Optimist01

Gas-x works great!

OK, here's the 411... you will not be able to eat (more than a couple bites and I mean a couple of bites!) or drink (other than Water or Protein shakes) for the first 2-3 months. After that, you will be able to eat about a palm size portion of food at one sitting but still will not be able to drink liquid while you eat or it will be very painfull for you. Drinking alcohol is not a good idea. After 3-4 months, maybe a small glass of wine once or twice a week but that's it. The thing is, you don't need to eat a lot or drink alcohol to have a good time, to relax, or to socialize. You need to realize this, really understand this, and know that if you do the sleeve you can still have a good time, relax and socialize ... it just won't include (a lot) of food or (much if any) alcohol. Life style change. That's what this is about. That's how we lose weight, and that's how we gain a new life.

Yes, it's normal to be emotional. This procedure is a big deal.... it changes your life, your eating habits and probably will affect some of your relationships. You must remember that these changes will be positive... however emotional it makes you feel now. Change is hard. Really really hard. Don't underestimate how it will effect you. But remember, you did this for a better life and happier and heathlier future. You will have this new life but have to go through a kind of right of passage but only in the beginning. Just be tough. Love yourself and be kind to yourself. Talk to your friends, doctor, counselor, religious advisor. Listen to positive voices only! Eat well and take very good care of yourself. In a couple of weeks, you'll feel better and be stronger. Then you can give advice to those who go through this process. Wishing you a wonderful life.

Hi everyone, I'm 1 week post-op. I drink Water, Protein shakes (not much), Jello, popcicles, but I really want to eat something -- I know it has to be soft -- but I want anything other than more water and Protein Shakes. I'm depressed I think. food was a great tool for fighting depression - at least for the short term. I know today was tough because I could smell all the great food being cooked and eaten. Didn't spend it with anyone, just sat alone wondering when I could eat something... baked chicken, Pasta with meat sauce, chicken salad, something! Can anyone tell me how long it took them before they ate something? Thanks....

Hi everyone, I got sleeved on Friday, 11/16. I just got home tonight from the hospital. They kept me an extra day because my hemoglobin was low. All along this journey I kept asking myself "are you sure you want to this?". Then I was actually having it done and when I woke up after surgery I had the biggest feeling of "omg! what have I done!" I felt awful, the pain was bad, I felt like I had done something so unnecessary and stupid and that I will never be the same because of it. I wanted to lose weight, had tried for years, so the sleeve seemed like the right tool to use to get me where I wanted to be. But after surgery, I felt like I had totally betrayed myself, had done something totally stupid and now I can't go back. I actually feel if I could go back, I would. The doctors and nurses were kind but it was hell being in the hopsital for 3 days and 2 nights UGH! Now I'm home and I can't hardly drink anything, it hurts inside. I know I have to get my liquids in and I'm hoping this pain will go away so I can have a decent shake and in a few weeks maybe an egg or Soup or something. God I hope this turns out the way I was hoping.

Hi Jordann, Congratulations! You have a great attitude. I'll be sleeved in about 1 month and I'm so worried about my reaction to it -- sickness, soreness, etc. I've also been concerned about what to do with my time since I won't be spending it eating! I used to love doing model kits when I was a kid (all kinds of model kits -- some really cool ones, too). I think I will try that again, or maybe something really girlie, like needlepoint. There has to be so many things we can do other than eat to fill our time! Good luck!

Hi, I'm going to be sleeved by Dr. Feiz in Los Angeles. He's considered one of the best doctors for this type of surgery. Great reviews and he's very personable. He has several locations. Here is his link: http://www.drfeiz.com/office-locations/office-locations-a-maps.html Good luck!

Thank you all for your responses. I will pray for you tropicalgal and thank you for your prayers. I wish I had the same certainty as WhoozisAnyway -- what a great mind set. I think the determining factor is that if I don't do this, there will be no change in my life. One year, or two or three years from now, I'll still be where I am right now and that's just so sad. How wonderful it will be to be slim and to feel beautiful. To be healthy and energetic. I've always wanted to learn to surf or to kayak, or to salsa. I would love to wear jeans in heels and get a short, sassy hair cut that looks fabulous on my slimmer face. It all sounds superficial but it's the truth. That's what I will keep thinking about...

Hi everyone, I'm waiting for my sleeve to be done in November. I keep going back and forth about it. I wake up in the morning thinking "no way am I going through with this,... it's too extreme..." Then, as the day drags on, I change my mind and think about all the time I've wasted being fat and inactive, letting life go by. I've gone back and forth like this for months while waiting for my official date to be sleeved. I don't know if this is normal or if it's a good idea go through with the sleeve if I'm not 100% behind it. I do know that I'll probably never lose the weight any other way. It's so depressing. I keep thinking what a loser I am that I have to cut my stomach in order to lose weight, that I'm not strong enough or discipline enough to do it the "regular" way. Just need to talk this out...