PdxMan

Believe me, you will lose signigicant weight with a sleeve. You are taking a (approximately, different for everyone) 60 ounce stomach and changing it into a 6 ounce stomach. Yes, you can stretch it over the years, but it will really take some effort. My surgeon told me not to worry about it. Without the ghrelin, everything changes. Just last night I tried a bite of a chocolate chip cookie and it tasted like $#!^. I spit it out. Skyblew is right, the early weeks are hard. I am only 5 weeks out myself. Early on, your stomach is still swollen. YOU JUST HAD SURGERY FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! What is a realistic expectation? Yes, there is some pain, but they give you meds. Take them. No need to be a superhero or punishing yourself. It does get better. Last night I had grilled chicken and onions. Also, a section of watermellon (which was FANTASTIC, btw) I'm betting Skyblew will change their mind after a few weeks. Although some people do have unrealistic expectations. They force the timeline too fast and run into trouble. Eating a steak or a potatoe a week after surgery. Really ... you think that is OK? We're not the best at being discliplined when it comes to food, but you must with the sleeve. The rules are even more stringent with the bypass. Good luck ... do your research

Everything I have read and also talking with my surgeon, says that you need to have your medical team discuss the best way to ramp down medications, if necessary. You need to sign whatever paperwork (HIPA stuff) so that they can talk to each other. Everyone, PCP, Gyn, Psych, surgeon ... needs to know what you are doing and how to have you in tip-top shape. This is true for anything medically related, not just WLS. It drives me crazy when one Dr is not aware of the big picture and says things that go against your better sense. Just make sure your WLS surgeon talks to whoever has put you on HRT well prior to surgery so as to make a plan.

Yeah, I drank at least that much pre-op. Nothing to worry about. Just know, as others have posted, you will be unable to get anywhere near that post-op. I struggle to get the 64 oz.

4 weeks out here and Milk of Magnesia was a godsend. I didn't go for the first 5 days post-op, then it was terribly runny, then terribly firm, but always about 3 days apart. Not alot going in ... not a lot going out. MOM helped on the firm days and got things going.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I want to echo what Stacy160 posted. I recently had a procedure done where I had a $25 copay and had to pay 20% . So, I paid the $25, and I got my bill for the 20% (~$485), so I am assuming my procedure cost about $2,400. Surely you know the cost of the surgery is greater than $1,500. I was self-pay for mine and paid $10,400, and that was on the cheap! So, is it possible you were told it would be 10% PLUS a $150 copay? (Which still is a bargain, even with insurance)

I'm down 45 in 6 weeks including 10 pounds on the 2 week pre-op diet. Feel great!

Check this room out: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/39-200-pounds/

I did two weeks of Protein shakes for breakfast/lunch and a lean and green for dinner, which usually was a salad with grilled chicken/shrimp. Maybe a porkchop with a salad. Lots of cabbage salad. No small portions, either. I lost 10 lbs and my Dr said my liver looked great and was easy to work with. Plus, it will get you started on your "new" lifestyle. I don't think you want to be learning a new behavior after you have the surgery.

If I was hungry between, I was instructed to have another Protein shake. While I did get hungry in between, I forced myself not to have the additional shake, otherwise, I would have been sucking them down all day long! ... and I did cheat a couple times. My daughter's birthday was 3 days into the pre-op diet. I had ONE piece of pizza and a small piece of cake. Oh, and about 4 days before the surgery, my sister-in-law brought over a loaf of banana bread, which I adore. I had two pieces. But I did not beat myself up over it as I was diligent with my exercise going to the gym almost everyday. I got up to 1/2 an hour on the elliptical going at a pretty good clip with the resistance up pretty high, too. I think this is why I have had a pretty easy recovery. My Dr was amazed when I told him I took my wife out to dinner the night of the surgery and walked all over 3 casinos the next two days. My endurance was good and it paid off in my recovery. Also, I did not eat anything the day before my surgery, just drank liquids. I did not want anything passing down there a couple hours after surgery, if you know what I mean, which it didn't. I sat across the table from my 125# wife as she scarfed an In-and-Out burger, fries and a shake, with me just drinking Water. Oye! But I knew my prize was coming the next day, so it was worth it.

Hello all I am a Portland Metro sleever here and would love to get together to chat about or experiences. There are just some things "normies" just don't understand, including my wife. Let me know if/when a get-together is planned, or if anyone has any questions, I'm happy to help.

