JudyM

I wasn't given any post-op dietary advice at all, so have muddled along... It does feel strange, being out and eating by ourselves, doesn't it?! I bought a cookery book of lovely recipes from Amazon, which I shall use - you can use the same recipe at each stage (pur?e, 'lumpy' and 'normal').

Good luck! Do you have a date for your operation now?

:scared0:I just cannot imagine having been well enough to go home the day after surgery; I was still on drips and oxygen! I react badly to anaesthetic, and in fact in the early hours of the Wednesday (day after my op) I was heaving so much, I actually (sssshhhh) peed the bed :blushing::blushing: I was mortified, but the nurses were so nice, got me sorted in no time I could have gone home Friday I think, and I was raring to go on Saturday!

Thanks Maddie - am going along nicely! x

The last 2 weeks have gone sooo fast, I haven't had time to update... Anyway, all went well in the hospital. I had the op Tuesday morning; the leak test Thurs morning; came off IV drips Thurs midday and had my first sip of water that tasted like champagne, it was so good! I washed and blow-dried my hair Thursday and that felt so good! I had my staples out Saturday morning, and was home by midday. The nurse calls in every day to give me a blood thinning injection, and I had to wear thigh high surgical stockings continually from the operation until yesterday. I'm driving my car again now, which is great. My next check up with Dr Boullenois is 22 July. I have a whole heap of questions for him! I feel fabulous, wish I had done this a year ago! All I need to sort out is what to eat and when. Conflicting information is making me nervous..... But I shall get it all sorted this week :scared0:

Firstly, congrats on your operation, and I wish you a full and speedy recovery! Do you mind me asking .... what is a Super Sleeve? x

Sleeve + One. You have already started rest of your life - Well Done!

Wow! That is amazing, home next day (French hospitals keep you in for a week, as leak test not done until Operation Day + 2). Soooo glad everything went well for you; safe journey home, and I have shuffled up on the Loser's Bench to leave you a space! xx

Since Operation Day, I have had to wear these thigh high support stockings, which has been a killer during this hot weather! :thumbdown: I know it is to avoid thrombosis, and will be wearing them for 10 days. I just realised no-one else has mentioned them. Am I alone in wearing this sexy support hose?

Dr Boullenois said that the 'new' stomach needs to be treated gently as regards the stitches and so forth, and not to overload it. But he said that eating semi-solid (ie mush) avoided the risk of constipation.... He said apple puree is excellent for that. He also said the stomach is not brand new, it is not broken, it is just smaller.... He dismissed Protein drinks with a Gallic shrug, although he did say multi-Vitamins (in drops) were a good idea. I think if I had questioned him one more time, with "But on the forum, it says......" he would have sent me to the guillotine! :thumbup: I admit I was was worried when I saw what everyone else seemed to be on, and I was actually afraid to eat anything first day, but (and having just had almost a whole Weetabix with ice-cold half fat milk) it all seems to be working well for me, so I'll go with it. On balance, it seems that there are many paths to tread, but we all need to learn to listen to our bodies, and perhaps trust our new improved stomachs! It is a lovely sunny day here in Normandy - I am off to pick some raspberries from our garden. At least this year, I know more will make it back to the kitchen!!

I had no drain, and only have 4 incisions - one tiny one between my boobs, 2 teeny ones that are almost healed already (one practically invisible!), and the larger one on the left, where I assumed they hoicked out the leftover bit they had cut off! I had staples, not stitches. I use a soft pillow to add extra cushioning and I can then lie on my side. Off to bed now, as have exceeded my PC time!! (TOH is restricting me sitting at PC for too long at one stretch!)

Ermmmm... I'm on them already! Have had Soup, scrambled egg, mash with teeny bits of ham in, weetabix and milk (as a mush), fromage frais, slimfast drink (on a day I couldn't think what to have!) So far so good. My doctor (French) was adamant I wasn't to stick to Clear Liquids, but to have pureed veg soup, fromage frais etc. I had veg soup, yogurt and apple puree in hospital my first meal 3 days post op!

Good luck from France Lillita - you are one week behind me, so I shall be looking over my shoulder!

If you were in France, you would be doing exactly what the doctors tell you! I was worried, as I had no pre-op diet, no breathing exercises, no real post-op dietary advice, except NOT to have liquids only... Bon appetit!

