MBird

Aww thank you! How was it overall for you?! Are you gassy or feeling energy? I'm so happy that today is much better for you [emoji254][emoji1303]

Oh yes! I think you can for sure. Be on top of breathing and walking no matter how crummy you feel and within 13-30 hours I think you can. Do you know what time your surgery is?

Best of luck and many blessings to you! I hope it goes very well on your end of things. You will be in my thoughts [emoji254]

Update for everybody - I was in a lot of pain waking up, didn't complain. I got the speech "walk, breathe, sip" and sucked on ice. The woman near me though?! Lawdy, she moaned in perfect rhythm, like bad sec or a dog - the Nurse was kind but let her in on the secret it wouldn't help her out lol I did all my case manager told me to do. Walked every three hours, sipped my water and broth, didn't go to pain meds until four or so hours after. I breathed in an apparatus they gave to prevent pneumonia once and hour, while in between took long breaths, and held them in until exhaling slowly. Let me tell you, those worked wonders with gas and chest pain. In between your beasts will be serous pain from the gas, breathing is crucial. Just as walking is. Thirteen hours later I'm doing exceeding well. No nausea, and no burning or pain when drinking cold or warm. No real discomfort, I really took the Dilaudid for fun lol. Now I've no gas really, most is gone, again no pain there only sore. Didn't use Gas-X, didn't even bring it because it doesn't help with the gas pumped into the body. The Doc, his PA, the NA, and Nurse confirmed only walking does, so walking it was. Now I'm relaxing, drinking just fine and managed 24, maybe more, ounces of water since out of surgery. I didn't include the chicken broth in those ounces. I did eat half a teeny serving of lemon and lime jell-O, making it almost one tiny container - the tiny containers of jell-O are roughly the size of a sauce container provided you for food at any fast food or Chinese restaurant. This evening I took a bird bath with nice scented and warm towelettes, which were heated. I brushed my hair, and changed into my own PJ's. I also brushed my teeth and used deodorant. It was wonderful, as I had no issues lifting my legs to wash, or bending down to pick up anything, or when I sit and stand. I experienced no dizziness and owed regularly. My abdomen was just a little sore, like I had a good work out. My last two laps around the hospital floor were two, rather than one. I made my own bed tonight. That was easy peasy. I'm also so darn glad I brought chapstick and throat spray with me - those two things alone were really, REALLY, necessary! The staff here has been incredible, honestly they are the most accommodating and kind people. Not one negative person, these people are so patient. My period had started the day before my scheduled surgery - now this is the really odd part - I have Menorrhagia, have had it since I was 21. At one point I had an IUD, it was more trouble than worth by causing menstrual cramps nearly everyday of the month. I guess my body rejected it, after that the bleeding lightened but was still a bit heavy, but I digress. My point is this is the lightest period I've ever had in my life. I spotted! I have never spotted. Not once. My periods come with vengeance, like the Great Crimson Tide Of The North. But this one is like a timid little mouse lol. Nothing. So I wear a clean pad. Truly someone has been watching over me. Tomorrow I'm discharged after I go over things with the PA, and Nutritionist. It's been very eye opening to say the least, and I finally proved to my partner my tolerance to pain is pretty high. And now he gets to see how resilient I am so Boom! In your face doubting tom lol There is my update, I'll keep you guys posted. I'm considering a blog. I'm not sure people read the bariatric blogs but maybe it will help someone out there. Thank you all for such encouragement and kind feedback to my post. It was very nice to read such positive vibes. I'm hoping things are going well with you guys, and that if you had the surgery you're doing well and if you haven't had it, you do well when you do! Group Hug! (I'm high off this Dilaudid, don't judge me for riding the love rainbow lol

Oh they're running them all right [emoji1303] I'm flying the friendly skies as I type lol

In the hospital today and will be discharged this afternoon. I had the surgery 7:05am Tuesday morning - lots of pain shortly after but now it's nearly gone, gas too! Smooth sailing all the way. Looking so forward to hearing how the rest of you May Sleevers do. I'll start blogging tomorrow, and share this journey in more detail with pics etc. Blessings to you and, a happy happy future!

I couldn't agree more! I'm in the hospital now and will be discharged tomorrow, almost no pain now, amazing ~ so excited!

