Tamlyn

I guess that does sound a little confusing, huh? I think it's head hunger vs. stomach hunger, and also that I miss chewing. Like, he made turkey burgers on Friday night, and they smelled so good that I really really wanted a bite. I'm still on liquids and purees, so I didn't have one, but I wouldn't even have thought that I wanted a bite of burger if I hadn't smelled them. But before I had the surgery, I would have probably wolfed down a burger without thinking about it, and then considered a second one. I don't feel that kind of compulsion anymore, to overeat. And my stomach doesn't give me hunger signals anymore. I'm still trying to figure out how they work now. I don't know if that explains it any better. It's a weird combination of feelings!

I did. I felt like it stopped me from having any more "last suppers," and it also gave me a little more wiggle room to get used to the liquid diet. After about four days, when I started to feel really crappy, I had a small piece of salmon for dinner. The next night I had a small pice of steak. And I didn't have to worry that I was "cheating" because I wasn't technically even supposed to be on the diet yet. So I think it really helped me.

Hi! And congratulations! I hope you have a smooth surgery, and a quick and easy recovery. I felt pretty sore and I tired easily for the first week, until I was allowed full liquids. Running on just sugar for that week did not agree with me at all! But after that, once I could start getting Protein again, I felt much better. I had my surgery on a Tuesday, and was back at work the following Monday. (I have a desk job.) That was earlier this week. Now (Friday), I feel almost normal. My incisions are still a bit sore, and I'm still ready for bed at like 9:00, but it's not bad. My husband has done most of the cooking this week, though, I don't really want to be around food I can't eat. But I don't get hungry at all.

I read them, too. Basically what it came down to for me was that I could either stay at my current weight knowing for sure that I'd have health problems sooner or later, or have the surgery and deal with those risks. And I was TERRIFIED by the time I got there, but also really ready to go. I mean, like, I was half convinced I'd die on the operating table, so I bought all my daughter's school supplies and fall clothes way early, just in case. I was nuts. And honestly, I have had one or two days where I felt kind of sore, or kind of "bleh," but otherwise, I've been doing fine. I've lost eight pounds since my surgery (I'm ten days out), twenty five pounds since I started pre-op dieting, and I already feel more energetic and optimistic. I'm really glad I did it, even if I did totally freak myself out at first. I guess what I'm saying is, feeling really nervous and worried is totally normal, especially when your date starts getting closer. Just try to remember that some of the anxiety is rational, and some of it isn't.

I was sleeved the same day as you, and I am so excited to be on full liquids finally! I had my first non-clear thing this morning and it was AWESOME! I'm really looking forward to being able to get enough calories in to start exercising again.

Congratulations!!

I drank regular Gatorade, but I diluted it a little to cut how sweet it tasted. (My doctor's post op plan was clear liquids for nine days after surgery, and not to use sugar free ones until we got to where we could eat regular food again.)

I'm curious... why do some doctors do drains and others don't? Does anyone know? I didn't get one.

I didn't have any problems. I spent the time in the airport walking up and down the terminal, and paid to upgrade to a bulkhead seat so I could shift my legs around during the flight and get to my seat without contorting myself. It was about a 2 1/2 hour flight.

That's terrible, Jenna. I'm so sorry. I hope the doctor is able to fix it. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

You know what I wish I'd seen people talking about more beforehand? How in the beginning, it's recovering from an operation. Never mind about weight loss. You're tired, you don't always feel good, you have some sore spots, your whole body feels different... it's a lot to get used to. I'm pretty new, I've only been sleeved for eight days, but I'm trying to focus on taking care of my body. I'm not even really thinking about losing weight, although that's happening because I'm still on clear liquids until tomorrow (yippee!!!). I'm just staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, taking care of my incision sites and being kind to my body. I've spent 40 years abusing it, and I've ended up here. I want to spend the next forty taking care of it. And the next forty after that, I'd like to spend on the beach watching hot Brazilian guys play volleyball.

