Burnin pain

Rough day.  I was woken this morning at 2am with intense sharp pain in my tummy.  The burning pain continued for hours before i finally gave up and went in to the urgent care. They have no idea why I have this pain.  The doc palpated my abdomen, they took pee, blood and X-rays.  Nothing.  All he commented was that my xiphoid was swollen.  They gave me pantaloc and a maalox/anesthetic mix to drink that numbed my throat and sent me on my way with a script for a month of pantaloc.  I admit that this morning I was afraid I had a leak.  A year out a leak would  be damn near impossible but the pain was right where sleevie sits and I was scared.  They assured me I had no leak, no ulcers, no hernias... just this unknown pain.  I'm hanging out napping and dealing with moderate burning in my gut now and am afraid to put anything in me for fear it will make it hurt again.  I know I need to eat though... but I'm scared it will make it worse.

1 YEAR!!

TODAY IS MY SLEEVE-VERSARY!!!

1 year I've been rocking my sleeve and regained my love and zest of life!  I feel amazing!

My highest weight ever was 245 (around 2004), surgery day I was 223 lbs.

Today I am 132 lbs and living the maintain lifestyle! 


My single regret about my surgery?


NOT DOING THIS SOONER!!!!

If you're thinking about this surgery, do your research, ask questions, send me a message.... I will help any way I can!  This is about YOU, YOUR HEALTH, and the rest of your life.  Which will be longer because you will be healthier without that extra weight on your body!  Do it!!

bougie size

Credit for this to Carmelita at Obesity Help

A BOUGIE (boo-ghee)...  IS NOT THE SIZE OF YOUR NEW STOMACH!!
The word bougie means "candle" in French.  "F or Fr" following a bougie size=French

Its just a guide that the surgeon uses to butt the stapler up against, when forming your VSG. The closer s/he gets to the guide the 'tighter' /truer to guide the sleeve is. During surgery the bougie is inserted into your mouth down your throat, towards the end of yer stomach where it meets the pylorus via an esophagheal dilator. After the new stomach is formed, the bougie/guide is removed out of your mouth, why some VSGrs may complain of a sore throat post op.


Some surgeons will use an endoscope or other "guide" to size ones new stomach. I read an OH post of a VSGr who's surgeon explained an endoscope is the same size as a 32F bougie...Im not sure.

Bougie size determination is between YOU and YOUR surgeon. Discuss size, rationale, type bougie and technique used when sizing your stomach PRE-OP.   Some surgeons may "oversew" the staple line giving one a 'tighter' than bougie sized sleeve.
Added:  In order for an OVERSEWN staple line to affect stomach size it MUST be running or continuous oversewn line across majority of staple line not merely at intersected "junctures" where the surgeon has reloaded the staple gun as majority of "oversewn" (to prevent leaks) techniques are done today. Make sure your surgeon explains  what his/her "oversewn" technique is. Do not assume because a surgeon oversews you have a tighter than bougie sized sleeve.

A bougie is 1/3 mm PER french.  i.e to calculate ~ inches 40F bougie  1/3 x 40 = 13.33mm convert to inches = ~.52 inches or ~1/2 inch in diameter.

Below are diameters of bougie/ "guides" in inches

32F = .40"

34F = .425"

36F = .45"

38F = .476"

40F = .5"

46F = .576"

60F = .75"

This VSG surgery video shows  a 'red' 34F bougie, one technique in sizing stomach, exised stomach, testing for leaks etc
.http://www.orlive.com/shawneemission/videos/weight-loss-surg ery-gastric-sleeve
Red bougies are older commonly used mercury filled ones. FDA is tryin to ban em because of disposal issues (mercury).

