Couple of random questions..

[JessicaAnn 564]

I'm still about 3 months pre-op, but I've been researching for over a year. I've pretty much wrapped my head around the diet (pre and post op), the technicalities of the surgery, and how huge of a change this will be. After reading around here I have a few questions.. (I did search some of my questions but didn't get anything really)

1. Is it comparable to a csection (pain wise)?I've had 2.

2. Does everyone have to swallow that stuff for the leak test? I heard it was beyond disgusting

3. Do nausea meds really work? I have a serious phobia of vomit (so bad, that I've had to call my mom to come over and clean my son's vomit because my husband was working). This is causing me SO much anxiety. I have a very high tolerance for incision pain, but NOT nausea. It will actually throw me into a panic attack if I think I might throw up.

Please give me your experiences or advice!! Thanks

Edit: and If anyone has similar stats as me I'd like to hear your experience too!! I'm 5'3" 280lbs.

[Groovinchikin 49]

I've never had a C-section, but I've had many other surgeries, and this one by far was the least painful. Yes you will have to drink a small amount of barium for the leak test. But honestly it isn't very much, and the taste doesn't linger very long. If you are worried about nausea, talk to your anesthesiologist before surgery. They will be able to give you extra meds (like a scopine patch) to help prevent vomiting.

[Webchickadee 716]

I have never had a c-section, but I did have a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder surgery). The VSG was easier to recover from, but they are similar. I was up walking around the same day, and showered by myself the next morning. Then 1 day later was shopping and visited the beach. After 2 weeks my abdomen was nearly back to normal and my only surgical symptoms were fatigue and diarrhea (from antibiotics and liquid diet both pre and post-op).

I did not experience any nausea and I have never (in 10 months post-op) vomited once. I've come close a couple of times (yucky slimies) from eating 1-2 bites too much. You learn quickly what amount you can handle (I weigh everything when I have access to a scale). The main battle is with head hunger and thinking you can eat more than your stomach will allow.

The leak test wasn't fun, but it was over in seconds. I think I stressed about it way more than I needed to. You can ask to have some Water to rinse out your mouth right after (rinse and spit) and perhaps even some mouthwash. You'll be fine. It's important that they make sure you have no leaks!

[Geminidrive 389]

Does everyone have to swallow that stuff for the leak test? My leak test was done in surgery, so no I did not have one after surgery.

Do nausea meds really work? Yes, I've taken them many times for labrynthitis and when prescribed morphine. Like you I'm no fan of puking. Make sure your doc has you covered on that end.

[Joe I 180]

No c-section for me either my surgeon did the leak test durring the operation, the pain was not bad I took pain meds while in the hospital but none since I've home, 10 days post op. The best advice I can give you is to be in the best physical condition you can before you have the procedure it will make it all go so much better, at least it did for me, good luck

[kyllfalcon 768]

Not every surgeon routinely performs a leak test. There was a thread about this a month or so ago. It seemed about evenly divided.

My surgeon did not, but I had a fever for several days, so he ordered a leak test. And I had to have a barium test pre-op. Honestly, it's just not that bad. I never gagged or got sick either time.

[lwilliams65 102]

I've had 3 c sections... They were all waaay easier but don't panic too much because I've heard a lot of people say this was easier than a c section. Everyone is different but for me I'd have 20 c sections before I ever do this again. I'm almost 3 weeks post op and still in pain. Not everyone gets nauseated. I dry heaved like crazy the first day after surgery but I haven't been nauseated since but be careful because a lot of people do have it and if you get anxiety over it, that's really not gonna be a good thing because sometimes its unavoidable. Make sure to always drink slow and eat slow so you can avoid it as easy as possible good luck!!

[lwilliams65 102]

P.s. the leak tests are gross but its really not that bad, it's way better then liquid day quil.

[Vicki0618 123]

I also didn't have a leak test after surgery.

I have had 3 c-sections and this is WAY WAY less pain. It's uncomfortable and if I twist or bed wrong I do feel a pull but I was off all pain meds by day 2

In terms of nausea, I echo what someone above told you. Tell the anesthesiologist before surgery and he'll give you something to help. I had one bad bout of nausea the first night that resulted in dry heaves. But even then the nurses were right there putting something in my IV and it passed fairly quickly. Don't let that scare you!!!

Good Luck!