I think everybody reacts to it differently. I was so sick of sweets that I wouldn't have touched ice cream with a ten foot pole, but I swear to you that I would have punched my own grandma in the head for some steak. Which is the total opposite of how I usually am... I'm usually all about the sweets. (Sorry, Grandma!)

Well done! You look great!!

I don't have a caffeine addiction (anymore... used to have a major diet soda/coffee monkey), and I got the headaches, too. They're terrible, but pretty normal. Hang in there, they do go away!

I was sleeved on the 29th. I'm still on clear liquids until tomorrow, then I'm on full liquids for two weeks. I'm just drinking broth, gatorade, water and Popsicles.

I had mine done last Tuesday (July 29) with him. He did a great job. I am back at work six days later and I wouldn't say I feel 100%, but I definitely feel WAY better than I was expecting to this early on. He's a little on the strict side of post op diets compared to what some other people I've read have said, but since I've had zero complications from following his instructions, I think he does it for good reasons. Personally speaking, he and all the other doctors and nurses were really nice and totally pro. It seemed like everybody knew exactly what they were doing. The hospital is in the middle of a renovation right now, so there were some areas that had stuff like exposed drywall in some hallways, but they're trying to keep it as non-distracting as possible, and everything was totally clean and well-organized, and it didn't affect the routine of patients. Post-op, he does great follow up care. He checks in regularly and returns emails quickly if you have any questions. I emailed him on Sunday about something very minor and he replied within 5 hours, and it was a question that he could have left until normal business hours on Monday. And you're released with paperwork that spells out exactly what was done and how, to give to your doctor. Honestly, the only thing I sacrificed by having it done there is the convenience of being able to drive up the street to check in. The travel was a little tiring by the end, and I was happy to be home. But he's a very good doctor, and really does a very thorough and professional job. I'd totally recommend his practice.

I take regular low salt chicken broth and simmer it with a bag of frozen soup veggie mix and a clove or two of garlic, and then drain off the vegetables. It makes it taste more like chicken soup and less like chicken broth.

I don't know how much this matters, but my doctor told me to drink regular juice and Popsicles instead of sugar free ones. (Plus water.) He said the first week out, you need the sugar for energy. I had my surgery last Tuesday and was back at work today (Monday). I wouldn't say I feel great, but I have enough energy to get through the days without protein. REALLY looking forward to full liquids, though!!

Me too! I'm still on Clear liquids, and I had to go to my daughter's back to school pizza party tonight. The pizza smelled SO GOOD, and it was just Papa Johns, which normally I could take or leave. I am so dang bored of liquids.

I had my surgery in Mexico last Tuesday, and I went back to work today (Monday) with no problems. I have a desk job, too.

Mine was on the 29th, too! I'm doing well with the clear liquids. I'm bored to tears with them, but I'm just grateful that I can drink them easily as long as I take small sips. And OMG, the burping!!!! I sound like my grandfather after a dinner of pork and sauerkraut! Thursday I graduate to liquid-liquids, and I am SO looking forward to making some bisque soup! And a smoothie!

My doctor said only cocktail straws or juice box straws. 60 ounces of water through a cocktail straw is gonna take me until doomsday!!

Yeah, when I was a week out from surgery, my knees would have been knocking if they could have reached each other through all the padding. Mostly it was just my thighs flapping. Totes undignified. PS: You'll do great. PPS: Bourbon.

Me too, maebugg! I am hoping it's just a combination of head hunger and stomach acid. My mouth wants food, but my stomach is like "Yeah, I'll take Gatorade and maybe a Popsicle, but don't even TALK to me about anything else, or I'll growl. A lot."

It's crazy how different they all are! I had a day of nothing (the day of my surgery, which was in the morning), then a day of ice chips but nothing else, then the day I was released I was allowed to start Clear Liquids. I'm on day 4 of 7 of those. Then I have a week of full liquids (anything I can drink through a straw), then a week of purée, then a week of soft foods. I swear, by next week I'm going to be trying to fit steak through a straw, just to taste something more interesting!