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The hardest part is the first few days....my surgeon allowed chicken and beef broth, Popsicles, Jello, and Greek yogurt during my preop phase, as well as 2 Protein shakes a day. I dreaded it, but looked at it as a challenge, and as the beginning of my weight loss journey. I was proud of myself for getting through it, and I was happy to have lost several pounds during the process too! You can do it! Just take it one day at a time, and follow the doctor's instructions.

I can relate to the band having a mind of its own. Mine was completely empty for over a year, and I got to a point that I could barely swallow. Upper GI showed that my esophogus was almost completely closed. I had surgery to have the band removed and revise to the sleeve on January 27th. There was scar tissue built up so thick between the band and where it was placed that it was closing off my esophagus. My surgeon was able to remove and repair all that mess and do my sleeve in one surgery. It is like night and day difference for me! I can swallow! I don't get "stuck"! I don't throw up every day....or EVER! Having the revision changed my life.

Miralax is great stuff! It really has no taste, and it works.

My surgeon says no....too many carbs and not enough protein. But every program is different....premier protein shakes are a good choice, and available at walmart, SAMs and Costco...

My surgeon took the band out and did the sleeve all in one surgery.

The picc line came out last Thursday, and I did clear liquids until today. I was cleared today to move on to full liquids. I am doing great, and the picc line wasn't as bad as I feared. It was more inconvenient than anything. I do believe it helped make my recovery easier, because I didn't have to worry about getting in my fluids and protien those first few weeks.

I have had the same problem, made worse by a massive fever blister that abreva couldn't even stop. Abreva has ALWAYS worked for me, but not this time. my dry lips shouldn't have been caused by dehydration, because I was on a picc line infusing 3 liters of fluid a day. I have gone through lots of lip balm, and thrown away a lot due to the fever blister. Now I am using Vaseline and applying with a qtip.

I did this the first week, the second week, and now the third week! I NEVER got cold before my surgery, but I have been sleeping in fleece pajamas and an extra cover. Brrrrrr! I have read somewhere that it is normal, and usually clears up a month or so after surgery.

My plan requires Clear liquids to two weeks, the full liquids for two weeks, then at least a week of blended/mushy foods before moving to "real" foods. Maybe if you try clear liquids for a few days, it will be easier on your stomach and give it a little more time to heal....you mentioned the problem being when you eat anything "resembling" real food." Your body may not be ready for that yet. To be on the safe side, you might want to call your surgeons office and talk to them about the problems you are experiencing.

I know you are right! I had surgery on January 27, but came home with a picc line, and have been hooked up to tpn for 14 hours a night since coming home. It is 3 liters of fluid EVERY NIGHT , and I cannot eat or drink ANYTHING by mouth yet. My scale shows just about the same every day, within about a 2-3 pound range. It is frustrating not to be losing....hopefully the pic line will come out this week, and I can get on with losing some weight.

Weight loss surgery being covered by your insurance is NOT the same as being "approved". Generally, you have to do all the tests and assessments before getting approved, and your surgeon has to submit a request for approval to your insurance, with documentation of everything you have done in order to meet the criteria to be approved for surgery. . With all of my pre-op stuff, insurance covered the tests and stuff, but I still had my copays, deductibles, etc to meet.

Yep, 14 hours each evening. I hook it up at 4 pm, and it is finished and ready to disconnect at 6 am the next morning. That gives me time to get ready for work. I do get thirsty, but I am just having to ignore it.

I had surgery on Monday, January 27th, and went back to work on Thursday, February 6th. I still cannot eat or drink anything,and have to hook up to tpn through a picc line for 14 hours a night. I am not in pain, and it has probably been easier going back to work since I don't have to try to get fluids in thorough the day yet. The hard part is getting home and getting the tpn hooked up fast, so it can run for 14 hours before I have to get up and be ready to go back to work. I teach kindergarten, so I am very busy at work. the first day was hard, I was exhausted by the time I got home, but the second day was much easier.

My surgeon prescribed bentyl for me to take to keep from getting spasms...did your husband get anything like that prescribed?

I think that is an awesome idea! If I lived closer to Murfreesboro, I would volunteer. :-) I am about an hour east of you. I hope you find someone! I think I would do better with exercising if I had a buddy to hold me accountable. Best of luck to you!