My Dr used a 36. As mentioned earlier, a 34 can twist, or so they say ... But you must remember, that us only the diameter. Everybody's length is going to be different, so you can't use that to determine what your capacity will be. The difference between a 34 and a 36 is a meer fraction of an inch. Talk to your Dr and find what works best for you.

Swallowing. It was just hard to do, but the next day, I was fine. Just take your pain meds and you'll do fine.

I walked a TON after surgery and I felt better each day. You gotta get yourself moving even if it's the last thing you want to do. I made some chicken noodle soup and strained the broth from it. I lived on that my first week as well as protein shakes. Second week, I added some cottage cheese and French onion soup (onions filtered out). I did not have a drainage tube, so I know nothing about those. I am looking forward to when I can eat something with consistency, but I know it will still be awhile.

For two weeks I was on a Protein shake for Breakfast, Protein Shake for lunch and a "lean and green" dinner, which usually consisted of a salad (spinich, romain, tomatos, artichoke hearts, carrots) with chicken or tuna. I would then put a balsamic vinegar/oil dressing on it. It was usually a pretty good size salad, I have to say. I lost 10 pounds pre-op and my Dr. complemented me on how small and lean my liver looked. He had no problems working around it. I picked up my Protein powder at The Vitamin Shop. Bought the huge bags as I knew I would be using them pos-op as well. Get a vanilla so you can mix other fruits and what-nots with it.

That should be more than enough. I had mine on Friday and was back to work the following Wednesday. I, too, have a desk job. I was back at the health club just 5 days post op doing 1/2 an hour on the elliptical machine. Just listen to your body and you'll do fine. Be sure to get the flavoring for the lortab (pain med)

Oye, probably not going to get too many responses in The Man Room, but I'm sure you can search the other rooms.

Same here. Nothing tastes the same, it seems. But, of course, I used to take huge bites and immediately stuff another in, so, things should be different, I suppose. Liquids also taste different, but again, I drink far smaller gulps now. It is an adventure, for sure, but I am willing to keep pushing on!

I did a liquid/lean and green diet for 2 weeks pre-op, as directed by my Dr. After the procedure, he commented how I must have stuck rigorously to the diet because my liver was so small and easy to work around. I did not want to risk any complications with this and it was a great start to the discipline I needed post-op. If you can't commit to changing your habits for a little while before your procedure, what makes you think you will have success after? Make the commitment and jump in with both legs. I'm down almost 40 lbs and it is great.

I paid $10,400 for Dr. Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas. Cheap travel ... stayed at the Golden Nugget ... had a great time and he is a VERY capable surgeon. Check him out. Inexpensive and you stay in the states. (And a bonus vacation in VEGAS, BABY!)

Lortab here. Be sure to ask for them to add flavoring to it, though, as I understand it doesn't taste to good on its own. I got the green apple flavor, which was OK. I, too, was outpatient and everything was very smooth. Actually took my wife out to dinner the night of the surgery. (with a little loritab in me!) <br><br>I also had a drip ball with tubes going in. It was under pressure and delivered something ... I had no interaction with it, except carrying it around in a little hip bag for 3 days.

I was sleeved the Friday previous to you guys. I have the same thing. Dealing with similar things previously, I have put neosporin on thick and covered with a bandaid. I leave it there for about 6 hours and then remove the bandaid to let it breathe. I find this helps with the itching, too. (but under no circumstance itch it!) Remeber, if you had hair, they also shaved your belly and some of the itching is going to be from the hairs growing back. 3 of the other "holes" have healed over doing this and I have started with vitamin E oil to reduce scarring.

I have been fortunate with my whole sleeve experience thus far. I am 11 days post-op and am doing great. Before my surgery, though, I worked out a lot. I could do half an hour on the elliptical machine no problem. A few hours after surgery I was walking all over downtown Las Vegas. Took the wife out to dinner. Crazy, I know, but it felt good to walk. I flew back home on Monday and Tuesday morning I went to the club and was able to do half an hour on the elliptical and felt great. So, I think the real answer is, "It depends". If you worked out before surgery, I would say go right back to the same program. If you didn't, then you must understand beginning a fitness program is hard, sleeved or not, and your body is going to freak out. But always listen to your body. If it is saying, "This doesn't feel right," then stop. Find that level that does work for you. I've only missed a couple days in the gym since, and I am feeling great. I attribute it to my pre-op program.

4 days, here. No problems at all. You have to listen to your body, as with most things.