Hi everyone,

I just got my surgery date today. July 30, 2015. I'm 25 and psyched but a little nervous, naturally. I'm trying to plan.. What is one thing you wish you knew before or after the surgery?

Looking forward to you replies!

-D

Be sure to take lip balm to the hospital with you.

I'm still waiting for my date but I've heard a pillow from home for the ride home

You will not be able to get out of/get into a bed or chair without help the first few days.

Did you vomit at all post op?

I didn't vomit at all...no nausea and only the slightest discomfort...I was very pleasantly surprised!

Hey there! I'm also 25 and had my surgery back on Jan 21st!

A couple of things that I was told prior to surgery and that I discovered for myself (in no particular order) that I think were really helpful by other people who had gone through the surgery in

1) Bring a robe or zip up hoodie. Hospitals are usually cold and those blankets can be thin.

2) Chapstick is a must.

3) Bring your phone charger, but don't expect to be on a laptop. To be honest, I kept in touch with my mom in the evening hours after she went home, but the painkillers I was on made it hard for me to text at all. I was falling asleep every 15 minutes and even the next morning waiting to see my surgeon, while I had family visiting, I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Once you get off the pain meds, you'll find that you're awake and alert again. (I was off of mine in three days, but used 7 days of anti-nausea meds)

4) Don't worry if you can't pee right away. I was moved to a room around 5pm and wasn't able to go until 2am. Trust me, the fluids they're pumping into you will take effect soon enough.

5) You may feel pain in your back and shoulders in the day (and days) after surgery. That's gas pain from when they inflated your stomach prior to cutting it. It'll pass.

6) This is more for your first week home, but it is THE BIGGEST THING I CAN STRESS: You're going to gain weight after surgery. DO NOT PANIC.

I was put on an IV drip and was going through a bag every 3 hours. As you can imagine, that's a TON of liquid being pumped into my body. By the time I came home the next day, not only was I heavier than when I'd gone into surgery, but missing a chunk of my stomach, I was 13 pounds heavier.

I wound up dropping it all within three days, but just a fair warning. Most people who don't know this going in FREAK out once they get home and get on the scale. Please don't panic.

On the upside, you'll be going to the bathroom every 15-30 minutes once you're home, so you'll drop the Water weight faster than you think.

7) You're gonna do great.

That was so helpful! Thank you!

Good to know that I'll be full of Fluid after surgery so I don't freak.

Thank you!!

Post-op (even in the hospital) I didn't need any help getting up / down / out of bed / into chairs, etc. at all.

And I didn't vomit any either.

There's a tremendous variation in the recovery experience patients have post-op.

Don't read the forums. Seriously everyone tries to be really helpful, but the I think some people exaggerate the pain factor. I had none. I didn't use the pump or take any pain meds while in the hospital or post-op. I also had no gas, no nausea and walked in recovery. Getting in and out the bed was easy.

Save your receipts. Finding Protein powder/drinks/etc... that you like is trial and error. Most stores will allow your to return for a refund if you buy something you dislike.

Sip your Water and walk. You will feel better.

I second the pain comment above. I truly had very little. WHile in the hospital I never rated my pain higher than a 2.... I had some morphine when they brought me out of anesthesia but after that the remainder of my stay I didn't use any pain meds. I didn't use my vicodin when I got home either. I was pleasantly surprised with the minimal pain!

I just had my surgery yesterday, and I've experienced quite a bit of pain . It's all been bearable with the meds they gave me in the hospital and the codeine I've had since I got home, but I'm definitely feeling pain from the gas and from the incisions. Walking around actually helps a lot. It comes and goes in waves. I'm pretty confident the pain will go away in the next few days.

I had my sleeve done on the 1st of july. Im still in severe pain and i cry now and then. Its especially bad when i drink water or drink any fluid too fast.

I wish my surgery was as pleasant as you guys described it...

Edited July 4, 201511 yr by ninai

I had my sleeve done on the 1st of july. Im still in severe pain and i cry now and then. Its especially bad when i drink water or drink any fluid too fast.

I wish my surgery was as pleasant as you guys described it...

Hey, we're surgery twins! But yeah, not a painless procedure like some people are saying. Just get lots of rest and try to have as much protein as you can to promote healing. Good luck! We'll get through this. I have to believe it's worth it.

I also had surgery on July 1st. The pain meds actually made me feel worse. I took my tummy binder off today and feel actually better without it. I'm still not sure what full feels like, hard to tell if it's fullness or incision pain.

Don't forget to take your "before" measurements and pics so you can look back and see exactly how far you've come!