lizzyshade

I'm so excited for you! This is a big step, but worth it.
I did not use any of the items I brought with me in the hospital, except the clothes to wear home. Hospital provides, basic care supplies and you will most likely just want to sleep or rest. Some suggested a notebook & pen for notes or journal, gas x strips, and ear plugs. The one thing I did not have when I got home was an old fashion night gown with no waist. My husband went & got 2 for me and that saved me! Couldn't handle anything around my waist for a week. Everyone is different though, but at least make sure you have comfy pants and tops for the first few weeks. Also I wouldn't leave the hospital without a prescription for nausea that dissolves under you tongue. Be prepared for an emotional ride the first 2 to 3 weeks, they feel like a roller-coaster, but it does get better as you heal and become more mobile. Make sure you have little 1 and 2 oz containers and cocktail size utensils at home. Also Lipton cup cream of chicken soup and chicken stock (not broth) to make it with, it adds protein and goes down well. It's a nice change from protein shakes also. You should read frequently asked questions in the pre-op forum section too. I've learned since my sleeve a month ago, that the only thing that has changed is the size of my stomach. It doesn't change food craving, choice of food we eat, what food triggers we have, our habits, or how much we exercise. We get full fast and that helps, will lose some weight no matter what, but all the rest we still have to work towards changing ourselves. We can do it though! I wish you all the best in your journey.

It's actually 11 days out now and although I too am on liquids, my doctor did say I can have anything that will go through a straw (just not actually use the straw) so I have had some very thin cream of wheat and potato soup. I'm having some digestive issues so I stopped even that, but my doctor said that if I felt ok after then I could continue to progress from very thin to puree.

Hi Leaha, I also had the sleeve on the 22nd and understand what you are saying. I have haven't been over-eating or even snacking because I almost always get diarrhea after I do eat and sometimes even after the shakes. I hope this physical learning curve is over soon, it seems a bit different for us all.
One of the things I think you are describing is what I call Head Hungry, thinking about food, picturing it, tasting it, smelling it, the experience of it. Then the reality of food for us now, is nothing compared to our imagination. But that's why we are doing this, to learn new control, new habits. This sleeve tool will allow us to lose weight, while gaining time to make our new way of (eating)life so normal that we never gain the weight back. That's what I'm reminding myself today anyway, everyday seems hard so far, but there is no going back. Don't worry about the number of lbs lost yet or clothing size, just concentrate on nutrition intake, the rest will come. It just has too!

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and praying that the other side will be as wonderful as you dream of, healthy, happy, thinner you!

Thanks for the realist view of the first days after surgery. I am having mine on Tuesday and am glad to read what it may be like those first days. Thanks again for helping me mentally prepare. I hope you continue to get better and better. You're right it will be worth it! Liz

This was the perfect post for me read today, thank you so much! I'm so excited for you. It's so good to read success stories that are happening right now. It helps me believe it is in reach for me too. I have surgery on Tuesday 22nd and am thankful to have read what you wrote!

Your bathing suit story is sooo great! Congrats to you! I can't wait to see that kind of results.

WoW, you wrote so many words that could have come right out of my head! I can really identify with all of it, even the childhood weight and the small comments, meant to help that destroy you a little bit each time. I was in a custody battle many years ago and my mother said, "Honey are you worried the judge will side with .... the father... because of your weight?" Up till that moment I never even gave it a thought that I could lose my kids because I was fat. Just another kind, prejudice.
My husband has been behind me all the way too, he's also made sure to tell me how much he loves me and thinks I'm beautiful to him just as I am. I wish I had, had the words you used to describe my inner turmoil that I need to get this weight off so I can be comfortable in my own skin. I can't stand to look at me naked, it's hard to believe someone else could, even when they love you. Thanks for sharing your story and I hope the process goes quickly for you. I started my journey in January and will be sleeved this Tuesday. My process took longer than most I think because of some health complications. Wishing you all the best! Liz