Savarra

Actual surgery time was 3 hours 20 minutes. No idea why it was so much longer than others on this thread. I had no complications or other things to be done. The doctors told me and my husband before they started that it would take that long and it did. Recovery was another 2 hours.

You're probably reacting to the cold of the Popsicle. Stick with room temp or barely warm until the swelling gets better for optimal comfort.

I'm not allowed to lift more than 10 pounds for at least 6 weeks.

I'm starting my mornings with a protein shake. Then move to other things later in the day. That seems to help.

I've had the same feeling with every single drink or bite I've had so far. My doctor says it's just internal swelling and to be patient. I'm eating liquids/purees and very slowly. I'm definitely not taking too much at one time. I have to drink/eat a tiny bit then wait for the feeling to pass. Then do it again. I eat/drink almost nonstop for 200-300 calories a day at the moment. I feel like everything gets stuck either at the back of my throat or in my chest. I'm on day 12.

I was off a week and was fine if tired at the end of the day. I do have an office job.

I was also glad to have it once I saw how much fluid came out. Mine was in a week. It was a nuisance but didn't hurt at all. Really uncomfortable taking it out but that was all of 30 seconds.

I also wanted so say how sorry I am for those who did not get adequate nursing care or pain control. I used UCSD in San Diego and had a really nice experience. Nursing care was top notch and I had access to a full range of pain meds depending on the severity of my pain at all times. I really appreciated that.

I'm doing fairly well. It's still hard to swallow. I can eat three spoons of clear Soup and get pain up my throat and chest area. Doctor thinks its just swelling and advises a go slow approach. Strangely enough I can eat yogurt fine and my Protein shakes go down well enough if not too cold. I do seem to be sensitive to both hot and cold. Fudge sickles are yummy but painful. So is hot soup i was sleeved on the 4th and went back to work a week later. I have an office job so it's not bad. I go to bed early though. I'm off pain meds except to sleep. I find that I wake up every two hours without the assistance and I know my body desperately needs sleep so I'll do what I need to to get it. I'm eating almost nothing - maybe 300 calories a day and I feel like I'm eating nonstop to get that much in. I'm also having a terrible reaction to aspartame. That's new. Yuck. I advance to puréed foods this weekend and I can't wait. I'm not at all hungry but my mouth is bored. I've lost 21 pounds so far. The first 15 were pre-op. I know I'm still swollen so I'm delighted with the progress. My pants are really loose. It's annoying but good because otherwise my incisions would be bothersome.

Would love to but my surgery date is Sept 4th so I'll likely not be driving yet. Next time!

Hi, I'm also using UCSD in San Diego. My surgery is scheduled for September 4th. I'm anxiously stalking those who have gone before me. : )

Hi! I'm also at UCSD with Dr. Jacobsen. I start my liquid diet August 14th. If I'm doing a 3 week diet and you're doing a 4 week, we're probably starting almost the same time. I have the sample diet and I think you're right. It's difficult but not impossible. Unfortunately I have my birthday, my husband's birthday, and my daughter's birthday all during that 3 weeks. Fun.

Hilarious. I have Anthem H M O.

I have Anthem *** as well. I'm having surgery Sept 4th at UCSD. I did not have to do the 6 month diet and had full approval in about a week. UCSD does all the evaluation appointments at one time (including phych) so it was pretty painless.

I was just approved and have a surgery date of September 4th. I'm in San Diego. Insurance is Anthem BCBS. I'll have a 3 week liquid diet that I'm very nervous about. The process has been very efficient. I had my first surgeon consult July 27th. I met with the nutritionist, psychologist, and internist the same day. Now I just need to control my obsessive tendencies for awhile longer.