Thank you to everyone for their support.

I took a 6 hour flight to CA on 3/31 and arrived in San Diego at 11:30 "their time". The driver, Ernesto, was waiting for me at the baggage area and put my luggage in the van and drove me, and another passenger, to Mexacali. This drive was about 2 hours long.

I was taken directly to the hospital where they were waiting for me and had blood work, urinalysis, EKG, chest x-ray, and then an esophagram to evaluate and completely unfil my band. The last stop was meeting with the coordinator to get pre and post-op instructions and to pay the balance for the surgery.

I was told I could have anything I wanted to eat (was on a 30 gram/day carb diet for the week prior to surgery) and driven to the Lucerna Resort which is beautiful. As I worked the night before, I elected to have the sandwich and protein bar I brought with me, showered, and fell asleep. I took the antibiotic they gave me before I went to sleep but did not take the ativan.

At 7 AM on 4/1, I was picked up and taken to my room in the hospital. I was seen by a medical internist who reviewed my tests (all good), an assistant surgeon (who was sleeved the day after me), an anesthesiologist, and finally, by the surgeon, Dr. Aceves. All questions were answered and I was the second sleeve of the day.

I got dramamine and versed to take 30 minutes prior to the OR and that knocked me out. LOL. My IV was inserted in the OR and I had spinal and general anesthesia. The spinal dramatically decreases the amount of general needed. Since I don't do well with general (severe nausea), I elected for the spinal too and had NO problems in the recovery room.

All I remember about the recovery room was being asked if I had pain... nope, and being told I was going back to my room. I got some IV pain medication at @ 4 AM and then had sublingual (under the tongue) toradol @ 1 PM. For me, this surgery was a lot less painful than the band.

At noon, I had to drink small sips of water. An hour after that I drank apple juice with a blue dye in it. This is the second test (first done in OR) for leaks. I have a drain near where the port was and the hope is that no blue color comes through to the bag. I passed. After that, I was brought hot tea, tang OJ, and apple juice. My IV was taken out this evening.

Tomorrow morning, I go for the last leak test and will have to drink a radiograffin substance. If I pass that test (and I have no doubt I will), the drain gets removed at noon. I will leave the hospital at 5:45 AM on Saturday to make my flight in San Diego for home. I have nothing but positive things to say about this experience. As a registered nurse I was very watchful and am impressed with the care, cleanliness, and professionalism I observed.

I think you are all very brave. I know the healing and beginning of the process is going to be tough. I just need to feel confident that my life can be fairly normal and that I can be healthy if I go ahead and have the sleeve. I exercise a lot and want to have energy to live my life. I also worry about health problems in the future where I might require more calories. I guess you can always get them through liquids? It's reassuring to learn of your experiences. Thanks for sharing them!

Okay, let's say you need extra calories. Do you actually object to eating a 4th meal daily? ;o)

People have been saying you can eat around the sleeve just like you can eat around the band. How is that possible? By eating more frequently or eating more mushy food?

People have been saying you can eat around the sleeve just like you can eat around the band. How is that possible? By eating more frequently or eating more mushy food?

Soft food, high calorie food, liquid calories. Same as a band.

I can't imagine that right now. I take two sips of my water and am stuffed!! I am having a horrible time even coming close to getting my water in. Protein, I have given up on even trying until I can get to full liquids. I have not once experienced hunger, head or otherwise, since Thursday.

People have been saying you can eat around the sleeve just like you can eat around the band. How is that possible? By eating more frequently or eating more mushy food?

Yes. :thumbdown:

You can suck down milk shakes all day. You can eat every hour. You can eat nuts and candy and other high calories foods.

I can't imagine that right now. I take two sips of my Water and am stuffed!! I am having a horrible time even coming close to getting my water in. Protein, I have given up on even trying until I can get to full liquids. I have not once experienced hunger, head or otherwise, since Thursday.

Susan, the hot tea is working better than cold water for me in an effort to get the fluids in. I went grocery shopping today and found a quart size cardboard box of beef sirloin stock that has 7 g protein in 8 oz. I'm going to try a cup for lunch. I'm also sipping Kelloggs protein lemon water. It's only 5 g protein in a bottle (16 oz) but at least it's something. Hang in there... you get to Celebrate Easter with full fluids! LOL. I get there a day before you and am counting the days.

