Would love to have some of you April sleevers friend me so we can follow each other along on this journey!!! Congrats to all of the Success stories out there and I can't wait to be among you!

Hello from the pre-op room! Got my IV in, compression socks and pump squeezing away, warm blankets and I'm ready! I'm here alone physically asking God to be by my side here and now. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I'm keeping myself from getting too nervous by logging into here and Facebook. So, stuff I brought with me; mouth moisturizer spray, throat lozenger, gas-x strips, chap stick, lotion, baby wipes, pillow, small comfy blanket, robe, and my regular loose clothing. Oh! And my ipad and cell phone. So far nurses and surgeon assistant are so kind and attentive. "We will take good care of you" are comforting words. See you on the "lighter" side! Ps) thx for being here for me!!

wishing you all the best, you will do fine...

Sending hugs… I have 9 more days before my surgery…. Im nervous n excited..

Edited April 15, 201412 yr by RoseZ

Best wishes to all having surgery today! Keep us updated please.

Out of surgery. Theses gas pains are no joke! Drank a little water. Burping like crazy! Hope everyone is well Today

Edited April 15, 201412 yr by JustMeJFD

Out of surgery. Theses gas pains are no joke! Drank a little water. Burping like crazy! Hope everyone is well Today

Glad you are doing well. Thanks for checking in! Anyone else? Tell us how you're feeling! Inquiring minds want to know.

Wow they let u take sips already?

I started my preop diet finally found Protein shake I like. Surgery date is April 23. Excited and scared.

Do You mind sharing what Protein Shake that is..... That has been the hardest part for me can't find one descent enough to tolerate ugh !!!! And I'm usually not that picky .

Butting into your conversation here but you might check out Syntrax nectar -- they are available online or at the Vitamin Shoppe (100 cal/23G Protein/No sugar). I also like Bluebonnet's whey of LIfe (at my healthfood store) 100cal/19g/3g sugar.

Depending what your pre-op diet is (everyone seems a little different), you could try an unflavored isolate mixed into broth, make Jell-o with it or add decaf instant coffee, or any sugar free Torani coffee syrups so you get what you like. My trouble is everything with Splenda/sucralose -- I don't like sweet things. So pre-op is pretty challenging. Stick with it - I'm going in on April 21st....just six more days!

Butting into your conversation here but you might check out Syntrax Nectar -- they are available online or at the Vitamin Shoppe (100 cal/23G Protein/No sugar). I also like Bluebonnet's Whey of LIfe (at my healthfood store) 100cal/19g/3g sugar. Depending what your pre-op diet is (everyone seems a little different), you could try an unflavored isolate mixed into Broth, make Jell-o with it or add decaf instant coffee, or any sugar free Torani coffee syrups so you get what you like. My trouble is everything with Splenda/sucralose -- I don't like sweet things. So pre-op is pretty challenging. Stick with it - I'm going in on April 21st....just six more days!

Thank you and good luck !!! I'm on May 9 still a little ways to go but almost there lol

Hello, I'm April 7

Hi! April 7th as well. How's it going?

I heard you cant drink anything until the next day… .is that correct

Rose I think it's different for everyone. I had to wait to pass my leak test the next day. I did not miss drinking the rest of the like I thought I would. I did beg to brush my teeth if I promised to spit. The nurse laughed and allowed it.

I heard you cant drink anything until the next day… .is that correct

It depends on your surgeon. For instance, my surgeon only requires one day of liquids prior to surgery. He also wants his patients to start drinking as soon as they are good and awake. He doesn't require the leak test, because he does a double suture line during the surgery. Always best to follow your own surgeons instructions. :-)

God early morning from the pro-op room! All went fantastic from beginning to current. It's 1:30 am and can't sleep; I was extremely sedated and it has not worn off yet. My conversations with family were nothing but lullaby songs because I kept falling asleep.

Well sleever buddies, how are y'all holding up?

It's 4:17 on this side of the US and I'm up. In and out of sleep. My surgery was schld for 9 am 4.15.14. Didn't go back till about 10:15 & at 11:30 I was done! Bad thing is they didn't have a room for me. They kept me in Recovery until about 6:30!!!! My son was panicking bc they wouldn't let him back to see me (too young) and after no visitors the first 2 hrs they let one an hour for 5 minutes.

Over all I feel pretty good. I've been using my pain pump and have gone on 3 walks so far. The gas is creeping up on me. Feels much better when they can give me the meds for it but I was begging for it around 1 am and had to wait til 2 am.

I've had the burp sensation but it felt like fluids coming up so I'm assuming it's the acid reflux which is to be expected.

I washed my face and brushed my teeth after getting in my room and felt much better. They won't let me drink til my swallow test in the morning so I'm putting ice chips in my mouth and spitting out. I'm not hungry just thirsty as all get out!!!

I'll be here til Thursday and then will be released home.

OH!! Did I mention I was soooo dehydrated I got poked FIVE TIMES for ivs??? Had to have 2 sites. Ended up calling in a guy who works with the heart unit, he was a pro!! That being said OVERLY drink Water on your last day!!!!!!! So important.

Out of surgery. Theses gas pains are no joke! Drank a little water. Burping like crazy! Hope everyone is well Today

Almost 24 hours since surgery! Feeling a little better as i have been walking around and got to brush my teeth. Have to get down 8 oz of water in an hour to go home so working in that today. Every sip i take I can feel in my throat. Scared of vomiting because that would hurt my abdomen.