- Name: Heather G.
- Username: Bossybear
- Location: Avondale, AZ, USA
- Member Since: 1/16/2007
- BMI: 44.5
- Post Op
- Surgery Type: VSG (05/21/07)
- Surgeon: Alexander Villares MD
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Surgeon TestimonialAlexander Villares MDDr. Villares and the staff at Good Samaritan Bariatrics are top notch! The seminar was informative and all of my questions were answered. The office staff, especially Nicole, are great. I felt so welcome and comfortable. Dr. Villares is soft spoken and friendly. At our consultation, he made my husband feel at ease with the procedure by answering all of his questions. He spent alot of time with us and was not rushed in the least. He is so knowlegable and it is obvious he loves what he does. There is a very comprehensive after care program offered at Good Samartan Bariatrics. I had a full understanding of the risks of surgery from researching on OH, and Dr. Villares confirmed my understanding. I have no worries and know I am in good hands. I have done aot of research and would hihly recommend Dr. Villares and his wonderful staff. Latest Surgery Support Comments
 Comment by calgal on 5/20/07 7:36 pm
 Comment by meeg on 5/20/07 8:42 am
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Journey along with me as I find my way to health, fitness and well-being -- and shopping for stylish much smaller clothes -- I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 weeks and 4 days on June 29, 2007 11:19 am
Well, it had been two weeks from my last post--
I have been lurking on the board but not chiming in too often. I am down 37.5 pounds!!! Should be happy about the loss, but I am dealing with some mental health issues at the moment. Hoping to keep u the pace, although I am not getting enough exersize in. Have to make a comitment to get in at least 1/2 hour every other day. It is soooooo hot here in the summer--too hot to get out and exersize. Able to drink much more easily now--also getting more protein than I had been from foods.
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Three week update on June 13, 2007 11:42 pm
Well, three weeks aut and down 25 pounds!!! I guess that is pretty good, but I feel like it is coming of so slowly this week. I haven't lost since my weigh in on Monday. I hope it goes a little faster as I have a goal of 40 pounds by three months out. I am having a hard time, as many do, with getting in all of the protein and water. I am sick to death of the protein drinks--I can only stand one--Isopure, and it is getting old quick!!! I have resorted to the 1% milk and non-fat powdered milk (8 oz = 14 g. protein). It has more calories and fat than other protein sources though. That worries me. Anywhoo--love the CHEERIOS! They are a main staple of mine. I have had a difficult time with the more solid foods. I hope I am able to eat more food for my protein instead of using protein drinks. That's all for now--will try to post weekly.
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Surgery in a nut shell ?!!? (Yeah Right!!) on May 25, 2007 10:05 am
Well, here goes-I am writing every detail I remember. My husband and I were at the hospital at 5:45 AM. I was checked in and paid the hospital. About 15 minutes later someone came to walk us to pre-op prep. Chuck waited in the waiting room and I was taken back.
I gave a urine specimen. I was then taken to a bed with a curtain around it and asked to undress and put on my gown, a head cover(like a shower cap only cotton) and footie socks(non-slip). Wow, did I feel cute!! I laid in bed and waited for a while.
The nurse came in and place an IV and asked some questions and reviewed my health history. The rooms were actually bays with privacy curtains, and approx. 15 people in beds just like I was.
Chuck was brought back to be with me. We talked and I told him how much he and our girls mean to me. We were both a little teary. About 10 minutes later my surgery nurse (not sure if he was the surgical assistant) came to visit and told me abou what was to happen next. Dr. Villares came and visited for a few
minutes. My anesthesiologist came and asked a few questions and I asked him if I would be out before he intebated me. He said I would be out while being intubated and the tube would be out before I woke up. They all gathered and Dr. Villares told Chuck he would be out soon to update him on how it went. They then wheeled me to the hall where Chuck kissed me and we hugged. I was then wheeled to the OR.
Very interesting!!! I have never had an operation before. My room umber was 15. They lifted the bed even with the table and I scooted over. They put a blanket on me and I watch as a a gal in the O.R. came over to talk to Dr.Villares. I was interested in checking out all of the cool stuff in the
O.R., but I was only awake for about
30 seconds then the lights were out!!!! I do NOT remember going to sleep. I do NOTremember anything!!! WOW! Chuck later said that Dr. Villares called the waiting room and told him they were getting started a little late (about 8am instead of 7:40 or so) What a trippy experience.
The next thing I remember is waking up in recovery. As my eyes opened, all I saw the brightness of the fluoresent lights. I was in a little pain I think because of the gas behind my sternum and maybe from some swelling. I was lying down and that made the gas pressure more painful. I put my hand on my chest and said it hurt there. They put the pain pump in my hand and told me to push the button when I hurt. Let me just say I loved the Morphine. I was slightly nauseaus for the first moments, but that passed and I felt sooooo gooooood.
Right after that (maybe not right after but I was so out of it, it seemed like it!!), I was wheeled to the hall near the waiting room where Chuck was. I remember giving him a cheesy smile (he said I looked drunk!!) We saw each other for a second then they told him my hospital room number and we were off. I don't remember the trip to the room, getting into my bed, or being there at all!!! I was OUT OF IT!!!
