Luce587

Mine started 2 days before surgery. Nurses were fabulous and understood I wanted to keep my own black panties on. I used a pad and was fine. Inconvenient? A bit... but they've seen it all!

I was also a huge coffee drinker pre-op. After a couple of weeks of recovery I dipped my toe back in to the coffee world and ended up with awful stomach cramps and upset tummy. Thought it was the milk so eliminated it... had a Decaf and no worries. Turns out its too much caffeine for my system now. I'm not going to lie- I miss it, but I can live without the chronic runs!!

My dietician said to add a fibre supplement to my daily routine as it'll help firm things up down there... to be honest I haven't noticed a great improvement.

Underwear is missing from your list... rather essential. I took a pair for every day plus a spare, which ended up being needed as I stayed an extra night. I took a book which was handy for the waiting before surgery and in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. Ear plugs were handy too.

I didn't tell them a reason when I had my band surgery. I just said I needed an operation and would be out on medical leave for xxx days. I followed it up with a medical certificate as per my contract. With my sleeve surgery I'm now self employed so my boss was fine ha ha. My clients were told that I was having a hernia repair.

And yes, you'll be able to eat more than a tablespoon soon. I'm about 6 weeks out and can eat about 1/2 cup, depending on what it is. I totally understand your frustration... I was wondering if I was ever going to be normal again or be able to eat out socially!

I experienced this feeling too- I think you explained it perfectly! For me I think it came down to the food I was trying was a little dry. I'd been fine with soups and purees, but this was a new texture that needed some getting used to. I tried it again about a week later and found it to be much less uncomfortable and unpleasant. Hope that helps you and you're feeling better.

Me too... I switched to a Whey Protein Isolate which has helped me.

Hi! Fellow Perth sleever here. I highly recommend Dr Sue Taylor at Western Surgical. She's compassionate, caring and a brilliant surgeon. I had my band done by Dr Dolan, but decided to switch to a team of experts for my sleeve. I see a dietician, a physician, a surgeon, an exercise physiologist and a psychologist.

Me too. Just take the coverings off and allow them to heal. 10 days out, they should be pretty well on the way to healed!

Mine was a protein shake. It was the worst feeling ever. Shaking, sweating, nauseated and then horrendous diarrhoea. Turns out I'm now lactose intolerant!

I was also given a 50/50 chance of one surgery. When my surgeon went in she discovered some scar tissue, but she took a bit more time and was able to do the surgery in one. I don't miss my band in the slightest!

Take a look at the opticook website- she has so many recipes of things you can eat during this phase. It was a real life saver for me- by day 2 I was so over chicken and salad for dinner. I made some really delicious dishes for my evening meal with my allotted protein and felt like a normal person!

Slow cooked meats like casseroles?

Double check with your surgeon... I had to wait 1 week to drive (and only when not on the strong meds that cause drowsiness) and am going back to work after 3 weeks rest.

Big hard pinch helped me. I found they stung more than they hurt from the needle.

Hi! I'm 3 weeks post revision band to sleeve. My surgeon was able to remove my band and give me a sleeve in the one operation. The surgery itself took longer than expected as my band had quite a bit of scar tissue around the band and a pouch. Thankfully she was able to perform the sleeve. Recovery wise, I've had a lot of nausea. I stayed an extra night in hospital to get it under control, but still get some rolling nausea now. It's getting better every day- I'm just one of the unlucky ones. I have no interest in food- in fact, I have to set an alarm on my phone to remind me to eat. Pain was managable- I kept up my meds until the prescribed ones were gone (mainly used at night) and took paracetamol to assist with pain and inflammation. I'd say it was a little more uncomfortable than the band, but still managable. I took 4 weeks off work and go back Monday. My scars are healing beautifully and I'm down 20 pounds from pre-op.

Well done! You look great!

Shakes don't sit well with me either... I'm trying out a lactose free version as I'm thinking it might be too much milk protein that is giving me grief. Eggs haven't been a problem thankfully! My surgeon and dietician aren't happy I'm not supplementing with a protein powder...

Two people I know here in Australia have the minimiser ring with their sleeves. They said that it slows their eating and creates further restriction. The guy no longer tolerates red meat well and the girl can't handle pork/chicken unless slow cooked. My surgeon didn't recommend it for me, being a band to sleeve convert.

I found that my gas discomfort returned when I went home and slept on my bed (not upright as in hospital). It only lingered a day or two and eased when I sat up and walked around the house. I'm 11 days out. ????

Fabulous! You look so good!

I know exactly how you feel... Water hurts!! I've been flavouring mine with lemon, orange or lime cordial (not sure what the US calls it) but get sick of the sweet flavour. Yesterday I cut a fresh lime into wedges and that helped immensely. I was able to consume 700ml of water in just under an hour whilst waiting for a blood test. A nurse told me that adding cordial etc changes the pH of the water and makes it easier to digest. Hope that helps!

I read somewhere that really smelly poo can be caused by weight loss. My sister is tiny and has always had tremendously stinky poos despite eating what she wants! Who knows!

I also have had quite a few abdominal surgeries... I had my surgery a week ago and it was successfully done laprascopically. Because I had a band to be removed I have 2 2inch incisions and 3 tiny incisions. Healing well and the extra scars simply show an adventurous journey! I don't mind them at all. Best of luck!