You will hear from me soon, I'll be discharged tomorrow and will let you know [emoji1317] Mind if I message through here? Thank you for such kind words, too

Will do for sure! You have my word [emoji1303]

Congrats!! You've got this! Warning: you'll feel like utter crap when you wake up. Just breathe a lot doing slow and deep breaths, let those breaths open your chest and lungs fully, hold your breath for a few second and exhale. Do this as much as you can, you will feel so so much better for it, I promise. It hurts at first but trust me, it's lasting affects are fantastic. - and WALK! It was confirmed today by nurses and other staff here that the Gas-X stripes DO NOT WORK for eliminating the sort of gas they pump into your body. So pass it up, no matter what anyone tells you about the gas strips, it's false. The Doctor, his PA, NA and Nurses said walking is the only thing that will work. Bring throat spray please - and chapstick! You'll be glad you did. After about 13 hours you'll feel better and please, don't be afraid to ask for the pain killer. You'll want it. I'm wishing you the absolute best on your journey, you're a courageous soul to do this, and I hope for you a wonderful future in store for yourself

Be gentle on yourself, what you are feeling is completely natural. And it's ok. I wondered what I did for like an hour, then realized I had to for my health and the end result will be phenomenal. I told myself I'll adjust to not eating like others at social gatherings, and I'll be fine with it because it's my journey and I'm doing this for my own reasons, not anyone else's. Who cares what they think? I'll be able to eat those things once in a while and enjoy them, I'll just get full sooner. [emoji4] Before this surgery I felt like a big baby watching others eat, so I "mouthed" the food, pulled a Ryan Seacrest, chewed and spat it out inconspicuously into a napkin. After a week of doing this I realized that fattening crud was "ok" for five min, but I rather eat how I need to, and deal with my weight. Without this tool I'd fail. It's normal to feel like wtf did I do to myself. Natural. I think we all do it to differing extents. We all envy those who don't need to, long for the good old days where we could eat without restriction and have a wider rage of foods. We forget the affect of that. I think any discomfort I feel now when one bite of jell-O is one bite too much, reminds me of how I arrived here, that's a place I don't want to be again. I'm ok if I think OMG what did I do, it passes and the end result will show me why I made the best decision. Hang in there, I know you feel bad sometimes, it's ok, you're only three days out. You will change many times in your mind set, hormones play an important role in this too. But you got this, and are strong - you did a very brave thing, and not for nothing. Giving you gentle hugs.

And I'm high as a frickin' kite lol. Thank goodness for Dilaudid No nausea, none! I walk every three hours, breathe into a tool once an hour, breathing exercises in between. Pee pretty good, and then I feel like I was kicked by a ninja on my solar plexus. Gotta love the gas they pump into ya! But the staff have has been so so incredibly amazing. Everybody is so kind at the Desert Springs Medical Center. They look after me and think I'm pretty amazing due to my high spirits, though I ache like a mofo. My head hurts from the drugs too. I've managed all my chicken broth, lots of water, half a Jell-O cup. Not bad. I can't wait to go home tomorrow and sleep in my own bed. I can't wait to start losing more weight. So many "I can't waits." This will be the hardest and easiest thing I've ever done on my life, funny how that works. Update: Feeling really strong now, was able to make my bed, do two laps around hospital floor, bathe myself with towelettes effortlessly. I feel very energetic, wondering how normal that is, to feel so happy and active when I see others looking so glum and miserable. Poor things, I can understand it though. Not tired at all, even when taking dilaudid. When the drug wears off, minimal pain. I was so concerned I worried he didn't give me the sleeve, but found out he indeed did lol Signing off, Mbird

Awee, I understand. Today I was sleeved and this hurts! It's painful. But you know, it's ok, the tummy will heal, I'll lose, and be on to the next chapter of my life, and so will you. You got this. It's normal to question what we've done, someone got in there and altered us for life, but think how much we stumbled and fell, we suffered without this tool - I'm aware of the phases I'm going though and wait them out. I'm happier looking at my future, wearing what I want, walking without being out of breath, eating less bad food, eating less food period, experiencing things I couldn't before. Yes, it's scary but so worth it in the long run. You'll see. My heart is with you, hang in there, you can do this!

Hi Ouiser, Yes, I've had pyloric stenosis and was sleeved today. It's not an issue for surgeons who do the sleeve gastrectomy as the stenosis is not on the side of the stomach to be removed. If he's confident he should be able to do it without any issues whatsoever. If you had your surgery as an infant, the scar tissue is so thin, it's basically non existent, like regular skin, so they have no issue cutting through it. However I'm uncertain what difficulties may arise with scar tissue on someone who has had the surgery later on in life. You might consider asking him if he has issues with it, and if so what and why. He may have been stunned and paused a moment, because those of us who have pyloric stenosis are very rare.

