Wow!!! You are one great loser now! Congratulations on your surgery and sounds like you are recovering well. Keep you chin up! Can't wait to see how much weight you have lost at your follow up visit!

Good job! I'm ten days away and it helps to read posts like this. I have to do the belly shot- does it hurt? Do you do it yourself?

The belly shot doesn't hurt at all, but the process is a little frightening to me. I admittedly couldn't do it myself in the hospital and chickened out to have my mom do it for me. She's an insulin dependent diabetic so it didn't phase her. I find needles all together unappealing. I will do it myself today though. The key is to angle the needle into your flesh and not stab at it.

Wish me luck!

Yay!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!! Keep up the good work~

Newbie here,

OMG, BELLY SHOTS?? Does everyone do those? Today I also heard talk of "pain balls" and "drains"! Never heard of any of this yet. My surgery is Aug. 15. Can anyone fill me in?

no not everyone does those.I didnt have to do belly shots or have a drain,every dr is different. so dont panic

I have to do the belly shots for a month...my mom passed away in March from one and my doctor is being very thorough. I am trying to get the liquids down but my throat and stomach tighten up when I drink...any suggestions?

@gingersnap...

I've found drinking my liquids at room temparature versus cold or hot has been extremely helpful. I also use crystal light (fruit punch or pomegranate flavor) instead of plain water. My doctor says to drink at least 3 of the tall skinny bottles a day so I shake and carry them with me EVERYWHERE. The dieticians and discharge ppl said to try to take 1 ounce every 15 minutes so you stay on track. I've found that just carrying the bottle and sipping every 10 minutes to keep my stomach active works best for me.... I don't wait around.... I just casually take a sip while talking or watching TV. I try not to go too long w/o giving my belly something.....

Of course when I'm on solid or purees, that'll change, but it seem good to just keep the tummy working. When I wait longer or it seems my stomach spasms and I get gassy (belching) for a second before it goes down. I think when you're on liquids, you just need to keep things moving so your new stomach can take on the harder stuff in phase 2.

I'm actually enjoying the challenge, but I'm trying not to overthink everything and take it one phase at a time to see what works best for me. All of this information from other sleevers is truly helpful and I enjoy all of the tips I've gotten.

In regard to your loss, I extend my sympathies. I, too, had a relative pass with a pulmonary embolism related to a deep vein thrombosis due to lymphedema, so I'm hypersensitive to the issue.

@Patsy- Belly shots!!

It's just an injectable blood thinner versus a pill. I'm just a chicken when it comes to needles, but it's really benign. It's a little needle that's prefilled and you just tap, angle and push. With that being said as a scaredy cat, I just couldn't do it myself. It's relatively painless, more like an accupunture...

Thank heavens my mom and husband are doing it for me.

I had good luck with iced drinks. Ice water, iced flavored water and very cold protein shakes.. Just keep hydrated. It takes a little time. I love chicken but coul not eat it for about 6 weeks- it did not taste good. Hang in there you will be marvelous!!!!!