Peronella

It is not a big deal, really. I was vitamin d deficient and had to take a huge quantity before the surgery. And, meeting the dietician is always a good thing. Don't worry, you will be just fine!

It is to shrink the fatty deposits around the liver so as to make the surgery easier to navigate. The liver must be retracted as it sits in front of the stomach. That is the short answer.

I quit cold turkey on the day I decided to start this journey: 16 October 2010. It was less hard than I thought it would be, because I never really told myself that I had quit. I just kept putting off having a smoke. I quit smoking in my house after I had a kitchen renovation a year ago, so that made things a little easier, as well. but, I keep a pack in my kitchen drawer and know that one day if I want one, they will be there. But the longer I go without one, the easier it is. what worries me is that when I am on vacation abroad this summer, where I used to live with friends who ALL smoke, it will be hard to resist. I associate so much fun and good times with food, wine and cigarettes (we are talking Italy...) that I feel like I will not be able to partake in ANY of it while I am there. At least I have time to figure that out! Keep the faith!

Hi, there! Thought I would add my name to the December 2010 list: I was sleeved on the 20th at Sibley Hospital in Washington D.C. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself in my life!!

I have been loving my Wii fit. I am a week out and have been doing the basic step on the Wii fit plus. It is great!! I also like the accountability of checking my weight etc. at the beginning of each session. When I start back to the gym, I think I will continue with the Wii just for the accountability factor.

Self-pay in D.C. Was a little shy of $20,000 and worth every single cent!

Everyone is different, but as for me: I had very little pain and remember every minute of my family's visit as soon as I was in ICU, about 3pm, after a 7:30 am surgery. I have been exceptionally lucky to have had no pain, no nausea, just some nasty gas the first few days.

I am six days out and have lost 9 lbs. I am prepared for this to slow down considerably, but hope it doesn't happen soon .

I can honestly say that, for me, Unjury was not pleasant. I have found the Smoothie King Gladiator powder to be quite good. It tastes like malted chocolate milk and has no odor at all.

I had my surgery on Monday at 7:30 am, moved to ICU at 11:00, swallow test at 9:30 on Tuesday, moved to private room at 11:00 and home by 12:30 on Wednesday afternoon. Not bad... Feel great!

The bottle says: Pantoprazole 40 mg, which appears to be the generic of Protonix. My copay was $17.42, but that is because I have the worst prescription benefits known to mankind.

Hello, all! I was 'sleeved' on Monday morning, came home today. In the hospital, I was kept hydrated using IV fluids and had no problem staying fully hydrated. Now that I am home, I am finding it difficult to ingest the quantity of Water necessary to keep (what I assume is adequately) hydrated. I haven't been to the bathroom once since I have been home, and was going twice a day while 'hooked up' in the hospital. I am finding it difficult to drink. I swallow and it kind of hurts. It isn't a sharp pain. It is more of a thud-like gassy ache. As soon as I burp, I feel better. It has taken 2 hours to drink half a glass of water. Do I just need to keep 'practicing' or is this just a simple fact of life? Other than the water thing, I feel fine. I even went out and ran errands after coming home from the hospital (someone else drove, of course ) Thanks!

Today is so much better. I have been able to drink almost a whole little bottle of water in a couple of hours. And no ache! I don't mind how much time it takes, I just want to avoid the thud. Thanks for all the suggestions and encouragement!

I, too, was sleeved on Monday. I feel great, with the exception of some gas issues, but I am certainly not complainng.

I was told at the hospital that lying on your left side will help expel some of the gas. I can affirm that it works

I tried a little experiment: I took a sip of water and then walked a lap around the den. Either I was too distracted to notice the thud or the activity helped the water down. There is still the burp that follows, but at least I was able to get some fluid with less discomfort. (there is still some discomfort, but it is not as clamorous as before.) I never thought I would hear myself wish to be gulping cold water... Usually the mere thought of water makes me gag. But, now that I crave it, it hurts to drink. Kind of a funny irony .

Hi! I had my sleeve done at Sibley on Monday. I feel great. The only "pain" is some gassy issues with drinking water. I would recommend Sibley without hesitation. The whole process was easy and quick (although I was a self-pay patient, so that definitely helped the process along). Dr. Long did a super job, and I couldn't be more pleased, so far!