Thank you so much, that's so kind of you.

You know it!

Thank you!!! I'm very excited [emoji4]

I finally received the call for surgery, tomorrow I arrive at the hospital 5:30am. I'm excited, and nervous. It's been emotional for me. I had nearly no support from anyone, this was all me. My partner had enough on his own plate that he couldn't be concerned. My friends had left my side when I discovered my father had cancer. There was drama related stress as well. Anyone who has loved ones who have cancer, or has personally been afflicted with cancer knows what I'm talking about. Sometimes you learn who your friends are when put to the test. My mother, who I'm close to, has forgotten the surgery and I can't blame her - Plus my period started, lol. Good times! I've had good cries in private, but I also suck it up. I'm optimistic about starting this next chapter in my life. It's bitter sweet. I've been looking back at how I got this big to begin with, and I find myself riding emotional highs and lows when confronted with the situations, people, and personal actions that got me this way. And I know just when I realized I wouldn't be able to lose it anymore the old fashioned way. I knew when and how I had screwed up my metabolism, and will power. This process took over a year, and that's long time. I've decided to pack very light. Throat spray, one pair of pajamas, undies, pads, slippers (slides) and the clothes on my back. My C-pap. Nothing more. No need. Gas X doesn't help with the kind of gas they pump into you, walking will. I didn't want to make a huge production of it. I'm also proud of myself for hitting my twenty pound weight loss goal today. Everything connected to this moment kind of moved at a snail's pace, but also fell into place. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity for a surgery that many would like to have but cannot afford. It's a privilege for me to have this surgery. The pre-op showed me what I'm capable of. 20 pounds in 23 days is, AMAZING. See those of you sleeved the same day as me or close to, on the other side of this, and the rest of you too. I hate saying see you on the "losers bench" - it sounds so wrong somehow. I get what it means but... still. Besides, I'm not a loser, but a winner. So are the people who undergo weight loss surgery ~

Well done!

I didn't use low sodium broth, and I also ate jello (sugar free) and some clementines, and watermelon the first week. Second week I did protein drink with fish and cabbage salad for dinner nightly. I drank 65-88 ounces of water a day. Tonight I had a rather huge dinner, salad, pasta, bite of tuna and handfuls of low sodium chips, none of which was satisfying ( I developed a like for healthy foods ) Sunday and Monday it's just liquid. Tuesday is surgery. I dropped 20 pounds total. My weight fluctuated up and down 2-3 pounds depending but then would drop by two pounds at a time. I started the diet on the 1st. Lost the most weight second week, and this week. Pre-op wasn't required but I decided to anyway. My Doctor is very pleased. By the way a pre-op doesn't shrink the liver but removes the slick fatty coat on the outside of it, this was told to me by another friend's whose doctor is also a liver specialist. Removing the slimy fatty film makes it easier for the tools to handle it and move it out of the way. My doctor said that they don't know how diseased a liver is, or how big or small the liver is as a result of that disease until they open us up, the pre-op diet makes no difference, hence why no pre-op diet. But he also said that people who start a pre-op generally do better with their weight loss. I did to be safe, get a head start, and see what's in store.

23rd here, so very soon for me. Tuesday! - and once or twice doubts passed through my mind. I'm nervous, yes. But even more excited. Good things are in store! It's natural. Because I know it's happening, and everything will change for the better. - that's how I see it.

Just a few days left. Down 17 pounds now! Spoke to the doctor this morning. Can't wait for Tuesday.

My partner and I have this issue, so I feel you. Early on I hated it. It absolutely pissed me off. I found that a conversation about it and my telling him that it bothered me, and asking him to be understanding, helped. He still makes the occasional comment, but he listens when I explain. And that's supportive. I think he is doing his best to support me, and now I welcome it because I can be out of control if I'm honest - but people will never truly understand it, or if they do, they are not us. I just try not to judge it. I gotta do what I gotta do.

I'm scheduled surgery for May 23, and started a Pre-op though it wasn't required. I've dropped 13 pounds so far. My starting date was the 1st of May. I'm not nervous but do feel very excited to start life after the surgery. I'm also having a heel spur removed just after, so will have two weeks down. Just managing the dates. I'm wishing you and others sleeved in May, much success.

May 23! On the pre-op now and down 13. It will break tomorrow (slight plateau) I'm becoming more excited as the day draws near!