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hi! I so know what you mean. I have been thinking all week about what I can have each night as I am having surgery this Friday. I did not have to do a pre-op diet so I am still deciding on Thursday nights dinner. I think either rib eye from outback or logans or pasta from Provinos.:drool: I don't know but it will be good. Best of luck on your surgery.:rolleyes2:

I know what you guys are talking about with your taste and smell senses being changed.......One drink that i had before the operation was a moca ensure drink.......I bought a couple 6 packs to drink after the operation as well....I cant stand them anymore......just about made me gag..was so sweet. I landed up taking them to the local food bank... Also those protien bullets. I drank a few before the sleeve.....also made me gag afterwards. I tolerated them for the first week of clear liquids then got rid of the rest...

I know many pre-op patients have questions about the process. Each one of us is different but I thought I'd share my experience around the surgery and recovery in case it is beneficial to anyone preparing to undergo VSG. Based on my BMI, my doctor put me on a one-week pre-op liquid Protein diet. This consisted of three Protein shakes a day and otherwise Clear liquids. The first couple of days were tough, but by day 3-4 my system had gotten over its carb withdrawal and I tolerated the diet fairly well. I also used this time to wean off of caffeine since my surgeon didn't allow any for 8 weeks post surgery. During the pre-op diet phase I dropped 8 pounts, from 285 to 277. On my surgery day, I arrived at the hospital fairly early. The nursing staff prepared me (IV, gown, support stockings, etc.) and I met briefly with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. I was wheeled into the very cold operating room. Shortly thereafter I was given the IV anesthetic and was fast asleep. I woke up in the recovery area. This was easily the most uncomfortable part of the process as I was coming out of general anesthesia, hooked up to everything and now had a wonderful (not!) urine catheter placed. As I came out of the fog, I remember trying unsuccessfully to negotiate with the nurse to remove the catheter as it was very uncomfortable. After 20-30 minutes in this area I was moved to a wheelchair (a surprisingly challenging endeavor) and was wheeled to my room. Once in the room the PCA pump was attached. This helped greatly with my comfort level. I was also allowed to start sucking on ice chips. I did experience some gas pains but they were manageable. The nursing staff got me up to walk within a couple of hours. My particular facility was absolutely wonderful. It is a small satellite surgery facility of a large hospital and is in the same building as the surgical practice. I think most of the patients are part of the weight loss surgery program. On my particular surgery day I think my nurse had two patients, so I was able to get as much attention as I needed. One key item they were monitoring was my blood sugar which was running low. This was surprising as prior to surgery I was a Type-II diabetic with a normal glucose of 115-120. They gave me IV glucose a couple of times and were monitoring it closely. I progressively felt better throughout the day and evening and walked a few more times. There wasn't much sleeping as it seemed like every 10 minutes someone was in the room to do something. The day shift nurse had been bringing me ice chips in a small medicine cup. The night shift nurse brought a large cup of them with a spoon (what an angel!) By about 3am I was able to get myself out of bed and move to a nearby chair, managing all of the lines and connections carefully. I found that the more mobile I was the better I felt. At 5am I was told that we needed to begin preparing for my discharge. This involved giving me a glass of ice Water which I sipped on. It also involved removal of the catheter and the surgical drain, both of which were momentarily painful. I did feel better after that though. One more walk, a visit from the surgeon and his assistant, and I was discharged a little more than 24 hours after arrival. We stopped at the downstairs pharmacy for the liquid narcotic pain medication. At home, day 1 post-op involved mostly sleeping and relaxing. I had to sleep in a recliner for a couple of days to limit suture pain. I used the narcotic pain med a couple times that day. I began sipping and walking, encountering a little pain but nothing unbearable. By day 2 post-op I was feeling much better. On day 2 I stopped the narcotic pain meds and switched to liquid Tylenol. I had been told I could drive as soon as I was off the narcotics, so switching to liquid Tylenol meant I wasn't tied to the house. By that evening I felt well enough to drive myself to a meeting of an organization I'm involved with. Moving slowly but without much pain, it was nice to get out a little. I noticed I had real challenges with capacity of my new stomach for the first couple of days. It seemed like it would only hold a couple of sips or maybe a teaspoon of broth. On day 3 this got better, and by day 4 I was able to drink liquids and even broth and Soup without much restriction. I think this was the post-op swelling going down a little. My surgery was on a Tuesday and I came home Wednesday morning. My first venture out was Thursday evening. I returned to work the following Monday without any real issues but I have a fairly sedentary office job. I have to say that my recovery was quicker than I expected with relatively few issues and no complications. I know this isn't the rule for everyone. I think it helped that despite weight and Type-II Diabetes I was in generally good physical condition which probably made things easier. I'm now about 10 weeks post surgery. I successfully transitioned diet from liquid to pureed to soft foods and then to regular foods. I've experienced two stalls (one early and one now). I've dropped two shirt and pant sizes and am almost ready for a third. I'm still learning how to manage my weight loss and diet while traveling extensively for business. I have yet to get locked into an aggressive exercise regimen but am trying to do so. But overall this has been a totally positive experience and a decision I am 100% happy with.

