stacechase

I am also on meds (anti-anxiety) and I was allowed to take my pills! I bought a pill cutter from the drugstore. My doc said that as long as the pieces are about the size of a tic tac, you're good to go.

Hi everyone! Another Dr. Zare patient here. I was sleeved on August 19, and am happy to share a few tips for the new Zare patients! I can't stress enough to begin making lifestyle changes as soon as you can before your surgery. I saw Dr. Zare in May, and was already 98% sure I would be having the surgery sometime in the summer (my insurance is great, and I was an excellent candidate. I had been researching weight loss surgery & the sleeve for a few years so I didn't have any hesitations). Anyway, even though I knew in June that I would be having surgery in August, I also went through a phase of eating like I would never eat again. I work at a bakery on weekends, and sugar is my kryptonite...we would have extra cupcakes at the end of the day, and I would bring a bunch home. It's insane how many cupcakes I could eat in one sitting. I was frustrated with myself because of course my brain knew that I needed to get my act together, but I wasn't following through. Anyway, on July 26, I decided to watch a food documentary on Netflix called "Hungry for Change," and no joke, something clicked inside of me. I loved this film. It inspired me to put on my walking shoes and go for a multiple-mile walk right then and there. From then on, it's been no looking back. I slowly changed my eating habits, and even began doing a Protein shake for one meal a day to ease my way into the 10-day pre-op liquid diet that I knew was on the horizon. The sooner you can begin making these major changes that you'll have to make post-surgery, the better off you'll be. Also, cannot stress enough the importance of FOLLOWING THE PRE-OP liquid diet. I hate to get all caps-y there, but it makes me batty to read of people on these boards telling others that it's "okay" that they cheated on their pre-op diet with PB&J, Italian food, and all-you-can-eat sushi...?!? Dr. Zare is the expert here, and in my mind, what he said was law. No cheating! You will not die of hunger. Promise. I'm not saying it's a walk in the park, but it's worth it, and you owe it to yourself and your health to follow the plan. I lost about 20 lbs. pre-op, and it makes the surgery a lot easier for him (no fatty liver in the way!) Every victory you have—doing a little more exercise each day, sticking to your pre-op diet with no cheating—will make you feel like a superhero in the end! It's HARD to exercise when you're overweight, and it's HARD to stick to a liquid diet when food has always been in control. But when you do exercise and when you do stick to your diet, you will be so proud of yourself & how strong you are! It's a BIG DEAL to do these things, especially the liquid diet—all of my (very fit) friends at work constantly told me "There is no way I could do what you're doing. You're amazing." That was great to hear! Anyway, I'm always available to answer any questions about Dr. Zare via PM if you need support. He's a great doctor and you're all in very capable hands! Congrats on the start of a whole new life!

Thanks so much!

WOW, thank you SO much! What a sweet thing to say!! I think I'm far from an inspiration, but I am honored that you think of me as such!

Thanks so much!!

Thanks, Laura! He's such a nice guy. He was like, "Look at you! You're glowing!" Haha! I've been really happy with him so far.

Thank you both so much! I'm pretty excited with the visible changes already!

You ladies can do it!! Everyone gets their energy back at different times, it seems. Even a small bit of exercise is better than nothing! Congrats to you both on your surgery, I know you'll be ready to rock some long walks in no time!

Had my 2-week post-op appointment today, and I'm feeling great! Still sore at my two major incision sites (man, I miss sleeping on my stomach!) but besides that, I'm taking multiple-mile walks a day and following the diet prescribed by my surgeon. He was SUPER impressed with the fact that I've lost 5% of my BMI since the start of this process, woo hoo! I took a new photo of me (and my happy, I've-lost-34-lbs-since-July-26 smile) and loved how much my face has changed since the start of my pre-op diet. Just wanted to share this small victory, and encourage everyone to follow their surgeon's plan, get plenty of exercise, and remember to stop and enjoy the little victories along the way! Have a great Labor Day, everyone!

