lizzybeth

Yes, everyone will be different. I think it also depends how how much you weigh to begin with - but I could be wrong. I had surgery on July 10th and am down 33 pounds as of this morning.

A July sleever here! July 10th. Down 30 pounds, feel great, doing great and would do it again in a heartbeat!

I completed the survey as well. I would be interested to see the final research too!

I second the chap stick. My mouth was so dry too and I could not have anything until I had my leak test. I did, however, put some Water in my mouth, swish it around and spit it out in a cup. I did this often and the staff allowed it (I would never have swallowed it without a leak test!). I did not bring a bath robe - I would not have been able to use one anyway. I had an IV on one hand, an oxygen meeter on the other hand...no way for me to put my hand through a robe. They have robes at the hospital that have snaps at the shoulders. I did bring my cell phone and charger, toothbrush and toothpaste . I also brought few books and magazines too but I never read them. Oh, I did bring my own pillow. I am glad that I did. Just don't use a white pillow case so the hospital will know it's not one of theirs.

You're rockin' it! Way to go!

Yah! Keep up the good work

You're looking great!

I will stay away from the tomato soup for a while, I never thought about the acidity. I'll also strain the soups instead of blending then. Thanks all!

I had my surgery on the 10th. I was lost 8 pounds on the pre op diet (I weighed myself the morning I went to the hospital). The day I got home from the hospital, I gained back the 8 pounds because they constantly pump you with fluids. I weighed myself again this morning and I am down a total of 15 pounds. It will happen. Some people are slower losers, some are quick. In the past, I have been a very slow loser so I expect this rapid weight loss to slow down. As long as the scale is going down, I am okay with that. You will lose weight if you follow all your doctor recommendations.

I know that I can have strained Cream of Chicken soup, but what about tomato soup or cream of broccoli soup? The cream of broccoli looked like it just had the small pieces of broccoli - if I were to put it in a blender to make sure it was mush, is that acceptable or should I hold off? I don't want to cause damage to my sleeve (I am 6 days out) but I am looking for more variety than my pudding, yogurt and protein shakes.

Glad to hear things went well. Im gonna go read your post!

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. It must be very hard for you. Is there any way you can go to him to see him? My thoughts are with you and your dad.

Yes, this. You still have to eat right and exercise. Don't be surprised that, after leaving the hospital, you are up a few pounds. I lost 8 pounds om the pre-op diet. The day I came home from the hospital, I gained that 8 pounds back. I was quite puffy from being given IV fluids for 3 days. I'm not worried, I know it will go away - everyone loses at their own pace.

Thanks all. I do feel like I am having a speedy recovery but I still don't want to push it. I actually slept on my stomach last night with no pain (I started on my side but must have flipped over at some point). the worst, if you can call it that, is the gas pain / cramping in my stomach when I drink). I have to remember, like my doctor said, very small sips. Today I am having Jello and I consume 1/2 teaspoon about every 15 minutes or so. I don't want to rush it. I have been walking a bit. I was told to start at 6 minutes three times a day, then gradually go up from there. No lifting, no stairs, no exercising in extreme heat for several weeks (too bad my laundry area is down stairs...hubby will have to take over that area for a while ) Overall, I do not regret it. If I could do it over again, even this early in the game, I would.

thanks. I just posed on my journey (the post title is 'Sleeved July 10th - My Story. How are you doing! You must be home I hope. I hope you have a fast recovery.