That is soooo what I would have liked to have said! I agree - being overweight is NOT a crime (not that you would guess the amount of hysteria and discrimination around), neither is doing something about it. Totally agree. Pat yourself on your gorgeous back for finding the solution and going for it. Good for you! x

Yayyy!! Good luck, and be a good patient for those nurses!! Will be thinking of you tomorrow - hugs xx

PCindy - You will be fine. We look forward to seeing you back on here post-surgery! Bon courage, as they say here in France! x

I had my op last Tuesday, in France, so that won't help with answering your first few questions! For me, the first 18 hours after the op were a bit grim.. (but nothing when compared with the pain after the hysterectomy I had 10 years ago). By Wednesday morning, I was starting to feel better. I was up and about Thursday, had my first full drink of Water. Ate a light 'meal' on Thurs evening. Staples out and home Saturday. I am SO glad I had this done. It is early days, but it seems fine so far. My gas is escaping well the more I move around and that reduces the chest tightness you feel. A tiny bit of nausea in the first 24 hours. Not on any pain meds at all since last Thursday morning. Friends know what I have been doing, and my brother and fab sis-in-law. Others just know I have been in hospital :confused1: Read up all you can - I did and this forum has been amazingly helpful and generous. You are on the first step of your Journey!

Dear Mary, Sherri and Monica, my fellow 22 June Sleevers.... It is a beautiful summer day here in Normandy, France. I feel great! I still have a restriction from the gas pumped in during the operation (HOW do they pump it in there?!!! :smile:), but that will dissipate (Thanks Jane for the advice on that!) I have had a lovely shower, Breakfast was a puree of apple and banana. I had a walk around the garden, and I am going to try my first small cup of tea in an hour or so. I am sipping at cool Water all day. I had NO pre-op diet, NO post-op dietary advice, NO drugs, and the surgeon was adamant for me not to go onto clear stuff, but to start with thick Soups and pureed mash. So far so good! I've had cream of tomato soup; cream of chicken Soup, a bowl of mashed potato with teeny tiny bits of ham stirred into it. My next challenge is to make up a food diary to make sure I get sufficient Protein. This afternoon, England play Germany in the World Cup (sorry that USA went out by the way, even though they beat us ). We have friends coming round for a barbie and to watch the game. I can't believe it is less than a week since the op!! For anyone still waiting - go for it - sure the first 24 hours afterwards was not a day I'd like to repeat, but the recovery thereafter was - and is - astounding! I'd be happy to talk to anyone that would like to (but pls remember the time difference: GMT + 2) on Skype. My Skype address is judy-mansfield ... I am the only one in France!, so easy to find!

I'm home too! Had surgery Tuesday, got home this morning. All went well, keyhole surgery (4 incisions) - scars are minsicule apart from the biggest one (I assume where they hoicked the unwanted stomach out!). Will write up my blog, but I have to say I feel FAB! :lol0: xx

Hi to the 22 June girls! We are The Sleever Divas :confused1: Couldn't resist a last quick peek on here.... it always leaves me feeling better :confused1: If anyone wants to call me next week (remember I am on Paris time, which is GMT+1hr), you can get me via Skype (which is free) as judy-mansfield and I am the only one listed in France! Let's meet up on here on Sunday, and compare notes!! Lots of love, Bon chance et ? bientot! (Good luck, and see you soon!) xxxxxx

You are looking very good - you must be delighted!

To the hospital today.. It is midsummer's day, and the longest day of the year... I bet it will feel like that, too! I'll be glad when it is tomorrow afternoon, my tummy is doing somersaults already :crying: I have a few work things to do, which I hope will keep me occupied until we leave around midday. Have a fab week all, and good luck to everyone having their operations this week :scared0:

Oh my goodness - that must have been scary... So glad all is well x

I'm not ashamed of having this operation! I am actually proud of having identified a solution and taking positive action. As you say Carolyn, hiding at the back in pics is horrible. In my case, there are whole family holidays and occasions with not one pic to even show I was there! For me, that is where the shame lies; hiding away, feeling miserable and cross and guilty .. PCindy - I can't comment on the pre-op loss. My surgeon didn't ask me to do it and said the pre-op diet wasn't necessary.... but you still have over a week to go, so you may manage a few more pounds off? I am so motivated for this - I want to see my cheekbones, I know they are in there somewhere!!! x