SandyT

My surgery was Monday, came home yesterday. Surgery went very well, about 3 hours for band removal and sleeve. I have had no problems with drinking liquids so far, except if I drink too much at one time I feel pressure. Meeting my liquid goals with no problem. No nausea, and pain is minimal. Yes, the gas is the worst thing. I have 6 incisions which are glued together. Just hope things continue to progress well. I can't wait to advance to full liquids, but will wait and not try them too soon.

Well, the liver prep diet is finished. Clear Liquids tomorrow and surgery Monday morning. I made it this far. It wasn't real fun, but not the most terrible thing in the world. Good luck to everyone with surgery later this month!

To all my May surgery brothers and sisters, just remember one thing.

They don't have many bariatric beds in nursing homes, because they don't need them!!

We got this!!

Well surgery went good today, went in any 11:30, woke at 3:30 got in room at 4:15. Doctor says surgery went very good. I have 7 incisions, been sipping Water, and nodding out from pain meds. All in all, not as bad as I thought 💭 it would have been. Thanks to all the comment and do's and don'ts I've learned, being here on this page 📟 with the pre experiences from ppl here. I'm literally patient of the day, here on the gastric floor. Wanna thank everyone for the helpful information ℹ️ on the surgery. Now looking to further my education in the next stages of the eating process. The do's the don'ts, the can and can't have, and the how to's.

I picked up several of the prepared meals in the deli at Walmart and my husband has been enjoying them. He also eats out several times a week. He understands that preparing meals would be too tempting for me.
I went to the hospital and had my outpatient testing today, took about 30 minutes. They discussed what medications I needed to hold before surgery. I am impressed with the preparations they have been giving me, I don't remember being this prepared for my band.
We're almost there, 5 days until surgery for me.

Surgery complete! It's now 12 hours since I went under. The surgery took 90 minutes, Docs said it went well.
I started to come to about 2 hours after the surgery was done. According to my wife, I was a happy drunk. I really don't remember coming back to my room.
As we speak, I'm hooked up to machines that are checking my pulseox, dripping fluids into me, and massaging my calves (which feels amazing).
I've taken some walks around the floor. The first one hurt (level 5) the others were much easier (level 2)
Not going to lie, my abdomen hurts. Any movement is uncomfortable since we use our core for everything. Not crippling pain just "yah! Hey that smarts!"
I'm sipping Water and chicken Soup slowly. I knocked back 2oz of water like a whiskey shot just now. Mistake. I got bad heartburn from that. Sip sip sip.
Hope to go home tomorrow. Thanks for the good vibes!

My date is may 2nd……
On my second week of diet as or yesterday. Having the hardest time w/this diet, only cause I'm diabetic and on depression meds, and I have to put something in my System to take them. I have dizziness, fatigue , and tend to be light headed at times. It took me over a year and a half to get to this surgery. Was scheduled for 3/12/24 but had a issue w/kidney. All good now, so don't wanna do anything to get it postponed again.
GOOD LUCK 🎲 TO ALL MAY PATIENTS !!!

Tomorrow is the big day! May 1. May Day!
On the liver shrinking diet, the first two days and the last two days were the hardest. The first two days, I was ravenous and it took every ounce of willpower I had not to eat. By day 3, it wasn't a big deal. My particular diet called for 3 shakes, 1 serving of Protein mix Soup, a Protein Bar, a banana (for the potassium), and up to 3 sugar free gelatines. Plus as much zero cal clear drink I could stand. By day 3, I LIVED for that banana and protein bar. These last two days with no solid food at all has been tough. My sense of smell has ramped up significantly. Everything smells fantastic!
I'll provide an update after the procedure is finished and I'm lucid again. I'm somewhat nervous about the discomfort, but I'm sure I'll be able to weather it. Wish me luck!

@Zinger I had 2 preop appts, one with my surgeon, 30 min, and one with my dietician 1 hr. But a few weeks before that I had initial visits with the dietician and social worker. The hospital called today and scheduled me to come in next week for my preop testing. Maybe your providers combine some appts so that it takes 4 hrs? I am learning that every surgeon has a different process.