I arrived at the hospital, with my husband, at 9am on Tuesday. Was immediately whisked into the pre-op area where they gave me a johnny, wrist band, compression stockings and my IV. They also put a Dramamine patch behind my ear and said it was to help with nausea after. I was in that room with my husband until about 10:30. A nurse game in and said they were going to give me something to relax me. He said "this stuff ls like having a few strong drinks!" From that point on, I only remember kissing my hubby goodbye, and moving from the bed to the operating room table. The last thing I member them saying to me was "think of a happy place." I not sure if I woke up in the post-op area, but I do remember them wheeling my bed to a room. To me it felt like they were doing about 100 miles an hour. I almost wanted to raise my hands up in the air and go "Wheeee!". When we got to my room, I tried so hard to open my eyes but I was super groggy. I know my parents, husband, doctor and nurses around telling me that we were done, things went well. The doctor did tell me that they found a few cysts on my liver but she said it was nothing to worry about. After sleeping for a few hours, my visitors returned and I felt slightly groggy, but no pain at all. I was up and walking around and talking fine. I was able to sleep in my side a bit with out any pain, but I think they gave me the high octane drugs. They gave me torrodol and dilauded as a "press the button and you will feel better." thing. They gave me anti nausea meds too. I was walking a lot the next day. The nurses were even impressed, they said they had not seen anyone walk and move this well. I was taken down to have my leak test (boy, is that clear med disgusting). My doctor was there for the leak test and I asked her if she was sure she removed part of my stomach because I felt pretty good! The leak test went well ( no leaks) and I was cleared to start sipping Water. It was when I started to drink that I started to have pretty bad cramps / tightening in my new belly. They wanted me to have about 30cc's an hour. That was a but hard. I slowed down and they gave me more meds. My third day in the hospital, I spoke to my doctor about the cramps and without thinking, took a sip up juice. She said "no even smaller sips. take very dainty sips. That must have been why I was cramping. I thought I was taking small sip but i guess not. I came home about 4pm today and took a nap. I have been drinking (small sips) and had a SF popsicle for dinner. Feeling overall very good.

I used skim milk as well, and am also sleeved tomorrow (have to be at the hospital at 9am). And I have lost about 8 pounds too (tjloser - we're like sleeve twins, haha!)

I never did either until I saw one post from a girl who called her bulge her "alien baby." Google "lap band port protrusion" and you can see a few picts. I dont think everyone has it, but it was enough to freak me out! Some of the bulges are huge!

I, like most posts above initially wanted the band. At the seminar and half way through the process, I was convinced I wanted the band. It was "safe" and reversible if needed. After many, many months of research and talking to people, I changed my mind and felt the sleeve was the best choice for me. In one of my classes (as required by insurance and my surgeon's office), there were some people there that spoke about their experiences. 3 were "banders." 1 had problems and was at a higher weight than when he started, one woman complained about frequent vomiting and one women overall liked her band, but did talk about "slimies" coming up (I suspect it was like foamy spit coming up?). The woman that was sleeved loved it and had no problems. When I researched the band, I read things about slippages, vomiting, too much restriction, too little restricting, the port flipping, erosion and other things. I even saw several pictures of people who, once they did loose the weight, their port was so visible beneath the skin, it was like a big bulge. I definitely did not want that! I like that the sleeve was a "set it and forget it" thing (I know you still have to work at it by eating well and everything - what I mean by that is that you dont have to go for fills and unfills to try to find your sweet spot) Do some reasarch, talk to your doctor so that you make the best decision for you.

I did end up finding some at a medical supply store. They measured me and let me try on a few pair. The ones i ended up getting are the open toe (need to be able to wear my flip-flops!) , and are sheer (better than the think fabric ones which i suspect would be hot). They look like nylon stockings only a bit thicker. Only 25 dollars. Thanks for all the advise. I will not cut them and will wear socks when possible to help keep them clean.

Thanks all for the advice!

I get migraines. Sometimes very severe (I have been to the ER a few times with migraines - when my meds are not working or are just not staying down). I usually take 2 Imitrex at the onset of a migraine. My fear is that I will get a migraine after surgery and will not be able to take my meds. I am not talking 6 months out when, hopefully, I should be able to take them with no problems - but a few weeks out when we cant take pills or a lot of water. Anyone been in this situation that can tell me what you did?

July 10th here!

Or have ginger tea

I guess I will head to the medical supply store this week. Not looking forward to wearing them in July but this is what the Dr. wants. The ones I have to get go from mid-thigh to just above the toe. I hate the feeling of stepping on fabric (I have long pants that I have to roll up) plus i think they would get dirty. Do you think if I cut them right at the ankle it would be okay? I cant imagine that there would be a huge difference between ankle length and "open toe?"