I just wanted to finally introduce myself. I have been reading these boards for months now and they have been very helpful. I am finally going to have my sleeve done on May 12th. I am excited and scared all at the same time. I began my 2-week pre-op diet last Wednesday and things have been going really well with it. I was wondering what advise you gals (and guys) could give me to help calm the fears of surgery. I have a TERRIFIC support group which really helps. What should I expect with the surgery, how long in the hospital, what is the pre-op diet REALLY like, how long before returning to an office job, etc. Any advise would be really appreciated!

You should be fine. Try not worry, it happens so fast. How long you are in the hospital depends on you surgeon. Most can leave after a day or day and a half. I was in for 3 days. Some people return to their jobs in a week. I would not have been strong enough after 3 weeks. So, again it just depends. It's good that you have been learning from this site. Be prepared to have your protein and mushies at home, so that you get sustenance in you quickly. Try and drink as much liquids as you can. The first week is the hardest, but every day gets better. Best of luck

I agree. Stay positive. Visualize a good outcome. I was also excited and nervous but kept stopping, closing my eyes, and breathing deeply and then telling myself to let all my worries go. You will be fine. Just follow your pre-op instructions. Get good sleep until surgery and try not to stress too much. If you don't already do so, start exercising. It helps with blood flow. As Immore said, do some shopping for post-op food. That helped me a lot.

Good luck. I am really excited for you. :biggrin0:

excellent MOther's Day gift!!! congrats and i wish you the best. please keep us posted.:biggrin0:

Welcome Lynette, I had surgery at 10:00 AM and was released the following day around 3:00. I thought I would be very nervous but I was amazingly calm! I really attribute that to being confident about my decision and the reason for my confidence was primarily due to the information I received on this site. I have zero advice for the pre-op diet as mine was only 2 days. I was off 2 1/2 weeks after my surgery due to vacation and spring break (school secretary) and although I could have gone back sooner I am glad that I had that much time off. I am sooo glad I am sleeved and I believe that your time spent on this site will definitely help you make the best decision for you. Congratulations and good luck!

Hi Lynnette,

Nice to see a fellow Michigander! (However, I'm in GA for the time being!) I'm from the UP and make it back during the summers. Good luck with your surgery, I'm 6+wks out and all is well. Down nearly 50lbs so I'd say the sleeve is doing it's job!

Take care,

Melisa

I am feeling the same as you are. My surgery is scheduled for May 5th. The emotions that I am feeling right now are all over the place. I am more nervous about getting an IV and anesthesia than anything else.

I am feeling the same as you are. My surgery is scheduled for May 5th. The emotions that I am feeling right now are all over the place. I am more nervous about getting an IV and anesthesia than anything else.

I felt the same way and I didn't sleep hardly a wink the night before my surgery. But I was confident in my decision to do this and with the procedure I chose.

I have a huge needle phobia so the IV was a big concern of mine and so were the heparin shots in my tummy.

I let them know about my phobia when I got there and they were really nice about it. They stuck me with a little bitty tiny needle in my hand with lidocaine to numb the area up and then put the IV in and I didn't feel a thing. They waited to give me the first heparin shot after I was already under. When they brought me to the OR they put an oxygen mask on my face and told me to breathe deeply and next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. I remember vaguely waking up and them telling me everything went well and I was fine. I don't remember anything else until I woke up in my own room.

Also I didn't feel any of the other heparin shots because my tummy was numb. Every other medication they gave me was through the IV.

Overall it was a fairly easy experience. The worst part of the whole thing was the pressure in my chest and upper back that I woke up with. I wouldn't even describe it as pain...just pressure. Enough that it was a bit uncomfortable but I still was so groggy that I just went back to sleep. When I woke up I was much better.

I had my surgery at 7:30 am wednesday morning and was home by 11:00 am thursday morning.

The post op diet? Mine sucks...I won't lie. I'm sick to death of broth, sick to death of crystal light and Jello and I am so ready to have something of substance. I have a pretty strict post-op plan which doesn't really introduce real food for nearly 2 months. I never thought I'd be looking forward to being able to have a Protein shake again! lol

I'm planning to go to work on Monday although probably not a full day. Probably will only stay a couple of hours.

I've never had any real pain...just soreness and tiredness and lots and lots of burping. I've been using the gas x strips religiously..they have helped me a lot. I had a good bit of trouble with acid the 2nd day and I started drinking plain Water instead of so much crystal light and that seems to have helped.

Good luck to you...I'm sure you will do great!

WOW!!! Thanks for all the advise....it's nice to know that I'm not the only one with the roller coaster emotions. My pre-op diet has really went pretty smoothly. Here is what they have me doing: Breakfast 1 egg and 1 egg white, 1 slice multi-grain bread and 1 fruit choice; Mid-morning Protein Shake; lunch 2oz lean lunch meat, 1 slice low-fat cheese, 1 slice multi-grain bread and 1 sugar free Jello w/fruit cup; Mid-afternoon Protein shake; dinner 4-6oz lean meat, 1-2 cups vegetables, tossed salad with low-fat dressing and 1 starch/carb; Before bed Protein shake. This has been pretty easy for me to follow, since I've been an insulin dependent diabetic for 20 years. I don't mind the Protein shakes, and they have really kept me from being hungry!

I made potato salad for the family today.....told my hubby, "I don't know how it's gonna be, I'm not allowed to sample.". Come to find out he told me that it was the best potato salad I'd ever made!

Thanks Mary!! Never thought of it as a Mother's Day gift! I think in the 19 years I've been a Mom, this is going to be the BEST one yet!! :-)

Ten days and counting.................

My surgery is May 11th and I'm right there with you!

My surgery is May 11th and I'm right there with you!

We'll have to be "sleeve buddies"!:thumbup1: