Jenn125

I had my sleeve surgery on March 5 and my first post op appointment yesterday (the 14th). Before I was on a full liquid diet but yesterday I was cleared to start eating soft foods. My next appointment is in 2 weeks and I should be cleared to start a regular diet at that time. Hope this helps.

Unnatural is the bare minimum of what I would call that Gmanbat! First full week out and doing well. Still a bit tender when doing things but getting a lot better. It's easier to get up from and into chairs and bed. No dizziness. No nausea. No gas pains. Tummy is a bit sore still but getting better every day. I'd say that I'm feeling about 75% of my normal 100. I can do most of what I could before though when I do try to do too much my tummy lets me know! And I do still feel the need to take a little rest in the afternoon. Incision sites are getting a bit itchy but that means that they are healing. I'm finding that it's a real juggling act to find a balance between Protein and hydration. If I get my full required protein then I'm usually down on my hydration because I'm so full. If I get my full required hydration then I'm low on my protein. I know it's only a week out but I really don't want to have either hydration or protein issues. I do stop "eating" when I'm full so I just have to wait until my stomach capacity is a bit more. I have my first post-op appointment on Thursday. I should be progressed to mushies/soft foods then as well. I can't wait for some cottage cheese! Anything with a little bit more texture. :tongue2:

Try getting one of those electric coffee warmers. You can pick them up at amazon.com for like 10$. Definitely helps keep things warm. http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-MWBLK-Mug-Warmer/dp/B000CO89T8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363056014&sr=8-1&keywords=Mr+coffee+warmer

I know for a fact that you can get the sublingual tabs at Walmart. Comes in a purple bottle if I remember correctly.

I am 5 days post op and had my drain pulled Friday before I went home. It didn't hurt exactly. It was a little uncomfortable of course. It just felt... Weird! It was the weirdest feeling I had ever had. Like I said, it was only a little uncomfortable and not PAINFUL as I would describe pain (I'm a total pain chicken too). Plus it's over in like 3 seconds or less. And you'll feel ever so much better with it out. If that's the main thing you're worried about then you've got it made my friend! You'll do fine.

I can definitely see it in your face. And I love your attitude! You look much happier already. Keep up the great work!

