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I'm on the other side!!!
All went well :) Surgery was textbook! Recovery is slow... The second day after surgery I had a little break down. I had done a lot of walking to get the gas moving and didn't keep up on my morphine :( Called 3 times for pain meds. By the time the nurse came I had started crying :...
I was in so much pain from the C02 that wasn't moving in my belly. No burping, no farting. I was taking the GasX with no relief. Walking like crazy. There was this pain in my right side that was just getting worse. The nurse was great when she got there. Morphine hooked up right away. Hot blanket on my belly (worked the best to move the gas). I knew that I was breaking down due to the loss of serotonin combined with the pain but still not fun.
Once I got home I found that I didn't have enough items to keep me hydrated. I could only consume a very small amount of liquid. I was able to get one ensure down the day I got home and some water with flavoured electrolytes. Not enough to keep my body alive. I noticed that my skin was starting to crumple on the back of my hands and on my calfs. Very week :( The second day home I was able to get more fluid down but definitely not enough. I couldn't figure out how to get my protein in. I would have to consume 5 or 6 ensure just to reach the protein requirements. I knew that wasn't happening.
I started experimenting with this protein powder that I purchased at Popeyes. It's flavourless with 28 grams of protein per scoop. Luckily this powder dissolved in the chicken broth without leaving clumps and it still tasted like chicken broth. Not exactly the same but drinkable. Phew!! I can save my hair!! 2 of these drinks a day and one ensure (which is all I can drink with gaging) will leave me at 68 grams of protein a day!!
I'm off to buy some pudding today. Yeah!! I forgot about pudding :) This will help increase the calories taken in!
There is only one thing that I am going to mention to Dr. Debru that I wish was different. One of the incisions is right on my bra line. I haven't been able to wear a bra since I got home. I've tried the soft to big for me sport bra and it still rubs on my incision. My mom has stated that that will bother me for ever! I hope not but heading out into public without a bra isn't a pretty sight. Must wear layers ;)
Head hunger is very real! OMG, I want to eat everything!! I have been asking to lick the sauce off of all the food my family eats. I even took a bite of a pickle and rubbed the pickle over my tongue just to get the taste. I didn't swallow anything but the pickle tasted good :)
No acid reflux yet!! yeah :) I haven't touched the prescription for acid reflux. Thought I would wait to see if I need it.
I'm just so glad all went well and I can start the healthy part of the rest of my life!!
If you have any questions please feel free to ask :):)
I'm feeling so disappointed.
When I didn't' hear from the surgeons office regarding a surgery date I called to get an update.
I have called 3 times before and never had a call back, so I was expecting to get the voice mail again. BUT SHE ANSWERED. Only to give me bad news. I was approved for surgery very beginning of June, but she was still booking surgeries approved in March and April. Which means I have already waited 9 full months plus. She said that she will get dates for May and June in late March. She thinks I would be looking at a surgery about 4 more months out. Are you kidding me?
So disappointed.
She said that the hospital lost an anesthesiologist and that caused a backlog. But seriously.
I was told 8 - 10 months from approval. Now its looking like 13 months. Maybe.
I only waited 8 months up here for surgery in Edmonton , I believe there is another doctor now too so maybe not so long , none the less the modules are worth taking ... time flies by as you learn more about what to expect good luck im sure you wont be disappointed in wait times
Hi Royalfreedom,
I had my surgery in Mexico in 2013. The hospital there did not give me a break-down in costs because I did not pay them directly. I paid a company which organized the entire trip (Mexico Bariatric Center). This company was not able to get the hospital to give me a break-down in costs (when I say breakdown I mean anesthetist's fee, surgeon's fee, hospital's fee, etc). This was after several times communicating after the surgery with both MBC and the hospital directly with a Spanish-speaking friend. I tried multiple times to submit what the hospital gave me to Alberta Health and they rejected it each time.
Finally, I accepted it and claimed it on my 2013 tax return (which you do in 2014). In June 2014 I received a letter from the Canada Revenue Agency asking for documentation. I sent them what I had. In December 2014 I received a letter stating they had accepted my medical expenses.
Be aware you cannot claim any transportation expenses like flights, only the cost of the surgery. Good luck.
I got lap band. It went pretty well, a little sore today but manageable. I went with smart choice in calgary. I self paid so my wait was only like 3 weeks.
Hi. It's a vertical banded gastroplasty, the old stomach stapling. I want to have a revision to the gastric sleeve. Not too nosy at all:)
Hello Geminidawn, I'm just curious what a VBG surgery is and what kind of revision you will have? Sorry if I'm being too nosy!
Hey pinner. How did it go? How are you feeling?

Sleeved by Dr.Menezes at Red Deer Hospital July 16th 2015
HW 315 SW 262 CW 203-month 1 -27lbs, month 2 -7lbs, month 3 -9lbs, month 4 -8lbs, month 5 -10lbs, Month 6 -0lbs (thanks Christmas), Month 7 -8lbs,
Wow tomorrow!! How exciting. Where are you getting it done and which did you choose?

Sleeved by Dr.Menezes at Red Deer Hospital July 16th 2015
HW 315 SW 262 CW 203-month 1 -27lbs, month 2 -7lbs, month 3 -9lbs, month 4 -8lbs, month 5 -10lbs, Month 6 -0lbs (thanks Christmas), Month 7 -8lbs,