Birdy18

I had 2 wisdom teeth pulled last year...that was a little bit worse than this. I've had hangovers that were comparable. Of course, I haven't always lived right.

I'm on day 1 (5 hours and 51 minutes of day 1, but who's counting?) of my 14 day pre-op diet before my surgery on Aug 20. I'm getting pretty nervous and anxious about how I'll feel after recovery and have been reading about everyone's experiences.
What I'm interested in hearing about is if anyone was pleasantly surprised with how they felt after surgery or with their recovery? I've read so much about pain and complications, I'd love to hear about those that may have had a breeze!
I know that everyone is different in terms of their recovery, but i think I'm psyching myself out and for some reason think that this may make me feel better about things (if that makes sense). I'm also having my surgery done as a single incision (just through my belly button) so wondering if that has made a difference. Thanks, all!

I was never so scared in my life about doing something as I was about having surgery. I was very pleasantly surprised when one minute I was being moved onto the table and the next I was waking up from surgery. My couple days in the hospital were fine. I was uncomfortable and nauseous as the anesthesia wore off, but I was able to get up and walk and that made me feel much better. By the second day, I felt more like myself again and was discharged to go home. I went home a little sore, but pain free. I did not feel like I could go out dancing, but I felt much better than I expected to feel. By the fifth day, I was driving my son to Miami (two hours away) and spending the afternoon and evening sitting outside for a football camp, then driving home. Repeated this three days in a row. I was tired, but otherwise fine. I had been off pain meds by the second morning in hospital.
That is not to say that I have not struggled with adjusting to new eating/drinking life. I had my moments when that part was a little rough and still can be sometimes. I did have to take naps sometimes. I had days when I felt like I overdid it a bit. But, overall the experience has been really good. I hope that helps.

I expected all the worst, and got all the best! The first 24 hrs. after surgery was rough because I was STRICT NPO, not even a single ice chip! That made me gag a few times. After that it was all uphill. They want us to sip an oz. of Fluid every 15 minutes after that first 24 hrs. Well, in a couple of days I was doing FOUR oz. every 15 minutes, and my pain was well managed by the meds prescribed. (I had a pretty good sized hernia repaired, so that caused some discomfort.) My healing progressed in a textbook fashion and I've not had a single complication (Thank you GOD!!) And I can eat any and all foods without problem or pain, and I've not thrown up once since surgery, and I've never "slimed." This could not have gone any better. I'm just amazed every day. I've lost almost 85 lbs. since February. I've got absolutely nothing to complain about.
One thing I've noticed around here- aside from the "NSVs" we never really report when we "feel good." It doesn't seem that interesting or require a response. Most people post when there is trouble, or can wear a smaller size pants. We just don't think to say, "hey, by the way, I had a really non-complicated surgery." And maybe we should, just so all you noobs can see that it's not just doom and gloom in your future. I think there are a great number of us who had a terrific experience. Hopefully you'll hear from more....

I am from New Orleans as well. Had my sleeve done on July 26th. Been on nothing but Clear Liquids since. Mainly flavored Water, sugar free Popsicles, and crystal light.
Today I was able to take in black coffee and begin prescript fit chicken Soup.
I have my 1 week post op doctor's visit tomorrow. According to my plan, I should be able to incorporate Protein shakes starting on Thursday.
Except for day one I've been pain free. No feelings of hunger or cravings. At the same time, I have not had a lot of full feelings.
Looking forward to the eventual small quantities of regular food but also nervous about how it's going to go down.
Good luck with your sleeve and Congrats.

The list above is great....
A few other things I did was cut off of caffeine/carbonated sodas. This was a huge deal for me as I was a Dr.pepper addict.
-Have a support group in place. This forum is great. However, during the time I was on liquids post-op. I thought what did I do.
-Never be afraid to ask questions no matter how little they seem, you need to completely know what is going on with your body.
-Drink as much as you can to avoid dehydration. If I get minimally dehydrated I get a major headache.
-Last remember everyone is different you will have your own sucesses and they may not be the same as everyone else's or as much. But we all have a goal and we will get there.
The last one has got me a few times to the point of tears but I have to remember my body is gonna do what's best for me.
I hope this helps if even just a little bit.