I know that I haven't posted much until now but you all have been so important to me while I was on my pre-op journey. I can now say that I am officially joining you on the losers bench. It still feels so surreal. I had my sleeve surgery on Tuesday March 5th. I came home yesterday (Friday the 8th). I was originally scheduled two weeks ago (the 20th of February) then got delayed because someone forgot to order some supply thing for surgery. Then I was scheduled for February 28th but my white blood count was high so I was delayed again and I had to do 5 days on an antibiotic. Finally I was able to get the procedure this past Tuesday. My dad took me in at 5:30 am. Surgery went well! Surprisingly well actually. I rolled back into my room after the procedure and woke up. Saw my mom there smiling at me. I had no nausea at all. The doc likes to prevent any of that right at the get go with anti-nausea stuff. The pain was manageable. Felt a little like I had gotten kicked in the stomach. I was taking my first steps post op about 4 hours after I woke up. The meds that I got post op was dilaudid, liquid Motrin, anti nausea, blood thinner, and gas chews. Wednesday went well. I had my leak test and passed with flying colors and got advanced to Clear liquids. Still no nausea. I didn't have any bad gas pains either, and none in the shoulder like some folks talk about. My tummy got a little rumbly at times but then I'd burp and it would be gone. By Wednesday evening I was doing so well that they took off the leg massager things, my cardiac monitor, and my iv line (left the port in for meds tho) so I could get up on my own. Freedom! It was so nice to be able to get up and go to the bathroom or take a walk when I wanted. The pain was very minimal and at this point was only taking liquid Motrin a few times a day and of course the steady stream of anti nausea. Getting into or put of bed and into and out of chairs was a bit uncomfortable but once the movement was done all was great. The main thing that caused any twinges was my JP drain. It did kind of pull if I wasn't careful. The iv port wasn't great either as it pinched. I was starting to get bored of the hospital by this point and longing for an uninterrupted night sleep without the nurses coming in for vitals and such. My dad came to visit so that was a bright spot in my day. Thursday I was pretty much climbing the walls in boredom. I walked a ton, watched tv (actually watched a marathon of Swamp People on the History Channel. Boy I was bored!), read, visited with some of the other patients, texted my hubby between his classes, my mom, and my best friend. My cell phone didn't get enough signal for calls but it could do text messages ok. I was also moved to full liquids for meals. Hospital food really sucks by the way haha. Still got anti-nausea, blood thinner, liquid Motrin and gas chews. My dad came by again for a visit. My mom had work issues so she couldn't come by. She doesn't do hospitals very well anyway. The fact that she came on Tuesday was enough for me. Friday I got my JP drain pulled. That was the WEIRDEST feeling. Not painful exactly. But definitely a bit on the strange and unpleasant side. If anyone has ever seen the Alien movie series, the chest burster scenes is what it reminded me of, kinda wiggling itself out of my abdomen. haha. Once the drain was out I felt SO much better. The nurse came back a few minutes later and took out the iv port. I was then able to be discharged and now I'm just chilling at my parents home for the weekend until I go home on Sunday. I miss my own bed and my kitty cat. I am married but my hubby is in the army and was forced to go to a military school this past Sunday which lasts for the next 6 weeks. It would have worked out better if I had gotten my surgery on time, he had taken leave in order to be with me the first time around, but stuff happens. My folks have been so great in helping me this week and have kept in constant contact with my hubby about how I was doing. I got to have a long phone chat with him today which was wonderful. Now I can prepare for the follow up doctor's appointments and greater health with weight loss success. I just wanted to share my experience and to say thank you to all of you here at VST. Without all of you I don't know if I would have been able to go through with the surgery. I loved being able to read the experiences, advice, tips, and first hand accounts. It was really a huge help. Thank you thank you thank you! Jennifer

I'm getting sleeved on Wednesday as well. Been on liquids since the 13th. I'm nervous! =}

I'm on the 20th as well and I have pre-op tomorrow. I'm with you - pretty nervous. Every time I think about it my stomach lurches lol. I can't let my fear get the best of me though. I've come too far to back out now. I know we will all do great! Good luck to you!

I'm on the 20th. I start my pre-op diet on Wednesday.

I hear ya. I'm scheduled for the 20th of this month. Only 13 days from now eeek! I'm really nervous. Terrified might be the better word. But I'm not going to let my fear get the best of me. I have a picture that keeps me going. It was taken about two years ago at a formal event with my hubby, probably near my highest weight. I thought I looked cute that night, but all I can see now is how big I am. How tired I look. Despite my smile I look so unhappy. That reminds me why I'm doing this. Try taking a picture. It's a real motivator.

I was told that Tylenol was ok. If you don't want to go the medicine route, try lying down for a bit with a lavender scented washcloth. That is real soothing.

Hey y'all. I just got confirmation this past Friday that I will be getting my sleeve surgery on February 20th. Start a pre-op diet on the 6th then move to all liquids on the 13th. I'm excited! Has anyone been having the "last meal" syndrome? I haven't as of yet but I've heard that most go through it. Jenn

Hi there. My hubby just got off of a tour as a US Army recruiter so I feel somewhat qualified to help here. Bad news but weight loss surgery automatically medically disqualifies anyone from service. Active or reserves it doesn't matter. Our dietary and physical requirements are too complicated. Vitamins might be unavailable during certain situations (such as when overseas, missions, etc...), having to eat in a huge hurry, MRE's would be a huge no-no because they're full of carbs and crap, not being able to eat often enough because our meal portions are so much smaller, just to name a few reasons. Generally I think they just don't want to risk it. And in this economy where many many folks are trying to get in there are, unfortunately, no wavers. Unless you lie about having your surgery of course (which is bad please don't do that lol), but the folks at MEPS are pretty thorough and will find out. You can always talk to a recruiter though. Asking risks nothing and the worst he could say would be no. Good luck! =)