I know that everyone is different but am wondering how long until you felt like yourself. Trying to schedule my surgery (band removal and sleeve) and am wondering if I should schedule it 2 weeks before a craft show or wait until after. My boys will do all my lifting.

Also I can't remember why I can't have coffee. I will follow the directions but would like to remember the rationale.

You will recover at your own rate. As you know everyone is different. On here there are some who returned to work in a week, went shopping, cleaned house and did gardening in a few days. I was on only broth and water, with a drain for 10 days. I had zero energy and besides walking around my house, didn't do much else. Coffee, it's supposed to cause dehydration. I had a serious coffee/caffeine addiction. I was strongly advised by my surgeon and NUT to give up the habit before surgery. Actually I was told to start the process when I met with the surgeon three months before my surgery. Of course I ignored them. Waited until my two week pre op diet and thought I was going to die. You don't want to be going through caffeine withdrawal symptoms when trying to recover from your surgery. Best.

How long until you feel like "yourself"? Well honestly, it took me 5 weeks. How long before I felt okay enough to do something like a craft show? I think at 2 weeks you should be fine. You WILL be tired though, so plan on that. Make sure you bring enough water/shakes for the day to stay hydrated. Oh, as far as caffeine goes, I have a half a cup every day, and switched to tea so I'm not getting as much. My NUT recommended none, but gosh darn it, I gave up a lot to have this surgery (smoking,for instance) and I wasn't about to give up my caffeine!

Well dang! That was my coffee plan!!

How long until you feel like "yourself"? Well honestly, it took me 5 weeks. How long before I felt okay enough to do something like a craft show? I think at 2 weeks you should be fine. You WILL be tired though, so plan on that. Make sure you bring enough water/shakes for the day to stay hydrated. Oh, as far as caffeine goes, I have a half a cup every day, and switched to tea so I'm not getting as much. My NUT recommended none, but gosh darn it, I gave up a lot to have this surgery (smoking,for instance) and I wasn't about to give up my caffeine!

I figure worst case scenario I could have one of my sons stay with me. And watch them eat the incredible yummiest all day

Edited October 6, 201411 yr by Marine mom

I would wait until after the craft show simply because you have no idea of how you are going to feel (every one is different) or of any complications that may arise.

We were told in our pre op classes that caffene will irritate your stomach where you were cut and stapled and that we shoud wait until we were completely healed. I waited about 8 weeks.

Edited October 6, 201411 yr by mick

You can't have coffee right away because caffeine is hard on your stomach. That's the reason people who drink like a pot a day end up with ulcers. I was allowed decaf coffee 10 days post-op and regular coffee 30 days post-op. But the regular coffee had to be mixed with milk and I was only allowed one cup a day to start.

Thanks all. Hmmmm I hate to wait.

Lol and it is a cruel truth re caffeine and coffee.

I love all teas including herbals so that will help.