I was scared from day one. I knew this was the best thing for me. I prepared with education and over 8 months worth of classes. Still I didn't feel prepared. So many people had so many different stories. Although I knew about the procedure, I was scared about how it would affect me. My unknown future. I remember thinking, am I crazy to do an elective surgery. But deep down I knew I wanted to be healthier. All other efforts in weight loss led me to high blood pressure, sleep apnea, ankle and leg swelling, increase in medications, and the list does on. In classes, I would hear stories of how people have suffered with a decrease in the quality of life all due to obesity. I was headed in the same direction. I knew I needed the surgery or face a diminishing life style. So I would not let myself become discourage and chicken out. Even while in pre-op surgery waiting room, I was experiencing so many emotions. But I did it. It was the hardest but best decision I ever made.

Dr. Yadegar's team including himself held my hand throughout the procedure until I went home. Even then they made phone calls to check on me. I can honestly say, I experienced no pain what so ever throughout the entire hospital stay. 2 hours after arriving in my room after surgery I was up walking the halls. In fact, on waking up in recovery, I didn't believe I had surgery. Except in surgery, I was always surrounded by familiar faces. I was told everything to expect in advance and there were no surprises. The energy after surgery was almost scary. The most difficult part of the entire hospital stay was trying to drink enough Water and getting the excess air out of my stomach. The answer to both of these problems were to walk. By day 3 I was walking over a mile within the hospital.

On arrival home, I soon became sick of the Protein shakes. Besides it was so difficult getting enough protein via shakes and drinking the required amount of water. Honestly I just did the best I could and continued to push it as much as possible. I wasn't hungry and just small amounts made me full. I walked my first morning home and have advanced to over 3 miles a day. Within the first 2 weeks I lost 30 pounds. I have been on a plateau for a week although I am losing inches. I started eating food. Never puréed but real food. No problems or issues although after a few bites I'm full. The reduction in food does take some adjustment.

I continue to read the forums. I will be happy when this plateau ends and I start losing again. I eat nothing like I used to. Before surgery I made comments about never being able to not drink during meals or chewing my food so well. These things came almost natural. I have no problem waiting 30 minutes before and after meals to drink liquid. And I noticed that I chew my food extremely well. If I can be a source of encouragement to pre-sleevers, I want everyone to know I was a bundle of nerves and I educated and prepared myself very well.yet, no one can predict what will happen in your circumstances. But if you follow all instructions given by your doctor, your surgery will be a success. Within 3 weeks I am off all blood pressure medications including the diuretic. My only issue now is looking for things to drink besides water and crystal lite. I am learning to live with my new stomach and finally feel that I have some control. Control of my eating and control of my life. I now have real solutions to my weight problem and I know it will be defeated.

I am so happy to hear that your fears were unfounded. Not everyone is that lucky - so I will just expect anything and everything. I think I will be more afraid as everything gets closer. Have you tried any Isopure or Mio water additives. The Isopure is 40g protein in 20oz - nd the Mio has no calories

Before surgery,I was so sure of my protein shakes, isopure, etc. I did all the taste tests and had a plan of action. Well 20 days on protein shakes solved that problem. And Isopure turned absolutely nasty after surgery. Funny, on one of my follow up visits, the entire waiting room felt the same way. We all admitted if we had to drink another protein shake we would puke. Maybe that's why our taste buds welcomed foods we hated before. Anything but a protein shake. Our Dr did not put us through a purée phase. So we were more than happy to welcome all foods that supplied protein. But we still had to do 2 shakes a day. Adding other sources besides shakes made you more thankful than anything you can imagine. It's only a few tablespoons at a time. But it's like having a present every time I eat. I now understand the meaning of being thankful for what you have.

Sorry to hear about the aversion to shakes. It is kind of rough having to drink them all the time. I have started making little thin ice cubes from isopure using ice cube trays. It is pretty good to crunch one every little while vs drinking the stuff. Keep on drinking the protein! Soon you will be on normal food and this will be a thing of the past.