HopefullXOXOXO

One more thing to know for post op. I can’t bend over very far. Might just be me.

I got all meds, vitamins, recipes, and pre made protein drinks ready before I went to the hospital. I typed out a full schedule saying what I have to have when. Yesterday I would not have walked had he not been here. I didn’t have good balance before the surgery. He made me follow the schedule as best I could. We can’t lift anything 10 pounds or more for a couple weeks at least. He’s been lifting and carrying things for me. Ive been set up on second floor and he moved some tables around so I have 4 tables around me with everything I need on them. Today he even thought to put ready made protein drinks on ice for me as he probably lost weight yesterday with so many trips up and down the stairs! Lol!!! I hope to start spending the day downstairs tomorrow as long I can stay awake today. He’s taken blood pressure and temperature and been my go fer for everything I need. He just left for a few hours. It’s also been very nice just to know he’s here for me, psychologically. Moral support. I would say this, you definitely need some one taking care of you until a day after you’re off all narcotics. Even though you feel you’re ok and can do something , like the stairs, you really shouldn’t. Our new stomachs need to heal so I’m taking everything slowly and trying one new thing at a time. The last thing I want to do is traumatize my new tummy and and end up back in the hospital. Hope this helps.

Sleeved Thursday night and just starting to feel human again. I’m still sore and have spasms that come and go. I slept pretty good last night. My husband has been here to help me which I’m so grateful for. Can’t imagine doing this without his help.

This is only a good idea if you all have some one to take care of all of you for the first few days to a week. You definitely will need help.

Frust8. I’m 65 and fully intact.

I’m So jealous you got morphine! They gave me OxyContin but that makes me vomit so I wouldn’t take the full dose. They did the surgery exactly 2 days ago at this time of day. Everything considered, I’m doing pretty good. I do ya cramps but didn’t get anything for that either. I’ve only been taking Tylenol today along with anti nausea pills. I’m very tired but find if I make myself Walk I actually feel a little better. Last night I vomited and some dried blood came up. I have been drinking water and protein drinks, very slowly. Well taoz and Baribetty, surgery is done and behind us now. Hopeful we’ll all feel better soon. Almost forgot, I have rolling veins too so I asked them to put iv someplace else. They used a vein in my forearm and that worked really well.

Hi everyone. My sleeve was done Thursday about 4:30-5. He also fixed hiatal hernia. Slept a lot. Icy always makes me vomit so I took one yesterday about 4pm. Now just Tylenol. As long as I’m still it doesn’t hurt as much. I am sore though. They let me go home last night around 5pm.

So happy you're doing well and the surgery part is over. I'm leaving for the hospital soon but surgery isn't scheduled till about 6 hours from now. I'll update as soon as I can.

Taoz, I’m glad everything’s going well for you so far. How long do you expect to be there? Have you been drinking and walking? My surgery begins tomorrow afternoon at 2:50 pm which seems late to me. They’re saying I should be ready to go home at 1pm the next day. I hope they’re right but it all seems so fast. Tonight I’m really not nervous. I’m overtired from getting everything ready for post op. I’m sure I’ll feel different tomorrow! Hang in there Taoz. You got this!

Taoz---You got this. I'm proud of you and I'm excited for you. Your new life is waiting. Saying prayers for you now. Lisa

Regarding post op gas, I read someplace on this site (I think) that Gas X type medications can only help with air trapped in the digestive tract and that we'll also have air trapped in our torso from the surgery. What was recommended by someone that worked well for them is activated charcoal. I did some research and got from Amazon Bulletproof brand Coconut charcoal. My research suggests that charcoal from coconut is the best. The other thing I found out while researching is that the charcoal will also eliminate anything taken within two hours of taking it from your body, including medications and vitamins. If you chose to try it, just be careful about that.

Just back from an event filled all weekend wedding in Montreal where I couldn't eat anything that was served because of pre op diet but was able to work around it with scrambled eggs at the hotel in the AM, protein drinks, veggies and water. Glad to be home. Lots to do before surgery this Thursday 5/3/18. For all those going before me or close to me, I'm thinking of you all and hoping we all get through the surgery just fine. Lisa

Hey Laura, I'm also 5/3, one week from today. You're not the only one. I'm 65 years old, so risks are slightly higher for me. I'm with you on the anxiety scale. This is all I think about. I wake in the middle of the night thinking about it. I've never had surgery before or been under general anesthesia. I have talked to a lot of people and everyone keeps telling me I'll do fine. The sleeve is minimally invasive, etc. My only advice is to keep yourself as busy as possible for the next week. I had been apprehensive about a 3 day wedding I'm attending this weekend. You should see the schedule, we actually got a spreadsheet of the events and every minute is filled from Friday at 5PM until Sunday 11PM. I'd been apprehensive because I'm on pre op diet and have no idea what will be served at all these events. Now that it's here I'm hoping it will help distract me from my own thoughts. You may want to discuss this with your doctor? maybe he can prescribe something to help. I'm right here with you, you aren't alone. Lisa

I've been on since last Thursday. I got the Unjury brand (unjury.com) and so far I've only tried Vanilla & chocolate splendor. Both are delicious and mix easily with skim milk with no after taste. They also have one that's unflavored you can add to soups or pudding or whatever. I also got some Premier Protein but haven't tried it yet. I'm going to Montreal for a 3 day wedding this weekend (5 days total cuz driving there and back) and I plan to bring all the Premiere Proteins with me. I also have a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy this Wed. tomorrow will be really rough. Can't eat again till Wednesday about 3:30-4:00PM. My doctor gave me a shrink the liver diet that's very low carb and low fat protein so it hasn't been tooooo bad. Definitely craving my usual cookies and chocolate. I've noticed that I had these at a particular time each day so that's when I notice it. Otherwise I'm ok. Someone suggested SF hard candy to me. I'm sure that's cheating, but cuz it's sugar free, I'm hoping to get away with it. It does help me during those times my cravings are high. The sf hard candy isn't very sweet, at least the ones I've tried, but better than nothing for me. Weighed myself Sunday, 3 days after diet began and saw I lost a 1/2-2 lbs. already. Good luck!!!

