Jenny A.

I live in San Francisco, so mine was a bit more expensive. My insurance covers WLS but I didn't want to have to jump through all the hoops to get there. I paid $16,000 for everything (labs, psych eval, x-rays, etc.). I think it's so worth it though. Have you considered taking out a loan?

Thanks so much SuperMom!! Those are all really good tips!! How many times would you suggest eating throughout the day? Do you need to eat if you don't feel hungry?

Hi Everyone, I start back to work next Tuesday and am wondering if anyone had any advice or tips they could give about returning to work after surgery? Was it difficult? Were you weak? What foods did you have prepared? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I'm a little nervous to go back because I'm afraid I'm going to b really weak and nauseas or something. Thanks!

Thanks so much!!! This is really good advice I think I'm on the right track now thanks to all of your helpful guidance. Let's rock our sleeves together!!! Yay!!!

Hi GreginMI, The instructions that I got from my surgeon are as follows: "For the first month following surgery, make sure to drink at least 2liters of fluids/day and get between 60-80 grams of Protein from soft vegetarian sources, eggs, fish and seafood." This is followed by a list of acceptable foods (i.e. cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, eggs, Beans, veggies burgers, yogurt, soups, fish, rice, egg noodles, etc.) Of course he also told me to avoid foods high in sugars, fats, and alcohol. At the hospital he told me just to try things as I felt like it, but to really push and prioritize liquids, especially for the first three weeks. Some surgeons are like this I've been told. He's one of the best in the country and has own reasons for not having his patients follow a staged plan, I'm sure. There are quite a few people on this site who have used him and have nothing but the highest praises for him. Incidentally, he also doesn't make his patients do a pre-op diet. The only thing I had to do was a clear liquid diet and drink Colyte 1 day before surgery. However, I tend to find it easier to have stricter guidelines to follow, which is why I plan to discuss the plan Golden laid out above when I meet with my surgeon on Friday. To be honest though, aside from the one attempt at the meatball, I have been sticking to a strictly clear liquid diet, simply because I didn't feel like eating anyway. Right now, clear liquids are about all that I can seem to consume comfortably, and sometimes if I accidentally take too big a sip even the liquids make my tummy hurt. Sorry, I guess this is a really long answer to your question. But maybe it makes more sense now? Anyway, ever since my adventures in meatball land I've gone right back to clear liquids and am doing ok here for the time being Thanks everyone for your advice and concern!! I think I'm on the right track now thanks to everyone's input. I have to say, this is such a great site!

I've used it, and it's been very helpful. The packet of information I got from my doctor before I was released also said use of ice-packs or heating pads are fine. Go ahead and use it girl! My ice pack been a savior for me!!

Thanks so much Golden! This is really helpful advice!!! I like the eating plan that you listed, and it seems really easy to follow. I'm going to show this to my surgeon on Friday when I have my first pot-op appointment with him and get his ok to follow these guidelines (I can't imagine he'd have any problems with it). As for the rumbly tummy, I guess I ruled out acid because I've been on prilosec every day, but maybe it's like you suggested and related to gas/healing/shock. I definitely want to recover well and not to anything to damage my new sleeve, so I'll just take it a lot easier here on out!! I guess I was so excited I got a little ahead of myself Thanks again for all the excellent information, it's been really helpful!!!

Hi Fluffy Chick, thanks! My doctor doesn't have a strict set of post-op guidelines. He told me to stick with soft "slippery" proteins the first month. Although, now that I think about it, I guess mashed meatball might not have been what he had in mind... I'll take your suggestion and try some soup next. Thanks!!

Hi Everyone! So I was sleeved last Thursday and am about 4 days out. At first, I didn't want anything except liquids and the surgeon said that was fine. But the last day and a half or so, my tummy's been making these weird rumbly sounds and it feels like a combination of gas/hunger pain. I tried expelling some gas (sorry for the tmi!) but it was still doing it. So then I tried eating a bit of a small, mashed up turkey meatball (low fat high Protein ). I made it about 3 tiny bites before my stomach shot sharp pains at me telling me it didn't want anymore. How do I communicate with my new stomach? Was I hungry? Is it just gas? Is it just talking to me? Any experienced sleevers willing to give me some advice on how to understand my sleeve?

I agree. I was sleeved on 8/25 (last Thurs.) and my surgeon told me not even to THINK about food for a while. His words were "drink and walk" "drink and walk." Right now it's all I can do to keep my pain at a manageable level and get all my fluids in. My doctor just told me to listen to my body, and that when I was feeling pretty normal and could get my fluids down without problems, then I should start in on regular foods/protein. I'm glad to know there are other people who are feeling pretty rough, but I know we can stick it out together and see the benefits in the end!!

Anyone have any tips on getting this stuff down easier? The directions say 8oz every ten minutes, but I feel like I'm going to be sick

You look absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!! I don't see anything wrong with your arms!!! Tatum's got one hot mama

I'm so with you!! I love H&M and I have never been able to fit into their stuff. My little sister is super skinny and we always have to go to H&M when she comes to visit me in San Francisco. Same as you, I can't wait to buy actual clothes and not just accessories!!! I'm on my second day of the pre-op diet and it's thoughts like this that keep me going

Wow!!!!! You seriously look like a model, absolutely beautiful!!! You are such an inspiration!! I get sleeved in 3 weeks and start my 2 week liquid diet this Thursday. Seeing this post has given me so much motivation. Thank you!!!!!

I'm really sorry to hear that about your husband. I feel like it's so hard for someone who has never experienced the pain of being overweight and trying time and time again to take it off with no success to understand our reasons for making this choice. It takes a lot of courage to admit to yourself that you need a little extra help if you want to take this weight off for good. Most of us on this site have additional, psychological issues with food, that make it impossible for us to simply lose weight through diet and exercise. I can't count the number of times I've seen the word "binge." The great thing about this surgery is that it finally allows us to beat the psychological factor due to physical limitations. Because with the surgery, you CANNOT binge (at least at first it seems). You are literally forced to limit the amount you eat or you get physically sick. For many people this might seem horrifying. But for me, the first thing I thought when I was researching this surgery and saw that information was "thank G-d!! Where do I sign up??" Most of us on here realize that this is not a quick or easy fix. But we are determined to take our lives back and become happy, healthy individuals. The sleeve is an extremely powerful tool in helping us accomplish that goal and change our lifestyles and eating habits permanently (just look at the "success stories" section!). I think your husband needs to realize that. The other thing is, like someone else mentioned, when you got married your husband took a vow to stand by you in both good times and bad. We married our husbands (hopefully) because they are people we love, respect, and can count on in times of difficulty. If you have explained how important this surgery is to you, whether he agrees with it or not, he should stand by you and support you. My husband had misgivings at first, but when I explained how relatively low risk the procedure is, and how this would help me take off the weight, he totally agreed that it was worth a shot. As is gets closer to my surgery I think he's even more excited than I am!! (My husband is very physically active and he can't wait until we can play tennis together ) I truly hope that your husband comes around, but if he doesn't, just remember that you are doing this for YOU, not for him. And in the end, that's what matters most. Good Luck!