Questions: Post surgery flight, Low BMI ?'s, can't sleep...

[LowBMISleever 381]

Heading to Tijuana on Thursday (7/21/16) for my surgery on 7/22. I'm 31 years old, 5'6" SW was 180 (BMI 29), now 171 (BMI 27.6) after being almost done with the HELL that is pre-op. I am so nervous/excited that I literally can't sleep. Any tips on falling asleep with pre surgery jitters?

After lurking on this site for about a month, I guess I'm obligated to explain why I'm getting the surgery with such a low BMI.

So, here's my rationale: I'm a typical yo-yo dieter, up 40, down 20, up 45, down 15...and the ups kept getting higher and unfortunately so did the lows. Done every diet in the book, diet pills, personal trainers, orange theory, etc. My entire family is obese; family history includes diabetes, bilateral knee replacements from being too heavy, hypertension, stents... So I figured I could do the surgery as a still (relatively) healthy person, or wait until I gained enough that insurance covered me and I was pre-diabetic. I chose the former.

I've learned a ton from the knowledgable, brave sleevers on this forum! But, I have a few questions that I hope someone has some experience with:

Did anyone take a long flight right after their surgery? I'm flying home to south FL after surgery on 7/25 from San Diego. I'm nervous about pain/nausea on this flight. Anyone experience this? Any tips?

Are there any veteran low BMI sleevers, 3 years out minimum, that would agree that the risk and the long-term side effects of the surgery were worth it? As I get closer to the surgery date, I keep second guessing my decision.

How were your first few nights of sleep after surgery?

How bad is the scarring on your belly?

Just to motivate myself to follow this post up with an after shot, here's a before shot at my SW:  

Thanks for any info and support!!

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[OKCPirate 5,323]

I flew 3 hours back home. The biggest thing, keeping my carry on light and remembering not to eat the peanuts they kept giving me. (no kidding, I almost did it without thinking). It was really dang easy for me. Good luck, and way to get ahead of this, no scaring on my end. But I'm a hairy guy, so I can cover things up

[biginjapan 647]

I'm not low BMI and I'm still waiting for my surgery confirmation (Bill?) but I'm interested in what others have to say about the post-op flight as well, as I will have an 11-hour + 2-hour layover + 2-hour flight back to Japan after my surgery.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@LowBMISleever Please speak to your surgeon about flying - they may have you take a blood thinner. Good luck.

[LowBMISleever 381]

Thank you everyone. I'll stay away from the peanuts @@OKCPirate !!

And just email my Dr, @@KristenLe, will tell you what he says, @@biginjapan!

Still wondering how difficult sleep will be due to pain right after surgery and would love to hear some women chime in about their scarring.

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[Caela88 13]

Day 2 was the absolute worst for me. But then I got better every day after. For sure take your pain meds and make sure to get up and stretch your legs on that long flight. Goodluck!!!!

[milpreve 38]

There's a pic of my scars in my profile album, not sure how to link to it from my phone. I had surgery 7/6, so they are fresh.

For sleeping, I (as a random person on the Internet, not a medical professional) recommend taking a Benadryl. I take them every night for dust allergies, and I take some post op liquid with my liquid Tylenol. It helps me fall asleep and I don't wake up sneezing all night.

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Edited July 19, 2016 by milpreve

[LowBMISleever 381]

I'd love to see the album, but I'm do new to this forum I don't know how to find it on here lol @@milpreve

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*so

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[lynnedilligaf 38]

I'm having my surgery in Tijuana too, in September. I'll be flying back to brisbane from San Diego which is about 16 hours so I'm interested in the replies you get too. I've a BMI of 35. I hope it is worth it long term for all of us!

[LowBMISleever 381]

@@lynnedilligaf I'll tell you how my 8 hour flight goes on 7/26!! (God willing!!!)

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[Cape Crooner 589]

I was BMI of 38 and to me, this is miracle surgery. I too struggled with my weight from 7th grade on. I'd get down to 235 and tell myself I was normal. Now I'm under 190 and I know what normal is.

I truly think this surgery (VSG) should be far more readily available down to a BMI of 30.

My surgeon made me stay off of airplanes for 30 days, but I was fine after 3 days.

And yes, I only sleep around 6 hours now unless I take benedryl, but I'm seldom tired. I guess my body is happy to be down 90 lbs.

Edited July 19, 2016 by Cape Crooner

[OKCPirate 5,323]

I'm not low BMI and I'm still waiting for my surgery confirmation (Bill?) but I'm interested in what others have to say about the post-op flight as well, as I will have an 11-hour + 2-hour layover + 2-hour flight back to Japan after my surgery.

Ok that stinks. I really recommend compression socks on long flights. Best way to avoid a blot clot I hope you can get an upgrade to business class

[danay21 3]

Hi just had surgery yesterday in Tijuana. Low bmi 29.5. Im here as we speak. Last day is thursday. Was a great experience

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[milpreve 38]

On my computer now. Sorry if it's upside down--I could not for the life of me get it to preview correctly.

[milpreve 38]

This is one week post-op. I feel like I'm healing really well! Tomorrow will be 2 weeks, and I'll be uploading another photo.