Happy To Be Here

[BLS 0]

My name is Bryan and I just found this forum two days ago. I have my surgery planned for Jan 26, 2012. Nine days and counting.

I am 54 years old and have been fighting the weight issue all my life. I was at 366lbs when I started this journey and now I am at 338 thanks to Christmas. Didn’t go crazy but did stray off my diet. I only gained 2 lbs so I was really happy when I weighed in last Friday. I have been through all the hoops my insurance has me go through. It has been a 6 month process. I am having my surgery done at Overlake hospital in Bellevue Washington. My Surgeon is David Lauter. Everything I can find is showing him as a reputable Dr who does a lot of these surgeries. So I am comfortable with him and his abilities.

Up until yesterday I was really excited. Then I started reading about all the people that had complications. Not just little ones but stuff that could be life threatening. Granted I have read many success stories but the bad outcomes are what really has been sticking in my mind.

Several times a day I go back and forth with my self about if I am doing the right thing. But at the end of the day the answer is always yes. I am moving forward and now that I have found this site I know there are others that have been through this and I wont be alone. Thank you all for the information and the experiences you share with everyone.

I am sure you will be hearing more from me and I sure will be reading all I can. Thanks

[hadouni 301]

Hi Brian, I had surgery a week ago today. I think my experience could be textbook perfect. I didn't have any drains, and have had no incision trouble. I did experience some nausea for the first 18 hours after I woke up but that was controlled well with meds and I haven't experienced any vomiting at all. I hope your experience is excellent too! Good luck!

[keybold64 43]

Welcome, Bryan! I'm almost 3 wks post op and I know exactly what you mean - about a week before surgery I finally had to stop coming on here because it seemed like everything I was reading was about complications, etc. and it freaked me out. Needless to say, I still had my doubts about surgery right up until they put the IV in my arm, but I'm happy to say that I am SOOOOO glad I went through with it. I know you will be, too! Good luck :biggrin:

[shellbelle 4]

Welcome to the site, Bryan! I am just about 2 weeks post-op and I do not regret a thing, even though I had to go back to the hospital for 3 more nights due to dehydration. I had so many co-morbidities (sleep apnea, borderline diabetic, high cholesterol, to name a few) that I knew that if I didn't do it now I would not live a very long life. I am now looking forward to a happy, long, healthy life thanks to my sleeve. You will do fine, and one day you will wonder why you ever doubted yourself.

Good luck with your surgery, we all wish you the best. Stay in touch on this board!

[blackanese25 160]

Hey Bryan.... I am just over a month out 5 weeks to be exact. The thing is everyone is different and honestly yes you may have complications, but as long as you are doing what the doctor is telling you.. those complications will be reduced to mere fears hopefully.

My surgery went very well, i had no nausea, no vomitting, slept fine, basically havent had any real issues other than gas which is kind of expected. So i hope this puts you at ease a little bit.

Im sure your surgery will go flawlessly, and you will be on your way to a healthy happy life. I always say yes you should be aware of the risks, but do they really out weigh the benefits/rewards!?!

I had one episode this whole time where i had to go to the hospital and they didnt find anything wrong, it was just a weird pain that went away the next day, only to find out that im allergic to iodine..lol. go figure. other than that its been pretty smooth sailing.

So good luck to you and just know if you have any fears, ask questions to your doc he will be able to give you good answers and hopefully put your mind at ease.

[Lissa 2,631]

Bryan, Yes, there are possible complications with VSG, just like there are possible complications with ANY surgery. There are several long-timers here who had bad complications immediately post-op, and there are several newly sleeved people who have had complications. While no one wants complications, the risk is fairly low (unless it's you, of course). And, all of the long-timers who had complications have said that they would do the surgery again. I'm not sure how the newer people who have complications feel about it, but all of their complications were caught very early and treated quickly.

My pre-op research showed fewer complications and better outcomes from those complications with the band than the other WLS surgeries I researched, including gastric bypass, RNY, and lap band. Many people who had lap bands initially seemed to not be very successful and a lot of those ended up with revision surgery. I cut to the chase and had a sleeve. IMO, it's the best option on the market today.

Good luck to you on your journey!!

[Monisue 5]

Congratulations Bryan! I'm glad that other VSG'ers have given you such factual and realistic advice. Yes, there could be a problem but the percentages are very, very low. Do what the Doc says and stay positive. That said, I was sleeved Oct. 18, 2011 and it has been the BEST thing I've ever done in my life. I'm down 56lbs and feel FANTASTIC. I'm in the best mental state I've been in for years and I think the elimination of so many unhealthy foods has been the key. I use to be in love with food and now I'm in love with feeling energized. The first few days are tough but doable. There was for me some crazy head hunger and food withdrawls the first few days. Be prepared and they will pass. I'm so very happy for you. All the Best to you.

[Vance_ 217]

Hi Bryan! Welcome and congrats! I am a little over two weeks post op and I haven't had any complications besides the nausea for the first 18 hours or so. Wasn't too bad. Everyone is different, but I feel most people don't have many complications. Best of luck and let us know how it goes!