Well I did it. Yesterday they did the gastric sleeve operation at 7:30am.

When I arrived for checking they did some paperwork that allowed the hospital to bill my insurance, then they took me back to pre-op. In pre-op they had me strip down and put on a gown. I didn't have any valuables with me but that is when they would have taken them and put them in the safe. A gentleman came in and started the IV. Another nurse came in and was asking me about what I had to eat and drink prior to the surgery date. Then I met the nurses that would be assisting the surgeon. They gave me a shot of blood thinner to protect from blood clots. I met the anesthesia person, he asked about if I'd ever been under or if any family members had issues with anesthesia. The surgeon came in and asked if I had any questions before we got started.

They then wheeled me off to the operating room. In the OR there were several people work on getting everything ready, they hooked up to my IV, set up the heart monitor. Then anesthesia gave me something to relax. He then came over with a mask that covered my mom and nose and said he was going to give me some oxygen. Next thing I remember is waking up in recovery.

For me this was the worst part, not feeling good coming out of the anesthesia and being in pain. There was one nurse to every two people. Unfortunately the other person that my nurse was watching was being combative so he the attention of a lot of staff members. Once things started to clear up for me a bit they adjusted my pain medication to something a bit stronger. After about an hour of being awake in recovery they wheeled me off to my room.

On the way up to my room we stopped and got my family from the waiting room and they followed me up. I was pretty out of it from all the drugs they had been giving me. So I don't remember much about the day of surgery once I made it up to my room. It was mostly keeping me comfortable. They got me to the room around noon, and had me take a short walk at about 6pm. I was able to urinate for them so no need for a catheter. Yay!!! They gave me some more pain medicine and let me rest. Throughout the night someone came in about every two hours to check on me and my vitals and checking my blood sugar.

The next morning they came in and gave me another shot of blood thinner, I had been sipping Water this entire time. I got up and went for a couple walks around the floor. Had to prove I could still urinate. Then the surgeon came in and talked about the surgery and answered more questions. He gave the okay for me to be released.

I've made it home. Still in a bit of pain from one of the incisions but not the others. So far no real issues with nausea or vomiting. I feel this was the right decision for me and am excited to start this new chapter in my life. So far I'm doing good, as far as the pain, it sucks but I know each day it will get better and better. Just focusing on getting in my water and walking as much as I can.

I'm just now laying down for the night, sure will be nice to sleep in my own bed.

I had sleeve surgery on 9/6/16. I came home the next day and have been doing great. I never really had any pain, just some gas the first couple of days. But that has subsided. Now it's easier to drink more too. I've been walking 3-4 miles a day since 3 days after surgery. I've been dropping between 1-3 pounds a day. I must confess I'm sick of the shakes and have started eating real food. I'm probably not supposed. I'm eating very small portions (1/4cup) of chicken or turkey meat and the same size of cooked carrots or cauliflower. I chew really well and mush it all up and have not had any pain, nausea or ill repercussions. I've had a little broth too and 1 SF Popsicle. Things are going great.

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I have been getting in quite a bit of activity and its increasing daily. I'm too chicken to skip ahead on my meal plan from the surgeon. Too much invested in this to have something go awry. Anywho, happy to hear you are losing at such a fast rate and haven't had much pain. Some people just luck out in the pain department. I feel pretty lucky as mine was all controlled and didn't last too long after surgery. I have my two week appointment with the surgeon on Thursday, fingers crossed for being moved up to purée.

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Day 10, it was a little rough as far as digestion was concerned. Had a bit of loose poop, so I was trying to stay ahead of my liquid requirement today to keep from getting dehydrated. Still managed to get out and make a run to Petsmart and Walmart. Then hung around the house pretty close to the loo. Looking forward to getting the okay for puréed foods, maybe then I can control the digestion a little better. Feeling a little depressed tonight, hopefully tomorrow is a little better. Having been off work for a few weeks and not sticking around the house so much is taking its toll. Better enjoy it now though, as soon as I get back to work I'm going to wish I had taken more time off. . Till tomorrow.....

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@@goodgirl1966 Please be careful. Going ahead with real food before allowed can cause significant complications including food getting stuck in your staple line. This could cause life threatening complications. It's not really worth it.

Day 11, well my wife caught on, I can't blame breaking wind on the gasses they used for surgery anymore.

Today was alright, stuck around the house most of the day. Bowels seems to have settled down. Looking forward to my follow up with the surgeon in two days. Starting to think about the puréed stage, searching the forums for good recipes.

