Sandstress51

I made a comment yesterday about not being able to conceive of people who would put their surgery at risk by drinking alcohol or eating a burger so quickly after surgery... It got a lot of feedback, most of it negative. I'm so sorry. It was never my intent to offend anyone, and clearly...I don't know too much of the emotional piece of this lifestyle change. I thought I was well informed about the mechanics of the procedure and the aftermath, however, I guess I'm not. I'm just trying to get healthy and fit so that my retirement with my husband (who is 8 years younger than I am - He's 55, I'm 63), will be as enjoyable and full of activities as possible. I have RA, Psoriatic Arthritis, Sciatica, Fibromyalgia, and a Meningioma in my brain. I am - yes - a little vain and have been asking questions about excessive skin because I'm frightened of the rash and pain that can be associated with it. But mostly...I'm afraid of the unknown. No matter how much you think you know and have read about it, you can't know til you are out of recovery. I'm nervous and anxious awaiting the approval from insurance and surgery date. I want to publicly apologize to anyone who I may have hurt or offended. Again...it was not my intent.

So I guess the easy part is over and now the change starts. I was sleeved last Thurs., 10/30 and was in hospital for two days. I've been home three days now and I'm ok. Still having pain and discomfort at surgical sites, but its bearable. Can barely get my 4oz every 4 hours in, get full very quickly. I've not noticed any change in weight yet even though I've been on full liquids since Friday. Just wondering when I will see some weight loss. I have a treadmill at home so I've been walking since I got home. Showering with no problems. Just anxious I guess. So...what can I expect in the next three weeks sleeve pals?

My pre-op testing is 10/17, and surgery is 10/30. I'm a little nervous. I really hope there isn't too much vomiting involved. I imagine that would be painful. I have three weeks off, but would like to go back after two. What did you guys do? How quickly did you go back to regular activities? I know everyone is different, but any insight??

I got my Surgery date. October 30th for me!! My final pre-op with the surgeon is 10/23. So happy.

I got my surgery date!!!! October 30th. So excited. Need to schedule my pre-op testing, and then I'll have my final before surgery visit with my surgeon on October 23. I was informed that I don't have to be on liquids for 2 weeks prior to the surgery - only 24hrs prior. I'm so crazy excited it's nuts! I've been in a little bit of a funk worrying about the procedure, but I'm hoping that I will see a difference the first three weeks out before I go back to work.

I am so happy to read all your comments ... It's great knowing there is a really good support system here. I have so many questions and concerns. I had my GI Series this morning so that my surgeon can repair a hernia I have at the same time he does the sleeve. I imagine I'll have more pain than just the sleeve surgery. When they say you'll go home with pain meds what do they mean? I thought we can't take pills. I really a chicken-poop when it come to pain. Any thoughts??

Thank you RJ. I will keep your kind and helpful words in mind as I continue to visit this forum.

Thanks Kat! I needed that. I'm not ashamed to say that I am very scared of how stressful it will be to adjust to the lifestyle change. I'm concerned about stupid crap like wrinkles and excess skin when I should be focusing on how I'm going to get through the change in habits. I'm not and have never been a big eater, and I do eat healthy foods, but I am also a lover of sweets. That coupled with the difficulty in moving has led to almost no exercise at all except for occasional walking. I walk in Grand Central Terminal to and from my office and that's about it. Advice please!!!

So glad to hear how well you've done. I am happy for you. I hope those of us who are still waiting for a date for surgery are as dedicated and successful as you are. Maybe the whole excess skin thing is a bit much, however a very real concern as it can be bad for you as well as painful. Thank you for your insight.

I can't conceive of the idea of someone being approved for this surgery if they were not well informed, committed, and ready to make a lifestyle change. No alcohol means NO ALCOHOL. You can't have this surgery and expect to go back to your old lifestyle. Why would you go through all this (I'm still waiting for my date) and risk it all on a hamburger or a cocktail?? I'm so concerned about making sure I get all my Protein and Water in, keep up with exercise, and loose skin that I can't even think about what can I eat when. It's a little nerve racking to read some of the questions, but for the most part it is good to see that others have the same questions and concerns that I have. I have found this forum to be informative and heartwarming. But I 'gotta' tell you guys...I'm hearing conflicting stories about loose skin. Some say you will definitely have lots of it - others say it depends on your start weight and your goal weight. I'm 255 lbs @ 5/4" and my goal weight is 170. Will I have a lot of loose skin?? I'm also afraid of lots of face wrinkling and turkey double chin and neck. I'm not to concerned about how I will heal because I intend to follow doctor's orders, dietician's orders, and rheumatologist's orders. Ay ay ay - the vanity!

How was the surgery? You should be two days out. Are you still in hospital?

Wow VSGAnn2014...reading your words was like hearing my own in my head. Up to the part where you had the surgery...I haven't had mine yet. Hopefully within the next 4 to 5 weeks. I have to say it was helpful. I am 63 and I'm a little worried about how I'll feel and look post op.

I will be setting my date this Friday, Aug. 22 for some time in September, I hope. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, and a little scared. I am 5'4" and I weigh 255 lbs. My goal is 160 lbs. One of my concerns is sagging skin. My doctor says I seem to have good elasticity, however I'm 63 and wonder if it's going to hang a lot. Also, my biggest concern is leakage. But worse than that is the pain of RA which is degenerative and will get worse if I don't lose at least 100 lbs. I'm glad that people are doing this for medical reasons and not just cosmetics ... although ... again I say, "loose skin?" ... arghhhh.