M scheduled for my surgery April 26th and I was curious to see who else would be walking in the shoes of April with me. Tell me how you feeling? What's on your mind? Any worries? Second thoughts?

I was sleeved on the 26th and am incredibly lucky to have had no real side effects. I too walked into surgery, Jimmy, which was a bit disconcerting knowing all those people were about to see my innerds! My biggest fear was relinquishing control as I went under but I needn't have worried. They asked me if I was ready, I closed my eyes and told them I was off to Florida. The next minute I was opening my eyes (sort of) and being asked to give my pain level out of 10 - 5/6 and my level of nausea out of 10 - 3/4. My stomach looked as though I was attractively 8 months pregnant for the first week and is only now beginning to go down. I look very odd as my legs have lost weight but my stomach is bigger:) I would liken the wound ache to the emergency c-section I had with my daughter where it's difficult to stand upright as you feel tight. Wouldn't say I had pain, more an ache. Anyway, today I put on makeup for the first time since surgery and I must say its a lot easier when you have cheekbones:)

To give me an idea of what I could eat for the first 2 weeks, aside from shakes, they said I could eat anything that could be taken through a straw (though not to use the straw as it introduces air into the stomach!). i can have cream soups (I'm having WeightWatchers tomato soup as it's quite thin and I fill a ramekin bowl), smooth yogurts (ie no bits of fruit), and Actimel type yogurt drinks. I was also told to take 3 glasses of milk a day, and water of course. My dietician said that I should become like the fit, healthy, slim people I used to wish I could be, and carry a water bottle with me wherever I go.

Hope all April sleevers are doing well. x

Whoa, remember when I said I didn't have any gas pains??? Negate that, I all of a sudden have a lot of

Gas caught in my chest that refuses to leave... I had bm last night and it didn't help in the slightest...

I have posted elsewhere, but as I am an April Sleever, I will update here as well.

Had my sleeve on April 16th, relatively without issue. Ended back up in the hospital on April 27th with a rare complication of gastric surgery - a Portal Vein Thrombosis (blood clot). Stayed at the hospital for a week and returned home 2 days ago.

My abdomen is very, very swollen. Because of the blood clot, fluid and blood is backed up into my abdomen. I can't even wear clothes that fit me a month before surgery when I was 312 lbs - they are too tight. I gained a substantial amount of fluid weight after this last round in the hospital (24/7 IV Heparin and 20mEq KCl in NS drips will do that to you). I have become exceptionally hypotensive (70/50), so getting up and around to walk is a dangerous proposition at best. I am lucky my husband is here for another week to help me, but when he goes home on the 14th, I don't know what I'll do then.

MD at the hospital says I am free to return to work whenever I feel able, but I can't seem to stay awake more than a couple hours at a shot, terminally tired all the time. I am seriously considering filing for disability, but not sure how that would work. I've always worked my entire adult life and the thought of not working is mentally crushing to me.

I moved to puree/mushies a couple days ago, and it has helped with the fatigue slightly, though I can only consume roughly a tablespoon of food every 3 or 4 hours. I am terrified of getting overfull, but I can't tell when I'm getting close to full either, so I just shut myself off because I don't think I could handle any more nausea/vomiting at this point. I am scared to eat! Never thought in a million years this would be a problem - just a month ago, I was eating 7+ breadsticks plus the entire Tour of Italy at Olive Garden, and still wanting dessert afterwards! Now I am terrified of that one bite that may put me in misery. Ugh, not sure how to move past this.

Glad to hear everyone else is doing so well - keep up the good work.

Can return to work when you feel able? I hope they are also giving you the time off as long as you feel? Sounds like you were one sick cat lady and shouldn't be going back to work until you have quite a bit more strength back. I'm so glad it sounds like you're pulling through this terrible ordeal.

I am currently unemployed, which is what makes this all the more stressful. I quit my job so I could have surgery, with the advisement from my doc that I should be fine for job hunting at 3 weeks. Instead, I feel even more exhausted today than I did my 3rd day post op. My health insurance has lapsed and I'm still waiting for COBRA info from my previous employer. Beyond frustrated. I paid all my bills up through May, but come June 1st...I'm in deep doo-doo.

I had my surgery April 25. I'm healing well. The only problem i'm having is pain in my left rib. Nurse said that was due to them removing the majority of my stomach from that side. Has Anyone else had this problem? If I didn't have This pain, I would say I am 90% healed.

Good luck to all of you!

Katie

yes, surgeons sometimes differ which incision they remove the majority of stomach from, but that is usually where you are left with the most discomfort afterward. Sounds normal to me

I'm getting most of the fluids in' date=' but relatively no protein. Clear liquids don't have any protein in them.[/quote']

Have you tried the unflavored unjury? While drinking your clear liquids, try adding a little crystal light and protein! Hope that helps!

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Whoa' date=' remember when I said I didn't have any gas pains??? Negate that, I all of a sudden have a lot of

Gas caught in my chest that refuses to leave... I had bm last night and it didn't help in the slightest... [/quote']

Please try and get you some gas x strips. They helped me IMMEDIATELY, PLUS with the walking.

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I had my surgery April 25. I'm healing well. The only problem i'm having is pain in my left rib. Nurse said that was due to them removing the majority of my stomach from that side. Has Anyone else had this problem? If I didn't have This pain' date=' I would say I am 90% healed.

Good luck to all of you!

Katie[/quote']

Hi Katie. I was sleeved on the 26th and have the same ache on my left side - like someone's kicked me in the ribs! I've been told that that's where my stomach was removed and you get a bit bashed about, it will get better. Got amazing bruises:). I too would say that other than that I'm well on my way to normal. Glad it's going well for you. Look forward to hearing about your "journey" . Alison .

Sleeved on 24th yes left side still hurts. ok wondering when anyone drinks do u hear a gurggling sound in your chest and throat?

Also sleeved on the 24th. If I take too big of a drink or drink too fast I hear a gurgle.

Sleeved on 24th yes left side still hurts. ok wondering when anyone drinks do u hear a gurggling sound in your chest and throat?

Yup, constantly. Lots of gurgling. Comes with the territory I suppose.

Yup, the gurgles are normal. I am now 3 weeks out and mo more gurgles for the most part. Take care all.

Whoa' date=' remember when I said I didn't have any gas pains??? Negate that, I all of a sudden have a lot of

Gas caught in my chest that refuses to leave... I had bm last night and it didn't help in the slightest... [/quote']

It will pass. Walk walk and walk when you don't want to. I used to pace. It will get better! Keep breathing deeply too. I hurt in my chest for a week and then slowly went away. Hang in there!