  


Some surgeons will use SINGLE USE disposable sized bougies
In this surgical video Dr. Alvarez shows a disposable 32F bougie and use/technique
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3G4dSmJUro&feature=share
         ( pic below of a 32F bougie inserted in an esophageal dilator)
　
                                                        

              
      General/ crude comparison chart created by MACK a VSG Forum member


Standard sized bougies in the US and Mexico are 32F. Your surgeon may prefer any size bougie from 32-50F, based on YOU, your height, weight, or perhaps the need for a malabsorptive procedure in the future, inc. 1st step of 2 part DS. Discuss what to expect, rationale for size chosen with your surgeon if this is a concern.

LapSF/Dr. Criangle on their routine use of 32F bougies in VSG  "Optimal weight loss may require the smallest possible pouch, which may yield the highest leak rate" .
Some surgeons will welcome requests on bougie size changes. For example..My surgeon will use standard 32F bougies depending on individual. After reading a published journal on the higher incidence of VSG surgically induced GERD acid reflux/heartburn when using 28-32F bougies, I instead, requested a 34F bougie. My surgeon obliged me. Post op I never needed or took a perscribed or OTC PPI. Coincidence? more than likely!

 In ~2000  use of 40-60F bougies were standard for VSG when it became a stand alone WLS, as they were the standard sizes of DS bougies, which VSG was modeled after. As the years went by, bariatric surgeons thought..smaller bougie, better restriction, less regain. So in ~2005 an adopted 32F bougie became the VSG standard. Rarely, are 28-30F or over 50F bougies used in the US anymore. Many Many VSGrs do EXTREMELY well with 40F and up bougies as the guide to sizing the new stomach.

An ~2009 study on BOUGIE SIZES in VSG  seems to indicate at 5 years post VSG ... 44F and 32F bougies show EXACTLY the SAME  EWL (eventual weight loss)
http://www.laparoscopyhospital.com/Laparoscopic_Sleeve%20Gastrectomy_%28LSG%29_In_Morbid_Obesity.html
An ~ 2008 study comparison of 40F and 60F bougies with no difference in EWL at 6 months or 12 months post op. http://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(08)00358-4/abstract

VOLUME/GASTRIC CAPACITY in VSG:
PRE VSG: Average stomach holds 32-48 oz or 4 to 6 cups per meal
POST VSG (6 months out FOR LIFE) ..new stomach holds 8-12 ozs or 1 to 1.5 cups per meal
                                    (depending on density of foods you eat!)

The COTTAGE CHEESE TEST may be helpful to VSGrs that are curious about their new stomachs capacity. when doing this test PLEASE eat to sensation of satiety NOT full, and absolutely not overfull. It was developed for RNY but an effective tool in VSG as well!
http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=A4

The length of an adult stomach is 10-12 inches. DNA affects the length of our stomachs, as well as variations in shape. Tall people, for instance are known to have LONGER stomachs..so makes sense they have a bit more capacity. Volume/capacity is essentially a question of the LENGTH and PHYSICAL ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS of your stomach. Restriction makes no difference however.

Dr. Alvarez explains in this You Tube video about length of an individual's VSG stomach and how it relates
to volume. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5E7G0Avz4w&feature=share

This limited 2009 study is interesting in looking at gastric capacity in VSG,
just 3 days post op (120 ml=~1/2 cup) compared to 2 years post VSG (250 ml=~1 cup)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19533260

At the end (8:28 mark) of this LapSF VSG surgical video shows 1 DAY old (pod) sleeve Xray and a sleeve Xray at 4 years out. It is not clear to me if same pt. or solely to impress the new "normal" sleeve size. Note the "new normal" 32F tightly formed sleeve has dilated/stretched naturally to triple perhaps quadruple in size...The video also shows one technique of sizing the sleeve, as well as reinforcement of the staple line (to prevent leaks) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRBKdTjY2Rg

This VSG video shows the speed with which LIQUIDS/FLUIDS empty from the sleeve. In normal stomachs fluid empty rate is less than 5 minutes. In VSG stomachs: looks MUCH faster than that! you decide. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0GWL1Wtx30

STRETCHING in VSG:YOU CANNOT STRETCH/DILATE out your sleeve to anything remotely close to its original size.

