Aaron in Tulsa

I'll be cleared after 4 weeks for all meats. Ground beef at least 90% lean, sirloin, bottom round roast, pork tenderloin, lean pork chops, etc.

If you're talking about the stomach itself, mine only staples. If you're talking about the incisions, mine sutures inside and glues outside.

My doctor offered it to self-payers from a company called BLIS. Quite expensive so I didn't take it, but it covers all the most common complications.

Just wait till post-op when you're on Lortab! I dreamed I was eating a big bowl of onion rings in the hospital and my stomach exploded!

I highly recommend HealthWise protein hot chocolate. It is allowed by my doc in the first two weeks after surgery -- counts as a full liquid. Very low carb, 15 g protein. There are lots of flavors: original, raspberry, mocha, mint, amaretto, etc. It's VERY good.

36 lbs was actually exactly what I had to lose for my surgery. My doc doesn't do a pre-op liquid diet, per se. Instead, he gives you a percentage you must lose before surgery. Because my BMI was approaching 50, I had to lose 10% of my body weight, or 36 lbs. I did that in about 3 months.

Anybody else have these? Every time I sleep I dream the dumbest dreams! The good news is that my pain is enough better today that I don't think I'll need to take the Lortab anymore.

Gas-X strips are what my doctor recommended. They haven't helped all that much. I know they make Gas-X liquid, but my wife has been to 3 pharmacies and can't find it.

I'm a big fan of Sobe Lifewater Zero. I've been living on it since my surgery Tuesday.

My 2-yr-old is, well, 2. So she doesn't really care. My 4 1/2 yr old was a bit nervous. Before he left for his grandma's on Sunday (my surgery was Tuesday) I shaved my goatee (anesthesia requirement) thinking he'd find it funny. Instead, he got a little worried that something was majorly wrong with me. The whole time he was at my folks' house, he did nothing but ask if I'm okay. Needless to say, he was very relieved to see me when he got home yesterday, and even laughed at my hairless face. I didn't anticipate a reaction like this from such a young kiddo, but I did learn that they can tell when something's up, even if they're not told. He's back to his ornery self now, though. :-)

Do you have a nutritionist? I had to lose 36 lbs. and my NUT gave me a great plan, and a fairly easy one at that.

I have 6. None in my belly button, just all over my abdomen.

Thanks everyone. I've got Gas-X strips but they don't help me all that much. In the hospital they gave me Gas-X liquid, which was more helpful, but I couldn't find it at Walgreen's. Smaller sips have helped some, and I'm walking walking walking! I hear that each day is better than the last, so I'm looking forward to the next few days!

My doc had me lose weight so my liver would shrink, which greatly reduces complication risk. Plus, lower BMI reduces risk as well. I think that's typically why docs want you to lose weight prior to surgery.

It did! I came home today. Now just battling with Water -- trying to get enough in. I feel like I got hit by a truck but Lortab helps! :-)

I was sleeved yesterday. I'm doing fine on liquids but I tend to swallow air with my sips, which causes painful gas. Tips for how to stop this from happening?

My NUT says no vitamins the first two weeks. Focus is on hydration. She says your stomach needs to heal a lot more than your body needs vitamins for two weeks.

My doctor required me to lose 10% of my body weight by my pre-op appt. (Most just have to lose 5%, but I'm high BMI.) My NUT helped formulate a plan to lose this weight, but there was no liquid diet for a prescribed period of time.

I was sleeved yesterday and was sort of in the same boat...I puffed on an e-cig a couple of days ago and was kind of panicking about a nicotine test since my e-cig liquid has nicotine. No worries, though. A nicotine test wasn't even mentioned at the hospital.

This is my first post in the POST-op forum! I was sleeved today at about 10:30 a.m. CT. No problems, should go home tomorrow. A bit of pain, but it's well managed. My main battle is getting in my liquids. Thanks all for your prayers and support!

Well, I'm laying here half-naked just waiting on the surgeon. :-) I did get a nausea patch so hopefully that will help. Thanks all for your prayers. Here we go!

Thanks everyone! This is exactly the information I was looking for.

What should I expect when I check in at the hospital tomorrow? What is the process before actually going to the O.R. in your experience?