Hi All,

I am new here and had my surgery on 3/20. I did read a few things on the site while doing some searching for answers over the past year. I'm going to give some details into my progress so far.

So, I am a male 37 years old, peak weight of 326lbs before pre-op diet.

Pre-op diet.

I did cheat more then I should have. First night I had 2 PB&J sandwiches.. Then a week before the surgery I had a dinner out with my grandfather (we would go out every wednesday) Then the friday after that I had a sub sandich. And finally the sunday before (3 days before surgery) I had 2 hotdogs.

I know this was wrong, but I did still lose 15 pounds. I really struggled with the diet and hated every minute of it.

I am also a smoker. I didn't stop smoking and my doctor was aware of this. I smoked about a pack a day or more. I am 2 days post op, and really haven't amped up the way I was. I have maybe 5 or so ciggs a day right now. I probably will quit though as the cravings right now are very low.

Post op

I had to be in for my appt at 10am. When we arrived, I met with everyone, but honestly, I don't have much memory of this.. I went to bed at 10pm the night before, and woke up at about 1am and didn't go back to sleep. The surgery took 3 hours and a couple hours in post op recovery. I was taken to my room and was in severy pain. I was also "tachy" meaning my heart beat was very high. I was also told I have sleep apnea. The machine that monitors heart beat and oxegen levels would go off every 10 minutes or so. It really made it so I could get very little sleep. I also ran a 101-102 fever. which I didn't understand really. I guess I didn't expect that.

I was extremely doped up.. It wasn't a fun patient I am sure. My wife said I was quite comedic at times. All in all I had a great staff, and they where kind. even though I would accidently hit the nurse call button with my elbow all the time. I have very foggy memory of the entire thing. I according to my wife decided that it was time to go home, and was tired of waiting for the nurse to remove my IV so I took it out myself. I am a little confused as to how any of that went down as I was not in my mind. BTW, I usually enjoy pain meds when I need them.. This Delodin is not one of them. I did not feel like I was in my own head most of the time. I do not like it at all. I stopped dosing it the next morning.

I was released the next day, and went home and pretty much have slept much of the time. I feel like I need to fart but i can't either because there is nothing there, or it just hurts too much to push it out. I am burping up a lot.

The pain is pretty strong. I was given liquid vicodin for it. I've taken just 3 doses today. I am in a strruggle right now with trying to drink enough and get the "food" in. My wife is a saint and is on top of getting the calories and protien in me. We have one ounce medical cups the doc gave me and today I have had 2 and 1/3 bottles of Water (poland spring 16oz) 3 oz of chicken broth (romen Soup, she strained some of the broth out for me and she ate the rest) and 6 oz of carnation instant Breakfast.

I am struggling with the intake. I have been sing 2% milk with the carnation, and then my wife waters it down. I am going to switch to fat free because I feel like it is too sweet and creamy. The pain is intense, and I find it hard to walk strait up, and I am holding my belly when I walk. I know it will improve over time. I will get there.

My wife is going to go to the store tomorrow and get me some things to drink. I really like Oceanspray no sugar added cranberry / grape or raspberry. She's also going to pick up some ice pops.

Now' date=' my doctor told me not to worry about sugar free stuff for the first stage. Also, something that kind of surprising was he said he only left 10% of my stomach.

I'm not really having any trouble with the milk, it's just the consistency that is kind of turning me off.. pre-surgery I loved it that way. I will try to avoid it though if that seems to be an issue. I wasn't told anything about the gasx. I guess I should look into that too.

Thanks for all of your comments. It really helps having people who know what I am going through.[/quote']

Only 10% really?? Wow! Is this typical with all sleeves?

I didn't think so.. but that is what my doctor said he left in. It kinda freaked me out.. I was expecting them to only remove 70-80% but he's really good.. maybe I had an extra large stomach... lol

It's quite a shock isn't it - the changes and feelings that happen post op? Glad to hear you are feeling a little better:) I am 12 days ahead of you in the recovery phase. What they say about it getting better all the time is true. I have now had 2 days in a row that I felt pretty good and didn't find it necessary to take a nap. The head hunger has subsided quite a bit and I even have to make myself eat sometimes.

Congratulations on making the move to have this surgery and I hope you feel better with each passing day.

Thanks,

I am doing really well.. I really want to ride my motorcycle, but the doc said wait 6 weeks, so May 1 is the day. I was able to comfortably eat a bit of ricotta bake last night which was nice.

I've been good without naps for the most part. I was laid off a few months back so, it's mostly dealing with boredom, and frustration of not being able to lift heavy stuff. My wife is so supportive, but it sucks to have to ask her to take in the groceries, fill the aquarium move stuff, and so on.