Well, I got my surgery date and I'm super excited. I went to my initial info session in January, my psych, nutrition, PT eval, exercise classes, support group, PCP, blood work, EGD and got my date within 1 week of finishing all that. I will have my surgery 5/2 and my pre-op appointment on 4/19, my birthday. It feels right to mark this with a birthday. It was a lot of appointments but time has really flown. Today I told my boss and put in for time off. Just talked to my step mom and she's going to come up to be with me. I have no local family and no friends I would really ask to do that so that's a relief for me to have her. I ordered some Bariatric Fusion protein drink samples to find a few flavors I like so I can have some variety.

I'd love some thoughts or tips form veterans though.

Favorite liquid foods you may have had for your recovery?

What to bring and not bring to hospital? I've heard the following: bring GasX strips, ear plugs, headphones and iPod, small pillow to hold against your stomach, and chapstick.

What else did you have or wish you had or brought and found it was useless?

Thanks all!

I was 67 four years ago when I was sleeved, I was in the hospital at 6 am and home at 4 pm. I took nothing except my husband as we were told ahead it would be short stay, I took one pain pill when I got home, rested the next day and was in the grocery store the second day, and in the mall four days later. I took it slow, had no pain, needed little food except soups, broth and water. The only thing I did was buy too much thinking I would be laid up, and ended up throwing a lot of stuff away. Wasted money.

I'm still in the liquid pre-op phase. I've enjoyed Atkins and Premier Protein shakes. I use broth and add a little seasoning to it. Poultry seasoning in chicken broth makes it richer. Onion powder in beef broth makes it taste like French onion soup. Having something hot to sip feels like soup, and takes the edge off the liquid-only stigma. Good luck!

I'm also still in the full liquid pre op phase. My surgery date is April 19th. I think the thing I have struggled with the most during the liquids is that I'm tired of everything tasting "sweet". Protein shakes, Greek yogurt, jello, sugar free puddings...I'm also actually having a hard time getting in the 1000 calories per day that they want me to have. I am able to have some cottage cheese or one scrambled egg if I "need" it. Broth definitely helps but not very many calories in it. All in all, the liquid diet was not near as bad as I had thought it was going to be.

Really, the only 3 things I used were: stable slip-on shoes to walk, pair of loose draw string pants to put on for walking around hospital, clean pair of underwear. I could have cared less what else was in the bag. I brought Gas-X, but the surgeon said most gas pain is outside the stomach and Gas-X would only help with gas inside the stomach.

Congratulations and good luck with your surgery.

I had a problem with the "thick" protein shakes and ended up slacking on my protein post-op and my hair started to slightly fall out so I had to amp it up! I ended up falling in love with Atkins clear protein water (took a few but it's better than losing hair. Lol) and slip in shoes and lose pants are a great thing to bring! The hospital gave me a pillow to hold and the gasx helped me a TON I took one as soon as I woke up and keep them up when I went home and it helped with the shoulder pain!

When do you start losing? One week out and not one pound

When do you start losing? One week out and not one pound

Everyone is different. The hospital pumps so much fluid on you that you will likely way more leaving than when you went in. Give it at least 2 weeka

Hydrate a LOT a couple days prior