Hello

[Gr8bowler 43]

Hi everyone,

My name is Wayne. I will be getting my sleeve procedure done next month. I am extremely excited to get it done but also a little nervous. I figured I would join a forum and see how it went for others and to get any tips that would help along the way. I look forward to reading everyones stories and start a new chapter of my own story and life.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Welcome! If you poke around these forums, you are bound to come across lots of stories, advice, and answers to questions. Do you have any specific questions right now? I can tell you a little bit about my experience so far.

I was sleeved on Sept. 1 (6 months ago yesterday!). I have turned out to be a "slow loser", which I was initially very frustrated about, but have come to embrace. I realized that this is diet or a race. I will never be "done" with my sleeve. So if it takes me 6 months or 16 months to get to goal, what does it matter? 10 years from now, if I am happy and healthy and maintaining my weight, will it really matter what date I hit goal?

That is the number one lesson I would like to pass along to all new sleevers. PATIENCE! It is soooo hard to be patient, but it's what is required. Leading up to your sleeve, you are so anxious to just have it done, and it's tough to be patient. Then once you are sleeved, the first few weeks are so rough and you are so miserable and wondering if you will ever feel normal again. Those weeks require some SERIOUS patience! Then you have the weight loss itself... it might come off fast in the beginning, but you will hit stalls or just see it slow way down, even though you are working SO HARD and doing everything right. That's where the patience really comes in, because it gets easier and easier to go off track.... skip some exercise here... eat a cookie instead of your Protein there.... You think, "if being perfect isn't working, then why bother?" But it IS working... it's just not working as quickly as you might want. Be patient!

[Gr8bowler 43]

Thanks for the advice! Patience has always been a strong suit of mine. My biggest question/concern right now is the post op. Im curious how long it will take me to get back to work and all. I am hoping im able to do it quickly because I do not have a lot of time available to take. I do have a physicaly easy job (I work in surveillance at a casino) and pain usually isnt an issue, but its the other factors I worry about.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Thanks for the advice! Patience has always been a strong suit of mine. My biggest question/concern right now is the post op. Im curious how long it will take me to get back to work and all. I am hoping im able to do it quickly because I do not have a lot of time available to take. I do have a physicaly easy job (I work in surveillance at a casino) and pain usually isnt an issue, but its the other factors I worry about.

The recommended time off seems to be about 2 weeks. Some people feel great very quickly post-op and I have heard stories of people having their surgery on say a Wednesday or Thursday and returning to work the following Monday. To me that seems pretty insane, but some people just have it easier than others. I personally was off work for two full weeks. I had my surgery on Monday, Sept. 1 and went back to work on Tuesday Sept. 16. It was rough. I was not in pain, but I was very fatigued. I just have a desk job and by the end of the day I was exhausted and all I could do was collapse on the couch when I got home.

I think part of the difference might be diet. My nutritionist still had me on full liquids until 18 days post op. It's hard to get a lot of calories and nutrients on full liquids and I definitely noticed a marked improvement in my energy level once I was allowed soft foods and purees. That's not to say it was easy then either, but it was EASIER. It was a long while before I was able to get enough calories in to truly sustain me.

[Gr8bowler 43]

I appreciate the advice. I have my pre op appointment 3/16. I am trying to diet now to help with the 2 week pre op diet im sure they will give me there.

Just wanted to say congrats on your sucess. Im looking forward to the surgery but also a little nervous. I am sure I will be given a lot of information on my pre op appointment, but I wish they would have given me more information like how long i may be in the hospital and stuff.

[sallyomalley67 77]

Most hospital stays are 1-3 days barring no complications other than perhaps a hernia repair. I was in for 2 days. Could have left at 1 day but chose to stay. I was one of the crazy ones that went back to work a few days after surgery. Wrong move. I made it thru about 3 days and slept non stop for a few days. Took this next week off. Its not the pain. Its the lack of energy as he said. Good luck! Keep us updated on your progress!

[Gr8bowler 43]

Just had my final appointment before surgery! Papers are signed and I'm ready to go. Can't wait! Curious how much other people who got the sleeve lost. I know everyone is different but was just curious

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Just had my final appointment before surgery! Papers are signed and I'm ready to go. Can't wait! Curious how much other people who got the sleeve lost. I know everyone is different but was just curious

Everyone is definitely different! There are soooooo many factors: age, starting weight, gender, genetics, existing medical conditions, mobility, and of course, COMPLIANCE. I have worked very very hard for every pound lost and I have "only" lost 50 pounds in almost 7 months. Some people lose close to that in ONE month! Here's a calculator that can help you estimate your loss based on averages for your height, weight, age, race, and medical conditions:

https://www.realize.com/do-i-qualify/potential-results/comparison

[Gr8bowler 43]

Thanks! I'm hoping to get to a goal weight of around 230. I'm at 340 now. The heaviest I have ever been...but excited for this new journey

[Elode 8,093]

Hello and welcome to the group!

[Gr8bowler 43]

Thank you. I look forward to the journey and support this group has to offer

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

@@waynejr83 Hi! you mentioned your surgery was next month. April what? Mine is April 23rd. I have 1 week of liquids pre-op. (I feel fortunate that it is only 1 week). One concern for me would be the 2nd hand smoke at the casino. Are you among the crowd or up in a secret room looking at tv screens? (I just quit smoking a year ago, so smoke of any kind "freaks" me out). I don't want to be around it because it was such a horrible addiction for me, but also from what I've heard about not healing due to the nicotine, which is why I quit so early in my process. My employer will allow 4 weeks off (1st week of pto then 3 weeks at 100% pay Short Term Disability pay) So, I'm opting for the most time possible, to re-learn new eating habits. I don't think I could concentrate on myself and doing what I'm supposed to be doing if I was at work. Someone is filling in for me, so I have no issues with not being there. They say it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Drinking all the Water, eating Protein first, not drinking while eating.....those are all things I have tried to do pre-op, but admit I have not done great. I am hopeful that once I am not hungry, and recovering from the surgery, it will sink in. I am a rule follower, so I am imagining I will do well. I used to be a "champion" dieter, just not a champion at keeping it off. This will be my lifesaver, thanks to all the support I get here, and from other support groups I belong to. Oh, and my hubs.....who will help keep me on track. All the best to you on your journey to great health!

Edited March 29, 2015 by wannaBthinsoon

[Gr8bowler 43]

I am not on the casino floor so I will not have any issues with second hand smoke.

My surgery date is April 13th and I have a one week pre op diet which starts April 6th