Sleevarilla

I packed a lot. I used: my Bari-Buddy moose (the most awesome thing in the world, everyone loved my moose .. check them out: http://teddy-tech.com/product/bari-buddy/ robe cell phone cell phone charger chapstick biotene mouth spray that's it.

Best of luck on your surgery! Be brave, trust your surgeon and the people he has working for him!

OMG, I <3 Chopped!! That sounds delicious!

Congratulations!! Gaining weight immediately after surgery is almost mandatory. You've received a lot of IV fluids while in the hospital, as well as edema and swelling in your body (retaining those fluids). It will fade fairly quickly. I haven't even gotten on the scale yet and probably won't until my 2 week check up at my surgeon's office.

did you have a hernia repair, Bob? While I appreciate you chiming in, everyone I've spoken to who HAS had a hernia repair report the same feelings and problems. Therefore, I think it's safe to say that we CAN feel where the hernia repair was done. It's not as simple as "sewing up a button hole" as you put it. They have to yank the stomach back through the hole to where it's supposed to be, wrap it around and staple/suture it in place. Then the hole is also sutured. And THEN we get the sleeve. Just FYI that the hernia repair is NOT a simple add on, it causes recovery to be a little more difficult.

Yes. I had my surgery on 8/20... sleeve w/hiatal hernia repair. The hernia repair hurts and hurts bad. It's like I can feel the liquid hit the hernia repair and sometimes it takes my breath away because it hurts so much. It gets better, I've been told. The bariatric coordinator at the hospital also said to no forget that I had two surgeries, not one and to give myself extra time to heal.

I am DONE with my pre-op diet! I leave for the hospital very soon! See y'all on the other side

I can't believe I made it through 2 weeks of pre-op diet already. It was very hard to not cheat, but I kept telling myself "One more day." And, finally, surgery is tomorrow! Any last minute advice?

I really think the word "bullying" is being WAY over-used these days. I certainly don't think someone asking me "what's your excuse?" is bullying me at all. Even if said with derision, I can laugh and blow it off ... and you know why? Because I don't give a flying flip what anyone thinks about me. I am not defined by anyone but myself. Giving people who want to be negative more attention is giving them what they want. TRUE bullying is definitely wrong, but I think this just isn't the definition of bullying. I think, instead of crying "BULLY!! BULLY!!" it would be better to teach people self-reliance, and show them that they have the power to decide for themselves and tell anyone to get lost (except I'd say something more like "&*!@ off") Wouldn't it be better to have empowered people who are able to rise above things like this then to teach them to cower and cry "BULLY!"? Never, ever, ever let anybody else define you. Own your weaknesses, and like Tyrion said ... "Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it as armor and it can never be used against you."

Near Raleigh, NC and my surgery is at 3:20 in the afternoon

same to you, soniaj!

I agree, it isn't the easy way out. I made a post in my blog about this, in a way. So what if it is the easy way out? I use a remote control because it's easier than getting my lazy butt up to change channels. I drive a car because it's easier than walking. I use a washing machine because it's easier than using a wash-board. Almost everything in life is done for convenience and ease. Why not provide myself with every possible weapon I can to fight this battle? I am not as nice as you and would not have been able to respond nicely. Kudos!

Congratulations! Here's to a swift and easy recovery!

Well said. I needed to read this today! Best of luck on your journey!

Simply beautiful!! Congratulations on all of your hard work!

Here's to a speedy and easy recovery! Congratulations!!

Good luck! My surgery is next Wed. and I can definitely empathize with your fears and trepidations. I also find it interesting how each of us seems to have a different thing that scares us the most. I'm not worried at all about vomiting, but anesthesia scares the living daylights out of me. I'll tell you what people keep telling me, stay strong, stay brave, nothing is going to happen that shouldn't happen and this is nothing compared to other things you've been through.

Be brave. Here's to a smooth surgery and a speedy and easy recovery!

I just had my last meal! I'm on day 7 of my 14 day pre-op diet and the last 7 days, I've been allowed one lean-and-green meal a day in addition to shakes. From here on out, it's only liquid shakes. For my last meal, I had a small filet mignon and my veggies were broccoli/cauliflower. What was your last meal before surgery?

My process with BCBS of NC was very, very smooth. I was submitted on a Thursday and approved the following Monday! I'm very happy they dropped this requirement!

My date is 8/20, I'm on day 7 of a 14 day pre-op diet. Tomorrow, I start phase 2 - liquids only!

Congratulations! Here's to a swift and easy recovery!

Hello! I'm on Day 5 of my 14 day pre-op diet and it is very difficult. However, I know that this has to be done to keep surgery as safe as possible for me. It's my chance to get it right, to begin the journey of doing things that are good for me. The coordinator at my surgeon's office said, in no uncertain terms, that the surgeon would know if the diet was followed and that he has not operated on people before because of the increased risks.

Hi, everyone! I have a pretty nice plan with BCBS of NC (that I will lose 9/1/14 since the premium increase is so much due to obamacare). As of the middle of this month, BCBS dropped the 6-month supervised diet. My paperwork was submitted on 7/28/14 and I was approved for surgery today, 8/5/14. Not bad at all, especially since two of those days were the weekend! I have my results visit with my surgeon tomorrow morning. This is all happening lightening fast!