I was the first surgery on Tuesday with my group, so with an arrival time of 5:30, I was up at 4am.

Got there and it all went very smoothly. They wanted a little last minute blood, they wanted a pregnancy pee test, then on to pre-surgery where I got a couple of shots and an IV catheter in my forearm. Everyone wants to know your name and birthdate...lol.

Had already taken the Emend pill for anti-nausea. Was given an antinausea patch behind my ear, and a motion sickness med. Also, a med for preventing blood clots.

Surgery went well. Woke up and learned that I'd had a small hiatal hernia that my doc tightened up to help prevent acid reflux.

Surgery was 7:30-9:30. I spent 9:30-12:30 in recovery. Was ready to leave at around 11, but there was a little delay getting my room ready. Got a few ice chips in recovery.

Around 12:30, I was wheeled up to my room. The pain from the surgical sites wasn't bad. The trapped gas, particularly in my shoulders, hurt like the dickens, though. Miserable feeling, but tolerable.

As soon as I got to my room, I asked to go to the bathroom. Got up without any problem, took myself to the toilet. (nurse did stand outside the door at first). Got out and said that standing upright made my gas pain feel much better, so asked if I could walk. Nurses seemed very enthusiastic about my willingness to walk and took me for a walk. I did a couple laps of the ward and wanted to sit down again.

So, then, I was given a little one ounce cup of Water to drink slow. Got some pain meds, some more anti nausea meds, some meds to encourage my guts to keep moving.

I drank my little one ounce cup without any issues for a couple hours in a row and they advanced me to drinking FOUR little one ounce cups per hour, and sucking on this plastic breathing thing ten times an hour. After a bit, they helped me put an order in to food service for some broth, Jello, and other Clear Liquids.

But here's the routine I had to follow (and am still following today)

10 sucks on the breathing thingy per hour, One or two small walks per hour. Four ounces of clear liquid per hour....drinking one ounce every 15 minutes in 10 little sips.

Yesterday at 6pm, they sent me home, and I've been doing the same schedule. Tomorrow, I'll alternate hours, and do 4 ounces of Protein Drink, then four ounces of clear fluid...alternating like this for at least 10 hours of the day. The goal is at least 40 ounces of Fluid per day.

I'll remain on Protein drink and clear fluids until my recheck a week from surgery. At that point, if all is well, I get cream of wheat, yogurt, pudding, and oat meal back in the rotation.

The toughest thing for me has been getting comfortable in bed. I'm a side sleeper and it's kinda painful...but wedging enough pillows around me helps. Also, I have a little narcotic medication in liquid form for home, that so far, I have only had to take at night.

Am feeling pretty good today! Still pooped, but getting my walks in.

One funny thing....they loaded me up so much with IV fluids that I actually gained about four pounds while away having surgery! All those swollen tissues must be holding a lot of water. I was told this is very common and not to worry about it. Could also be a function of them taking me off my diuretic for a while until fluids get easier to swallow in bigger volumes.

Anyway...I'm doing great and wanted everyone to know the sleeve isn't that bad. The hardest part for me is all the meticulous measuring and making sure all my little recovery jobs are getting done. Walk, sip, suck. Rinse, repeat.

Good luck to everyone on a safe and effective outcome!

I had surgery Monday and had a very similar experience. Only difference is that I couldn't drink any liquids, including ice until the day after surgery.

The only thing im struggling with is all the sweetness of the liquids. I switch between broth, G2, jello, water and protein shakes.

Thank you for this posting!

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2 hours ago, Gotalose said:

Thanks for the report - its nice to hear a positive experience. How are you feeling today? If you had to, could you work at a desk job for a couple of hours?

Not at this point, I'm doing all it takes to just remember to drink the right amount of water....ugh

Gotalose... I'm feeling good, and could probably handle a couple hours of desk work...but it would have to be pretty simple stuff. Keep in mind...for three days I had clear liquid with no calories, and now I'm getting about 400 calories a day from protein shakes in addition to more clear liquid. It's hard to make your brain function well with so few calories coming in. You could do some simple work, but I wouldn't suggest anything challenging or stressful. (or anything that would result in big problems if you screwed it up a little)

Just what I needed to see today. I'm due for surgery at 7:30 tomorrow morning and getting a little anxious - but I'm ready. I LOVED (and copied) your little line about recovery jobs - Walk, Sip, Suck, Rinse Repeat. Made me laugh.

Thank you for sharing. Good luck with recovery! Sounds like you're off to a great start!

Thank you so much for sharing! It really helps

Congrats on your new stomach and wishing you a speedy recovery and lots pounds falling off

Thanks for the insight! I'm just starting the process for insurance approval and have been stalking a ton of blogs and forums for information and answers. This was really helpful! congrats on your progress!

Thank you so much for sharing. I am scheduled for January 24th. I am getting very anxious, but your post helped me really understand what’s to come.

We share the same surgery date. Best wishes.[emoji4]

Just what I needed to see today. I'm due for surgery at 7:30 tomorrow morning and getting a little anxious - but I'm ready. I LOVED (and copied) your little line about recovery jobs - Walk, Sip, Suck, Rinse Repeat. Made me laugh.
Thank you for sharing. Good luck with recovery! Sounds like you're off to a great start!

How are you feeling today?!!!

Good day, this was an excellent post. I am on my 5th day of the pre-op diet, and this was very descriptive and definitely appreciated.

Congrats!! Loved the play by play!

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I learn a bunch from these.