Sorry to hear your surgery got postponed. You must be very frustrated with your insurance company. At least you'll still get it done, just on 5/2/18. Looks like you're getting a lesson on patience whether you like it or not!

I know there are several on this post who said they're surgery is early May, one person said surgery is 4/29 but I can't find it now. Can we please all post our dates again? I want to hear others experiences and also share my own. My surgery is 5/3/18.

I think different doctors require different requirements co what I have may be different than from what you get. For the most part my first two weeks is all about drinking 30 oz. of protein a day as well as 30 oz. of fluids. I'm told I can have Crystal Light drinks but will probably drink mostly water. I'm making frozen protein pops before hand that I hope to have the second week as part of my protein. I got Unjury.com products and they have recipes too. Like a strawberry cream lemonade that give you protein. Tried the vanilla & chocolate splendor and both are delish.

I also went with the Unjury protein and vitamins. I got the full starter pack so I can make post op protein pops with them. So far I've only tried the vanilla and chocolate splendor and they're both delicious and like you said, not chalky and no aftertaste. I'm using them pre op too.

Just want to let everyone know I've tried the Unjury brand vanilla and chocolate splendor flavors and they are delish! They're having a 10% discount on them that ends TODAY. If you're interested www.unjury.com I'm going to try making them and freezing for a frozen treat. They mix well and are not really thick, I think that's why so many have said they like this brand post op. There are other flavors but haven't tried them yet. I'll update.

Congratulations! My BMI fluctuates 36.5-37.5. I began my pre op diet yesterday, surgery 5/3/18. I very relieved to say that my diet is not liquid protein only. I have to do liquid protein for breakfast but can have lean meat or egg whites and as many vegetables as I want for both lunch and dinner. They're even allowing me 2 fruits a day, I was surprised about that. Today is my second day and, for me, I've been hungry until lunch.

I saw the surgeon today for final pre op meeting. I told him my concerns about my head/neck being back too far throughout the surgery. The first time I told him about this he just said "speak to the anesthesiologist" about it. Today, I told him I can't go through with the surgery if that's how I have to be throughout so I FINALLY got an answer to my question!!! I said "I know you're not the anesthesiologist, but you must have seen how people's heads/necks are positioned during the surgery. He told me that they only have to pull my head and neck back when the put the intubation tube down my throat (only a few minutes) and after that my head is straight throughout the rest of the surgery. YAY!!!!! I can't possibly tell you how relieved I am. Now I can relax and focus on pre op diet and getting what I need for the surgery. 5/3/18. Two weeks from tomorrow! Lisa

CaliRey95, jules1 & Frust8, I really appreciate your thoughts and support. Thank You. Lisa

I see my doctor tomorrow for final visit before surgery to be done 5/3/18. Also start pre op diet tomorrow. I have worked SO hard on getting this done for 2 1/2 years. Now that it's close, I'm a little scared. I'm 65 years old now (63 when I started the journey). If I were younger, even 50's, I doubt I'd be scared at all. It's really my age and basic condition that scares me. Plus, I know they found some problems with the upper GI test. The blood tests showed I have H pylori which they contacted me about last week and put me on several medications I have to take for 14 days. I stop taking them 5 days before surgery. I don't know how other blood tests came out. My biggest concern is that I have a rare disease (Fibromuscular Dysplasia) that has created a 50%-70% blockage in my carotid arteries and can NOT have my head leaned back for an extended period of time. I've told the anesthesia department about this and was told to be sure to tell the anesthesiologist the day of surgery. I really wish I could meet with the anesthesiologist to discuss this now. I know they intubate us for surgery and I THINK that means my head will have to be leaned far back throughout the surgery. If this is true, I can't have the surgery. The last time I saw the surgeon, he told me to speak to anesthesiology about it, it's not his department/job. I've been very pushy advocating for myself on this and am frustrated I'm not getting a clear answer. I know I need to do this but certainly don't want to have a brain injury as a result of the surgery.

Sorry you're going through this. It's taken me 2 1/2 years to get the right insurance and approval so I totally understand your frustration. If I were you I'd ask your doctor or hospital to get pre-approval for you. I'd also call your insurance and ask to speak to a supervisor or someone who can help you fight this. Ask exactly what you need to do in order to be approved for 5/1/18. Ask why you have to do the 6 months vs. 3 months? Is there something specific to you? Is this an arbitrary decision on their part? Does your policy say why you'd have to do the 6 months vs. 3 months? There must be some medical reason one is required over another. You have to fight for yourself and ask the right questions. Good Luck! I'm scheduled for 5/3/18 so we're about the same time.

Regarding the food funeral, I did have pizza and some ice cream over the past few days. Plus I went out for my favorite eggs and bacon with home fries and toast. I begin my pre op diet this Wednesday, so I'm tapering off of bread and sugar beginning today. In the past I've gone cold turkey and got very weak, sick and bad headaches. Hoping tapering off will help with this. Surgery date 5/3/18. I have to be very honest here. I really hope I'm able to follow the pre op diet. I know i must do it but cutting chocolate completely out of my diet is something I've never been able to do. I've looked at adding cocoa to my protein drinks. I also saw that someone froze their Premiere Protein premade drink and used it a their dessert or treat for the day. Time will tell but these are my feelings and thoughts as of today.