My surgery was December 2nd. I should have been out on Thursday the 4th. My bowels would not wake up...I could not pass gas. I walked my rear off. I fought hard too. Friday the 5th I decided enough is enough and would walk til I could not go anymore, take a short break and walk again. Still no gas coming out. By 430 I was having projectile vomit, my IV wouldn't support a drip and I was so dehydrated they couldn't get any others to go....after and this # is accurate I counted 24 sticks from various people a guy came in and got one on the first try in my foot! It worked. So from 430pm to 12am I was being stuck. Finally exhausted I crashed. The next morning I was slowly passing gas. I was discharged Sunday about 430pm. Had my first post op today. I told them I felt like I just opened my front door to publishers clearning house and they had a check for the rest of my life back along with all the other hoopla. I can tell you I cried several times while in the hospital...said to mulitiple nurses I can't believe I did this to myself. But each of them encouraged me to believe it would get better. I have a full 4 weeks of soft foods, nothing thicker than greek yogurt. When we checked out my hubby under my encouragement went to a Wendy's got himself a burger with cheese meal...the smell doesn't bother me. Just me for now I know there will be challenges but being this overweight has taken away so many options for my life! I feel like I am empowered to take them back!