Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well! Some of our friends are newly sleeved and are coming up on their surgery dates. Ohhhhh those nerves! Just remember one day at a time and sometimes just one sip at a time.

Please remember that this is my experience. There is no way of knowing if you will experience what I have or not.

There needs to be something done about that leak test. That gastrogafin drink needs a very serious overhaul. That is one thing that, as far as I'm concerned, is cruel and unusual punishment. ESPECIALLY for patients that are nauseated! You can't tell me there is something that can be done with the taste of that stuff after all these years of the sleeve/by-pass surgeries have been performed.

It seems it's been longer than a week since I've been sleeved, honestly. Not that it's been a horrible week at all. I think it's because I'm not used to being off work and really taking care of myself. I have always rushed through my healing process. I'm not doing that this time and it's paying off!

I had my 8 day post op visit today. First of all, there is nothing better than having those staples GONE! Boy, they were really bothersome! I really didn't have any concerns to discuss other than that left side where the largest incision was and where the surgeon removed my stomach. It has been pretty painful the entire week. Not only at the incision site but also on my back. Little did I know that it is quite normal. The doc said that it could be painful for 6-8 weeks. Hey, if that's all I have to worry about, then I think I'm doing pretty good!

I was so excited to be moved up to Phase 2 foods. All I could think about was tomato soup! (...and cream of wheat. That is a Phase 3 food.) Well, I was thinking about it until I realized that I'm still not hungry. At all. Again, normal.

For a few days I realized that I had to re-learn what my stomach was telling me. After 45 years, I had it down pretty well. Give me a new stomach and I'm lost! I didn't know if what I was feeling was hunger, pain, acid or gas. I just realized I'm going to have to play "process of elimination". Turns out it was gas. I am taking Nexium every morning and Tums as needed. Once I figured out that little bit of info, my sleeve hasn't been so mad at me.

I did learn pretty quick that my sleeve got pretty pissed off over coffee. I won't be trying that again any time soon. I did find a caffeine free hot tea that I like. I've never been a tea drinker. I have found that it is nice and soothing at the end of the day and before bed. It makes my sleeve pretty happy and I fall asleep a lot quicker and easier.

I've been walking, walking, walking. It has done so many good things for me. I just feel so much better getting out of the house and doing something productive. I have gone to the store and done this and that, but have called it quits a lot faster than I ever have. For me, it also helps with the gas a lot. Don't be shy of that gas, either. Get rid of it! You will feel so much better!!! My husband has been by my side every step of the way. I really don't know what I would have done without him.

The fluids are very important, too. I've been very lucky that I've been able to tolerate all kinds of clear fluids from Water to Chrystal Light (diluted by 1/2) to Isopure. It takes a very long time for me to get my Protein shakes down now. One shake equals about 2 hours. I fill very quickly. Sipping works well.

I'm down a total of 24 lbs. Slow and steady. I'm wanting to heal from surgery first before dropping a ton of weight right off the bat.

I had my barium swallow to be sure that what I'm drinking is going down and through. I was amazed at the size of my sleeve. It's only about an inch wide. You can see where the liquid goes through the top of the sleeve, through the sleeve and into the small intestine! I was FASCINATED! It's the little things! I got the thumbs up.

I've gotten the ok for going to the gym and taking it easy on the treadmill. I think I just may do that tomorrow. A nice steady walk for a while.

I hope you all have a good evening and a nice and healthy healing!

The doctor should test your stomach before they close in the OR. The upper GI aka barium swallow is a different test. I had one as a kid and I had to drink a bottle of nasty stuff, and it was a bad experience. So I was really worried having one post op. But here in Victoria it was no big deal. I had to take a couple of sips of two different things. I got to watch the test on the screen and see my new stomach. Everyone was super nice and it didn't even last 5 mins! Ask for your pain meds before you go down for the test. As a nurse I was glad to see it was all working before I started clear liquids!

I believe all surgeons test for leaks in the OR before finishing. However, it sounds like most do a test the following morning to ensure there are no leaks. Like GingerRN, I am also a nurse and enjoyed watching the screen, and seeing my new stomach. It was very reassuring to me to have this test (which is very quick) and know there were no leaks before putting anything in my stomach.

BTW - I used a straw for the liquid and it was better than not using a straw, but I do wish I had remembered to hold my nose. It sounds crazy, but it really does work to block much of the taste. I'm not sure what it does for the aftertaste.

I really enjoyed reading your post. What day where you able to get outdoors?