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.

May 6th is when I get another fluro to see if my band moved back into position. I'm not holding out a lot of hope, but if it has, I will probably mess with it a little longer.

I'll think good thoughts that all goes well with the visit. You've done great with the band so it makes sense to work it as long as possible.

I am already bored with full fluids. LOL. I don't like the protein powders and am not getting in the required protein. I got a little inventive and diluted 1/3 cup of part skim ricotta cheese with some skim milk to get it to the tomato soup stage of thickness and found that to be very satisfying.

Coffee still takes weird but I do have a cup in the AM. THAT is the one thing I really miss. I go to a soft diet on Saturday so the protein sources will be more plentiful. One thing I do enjoy is hot chocolate. I found one that's only 25 calories and it makes a good dessert.

I tried the GNC unflavored protein powder in some SF lemonaide last night and it tasted fine to me.

Have you ever tried the peanut butter chocolate protein drink that WasA recommends? I think it's really good.

Yes, I've tried different brands and both whey and soy just "break through" whatever I mix them in. On a good day I can get in close to 30 g protein and on Sat., I go to a soft diet. I'm a fish lover so I'll be able to bump up the protein in a few days.

I am already bored with full fluids. LOL. I don't like the protein powders and am not getting in the required protein. I got a little inventive and diluted 1/3 cup of part skim ricotta cheese with some skim milk to get it to the tomato soup stage of thickness and found that to be very satisfying.

Coffee still takes weird but I do have a cup in the AM. THAT is the one thing I really miss. I go to a soft diet on Saturday so the protein sources will be more plentiful. One thing I do enjoy is hot chocolate. I found one that's only 25 calories and it makes a good dessert.

Me too. I was so excited about it at first, but alas, I am still basically living on soup, just thicker soup. I am ready for more variety.

Yes, I've tried different brands and both whey and soy just "break through" whatever I mix them in. On a good day I can get in close to 30 g protein and on Sat., I go to a soft diet. I'm a fish lover so I'll be able to bump up the protein in a few days.

Hey E...

I tried that Soy Slender stuff. I haven't tried the Vanilla yet but I tried the Chocolate. It's okay, the thing I like about it is that it kills the whey flavor of EAS. But it adds calories. Not that I'm obsessed with calories or anything... Heh!

How long do you suppose it is good after I open it?

I guess the smell/taste thing must come into play here. Like I said, I have no sense of smell, so I think it affects how things taste to me. I tasted the whey in Isopure, but in protein drinks, it tastes like chocolate or vanilla or whatever it is. I guess I will consider myself lucky when I am stuck on liquids too.

Hey E...

I tried that Soy Slender stuff. I haven't tried the Vanilla yet but I tried the Chocolate. It's okay, the thing I like about it is that it kills the whey flavor of EAS. But it adds calories. Not that I'm obsessed with calories or anything... Heh!

How long do you suppose it is good after I open it?

I've kept mine open in the fridge for several weeks and it's fine. I just had a cup of the chocolate for my breakfast and that's the best I can do... 7 g protein and 70 cal. LOL. The count down to Sat is narrowing... soft diet is finally on the menu.

Do you have any idea what you want to eat first on your soft diet?

Do you have any idea what you want to eat first on your soft diet?

I really believe your body craves what it needs and I am craving healthy food. I don't eat pork, beef, or lamb (just because I don't care for it) but I love fish and poultry and I NEED more protein. I think I'm going to make a small piece of tilapia. It's flaky and moist and easy to eat in tiny pieces. My other choice is tuna salad which might be easier to get down. Can you tell I've been thinking about this? LOL.

For a breakfast choice, I like part skim ricotta cheese. A 1/4 cup is 90 calories and 9 g protein and is quite filling. Does anyone know what type of food lettuce is considered to be?

Do you feel hungry. I have read some people on here feel hunger, which I thought was supposed to go away with the sleeve. I am a little worried about the clear stage. 10 days is a long time to feel hungry.

I am a little worried about the clear stage. 10 days is a long time to feel hungry.

You shouldn't feel hungry every minute though. When I was on liquids, I was hungry about 1x a day, on average.

Do you feel hungry. I have read some people on here feel hunger, which I thought was supposed to go away with the sleeve. I am a little worried about the clear stage. 10 days is a long time to feel hungry.

I am now 15 days post-op and I think I have felt physical hunger twice in that time. It's strange not to feel hungry because it's a first for me. I was always hungry with the band.

there is a great tasting chocolate shake with 30 grams of protein and 1gram of sugar and 160 calories. It is from Premier foods and sold at costco and online. Only comes in chocolate and single paper containers but I like it

Ruthi

there is a great tasting chocolate shake with 30 grams of protein and 1gram of sugar and 160 calories. It is from Premier foods and sold at costco and online. Only comes in chocolate and single paper containers but I like it

Ruthi

Thank you, Ruth. I have a Costco not too far from me and I'm always willing to try something new. Chocolate is my favorite flavor so I'll look for it and give it a try.