BizzyB

I think pain is probably a little different for everyone. While my stomach hurt....like a horrible ab workout... or maybe more appropriately, someone took a sledge hammer to my abs, I didn't find that pain to be too awful. I think I was most annoyed that my through was sore from being intubated. I thought my pain significantly improved every two days. But I didn't use any pain meds in the hospital or at home. Maybe I used the vicodin for a little help sleeping on my back since I am a belly sleeper Hang in there, it gets better!

I was on a two week liquid diet pre-op... dropped a quick 26lbs by surgery date. I am three weeks post surgery and have lost 23lbs.

It is certainly a commitment, a long term one, similar to diet and exercise without the surgery. I think one of the most important things going in is to understand its not going to fix everything without playing your part. I just had mine so I don't know the struggle once someone has reached goal and start to gain weight again. But I think its important to use the gift I've been given to change my eating and exercise habits so I can maintain success when I get there. I understand my sleeve cannot do all of the work for me. But I think with the right mindset - you can absolutely do it and be successful with maintenance. Like Peach mentioned, go to the info sessions and maybe some of the support groups. This way you can learn more about people's successes and struggles and help decide if it is right for you. This forum is also a great resource for learning more.

I wouldn't fret! I weight constantly (I know, it's bad) and I always fluctuate a couple lbs! You might get a little more consistency if you weight the same time every day, like morning. If you weigh in the morning and then at night... you will almost always weight more at night.

I second the pain comment above. I truly had very little. WHile in the hospital I never rated my pain higher than a 2.... I had some morphine when they brought me out of anesthesia but after that the remainder of my stay I didn't use any pain meds. I didn't use my vicodin when I got home either. I was pleasantly surprised with the minimal pain!

You look fantastic and I am glad you are feeling great as well!

I was unsure which I wanted to go with as well. I discussed it with the doctor at the weight loss center and she recommended sleeve. She felt I was young to consider the bypass, I am 31. She said malabsorption, dumping and some of the other side effects would be something she felt I may not want to deal with for a lifetime. I was also looking for the one that would give me the most results but the general consensus seems to be that the sleeve is incredibly effective. I am looking to lose almost 200 lbs. Good luck on your decision making!

I wish I would have done mine a little further ahead of time. My boss knew I planned to be out for a couple weeks but I didn't actually begin the process until like 4 days before the surgery. I used short term and FLMA. They called me that day after surgery letting me know it was approved... though it wasn't much of a big deal because I had to use 5 pto days before it kicked in. Bit I'd start the process ahead of time so you know in advance that it is approved. Don't be a procrastinator like me!

I can empathize with your difficulty deciding if it's right for you. I considered the surgery years ago and then decided against it. I lost 80lbs on my own and then gain it back plus more. I always lost and gained back but the 80lbs was the most I have ever lost. Yo-yo dieting is very common among those who are overweight and can also be rough on the body. At 31 and 371lbs I decided I needed help and that if I could combine the surgery tool with my own ability to lose that I could do it once and for all. Though I don't have any health issues, I knew it was only a matter of time and I didn't want to wait until they came.... I was also tired of living life from the sidelines... watching people travel and do things I wish I could do.... or wish I didn't feel so uncomfortable doing. That is how I came to the ultimate decision that this was right for me.

So sorry to hear about your trip to the ER and the pain you are having! I am sure it is incredibly frustrating to have a delay in your surgery track. But at least when it is time, you will be healthy and ready to go! May you have a speedy recovery and get back on the road to surgery quickly!

I took 2.5 weeks and just returned today. I do wish I would have taken a bit longer as I am quite tired and still trying to figure out how to eat and drink. However, going to work did take my mind off of the frustrations of trying to get the right foods and adequate Water.... after think about only that for 2.5 weeks, I was ready to think about anything else lol

I drank only Protein Shakes during mine. Day 1 and 2 were so painful. On day three it started getting much easier.... by day 5 I wasn't hungry and was enjoying the shakes as I didn't have to come home from work and cook lol It does feel good to finally eat something, even if it just mushy stuff! Hang in there... it gets easier!

This is different among surgeons. I had to do two week liquid diet due to my BMI... I dropped 26 quick pounds so I was pretty excited. A lot of people didn't have to do any pre op dieting at all. I'd just recommend going withe your surgeon's instructions. It sure is a blessing to not have to do the two weeks liquid!

Wow, so inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing your story and your photos. And to take your story and try to help tackle childhood obesity - not only saving your life but working to save the lives of others - it is amazing what you have done and what you are doing!

I only had to do 2 days clear and then 7 days full liquid. Two weeks of clear liquid would be tough. I thought my two week liquid diet during pre-op really made the weeks following surgery much easier.

I am almost 3 weeks out from surgery and am down 45lbs since beginning my pre-op diet. I am thrilled and just absolutely stunned. My feet have stopped hurting already and I can see the weight loss in my face and my pants are fitting better. While this keeps me motivated.... the frustration of balancing food and Water has been overwhelming. I am mostly scared to eat so I've spent more time than the doc has requested on liquids. He was okay with it though, told me to move on to each stage at my own pace. I've cried tears of frustration on many occassions so far. I find myself waking up in the morning feeling angry to even have to eat anything at all. Seeking any words of encouragement, advice.... anything!

That's wonderful!! You look great!! I look forward to non longer living life from the sidelines. There are so many things I dread doing because of my weight.... pools, beaches, amusement parka, flying, concerts with tight seating. Thanks for the tips on the pictures.... I hate taking pics so I know I don't have nearly as many as I should! Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing your story and pics with me! Very motivating!

Good luck to ya!!! I had the jitters right up until they put me under. Nothing stops the jitters like anesthesia!

There is another thread on this topic... from the comments, it sounds like lots of ppl have had this.

I'd give a call to your surgeons office to be sure it's an okay response for your body to have. Maybe they will advise an anti-diarrhea med.

Are you taking a stool softener? My doc has me taking Colace every day after surgery and I had the watery diarrhea as well. I stopped taking it and my bowel movements were fine.

I am almost three weeks out and my stomach is feeling great. The only pain I have at this point is from the fact that my incision popped open at the surface level on my surgical glue came off. So not its like a large open cut, which is quite sore. But my pain declined significantly about every two days and it was probably nearly all going in about week or so. Good luck to you on your journey!

I haven't had to fight a major stall yet as I am just getting starting. I did see someone post not long ago that when they stall, they revert back to their full liquid diet for a little to get the scales moving again. I thought that sounded like a good idea so I tucked that little nugget in my pocket for a rainy when I start battling stalls! Not sure if you think that might be worth a try!

I was sleeved June 8 and I am right with you on the diet. Some things go down easily and others (tuna) make me sick. Tried baked fish...that was okay and ham salad on a couple saltines was great. I almost felt normal. It's such a learning curve with no rules that fit everyone! Hang in there...day by day, right? I had some rotisserie chicken today... OMG, food has never tasted so good lol And it didn't give me any trouble! You been having any trouble with the saltines? I'm be a little scared to try them.

So my doc says I should be drinking 4 bottles of Water a day, at least. I am almost three weeks post op. Despite trying like mad to drink water all day, I am still coming up short. I am thinking I am just taking too long to drink... perhaps just being extra cautious. Any feedback on how long it takes you to drink a 16 oz bottle of water?? I've been sipping on the same bottle since about 9am and it's nearly noon.