Hi Sandra,
Two weeks of shakes are the hardest but once you get past the surgery you will kill for that. I would not plan on staying in bed often after the surgery during the hospital stay. It is best to start walking at least once an hour. I was the only one of the 12 people who got the surgery who was up all night just walking. Hospital beds are the worst to sleep in. Best of luck in your journey.

So, I just completed day 3 of my liver prep diet. Today seemed to be better than yesterday. I am not feeling as hungry, although I am already getting tired of the Protein Shakes. I still have little energy, just doing the absolute necessary and resting a lot. It's hard but not horrible and will be worth it when all is said and done.
Everyone hang in there and remember what the goal is... better health and a longer life. I'm still nervous, but also ready to move forward. We got this!

@corylus Glad to meet someone having surgery the same day as me! I also feel that it is good to read others comments here, we are definitely not alone.
My first day I also felt brain fog, and a craving for something sweet or salty. I think I will try some gatorade to see if that helps the craving. Maybe I need sodium. I keep thinking 1day down and 13 to go. I hope it does get better eventually. I did discover that adding some PB powder to my vanilla shake made a pretty tasty Peanut Butter shake. I also added a bit of Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup to my chocolate shake and it was pretty tasty. I do love chocolate.

Well, it's countdown time for me. I start my liver prep diet tomorrow and my surgery is two weeks later. I have all I need for the next two weeks, it came in a tote bag from my surgeon's office, chocolate and vanilla Protein Powder. I can add some fruit to the shakes if desired and have other clear calorie free liquids and Jello and popsicles. I hope it won't be too bad. I'll let you know how it's going! It's getting real y'all.

Hello! Nice to meet you! I see you're in the UK. We have some wonderful friends who live in Leeds. We met them on a cruise several years ago. We hit it off immediately. We took a tour to Ireland and Scotland last year and spent one day in Liverpool and they drove over to see us. It was so special! Love the UK.
As far as shakes, the only ones I have stocked up on are Fairlife chocolate shakes. I have tried several other brands, and they are the tastiest. I bought a case at costco, but they are available from Amazon also.
I think we need to try to stay as bust as possible for the next few weeks to keep the anxiety at arms length.

Hey Sandra! Lovely to virtually meet you
It is amazing to me the changes in WLS such as the band not really being used these days! My dad had a band and it has been awful for him, I really do feel for you. I am so glad that you are able to now have this option so that you can feel healthier and in less pain.
I am feeling much the same! One minute I am really excited, and then I am anxious - it is a weird rollercoaster haha. Which shakes have you chosen? I have shakes and packet meals, all of which sound very unappealing but entirely necessary haha.
I definitely need to get a robe I think! I wanna feel comfy 😂 My surgeon has booked me for 1-2 nights, so I am hoping it is just the one!
Thank you so much - you too! Keep in touch!

Hi, I'm Sandra and I am having a gastric sleeve on May 6th! I have been lurking here reading as much as i can of other's posts and have learned a lot. My situation is a little different as this is my second bariatric surgery. I had lap band surgery in 2009 and now am having it converted because my band stopped working for me. I did lose weight but then gained a lot back and recently have lost some again but need to lose more. My reason for surgery is to be healthier and hopefully improve my arthritis pain and mobility.
My emotions are currently all over the place, anxious, worried, happy and excited. I will start my liver prep diet in 1 week. Not looking forward to 2 weeks of shakes only. I really am not too concerned about the surgery itself, as I have had several surgeries, and the pain has not been bad afterwards.
As for my overnight hospital stay, I plan to pack as little as possible. I will plan on wearing home the clothes I arrive in. I think moisturizer and lip balm are good ideas. I may take a light robe. Someone mentioned a heating pad, but I don't think most hospitals allow you to bring them (coming from a retired RN here). They can be a burn hazard if they malfunction. If I am only staying overnight, I may not need reading materials. I will likely watch TV and nap. Slippers to walk in will be needed.
I wish you all the best of luck for an easy surgery and pain free post-op course!