GingerSlim

great to know!!! Thanks so much!

Did you add seasoning to the retried beans? I love them with taco seasoning mixed in, but not sure if spices will upset my sleeve.

I bought a body pillow for at home & it was a lifesaver last night (first night home)! I highly recommend if you are a side sleeper.

I was right there with ya! Surgery the 22nd, and the 23rd was horrific with nausea, vomiting water/dry heaving. I also had a large hernia repair/hole in my diaphragm that I'm sure has added to the discomfort. But like everyone has said, each day seems a little better. Drinking 4oz of clears each hour & walking up a storm. It's very uncomfortable to be in a sitting position, so walking is the way to go. I can't stand the taste of the Tylenol with codeine (which I'm kinda bummed about). It's just not worth it.This is a TMI, but haven't had a BM yet. Should I be worried about that? I mean, I have had nothing but clear liquids since the night before surgery.

I made it through! I couldn't have gotten this far with my journey without the help if this forum. Thank you to everyone for sharing your stories, questions, etc. In addition to the sleeve, I had a hiatal hernia repair plus they found a hole in my diaphragm that they needed to repair. The gas pain from ribs to shoulders is certainly the most uncomfortable. I have walked 4 laps already, and will do more later. I emptied my bladder without a problem, and have a morphine pump that I can press every half hour. It definitely takes the edge off. I am not able to drink anything until my leak test in the morning, so my mouth is super dry. I just keep swishing & spitting. I am so glad to finally be over this hurdle. A new life has started for me today. To all of you waiting for your day...it will be here in the blink of an eye. Follow your pre-op diet and start walking as much as you can. It will make you stronger for recovery!

OMG....it's getting very real. Starting to sweat. Any last minute advice before I head in to surgery tomorrow? (Gas X is already packed)

I just keep thinking..."This is the last weekend that I will be this weight." It's all DOWNhill from now on ( on the scale that is). Tuesday is my day. I hope to celebrate my "surgiversary" every July 22nd doing something that I couldn't/wouldn't do as an obese person. I can't believe the day is almost here. This is a crazy, emotional journey! And it's only just the beginning. Best of luck & wishes for a quick recovery for all!

Surgery is on July 22nd & Dr. will also be doing a hiatal hernia repair in addition to sleeve. Has anyone else been through this? And how was the recovery? Did it add more time off of work? How was pain level?

Know I'm going to have a hard time sleeping on my back for a while. I was wondering if anyone used a body pillow to "kind of" side sleep. And did it help? Or would I be wasting my money?

I'm scheduled for the 22nd too! (In PA) Only 1 week to go! Just bought my B-12 and some SF Popsicles today. Btw...Unjury chicken soup is great & has 21g's of protein! Has no funky taste or smell like most of the protein products out there. I had a sample, but I just ordered some for the post op liquid phase. I'm so afraid of losing my hair & I think it might help to get some good protein in during the first couple weeks. Best wishes to us all!!!

I'm on day 7 of the 2 week pre-op, and it hasn't been too bad. Premier Protein chocolate shakes over a cup full of ice seem to be brand & flavor of choice, but today I was tired of the "sweet" so I attempted the sample packet of Unjury chicken soup. It was surprisingly really good! No aftertaste. No real "protein" taste to it. And best of all, didn't smell like protein. I think I will order some for my post op liquid diet phase. It will certainly help energy levels right after surgery to get some protein in. Just wanted to share. I'm as picky as they come & not very adventurous with flavors...so this was a great find for me. Best wishes fellow July-ers!!

What is a good (taste wise) multivitamin to take post op?

Tomorrow is mine. I start pre-op diet on Monday. For my final pre-surgery meal, I will be making a nice filet, corn on the cob & having an ice cold beer. Those 3 things can not be substituted or modified on the flip side, so that is why I chose them over some other favorites. I feel that my unhealthy relationship with food is finally coming to an end, and I am glad that I will have some closure tomorrow. What will your last supper be? Or what WAS your last supper if you already had it?

I'm the 22nd! I'm nervous too!

You should check out this blog! www.queenofcrop It's a women who wrote a blog about her journey. She actually had surgery while traveling different countries with her husband for a year. It would probably ease a lot of your worries. Best of luck on the 9th!!! (My husbands birthday is the 9th & he is a Navy Gulf War Vet). Please tell your son we thank him for his service!

Best wishes! You'll do great!!

Well...I just finished eating that filet & corn on the cob. It was probably the first time in years that I took my time and paid close attention to what I was eating. If I had just done that all along, instead of shoveling food into my mouth (not even realizing when I was full)...maybe I would have had a healthier relationship with food. Maybe. Either way, I'm glad I had the closure of one last meal as my "old self". The new and improved version hits the pavement hard tomorrow! I am more than ready! 3 months ago I cried because it seemed so far away, and i just wanted it to be July soooo bad. It's finally my time, and I will roll with the hunger, the headaches & fatigue of the next 2 weeks of pre-op diet and keep my eyes on the prize! Next July I hope to lay out & go swimming every chance I get. Right now, it's what I avoid 100%. Cheers to all of us who are choosing a better, healthier life!

I'm on the 22nd with you , and start pre-op diet tomorrow. I am having my surgery at a pretty large, well know hospital in PA and the diet they have everyone do is this:Breakfast- Protein shake Snack- Protein bar Breakfast- Protein shake Snack- Protein bar Dinner- 6oz. Lean meat, 2cups raw OR 1 cup cooked vegetable, 1/2 cup starch & 1tsp. fat. I was also instructed to not take any Motrin, Aleve, Excedrin, etc. from now until the surgery because the thin your blood. Same with vitamin supplements. Most contain fish oil & that acts as a blood thinner too.

Very exciting! It's the moment you've been waiting for! You will do great! Best wishes!!!

Great to know! I feel so much more at ease about it. Thanks everybody!

Did heartburn go away after surgery?

I'm on the 22nd too!!!

Was everything easier or harder than you anticipated? I am 22 days away from surgery & have so many fears. I'm sure you did too. Just want to know what was better or worse than you thought it would be. Congrats & best wishes to all on your new journey!

Small world! I am in PA. Lehigh Valley area. Where did you have your surgery done?

"An act of love for myself...a gift to me." I absolutely love that! Thank you for sharing!