Elizabeth21

I started out thinking I would just be open to all but fortunately I read some of the forums here and re-considered. As a result I have only let a few close friends know and my husband. They are all supportive. I do NOT need the extra drama from my mother or others would not only spout all the negative, but then constantly monitor me. I just told them I was having hernia repair. When they notice weight loss I will chalk it up to improved eating habits and exercise. If someone who is truly struggling with weight asks me and I think they might benefit from the truth, I would maybe tell them. Because that is how I discovered the sleeve procedure. I asked someone who had lost weight AND KEPT IT OFF what he had done. He was very kind and explained how this was different from the WLS of 20 years ago, etc. Bottom line: NOBODY DESERVES an answer. YOU CHOOSE what is right for YOU!!

This made me laugh until I cried!!

You can ask for liquid pain meds. I was sent home with that.

Personally, I am now 2 weeks 3 days post surgery and I am REALLY glad I am taking four weeks before returning to work. Giving yourself the gift of the time to heal is a great way to start this journey!

All due respect to your OBGYN, but maybe he/she leave the bariatric specifics to the doc that specializes in that. The requirement for any and all pre-surgery tests pretty much fall to your surgeon. I have heard a WIDE range of differences in these requirements by the surgeon. One of the things I like about my surgeon, he only required practical necessary pre-surgery tests. They did NOT include an colonoscopy (or an endo or mammogram or more than three days of liquid diet prep, etc.) I'm amazed by the number of obnoxious hoops people are having to jump through. YOU are the client!! If you do not want to do the prep the doc is requiring -- find a different surgeon. Be your own advocate!! Good luck to you!

Hi All. I'm just a few days post op and already feel like I am not sure what I am supposed to have and when. Has any found a checklist or an app that helps you keep track of everything? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!

Hello. I am scheduled for surgery December 11. Veterans, is there anything you wish someone had told you to prepare for surgery day? Thanks!

Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement!! Great suggestions and I really feel your support which is nice. I hope you all continue to do well.

Hello Veterans. My fear is that I will not be able to eat for the rest of my life. I'll never be able to try a new food, or, enjoy food at all. I get that there is a trade-off of course. But I look at my elderly parents, and really, enjoying their food is a huge part of their joy in life. So: thoughts? THANKS!!

Thank you. Lately... my haunting thought is... "well you will never be able to enjoy food for the rest of your life."

Thank you!

I'm in the research phase and will attend "Informational Seminar" Monday night. I'd appreciate any suggestions of questions to ask the surgeon. Thank you!!!

I'm sorry that you are struggling. It sounds like you need to look at additional help for coping with stress. The craving for cake and the relief thereafter sounds like a serotonin deficiency. Don't give up. Seek additional tools and then try again!

What do you miss about life before surgery? Let's face it: eating is one of life's pleasures. Do you ever miss eating whatever you wanted and how much you wanted before surgery?

So the classic question I'm getting is: "Why do surgery? Just follow the Post Op diet and exercise." Anybody think that could have worked? Why or why not? Thanks for the input!

Thank you all for your insight and answers. I feel much better armed.

Thank you for your feedback. It is reassuring.

Hi All. Until yesterday I had never even heard of Gastric Vertical Sleeve procedure, much less the benefits or risks of it. I have struggled for 40 years with weight. This procedure sounds like it has the right risk/benefit balance that I am willing to proceed. (Bypass was always too invasive and risky to me.) THIS site helped me to feel like I could get information from REAL people with REAL perspective and answers. The good and the bad. So, THANK YOU ALL for participating here.

Thank you all for the encouragement and advice!

Good to know. Thank you.