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"I keep sneaking in solids like meat "--I'm sorry to react this way, but WHAT?? Considering the dangers involved of causing a leak in an organ that is healing from surgery, why would you do this?? I know you were told by your surgeon and nutritionist not to eat solids after surgery--is hunger really more demanding than your safety and the success of this surgery? Please, please don't do this.

That everyone's experience is a little different from everyone else's. I had virtually no pain. Have had no problem with constipation, but some of the reverse issue. I've had gas, annoying rather than painful. Mostly, I guess I wish I'd known how incredibly tired I'd get of protein shakes and water as the basis of my intake. I've had some soup and yogurt the last few days, but I can't wait until I can have a greater variety of food. Also, I feel like I'm drinking constantly but I still don't meet my water goals. Argh.

From the sounds of it, you're post-op even though it says pre-op on the left side . . . I'm not sure how far out you are, though. What I've read again and again is that we have to keep trying with the water, that it gets better. This is a struggle for me, too--definitely not meeting the water goals. I get my protein from shakes--I'm supposed to be having three a day but I usually have two of the ones with 30 grams of protein so I get 60 that way. One bit of advice I received was to eat what you can during the first two meals of the day, then have a protein shake if you need it for dinner to bring up the protein count. It won't last forever . . . you'll be able to eat more eventually. Maybe try some other things with protein in them--soups or protein water? Yogurt? It adds up.

I'm wondering a bit whether one's age affects the emotions involved--specifically the hormones--as I think most of the women on here are much younger than I am. I'm no longer in possession of a uterus and associated elements, so not subject to the hormonal fluctuations many are. I'm kind of generically not a weeper, either, so there's no tears here. I don't regret the surgery but I am so sick of protein shakes I could scream!! When I read the comment on here to have a fudgesicle, I was like, OMG, I have those and can have one!! Yay!! I'm just one week post-surgery, so there's a ways to go before real food shows up in my life. I'm not enjoying this, but weight is coming off--I just have a really long way to go. Still, I can see the potential for my attitude improving a lot in another 50 pounds or so, never mind when I can have a piece of chicken! Hang in there, everyone. No going back now . . .

Welcome and good luck! Read around the site--there's a ton of information. And check out the before/after pictures for inspiration!

I was chubby as a kid but sort of grew out of that and was more or less okay until my late 20s, when I had a car accident and hurt my back. Coincidentally, used the insurance settlement to buy a car, so stopped having to walk--I could drive. Sedentary lifestyle, carb addiction (and I always remembered my mother's answer when I was young and hungry: have a piece--or two--of bread and butter), and, unlike most of the posters on here, I haven't felt embarrassed or ashamed by who I am--I just don't let others' reactions affect me much. That doesn't mean I can't see how much better my life (and health) might be if I can lose my excess weight! It's hard to see the end of the road here at the very beginning of it, though . . .

I'd like to go to the US Open (on TV now) and fit into the seats, never mind being able to go up and down the stairs without pain or fear. I haven't ridden a horse in 50 years or so, but I'd really like to be able to do that. Never crossed my mind until I read this thread. Many of the other things--flying comfortably--not only not needing a seatbelt extender, but as someone mentioned, being able to put the tray down. Being able to walk around as a tourist in the great cities of the world would be fantastic. Resolving health issues from diabetes to high blood pressure would be great. Blood glucose reading this morning was kind of scarily low, so will cut back on the insulin some more . . . maybe this is really happening? I want to chew something again! A salad, an apple . . . the liquid is making me a crazy person. On the other hand, I'm losing. So there's that!

You just kinda blew my mind. I had no idea that this was so . . . but read a Web MD article that basically says this. Wow. Those sneaky marketers and their evil ways!

I'll address the question of how functional you might be when you get home, and say what I've read in dozens and dozens of posts here--it depends. I personally had no pain to speak of and have just been a bit tired. Your mileage may vary, of course.

It has been decades since I've bought clothes in other than a plus-size store (or catalog or online site). I can't even imagine what it will be like. And it seems a million miles away right now--I'm a week post-op, trying to get my water all in, and totally stressed by some other stuff not related to this. Deep down, I know this is more important than the other things. Health improvements--diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and especially those aching knees!

My surgery was 8-28--I'm currently on full liquids and finding it rather tough. Yesterday I had about an ounce or so of yogurt and that helped a lot. I've been lucky in not having pain really at all. I have not been exercising as I should, either--hope to get out of the apartment today for a while. I was taking 60 units of insulin in the morning and at bedtime, so a LOT. I'm now taking 20 or 30 units, depending on my readings--they've been very good so far. (This morning's blood glucose was 109.) So hang on in there--this surgery will help with that devil diabetes.

