Am I the only Nevada Sleever??

[Happy Camper 266]

Hi Tammy and Team Nevada

Sorry for the length of my post but, I feel passionately about my surgery and the outcome.

I live too far away to attend support groups however, I will say that WBI offers much in the way of education, and they have grown with information for Sleevers. I was ummm number 46 for Dr. Kozar I think he has done many more since me more than a year ago. Dr. Gansar used to specialize in RNY, he spoke at my WL seminar and Dr. Kozar had been working toward getting Gansar and Sassy (before he left), more onboard with the VSG. I think doctor Watson specializes in lap band, and it seems they really are moving away from that as an option.

Tammy, if you are at the point your life MUST change because of medical and self image issues and you have done all you can do, then in my opinion time is now and you CAN do this. Just follow the rules, sip and walk in the beginning. Then gradually add as the plan allows. Go from Clear liquids, to liquids, to soft (things that fall from a spoon) like sugar free pudding, thicker Soup, thin cream of wheat while getting your Protein and Water in. You will NOT be hungry. Over time you will get hungry again and hopefully, by then you have retrained your brain and eating habits. Keep the junk out of the house, by removing the temptation it will help you. Losing during the first year is critical. I lost most of my weight during the first 10 months. Keep your eye on the prize and you my friend will succeed.

Now, many on this forum have read I had a complication. I developed an abscess along the drain line, and had to have emergency surgery to remove the infection. Dr. Sassy had to do it as Kozar was on vacation. This was two weeks after my surgery. Kozar no longer keeps the drain in that long and he requires antibiotics prior to surgery. You might want to check with Gansar to see what he does. I then had to undergo cell replacement therapy for about 8 weeks during Christmas last year. But, honestly I am fine now. I have one additional scar about 2.5 inches across right in the middle of my stomach but, compared to some I was very fortunate.

Tammy go in knowing the risks, follow the guidelines, make sure your doctor knows all of your information and I am certain you will post in about 6 months how much better you feel! I watched some home videos last week, and could not believe it was me on the film (rare), today I am active, alive and loving life. No longer do my knees ach, my feet are fine, I can walk...no run up stairs my high blood pressure is gone and I know I will be around to retre with my husband. Before surgery, not so sure I would have been. I will share I had issues only one time last month and I did not eat much that day, and only drank about 30 oz of Water. That night my feet/legs were cramping and I ended up doing my face plant and long story short had a stay in the hospital for dehydration and low potassium. So, now I do not get too busy EVER. My water generally I drink 69 -92 oz daily with crystal light peach or raspberry tea and I have no problems getting it in. I feel like recently I have been eating more than I should because I am now taking HRT (patch), but that is much better for me than continued hot flashes . As a result I have put on 7 lbs from my lowest BUT I am very aware and I will increase Protein drinks and reduce some of the other non needed items I have been eating (sunflower seeds, a piece of sourdough bread, cashews), I think I have been testing myself and it is time to get refocused.

I will leave you with, hold yourself accountable by signing up with my fitness pal type program that logs your food, clear your home of junk, hopefully you have a supportive family (KEY), stay positive, follow the food program and talk with the nutritionist at WBI.

Let us know how it goes and good luck in your journey. Many here will say a prayer for your success, I left myself in God's hands and he helped me through my dark times. Today, I ride on the back of my hubby's motorcycle, and absolutely LOVE LIFE!

[ReduceReuseRecycle-Me! 119]

Glad you posted! Wow 55 big ones in 10 weeks- you go!!!! That's awesome! Did you have a pain pump if I've Meds? Seems lots of folks have had it. I'm allergic to morphine- and a whimp! Dr Ganser is my doc. St Mary's - what hospital did you use?

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hey, Tammy. I live in Sun Valley and was sleeved on the 27th by Dr. Kozar. My postop visit is tomorrow and I hope he will take the drain out. I think I am doing well, although I didn't sleep well last night and I think I had a panic attack. I do suffer from them and haven't taken my Paxil since the night before surgery so this morn at 4:00 I braved it and went and took a pill. I hadn't wanted to take one just because I don't want to swallow anything that will sit in my sleeve a while, but the effects of not taking the medicine for a while are not fun.

Anyway, where are you in the area? Nice to talk to someone from here. I tried when I first started to get other area sleevers to join in but I couldn't find any.

[ReduceReuseRecycle-Me! 119]

Thank you so much for your posts and advise! Do you go to any groups at WBI or speak? I do class on Jan 8th, last one before surgery & really looking forward to it.

I'm afraid I will forget an important question to ask Dr Ganser or something to bring, do or not do! This is a huge step into a better life, but not without risk and I'm finding myself looking more at risk the past few days. All in all I'm doing this!! I will succeed and be a better me, but boy have I been loosing sleep!! Did you do two week liquid only pre-op? Shots in belly?

