the big players were in my town.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

pumpkin - Thank you, your info got me thinking. I should have specified when I said I wanted to rush, I meant now that I've made the decision I am excited to make it happen. I've actually researched the VSG for quite some time now and feel pretty well versed. My surgeon provides a required nutrition and psych consult prior to surgery and 23 months of aftercare are included in the price. Nobody else seems to have had their work done from LapSF in San Francisco, I put a comment on the surgeons thread but I guess nobody else here has had my surgeon which is odd since he is really well establlished and even has his own string here on sleeve talk - Dr. Jossart.