Welcome! I was sleeved on 8/19, so we're at about the same place on this ride. This site is very helpful; I'm sure you'll learn a lot like all of us! Congrats on your sleeve!

Just to weigh in, after the last three surgeries I have had in the last two years (including this one on August 19), I have suffered thigh numbness and sometimes excruciating burning. None of my surgeries have involved my legs. It wasn't too bad after the sleeve surgery, but quite bad after my previous two surgeries. Of course, discuss with your doctor, but mine is likely damage to the femoral cutaneous nerve which runs along your upper thigh and hip. Sometimes when they strap people down for surgery, they damage this nerve--and it's more prone to damage with obesity also. There are parts of my leg that are still numb, but the pain has all but disappeared as nerves take some time to heal. Good luck!!

You look fantastic! Congrats on your success!

I've been single for over 10 years, and I am completely aware of the fact that while some of it has to do with my weight, quite a bit also has to do with my attitude toward men (distrust, bitchiness, etc). I've tried online dating to no avail...out here in the Bay Area, super-skinny gals get all of the attention. My online dating experiences have either led to socially awkward guys who are afraid to look at me over dinner (and then want to split the bill) or guys who act like they're looking for a relationship, then end up wanting sex with a fat chick because our low self-confidence tends to make us an easy lay. Apologies for the bluntness, but this has happened more than once. I was sleeved on 8/19 and am working hard not only on getting healthy, but also adjusting my attitude toward men. It's very difficult to change your thinking when you've literally never had an experience with men your age where they haven't ignored you or treated you poorly. I do want a relationship, and I love being someone's girlfriend...it's just a matter of changing my state of mind. It'll be tough, but I'm up for the challenge!

You'll be fine! I was sleeved on Monday, 8/19 and didn't pass gas until yesterday. Now it's like I'm powering a hot air balloon for God's sake. Also had my first (very loose) poop yesterday. Give it some time; I also felt lots of rumblings before anything materialized...but walking is key!

Oh girl. I hear you -- anything too cold gives me spasms and I can't do it! Warm things -- broth, soup -- or room temp things are a must.

Welcome! This site is a great resource, and there are lots of great people here for support. I was just sleeved on Monday, 8/19, and even though it was a pretty painful recovery initially, I'm doing a little better each day. Congrats on your date!

My recovery has been much tougher than I expected. I was in the hospital 3 days, two nights. LOTS of gas pain; couldn't pee, so they had to insert a catheter. The smallest sips of anything (including water) make me dry heave which is incredibly painful. My poor mom is doing everything she can to make me comfortable, but I'm still in so much pain. She is trying to push fluids, but every time I try I get the worst heartburn feeling ever and nausea. Been walking a lot but it doesn't seem to help much...the doctor said my surgery went "beautifully" and that he "couldn't have made a nicer sleeve"...just wish I was feeling better. How is everyone else doing?

Was sleeved on 8/19 and also needed an extra hospital day. Still at the hospital. Gas pain was excrutiating after surgery, and they had to install a catheter because I couldn't pee. The tiniest sip of water gives me painful dry heaves and the worst heartburn ever. I'm having a tough recovery compared to the others I've read about recently.

My surgery is tomorrow too! I have anxiety about many things, but this is not one of them, which surprises me! I guess I've been so proud of myself following my pre-op diet to a T, doing all of my research, and I've lost 20 lbs since July 26th...it's almost like a reward to have this surgery tomorrow. You'll do great, just remember how fortunate we are to have this kind of opportunity and how amazing we'll feel a few months out!

You're so welcome!! I've always wanted to go to Disney World around the holidays...I really want to see that Osbourne Family light display!

LOL, no problem! It's a really helpful site, especially for getting an idea of where you can eat and stick to plan! When I went to the parks last, I brought Protein bars, Premier Protein shakes, and then treated myself to one healthy meal in the parks a day. It's nice to know your options in advance...plus it's just fun to read about food.