After an entire adulthood of being obese, I finally came to the decision to have weight loss surgery. After trying every diet and exercise plan (including Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins, Curves, New Lady Fitness, Club Fitness) and eating my way to 320 lbs (on 05 May 2011), I knew that with my family history of heart disease, strokes, diabetes and hip replacements that I had to do something other than eat myself to death slowly.

My primary care physician recommended Carolina Surgical Associates here in Greenville, SC. I can say that the staff is completely professional and caring. I was made to feel like family from the moment I walked in the door.

I went onto a Protein and vegetables only pre-op diet on 09 May 2011 and lost 17 pounds from that day until the day of my surgery, 23 May 2011.

The medical staff at the St. Francis Bon Secours Hospital East Side facility have been more amazing than words can express. There has never been a time that I have felt anything other than warmth and genuine concern from everyone from the custodial staff to the RN's.

I did a lot of research on this website and others so that I would know what to expect as far as pain. I have been quite sore, but I have not suffered too badly. I did two laps around the floor yesterday and did well. I think I overdid it today trying to take a shower. My near-navel incision started to hurt pretty intensely and I had to get a little help getting dressed. But, after sitting still for awhile and staying hydrated, I'm feeling better.

I have found it best to only sip 3 teaspoons of liquid in a row and stop so that I don't become nauseated. So far, I burp after those three spoons , so I stop sipping for a few minutes to let my tummy rest.

So far, that's all I have, but I look forward to posting many more updates.

Fantastic!! So glad you are doing well after surgery. The burping and tummy noises will be constant for the next few weeks :-)

Take it easy and listen to your body-

Congratulations!

Welcome to the other side and congrats!!

Keep us posted on your journey!

Kelly

Great to have you with us! Good job with the pre-op diet as well!

Welcome to the family. Sounds like you are off to a great start. Kudos to the pre-op weight loss. I look forward to your continued success and future postings.

Deb

Glad to have you on this side! Each day will get better. Sounds like you are doing great so far.

Holly

Congratulations! So glad everything went well. Good suggestion to take 3 sips and stop.

Great start! Thanks for posting. I like the suggestion of taking 3 sips and stopping - I'll keep that in mind when I have the surgery.

Congrats! I look forward to your future updates.

Congratulations. Wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery.

I would like to thank everyone for the good wishes! It's nice to have a place to turn to express the things that happen during this process. For those who think this is an easy way out, I sincerely beg to differ. Just trying to blow my nose, cough and attend to bathroom functions present more of a challenge than I could have imagined. (Keep in mind this is my first surgery EVER!)

I am thankful for my sleeved predecessors and their advice and hope to be an inspiration to those who will join our numbers soon.

Congratulations! Sounds like you are doing an awesome job! Welcome to the other side!!

Congrats- I hope that you are healing up well!

Yayyyy congrats to you!! I am just over a wk out and I am so happy I was finally able to do this! It gets better every day. I have had a great recovery so far. I'm hoping you have an easy speedy one too!!

Congrats Kelly!

Congratulations! I was sleeved in February in North Carolina- hang in there-be good to yourself and take time to heal