April 2014 Plication

[AZMichelle]

I had Gastric Plication on 4/23. Here's my experience so far.

4/13 Signed up for surgery. BMI 30 and highest weight ever, pregnant or not. Started protein shake, sugar-free jello, raw vegetable diet.

4/22 Flight to San Diego. No problem getting picked up for pre-op appt. Weighed in at 179.5. Very professional and warm staff.

4/23 First surgery on 4/23, about 30 minutes. O.R. staff reassuring. Woke up phlegm-y and did a one-heave of that stuff, but no major vomiting, nausea, or pain. Nurses and post-op physician checked on me regularly and adminster IV meds. Surgeons made rounds before leaving for the day. Caring professionals. I had to do nebulizer treatments; other patients used their spirometer. I was up walking around yet that morning and more so during the afternoon. Couldn't sleep due to constant noise of bar or nightclub next door. (Bring ear plugs or whatever works for you in blocking noise)

4/24 Discharged after x-ray test to make sure no leakage. Considered going home, but followed advice to stay. The Marriott is prepared with tasty broth and popsicles and water. I had also packed water and apple juice, which I watered down. I was very comfortable that my needs were met without ever leaving my room. I had no significant problems. Gas and bloating is normal. Liquid gets hung up when you swallow, like water in a sink waiting to pass a semi-clogged drain. Then it starts to go and makes a vibration sensation. It does not hurt. It's just weird.

4/25 Going through the border on 4/25 was a little rocky. The driver told us to avoid the super long line of people, we needed to push someone on a wheelchair through a special line. I was the solo traveler in the van in addition to two groups of women traveling together. Each of those groups had someone with one of those US travelers cards, not the regular passport book, and that's what the special express line is for. The border agent did not want to let me through because I was not a companion of the other two parties, and I did not have a card. He asked me my purpose in visiting, and I said surgery. He let me go through. So if you go through this my advice is to have that traveler card, if possible, instead of your regular passport, and do not volunteer to push anyone in a wheelchair. I was pretty bloated leaving the hotel, and that can seem discouraging. Note to lower BMI people: Be prepared for people in the van to judge you a little bit. People could not help themselves commenting or asking questions, but I found if I kept it positive, others were supportive and understanding. Everyone has their own journey and reasons.

4/25-4/27 Weekend at home: Not exactly full energy, but able to go to church and do some light stuff around the house. No problem with incisions. Wore a light-support tank at night as a compression garment to decrease abdominal swelling, and I woke up for church very glad. (Wish I'd had that in the hotel) I'm not talking about some kind of super tight girdle or something that pinches or irritates incisions. Just a soft, light support tank top. Getting meds down may be the hardest part because they taste horrible when crushed. Got them down with large sips, not gulping, Vit. Water. Progression to a protein drink on 4/27.

4/27 Weight 178 I was not hungry at all until today, and I am able to drink protein drinks just fine. I can eat a little watered-down creamy yogurt (great for capsule contents on a spoon). I have to break up, but not crush, medications. I can also take gummy vitamins. I chew them to death and then send them down with a sip of water.

4/28 Weight 177 and back to work (office setting). Following the rules for healing and nutritional purposes and happy to see my weight starting to move in a good direction so far.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck everyone.

[LauriV]

Going to Tijuana!

Found your information useful. I had Lapband for 10 years great sucess. From 210 to 130. Had a child 6 yrs ago and again lost all weight. Last year started having problems and band had slipped way...way low. Had it removed February 2014. In the last year packed on 40 pounds from size 4 to a 12. Going to Tijuana (Dr. Ponce/Verboonen group) to get Plication. Going alone. I have regular passport. Give me best advice. I speak Spanish so will come in handy. Husband worries for my safety. Orlando Fl is my home, so long flight awaits. Hoping Mid June.

[AZMichelle]

I had Gastric Plication on 4/23. Here's my experience so far.

4/13 Signed up for surgery. BMI 30 and highest weight ever, pregnant or not. Started protein shake, sugar-free jello, raw vegetable diet.

4/22 Flight to San Diego. No problem getting picked up for pre-op appt. Weighed in at 179.5. Very professional and warm staff.