Let me know how you like that broth. I might try some. I am sending my daughter to the store this afternoon.

I just finished entering my calories on daily plate for yesterday and today. Yesterday, I had Soup broth 3 times and a sugar free popsicle and could not eat another bite. I had a whopping 120 calories total for the day!!

Unfortunately, I know I won't be getting in the required Protein and I'm trying as hard as I can to stay hydrated. I only got in 20 g today so I'll try for more tomorrow. Have you tried part-skim ricotta cheese for some protein? Once I get to the full fluids, I'll be a lot happier.

Elisabeth,

Yes, I can and do eat cheese, all kinds. I had some tunafish salad for lunch today, but I was full after three bites. I honestly don't see how people are getting in all their protein without supplementation. I think I will have to add some of that powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury protein, unflavored, in addition to the scoop of whey protein I put in there already to boost my uptake in my morning shake.

Let me know how you like that broth. I might try some. I am sending my daughter to the store this afternoon.

I just finished entering my calories on daily plate for yesterday and today. Yesterday, I had soup broth 3 times and a sugar free popsicle and could not eat another bite. I had a whopping 120 calories total for the day!!

Susan,

The broth was a little strong but MUCH better than Protein supplements. The post-op coordinator for Dr. Aceves said it was OK to use a soy drink I found that tastes good. It's in the grocery store in the health food section in a one quart cardboard box (not refrigerated) called Soy Slender. That would give you 7-8 g protein in 8 ounces and is 70 calories. The chocolate flavor is great.

Elisabeth,

Yes, I can and do eat cheese, all kinds. I had some tunafish salad for lunch today, but I was full after three bites. I honestly don't see how people are getting in all their Protein without supplementation. I think I will have to add some of that powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury protein, unflavored, in addition to the scoop of whey protein I put in there already to boost my uptake in my morning shake.

Protein needs to be taken throughout the day so I guess some people do supplement. I just can't find a Protein powder I can get down so, like Susan, I am resigned to just doing the best I can until I move to full fluids. If you're doing the soft phase, what about mushing a meatball up into some tomato Soup made with skim milk instead of Water? That would definitely boost the protein value.

Yummy, meatballs!

Protein needs to be taken throughout the day so I guess some people do supplement. I just can't find a protein powder I can get down so, like Susan, I am resigned to just doing the best I can until I move to full fluids. If you're doing the soft phase, what about mushing a meatball up into some tomato soup made with skim milk instead of Water? That would definitely boost the protein value.

Elizabeth,

Good idea. I already make my tomato soup with soymilk, (I have lactose intolerance, so I've been drinking soymilk for awhile), and I add shredded cheese to it. Both the cheese and soymilk have protein. I'm getting there. You will definitely have to get creative when you get to mushies because our new improved stomachs don't have much room. :smile:

Post-op day 6 went well. I drove to the grocery store and walked all the isles, packed the stuff, loaded the car, and came home and had a lovely breakfast of tea and soy slender after putting everything away. I must say, looking at all the food in the store did make me crave some favorites but my eye is on getting healthy and healing properly.

Because others in the house are not joining me on my liquid diet phase, I spent the afternoon cooking some meals ahead. My preference is to cook a lot, portion it out, and freeze it so there's always something available on days I don't feel like cooking. By the time I was done, I was tired so I caught up on paperwork and now I'm watching some TV.

Tomorrow evening, I am going back to work but am easing into it and only working 8 hours. If that goes OK, I'll do my 12.5 hour shift on Thursday. My back is sore and so is the area where the port was but each day is better than the one before. Of course, I can't wait for Saturday... hello full fluids! LOL. The tomato soup is calling.

Elizabeth: Thanks for the daily updates. I find it very comforting to see the normalcy of it all. I hope that makes sense. It's making feel that I can do it and I appreciate that so much!

Thanks Elizabeth. It's comforting to hear you feel well enough to go back to work. I have a desk job and I know being a nurse is more strenuous work. I only work part time, so it feels good to know I may not need 2 full weeks off work. Nobody at work knows about the band, and won't know why I am off work this time either.

I love reading your updates!