Someone who was about to get their surgery just messaged me, asking how I was doing since they were very nervous. I wrote out my response and then thought others might also want to read about how thrilled I am that I did this. So the rest of this post is my response message.

This is so awesome! Already the best decision I've ever made. Calm your nerves and start dreaming, because they are going to come true.

Ok, I'll give a fuller, totally honest answer so you can assess the situation yourself.

The surgery itself went extremely well. The surgeon said there was almost no blood and the whole thing took only about 30 minutes. But I was terrified ahead of time, being wheeled into that operating room. Right afterwards, I thought I made a huge mistake cause the pain was pretty great. But that level of pain only lasted a few hours. By 11 that night I was face timing my parents so they could witness that I was no longer in a lot of pain.

I was amazed how fast the pain went from a wrecking ball to very easy to handle. During the tough time just try and remember it gets better very very soon. I had been told that I would be in the hospital for one or two nights, but when I woke up after that first night, I knew I would be getting out that day. The pain was minor and I had the energy and will to make sure I met every goal to be allowed to leave. I would go on walks every two hours, dragging my IV behind me.

The one really tough hurdle in the hospital was they wanted me to drink specific amounts of Water every hour. I was so over hydrated by the IV's that the thought of more water was repulsive. Then it hurts a little to take each sip. But I made every hours goal, and was released at about 6pm.

The next day I was chipper and with my pain meds, totally comfortable. I walked up and down stairs and all about the house. Sitting or standing up was difficult, but once erect I could do anything. One really shocking thing was when I first got back from the hospital, I got on my scale just to see and had actually gained 9 pounds from all the water. So I spent the next couple days peeing more than any human should.

By the second day I was skipping pain meds and on the morning of the third day I stopped taking them completely. There just is no reason for me to take them cause I have very little pain. Mostly just soreness in the belly. On the third day I also started going for long walks each day.

Oh, the first full day home I made a promise to myself that no matter how uncomfortable it was, I was going to make my water goals and Protein goals that day. It was tough, but by the end of that day swallowing was easier and by day three it was very easy.

So far I'm 7 days post surgery and down 14lbs, plus the all that water weight. It's already noticeable in my face and how some clothes fit.

This process is awesome! I was driving and had to pull over because I was having tears of joy, which it's been 15 years since the last I had a happy cry. I just made a realization that I was deserving and ready for the happy parts of life and for a truly new beginning.

Good luck, I really hope your surgery goes as well as mine. I know that regardless of the ease or pain over the beginning, eventually you will be past the hard parts, time always marches on. And when it does, you will will be standing there with a beautiful smile, looking at the new life you worked so hard to accomplish.

Please keep me up to date.

Edited February 1, 201511 yr by Eli Alexander

Thank you Eli. I am on this journey alone, so these boards are all I have related to this. I have finally found a comfortable position - where I am sipping while doing calf exercises. I do laps around the apt every other commercial. It's taking me about 7 hours to get in 20oz of Water. I expect this to slowly get easier each day.

I am really proud of myself for doing this. As I was freaking out in the pre-op area I kept repeating in my head that I am doing this for my health and I am extending my life AND significantly improving the quality of the life that I have, I just have to survive this first week.

At this point next year I will be in a significantly better position that now, I just need to keep the eye in the prize.

Blooming, 20oz in 7 hours is actually pretty good for your first day back. It seems so crazy that drinking should be so difficult, but that's just how it is. My guess is that if you are already doing this, tomorrow you will make your liquid goal. Make sure to get extra sleep, I think it really helps. Your body has just been through a lot, giving it time to recover is required. But a few days from now, wow, you are going to be amazed how quickly recovery actually takes place.

I have family and friends who have helped me in this process, but none of them actually know what it's like to be going through this situation. So these forums were huge for me too. That's why I try and repay the kindness I received by chatting with others who might need an ear to bend or a silver lining to focus on.

And it's pretty easy to point out the positives because they are staring me in the face. I'm down 17lbs 11 days after surgery. That's massive. My sister is coming to visit on the 13th of February, I am really looking forward to her reaction. I saw her over halloween when I was at my fattest, about 44lbs more than I am now. And in a couple weeks I could push that to 55 pounds hopefully. It's going to be nice to share my success with her.