4/23 First surgery on 4/23, about 30 minutes. O.R. staff reassuring. Woke up phlegm-y and did a one-heave of that stuff, but no major vomiting, nausea, or pain. Nurses and post-op physician checked on me regularly and adminster IV meds. Surgeons made rounds before leaving for the day. Caring professionals. I had to do nebulizer treatments; other patients used their spirometer. I was up walking around yet that morning and more so during the afternoon. Couldn't sleep due to constant noise of bar or nightclub next door. (Bring ear plugs or whatever works for you in blocking noise)

4/24 Discharged after x-ray test to make sure no leakage. Considered going home, but followed advice to stay. The Marriott is prepared with tasty broth and popsicles and water. I had also packed water and apple juice, which I watered down. I was very comfortable that my needs were met without ever leaving my room. I had no significant problems. Gas and bloating is normal. Liquid gets hung up when you swallow, like water in a sink waiting to pass a semi-clogged drain. Then it starts to go and makes a vibration sensation. It does not hurt. It's just weird.

4/25 Going through the border on 4/25 was a little rocky. The driver told us to avoid the super long line of people, we needed to push someone on a wheelchair through a special line. I was the solo traveler in the van in addition to two groups of women traveling together. Each of those groups had someone with one of those US travelers cards, not the regular passport book, and that's what the special express line is for. The border agent did not want to let me through because I was not a companion of the other two parties, and I did not have a card. He asked me my purpose in visiting, and I said surgery. He let me go through. So if you go through this my advice is to have that traveler card, if possible, instead of your regular passport, and do not volunteer to push anyone in a wheelchair. I was pretty bloated leaving the hotel, and that can seem discouraging. Note to lower BMI people: Be prepared for people in the van to judge you a little bit. People could not help themselves commenting or asking questions, but I found if I kept it positive, others were supportive and understanding. Everyone has their own journey and reasons.

4/25-4/27 Weekend at home: Not exactly full energy, but able to go to church and do some light stuff around the house. No problem with incisions. Wore a light-support tank at night as a compression garment to decrease abdominal swelling, and I woke up for church very glad. (Wish I'd had that in the hotel) I'm not talking about some kind of super tight girdle or something that pinches or irritates incisions. Just a soft, light support tank top. Getting meds down may be the hardest part because they taste horrible when crushed. Got them down with large sips, not gulping, Vit. Water. Progression to a protein drink on 4/27.

4/27 Weight 178 I was not hungry at all until today, and I am able to drink protein drinks just fine. I can eat a little watered-down creamy yogurt (great for capsule contents on a spoon). I have to break up, but not crush, medications. I can also take gummy vitamins. I chew them to death and then send them down with a sip of water.

4/28 Weight 177 and back to work (office setting). Following the rules for healing and nutritional purposes and happy to see my weight starting to move in a good direction so far.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck everyone.

UPDATE: 7/25 - 3 months from surgery, at goal weight 147!

I hope this helps others, so here's a typical workday routine that has worked for me,in addition to proper vitamins and timing hydration between eating; Premier Protein chocolate drink breakfast (30g protein, low sugar & carb) - available at sam's, costco; light n fit 80 calorie or similar low calorie greek yogurt (10 am); lunch is chunks of protein (turkey, beans, tuna, whatever) or light soup and if I have room, something decent like carrots, apple, almonds; salty cravings are filled by salt n vinegar Popchips; sweet needs are filled by healthy choice 100 calorie fudge bars or dark chocolate. Usually on my drive home, I drink another Premier Protein drink. If I'm still hungry, I will eat with my family - I can eat a lettuce wrap or say if I've made BBQ chicken, I'll just eat the chicken and a little cole slaw, but skip the bun. Trader Joe's, Whole Foods types of places have seasoned dried beans that you add water to and microwave - so kind of like those instant ramen noodle bowls except it's just low fat beans - and they are very filling and satisfying for times when I feel hungrier. I do eat other things than what I'm talking about here, but just if you're looking for a workday routine or something, this is what I have done.

I didn't add a big exercise routine. The main day-to-day thing I've changed is that I work on the 5th floor of a building, and I stopped using the elevator and use the stairs up and down 2-3 times a day.