MizzouGirl

I made the same decision - the only people who knew were my husband, my trainer and my hairdresser. I had my surgery last Friday and I just told my family today but asked that they not share it outside the family. I have 2 close friends that I'm still on the fence about telling. It was tough sometimes as I felt like I was lying by omission but I'm glad I handled it as I did. I just didn't want a bunch of voices chiming in who hadn't done the research and might make me feel bad in any way. My family was super supportive when I told them today. Good luck to you --- it's hard not to share something that's such a big part of your life and everyone has to handle the disclosure as feels most comfortable for them.

Good morning all and welcome to day 4 post op. How is everyone doing? When does your Dr allow you to move to full liquids?

Welcome back Wags and thanks for sharing your experience. I can't imagine going through the process without my husband - he was with me nearly the whole time and was my backbone at the moments I broke down. You are so brave to have gone alone and I'm so glad you are back to the comfort of your family. In regards to your earlier post, I've been in contact with Kailisa and she is doing fairly well. I'm sure she'll see your post and reach out to you. Hope you have a restful nights sleep tonight --- I totally agree that the hospital bed got soooooooo uncomfortable.

I'm so there with you right now --- my surgery date was 5/31. Can't wait to add something, anything new to the menu!!! I spent quite a bit of time reading posts today from folks who are 2, 3, 4 + weeks out to see how they are doing and am comforted that it will get better pretty soon. This is just the toughest part --- hardest thing I've ever done. Hang in there!

I am so looking forward to the day that I'm far enough along post op that I have the brainpower and playful attitude to join in the fun. Right now, I'm taking it a day at a time but I'll get there. Thanks for the fun read tonight (not meaning any disrespect to the initial poster)!

I'm 3 days post op and struggling a bit - many of the same challenges you mentioned. Your post really helped me to feel better and give me hope that it won't be too long before I'm in a better place. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's really what I needed right now.

I wasn't given instruction on this but can tell you that they had a hard time getting my blood oxygen due to my gel nail polish. They put a thingy on your finger to measure it and the polish doesn't allow them to get a read or an accurate read. My level was always low so I had to wear oxygen tubes in my nose most of the time. Not the most comfortable thing but manageable. I would say take it off just to be safe. I think toes should be fine.

Get ready as once I had my first, they haven't stopped coming (had my first about 28 hours post surgery). They are total liquid and smell horrific but at list my system is functioning, right? I'm 3 days post op so just a day behind you.

Glad to hear somebody else vent as I need to right now! I'm 3 days post op and I'm up almost 11 lbs from what I weighed the morning of surgery. I've decided to stop weighing as it's too depressing especially considering I don't feel so great as recovering from the surgery. I guess it's all the IV Fluid they fed me in the hospital (on IV fluid for 51 hours straight in hospital) because it's certainly not the lavish spread of liquid stuff I've been barely able to gag down - I think I've maybe gotten 50 calories a day in since Friday and maybe 300 calories a day the 3 days before that. I'm usually such a positive person but this is the hardest thing I've ever done. Just trying to take it a day at a time and Celebrate the small victories. Best wishes to you and thanks for letting me highjack your vent with one of my own. :-)

I found the pre-op liquid only diet extremely challenging but sounds like many others (from what I've read) didn't have a tough time with it. I can do a strict diet but I can't stand artificial sweetener, I struggle with protein shakes and I just want real food - luckily, it's not that long that until I can start having real food again. As a former pro-wrestler, I'm guessing you will have better go at the liquid diet since you are maybe used to rigid diets/training. Best wishes to you on your surgery and on-going success!!

So glad to hear it gets better!!! I had my surgery last Friday (5/31) and it has gotten a bit better each day but by no means am I feeling great. I'm able to get 10-12 sips of Protein drink in at each meal and am constantly sipping Water. I'm still having some gas pains (yes, I'm walking like there is no tomorrow) and sleeping is still a challenge. Oh, and did I mention the liquid poop that's coming out every 2ish hours (sorry TMI!!!). So glad to know that you are much better 2 weeks out. I know this is just the toughest time and that it will get better --- sooooooo ready for that. Oh, in response to your weight lost question - I'm still up 10 lbs with hardly any calories in the last week. I'm told this is from all the liquids they pumped into me in the hospital -- I just got out yesterday afternoon. Hope I'll drop back down soon. Congrats on your progress and good luck at work today.

Good luck today!!!

Thanks for the advice! Baby wipes have definitely been my friend and I will try some salty broth today. I am propped way up when I sleep which isn't the most comfortable but does help with the reflux. Thanks again.