Anyway, keep it up, stay positive and plan for fun adventures.

BloomingLotus you are not alone. We will get through this together! My surgery is February 18. Eli you are such a great support and have such a tender caring way about you! Thank you both!

Thank you jovie.

Congrats on the approaching date. How are you doing? At your point I was a big mess of emotions, excited and petrified all stirred up in one giant diet gumbo. Now, I'm just excited every day. Don't get me wrong, it's hard to eat correctly and there are moments of distress, but so many more highlights. Mirrors aren't my enemy and stairs are my friend. Pretty fun.

I had my sleeve on Friday 1/30/15 had a tough time in recovery with my BP never been a problem prior to surgery.

Made it to my room at 2:30 walked from my room door to bed and got sick..after some nausea medication I was feeling good.. Dr ordered nothing by mouth until 5am.,I have never wanted Water so bad..

Walked the entire floor at 9pm for a total of 3000 steps.. It really helped with the gas pains.

5am finally .,,I needed to drink 60cc of water, broth or diluted apple juice every hour..proud to say I exceeded the goal.. No pain or nausea.

I was discharged at 3pm yesterday.., the ride home was bumpy. I camped out downstairs in a recliner.., walked throughout the night..still tackling the 60cc.. Added Protein shake..

Sunday I chilled; while my husband and children went to get their praise on. Showered, cleaned out the refrigerator.. Began praising God for the new lease on life...

I feel great have a plan to make sure I get all fluids and protein in for the next two weeks. I am measuring out my daily allowance in the medicine cups per hour.

I feel so good I managed to lose 3 lbs from day of surgery. Being on two week pre op protein diet has given me the advantage over my new life style change.

Can't wait to see where I will be in 90 days.,,I am posting my first day after surgery [

attachment=51294:ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1422814948.473242.jpg]

Congratulations! Wow, sounds like you are one determined woman. Great way to tackle this. Share all the little victories with your kids if they are old enough, it will be a joy for everyone and a great example of how to conquer life's obstacles. Keep posting and fill us in on your progress.

Double post

Edited February 1, 201511 yr by Eli Alexander

@thetaxlayd

LOVE your pic! I will take one as soon as I can after. I think they will prove to be priceless to us in a few months! So glad to hear you are rocking' this thing! I am scheduled Feb. 4, send some of your praise my way please!

Wow mdlange, congrats on being right there, about to join the brother and sisterhood of sleevers. My encouragement comes from me weighing in this morning. 13 days after the surgery, I have zero pain, in fact all my nagging knee pain is even gone, and i'm down 20lbs since surgery. Holy moly I get excited every morning to stand on that scale and see the progress. It's like Pat Sajak and Vanna White letting me spin the wheel to see what I win each day.

You are going to love the confidence this restores in you. I know I have a renewed sense of pride, sense of accomplishment and it shows. What we are doing isn't easy. It's a lot of work just to get where you are today. All those hoops, all that dieting, and now the tough but well-worth step of surgery and the dread surrounding that. It makes our survival and thriving that much more substantial.

Keep your head and know that if you have strength to get this far you have all the moxie and gumption you need to come through the other side in full glory. We are all with you on the forth. I know I'll be rooting for you. And just keep pushing forward. The fear subsides, the pain vanishes, but the heart and soul of a lion (a thin lion) will remain.

Good luck, we are here for you.

Edited February 2, 201511 yr by Eli Alexander

@@Eli Alexander , Thank you! I needed that pep talk!

Hi Eli. It's funny you mentioned the emotions at this point. Just today I was thinking to myself "what have I done"!?!? Do I really want to go through this? Maybe I'll just stick to the pre-op diet forever! But I soon snapped out of it and am excited again for surgery!

Well Jovie, this sure is a roller coaster of emotions, it's crazy pre op how frequently most of us have major doubts. But almost everyone post op, given enough time, says they made a terrific choice.

Today was my first day back at the gym and I feel great. One thing this surgery has done for me is helped set my mind towards always wanting to improve. That hasn't always been the case, but if I'm going to do something so drastic as major surgery, I'm going to give it my all. And I think this is true for many people. All the sudden we become more goal oriented. And that's one of the keys for me personally to use the surgery as a catalyst towards building a more fulfilling and happy life.