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

Well, I just saw that you are not in the US and that your glucose is resulted as mmol. That is far different than mg/dl that I am used to seeing! When you said it was 2, I thought you meant it was in mg/dl and I wondered how you were still talking, lol! It is still low, but not nearly as low as I thought you were talking about. Glad to hear you are following up with your doc and I hope you feel better soon!

I still believe she should re-check it. She asked for advice, and that is mine.

As a nurse, I can tell you that a blood sugar of 2 isn't possible if you're still conscious. You should try again so you know for sure what you are dealing with. Hope you feel better soon! Lauren

I tell pretty much everyone. I have had nothing but love and support from everyone I've told (so far at least). The weight is melting off and I'm not interested in skewing the truth when folks ask how I did it. It's ok if people have their opinions. I'm sure they had them about my weight before. That's their issue and really doesn't affect me.

I had the same fears about the sleeve. I actually worked with a therapist for the past year or so to help me with my binge eating/overeating issues. I think it was a life saver. Now I am using this tool, the sleeve, as a way to take off the weight. I was too afraid to do it before I worked out my issues with the food! Lauren

Best of luck! I had mine last Tuesday and I am doing GREAT!

I was in surgery less than an hour. No drain, no foley. The only issue I had was nausea from the anesthesia. They were aggressive about treating it though, which I appreciated!

I was sleeved on Tuesday and swear I've burped with every sip, no matter how small the sip or how slow I take it. Figured it was from the gas in my abdomen. Hoping it goes away or at least doesn't happen all the time when I go back to work!

Got sleeved yesterday! Was not the least bit nervous, just excited. I though I'd get nervous when they wheeled me into the OR, but I was literally out within one minute and then next thing I knew, they were waking me up! Had a bad experience with the anesthesia and was so nauseous. Nothing they tried helped and I started vomiting. NOT fun after belly surgery. Finally, they found the right combo of meds and I was like a new woman. Having some gas pains and just generally exhausted today, but feel so much better. I was released this morning and have been walking, sipping, napping, repeat all day. My belly is so swollen that I look 11 months pregnant, but the Gas-X strips are starting to kick in. All in all, not bad and I am just so happy. I feel like my new life is just waiting for me now! Lauren

After all these months, I can't believe my surgery is in less than two hours. Still so excited and nervousness hasn't set in yet. Guessing that will come as I lay on the table. I have been reading this board for so long, I just have to say thanks to all for your posts. They have educated me, energized me, and prepared me. I just feel calm and at ease with my decision. I am so ready to start this new chapter of my life. I'll let you know how it goes! Lauren