From LapSF/Dr. Criangle: The removed section of the stomach is actually the portion that stretches the most. The long vertical tube shaped stomach that remains is the portion least likely to expand over time and it creates significant resistance to volumes of food.
The fundus is ALL but removed with VSG. The fundus is the upper most part of the stomach's greater curvature. The fundus is:
1) the stomach's stretchy/expandable tissue, capable of expanding 2-3xs its resting 'unfilled' size
2) the pre-op 'mass quantities' of food, waiting to be digested, storage section
3) where 70% of the body's grehlin " the hunger hormone" is produced.



Stretching, due to overeating is most common in RNY because more of the stretchy fundus part of the stomach is retained to make the 'pouch', and is usually NOT covered by insurance to correct.  Re-sleeving or a need for a malabsorptive surgery post VSG may or may NOT be covered by your insurance plan.

Anecdotally, with continual overeating to discomfort, one might "stretch" your sleeve minimally. Ive read nothing to date that says this is a TRUE statement.

Just post op VSG ...because of swelling/inflammation even a little 'thick/er' dense liquids/mushies feels horribly restrictive. In a few months..that swelling/inflammation is greatly reduced and your on a regular diet. Depending on the food, you can eat more or less at any particular meal. Its quality over quantity. Toleration of a food, does NOT make it a good choice!

                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bougie size controversy/wars are ridiculous imo.. 'get a smaller one, you can stretch it out, you're not going to have any restriction, that big one is all wrong, you'll re-gain easily years out, mine's smaller and I got to goal 2 months post VSG'
...all nonsense  DO NOT PAY EM NO MIND!!  This is YOUR story! YOUR journey! 


                                         ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS TRUTH: 

  YOUR WEIGHT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SIZE OF YOUR STOMACH, altered or not!
              Most important is the quality and quantity of the food choices you ingest post-op 

                                           ____________________________

     from this...........to this         
             APPRECIATE THIS GIFT AS A SECOND CHANCE, ENJOY YOUR NEW LIFE
                                                and ROCK THAT SLEEVE :-)

musings

Reached 140 today :)
I'm actually starting to get excited now about seeing the 130's on the scale.  I'm still occasionally nervous that I won't be able to stop the weight loss but I'm just trying to focus on eating right and hopefully I can maintain in the 130's.

I've been reading alot of accounts lately of other sleevers and how much they can eat.  It used to baffle me that post-op someone could eat 2 eggs.  Now I see that it appears to be more the norm than the exception.  I truly believe that my sleeve is small.  My surgeon uses a 32f bougie to do the surgery but I think perhaps my anatomy is such that my stomach itself is just short.  I can barely get a single egg down in a serving even still at 9 months out.  When we go out for breakfast I will order 1 egg over medium and a side of bacon.  I eat 1 slice of bacon and hubby gets the rest.  I can usually get about 1/2-3/4 of the egg down.  Any more than that and I'm feeling nausea and very burpy.

10 WLS commandments

Found this online.  Love it, stole it for my blog to remember it.  I'm guilty of some of these items occasionally :)

1^st Mistake:Not Taking Vitamins, Supplements, or Minerals
Every WLS patient has specific nutritional needs depending on the type of surgery you have had. Not only is it a good idea to ask your surgeon for guidelines, but also consult with an experienced WLS nutritionist. Understand there is not a standard practice that all surgeons and nutritionists follow in guiding WLS patients. So, it is important to do your own research, get your lab tests done regularly, and learn how to read the results. Some conditions and symptoms that can occur when you are deficient in vitamins, supplements, or minerals include: Osteoporosis; pernicious anemia; muscle spasms; high blood pressure; burning tongue; fatigue; loss of appetite; weakness; constipation and diarrhea; numbness and tingling in the hands and feet; being tired, lethargic, or dizzy; forgetfulness, and lowered immune functioning. Keep in mind, too, that some conditions caused by not taking your vitamins, supplements, or minerals are irreversible.

