Hello all. Today is day 3 post op for me. Today I went shopping at Target to pick up a few things. Then did laundry and loaded the dishwasher. I walk a lot and sip a lot. I walk 4-5 times a day for 15 min each. Also use gasX a couple of times a day. My first day in the hospital was rough. My body does not handle surgeries very well. I had extreme pain & nausea. Walking helped tremendously. The nurses were wonderful. Gave me meds when I asked for them. I complained of chest pain--which I'm sure was gas but my doctor who is very thorough wanted an X-ray to make sure there was no leak. The best recovery has been at home! So glad I made this decision and can't wait for the weight to fall off. Wishing you all sweet dreams of thinner days.

Hi Artsy,

I'm Lorna and just wanted to say Hello.... I will be seeing my doctor on monday to schedule an appt for surgery. I am writing to you in hopes that you can help me get my head straight about my choice of surgery. Forever seems like such a loooong time, and I really like to be able to eat when I want to. I have become more concious about my food choices over the years, and I thought I could stay on track. But I fall off the bandwagon at times, and it ruins everything that I had accomplished in the previous months.. I educate myself on the sleeve and I am ready for surgery.... then I get cold feet, and consider lap band instead, thinking at least I wont lose any body parts with that... Then I go back to worrying about that being not the best choice.... I guess I am just looking for some encouragement. Can you help?

Hi Lorna and congratulations for joining this site for support. Only you can make the decision about which surgery, I can only tell you about making my decision for the gastric sleeve and here goes: Lap band was never a consideration for me because I have had two friends who've had theirs taken out because of slippage or fill problems. I was interested in something permanent. To my advantage, my next door neighbor had the sleeve surgery last October so I was able to witness her recovery and weight loss first hand. Although she is much younger than I am & realize her surgery might go much better than mine, I began intensive research not only on this site but also read any news reports I could get my hands on. I interviewed several people who had the sleeve with the same dr I was intending to use. I spoke to those who mattered to me for their reaction & support. Then, I began to prepare myself the months of eating liquids, then mushies, then soft solids. The thing which has encouraged me so much is my neighbor. She is 7 months out and can basically eat anything she wishes but in small amounts--3-5 bites, then she's finished. She's lost 52 lbs so far Something I know about my body is that it dosen't handle anesthesia very well. So my first day after surgery was rough however the next day was so much better, then the next day was even better and so on. I'm walking a lot and progressing on point as much as I can tell. I know the sleeve seems so permanent but my question was why would I want the extra stomach back at some time?

Here are my stats:

Age 59

Height 4ft 11& 3/4 in

Weight at surgery 194 lbs

Have not weighed again since surgery---am waiting for first dr appt.

BMI 38

I wish you the best of luck in making your decision--it is not one to take lightly. And your comment about loosing weight on your own--of course that would be the optimal choice. I lost 59 lbs 6 yrs ago---it took a year of diligent work, eating low carb only, walking 3 miles a day for 5-6 days a week. Then you know what happened? I had an emotional crisis going on in my life so I began to eat as I did previously. I gained the lbs back and more. Then I went on a Quest to lose the weight year after year with nutri-system, HGC diet, Atkins, and nothing stuck. I am weak when it comes to food and like my dr told me, the sleeve will give me the control I need for those times when eating is out of control. I don't know if I've helped you but please continue to research. Oh by the way, I had little doubts pop up in my mind occasionally before the surgery, that is normal. This is a life altering experience.

RT, our stories are so similar, all the way down to the hCG

Artsy not rt. my phone did that.

My story very similar artsy

So glad were are alike in our journey!

im just like you both good luck in your decision