My weight loss has been moving right along so I'm worried about adding new foods. I don't want to mess things up. I have an appointment with the nutritionist but that's not until it's time for solids. I may try to make an earlier appointment when I go in for my two week.

Edited September 14, 20169 yr by #BirdDog

Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm going in tomorrow morning, actually this morning, now. Can't sleep thinking about everything. All your posts give me great comfort. I got this

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Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm going in tomorrow morning, actually this morning, now. Can't sleep thinking about everything. All your posts give me great comfort. I got this

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Congrats!!! Soon you'll be on the fast track to recovery and a new you! I had a hard time sleeping the night before as well, mostly anxious to get the party started!

Day 11, well my wife caught on, I can't blame breaking wind on the gasses they used for surgery anymore.

.

You DO have a puppy though!!! mine get blamed for everything smelly

Read your journey to date. Well done!

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Day 12. My paperwork says I can start puréed food today. I was planning on waiting until tomorrow when I have my two week appointment. But what the hell, I made a small thing of thinned mashed potatoes and added unflavored Protein powder to it. I puréed up some manwich meat made with ground turkey instead of beef. Put some of that on top of the potatoes and it was pretty tasty. I put it in a half cup container, wasn't able to eat much of it before I felt full. Probably an 1/8 of a cup maybe a touch more.

Feeling pretty guilty about the potatoes. They are on my list of allowed foods at this stage but I'm thinking I probably won't have them very often. Any other purée stage folks have potatoes on a regular basis? Last thing I want to do is mess up this short window of opportunity to drop the majority of my weight.

No weight loss the last two days, and I'm transitioning to puréed foods. Thinking I need to put the scale away and just focus on good nutrition. I keep saying that but curiosity gets me every time. Spent quite a bit of time on Pinterest getting sleeve friendly recipe ideas.

I've been open with everyone about my surgery and how I've been doing, even here on the forums. But one thing I've held back is some numbers. My highest weight was 370 lbs, day of surgery I was 339 lbs and as of this morning I was 326 lbs. total weight loss to date is 44 pounds.

Edited September 15, 20169 yr by #BirdDog

I think I'll even include a photo of me the day I started my two week pre op diet and one of me 1 week post op.

Not much of a difference but I can sure see it!

Edited September 15, 20169 yr by #BirdDog

That's already a huge difference can't wait to be where you are!

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BirdDog, thank you for sharing your story so far! My surgery date is 9/19 and it's great to hear day by day experiences from someone who just had the surgery. I've recently found this forum and it's been a great resource already. Please keep posting your experiences, I'm only a couple of weeks behind you. Congrats on the progress so far, and keep it up!

@@#BirdDog My plan allows for mashed potatoes too. I wouldn't have them too often - but the amount we eat shouldn't impact weight loss (from my perspective anyway). What you made sounds really good! You're right in time for the 3 week stall - so put the scale away and stick with your plan. Congrats on your success so far - 44 lbs is a great loss!

My 2 big incisions always hurt (2 out of 10). I stopped my pain meds 2 days after. Had mines done 9/08, I will be screaming GasX strips all up and down these forums! Because it's important! And get some milk of mag, if you need it. I couldn't even think of adding anything to my stomach it was so uncomfortable until I had a BM. If once you start full liquids you have pain, start walking immediately, helped me A LOT!

So happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Day 13, Woke up down a little more than a pound. That was a good way to start the day! Had my two week appointment with the surgeon, went good. He was happy with my results, lack of pain, and how well I've been tolerating liquids and now purée. Because of my level of activity he gave the okay for me to stop the blood thinner shots. Those were getting really old. Got my paperwork to go back to work on Monday Won't be too bad, but I do start out having to go out of town for a week. Just have to pack purée stuff and I got a hotel room with a fridge and microwave in it, right across from the convention center where the conference will be.

Today I'm feeling pretty good, went for a walk, about an hour long. Just a nice stroll nothing real strenuous. Got in 70g of Protein, and an easy 64+ oz of liquid.

My mom and aunt came into town to visit and are staying for a couple days. It's funny they feel bad eating in front of me. I don't think they understand, I'm just not hungry, and what I do eat satisfies me AND fills me up. It is going to take some time for my family and friends to adjust to the NEW me habits.

Pretty happy with my decision to have the surgery, it for sure will be a game changer for me!