2^nd Mistake:Assuming You Have Been Cured of Your Obesity  
A "pink cloud" or honeymoon experience is common following WLS. When you are feeling better than you have in years, and the weight is coming off easily, it's hard to imagine you will ever struggle again. But unfortunately, it is very common for WLS patients to not lose to their goal weight or to regain some of their weight back. A small weight regain may be normal, but huge gains usually can be avoided with support, education, effort, and careful attention to living a healthy WLS lifestyle. For most WLSers, if you don't change what you've always done, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten -- even after weight loss surgery.

3^rd Mistake: Drinking with Meals 
Yes, it's hard for some people to avoid drinking with meals, but the tool of not drinking with meals is a critical key to long-term success. If you drink while you eat, your food washes out of your stomach much more quickly, you can eat more, you get hungry sooner, and you are at more risk for snacking. Being too hungry is much more likely to lead to poor food choices and/or overeating.

4^th Mistake:Not Eating Right
Of course everyone should eat right, but in this society eating right is a challenge. You have to make it as easy on yourself as possible. Eat all your meals--don't skip. Don't keep unhealthy food in sight where it will call to you all the time. Try to feed yourself at regular intervals so that you aren't as tempted to make a poor choice. And consider having a couple of absolutes: for example, avoid fried foods completely, avoid sugary foods, always use low-fat options, or only eat in a restaurant once a week. Choose your "absolutes" based on your trigger foods and your self knowledge about what foods and/or situations are problematic for you.

5^th Mistake:Not Drinking Enough Water 
Most WLS patients are at risk for dehydration. Drinking a minimum of 64 oz. of water per day will help you avoid this risk. Adequate water intake will also help you flush out your system as you lose weight and avoid kidney stones. Drinking enough water helps with your weight loss, too.

6^th Mistake:Grazing 
Many people who have had WLS regret that they ever started grazing, which is nibbling small amounts here and there over the course of the day. It's one thing to eat the three to five small meals you and your doctor agree you need. It's something else altogether when you start to graze, eating any number of unplanned snacks. Grazing can easily make your weight creep up. Eating enough at meal time, and eating planned snacks when necessary, will help you resist grazing. Make a plan for what you will do when you crave food, but are not truly hungry. For example, take up a hobby to keep your hands busy or call on someone in your support group for encouragement.

7^th Mistake:Not Exercising Regularly 
Exercise is one of the best weapons a WLS patient has to fight weight regain. Not only does exercise boost your spirits, it is a great way to keep your metabolism running strong. When you exercise, you build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, even at rest!

8^th Mistake:Eating the Wrong Carbs (or Eating Too Much)
Let's face it, refined carbohydrates are addictive. If you eat refined carbohydrates they will make you crave more refined carbohydrates. There are plenty of complex carbohydrates to choose from, which have beneficial vitamins. For example, if you can handle pastas, try whole grain Kamut pasta--in moderation, of course. (Kamut pasta doesn't have the flavor some people find unpleasant in the whole wheat pastas.) Try using your complex carbohydrates as "condiments," rather than as the center point of your meal. Try sprinkling a tablespoon of brown rice on your stir-fried meat and veggies.

9^th Mistake: Going Back to Drinking Soda 
Drinking soda is controversial in WLS circles. Some people claim soda stretches your stomach or pouch. What we know it does is keep you from getting the hydration your body requires after WLS--because when you're drinking soda, you're not drinking water! In addition, diet soda has been connected to weight gain in the general population. The best thing you can do is find other, healthier drinks to fall in love with. They are out there.