Last week I received my surgery date, 8/28/12. I was a little bummed because I was hoping for it to be sooner... WELL, the coordinator just called and said there was an opening next week 8/14!
Luckily, I have been following the pre-op diet for a few weeks in hopes of this happening. I go tomorrow for my pre-op appointments and then I only have a week to wait.
I am so ready, so excited, and so grateful for this life changing opportunity that I just can't wait to get started.
Now excuse me while I get busy reading all of the great advice posted on this forum!

Yep, I had the same experience a week before my surgery!! But I just decided to think "next summer I can wear this!"

I went into my six month pre-op giving 100% and lost 10 pounds a month. I did have a few times where I treated myself to my favorite restaurants and I don't regret it, I didn't gain weight, I still lost 10 pounds a month doing that.
I worked on giving up caffeine, soda, I drank my 64 ounces of Water, I learned to chew my food, I researched and I weaned from carbs in advance.
I am proud of my hard work pre-op to stay positive and motivated and it is what has helped me to be successful since surgery.

Is there anything in your pre-op experience that you wish you had done differently?

Girl, I had a little mini-breakdown on day 5 post-op. I cried all day long, felt like I was starving, and felt like I was going to dehydrate, was having to take care of my kids and drive them places, so NO pain meds for me at all, just a very very rough day. But it DID get better, a little better every day. And try something other than the shakes, maybe some thinned out pudding, or thinned out creamy Soups (with no chunks) try to have something savory to help your taste buds out. You got this! You can do it, and it WILL get easier, Hang in there!!!

I am so happy to be over the first few weeks. I am feeling so great! Feeling normal again but BETTER. Oh and by the way I have lost 35 lbs so far! Can you say AMEN! Woooohooooooo!

I just wanted to do a little happy dance for being 1/3 of the way to my goal! I am 5 1/2 weeks post op and hit my first goal. When I get down 3 more lbs...I get my first little treat! My hubby set the second goal. So down 50 lbs...100 lbs to go! My next goal is to be down 10 more lbs before Labor Day! I love reaching goals. I like to be a winner, I hate losing so that is why being over weight was such a disappointment for me!

After resubmittal I was approved this morning. The surgeon's office already called and scheduled my surgery for August 20!!!
Yipeeee....I'm headed to the loser's bench!!

I just got approved!!!!!!!!!! So much relief, and I'm so excited!! Not excited for pre op diet, but very very good news!!! yay

I still do, it's so hard not to and my surgeon said I can a bit. But someone posted this video which did get me thinking. So I'm trying to at least drink less.

I had no sharp pain at all. I did have some localized pain in my abdomen for about 24 hours after surgery. I did have some nausea and had the dry heaves for about half an hour. That caused me to have a pulling sensation inside for a bit but it went away the next day. I am just under two weeks out and my belly button looks just as if I never had surgery.

Kinda looks like a boob but it's my fat belly! All healed up.

AMAZING. Great job!! I love hearing great updates like these - my surgery's scheduled in 28 days (who's counting? ), and hearing great positive attitudes and success stories are great. Also, what a cool way to look at your weight loss!

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I've decided that I'm only telling my immediate family (dad, mom, brother) but not anyone else beyond that. You can just PM me any time you need the support! I know I need all the help I can get. One step at a time!

I'm so glad I found this thread. Everyone's responses are so helpful - it's definitely something I'm fearful of. Part of me is questioning if I can "last" that long - through the pre op liquid diet and post op, but it does help knowing that I just don't yet know how I'll feel post op yet, so it's hard to wrap my brain around it.
I think it's natural, having gotten to the stages where we are, to simply question if you can do it. I know it will be challenging (for me, mostly mental) every day and having tried and failed at so many different weight loss diet and lifestyle attempts, my biggest fear is - what if it won't work? What if I'm not mentally strong enough to do this?
Reading people's experiences and positive encouragement and support makes me think I can.

You get to have bars as in something you can chew?? I wonder why I can't, then? I feel like I'm going to miss chewing something solid!