smallvegan

I took 2 weeks, which was at least a week more than I needed. I felt great after a week. Everybody heals differently, so you will get a wide variety of answers. Good luck!

You'd be surprised how little people pay attention to what others are eating. I had a friend who was on a medically supervised liquid diet. She could eat NO solid food. She didn't want people to know. She went to a BBQ with family members and she just put stuff on her plate and moved it around. Not one single person noticed. She did finally tell her in-laws later and they said they had honestly not noticed that she never actually ate anything. I say just eat what you know you should and in the amounts you are able and enjoy the party!

Girl, I hear ya. I love an ice cold beer, especially on a holiday like this. But I am three weeks out and now way am I trying alcohol, much less anything carbonated. Figure this craving will pass like any other.

I stayed overnight, but was there less than 24 hours. My doc said his patients all stay overnight.

Protein powder taste seems to vary wildly. What one person likes, another can't tolerate. Many vitamin stores (GNC, Vitamin Shoppe) will give you sample packets so you can try many brands. They also have websites. I personally like Unjury. I've also heard great things about Max Protein. I had to try a few before I found one I liked. Having one you actually like, not just tolerate, will help a lot during your journey. Best of luck.

Check out some of the amazing before and after pics. Amazing how much younger folks look.

I don't. I have been on Protonix since the day after surgery, per MD orders. It's a very small pill. My MD said it was fine and it has been.

Thanks for the warning!

Wow, thanks for posting the inspiration. You look great!!

I've been having the same problem. I am STARVING and hour or two after I eat. Every time. I wasn't this hungry before! I never, ever felt hungry on clear liquids for two weeks. After much research, I believe it is acid reflux. I am already on Protonix, but either need to add to it or switch meds or my dose. Waiting until my MD office opens on Tuesday to discuss with him. My nutritionist says I am eating what I should (amount of food, enough protein for this stage, etc). I would talk to your doc to see what he thinks. We shouldn't be starving at this point! One of the reasons I got the sleeve was that everyone says "I never feel hungry". Can't wait to be there! Or at least not starving.

I didn't have a drain, but one of mine started hurting and the skin around it turned pink. I saw the MD immediately and she put me on antibiotics. She told me I had an early cellulitis, which if left untreated, could have gotten much worse and required IV antibiotics. I was cured very quickly on the antibiotics. I am not trying to scare you, but just want you to know it's important to get it checked out. I had my surgery out of state, so I called my surgeon and sent him a picture of it and he agreed I should get it looked at, so I saw my PCP. Hope it turns out ok for you!

I was asked to lose 5% of my weight prior to surgery, which wasn't too hard, but didn't have to do any sort of liquid diet until the day before surgery. My nutritionist said that a lot of surgeons put their patients on liquids so they'll lose the 5%, rather than asking them to lose it on their own. She said their practice doesn't do this since you are on liquids for 2 weeks post op. They don't want you to be on nothing but liquids for a month, which happens if you do it 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks post. Just my experience, and you really should check with your doc since they all seem to be a little different. Good luck with everything!

Mine took a week before I stopped looking 11 months pregnant. Then a few more days till it was back to "normal".

I can't sleep on my back, so I tried my side right away and had no real problems. My tummy was a little sore when I slept on it, so I sort of hugged a long, king sized pillow and that helped a lot. Good luck! Lauren

So excited to move on to Phase 2 tomorrow - FOOD. I have really had no trouble being on the clear liquids for the past two weeks, but suddenly tonight, I am very excited to chew! I can't believe tomorrow will be 2 weeks since my surgery. Feeling GREAT! Down 18 since surgery, 34 if you include what I lost pre-op. Hope you are all doing great too! Lauren