How long in hospital? St's or Renown? Good , bad? What did you bring? How long in hospital? My insurance says same day I have to go home- Aetna! What was worst part coming home? Did you have pain pump or just Meds? Did they help? Oh my I must sound like a fool- I'm sorry!

This is so wonderful and scary at the same time!!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi, again. I was at Renown South Meadows. It was lovely there. Every single nurse and CNA was awesome. I brought a nightgown and slippers, but never used them. They provided everything else, like toothbrush/paste, sock-slippers and gowns of course. They are easier to use since they have openings all over the place for stuff and you may get blood and other unmentionables on them. I was given shots for blood thinners in the hospital but I didn't come home with them. I mentioned the drain ( ) but hopefully that will come out tomorrow. I have liquid pain med from pharmacy and liquid tylenol. I take a omeprazole (that's like, Prilosec or similar) capsule and for nausea, if we get it, we have suppositories that are suppose to be really good, but I haven't had nausea, knock on wood. I stayed two nights. The worst part about coming home was knowing I couldn't do anything that needs to be done in my house. We have a lot of animals and I am the one who feeds them and keeps their area clean and I'll tell you, my place is a mess. I can't constantly direct my husband to do things and I don't think he cares if it is messy and smelly. I can't wait to get better so I can clean.

[Happy Camper 266]

I did not answer many of your Q's, sorry. Let me see. I was at Renown for the Sleeve surgery, they were great although Kozar was not sure where the infection came from, as my hubby was an EMT and we were especially careful using gloves in a sterile environmentmfor my drain. The second surgery was at Saint Mary's. I honestly prefer South Meadows overall. Meds were thought the pump, and I really used it for the first day mainly, slept a lot. Then up and walking, I switched to injections, I think (roll eyes, hard to believe I have forgotten), kinda like childbirth. God has taken away a lot of the memories of pain.

I took a bag of "stuff" and really only used it when leaving, brushed my teeth, put on underclothes, sweats because weather was bad Nov3, 2011. But I had to stay close to hospital because we live about 3 hours away for my followup. All went well, until 11 days out and the drain came out, it did not hurt, it felt weird 2 days later, I was in ER for the abscess in my abdominal cavity.

I think one of the best parts about Western Bariatric Center is the staff. You develop relationships with many there. Laurie is just a caring doll. Cindy one of the nurses is soooo supportive, Darolyn the Marketing director is a hoot and committed to her work. I had Christine as a nutritionist and she went with Sassy, so I have not met the new, or returning nutritionist but I hear she is fantastic!

If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a private message and I will share all I can. It is important to research and I always wanted to help and support others.

[Mendif 21]

Finally one year later approval! My surgery is Monday the 18th with Dr. Sasse at St Mary's in Reno. I am very excited. Ht nervous at the same time.

[Deanne 22]

Hi, I'm in Reno, and was sleeved on Jan 30th 2013. It's nice to know there are others close by

[Mendif 21]

Hi' date=' I'm in Reno, and was sleeved on Jan 30th 2013. It's nice to know there are others close by <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Silky, how are you doing??? Who was your doc??? It is nice to see someone around my area!!

[Deanne 22]

I had Dr Sasse as well, he is great and so is his staff.. I wish you the best..

[mvickyway 256]

Hey Everyone! =)

I'm in Las Vegas and I'm going at the beginning of the year to be sleeved. I'm super excited but I've had a hard time finding support groups here that aren't associated with doctors offices here. I think I'm one of those people who will definitely need the support' date=' but I just can't figure out where to get it here.[/quote']

Wont they let you join a group thru a Drs Ofc?

[mvickyway 256]

Hello. I was sleeved on the 3/29 by Dr. Bernie Hanna. He has a support group' date=' you may go even if he's not your doctor. I asked for thistimeisit. Next 2 meetings are at desert springs hospital 10 am May 12 and June 9. I think I'm out of town both those days. So maybe I'll meey some of you July 14. You can also google las vegas bariatrics for more dates. Please let me know of any other local groups or sleeve events. I'm thinking a clothing party would be fun![/quote']

I am also sleeved by Dr Hanna on 2/20. So far so good, very pleased

[audreae 7]

I am from Las Vegas surgery will be April 10th with Dr.Tsuda.

[Ms.Cali 56]

Are there any support groups in Las Vegas? I was sleeved in Dec 2012.

[Adglass 4]

I was sleeved on April 4 by Dr. Teng

[Guest Jason Cody]

I got sleeved on June 24th in Las Vegas.

[ThisTimeIsIt 71]

Are there any support groups in Las Vegas? I was sleeved in Dec 2012.

Who were you sleeved by? Most doctors run their own support groups now. I attend two different doctors groups, one where I was sleeved and one where my friend was. I could look up the dates for the next meeting if u want.