Hello all,
I just thought I would take the time to let people know my experiences and how the VSG has worked for me.
Ever since I was a teenager I have struggled with my weight, and at 25 I was diagnosed with BED (Binge Eating Disorder). I received some limited treatment, but at that time I didn't really change my habits enough to change my weight (I was no longer depressed, but I still kept bingeing). By the time I got to 28, I knew that I needed to do something more...
So I went to a different therapist, and talked to them about my B.E.D. and having surgery. My therapist helped a lot, and I gradually reduced by bingeing from 2-3 times a day, to every second or third day. This was great, but not enough to loose weight (only to stop gaining), so off to the surgeon I went.
My chosen surgeon was Dr Michael Hatzifotis at Greenslopes hospital (Brisbane). Dr Hatziforis insisted on 4 weeks of prep, and a pre surgery appointment with the dietitian and his therapist (which I was able to do via phone).
The prep was difficult for the first week or so, but after the first 10 days I was handling it pretty well... except for exercise!
I felt horrible whenever I did exercise. I was (and still am) doing Crossfit, and when I tried doing high intensity exercise I felt horrible. Several times I had to stop as I thought I was going to be sick... But it was only 4 weeks, and I got past it.
Now for the surgery... everyone will have a different experience, and I know several people here who had very little pain when they woke up.... That was not my experience... I woke up in a lot of pain, I don't remember much from the first day except that I kept asking for more pain drugs. Not having had children or any other surgery I don't really have anything else to compare it to, but for me it was horrible! They were asking me if I wanted to go for a walk and I could barely stand! But luckily, by the time I woke up the next day, I felt a million times better and was able to walk around and move almost pain free. (so if you do experience pain when you wake up, don't panic, it will pass).
Dr Hatzifotis (being the conservative man he is) insists that you stay in for 5 days, and for the first 3 days you are 'nill by mouth'. This means that you will have a drip for 4 days... I hate needles! On the 4th day you have a swallow test/leak test (which tastes yucky) and if that it all clear you are right to start on thin liquids... WARNING: The swallow test goes straight through you. from personal experience, if you feel like you need to fart after the swallow test, do it on a toilet (yes... I sharted myself...).
Over the next few weeks I went from liquids to puree to soft to regular food with very little fuss. I followed the doctors orders and had no troubles with any of the stages.
Now (24 weeks out) I can now eat normal food, just in small portions. I am having a serving of about 1 cup of food and eat about 3/4 to 4/5 of the container (depends on what the food is).
I have currently lost 38kg (10kg pre/prep, 28kg since surgery) and am still going strong.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask me. I'm an open book!