November 15th surgery day

[LorraineO]

Just thought I'd post for the first time. I'm getting really excited! Nervous but excited. Surgery date is November 15rg

[Gege1061]

Hello!
I am Nov. 17th. As it gets closer, I'm getting a little nervous about the pain afterward. There is such variation in experiences I'm praying for the best. I'm doing my pre-op Monday. Does Dr. Almanza require a pre-op? it seems everyone on this board who's gone to him has had a great experience. It would be nice to have someone to chat with that's going through this at the same time to compare notes.

Gege

[DHB]

I'm Nov. 14. Have a long scheduled vacation (birthday celebration for my husband) Oct 28-Nov 4 so I'll be starting my pre-op diet in Hawaii. I'm probably more worried about sticking to that than the surgery at this point. Grateful to have some distraction.

Gege 1061, if you're worried about pain be sure to tell your surgeon. Mine told me there are several options to help manage it and she has given me some heavier duty stuff that I hope not to take but I'm glad to know it's there if I need it.

DHB

[Gege1061]

Thank you for the tip. I heard a rumor that my doctor wasn't giving out pain meds so easily and they are trying a "pain management" thing. Hoping they've changed their mind. Who could expect someone to have surgery and not get any meds to take home??? Goodness sake!
Props for going on the pre-op diet during vacation. I always say..We can do this!

Gege

[LorraineO]

That would be great to know someone! My daughter is going with me and she actually had this surgery with Dr. Almanaz 3 years ago. There was no pain medicine and it was rough for a few days. I think just Tylenol was what she was given for post op but I'll talk to her about it again.
I have a pretty good idea what to expect but everyone's so different on how they do after surgery. At least when we were there, lots of different pain levels for multiple patients. She's lost 120 pounds and looks amazing!

[DHB]

Gege,
My doctor also said there are different ways to give site pain meds during surgery & after. Some of her patients are getting a pump. It's a very small tube that goes into the largest incisions and goes home with patients so they can pump pain meds when needed. I chose not to do that but I do think it's one way some doctors are getting around the oral pain meds. To be honest, I'm a bit freaked out to have a bottle of liquid Oxy and will have to be in really bad pain to use it. Sure don't want to trade my food addiction for another!
Glad to be in this with you!
DHB

[LorraineO]

That's interesting! I would not want that either but it's a nice option if a person chooses it. Thanks for the information!!!
And I also have started my pre op diet.

[Gege1061]

Wow LorraineO 120 lbs!!! Good for her! Such a wonderful motivator! Did she have any complications?? DHB- A bottle of stuff in my body?? not so much! lol... but I am hoping for not so much pain. before you know it girls we will be on the other side, here's to our new lives!

Gege

[Christie13]

Thank you for the tip. I heard a rumor that my doctor wasn't giving out pain meds so easily and they are trying a "pain management" thing. Hoping they've changed their mind. Who could expect someone to have surgery and not get any meds to take home??? Goodness sake!
Props for going on the pre-op diet during vacation. I always say..We can do this!

Gege

I was given liquid pain meds (oxycodone) for post op. I used it like 3x. The pain is really not bad at all. I had 2 C-sections and they were way more painful and harder to recover from than the sleeve. You can do this.

[Christie13]

Welcome Lorraine! I hope you have a wonderful surgery and speedy recovery. Take pictures and measurements (waist, thigh, calf, bicep, hips, chest)now. Wear something like a bathing suit or undergarments. Then take the same picture in the same spot every 2 weeks and measurements every 2 weeks. It is a great way to track your progress and you will love looking back as your journey progresses. I love to look at mine side by side.

[DHB]

Gege,
This pain mgt system leaves a few inches of tube inside the incisions. Then after 5 days you're supposed to pull them out yourself! When they described it in my pre-op class I thought half of the people were going to faint. There is no way I would prefer that and fortunately, I'm going to a different hospital that doesn't use that system. I guess doctors are trying to find ways around oral pain meds now. But my surgeon did say they have ways to add time-release meds inside the incisions, so ask your surgeon about that. Glad to be in the November group with you.
DHB

[LorraineO]

She has worked really hard and still watches how she eats and exercise is key for her. She was really not feeling well after her surgery. The other girls that had surgery same day as she did, seemed to recover much quicker. Even with that, she doesn't regret it at all!!!! I'm not sure I could do this if I hadn't seen for myself exactly what to expect. Everyone was so great and helpful to her. Great experience.
We can do it!

[LorraineO]

Thank you so much! Great idea, although I'm sweating just thinking about taking a picture in my swimming suit. Lol
Thank you!

[LorraineO]

I was curious if you didn't get the pre op diet info when you scheduled surgery? That's is where I saw mine. But I googled a lot of weight loss surgery sights as well. They all seem a little different but pretty much the same.

[Gege1061]

Glad to be in this with you ladies as well.I will ask my surgeon to find out what options I have. I don't see him again until the night before surgery.
I made a pinterest board (a private one) of all the outfits I want to wear when I'm at goal. we need something motivating when we are in the trenches!
Soon!!!!
Gege