FLBarb2

So sorry, Deb and I'm sending you my prayers for a speedy and total recovery. While I had a year delay from when I originally wanted the surgery, I finally did it this in December. I pray that you will be in a position to be looking forward to your sleeve surgery when the time is right!

I'm 64 and was sleeved on 12/12. I had no complications, had the surgery in the morning and went home the next afternoon. No drain and no need for pain meds except at night for a couple of nights - just so I would sleep well. I didn't have any problems swallowing my meds and didn't need to crush any of them. I did the liquid phase for 10 days and moved to a soft diet for another 5-6 days. I am now on a relatively 'normal' diet - meaning Protein and some vegetables. Try to drink my liquids (thankful for Crystal Light!) and have at least one Protein Drink a day. Quantity isn't much but I'm not hungry and that is good! I've lost 20 pounds since surgery. However, I have edema in my lower legs and I've gained Water weight since surgery. I've got an appointment with a lymphology clinic this week to see how I can help with it. I am congnizant of salt and don't use any at the table. I also have bad knees which don't allow me to do a lot of moving and some days are better than others. I'm hoping the edema treatment will help me to walk more. Overall, I would say I'm far happier than I would be if I had not had the surgery. I would definitely do it all over again. We are all different. My surgeon said my window of opportunity is really through the next 8-9 months and then it will get harder to lose. We'll see but I intend to make the most of the window I have! Best to all of you on your journey!

Did anyone have edema pre and post surgery? I was sleeved on 12/12 and went in with edema in both lower legs/ankles. Seemed to clear up some for 10 days and now is back to pre surgery levels. Of course, the scale numbers go up due to the water retention. I don't see my doc until 1/3. Any ideas or suggestions for me between now and then?

I had the same edema before surgery as you. It was gone three days after the sleeve and has not returned yet. Sleeved on 12-11-12. I 'm hoping it doesnt come back. Let's keep in touch and see how things go. I started puree yesterday for the next 30 days. Take care and watch the salt Thanks, Proctor67. As you can tell from my reply to 'cuteasabutton,' I'm watching the salt! I don't add salt to anything on my plate and a small amount is used during cooking. I was told my soft diet phase is a week or so. I will likely start incorporating other foods, but rather slowly. I don't want to move too fast. Looks like you are making excellent progress! Keep up the good work!

Thanks - you know it could be my blood pressure meds. I was on one that had a Water pill built into it. My blood pressure was going too low for me (90/60) and they stopped the one that had the water pill in it. That is about the time that the water weight started to come back. I was told by my pulmonary doc that I may need to go to a lymphology clinic, but won't do anything until I see my surgeon on 1/3. I'm at the end of my soft diet stage and haven't had any problems with food thus far. I even had a small piece of beef tenderloin, thoroughly chewed, and I had no issues. I've been eating low sodium Soup, scrambled eggs, plain greek yogurt, a bit of mashed potatoes, a slice or two of Canadian bacon and still using Protein drinks. I'll post if there is something further the doc says I should do.

Thanks, I will try that!

I just had my sleeve done on Wednesday (12/12) and didn't have any nausea. I did have gas and some it settled in my shoulders. The advice I got was to move around to let it work its way out. It is working its way out and improving. I expect it should be gone by tomorrow.