Welcome! My suggestion is to read, read, read on this site--there's such an amazing amount of information and discussions of just about everything. Take a look at the before/after pictures (there are threads of them) for encouragement. And feel free to ask any question that occurs to you! Good luck.

This is a question to ask your surgeon directly, as only he/she will be able to say. But certainly many bariatric patients are diabetics hoping to improve that condition (I'm one). On the other hand, my numbers were fairly well controlled--with a lot of insulin--before surgery. I'm currently taking about a third as much insulin as I was before surgery.

Sleeved 8/28 and had almost no pain. Some gas, but not painful--more uncomfortable or annoying. I've also had no problem with taking pills (haven't crushed them) or drinking the protein shakes. Not getting enough water, though. Would just about kill for something else--I'm thinking I might just go ahead and try a spoonful of yogurt. I'm on full liquids and that's one of them, but the instructions say to do protein shakes the first week and then add the other things . . . I dunno. Maybe I'll be sorry? I have not been exercising (bad me) and I'm kind of depressed because of some other issues--nothing to do with the sleeve, which I still think is a good, good thing I've done. Will feel that even more when I start seeing some weight loss . . .

My post-op diet was three days clear liquids and then full liquids, including three protein shakes per day. So, yes, plenty of protein. I've read over and over that it's important for healing.

I'm so broke I was thrilled to be able to get some vitamins at Wal-Mart: chewable multivitamins, biotin, B complex, Calcium citrate with D3. Of course, it's early days and I haven't been tested yet to see if there are any deficiencies.

With the usual disclaimer: I am not a doctor, I am not an expert--but it seems that if your current weight is 220 you are not going to see the big losses that much heavier people do (such as I may see). But even for those who lose a lot the first month or two, ongoing losses of ten pounds a month seem typical. The questions I'd ask myself are these: 1) how much weight can I lose each month without the surgery? and 2) how likely am I to keep the weight off for the long term? Just realize that this isn't magic surgery--it's a tool to help in a longer journey in your life. It's not easy any way you choose, but there's a lot of evidence that it's worth it.

I'm doing okay--surprised I didn't have more pain and that I've had no trouble, really, swallowing pills. My biggest issue so far is getting enough water in. I feel like I'm drinking constantly, yet I don't actually put that much away. Today so far I've only had about 16 ounces plus the two protein shakes. Not nearly enough. Day isn't over yet, of course, but . . ..

I've just started full liquids on day 4 but the suggestion is to just do shakes the first week and then the second week I can introduce other things: no-sugar yogurt, no-sugar pudding, high-protein soup, strained cream soup. I'd guess farina would be the mushy stage at the soonest . . .though it's not listed on my recommendations. The soonest grains are listed is for the maintenance phase!

I'm still at the liquids stage, but I do have a question or two: Did your nutritionist give you a list? Are you tracking what and how much you're eating, keeping track of protein, calories, carbs, fats? You can do this pretty easily with an application such as MyFitnessPal.com, and that may give you some ease about what you are doing. I know I feel stuffed right now and I'm basically having my second protein shake of the day . . . so can't trust my feelings about what's actually going on. Good luck!

I'm a fan of loose, comfy clothes and I figure I'll continue to be--but I don't see how they'll allow me to gain weight without noticing if I'm weighing myself at least once a week?

Watch TV or movies. Read a book. Play computer games. Sort through your clothes and organize them by sizes . . . what can you get rid of? What's for next month? What's for the month after? If you're tough, look though recipes on the Internet for down the line. You could even cook, making bone broth for now or soup for later. When it comes to shopping, how about buying one outfit that's three or four sizes smaller than you are now? Keep it for inspiration--you'll actually wear it eventually! Hang in there . . . you can do this.

Had surgery Monday. Feel like all I'm doing is drinking water but I still fell short of the goal. Tomorrow is another day . . .

I had mine on 8/28 and I've had no trouble getting fluids in. I'm assuming the reality will be far different when actual food is involved--but won't even have a protein shake until four days out.

How are you doing? I had mine on Monday, got home today. I've had virtually no pain and no trouble at all getting liquids down, although I'm trying to take that slowly. Have some minor gas, not too bad yet. Curious to see how I'll sleep tonight.