Deanna A.

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My surgery was Jan 28th.  My surgery & recovery time went wonderfully.  When I scheduled the surgery, toward the end of November, I weighed 259.  I cut out white carbs in order to get started.  The day before surgery, when I checked in, I weighed 235 (gained a couple of pounds eating really good stuff in the few days of the trip prior to surgery).  Surgery was Wednesday midday - about noon, and I was in my room by 2:30 or so.  It took a little while to start moving my legs, and it seemed like my butt was numb forever, but within a half hour, I was able to get up and go to the bathroom.  The first time I tried to get up, I immediately did a deep knee bend (weak knees at first, I guess) but I was able to power myself back up and get balanced immediately.  I had no pain or discomfort until that night, when I experienced some pain in the area of my collarbones, from the gas they pump in to make room to see everything.  I was up about every hour, walking all around the hospital, which helped the gas to dissipate.  I'm not going to lie; that night was pretty rough, but since then, no problems.  A few twinges, but mild pain meds were very effective.  I walked a LOT, including a 7-block walk to the mall, then back, on day 3.  On day 4, Saturday, my husband and I had a 2-hour drive from Mexicali to San Diego starting at 7 am, then an all-day ordeal of flying and waiting in airports until we arrived in Dallas at 11pm.  That day, I was really tired, but had no pain.  It was nice to sleep in a real bed after the hospital bed.  I'm able to sleep on my side or stomach already, and have found that I really need to take my Nexium or I get a little uncomfortable acid.  I haven't been hungry AT ALL.  I starting adding some protein drinks on day 3, but haven't made it up to my doctor's recommendation of 70 grams yet (mostly because I wasn't at home where all my stuff was).  I'm having absolutely no trouble drinking, and am taking progressively larger sips.  No nausea at all.  After I got home yesterday afternoon, I took a nap, then weighed on my scale, which said 224.8.  That's 10 pounds since surgery!  I'm really excited about what I'm considering to be a second chance, and feel really positive already.  I went to church last night, and people there commented that they could already tell the difference.  
I took sports bras and sweats/ yoga pants & big t-shirts to wear in the hospital.  The clothing was great, and really made me feel more normal than gowns.  Sports bras, not so much.  My upper incision is far enough below my regular bra line that they're much more comfortable than the more confining sports bras (I have small boobs, so didn't even wear one for several days; at the hospital, nobody cares).  On the day of surgery, I couldn't have anything by mouth - not even water.  I didn't ask the doctor, but chewed sugar-free gum to help with dry mouth.  When I got the gas pain, I tried gas-X strips, but they really didn't have any effect.  Walking helped the most, and having my husband "burp" me helped move it around some. Felt kinda silly, him hugging me and pounding on my back, but felt really good & nobody had to see it.  :-)  After my first leak test (blue food coloring in apple juice to see if it came out my drain), they brought me water, apple juice, Sunny D, and chamomile tea.  I didn't care much for the juices, too sweat, but the tea was great, and I'm a big water drinker anyway.  The third day, I had a barium swallow test (x-ray).  The barium contrast liquid was kind of salty & mineral-tasting, but didn't make me sick or anything.  After that was successful, I got chicken broth added to my menu.  I didn't like it as much as I thought - bland - but have made broth at home from bouillon since then & like it better.  The vegetable is the best.  I'm finding that I prefer savory to sweet.  By the way, if  you have a barium swallow, be prepared for some diarrhea.  It wasn't explosive or anything, but cleaned me out, which was good since I needed to have a bm to be released.  My doctors were great, and the staff was extremely responsive.  I had better service there in Mexicali than I've ever received at a hospital in the States; even my husband was impressed.  Every time my docs (surgeon and internist) came into my room, they asked, "Have you passed gas?" It took until the 2nd night to give an affirmative answer, and progressed pretty regularly from then.  I actually woke my husband up at 3:30 am to let him know, "I farted - a LOT, and feel like myself again! He wasn't too impressed.

I advise everyone to self-advocate as much as possible.  Keep asking  -- when can I take a shower? (that was the best thing ever, and made me feel like myself again) when can I get the IV out?  when can we remove the drain? (if you have one; some docs don't do them).  If you need pain meds, ask.  Be completely honest; they're on your side & want you to recover well.  Take it easy, and rest often if you need to. 

I took 2 weeks off work, but could have returned today without any problems (desk job). 

I don't have all the answers, by any means, but am more than willing to answer anything I can, or chat with people looking into VSG.  I'm not much of a blogger, but I'll try to update fairly regularly.  I hope this helps someone.