10^th Mistake:Drinking Alcohol 
If you drank alcohol before surgery, you are likely to want to resume drinking alcohol following surgery. Most surgeons recommend waiting one year after surgery. And it is in your best interest to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol before you do it. Alcohol is connected with weight regain, because alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while protein and vegetables have 4 calories per gram. Also, some people develop an addiction to alcohol after WLS, so be very cautious. Depending on your type of WLS, you may get drunker, quicker after surgery, which can cause health problems and put you in dangerous situations. If you think you have a drinking problem, get help right away. Putting off stopping drinking doesn't make it any easier, and could make you a lot sicker

The easy way out??

I've heard others talk about how people in their lives have commented that this surgery is the "easy way out" because they didn't have to diet/exercise to lose the weight post-op.

That makes me mad. There's nothing easy about this surgery,  Since when is having most of a major organ completely removed from your body, irreversible surgery, easy?  This decision to take this step is a forever one.  There's no going back.  They can't put your stomach back.  Having surgery you have to deal with the mental part of what this does to you.  You have to deal with the anger at yourself, the disgust that you couldn't do it the "normal" way, that you've had to resort to these lengths just to lose weight and keep it off.  You have to deal with head hunger, negotiating using your new sleeve, pre-op and post-op liquid diets, being on baby food for weeks on end, having to take multi-vitamins, B12, for the rest of your life because your diet will no longer supply what your body needs due to the restriction. You have to deal with portion sizes for the rest of your life... only being able to eat a few spoonfuls of food for a month or longer.  Having a stomach that's only (as much as) 6oz for the rest of your life and learning how to eat all over again.

Then there's the surgery itself.  The pain from the gas they put in your belly to allow them to see while they work.  The tests.  The IV fluids and nothing by mouth for a day.  Having to negotiate a shower with 5 incisions in your stomach and a drain hanging out of you. The pain from the drain hanging there.  The awful disgusting vile liquid they make you drink when you have your leak test.The bloating for days. The exhaustion for weeks.  The pain when you try and take the tiniest sip of water and realize you have to get 64oz in every day.  The fear over the choice you've made and wondering if you made a bad decision.

Lastly, you have to deal with other people's opinions of your own weight loss efforts.  It amazes me how people seem to feel they have the right to have any involvement in what your diet should consist of or what you should be eating.  Even now, 3 weeks post op, I have people at work shaking their head at me asking if that's all I'm going to eat... (they don't know I had this surgery and they're not going to).  Some people admire the lengths you've chosen to be healthy, others simply say they couldn't do it, yet others have an opinion that you shouldn't have done it and then pull "facts" out of their ass about a person they know that had gastric bypass and had this or that happen.  Firstly, I didn't have gastric bypass... completely different surgery.  Secondly, my body. My choice.  Keep your opinions to yourself thankyouverymuch.

ok I think my rant is over ... for now :)

First moment of nausea happened today.  With the exception of fatigue, I'm feeling more and more like my old self (pre-surgery) and I took a big swig of apple juice I had been nursing all afternoon.  Big mistake.  I didn't bring it up but boy did my sleeve tell me I'd overdone it!  Lesson learned dear sleevey. Match and point.

In other news... stitches are out! Yay!  Didn't hurt either.. just a tiny pinch and they were all out in a matter of a minute. Doctor reminded me that I'm not allowed any heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks as I can tear the healing done inside me. Also got a note for the time I was off work.  I didn't think to get one when I was having surgery.  Since I was off over 3 days (I was 4 days), they require a dr note to credit sick leave otherwise I'd have to use my vacation time.  So now I have a note.  Granted its not from my surgeon, but I don't see why it wouldn't be acceptable.  I had surgery, I had to recuperate, I needed the time off.

I know I'm only 10 days out but I really want to exercise.  I hope this fatigue sorts itself out soon.  I'm so over feeling so exhausted all the time

Surgery day outline

I guess I never really posted how the whole thing happened.  I know I'll want this information later and it might be helpful to others that are considering this procedure so I'm going to go over it now.

