My pcp suggested that I have the gastric sleeve and directed me to Dr. Stephen Malley in Kansas City. I watched his seminar online and then made my appointment and met with him on October 23rd. Time has been speeding by at a very fast pace since then. My surgery is scheduled for November 11th which is 8 days away. I had a heart attack (1 stent) in 2011 so Dr. Malley requires that I get a clearance from my cardiologist. I met with him on Friday and it did not go well. He wants me to take a stress test before surgery. I don't think it's covered by my insurance so that is why I am dragging my feet. I also feel "what will be, will be". I am a cash patient and all the prelim stuff I have had to do to get qualified is not included in the fee. I am less scared than I was yesterday, thanks to a late night chat on this site. My first question is about the chat rooms. Why are there 9 showing up in the chat rooms but nobody is available to chat? Next, is there a lot of pain associated with this? I do not like to take pain medication and if the pain isn't higher than a 7 (from 1-10) then I think I can deal with it. Then, I am extra emotional right now. I thought I read that that happened AFTER the surgery. I stop myself when I realize I'm feeling sorry for myself but feel weepy (sp?) and sometimes very much overwhelmed. I do not cook. I can cook but don't enjoy it. Just reading over the information, there doesn't seem like there is going to be anything that I can eat, once I get to that post surgery stage. I see that I can have yogurt and cottage cheese and I HATE both of those. Okay, I'm taking some deep breaths & changing the subject before I get myself worked up again. I DO plan to join a support group so I know that will be the extra help that I need to see me through. I am so appreciative of this group as well!!! Two of my sisters are not supportive and I don't know how the other 2 sisters feel. My DH is supportive and is paying for the sleeve but continues to eat in front of me. So hard. At the end, I am excited, I am happy to be this close to surgery and looking forward to getting healthier. I have also scheduled a date with my treadmill for today! (We're virtual strangers - lol). I hope I haven't written too much but my brain is overflowing. Thanks in advance for all your help!!!

I had my surgery on Sept. 11 and I'm not a pro at this but I can help with a few of your concerns! I cook less now than before surgery! As for not liking yogurt or cottage cheese, I didn't have a problem with yogurt but I hated cottage cheese before my surgery. However, after surgery I tried it and was soooo glad to have something to 'almost' chew that I started to really enjoy it! Canned chicken & tuna are great when you advance to that stage. Seafood has lots of protein, I like pre-cooked shrimp or crab with mashed potatoes...all microwavable! I still drink protein shakes too, there are lots of brands but l like Unjury (chocolate & chicken flavored). Eating really is easier that ya think! The pain after surgery I would say varies from person to person, I drank pain medicine for about a week after my surgery, a little less everyday but I still wanted/needed it, I hate pain!! My husband and this website are my support system, I didn't tell my sister or any other family members because I made my mind up to have this surgery and did not feel like discussing it with anyone. When he eats in front of me, it really doesn't both me much...I really want to loose this weight so I have my meals & he has his!!! Hope some of this helps! Good luck!

I am new to this support. I just had my sleeve on October 28th. I was to have the gasteric bypass but due to previous hernia surgeries they could not do the gasteric so they did the sleeve. Not very familar with the sleeve so any diet and info is greatly appreciated

First, thank you for your reply. I started a food diary today and will add all your tips to it so when the time comes, I'll be able to utilize your great suggestions. I am the same way you were - my mind is made up and I don't want my sisters' input. Jim was stuffing candy bars down his gullet so that's probably why it was hard to take. I LOVE CHOCOLATE.

SDH, where do you buy the Unjury (chocolate & chicken flavored)? I saw a link at the top of this page but thought I'd ask around first before I jumped in and bought it.

My docs office sold it but I went straight to their website to buy mine. http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/

Good Luck on your surgery....if yours goes as well as mine you will be just fine....I had NO PAIN at all after.....( but I think they dosed me up through the IV. The first day. The day of the surgery I was not scared or nervous at all. I can say I don't remember much of anything at all. I remembering seeing my doctor in the hall before I got gowned up....and I remember talking to him in the pre op room......but I don't remember getting the IV's started (I had two) or talking to nurses, anesthesia drs, ...and after surgery I don't remember anything till the next day.....and I was awake, talking to my family, and walking the hallway .....lol ...the information my kids could have gotten out of me could have been dangerous...lol....but I had a wonderful experience and would do the surgery again in a heartbeat. I am down 30 pounds and am not going to stop until I hit 150 ... You can do it to!

I am sure we will hit little stall or derailments off the right track ...but as soon as you realize what is wrong , fix it and go faster and harder you can blow through the stall ...just ALWAYS get your Protein have a "stall"of sorts ...I was taking on Water because my Aunt Flo was coming for a a few days ....but as soon as she left the weight soon dropped !!

I am on the happy happy train to my exit at 145 (or150)

After my stall I lost 5 pounds must have been thar monthly excess fluids us women get....

But after her added weight I was thrilled but Dr Gluck in Muskegon...said I was doing everything exactly right and I may see this same episode every month so don't worry about it like I did....lol