I woke up (who knows how much later)to see Chuck sitting there looking at me. I asked him a few questions of which I do not remember. I told him about my discomfort in my chest(under my sternum). I kept pushing the button as I needed it. It worked really well. I fell asleep on Chuck off and on for a while.
I have to say I was relieved to wake up in recovery relatively pain free. The gas was uncomfortable, but not too painful.
Chuck stayed a while, then about 1pm, went to eat lunch and pick up the girls from school. I walked around the nurses station two times and went back to rest.
I had ice chips to eat/suck on, as I had extreme cotton mouth. My throat was a bit raspy, but did not hurt at all.
Chuck returned later that evening with the girls and I cuddled with them for a while. They all went home and I slept some more. I woke up later with a headache(caffeine
withdrawl)and asked the nurse for a little coffee or tea to help. He said I couldn't have anything but ice until my UGI the next day. Another nurse came in a few minutes later and I asked her if she could call Dr. Villares to get permission for me to have tea or coffee. Five minutes later the nurse brought me a coffee and some splenda!!! What service!!! I drank about 2 oz over the next hour and my headache wasn't getting much better, so the nurse gave me a shot of something (??)in my IV, and it was gone!! Relief!! I continued to sleep of and on for a while. I woke up later and went to walk and see Jane(RNY) and Sara(sleeve)--(my surgery sisters).
Jane had been by my room earlier to visit but quickly began to feel nauseaus, and went back to her room. I visited her, then went to see Sara. She was in bad shape.
She is allergic to Morphine, so had to have pain shots instead of a pain pump. Her nurse was so inattentive compared to the nurse staff in my pod.
Sara described the same pain under the sternum that I had. I helped her out a little, then sat down in a chair and realized I had overdone it. I asked her nurse to walk me back to my room.
Once I was there, I began having salty saliva and an upset tummy. I asked the nurses assistant who was in the room with the other patient to have the nurse bring me meds for the nausea. A minute later as I was spitting but not vomiting into the emesis basin, she came in and put the meds into my IV and I felt alot better.
I took it easy after that and got lots of rest. The next day I walked and ate ice chips. I felt better as the hours past.
I was released Tuesday AM after my upper GI shich was not tooo bad I guess. I had to take a couple of sips of this not so tasty fluid, then follow it with a gulp of the chalky stuff(it tasted sweet). GI is not my favorite thing, but this GI was easier than the pre-op testing GI.
Chuck took me home(home by 1pm) and filled my rx's while I napped. I was so out of it. I slept for three hours and woke up with the worst krick in my neck. I did not move the whole time I slept. My whole body felt it, too. I felt like an old woman!!
I took the liquid pain meds two times that day and did not need them again! I was not feeling well the first two days. (sluggish and grumpy) I believe it was from having no caffeine and no sugar. My body was adjusting. I felt much better by Thursday afternoon. I no longer depend on caffeine and am happy about that.
I bought a Taylor digital scale that also measures body fat and body hydration. It is so cool!! And only $29 and change at
Walmart!!
I started out on this journey at 259 pounds. Dr. Villares office weighed me at 254 theThursday before surgery(after the liquid diet!) I now weigh 239!!! That's a total of 20 pounds!!! WOWWEE!!! Goodbye
240's!! I love how the numbers change day by day. I weigh in the morning as soon as I am up. I will keep an update weekly(Tuesdays)on my losses!! Don't you just love that--LOSSES!!!
I am feeling so good and haven't had any problems at all. No nausea, protein is going down well, getting in lots of fluids (water and SF Koolaide(yummy grape) and Crystal Light (Fruit punch is the best).
I did not have a BM for a few days and the nutr. said I could try Milk of Magnesium. Let's just say I didn't need it. Well Much More Later I'm Sure--Love--Me
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When Does The Head Hunger Subside?? on May 25, 2007 9:52 am
I am so hungry I was licking Doritos just to get some flavor on my tongue!!! How aweful is that. I felt so guilty afterwards. I knew it was gong to be difficult this first few weeks, but never thought my head hunger would be so strong! I am already tired of the "full liquid diet". I can hardly wait to expand my food selections.
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Another Day, Another Protein on May 16, 2007 10:21 pm
Well, I have found a really good protein drink-Isopure!!!! They have lots of flavors and have 40g protein per premixed bottle. They also have a powder mix. I also mixed up my Docs special concoction of milk(1% or lower) and nonfat fortified milk powder. Not so bad and 14g protein per 8oz. I was feeling weak this morning because I didn't have but one 8oz special recipe serving. I finally got my Isopure this afternoon. I also was told by the nut that I could have a chicken breast for dinner, which boosted my energy a bit. I am starting to pack my bag for the hospital. I am bringing a personal fan and some toilettries. Off to bed now, as I am really tired and I have to rest up for my pre-op Doc visit tomorrow!!
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My Story I have pretty much been a BIG girl all my life. I was THIN for about five minutes (actually, about 2 years)when I met my husband in 1990.
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