My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9:30am. I still kinda can't believe it's actually happening. This time last year I wasn't even considering surgery. Time flies! I'm still a little freaked out about how different life will be after the surgery but I know it will be worth it. wish me luck! :thumbup:

Hope all went well!! I am just over 3 months out so not a total expert but if you have any questions feel free to ask!!

Good Luck!!!!! You'll feel better in a few days, I promise!

Thanks so much! Everything went great. Recovery hasn't been bad at all. I even felt well enough to going shopping with my best friend yesterday. I am struggling with trying to get in 6 meals (w/ enough protein) and drink enough water through out the day. Yesterday I really started to think about what it will be like to eat solid foods and what happens when food gets stuck. I've been trying to read different stories on here about it. I've read not to drink water but also I've also read sometimes smalls sips might help. and papaya tablets (or something like that) breaks up red meat? Does it just feel like something sitting at the top of your stomach? what helps people get the food down?

Honestly the thing that helps getting food down is eating slower. And just a question but what do you mean you're struggling to get in 6 meals a day and drink Water? At this stage really you should just be trying to stay hydrated and having clear fluids? Or maybe that's just me - Either way it's definitely hard slowing down eating, I was on clear fluids last week and realised that I was eating Soup way too quick and ended up eating about a cup full which wasn't the best option, So started eating slower and now I only have half a cup.

I've definitely heard about the papaya tablets but whether they work or not who knows, you could ask your surgeon/nurse next time you go in and they can say whether or not you could try them. Good luck =)

When I left the hospital I was able to start full liquids. So my 6 "meals" consisted of ensure or creamy soups with protein powder added to them. I'm on the second week now and I can have blended foods...Eating slower has been trouble for me too, especially trying to stretch out a half a cup of food haha.

Ah true, my bad lol. Now that I'm on the mushies I sit near the clock and eat a spoonfull every minute lol. I've noticed with certain things I get full and with others I don't. Only get full if I have tinned spaghetti or mashed pumpkin/potato and gravy, other than that no matter how slow I eat I never actually feel full, I still eat the half cup measurement but once I'm finished it's like I've only eaten a teaspoon so I dunno, I know that it's the time for a fill but have to wait another 3 weeks.

Congrats on your surgery! I had surgery 1/16/09 and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself! The full liquid stage is tough, but once you get through it, you can get through anything! :confused:

As far as how it feels to get food stuck? Horrible... This always happens to me when I've waited too long to eat and eat too fast (naughty, naughty me!). In fact, I'm writing this as I'm experiencing it lol. Basically it feels like my food is stuck in my throat. My hubs was banded 2 weeks after me and he says his gets stuck in like his sternum, so clearly it's different for everyone.

Keep up the good work!!