April 27
We met up at the San Diego Jet Blue terminal at 8am with Terry, Leslie, Darlene and Jason who were also getting the sleeve the same day as me.  Our transport arrived on time in a VW van to take us to Tijuana.  The trip over the border was uneventful.  I think we stopped for about 2 seconds...  didn't have to talk to anyone, nothing.  Vehicle just got its pictures taken, that's it and then we were off.

We arrived at the Jerusalem Clinic about 9am and sat around upstairs for quite awhile.  Blood was drawn, EKGs were done, met Dr Almanza and he discussed the procedure a little, consulted with Juan Betancourt (patient coordinator/admin) and Dr. Betancourt (his brother and VP of the place) were done and then we were taken down to the room to be put in a gown, IV put in and weighed.

Not too much longer later you're walked into the surgical suite.  Within moments you talk to the anesthiesiologist and you're out like a light.   You awake in the recovery room beside the surgical suite and are then walked to a waiting bed.  From then on, its basically pass out, pain meds/saline by IV, walk a little to get rid of gas pains, pass out, ad nauseaum until the next morning.

April 28
By 9am they put some more meds in your IV and you're transferred to the recovery house/hotel (whichever you've chosen).  They dropped us off at the hotel, made sure we were situated and then we didn't see anyone again until around 8pm that night when we were picked up again for transport back to the clinic for more pain meds and antibiotics and then transported back to the hotel.

April 29
They picked us up around 10 am and they took us to radiology to have our leak test.  They give you this nasty blue water that you're supposed to drink down while they drive you.  Once you are called in for your test, you're done with the nasty blue stuff and instead, you get even nastier clear stuff.  You have to drink it while standing in front of the xray so they can take pictures while it goes down and make sure you're ok to go home.  After the test, we were driven back to the clinic to have the xrays reviewed.  We were there not even 10 minutes before we were released and headed back to the hotel again.  Yay no leaks! That night we were picked up again around 10pm and brought to the clinic for 1 last pain med and they took the IV out as well as the drain.  It doesn't hurt.  It feels really weird, but it doesn't hurt to have it removed.  They don't sew up the spot where the drain was so you're left with a 1" slit that has to heal without the stitches.

April 30
They picked us up at 11 am and off we headed to the USA border to go back into San Diego.  The drive was very quick.  They had warned us originally that it could be up to 3 hours waiting to get through but it was an hour total from the time we left the hotel until we were back in the states!



We flew home May 1 :)

Drain is out!!

yay.  OMG yay.  I cant believe how much better I feel after getting that drain out.  I can even actually get in a decent amount of liquids now!  I had a whole tea in one sitting tonight... AND 3 popsicles!

Feeling soooo much better.  Tomorrow we get to sit in the border crossing from Tijuana to San Diego.  Its apparently a good 2-3 hour endevour.  Good times, good times...  That part will blow but then we are back at our hotel in San Diego and hubby has rented a car for us for the day so we can do a little driving tour of the coast... maybe even hit up Sea World if they have wheelchairs or scooters... see how I feel tomorrow.

Cant believe the difference in how I feel tonight!

2 days out

I am not gonna lie.  It hurts.  There's been pain and a fair bit of it.  The gas pain is horrible and took a good 24-36 hours to clear up.  Feeling alot better today than last night.  I can now fall asleep at the drop of a hat..anywhere.  They're not too free with the pain meds it seems.  And what they do give is not very strong.  Granted, I can't take morphine so that may be why I'm hurting so much.  The drain they put in is very uncomfortable and is frankly a PITA.

Had the leak test today.  That was just so much fun.  They make you drink this nasty purple water that turns your whole mouth dark purple and then when you get to the radiologist, you get to drink even more foul tasting stuff while they xray your newly created stomach so that they can check to make sure you have no leaks.  Its absolutely disgusting.  I puked on the floor.  LOL.  but good news, no leak! Yay!

