I am starting this so all of us who are beginning 2013 in a big way can share stories, advice and experiences.

My surgery date is 1/21/13 and this has been a year long journey for me. I began last December with a physical and my Dr. and I decided it was time. I had to go through 6 months of weigh-ins and visits with the nutritionist before I was even allowed to see the surgeon. I finally met him in July and then was given a whole new list of tests and appointments that needed to be done. My insurance finally approved me earlier this month, but only for surgery after January 1, so January 21st it is.

I am so excited to start this journey and thank you all in advance for sharing your experiences here!

I am doing great' date=' I do not seem to be having the problems other's state. Absolutely no nausea my intake is way above the 64oz mark. No pain only minimal to my left incision. I have been walking about 2 miles a day without problems. I feel energized. I am still on Clear liquids till Wed. then advance to full. I hope it stays this way.[/quote']

When was ur surgery? Mine was the 9th... I can nit get that much Water down!!

Can't sleep. It's 12:21am and I have to be at the hospital at 5:15am. Insomnia and nerves and hunger are a bitch! I need to be up by 4:45am. I'm already nervous; I have butterflies! There's a lot of fear of the unknown. How bad will the pain be? How strong am I? Fear of the unknown is what gets people to stumble' date=' but not me. I know I need to do this. Sometimes I'll think in my head, "wow, this is drastic means, do I really have to do this?" And then I think about failed diet attempts since 7th grade, my struggle with eating disorders, my health...and I realize this surgery is an answer for me...it's a way out, and it's the only way. Well, I guess I'll see you all on the loser's bench. Nothing worth having is easy![/quote']

The pain will be pain, u will deal, it will be worth it. Simple as that. Yes its something we all thought may not cone, was just a dream... Here we r, faced to be strong. We will NOT allow this to be just another failed attempt. This tool will be the last we need to make our weightloss successful!! Put all them second thought demobs aside, and know you r doing the right thing and will succeed!!!

When was ur surgery? Mine was the 9th... I can nit get that much Water down!!

Mine was the 9 th, was hard the first 12 hours then it got easier.

Mine was the 9 th' date=' was hard the first 12 hours then it got easier.[/quote']

Awesome!! R u on Facebook? Im on a support group on there, you should look it up. Called "I'mperfect GROUP" it has several people at different stages and we chat daily for support. Its a group not a page, so look for the group!! Anyone reading this should join us!!

When was ur surgery? Mine was the 9th... I can nit get that much Water down!!

Everybody is different. But you really have to start of slow and just drink. Forget those 1 oz cups if you're still using them. Just take a bottle of water, flavored water and take sips. More sips than every 15 minutes. it has to be more like every three to 5 minutes. Eventually you'll be able to take larger sips/drinks. Just remember the new pouch is like a funnel, water doesn't stay in it long at all. It basically funnels right on through it. So no harm in stretching it.

Gen :-) 12/15/12

Hi! I'm recovering...had surgery at 7am and also they had to fix a hiatial hernia, which I was not aware of. I walked 3 times. Pain is very uncomfortable and my mouth is so dry....thy may be the worst part!

Had revision surgery on Monday. Just now feeling like messing around on the phone and turning on the tv. Because the revision is more complicated and the healing process a bit different the doc says I'll probably be in the hospital until Thursday or Friday. Im walking often and finally allowed to drink. The dry cotton mouth was probably the worst ever! Hope this finds everyone doing well. Do us Jan. Folks have a post op board? Where can i find it? Don't laugh for the stupid question... Its the pain meds. take care and prayers for you guys!

Hi! I'm recovering...had surgery at 7am and also they had to fix a hiatial hernia' date=' which I was not aware of. I walked 3 times. Pain is very uncomfortable and my mouth is so dry....thy may be the worst part![/quote']

I'm so glad you are doing well. You've been on my mind all day. Has the walking helped with the gas pain?

I'm so glad you are doing well. You've been on my mind all day. Has the walking helped with the gas pain?

Thank youuuu <3 Ehh, kinda. I've walked 4 times today. What helps me is the pain killers and burping lol

Hi! I'm recovering...had surgery at 7am and also they had to fix a hiatial hernia' date=' which I was not aware of. I walked 3 times. Pain is very uncomfortable and my mouth is so dry....thy may be the worst part![/quote']

Glad to hear it went well lovealways! The discomfort is not fun- I feel for you! Chap stick is your friend! They gave me ice chips to help with the dry mouth but the cold cramped my stomach- it was such a tease staring at the ice melt lol! Good job walking! I sure did notice how much movement helped everything ( pain, flexibility, gas and discomfort). Keep it up girl! Put holes in those slippers from the laps!

Hello same here just summited the paper work to my ins to see they approve it I hope so I am kind of scared and excited i have heard that you will lose your hair

just got my letter of approval from my insurance company today... so excited. just don't know what is meant by the admission date on it. can anyone help me with that?

Congrats I am new to this a friend told me about this site I just waiting my approval from my ins company ????

Hi! I'm recovering...had surgery at 7am and also they had to fix a hiatial hernia' date=' which I was not aware of. I walked 3 times. Pain is very uncomfortable and my mouth is so dry....thy may be the worst part![/quote']

Popsicles will help the dry mouth. They were heaven sent for me n my dry mouth :-)

Gen :-) 12/15/12

Hi! I'm recovering...had surgery at 7am and also they had to fix a hiatial hernia' date=' which I was not aware of. I walked 3 times. Pain is very uncomfortable and my mouth is so dry....thy may be the worst part![/quote']

Love I'm layin here in the hospital thinkin of u & all ur kind words to all of us! Your on the downhill side now, congrats!! Happy healing to all, I can't wait to go home!! I had the upper GI this am & wow...the taste of barium is far worse than anyone can imagine! Yulk!!! All is well though, I'm drinking 30 cc's/hr, peeing & walking. I'm rocking the SCD's in bed & doing lousy on the insensible spirometer but none the less I'm doing it : / watching movies to pass the time on my tab but its just not home : / I have 5 puncture incisions. Night all

Love I'm layin here in the hospital thinkin of u & all ur kind words to all of us! Your on the downhill side now' date=' congrats!! Happy healing to all, I can't wait to go home!! I had the upper GI this am & wow...the taste of barium is far worse than anyone can imagine! Yulk!!! All is well though, I'm drinking 30 cc's/hr, peeing & walking. I'm rocking the SCD's in bed & doing lousy on the insensible spirometer but none the less I'm doing it : / watching movies to pass the time on my tab but its just not home : / I have 5 puncture incisions. Night all[/quote']

Congratulations your on the lossers bench. So happy for you & hang in there you'll do great