UK Cathy

Hi, Well done on your new sleeve. I was sleeved on 3rd April and yes all the things you say are normal. Just remeber to sip the drinks and walk to release the gas. If the nausea is too great ask for some meds. I was fine day 2 but went downhill on day 3 but since then have really improved each day. Just take it 1 day at a time and remeber it is your body and things will happens differently to you than to others.

I had surgery on 3 April and before leaving for the airport I gave each of my boys and husband a letter and told them they could open it after my surgery. The letters were written as though I was not coming back (knew I was!) and highlighted parts of their lives that had brought me happiness and I also voiced my dreams for their future. Of course it told them how much I loved them and apologised for any upset I have caused in their life. I'm not very good at vocalising myself so the letter let me get everything down. The reason I asked them to open them is that I should not wait to be gone to tell them how much they mean to me and so they now know. Both boys sent me lovely messages when I was in the hospital saying how much the letters meant to them. I have to admit though that I cried buckets when writing the letters.

Well done, I had mine on 3rd April and have to tell you that in a couple of days time you will feel like a new person. At the moment I bet you feel like you have been steam rollered and that you can't possibly recover. Me too for the first couple of days but now I'm feeling fine and just a little tired in the afternoons. Be good to yourself, walk and sip that liquid.

Gas!! you was pumped full of gas for the op and you are still carrying it, a lot of people come out of hospital heavier than they go in. The hunger could be gas retention too. Don't worry it will work its way out (up or down!). The mantra is to sip sip sip (your liquid) and walk walk walk to move the gas. I had my surgery 3rd April and the gas is still moving

Well here I am 6 days ot and feeling good. I had my op in Czech Rep (I live in UK) on 3rd April, I should have come home on 6th but I was feeling sick on day of travel so surgeon said No. He was so good though he ordered immediate xrays and bloods to make sure that there was no sleeve problem and everything came back OK. I felt much better on 7th and travelled home then. Since arriving home I have been feeling tired but OK. I am getting in my liquids (Phew) and getting my Protein by putting the Protein powder in greek yoghurt. One thing that is not brilliant is sleeping -I am not sleeping through and am waking 2 or 3 times per night which is adding to my feeling tired. Anyone else have this? So so far no real problems or regrets. Cathy

advertise on here to see if anyone is going at the same time. I have just come back from surgery in Europe (live in UK) and travelled alone. However, the company put me in touch with 2 other ladies going out at the same time, we emailed each other beforehand and we were good company for each other at the hospital. Cathy

Hi I am posting this from the hospital as I complete all the tests. Surgery tomorrow. I an not here (Czech Republic) with any family but with two fellow sleeves. We travelled from the uk yesterday and will return on Friday. I just want to get everything over with now, the waiting is worse than making the decision abut surgery PS 53 birthday last Monday (26/3)

It is 10.55pm in the UK, I'm just going to pack my bag and try to sleep as I'm being picked up at 4.30am to go to the airport. There I will meet 2 fellow patients and we will fly off for our surgery (czech rep). Hospital admission on Monday and surgery Tuesday, prayers appreciated. Thanks. Cathy

My op is Tuesday, I brought crushable tablets (vits, calc, iron) and hope to take them in a spoon of yoghurt

Hi I'm having mine on 3rd April too. Cathy

Thank you for your post, it offers great reassurance to people like me who are yet to be sleeved. My Op is on Tuesday and I hope that I too can post a similar tale to yours in 5 weeks time.

Sorry to hear you are suffering and I hope you feel better soon. My surgery is 3rd April. Cathy

I add vanilla protein powder to mine and it tastes like soft ice cream -just not cold.

Each surgeon seems to have his own post-op diet so you should do just what you have been told, mine will be 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks puree, 2 weeks mushie then normal.

In the great scheme of things 5 days is nothing, just start your pre-op as planned and do an extra 5 days and it will be some weight off that you do not need to lose after the op. Concentrate on the positives.

My pre-op is !000 calories a day with the emphasis being on high protein low carb. What I am doing is having 2xprotein drinks and a small meal plus a snack of fruit. This runs for 2 weeks before surgery. My doctor also requires that I take milk thistle during this time and omerprazole. Also no alchohol.

My surgery date is 3rd April, travel on 1 april, hospital tests on second and surgery on third. I am neither excited or anxious at the moment I just feel that this is something that has to be done. I suppose anxiety will kick in nearer the time. I started my pre-op diet yesterday, have shopped for vitamins and protein drinks just waiting now. I suppose my biggest anxiety is that I will be alone as I am travelling to Europe for the op.

Hi, I'm Cathy and I start my pre-op diet on Monday, it should be Sunday but it is Mothers Day here in the UK so I have allowed myself a last supper with my boys. My Op date is 3rd April and I have 120-140lbs to lose. Lets keep in touch on our journey

I am going to Brno in Czech Rep. NHS is not an insurance company but the national health service that we have here in the UK. Treament is free (we do pay large taxes) but there are some restrictions on certain op and unfortunatly in my part of the country you must have a BMI of 50 or more or have some health issues before they will consider you for WLS, rather than put on more weight (still no guarantee of surgery) I decided to go self pay. I am going abroad not just because of the cost but also for surgeon experience. The sleeve is a relativly new surgery in the UK -mainly band or bypass but sleeve surgery is increasing.Cathy

Hi sandy, welcome. Like you I read all the forums and I only post now and then. I too am impatient and want things now if I have decided on it. My surgery is 3 April, I live in the UK but I am hvaing my surgery in Europe as a self pay. Unfortunatly my BMI (44) was not high enough to be considered for free surgery on the NHS so I decided enough was enough and I would pay. I will be 53 when the surgery takes place. Cathy

Sorry canot see any link/picture

Hi I'm cathy from the UK. I am self pay and due to be sleeved in Czech Rep on 3rd April. I'm only 5'3" and a heafty 262lb but not for much longer. Pre-op should start next Sunday (18/3) but I am postponing it by 1 day so that I can celebrate Mothers day (we have different date to you guys) and by the next mothers day I hope to call myself slim.

Hi Jason, I'm cathy and live in the UK. My surgery is scheduled for 3rd April in Czech Rep. I wish you well in your recovery.

As part of my pre-op diet I have to take milk thistle and this is required because it reduces fat content and size of liver before surgery. I have never heard anyone mention this on any posts here. I am having my op in Europe (Czech Rep) Cathy PS pre-op starts 19/3/12 and surgery 3/4/12

Wow, well done you -you look fantastic. See you have just posted on the 50s so thought I would come across and have a look. I am due for surgery 3 April I am 52 now but will be 53 then. Any problems after surgery or since? I sometimes question if age is a factor in recovery. Cathy