Anyone from Minnesota?

[AJKMMC15 63]

Looking for local support groups... I was sleeved on 3/16/16 by Doctor Laura July at Unity in Fridley. 5 days post op and doing great.

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Edited March 22, 2016 by AJKMMC15

[jahemenway 40]

While, I'm not from Minnesota, I live right next door in North Dakota! Congrats on your surgery and welcome to the club. My doctor told me about the support group in my area, although it's via a Tele-presence. Maybe your doc can suggest one for you?

[wandas 3]

I live mhd and my surgey was a success and I'm feeling great finally

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[Sleeve it to Beaver 187]

I'm 8 days post op and was also sleeved by Dr. July. Would love to hear about your progress.

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[deekel8 72]

Looking for local support groups... I was sleeved on 3/16/16 by Doctor Laura July at Unity in Fridley. 5 days post op and doing great.

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I am scheduled for July 26 with Dr. July. So glad to find someone with same surgeon! Glad to hear you are doing great. Would love to hear about your experience so far!

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[Sleeve it to Beaver 187]

Looking for local support groups... I was sleeved on 3/16/16 by Doctor Laura July at Unity in Fridley. 5 days post op and doing great.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I am scheduled for July 26 with Dr. July. So glad to find someone with same surgeon! Glad to hear you are doing great. Would love to hear about your experience so far!

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Glad you're here. I'm assuming you know how awesome everyone at Unity is. The whole experience hasn't been bad at all. Surgery, we'll post surgery and a couple days after are the worst. Once past that it's on! Good luck with pre-op. Your day will be here before you know it!

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Edited July 11, 2016 by Sleeve it to Beaver

[deekel8 72]

Looking for local support groups... I was sleeved on 3/16/16 by Doctor Laura July at Unity in Fridley. 5 days post op and doing great.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I am scheduled for July 26 with Dr. July. So glad to find someone with same surgeon! Glad to hear you are doing great. Would love to hear about your experience so far!

Sent from my VS990 using the BariatricPal App

Glad you're here. I'm assuming you know how awesome everyone at Unity is. The whole experience hasn't been bad at all. Surgery, we'll post surgery and a couple days after are the worst. Once past that it's on! Good luck with pre-op. Your day will be here before you know it!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks! It's coming up fast.

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[deekel8 72]

Looking for local support groups... I was sleeved on 3/16/16 by Doctor Laura July at Unity in Fridley. 5 days post op and doing great.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I am scheduled for July 26 with Dr. July. So glad to find someone with same surgeon! Glad to hear you are doing great. Would love to hear about your experience so far!

Sent from my VS990 using the BariatricPal App

Glad you're here. I'm assuming you know how awesome everyone at Unity is. The whole experience hasn't been bad at all. Surgery, we'll post surgery and a couple days after are the worst. Once past that it's on! Good luck with pre-op. Your day will be here before you know it!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Did the hospital give you an abdominal binder to take home? Any packing advice? (Did they encourage/discourage gas x, etc) How long did u stay at hosp? What kind of OTC pain meds are u taking? What has been your experience with taking meds/vitamins? Did u have own room or share? I meet with Dr Friday for preop visit. Thanks in advance - My daye is two weeks from today and I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed

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[Sleeve it to Beaver 187]

Ok here we go. I'm going to be honest. I'd rather prepare for the worst and hope for the best. And just so you know, it really wasn't bad at all.

No they didn't give me a binder but ask for one and they will. I powered through without it and felt fine after two weeks.

I didn't use my gas ex in the hospital but did at home and still do. Not much though. Bring next to nothing. I didn't have energy to change my clothes or even brush my teeth. I didn't even wear a bra and undies home. Too worn out. I was at hospital Wednesday 8am and left Thursday 5pm. I don't know what I was on in hospital but they sent me home with Oxy Tylenol. I stopped taking it before Monday after surgery.

I am not on any meds - lucky me. Vitamins start at week four and they go down just fine with a sip of Water.

I had my own room.

A couple tips I can give you is to push yourself to walk. I don't think I did enough in hospital. Maybe a belly band would have helped. But I had no clue. Also asked for your spirometer. They didn't give me that until day two. Should have had it sooner. Also coughing....you'll have a lot of mucus built up. Hold a pillow to your belly and cough. Hurts like hell but I guess it isn't bad for you. Docs PA called me a whimp because mine was too weak. Lol. Once they finally clear you for liquids, sleep between sips. I sat in that chair for four hours sipping and sleeping. Be prepared for the death rattle when sipping. You'll know it when it happens. Lol

You'll wake up confused and full of regret after surgery. Make sure you have a good support system to visit you in the hospital and at home. I was feeling so much better by Sunday and even more so by Tuesday. I drove myself to my first week appointment if that's any indication.

Some people say they felt fine in the hospital. Not me. It was hard but not awful. You just had surgery. Take it easy but know it's ok to push a little too.

I'm six weeks out and have been cleared to run and lift weights. I'm not ready but I guess my body already is. Ha ha

I compare it to having kids. Hurts and painful but pain goes away so fast you forget what the pain was even like. I guess that prepares me for plastic surgery down the road.

I was too pumped and excited to be scared or nervous. It really wasn't until I got in the OR that it really sank in.

I'm so glad I did it. Some days it's a little tough but nothing like my tough days from the past.

Good luck. Let me know if you have other questions. And relax. You deserve it!

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Edited July 12, 2016 by Sleeve it to Beaver

[deekel8 72]

Thank you so much for sharing! It helps my anxiety so much to hear details from someone that went thru it from the same hosp. I'm glad it wasnt terrible for you and you are on the other side seeing the goodness in it all.

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[deekel8 72]

Just wanted to update that I had my surg 7/26 and everything went well. Used about 1/4 of what I packed. Nurses were great. All in all, I'm glad I did it and was a good experience (even though there was surgery and pain, lol).

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[deekel8 72]

Also, do any of you MN peeps go to, or know of, support group meetings in the Twin Cities area?

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[Sleeve it to Beaver 187]

Congratulations!!! Welcome to the other side!

Sounds like everything went well. Take care this weekend and hopefully you'll feel back to your new normal by Monday.

Don't know of any support groups. I believe Unity does have a group. You should inquire. We're always here too!

Keep us posted on your progress.

HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15

SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16

CW: 213 on 7.25.16

Edited July 29, 2016 by Sleeve it to Beaver

[deekel8 72]

Here's a personal question. How long until I should worry about having a bowel movement? Passing gas, but no movement yet.

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[Sleeve it to Beaver 187]

I had an uneventful one the first week and then maybe one or two a week the next couple weeks. I did at week 4-5 have an incident. I had total mass buildup. Probably from starting to actually eat food. I had to give myself and enema (first one ever) and drink a bottle of Miralax. I was going all day but it cleaned me out. Four days later I had a normal bowel movement. I now take two Fiber choice at bedtime and in the morning I take two colace with herbal warm tea. I've been regular every two to three days since.

HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15

SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16

CW: 213 on 7.25.16

You can take colace at anytime. It only softens the stool and doesn't interfere with consumption.

HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15

SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16

CW: 213 on 7.25.16