Sleeve Gastrectomy: Stories

I was sent home for a couple days but ended. Up back in the hospital for another 5 days. My stomach opened enough for a trickle to get through. I had a PICC line installed and am TPN now (nutrients via IV). Each day I try to get in more liquids, and the more liquids I get in, the smaller my TPN bag gets. This could go on for months. The hope is that I will eventually have a functioning stomach just from natural stretching and healing. If this doesn't irk out eventually, the doctor said I might need a second surgery for a total gastrectomy, where there is no stomach left. Alternately, it could be for something that looks like a gastric bypass, but with a pouch that is only a tiny portion of the normal pouch size for a gastric bypass. I'm just really tired right now. I'm trying to be optimistic, as I've gradually been able to get in more liquids. Thank the Lord I have good insurance. The in home nursing care and TPN supplies would cost a thousand dollars a DAY. I think about people who are self-pay for this procedure and wonder what would happen to them if they found themselves in this situation. I also didn't think very hard about the drawbacks of having most of my stomach removed. There isn't any stomach left to use if a complication arises. If I had gone with the RNY, I could at least have a feeding tube into my blind stomach, which would be far safer than the PICC line... BUT, I am able to take in a bit more each day, though I seem to have hit a limit at this point. I will remain optimistic that I can eventually get this to work, regardless of how hard it is, as the last thing I want is to go under the knife again...ever. I am also on antibiotics for a UTI that I probably got for dehydration. Good luck to everyone else! There are so few people who get complications like this, but they do happen and are very real for that small group. My BMI ws under 40 and I was in decent health other than my PTC. I'm hoping that a year from now I'll be normal, and I'll just have a high level of restriction, but be fully functional. :)

Oh now, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all of this! I've never heard of this happening before. It definitely makes me think really hard about my procedure. I know, like you said, this only happens to a very small percentage of people, but we do have to make sure we understand all of the risks, so thank you for sharing your journey with us!

I really hope you start to feel better and that you can keep taking in liquids! Please do keep us updated with your progress and let us know how you're getting on. I'll be thinking of you!

Great! you are doing well iam down 22 in 3 weeks i started off at 204 now 183.5 iam proud

Iam sorry that you are having a hard time now. I pray that things will get better, and i know they will just keep positive.

I will kept you updated

Surgery went great no problems doing well down about 20 pd

Okay I though you had to diet for a week. I only liquid the day before also. Just think. You are on the way to being alot thinner.

Becky, how are you doing, hope things went good would like to know how you are.

I think that every doctor has a different requirement. I've heard that some doctors require a liquid diet for two weeks!

i also will be having sleeve surgery in april on the 23rd im very excited !!

Hi Callahan, good luck! Are you all prepared?

Hi! My highest weight was 248, and I've lost a little over 20 lbs during the six months of nutrition counseling. I have increased intracranial pressue, and this is frequently related to weight, so this is one reason. Another is just a huge history of obesity and obesity related illness in my family. I wanted to tackle this problem sooner rather than later.

Wow! We'll be doing this at the same time--we should keep in touch!

Congratulations on your weight loss already! It's a good sign that you've started preparing for post-surgery already. Your big day won't be long now!

Hello, this is winnie I will be having my surgery on the 8th of April.

we will do this journey togather okay.