Well so far we have 5 members! Sounds like a good group to me! But I hope some others will see the group and join us. How's everyone feeling today? I have been doing some things around the house and personal care in preparation. The other day I cleaned out my dresser drawers and closet. Then I did the bathroom cupboards. Yesterday I cleaned the frig top to bottom. Yuck, something had spilled in there that wasn't pleasant but it's sparkling now. I've done a pedicure and facial. My daughter gave me a haircut. Actually she chopped it. I asked for a trim from a person who has never cut any hair so I guess I got what I deserved... Yikes it's chin length and not so nice right now. Thank goodness it will grow (unless I lose it all from this surgery, lol). Today I'm going to Walmart for some postop shopping and things for others. Tomorrow I have to work from 8a to 4p but I'm glad cuz that will take up a good part of the day. I'll be off work for 2 weeks after surgery. My surgery is at 7:30 am and I have to be there at 5:30.

It's almost here everyone!! I'm not feeling nervous, a little excited and mostly just want to get it done and over. We are gonna be on the loser's bench soon. Oh, on this preop diet, my starting weight was 212, and today it is 203.5, so a loss of 8.5 lbs. Not bad, my liver better look like a little shrunken prune for that surgeon after all this suffering! How's everyone else doing today?

oh, and I'm still up in pounds. weight today 209.8 up from 203 day of surgery. Gotta stay off the scale cuz that is frickin depressing.

I'm very glad everyone seems to have come through this experience without serious negative consequence.

My first post-op check in:

--Pain has been minimal

--I was unable to pass the solution for the scans to determine if I was leakfree. I tried again later and was declared leakfree!

--Three days out from surgery, I am hydrating and getting some Proteins in.

notime - good to hear from you!!

Joni...Notime...I was getting worried about you, sooo glad you both checked in and very thankful we are all doing okay. Wow, Joni...I am only allowed liquid protein right now, I can't go onto yogurt or mashed potatoes until day 8...then I am really looking forward to a scrambled egg...lol

I was also up on my weight when I got home but understand it to be from the saline that I was filled with. My surgeon does the leak test before he completes the surgery..they fill you up with saline and look for bubbles, then the body needs to absorb all that extra fluid which is why my weight was up. Showered today and took off the bandages...damn, I look beaten up, but other than gas pains I am feeling pretty good. You know I forgot to ask my surgeon how many staples are inside of me...anyone know?

Thank you. It is good to be part of a supportive group going through this.

Well the day of surgery when I came out from under anethesia, I was terriblely nauseaus and in pain. zofran,phenergan, and lortab , seemed like my body just laughed at. It was complete and utter misery. But those nurses had me up walking when all I wanted to do was sleep off the misery! We would be walking and I was fall back asleep walking. they would pat my face and say wake up wake up. I was to miserable to protest! The next day was better but I couldnt get enough liquids in so i had to stay until noon the next day. I was not happy about that, I was so ready to go home to my own bed. Im better now, still extremely sore and have a hard time getting out of my bed with out help but otherwise all is good. Im trying to figure out just exactly what this sleeve is saying to me, is it hungry is it full, etc? It just feels so different than before, I havent figured out exactly how to interpret it yet. I have been drinking Powerade zero all day (sipping) and I take about 4 sips of 1 % choc milk when I need to take my meds so it will kind of coat my sleeve, and prevent the nausea.

Hey, we are on the losers bench!

Kellie - I'm the same. Doing pretty good but need help to get out of bed. Not sure what sleevie is saying either. Woke this morning with what felt like a spasm at base of throat and into chest. After pain meds (liquid oxycodone) and a little Water, and a muscle relaxer (flexeril), it is easing up - thank goodness. Just another day of taking it easy, hanging out in recliner, watching TV, and got the heating pad on.

It's really something how surgeons and preop and postop diets differ. Dogmom, I thought my diet was soo strict but yours sounds even more so.

I love to hear everybody's experiences...I have been doing ok with getting out of bed by myself, I scooch over to the edge, put my feet on the floor, bring one arm across my stomach to the other arm and push myself into an upright position, take a moment and then stand...it's working and has not caused me any pain. The only thing I have for pain is Celebrex...wish I could take something stronger sometimes but narcotics make me vomit really bad, they always have

You're right Joni...my postop diet does seem really strict, but they way I feel after that 2-3 oz of liquid protein, I will stick to it until day 8. I can't tell if the feeling is full or bloated...maybe both?

Anyone find out how many staples were used for your stomach?

I have no idea about the number of staples. I just know there's some kind of double line and they stay there forever and ever!

Joni~~~ what exactly does your postop diet allow? Mine was clear sf liquids for 2 days then full liquids & purees. Yest I had couple bites sf pudding & later 1/2 sf Popsicle. This am I had 3 teaspoons very thin cream of wheat with a dash of Splenda. My mom made me homemade veggie beef soup so a couple teaspoons broth will be supper. Even tho I'm cleared for purée, I'm scared of that next step I do NOT want leaks!!! My biggest fear! I'm leaving for HI in 3 weeks so I got one chance to get this right! Oh & I've only lost 2 lbs since surgery

Kellie, here's my postop diet - 2 wks full liquid = protein drinks, SF/FF jello and pudding, thinned instant mashed potatoes, pureed thinned 1% or FF cottage cheese, thinned cream of wheat, applesauce, low carb/low sugar/low fat yogurt, clear broth.

Kellie, here's my postop diet - 2 wks full liquid = Protein drinks, SF/FF Jello and pudding, thinned instant mashed potatoes, pureed thinned 1% or FF cottage cheese, thinned cream of wheat, applesauce, low carb/low sugar/low fat yogurt, clear broth.

Sounds just like my diet, but I'm only on it for five days week. I have been so tempted to cheat a little, but have held off. Tomorrow I start soft foods. Two weeks later, regular foods.

kellie, Lucky you. Have a great time.

I've decided not to weigh until the doctor weighs me at my first post-op visit.

Notime~~~OMG I couldnt stand the not knowing if I was losing. I am very much an instant gratification type person. I really have to reign myself in with a lot of things! And seriously soft foods tomorrow? Im soooo jealous!

Well, made it through the first week! Bored with allowed foods now. Getting tired of protein drinks. One more week until pureed - don't know if I can stand it but almost don't care either cuz I'm really not hungry, I just want "something good." From reading,it sounds like I'll just get over it and learn to eat not for enjoyment anymore. Feel a little sad about that. Oh well...