[JessicaAnn 564]

Thanks everyone! Like I said, I can handle pain. After my csections I never took anything more then Motrin. It's good to know that the nausea meds work. That's what's scaring me the most. I know long term I won't regret this, so whatever I have to do ill do!

[moregoodtimes 331]

Thanks everyone! Like I said' date=' I can handle pain. After my csections I never took anything more then Motrin. It's good to know that the nausea meds work. That's what's scaring me the most. I know long term I won't regret this, so whatever I have to do ill do![/quote']

And that's the attitude that will boost you right on through each step of this process and right into maintenance! Kudos!

[JessicaAnn 564]

I think you will be surprised about the pain afterward. I am a serious wuss when it comes to pain. I have not had a c-section' date=' but I was forced to have an all natrural childbirth because my son decided to come 3 weeks early and so quick they didn't have time to call the guys that do the epi...yeah that sucked. The surgery is SO no where near that kinda pain. I had mine done in October of 2012, I never hurt in my stomach or incision sites. In fact, the only place that i had any pain was in my upper left shoulder...which was caused by the gas pains. My doctor gave us non-narcotic pain meds, and it was more than enough to take away my pain. By the time they took us back to SD to catch our flights back home I barely felt as though I had just had major surgery. I actually rented a car and drove an hour by myself to hit a casino lol. I even stopped on the way there to help this little old lady change her flat tire. She couldn't believe that I had just had surgery. So no, the pain is not that bad.

To your 2nd question, no not everyone has to do the barium test, it just depends on your doctor. Mine did a dye test. We were given a glass of Water that had this purple dye in it to drink. It tasted no different than Water. After a while the doctor checked our drains to insure that non of the purple Fluid showed up in the drain. No purple Fluid = no leak, and we were good to go.

To answer your third question, yes anti nausea meds work, phenegrane and zofran are the best...I would have NEVER made it through my pregnancy without them. However, not everyone gets nausea after surgery. I have a serious gag reflux, so it doesn't take much to have me dry heaving, so I was really shocked when I came out of surery and had NO nausea, and no vomiting. Don't get me wrong, there was I girl I had surgery with who made best friends with the toilet bowl while we where their, but it all really depends on how you handle the anesthesia. I hope this helps settle some of your fears. Good luck![/quote']

Thanks!! Does the drain hurt? Is it really gross? Does everyone have it? Sorry for all the questions lol

[Winningbylosing 49]

I'm still about 3 months pre-op' date=' but I've been researching for over a year. I've pretty much wrapped my head around the diet (pre and post op), the technicalities of the surgery, and how huge of a change this will be. After reading around here I have a few questions.. (I did search some of my questions but didn't get anything really)

1. Is it comparable to a csection (pain wise)?I've had 2.

I think its easier than the csection. I had one and it was major pain.

2. Does everyone have to swallow that stuff for the leak test? I heard it was beyond disgusting

When I did it it was only 2 oz. I did 1 oz then I followed with the 2nd. I was so excited they showed me the video, took away from the taste.

3. Do nausea meds really work? I have a serious phobia of vomit (so bad, that I've had to call my mom to come over and clean my son's vomit because my husband was working). This is causing me SO much anxiety. I have a very high tolerance for incision pain, but NOT nausea. It will actually throw me into a panic attack if I think I might throw up.

Zofran helped by the tigan was what really helped me

Please give me your experiences or advice!! Thanks

Edit: and If anyone has similar stats as me I'd like to hear your experience too!! I'm 5'3" 280lbs.[/quote']

[Rycherchick 147]

I popped out 3 babies and one of them I had 0 meds. My Sleevie Wonders surgery was a day at the park compared to that.

I believe I was sleeping the sleep of the dead while my leak test was being performed.

Never took anti nausea meds post op cuz I didnt have Nausea but Ive been on Nexium for 12 yrs ( Im a lifer) so my stomach is made of cast Iron.

If you do vom, it may just be a slime as its called and its just frothy saliva plus whatever you are expelling.

I think you will be A ok.

I also did not need any pain meds, narcotic or otherwise.

[Wls4me 163]

-Pain was nothing compared to my c section - haven't taken anything for pain since I left the hospital

-My leak test was done in in the OR while I was still out so I don't know about that

-Nausea meds are you BFF and they work great. But I haven't needed them since I left the hospital either (knock on wood)

-Drain doesn't hurt but it sure felt weird when they pulled it out. Kinda like an alien coming out of you. But it's over in a few seconds. Might be kinda gross to look at for some people.