CyndieRI

I let my unsupportive husband talk me out of surgery for many years!! This time I went through all the appointments and had surgery scheduled before I even told him. I was NOT letting him talk me out of it this time!! I had sleeve surgery one month ago yesterday. I only wish I had done it years ago!! And FYI - since the surgery he has been MUCH more supportive than I ever thought he could be! Good luck and please don’t let him change your mind!!

I can 100% relate! I wish I could have lost a pound for every time my husband told me if I just ate right and exercised that I wouldn’t need surgery!! Then I REALLY wouldn’t have needed the surgery - lol! I had been thinking about it for YEARS and I always let him talk me out of it (stupid on my part). This time I did all the pre-op appointments and even scheduled my surgery before I told him about it. My surgery was on 10/10 and I will say he has actually been pretty good about it. I really hope your husband steps up too! My reply to my husband one time was “keep it up and I’ll lose 340 lbs REAL FAST!” He knew I was talking about him!

Hi Jed! I was 365 at my highest (which is pretty high for a woman) and I also had the sleeve. A couple of my friends thought I should do the bypass because I had/have so much to lose but my surgeon left it up to me so I chose the sleeve because of the slightly lower complication rate. Surgery was 1 month ago and I’ve lost 61 lbs (38 before surgery and 23 since). The good news about being REALLY overweight is you tend to lose faster than people with less to lose. Good luck to you!!

I lost 19 the first month (which i just realized is today since I was sleeved on 10/10)!!

Do they think you are going home today? Are you able to drink? Most people go home after 1 or 2 nights so hopefully today will be the day! I definitely felt better when I got home and could get some rest!! I was in 2 nights because I wasn’t able to drink the day after surgery. Good luck! Hope you make it home soon!!

I have teenage boys (18 and 15) and I agree - they would live in filth if I let them. They don’t care. What they DO care about is me! They were SOOO helpful when I had my surgery (10/10/18). My older son did most of the cleaning and my younger son cooked for the 2 of them. I had stocked up on frozen pizza, chicken nuggets, etc. Fortunately they are both super skinny so I didn’t have to worry about a couple of weeks of bad eating for them. I also had bought paper plates and plastic cups and cutlery. Almost no dishes! As for time out of work it definitely depends on the person. I could have gone back after a week - but I had taken 4 weeks off so I didn’t go back until yesterday. I don’t knit but I think I could have done that easily after a week. I never had much abdominal pain at all. Good luck!!

Everyone’s pre op is different so check with your office! In addition to protein shakes I was allowed 1 small apple or orange per day and 1 meal of 4 oz. lean protein (I had grilled chicken almost every day) and non starchy vegetables. I found after the first 2 or 3 days it got easier (and I’m a BIG girl!). Just don’t give up! If I can do it - YOU can do it!!! 👍

My surgeon gave me the choice too. I almost wish she had decided for me! I chose the sleeve because I have never had an issue with GERD and I know the complication rate is slightly less with the sleeve. And I 100% agree with what others have said. Either surgery is a “tool”. I have a friend that lost over 200 lbs after bypass and gained it all back (and more)! I have another friend that lost about 130 lbs and has kept it off for years! It can go either way! Good luck with whatever you decide!

I started driving after 3 or 4 days - but I was not taking pain medication. If I had been taking pain meds, I would not have driven.

I think most people would agree that they had some anxiety before surgery! I know I sure did! And having an actual date makes it that much more tangible! I agree with the last comment - breathe and remember why you wanted to do this! Good luck!!

That’s a GREAT idea! I think I’m the only one that didn’t like the ricotta bake. But with these changes I think I will love it! I’m making this tomorrow. Thank you!! 👍

That’s awesome! Congratulations!

Oh no! Don’t be discouraged!! I’m not too far ahead of you (sleeved on 10/10) but the first 2 weeks are definitely the hardest!! When TV commercials come on for food, I hit mute and look away (or change the channel when my husband isn’t home - lol). It’s easier to just not look!! I know I was craving spicy food so once I was cleared for scrambled eggs, I made some and put some hot sauce on! Yummm! It definitely hit the spot!! I’m sure some more veteran sleevers can help more than I can - but that’s what helped me. And also, I’m REALLY sick of being so overweight! I need to do this for my health! Good luck!!

I had 14 days of protein drinks and 1 meal of 4oz lean protein and 1 cup of non-starchy veggies. The purpose was to shrink my liver to make surgery easier. I’ll be honest, the first 2 days were tough but it got easier as I went along. So what have you been cheating with? Can you try to follow the diet for 2 days? I think if you do that you will see it IS doable!! (FYI - my highest weight was 365 and surgery weight was 327. If I can do it - you can too!!)

I’m a finance director. I had surgery on 10/10/18 and I go back to work this Thursday. That will be 4 weeks off. I could have gone back sooner but my surgeon recommended 4 weeks and my employer is paying me so I followed my doctor’s advice. I am looking forward to going back to work but I’m worried about being tired!

They stuck me 14 times in pre-op trying to get an IV in. Both arms - both hands and both feet had multiple sticks. My surgeon was ready for me and I still didn’t have an IV in. At one point I had 4 people at once trying to get one in!! They finally got one but it wasn’t in very good. I woke up with a different one in my left wrist! (And for a week after surgery I looked like a junky! Lol)

My nutritionist is in my surgeon’s office so she only sees bariatric patients. She is the only one that I’ve talked to about what to eat. The surgeon just said to eat what the nutritionist told me to. She did say to chew it really well - basically purée it in my mouth. It still didn’t sit well with me but I’ll try again in a few weeks.

I’m 3 1/2 weeks out from sleeve surgery (10/10/18). My nutritionist and diet allow chicken salad with lite mayo and it allows avocado too. Other than the bread I don’t see what’s wrong with what you ate (depending on your nutritionist’s recommendation). I’m glad it went down well! I have tried chicken but it didn’t agree with me. I’ll try again in a few weeks.

I had mine on October 10th. No drain for me either - and the same waterproof gel. Mine fell off in about 12 days. I had one left at my 2 week checkup but the PA pulled it off. Never had a problem with the incisions!! 👍

I think BCBS varies by state. I have it in Rhode Island and the approval was very easy. In fact my doctor’s office told me they are the best. I don’t know about other states though.

Do you use regular or decaf? And if it’s regular, how long after surgery were you able to have it?? (I quit cold turkey 4 mos ago and I miss it so much!!)

The one thing I wish I had thought of - do NOT bring an underwire bra to wear home from the hospital. It will be very uncomfortable!

Not that I’m drinking yet (only 3 weeks since surgery) but if/when I do, I’m having vodka. It has less calories than wine and zero sugar and carbs! But then again - I don’t like wine! I was a dirty martini girl before surgery!

Some of the things I’m looking forward to.... Taking a plane ride and not needing a seatbelt extender.... Being able to ride a horse again (haven’t been able to in 20+ years).... Keeping up with my husband when we walk..... Buying clothes in a regular store. (I currently only buy online because I never want to go clothes shopping).... And I think #1 - not having to look at the restaurant pictures before I select which all-inclusive resort to go to on vacation - to make sure they don’t have arms on the chairs! (Yes - I had this problem the first time I went on vacation with my husband. SO embarrassing!!)

I do Ed! I have wonderful friends! Thank you!!