I was about 2 weeks out of surgery when I tried it. I was the same a little bit of discomfort but no major pain. I had my surgery on 6/17 and I have no issues now.

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I am not sure if this is the correct forum to ask this question, but I recently went to my surgeon to schedule my surgery and mentioned that I have gallstones. I was told by one of the nurses during the pre-surgery classes I took that if the surgeon felt it necessary, he could do the laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the lapband surgery. However, my surgeon told me to have this procedure before the lapband surgery and after about 3 weeks to have the lapband surgery. He said that they could do both procedures, if necessary, if the patient was having the bariatric bypass surgery. Now, i have to wait until May to have my lapband surgery. This is due to schedule issues on both of our parts. Has anyone heard of this need to have 2 separate surgeries?

Hi Helen, my name is Viv, i had my op on the 1st of feb, i'm in south wales, i agree there is not a lot of info in the UK, sorry to hear you are having pain, i was lucky the only real pain i had was from the gas which lasted about 2 days, in fact i was up and walking about within 3 or 4 hours of the op, so i was really lucky, i am eating solids now, but i feel as though i am still eating too much??? i've read on here that in the first month that people have lost huge amounts of weight but for me it is really slow going, i have to return to the hospital in 2 weeks, so hopefully i will find out if there is a problem, apart from that i feel really great, i am increasing my exercise now, so hopefully that will help.anyway i hope that you are doing ok and feeling good about yourself, i haven't found any support groups where i live but this site has been great, the information and support here has really helped me get through some tough time, i was cancelled 3 times before i finally got the op and i got really fed up, but the girls/guys were really supportive. anyway all the best viv

Hey Helen, I too am in the UK, South Wales... I didn't attend a support group either, but I do find this site very helpful; all my questions have been answered here! I found the first week and a bit to be the worst, soreness in the incision areas and hard to get comfy to sleep but other than that my recovery was really good. It will get better.... I am nearly 8mths out now, so if there is anything I can help with please give me a shout! Hiya Viv, I am in South Wales too... Shwmai!!!|! Where did you get your sleeve done? Like I said to Helen, if there is anyway I can help, give me a shout! I too am a slow loser, but I am losing and not gaining so I'll take that! It certainly is a rollercoaster ride for me but I am sure once I reach goal it will be more than worth it! Hey Angie,,, how the devil are you... glad to hear you are doing well... and fair play to you for not getting on the scales... I am still addicted to them and the bloody things ain't moving for me at the moment... let me know how it is 'up north'!! Oh, and not long before we see our boys .... yey!!! =]

I too am close to my surgery date (4/20) and am quite nervous. A friend had surgery 2 weeks ago and is doing great. Reading all of your posts is a great boost for me.

I waited exactly a week post op and I e/t went ok

Sounds yummy! I have about 2 1/2 more weeks on mushies, but I will be sure to try this

I was told nothing other than walking until 6 weeks, so I would think you are probably ok

I am a 2 step revision. My band was placed in 2010 and was a problem from the start. My surgeon is removing it this week. We will wait 12 weeks for things to heal and revise to bypass in June.

Stalls are normal. You don't lose weight every day or ever week. Your body needs to adjust. I had one month I lost zero pounds but 2 dress sizes. If you are eating right you have nothing to worry about the weight will come off.

They are full of cheap collegen protein... not going to hurt you but nothing you would want to live off of for an extended period of time. I used a few over the two weeks of pre-op diet. More than anything the texture was kinda gross & they are very sweet.

