CelticHarpist

I was screened for gall stones but had none so they left mine in. No Actigall to date but the doctor warned due to dietary changes that I might start to develop those. The nice thing is my kidneys and gall bladder all looked great in the ultrasound. I was given a temporary prescription for preventing reflux my first couple of weeks post surgery but I had no trouble with reflux so he said I could stop the Rx.My doctor doesn't use a bougie but uses something less invasive through the esophagus that he uses when placing a lap band during the surgery. He made very miniscule incisions except for through the bellybutton. He doesn't overstitch as the surgeons in the practice here use a special staple with several rows that isn't the usual ones sold to hospitals - I guess they cost a little more but have less leakage problems. For me: no drain. 2 nights in hospital. It does seem that diets and foods are varied by doctor and by dieticians on these boards. Everyone has a preference I guess based on what seems to work best in their experiences.

My doc's guidelines have it added weeks 3-5 or soft stage. Perhaps you could zip it through a blender to make it more mushy? I ate yogurt without fruit during my mushy stage. Blended cott cheese would be simliar? Maybe you could ask a dietician about that. I first ate cottage cheese the first day of my 3rd week as I craved it, too. Tasted great!

I had two problem days of this but colace liquid worked for me. My dietician recommended Milk of Magnesia every three days, but I didn't need it after getting through that first hurdle usig the colace.She did recommend I start something from the local health food store called FOS (Fructooligosaccharide)- at 1/4 tsp daily for a week, then 1/2 tsp daily for a week, up to 3/4 a tsp daily for the rest. I guess it is used a lot in Japan for intestinal health. It is a slight dietary Fiber. Seems to have helped me.Celtic

I wished I'd bought a binder pre-surgery. Saw one later at Walgreen's for $30. Medical supply store sounds like the way to go. I would have found it more useful than holding a small pillow to the area. I did have postsurgical pain - most intense of course the day after surgery, down significantly the second day, but a small nagging pain for about 3 weeks. The doctor said it was from his major incision by the belly button where he had to cut through a major muscle. It is gone now except a twinge once in awhile at four weeks post. I craved fish, too. One of my first mushy food days I had crab cake consistancy crab and relished every long drawn out chewed mouthful. Celtic

I got the variety pack from amazon too but haven't opened it yet. I did get the Torino SF peppermint and use it in decaf coffee, also put some in SF lemonade as I like the COlorado Garbanzo restaurant Mint Lemonade prior to surgery.Celtic

WootWowWow! YOU CAN see the difference. Congrats. I had mine on the 11th as well. Down 28# and am with you - looking forward to the next 25.Celtic

My doc and dieticians won't let me take any gel pills. I found some liquid colace that seems to work as well. Celtic

I'm on the last day of my pre-op diet before surgery. My worst day was feeling not well on Wed-Thursday which was almost the 5th-6th days of the 10 I had to do. Had some upper leg cramping Tuesday night which kept me awake; maybe that contributed (walking and more fluids seemed to calm the cramps). Then all was fine again for me. Had one EAS and one adkins so far today. Propel water, Diet V8 Splash berry, and took myself to my fav chummy neighborhood place I've had to avoid - they made me 3 oz of grilled chicken without oils and coated with yummy oregano, wonderful mixed veggies including my fav asparagus and boxed all the rest of the grilled chicken dinner in a plastic bag for me to freeze before I even saw it. (My doc has his patients eat that amount of fish or chicken or lean pork daily.) I've been diligent on my pre-op. Hope it pays off tomorrow!

