Cairobat

I'm six weeks out and I still have a little bit of faint bruising. I think it should be gone in another couple of weeks. I am REALLY pale on my belly, so even though it's faint, it's still pretty noticeable.

This was my experience as well. I didn't even use my robe. I miraculously had almost no gas pain, so I didn't use the Gas-X strips. The only thing I used was my phone, and I didn't even use that very much because the anti-nausea patch made my eyesight too blurry.

I just drink normally. I can't chug like I used to, but I've been able to take regular drinks of Water since day two. My doctor said it was fine as long as it didn't hurt. No harm to me or the sleeve. I can't imagine sip-sip-sipping all day either! I've got things to do!

I am almost six weeks out and I constantly think about food and deal with head hunger. Everyone's experience is different. I so wish I was one of those who don't think about food or feel hunger! I am in for a life-long battle, but at least the sleeve gives me a fighting chance.

I was told to take two weeks off, but I went back to work 75% time one week after surgery. My job was very accomodating and put me on light duty. I work in receiving and lifting is a big part of the job. If they had not been accomodating I would have had to take a month off. Even working only 75% makes me pretty tired, though.

I'm 2.5 weeks out, and it's still not completely comfy to sleep on my stomach, but it's not too bad, so I do it anyway. I seem to recall sleeping on my side fairly early out, like within the first week.

I plan to treat myself to a professional hair dye service when I reach 100 lbs lost. I am a 30 year home dyer, and it would be nice to get it done by a pro for once. Other planned treats for goals include mani-pedi treatments and spa days.

I got sleeved on Monday, too. A little bit sore on one side - it feels like a pulled muscled. I have menstrual cramps worse than this on a monthly basis, so this is no biggie. I have walked around the block several times. Gas pain is minimal, Fluid intake is very good. Probably not 64 oz, but their goal for me is 20-30 oz, and I know I've had more than that. I haven't been hungry, but did have some minor head-hunger here and there. It was very manageable. The only bad things are some occasional nausea and sensitivity to certain smells. I can't stand our hand soap anymore! lol

You are perfect and beautiful right now. But that's not really what this surgery is about, is it? It's about your health and dodging future illnesses that can be avoided by losing weight. He is correct. Surgery is just a tool. And you might gain the weight back. It sucks, but that's a fact we all have to acknowledge. I don't even want to have this surgery. I have lost almost 60lbs pre-op, but I am getting sleeved tomorrow. Why? Because the Psychiatrist who evaluates all of the patients in my program congratulated me on my efforts and then told me I have about 2% chance of keeping it off. And I can't exactly argue with that, since I have failed to maintain weight loss every. single. time. So WLS gives me a better chance of achieving the long-term success that I could not achieve on my own and living a healthier (and hopefully longer) life. Is he in this for the long-haul? Do you see yourself being married to him or in a very long term relationship? Maybe another question for him is, "If I don't have this surgery, or cannot lose and maintain weight loss on my own, will you be willing to support me through any future health issues that may arise?" Best of luck to you however you decide to pursue your health!

I don't have anything useful to add, just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

I lost 50lbs, but I have been pre-op since late Feb and started my pre-op diet early March. Kaiser did not make us do a liquid diet.

I started attending my support group immediately after orientation back in February and have been to every meeting except when I was in Alaska. I figured that since I was going to be part of this community and I would need their support, it would benefit me to carve myself a space right away. I'm glad I did. I now have friends in the WLS community cheering me on and inspiring me, and fellow pre-ops who look to me and my husband as inspiration (we have both done really well on the pre-op diet). Even if you don't initially get anything out of the meetings because they are geared towards post-ops, I would encourage everyone to go and meet your new friends early and often - you'll need them!

I was only told to lose 5% (13 lbs), so I got off pretty easy.

Right there with you 100%. My surgery is a week from tomorrow. I am not giddy with anticipation and excited to start my new life. I am scared and freaked out and completely worried about "buyer's remorse" and overwhelmed by thoughts of "Can I do this? Will I be miserable?" This is permanent! Am I up to the fight for life?" I hope these aren't signs that I'm not ready. The one thing that seems to help is to remind myself why I'm doing this - which is because I don't want to spend the 2nd half of my life in a Lazy Boy recliner. Good luck and best wishes to you!

I'm planning to shove it all into a pair of Spanx and call it a day. Unfortunately, that's not an option for my arm flab, but for that I might try kd5wzr's plan.

I'm looking forward to sewing for myself again. And since my husband is losing weight, I'll sew for him, too!

I bought a pair of pants that turned out to be too small; waited too long, then couldn't return them. Now they're in regular rotation in my daily wardrobe.

I like to design clothing and I have some great fabric on hand that I didn't want to use until I would look good in the garments. So, when I hit goal, I am going on a sewing spree!

The first thing you should do is talk to your Primary Care Physician. They can refer you from there.

I've noticed that with Kaiser, too. Once you get a referral from your PCP, the ball gets rolling fast. I am postponing my surgery until after vacation, or I would probably be getting sleeved next month - and I only asked my doc about it February 10th! Pretty happy with Kaiser so far!

My nutritionist permits carbs, but because I have PCOS and carb addiction issues, I leave them alone for the most part. On my pre-op diet, I am eating more carbs than when I was on Atkins, but am still at what would be considered at low-carb diet. I think I am usually under 60 grams, with the carbs coming from fruits, vegetables, and dairy as opposed to bread or starchy veggies. I am losing weight pretty consistently. Since you have PCOS and it sounds like carbs are a trigger food for you, it might be wise to restrict them.

I am just the opposite, Pinky! At work, I can just focus on work and stay busy. When I get home, I have time on my hands and boredom leads to the munchies! So far, I have resisted - but my willpower is tested. It gets a little easier every day, though. I'm hoping that what is willpower today will be habit down the road.

Way to go!

When I read my doctor's pre-op diet, I was traumatised! I didn't think I could possibly live on 1200 calorties of healthy food per day. I was depressed at the thought of going through the day feeling hungry and deprived. But then I went ahead and tried the diet, with the presumption of failure already in place. And you know what? It wasn't so bad. A little over two weeks into it, and I'm feeling really good and far more energetic than I have in a while. And I don't even eat the full allowance of food. I completely surprised myself! And I bet you will, too!

My doc gave me a pre-op diet. I was told that it was to get you prepared for a whole new way of eating - smaller portions, Protein first, chewing thoroughly, etc. Hopefully your doc will give you some guidelines for post-op eating, even if there is no pre-op diet. I haven't had surgery yet, but I would think that the sooner you put the new behaviors into practice, the better!