Gastric Sleeve?

PCOTeen · 07-31-2009, 04:23 AM

Hi Cysters. I'm back to tell everyone I'm super excited that I'm getting a gastric sleeve on Aug 21st!

I went to the surgeon because my gallbladder has failed and I have very large (20mm) gallstones that cause me horrible spasms. He said he is taking the gallbladder out, and as a family favor (he is a family friend) he offered to do a gastric sleeve at the cost of the instruments because it will be a secondary procedure!

He said he was very impressed that I've lost 48 lbs in 4 months, but that PCOS and my genes will always tell me that I am hungry, and by removing 85% of the stomach, I will be able to lose more and keep it off instead of yo-yoing. He is the pioneer of laproscopic surgery and I wouldn't trust anybody elses opinion but his! And he obviously isn't doing mine for the money, since he is waiving his surgical fees.

With that said, I have my dietician meeting on August 4th, but I also need a psychiatric eval for surgical clearance. How does this work? I have an appt for Aug 11th, and my surgery is Aug 21st...How LONG does it take to get a letter? It's not for my insurance company, it is for my surgeon's file.

Also, has anyone else had this done? What was the pain like after surgery? I'm an EMT, so my job involves a lot of lifting and moving, how long before I can return to work?

goddess819 · 08-03-2009, 06:05 AM

Since you're an EMT you can expect to be off a full 6 weeks as you'll be on a lifting restriction of 10lb (pretty much standard for any laproscopic surgery) for 6 weeks. As for pain yiou can expect some sore muscles like you've done wayyy too many situps since they do cut through the abdominal wall. Stay on top of your pain with meds as the less pain you feel the better you heal. As far as the psych eval goes they pretty much want to make sure that you understand the surgery...that it's not a cure, just a tool, that you're in a good frame of mind to be successful...stuff like that. The dietician should be going over what your diet will be like post op.

Very cool that your surgeon friend is doing it so inexpensively for you! Good luck & congrats!! I know 3 people who've had the sleeve done and all are doing well...