Hey everyone,

I am so excited to get going on this weight loss journey. I feel like I have tried so many other things but with this I feel I can have long term success! I got a bug to get it done and had my first doctor appt. Oct. 17th and it felt like it took forever to get scheduled but it really wasn't very long I guess. I am anxious to get it over with.

Scared of pain, wondering what I will eat. Anyone have any favorite Protein powders? I hear they will be my friend. The only ones I tried in the past were yucky! What about shakes? I like Optifast but they are pricey. Any decent ones out there?

Hoping for some buddies to go through this with me!

Chris.

Headed home. I have only had very little pain, but gas bubbles are the worst. Can't wait for the rest to work its way out.

Yes, the gas pain has been intense for me in my chest and back. I've been walking since the afternoon of my surgery and it has gotten minimally better. It's very hard to swallow liquids in the smallest amounts. I know it will get better, but I pray it's sooner than later.

Myssjones try drinking warm drinks or broths it helps the gas come out.

Two days post op. Came home after one night. First day and night were rough. Woke up today sore but overall not too bad. Took my pain meds after the nurse called. I was trying to tough it out. Worst pain are the incisions on the right side. I have heard of people using heating pads. Anyone tried it yet? I thought it might hurt. I managed 24 oz. of water, 2 cups of decaf tea and about a half cup of broth today. Funny how different the post op diets are too!

You've done very well with your intake. I can only do a 4-5 sips per hour. I think I may have gotten a total of 16oz down today. It's definitely a struggle. I'm going to try the gas x strips tomorrow.

Yes i have that pain on the right, it hurts when sitting down so I try to walk it off has helped.

I am so glad to be home! The nap I took today on my OWN bed in my own sheets and with my own pillow was AWESOME!

Hospitals are noisy - the IV machine I had to name and pretend it was my own personal frogs peeping. The bed can get ready for lift off to Mars at any time and does prepare for take off, and the compression boots - well if you make them loose you can pretend it is your dog cuddling up to your feet.

I did it! All is well and I feel pretty good. The transition from the pain med drip to oral was a bit rougher than I expected. It also coincided with my first "meal" of pureed chicken and a tablespoon of asparagus soup that was strained. I think hurting and seeing that food combined into "what have I done?" I am supposed to live on THAT? It tasted good, I ate until I was burpy. Telling when I am full is being a challenge, I have never been able to burp and I am not sure I can now! New skill to be mastered?

If you stand with great posture and your tummy firm it hurts less when you walk. My hiatal hernia repair has actually hurt the worst - especially when I got coughing last night and I could breathe in smell of anesthesia. I think my lungs needed a good clean out of all that anesthesia and it just happened when I was low on pain meds.

Things learned so far....I need a check off list for all the meds and when they are due for me. I am doing better than I think I am on both drinking and eating. Trying to burp hurts.

Any suggestions on taking the capsules you break open and sprinkle on food? They are a new level of nasty so far and I hated wasting a bite on such a bitter pill as the ursolidaol is.

I am awaiting to take my pain meds and go to bed. I am planning on waking tonight to take them when due. If you are in pain you don't heal as fast or well as your body is too busy coping with the pain. Take you pain meds my friends there is NO advantage to toughing it out!

I am glad to be on this side. My family loves my scars and thinks they look like stab wounds LOL! the bruising is pretty awesome. I should state, I never looked at where the scars were going to be or what was involved before surgery. I just didn't want to know. It has been a fun surprise and I am glad to have had the surprise now.

Myssjones try drinking warm drinks or broths it helps the gas come out.

Thank you. The warm drinks have helped.

Congrats on making it to the other side, EverLearning! I'm surprised you can have puréed foods already. I can't have them until 3weeks post op. Which probably a good thing because I'm so nauseous sometimes I can't stand the smell of food.

Many blessings with your recovery!

I'm trying to drink at least two warm drinks a day along with all that water. Tried some broth last night. Don't really feel like a sweet popsicle. Not as much pain today, little better all the time. This is day 3 post op for me.

Benji you can buy gas-x stips most anywhere. Kmart, Walmart, Target, CVS. I'm not having much in the way of gas pains. I do get a pain across the top of my belly which I believe is gas pain. It comes in waves.

Down a total of 12 pounds since my preop diet! Can't wait to see more pounds drop off!

I was so pumped full of IV fluids in the hospital I weighed the same as I had BEFORE my preop diet! I am looking forward to weighing tomorrow - I hope my kidneys have caught up by then.

Glad to hear everyone is doing well - does anyone have a hard time getting out of bed? I'm afraid I'm using my stomach too much

Yes, I have to brace myself before getting out of bed. Just feels like I did a thousand sit-ups on my right side

I have pain getting out of bed too... I am not getting in enough liquid. So far today I drank 5oz of water and 6oz of protein shake (42 g).... How is everyone else doing with water?

Davis this is Michelle from Greenwich .... How are you doing? Feeling better? I have a crazy question... Kate said to make one 9oz shake in the morning and then split it into 3 servings.... Do you think I can make 3 - 3oz shakes?

My surgery if 9 Dec. 19th for gastric sleeve. Found out I'm lactose intolerant, finally switch shakes to free and feeling better bowel wise. Finished off with another 2 miles walking and 30 mins aquatic workout this morning. List is done except wrapping Christmas gifts & rest of cards to send out. Looking forward to the new me for the New Year!

Davis this is Michelle from Greenwich .... How are you doing? Feeling better? I have a crazy question... Kate said to make one 9oz shake in the morning and then split it into 3 servings.... Do you think I can make 3 - 3oz shakes?

Hi Michelle - I'm doing better each day - I think she said make 9oz because we are putting 2 scoops of protein in the shake & it's easier to get the correct grams ? As long as you think you can get the correct grams by making 3 individual shakes it should be fine - I have been pouring my shake into a 3oz jello cup - I'm also using that same cup for water - how are you doing?