Good luck to all those like me who are getting sleeved tomorrow! PEvette Vanb0052 Readytobeslimxoxox Blondeej Dr. Aceves, KamloopsMom Healthy Mama Kat1 Pam2011 bogeydog blackdahlia Detroit_Tom May all go well.... Celtic

Stocked up on Protein Powder and drinks, and lots of propel Water. Got out some cushy slippers. I have packed today basing items on the lists here - sooooo helpful! Got some soap infused with my favorite perfume to treat myself during recovery. Also packed a cute bag for my doggy who will stay with a friend.. Off I go to the pivotal event. Somehow I hear myself humming Follow the yellow Brick Road .....glad to be following success stories that show up here

Thanks all! I wasn't sure I could get online today. Appreciate the well-wishes.

Mine is tomorrow at 730 AM. Overwhelmed is a familiar feeling. I am better today about it. I bit the bullet and called my doctor yesterday (even though a saturday) and talked some things over so I feel a bit better. Wonder how many pre-surgical calls these docs get from jitters. My dog is at his sitter. (Lol, had his hair cut today so no one would have to put up with his early summer shedding). Finishing some last minutes things at work, to then go home and install an AC for comfort post surgery. Colorado used to be so nice in the summers but now AC seems a must for evenings. Keeping busy with something constructive seems to help!

I have liked Adkins Advantage Dark Chocolate Royale shake, but I tried their vanilla by accident the other day and found I loved it. I got some Chike (sampler pack) and some Unjury powders recently. I like putting the unjury chicken soup in low sodium chicken broth. I tried the Chike Strawberry in Diet V8 Splash tropical blend and it was scrumptious. I found something called a Vortex drink mixer cup and it makes powders blend like a snap in a few shakes. I tried their Orange Cream in the same thing and didn't like it as well. Maybe it would be better with water or milk. My doc receommends EAS Edge (pretty cheap at Walmart) for after surgery. I drank the French Vanilla and liked it - it was thinner than the Adkins. Maybe the thinner means easier to go down post-surgery.

Hey, good luck. Having mine at the same time. Hoping all goes very well for you!

Good luck to you! Success on your journey!

Going into it all with a No Pain No Gain attitude after checking out Junior Guru's blog. (thanks for posting) I'm in a related health field, so a friend social worker said she viewed a laproscopy at another worksite, and said the surgeon made a similar but not exactly the same comment to that patient. After speaking with her, she explained some of the abdominal inflation accounts for the pain as well as incisions. My doctor did tell me I may feel some residual shoulder pain from the abdomenal inflation when I asked him. Guess I will understand when I get there and know it doesn't last forever.

Thanks to all of you who responded. I feel a bit more secure about heading into Monday. Maybe he was trying to be funny but he only looked serious so it shook me up. Helps to have this support on the forum here, doesn't it?

I am the 11th of June (monday)and had to do my pre-op for ten days. I haven't had too bad a time on the pre-op. I have used chicken broth a lot with Unjury chicken soup during protien drink times. Unjury tastes good - haven't tried the chocolate or vanilla I got yet. Chike strawberry protein powder was good in V8 diet splash which I am allowed. Good luck with the diet. Staying extra hydrated seems to help me. I lost 14# so far.

Yipes! I was told to do a 10 day pre-op diet. I hope that is long enough for the liver to shrink. Maybe I will start tomorrow and do 11.

My doc says to do the pre-op for 10 days before the surgery, but I think I might do 11.I've bought some unjury and chike, and adkins prepacked shakes. Propel Water additives, too. GNC protein puddings are allowed on my paper instructions. I sure want to do this right. Good luck to you all. A little scary but exciting, too.

So am I, Bogeydog. June 11th. Starting pre-op diet.

Wow, I am June 11th, too! nice to share with someone else.

Hi, I am also from Colorado Springs and am getting the sleeve in June - whew 2 weeks out. I start on my pre op diet tomorrow or the next day. Slightly scared about it but hopeful. Have ordered some unjury and chike Protein shake powders. Not quite sure how it will all go, or results. Am on the last lap before the big day though. Any hints?

Hi, I am getting a sleeve soon in june at Penrose St Francis Hospital in the Springs. There is a support group at Penrose Main that has sleevers in attendence. Good luck to you.