I had a pain drip and it was wonderful! I also had a device called "onQ", which has a little catheter that gave numbing medication directly to the incision inside. The worst pain is the gas that gets trapped under the diaphragm--the only way for it to go is to walk, walk, and fart! GasX strips are wonderful! The first week was rough for me, but 10 days post op I was helping a friend paint her new house! Dont let your fear of the physical pain stop you!! It is temporary!! You can do this!!

Some professionals just do not have a good bed side manner...all he has to do is make sure all is well and the surgeon and the team will look after the rest......I am being sleeved on Nov. 6th...I have had ups and downs over this myself but will go forward as it is my only option for me to get to where I need and want to be......

A lot that happens is how you respond to the surgery yourself......some have an easy time of it...and others don't......being prepared for anything is the key.......

4 hours seems a stretch...my surgeon said he will be in and out in 45 min. I think this guy just wanted to give you the worst possible scenario......4 hours or 45 min....you'll be asleep......you won't know the difference anyway....but you will be on your way....to using the new tool that will help you gain so much freedom.....don't let 1 person frazzle you......you are ready....

I have waited 4 years myself for this and now it is almost here...I don't think I would have been this ready even 2 years ago.......

Remember why your doing this and you will be okay........there is a lot of medicine out there to help with your discomfort and stuff........

Love the comment about the gas issue.........can women even say gas and fart in the same sentence or out loud.......I laughed hard at that...TY Annie!!!!!!

So rude of him to scare you like that. Everyone is different and the pain really isn't too bad it mainly is the gas and not the surgery itself. I think he was being dramatic. My surgeon took almost 2 hours to do mine which is the norm. I hope you go through with it if it's for your health and you really want it cause one week of gassy pain is worth it. My dr. gave me a liquid pain killer which is real good. It's a liquid vicodin and it really helped. The best thing is walk walk walk

I'm in three weeks also. I am so sorry he scared you, no one should have to be more nervous based on some comments. Keep reading about others' experiences, you'll see percentages are in your (our) favor for a smooth surgery. A professional is trained to run a line into anyone, so if you have to get stuck more than once, ask for someone more experienced. You have had blood tests right? I was never told I was a "hard stick" until my endoscopy. Turns out the nurse doing it, while very nice, wasn't the most experienced. The next nurse told me "Of course this is a little harder, you haven't had anything to drink in 10 hours, you're dehydrated." and poof, she got the line in no problem. There is nothing wrong with letting them know you are anxious before they start prepping you.

Like I wrote earlier, read some more. The positive experiences far outweigh the negatives.

You will do fine and they will manage your discomfort.

Good luck!!

How sad that he would scare you like that!

Why is he "worried" about your veins? My IV was put in by an RN and then all the Anesthesiologist had to do is tell me, "I'm going to give you something to relax now", pushed a needle through my IV and I was out in seconds.

Like others mentioned, you have waited a long time for this and you're so invested now! The positives far outweigh the negatives. The best thing you can do is to mentally prepare yourself 100% because your body will respond so much better -- less internal bleeding and better healing, etc., and walking is king for gas problems (according to some friends of mine on here). I did not experience gas problems at all, probably because I took 2 Gas-X pills the night before surgery. I also walked as soon as I could and as much as I could, even when I felt like someone needs to tape me to my IV pole so I don't collapse.

I wish you peace with your decision and all the best with whatever you choose.

I understand about being nervous. My sleeve is November 6th too! I saw someone else said there's was on the 6th! The unknown is always kind of scary, but just give yourself a pep talk! I do it when I'm riding my bike up a hill and I'm getting tired, and feel like I can't make it! I just repeat to myself, "I can do this, I can do this"! It really does help! You will do great as I'm sure I will too! Good luck Sleeve Sister, you'll be in our thoughts and prayers!

As long as your surgeon is competent, you'll be fine. I think the anesthesiologist didn't know what he was talking about. My surgery took 38 minutes, my sister's, 45. I think a lot of it depends on how big your liver is. Your outcome will most likely be excellent and you might get away with hardly any pain at all. Good Luck!

The pain is mostly soreness and gas. Take the pain medications as prescribed and walk.....walk......walk. It works the soreness out and moves the gas on thru.

Seriously, as soon as you can stand up......straight......walk. Sometimes the first walk looks more like a shuffle........hum a little tune and shuffle along.

The first 24 hours after surgery were the most uncomfortable to me.....on a scale of 1-10, I'd have rated my worst pain as a 6 or so. And I discontinued the iv pain meds myself as the ones you take by mouth last longer and you feel better.

This is awesome and the BEST thing I've ever done for myself........other than marry my husband.......well, and give birth to my 4 kids.