Freezies are the best invention ever.  If anyone reading this blog is getting this surgery, get as many freezies as they will give you.  Freezies make me happy.  :)

Its been a rough few days.  I have MAYBE ingested 1 cup of water in 2 days.  Its good that you get the IV the first day because I would be super dehydrated otherwise.  I'm trying to get my water/juice into me but its hard.  It hurts if you drink too fast and you either retch or burp.  So drinking liquids has been slow going that's why the freezies are so awesome.  They're easy to get down, taste good, give you a little bit of calories and liquids.

Staying at the hotel definitely has its advantages and disadvantages.  We get the quiet and peace to ourselves.  We have our own schedule.  But... there's no nurse checking on us like they have at the recovery house, there's no meds.   Its a PITA to get meds because they have to pick you up at the hotel, bring you to the hospital for the meds.  We at the hotel are definitely not getting the same level of aftercare that those in the house are, that's for damn sure.

I'm sucking back my isopure protein drink as best I can today.  My goal is to get the whole thing down ( a whole 237 ml) before bed :)

Surgery day

I'm all jitters. Currently gowned up and waiting on my IV to get put in. Hubby is upstairs eating. Lol. The bastard.

Just found out the hospital is full so he won't be staying with me in a room. :( This makes me anxious but it's only 1 night so if it's ok with him to sleep on the couch then he will stay. Otherwise I predict he will go to the hotel a day early. I have to room with someone I just met. That blows but I'm trying to take it in stride.

I'm more worried my hubby will be out of place and bored than I am about myself right now!

Counting down and trip deets..

1 week away. 

Trying to get all my last minute information handled.  Hubby thinks we should bring 2 suitcases.  I think he's insane.  We're going to be gone for 5 days and I'll be in jammies/yoga pants pretty much the entire time.  No reason we need 2 suitcases!  Besides, I'll be in a wheelchair the entire trip back so he would have to push me AND transport luggage.  That would suck donkeyballs.

I start liquids/softs diet on Easter Sunday which should be great fun.  After the surgery, we're still trying to get a handle on what kind of things I can eat.  There's alot of differing opinions out there that's for sure.  I'm going to be strict so that I can get the max use of the benefits of the "golden shot" of the VSG.

We fly in to San Diego on Apr 26 and we're staying at a Hilton for the night.  Then the next morning, we head back to the airport for our medical transport to Tijuana, MX.  They will bring us to the Jerusalem Hospital there and I will have my tests all done and the surgery same day.

Standard hospital stay is 2 days and thankfully Hubby will get to stay there with me. After 2 days, they release me to (normally) the recovery house.  We've chosen instead to stay in a nearby hotel (Hotel Ticuan) for a little measure of privacy.  Also there was comments that if the house was full, Hubby could end up sleeping on a couch or sent to a hotel by himself.  We didn't want that chance so we're paying for the 2 nights at the hotel.  Apparently its VERY nice and we've rented the best room in the place (a suite) for only $80!  They advised me that they will leave my IV port in and when I need to see the nurse for pain meds, tests, etc, they will come and pick me up.  They'll bring me back to the hospital to do it and then bring me back to the hotel.

On Saturday April 30, I will have the swallow test to check for leaks.  I was already advised to ask for a red popsicle instead of trying to drink the nasty barium solution.  I have a hell of a gag reflex and there's no way I'd be able to get that crap in me. Once I pass that, I'm released and they bring us back to San Diego where we're overnighting again at the Hilton.  We fly home (with a layover in Seattle) on May 1.  Unfortunately we couldn't find a better flight so we're coming home at something like 11pm.  I am going to see how I feel for work on the Monday.  My intention is to go to work but I'll see how it goes.

My employer does not know I am getting this surgery.  They only know that I'm having surgery.  My boss asked me if the surgery was "necessary".  Yes. Yes it is.  I will die from obesity related illnesses and I'll be off work more for them than this time off for surgery. I have a pretty technical job.  I hope that I won't have any issues with concentration or tiredness afterwards that would affect my job.