CaliforniaJenn

I am keeping my WLS surgery a secret (close friends and family know but that's it) and I'm paranoid about someone seeing my stomach and asking about the scars. How do you explain them? I've been thinking of saying I had some cysts removed or something like that....any ideas that are really plausible??

I had to put on a hospital gown and those sexy, white support hose...no bra, no underwear. I was wheeled into the operating room but could have easily walked and then I scooted myself onto the operating table. They untied the gown behind my back before I laid down and then knocked me out. They pull it down during surgery and I don't think you can wear a bra because one of the incisions is between your breasts for the camera. When I came to, I was dressed again and my gown tied as they wheeled me back to my room. I'm a pretty modest person but they were really professional about it all and I didn't feel awkward. I didn't have the dry mouth problem but had ice chips a few hours after surgery.

I'm 25 days post op and am supposed to start "soft foods" this week. I've been on mushies for awhile now and I have to admit that I'm kinda scared to start eating regular food. It's been so long since I've had any regular food that I'm worried it's going to hurt or give me a bathroom problem. Any suggestions on some easy soft foods to start out on? I'm currently eating refried Beans, veggie Soups, oatmeal, applesauce, eggs, etc.

Definitely take your laptop and some DVDs to watch. It gets really BORING in the hospital room and hotel at times with limited television channels in English.

I've actually heard of some people sewing weights into the inside of their pants...kinda like heavy fishing weights. I'd say try to find some thin ankle weights and go for it!! I was in the same boat as you...fat but not fat enough but too healthy. BMI was 37. I ended up going self-pay to Mexico. I don't regret my decision at all...I got to have my surgery when it worked well with my job because I could pick my own date instead of having to wait for a surgeon to fit me in.

I was sleeved 12 days ago and I'm recovering well but I'm freaked out that my birth control will be less effective with weight loss. I'm not able to get into my OBGYN for another 3 weeks and my surgeon is in Mexico so I'm emailing him but wanted to hear what others have heard about avoiding pregnancy during our weight loss stage. Any suggestions?

Good luck! Not long after the surgery, you're going to need to change your name to LittleSexxy!

I was supposed to have mine as well but I think the pre-dieting and surgery shocked the hell out of my system and I skipped the whole thing. No cramps and no flow. I'm sure I'll pay for it next month but I was so grateful to not have to deal with it. The silver lining for you might be that you'll already be on painkillers so maybe you won't feel the cramps? Even if your period shows up, just remember that those nurses have probably dealt with everything so you won't be a shock to them. But I'm hoping it's very easy for you!

So I'm 5 days Post Op and I'm doing well with my recovery but it seems like my tastebuds are broken after surgery. I used to LOVE Water...I mean LOVE IT! Drank well over 8 cups a day and loved the taste. Now that I'm on the other side of the surgery, things taste totally different. Especially water. It doesn't taste the same at all. It tastes bland and almost bitter at times. Right now I'm sticking to juices and gatorade to get liquids in but I'm sad that water doesn't taste good. Any ideas when tastebuds go back to normal???

I'm happy to help as well. Message me her name and number and I'll call.

Thanks everyone for your experiences. I can't wait for my tastebuds to go back to normal!

Congrats on your big day tomorrow! The thing that really helped me during recovery was my heating pad. I had nerve pain in my shoulder from the gas and it felt good to put my heating pad on my shoulder, my sore tummy, and my back. I just moved it around to whatever was hurting. Also, Gas X dissolvable strips are really great in helping with the gas pains. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great! Update when you can!!

You can do it, sugarmamma! The liquid diet is helping your body get through surgery...shrinking your liver so your doctor can get in there and cut away that stomach. I'll be thinking about you and your sleeve sisters tomorrow. See you on the losers side!

Hi Tara, I'm sure you're recovering in your room now but I sent some prayers your way. I was sleeved by Dr. Kelly last Thursday and just came home today. I actually saw him in the hotel this morning. Hope your recovery goes quickly! Congrats on having the surgery over!

So I'm two days post surgery and can't believe that it's done! It seems really surreal that I'm finally on the other side of all of the surgery prep. My surgery went well and recovery is going great. I had my surgery on July 21st with Dr. Kelly in TJ and am now recovering at Hotel Lucerna. My pain is almost gone and I'm starting to learn how to sip broths with my new tiny stomach. It's amazing to me how much better I feel each day. I have to admit that I felt pretty uncomfortable the day of sugery but thankfully, my recovery has been going smoothly. Anyways, just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing well and looking forward to watching that scale drop over the next few weeks...it's time I really get this losing process started!! Thank you everyone for your support!

Have you tried a heating pad? I found that the more I moved around, the better I felt. I was tempted to form into a ball because it was the most comfortable position but then the gas wasn't moving. I forced myself to stretch out more and more and things started to move. The heating pad helped me a lot when I was sitting still. I'm 3 days post-op and still farting and burping it out but once you start to get it moving, you'll feel so much better. Hang in there!

So it's finally here...my surgery day is tomorrow!! I've been doing the pre-op diet and really miss chewing food but it's been fun watching the scale drop a little as I do the liquid diet. I can't wait to be on the other side of the surgery and see that scale drop more! My emotions go from excited to scared/nervous throughout the day. I do think I'm doing the right thing for me but surgery is still scary. If any of you would pray or think happy thoughts for me tomorrow I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm so glad I found this forum. I have learned so much from all of your experiences and advice. I hope to someday be able to offer advice to other new sleeve sisters and brothers!

I'm pre-op and I already miss eating. I don't want to stuff my face...I just want to chew something. The good news is that you're 9 days out so you're much closer to eating than I am. Just keep your eyes on the prize.

Thanks everyone! I'll update as soon as I can Getting so excited!

Thanks LilMissDiva! You look fabulous...can't wait to drop this weight! Julia, I went with Dr. Kelly because I researched and like what I found out about him. I think Aceves is an excellent choice as well...he's just further away from me and traveling there would have been more difficulty. I'll add you as a friend so I can update you when I'm post-op and let you know what's going on.

83 lbs is amazing! You are an inspiration to those of us just getting started on this journey. Maybe just go buy a few staples of clothing in your new size...then people will notice more how much smaller you are! Sometimes it's hard to tell if someone's lost weight if the clothes are drowning them out.

Thanks Julia! I got the pre-op diet from my doctor. It was a week of Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch and then a chicken salad or chicken and veggies for dinner. Then three days before surgery, it is Clear liquids only. It's been a struggle at times but great practice for life post-op. I've already lost 9 lbs before surgery!!

Hey Tee, Hope you're doing well and moving around so you can start feeling better! I'm starting to get nervous about my surgery on Thursday but I'm glad to know that you're coming through it. Keep us updated!

Hi all, Anyone know of any nice but affordable hotel deals in San Diego? I'm having surgery this week so I need to book ASAP Thanks!