Hi all,

I was sleeved on Dec 1.

I realize that everyone's experience is going to be different, but I hope that by sharing my own observations, maybe I can lessen some of the anxiety for someone else.

I did a lot of research on the sleeve right up until the day before I got it. Even with all that, I felt unprepared and pretty nervous about what was going to be a permanent change.

My friend dropped me off at the front of the hospital for my pre-op check-in. My family all lives out of town and I didn't tell a ton of people what I was up to. So I texted a few well-wishers from the waiting room and then the party started.

There were a lot of questions, a fancy air-warmed paper gown and skidproof socks to change into, and some vitals and blood taken. So far, so good.

I didn't get really, really nervous until the anesthetist showed up during the prep and I think it was because that was the first time I'd been left alone since arriving, so I had time to consider what I was about to do. I was dialing my friend to ask him to come back and take me home, but then the team swept in, being all efficient and professional, and I just kind of let it go. You know, I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I wanted to go home so I could eat. I was THAT hungry.

I don't remember much after the IV was started. I think I was transferred from the surgical gurney to my bed on an inflatable mattress, but I could have been imagining that.

I didn't have much pain at all -- more discomfort than anything. I intended to stay one night, but ended up staying two because the air from the procedure wouldn't er... move out. They said that's common. I also wasn't getting enough fluids in -- also very common.

I packed according to lists I found on here.

• The clothes I wore to the hospital (t shirt, loose jacket, fleece pants, underclothes, warm socks, boots that I could just slide on)
• Phone charger with a looong cord
• An electric throw (this was GREAT!)
• A comb, face soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and hand lotion
• Aquaphor (or Chapstick)
• A copy of my healthcare directive

I braided my hair while it was damp the day I left for the hospital because it tends to tangle a lot. The band was fabric, so they let me keep it in and it held the mess together pretty well for a full day.

I didn't touch the magazines or the washcloth I'd brought along. I was given an inspirometer the week before my procedure and I brought it with me as instructed. After surgery, they gave me another one, so I just left the first one in my bag.

I also brought a heating pad on the advice of a friend who'd previously had the surgery, but I ditched it for the cozy throw. Plus the throw was nice to use in place of a pillow for the ride home. I left a bottle of Water in the car for the ride home as well. This provided a good distraction from the bumps and turns.

I wish I'd brought along

• an extra set of underwear, pants, and socks
• shampoo and conditioner
• something to keep all the paperwork in
• an MP3 player -- my roommate was inconsiderate
• my FitBit to track my steps

I wore the fleece pants to cover up my bottom while I trucked around the halls, but I was strongly urged to keep the hospital gown on because of the IV.

I had a couple of friends visit later on the day of the surgery and can't recall much about the time except that they brought me a sign calling me a loser and some shakes and I was really, really tired. I remember the surgeon stopping by, and a LOT of other people checking in. (I was at a university hospital, so I expect I had a few residents inspecting the surgeon's work.) It's all kind of fuzzy and I just have an impression of people popping in to ask a few questions and look at my belly.

The staples came out the day after the procedure. It hurt a little bit, but not unbearably and it was over quickly.

I was allowed to shower after that and they only gave me a couple of trial-size bottles of Johnson's, which doubles as a body wash. So it took a bit of work and a lot of energy to get my hair combed out afterward.

I had a lot of choices for "meals": vegetarian, chicken, or beef broth (all too salty); juice; Gatorade; lemonade; oatmeal; yogurt; popsicles; teas; coffees; and sherbet. I fixated on the sherbet and popsicles because for some reason, cold felt better than hot. I noticed right away that the artificial sweetener chemical aftertaste lingered and lingered and lingered. Through several cups of water and Gatorade. The lemonade kind of helped, but I couldn't drink enough to get rid of it completely. I sucked on ice chips whenever I had them handy.

I was encouraged to walk as much as possible, and I got in a few laps. I had to pee in a bowl that fit under the toilet seat to monitor my input/output. That was kind of weird. But when you're drugged up, you get a little less self conscious.

Since this is about the hospital, I won't detail the liquid phase or any of that stuff here. I will say that I came home, put a pillow under my knees and an extra one under my melon and I slept like a frickin' princess. (I'm a week out and just now able to start sleeping on my side again.)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but hopefully this will give you some idea of what to expect when you go. I don't think I was well prepared by me surgical team as far as what to expect after the surgery and I plan on sharing that feedback with them. But I was prepared enough and always felt like I was in competent hands.

Welcome to the adventure, you Losers!

Edited December 8, 201510 yr by Bacon-n-Limes

Thanks for sharing, it was a really informative post!

I was surprised you had staples removed. these must not be the internal ones. My surgeon sews AND staples the stomach. He does not leave drains in either. Just wondering where were these staples that were removed the next day.

The staples were external on the incisions and were surprisingly big and scary looking. They cut them in half with a nipper and pulled the halves out with a twist and a rug.

I'm pretty sure the surgeon said that there were also staples inside that they left in. I'll have to ask.

It's been almost 4 weeks and the scarring is very minimal. One just looks like a little scratch.

All the prep I did at home was NOT helpful. I bought some Soup, but only ate one can because I didn't enjoy how salty everything tasted. (The low-sodium broth was better, but I didn't need a whole carton of it.)

Popsicles were my staple - I made my own out of Kool-aid powder and Splenda. I slso got too much Jell-o and never touched the boxes of pudding I bought.

The liquid phase, while it seemed like forever, really went by quickly. If I had it to do over, I'd get two cans of soup, two boxes of Jell-o, two boxes of pudding... Just two of whatever is on your list that you'll like, and then wait to get the rest. You're going to want to get out of the house and trip to the store for a few things is sufficiently tiring. Plus one can of soup is like 6 meals.

Tip: I stocked up on those little 4-oz. condiment-sized containers that Rubbermaid and Glad make and portioned everything out into those when I made something. I write what it is on freezer tape.

This has been helpful. I grab a Breakfast and a lunch from the fridge and toss them in my bag for work. No guessing on size and the prep is already done. It's helped me get an idea of what 1/4 cup looks like.

By the way, if you slip up and eat something not on your list, it's not the end of the world. Some people get upset that they "cheated." I needed to eat a cocktail weenie with barbecue sauce at my company holiday party. I chewed it well and enjoyed it thoroughly. The world did not end, the Bariatric Police didn't raid my home, I didn't get sick from it, and it has more Protein than the ambrosia salad that I would have loaded up on presurgery. (French fries might be something to avoid for a while, just sayin'.)

My point is that you don't benefit from beating yourself up for testing your sleeve. If you eat something you shouldn't, it'll be okay. It will either be a nonevent, or you'll feel really crappy for several hours and you probably won't do that again.

I'm starting soft foods tomorrow and will share how that goes.