Please share things that you wish someone had told you BEFORE you got your sleeve....

Don't buy expensive clothing on the way down. I had pants that had outgrown me before I had even taken off the tags. I learned pretty quick though. Thrift shop became second home.

That makes sense. Thank you.

That the weight would come off very slow and I have to diet and exercise like I did before to see any weight loss

about this 15 years ago... just wish I had done this sooner.

Early recovery was scary for me. It was like logic and reasoning about the chance for complications got completely screwed in my head and I was so afraid of leaks, strictures, infections, etc etc even though I wasn't before the surgery. There were moments I was terrified. I totally overshopped and will have a life time supply of Gatorade. Going to the store a couple days after wasn't bad- you don't need to stockpile

Negatives

No rest in the hospital at all!

Gas pains were really rough!!

The drink for the post-op leak test is terrible!

I just want to have a bite of something!

As much as I like Water, it's hard getting in that much!

Crushed up pills for 1 week are the worst!!

The bruised feeling is rough too!

People talk about food way too much!

Positives

I can get out of the floor much easier with some belly gone!

My belly and face are already way smaller!

I've already went from 20+ jeans to 16!!!! Yay

Before weight 259

Surgery weight 244

Current weight 235

Surgery date 8/28/13

Jerseyslved- I feel you on that. Every so often fear creeps in but I quickly dismiss it.

ALittler09- Seems like gas is a common problem. What'd you do to relieve it?

You don't need to pack a lot for the hospital! Wear very loose clothes to the hospital you can wear them home. Only bring your toiletries, Gas X, and phone. You will only be able to use a hospital gown because of the IV and they give you socks with grippers on them before surgery. You can use another hospital gown as a robe so your hiney won't be out for everyone to see when you take your walks.

I wish someone would have have told me how awesome being sleeved was and how in a year I would weigh 164 pounds less! Oh well I probably wouldn't have believed them anyway.

Jerseyslved- I feel you on that. Every so often fear creeps in but I quickly dismiss it.

ALittler09- Seems like gas is a common problem. What'd you do to relieve it?

For gas walk walk walk. other good suggestions above are great.

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Jerseyslved- I feel you on that. Every so often fear creeps in but I quickly dismiss it.

ALittler09- Seems like gas is a common problem. What'd you do to relieve it?

I did not try the gas x, I just walked, walked, and walked. Before they would let me up to walk, I was so uncomfortable, I just tossed and turned in the bed!!

I was up every 2 hours though after they let me, and I would walk several laps around the med/surg floor..lol

They told me that I've been the only patient to get up and be that motivated...I have a good motivation though...16year old and 9 month old!!

Amanda

I did not try the gas x, I just walked, walked, and walked. Before they would let me up to walk, I was so uncomfortable, I just tossed and turned in the bed!!

I was up every 2 hours though after they let me, and I would walk several laps around the med/surg floor..lol

They told me that I've been the only patient to get up and be that motivated...I have a good motivation though...16year old and 9 month old!!

Amanda

Whoops this quote thing is new to me…

What about this draining tube I see on posts elsewhere? Did my of you have it?

No drain tube for me, the only thing extra I had was a Picc line, due to me having terrible veins...my doctor didn't want them trying to put in an IV a dozen times the morning of surgery....and that was easy stuff too!

Don't get me wrong I was a nervous wreck about this surgery, I prayed and prayed about it, but after it was all over, it was really a piece of cake!!

Amanda

No drain tube for me, the only thing extra I had was a Picc line, due to me having terrible veins...my doctor didn't want them trying to put in an IV a dozen times the morning of surgery....and that was easy stuff too!

Don't get me wrong I was a nervous wreck about this surgery, I prayed and prayed about it, but after it was all over, it was really a piece of cake!!

Amanda

Yes that sounds like me. I'm terrified of surgery mostly because i have sleep apnea.