so to answer your question about my aunt. . her recovery was amazing! right after surgery my mom and v doctor had her up walking and moving around. she wants me to keep remembering little sips of any liquids! when I went to pick her and my mom up from the airport she was walking and b feeling like a million dollars! only problem she had was had gas.. but the walking helped break it up. so she had the surgery done the weekend before mother's day in may and her starting weight was about 260 lbs. .i just saw her on Monday and she v is down to 187 lbs! looks and feels fantastic. helped immensely with her R.A. (arthritis) hasn't had any flare ups at all!! her only regret is that she waited this long to have the sleeve done.