Just found out Tuesday that my surgery is scheduled for March 3. Wow - been working on all the insurance requirements for over 6 months, mentally preparing for longer than that. I'm ready, I say confidently (I think) :-). First surgery, and have a zillion different feelings. I'm all over the map! I'm looking for words of wisdom, comfort, advice.....

Thanks,

Cindy in VA

There's a group of March sleevers over on http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/13434-march-role-call/page__hl__march Come and join us. I'm on March 1st and it can't come quickly enough!

Thank you, I found it! Good luck and stay in touch.

I'm 5 weeks out and there are 3 IMPORTANT Things to remember:

1. WALK WALK WALK....you WILL have gas pain and the more you walk the better you feel! I had gas pain in my chest and that scared me but once they told me I was OK.

2. EVERYDAY GETS BETTER!!! This is SO TRUE!!!

3. If you have ANY QUESTIONS at all you can come HERE and ASK....THERE IS SO MUCH WISDOM on this website...I HONESTLY, couldn't have done it without everyones support on here!!!! I was told there are NO SILLY questions!!!

I kept these 3 things in my head and it wasn't bad at all!!! I LOVE my SLEEVE!! Best thing I ever did for myself!!

GOOD LUCK!!! YOU will be one of us LOSERS SOON!!! LOL

Hello there Cindy!!

The one bit of advice I can give you right now is to stay sane!! You're going to feel highs and lows and you being all over the map is VERY common, normal, to be expected... Have patience with yourself, your day will be here before you know it. Concentrate on what you need, and come visit here for support and information and it will help the time fly by.

Just get prepared for what you will need during your hospital stay and sample many Protein drinks. Don't buy the big tubs, what you like now is going to be a far cry from what you will post op. Many of us experience funny tastebuds post op... not sure why but it's a big difference.

Here is the hospital stay list, hope this helps!!

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10081-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-surgery-thread/

Hopefully your experience will be alot like mine. After it was all over I realized that everything my surgeon and the anesthologist told me is exactly what happened.

The anesthologist told me that I could have some pain in my left shoulder when I wake up, and I should just let them know and they would take care of it. I did feel some pain in recovery, I told them and they took care of it. I never had any gas pains after that....none at all.

The surgeon told me, you've had major open abdominal surgeries and the pain after this surgery will be laughable. He was right. I used the pain pump mostly to get some sleep. When it was removed, I took two oral doses of pain meds and no more. I didn't even fill the prescription for Lortab...I never needed it. The only thing I can say surprized me was the day after surgery I was extremely weak and shakey.

The Foley came out with no discomfort. The drain came out and the nurse warned me some people say it stings a little. All I felt was a little tickle in my left shoulder.....no pain.

So my advice is to ask questions of everbody. No question is a dumb question!

Cindy, girl stay strong!!!

I was just like you, so scared I nearly backed out about three times, I was TERRIFIED. But I went through with it... and I am SO HAPPY TODAY!!!

I am only 3 months out, but have lost a little over 30 pounds. My blood pressure is already lower.. and I am down two sizes in clothes. My weight loss will pick up even more once I start to be able to go outside and exercise... hate the winter! So this 30 pound loss happened while I'm just sitting around doing nothing. It works!!! It's not a trick.

The first week is a blur, and the second week is a little tough. By the third week, you are sick to death of liquids and mushies.. but hang in there. By the fourth week things start to come together and your scale will make you VERY happy.

Just follow ALL your doctors orders, to the letter, and if you are iin pain... SAY SO.. Do not suffer in silence.

Good luck and hang tough.

I'M ON MARCH 3 TOO! WOOHOO. We can be sleeve buddies. If you ever need anyone to talk to, we will be in the same boat and going through the same things so feel free to message me anytime! I'm so super excited! Will be keeping you in my prayers as I hope you will do for me!