pre-surgery advice for sleevers

[jobigirl 2]

Surgery on Aug 13 (yes, Friday the 13th) went well. I was released from the hospital on Sunday morning and return to work on Mon. 8/30. Incisions are all healing super quickly. Feeling tired and sometimes bothered by acid reflux. Have to eat so often it wears me out. Try to make what I eat nutritious since can eat so little at once--about 2 Tbsp. Am bothered by back pain but Aleve works. Here are some things I learned within the last 2 weeks that you may find helpful:

1. Don't go out and buy clothes for the hospital. You will live in a hospital gown and you won't care. Bring some bedroom shoes.

2. Never, ever let them put the iv into your right arm. You'll need that arm to wipe your butt.

3. Don't splurge on a "last supper" the day before surgery. You may get diarrhea.

4. I'm gagging on the protien replacement meals. Get some unflavored so you can mix it in something you like. I can't take anything sweet without feeling sick. But NEVER skip the protien. Your body can only absorb 30g at a time, and too much protien can cause negative health issues. Do 30g at least 2x daily.

5. The Walmart brand Gummie Bear Vitamins are cheap and taste good. Take 2 instead of one.

6. Hang a calendar on the back of the bathroom door to write your weight on. I have lost 12 lb. in 2 weeks. The daily weigh-in frustrates me, so after Sunday, I will weigh once a week on Sundays.

7. Get a hand held calorie counter (electronic) or a food counter book. Keep a food and exercise diary. Your doctor will love you for it.

8. If you go to bed to watch tv before falling asleep, don't eat anything in your bedroom. Caused on of the worst cases of acid reflux I ever had.

8. The first week, never trust a fart. Always go to the bathroom to release it in the toilet or you may ruin your clothes.

9. The second week, you may need a gentle laxative.

10. Surgery pain was so minimal that they took away the morphine the second day because I didn't use it.

11. Keep in mind that your weight loss is going to be rapid at first but it will take time to see a difference in yourself. If you lose 2 lb. a week, that's 104 lb. lost by next August.

[meriteri 1]

I'm getting my sleeve Sept. 8th, so thanks for the words of wisdom! My favorites that made me LOL were #2 & #8! I was also motivated by #11! Hopefully your energy level goes up & back pain goes away. As far as the acid reflux...did u get a Rx for anything? Good Luck & Take Care.

[jobigirl 2]

yes he did prescribe something for acid reflux. And it works if I take it! LOL I just don't want to swollow anything unnecessary. Good luck with your surgery. I had a band for 3 years and although I lost all my excess weight in 6 mos., it came back. I threw up almost every time I ate. The band is unpredictable. One time you can eat 2 bites, the next almost a regular meal. I am sooooo glad it is out of me! Keep me posted as you recover, Slim. :tongue_smilie:

[determined1 3]

thank you for the tips! some things I didnt think of like #2 and a reminder for #8 (fart one) LOL

[DougNichols 124]

8. The first week, never trust a fart. Always go to the bathroom to release it in the toilet or you may ruin your clothes.

I laughed so hard I was crying, and my side hurt. :w00t:

[Barbie_70 0]

Thanks for your words. Im going to get my sleeve tomorrow and I really needed to hear this from you. I get out to an libanon restaurant with my sister this evening and now I think maybe I should not:(

Now Im going to drink lots of Water if it maybe helps.

[renniemommie 8]

This is some funny sh*t!

[afdonn 1]

Im still laughing over #8....very true tho!

[time-4-change 1]

That was a hoot! Now tell me what you really think and how long recovery takes. I need to pick up a 25lb little man and was wondering if that will be a problem! Thanks!

Surgery on Aug 13 (yes, Friday the 13th) went well. I was released from the hospital on Sunday morning and return to work on Mon. 8/30. Incisions are all healing super quickly. Feeling tired and sometimes bothered by acid reflux. Have to eat so often it wears me out. Try to make what I eat nutritious since can eat so little at once--about 2 Tbsp. Am bothered by back pain but Aleve works. Here are some things I learned within the last 2 weeks that you may find helpful:

1. Don't go out and buy clothes for the hospital. You will live in a hospital gown and you won't care. Bring some bedroom shoes.

2. Never, ever let them put the iv into your right arm. You'll need that arm to wipe your butt.

3. Don't splurge on a "last supper" the day before surgery. You may get diarrhea.

4. I'm gagging on the protien replacement meals. Get some unflavored so you can mix it in something you like. I can't take anything sweet without feeling sick. But NEVER skip the protien. Your body can only absorb 30g at a time, and too much protien can cause negative health issues. Do 30g at least 2x daily.

5. The Walmart brand Gummie Bear Vitamins are cheap and taste good. Take 2 instead of one.

6. Hang a calendar on the back of the bathroom door to write your weight on. I have lost 12 lb. in 2 weeks. The daily weigh-in frustrates me, so after Sunday, I will weigh once a week on Sundays.

7. Get a hand held calorie counter (electronic) or a food counter book. Keep a food and exercise diary. Your doctor will love you for it.

8. If you go to bed to watch tv before falling asleep, don't eat anything in your bedroom. Caused on of the worst cases of acid reflux I ever had.

8. The first week, never trust a fart. Always go to the bathroom to release it in the toilet or you may ruin your clothes.

9. The second week, you may need a gentle laxative.

10. Surgery pain was so minimal that they took away the morphine the second day because I didn't use it.

11. Keep in mind that your weight loss is going to be rapid at first but it will take time to see a difference in yourself. If you lose 2 lb. a week, that's 104 lb. lost by next August.

[Goofyspice 1]

LOL some good advice!!!

I didn't think of the advice given on point #2 IV in the right hand ... the wiping hand. I personally was thinking since I sleep on my right side and like to have my hands under my face that I might pull out or tug on the IV. So now there are TWO good reasons to consider the IV in the left hand.

PS. I never trust a fart :lol: pre-op for that matter... so post op I would assume would go double for untrustworthy