I got my sleeve yesterday! Since this is technically an April group, I'm guessing I am the first to go so I wanted to give you all a play by play so you are prepared.

My friend dropped me off at the surgery center and she had to go to work when I went back with the nurses. The nurses made me take another pregnancy test, I changed, got an I.V. in and the nurses continued to ask questions. I was happy I got to keep on my undies! Then I started to cry and the nurse, Mary, held my hand and talked me through my feelings. I told her I felt alone, but then I realized all my friends were texting me with their support, since they were all at work, that was the best way for them to support me at the time.

Next, the anesthesiologist came in and asked me the same questions. I received a nausea patch behind me ear, which will stay for three days. Then my doctor came and signed some papers. At 7:06 they rolled me into the operating room. My I.V. was loaded up, I switched tables and don't remember anything until I woke up. The nurses woke me up as I was being wheeled out, they said it was done so I started crying, tears of joy, I just couldn't believe I got my sleeve! Brody, one of the nurses said I had to calm down because crying is going to hurt. So I magnificently recovered quickly.

I think I might have tried sleeping next, but all I could feel was the gas. This was the only thing that was hurting. I could literally feel a ball of gas start at my stomach and work its way up my esophagus. It was like labor, when you hurt for two or three minutes then your fine, then you hurt again. That was all I was feeling, the air bubble went all the way up to my shoulder and stopped. The nurse made me get up and walk, I was hoping the air bubble would travel up and out, but it doesn't work like that. She said any gas from my mouth or opposite end is my gas. The gas from the surgery travels north then settles in the right or even both shoulders to finally escape through my pores. Honestly, that's all the pain I was feeling. I did feel nauseas so the nurse gave me some more meds and a puke tray. I rested more and got another I.V. I walked a few times to help the gas, but I don't think it helped. Nurse said gas-x might help or a warm compress.

I was then released, no idea what time. I had my pillow strapped in the seatbelt with me so it would bother my incisions. At home I went for my pain meds. The prescription says 15 ml every 4-6 hours. I could barely get 10ml down, and my stomach did a "throw up" like movement. I'm not sure if it was because that was too much or because I was nauseas and the meds were so gross. I didn't take my other meds because I knew throwing up meant I was full, but I was so disappointed in myself that I had gotten to that point already. I just never, ever thought I wouldn't be able to take my prescribed dose all at once. Now I do 5ml in between drinking.

I rested until my best friend came over; she brought me a hot compress for my gas, at this point, that was the only thing hurting. I did keep walking around between naps. I made an ENS Protein Drink, the taste is fine to me, but I barely got in one ounce. I was also drinking Water, probably 3 ounces, and then the gurgles set it. Oh the gurgles.

Around 7 p.m. I could do nothing but gurgle; I was really thirsty but stopped taking sips because I didn't know what was happening with the gurgles. The gurgles felt like they were coming from my esophagus, I wasn't sure if that was heartburn from my Protein drink, the gas, or a symptom of being full. Even though I was so thirsty, I stopped drinking, and then felt the gurgles in my sleeve. After I peed leprechaun green pee, I finally went to bed, I think I am doing well for what my body has just been through.

Today I am a little sore, it is hard to get up from lying down, my incisions hurt a little, but I still have some gas I think, and the gurgles. Really I just feel like I have period cramps. I have slowly been taking 5ml of lortab for the pain, not sure if the meds are really working or if I'm just not in that much pain, either way I am grateful. I am also trying to take a total of 20ml of carafate to prevent ulcers, but so far today I have gotten 5 down.

I am just so thirsty, I am drinking but I can't guzzle to fulfill my thirst. I am slowly drinking a few sips of protein, and then wait, and then water mixed with Vitamins and Calcium, then repeat. I am on full liquids so after I stopped drinking for a half an hour I scooped out 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt. I mixed my protein drink in to thin it out and got down about 3/4, about five minutes later I burped so I knew I was done. Now I'm continuing to relax, walk around, and drink. Everything is okay so far.

Great info! Thanks!

Thanks for all the updates. It has been very helpful. Glad the gas seems to be gone. That is the part that I am so not looking forward to. I sent an email to the anesthesiologist. I wanted to be sure that my recent sinus infection and cough was not going to delay my surgery. I have not heard back from her yet, but she may be in surgery. I hope I don't have any delays and can still be sleeved on April 16. Tomorrow is the ol' scope day so I hope they don't find anything there either.

Keep up the healing and so glad to read the posts of those that are now sleeved. Congratulations. Hope to join you soon!

Thank you so much for sharing. I've been reading tons of information regarding drinking and eating and I'm so nervous I might do something wrong and mess up. Hang in there you are doing an awesome job!

Willosknot-I had a cold about a week before surgery and I was still congested the day of, that was one of the questions everyone asked. "Have you had a cold in the last ten days." I said I was congested. After surgery it felt so good because the congestion was gone, it reappeared a few days later though.

phatdivabbw-That is one of my fears too. The first few days I probably only got down 1/4 of my liquids. By day 3 I was doing better, my nut said to do about 4oz a half an hour. With Protein Drinks that's really all I can do because they are so thick, sports drinks and Water sometimes go down faster.

Hi,

I wanted to let everyone know I was sleeved on Wednesday. I came home yesterday evening and just felt like getting on here. The pain is not too bad, they just sent me home on Tylenol. The worse part has been the gas pains and gurgles, I was so glad to see others have the gurgles too. They feel so crazy.

I am getting in Water and G2 thinking about trying a G3, it has protien in it, but I have been nauseous and taking Reglan and Phenergen, which seems to help. I just took a shower and that made me feel a little human.

So that's my update. Will be so glad when I feel a little more normal and the gas pains go away.

Congrats gettinskintae, the gas will go away soon. You can try a warm compress. I still gurgle but I guess I'm just used to it so they are not as awkward anymore. My students will love them when I go back next week though!