Survived my first night at home. Slept pretty well but still not super comfortable as I'm a tummy/side sleeper and that's just not happening yet. I did manage to find a side position that was comfortable and slept like that for awhile. I woke up once with really bad acid reflux (never had this before surgery). I sat up for awhile and sipped Water and luckily it didn't happen again in the night. I'm having bouts of diarrhea - almost total liquid now. Can't believe I even have anything in me to poop! (Sorry if TMI!). Seems like each day gets a bit easier - can't wait to have some more solid food. Would love to hear how everyone else is doing -- hopefully well. I'm going to take my first shower since surgery today (have just washed up so far). Can't wait to feel clean and have clean hair! And, today I must walk and walk and walk as I have so much Fluid in me and still some gas --- I weighed myself when I got home and I was over my highest weight even though I've barely had anything to eat (or drink rather). I understand it's all the fluids and stuff and should drop off. Just a bit of a bummer that I'm over 10 lbs higher than I was date of surgery. Best wishes to all!!!

I should have included that I have four incisions-1 is on my belly button. All have been glued shut. They all look pretty small with one at belly button being the longest but also the least noticeable. Any tips on how to minimize the scarring?

How are you doing today?

I'm 2 days post op and I can't clean up after #2 as too sore to move that far and agree I would never be able to change a tampon --- thank god I have an incredible husband who has been taking really good care of me. I did trim before surgery.

Sounds like you are where I was a few days before my surgery. I actually contemplated backing out on the drive to the hospital but reminded myself of all the reasons why I was doing this. It's a personal decision and I don't have the answers for you. I just posted my experience under General Gastric Sleeve Surgery Discussion which might give you an idea of what to expect. Sounds like everyone's experience is a bit different based on their surgeon, hospital, etc... I wish you the best of luck and can reassure you I've found fantastic support here.

I posted this for my fellow May 31st sleevers but thought it might be good to post here as well..... Hi All - just wanted to give an update on my surgery this past Friday.... 5/31 - Surgery at 8:30, had sleeve, gall bladder removed and liver biopsy. Surgery done at 10am -- I was in a lot of pain when they woke me up but they fixed it within a few minutes. I think I was in my room at 11am and my husband met me there. The surgeon said all went well with the surgery and they did a leak test and all was fine. I was able to eat a small Popsicle, a cube of Jello and some Crystal Light for lunch. For dinner I had a Popsicle and some Crystal Light and got nausea. They gave me some nausea medicine and it went way. Had quite of bit of pain that night so took a liquid pain killer twice that night. Didn't sleep well because of the staff coming and going, the pain and some intermittent nausea. Almost threw up in the night but luckily was able to control it. Walked the halls twice for about 5 minutes and burped ALOT. Not a great day but could have been worse (like day 2). Oh, I also had to go #1 about every 1.5-2 hours because of all the liquids they were pumping into me. This was not pleasant as it was painful to get in and out of bed. The frequency didn't change for the time I was in the hospital but it did get easier to get up and down. Here are the medications they gave me: 1. Pain ball - tubes inside me going to surgery points. Had to carry the darn thing around which was a bit inconvenient but I wouldn't have gone without the pain ball. It had run out when the Dr. took it out this morning. I didn't control the dosage on this -- it was automatic. 2. Liquid pain killer as needed - a liquid cocktail of hydrocodeine and tylenol that I had to take orally. Not great tasting but did the trick. 3. Nausea medicine - inserted through my IV 3. Blood Thinner - shot in my stomach 4. Pepcid - inserted through my IV Also had to have massaging sleeves on my calves and oxygen tube in my nose while in bed. Had to do that exhale thing where you lift the ball 10 times each hour I was awake. I think that's it. 6/1 - Couldn't eat without my stomach seizing then tons of gurgling. Was really worried it would be permanent so posted under the Post Op forum and got reassurance from several people that it happened to them and went away. Also talked to nurse and she assured me it was temporary. I was actually really hungry and couldn't eat and was regretting having the surgery. Broke down and cried for a bit but after the support, I was hopeful. At least the pain was reducing and no more nausea. Walked the halls 4 times for 10 minutes each time and still burping all the time. Was able to get much more sleep this night. 6/2 - Woke up feeling a ton better I think in part because I got pretty decent sleep. Was able to do 10 sips of Protein for Breakfast and lunch and lots of sips of Water. No stomach seizing and no nausea - still some gurgling but that is manageable. In the night I had my first toot and then have since had 4 BMs - pretty much all liquid. Walked in the morning for 15 minutes and found out that I was going to get to go home.... yippeee!!! Home now and feel pretty good. Can't wait to be off the liquid diet -- should get to move to full liquids this Friday which includes Greek yogurt, blended Soups with no meats, thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, unsweetened apple sauce and grits. That will be so much better. In week 3 I get to add eggs, soft baked fish, mashed potatoes, soft cheeses, mushy vegetables and bananas. I've got a week by week acceptable food choices thru week 8 from my surgeon's office. The hardest parts for me were the 3 day pre-op liquid diet and my day 2 breakdown. I'm confident in the upcoming weeks, I'll have plenty of "best parts" to post. Just taking it a day at a time and appreciate the support from my fellow sleevers.

Correction to my above post.... The hardest parts for me were the 3 day pre op liquid diet and how difficult it was to eat day 2....