I am 10 weeks out from surgery and am happy to say I am down 42lbs! I get frustrated sometimes due to my impatience, but I have never lost this much weight so fast. My older brother just saw me this weekend and gave me a big WTG high five. My clothes fit me better and I am actually fitting in to stuff I havent for over two years. I thank God for his guidence in seeking out this surgery, Was it worth it? YES! I would do it again!. All praise to you Lord.

I totally understand where your coming from! I've been on so many diets my whole life its hard for me to believe this would really work. I was sleeved April 25th so a little over two weeks ago. I started out at 240 lbs. At my two week mark I had lost 17 lbs already, but I have a fear that that's it :-( but I know I can do this and so can you!

I totally understand we live in a society of instant gratification. What ever weight I loose it doesn't seem to be fast enough. But I refuse to become obsessed with my weight so I only weigh in once a week.

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks post op for me. I went back to the gym last Thursday and walk but hate it, I want to do the elliptical so bad but my surgeon said 6 weeks. Said even though the incision might not hurt he's more concerned about them healing inside. said the twisting of the torso he does not want since that can pop a stitch and that scares me but I still want to do the elliptical so badly. For now I do the treadmill and stair master.

I had a class reunion last weekend (actually it was the hubbys but we went to the same school) anyways I'm only 5 weeks post op. I had a cocktail. Vodka and cranberry juice. Slight buzz but not really. Then we went to like an after party. I had at least 6 Jello shots. I could Taste the alcohol but no effect really. I was disappointed. A. For drinking. B. No real effect. What a waste. I was never a big drinker because my Tolerance was low. No more alcohol for me. Plus I'm stalling this week now... hmmn I wonder why??? Living and learning.

What great perspective! I am still preop, but have made lifestyle and diet changes to really get myself in best position for surgery. But now I've been stalled for about three weeks and have been really frustrated. Your message reminded me that even though the scale sticks, I am feeling changes in my clothes and that it's a marathon, not a sprint. THANKS for that!

Had completed my milk and jelly diet was on nil by mouth all night they got me up and ready I was sat around for hours in my gown and stockings and then somehow even though I had been over night they canciled my surgery as they didn't have a bed for after. This hospital doesn't have an a and e department so it was because of that. So it was pretty much sorry we can't do can you get dressed and go now as we want this bed. Crushed doesn't even describe it. So I will have a new date within 28 days so now I'm still not aloud food for up to 28 days it's killing me and mine is so strict it's sugar free jelly and 3 pints of skimmed milk a day. No food no soup no broth I can't do this for like 6 weeks I really can't. I've been trying to do this since 2015 I got to pre assement before and then they took me off the list as supposedly wasn't mentally well enough but I dissagree. So start again the surgeon said I will only have to wait 2 months well it was 7 and now it could be another month. I understand things happen but it's always to me I feel like I've been kicked in the teeth I'm just tierd of this prosses I just feel like I'm destined to die of obesity.

I was driving one week after surgery. Of course you do have to make sure you are off your narcotics.

Yes, I'll ask my doctor but just making preparation for my Dec 10th surgery and realized that was one thing I forgot to ask and haven't seen addressed. I know I will be back at work in 2 weeks but just curious if any drove before that? Thanks, Denise

This was me! I was sleeved on 4/27/15. I got down to goal and kept that weight for over a year. I am currently pregnant and still within goal weight range. Anyway, I found that food was really no longer a comfort for me. Yes, food is great. yes, I still crave certain foods sometimes. But, it is not what I run for now. I cannot eat like I used to. I practice a diet of moderation. I eat chips, cookies, cake, ice cream, Chinese, Mexican, pasta, you name it. Just not everyday, and just not very much. I actually take the time to listen to my body and realize that most of the time I am not really hungry. I also am committed to exercise. Before getting pregnant I was running 5 days a week, going to weight lifting class 2 times a week, and zumba once a week. I also picked up some other hobbies like sewing, scrapbooking, soap-making, etc. I find that when I am idle, I think about food more. I am almost always in motion...from working, to chasing my toddler, to doing school work, to training our puppy, planting flowers, etc. I just have so much more energy now (even pregnant) and an object in motion tends to stay in motion. If I try to lie around all day, I feel disgusting. Before, I used to spend all of my time on the couch watching TV or reading a book. I think you are doing well by seeking counseling. It helps.