Ready to Sleeve

[mimi53 0]

Hello, I'm new on the site but really excited to be here. I'm a big girl. I've been a big girl most of my life. The only time I haven't been a big girl were the times when I went on diets and was briefly successful but soon gained all the weight (plus some) back. I have several friends that had lapband surgery several years ago and I wanted the surgery so bad but my husband was so against it. The primary reason (aside from the fact that he said we couldn't afford it) was that all but one of my friends never lost more than just a few pounds and gained it all back plus some. Recently the one that was actually successful, had to have her band removed because it had slipped and she couldn't get ANYTHING (even water) into her stomach. When her surgeon removed her band he did a sleeve on her. She tells me she has never felt better. I started talking to my husband about the sleeve and doing research on my own. I've seen tons of really positive video blogs (I think they call them vlogs) and testimonials and very few negative ones. I found a local surgeon that had a seminar this past week and I registered and attended. After that I knew, without any question I wanted the sleeve. I scheduled my one on one with the surgeon and went to that yesterday. I left the surgeon's office with a surgery date! November 1, 2011, is the day I get the victory over this weight. I'm SO EXCITED!! I know full well that the surgery is NOT a magic bullet. I knew that I will have to work just as hard at this as I have ever worked at any other diet but this time, when I lose the weight I will NEVER see it again. I feel like I've just won the lottery! I start my pre-op diet on 10/18 so if anyone has any tips on making it or my recovery easier I welcome that advise. Thank you all for being my support team. This forum is wonderful and I know all of you will be very encouraging for me.

[Thomas CPA 496]

As for recovery, have patience. After surgery you are going to have a build of gas in the body so believe it or not, my nurses were trying to give me anything to pass it either up or down. Don't wait for pain to ask for relief, my nurse was great and there was only one med that helped me through IV system. Pain left when I got home, I stayed extra night as I couldn't drink Water that cleared up after being off IV for 12 hours.

Get various liquids for first week or two. My doctor said to puree Soups that I would just get tired of broth. Just get clear understanding of what first two weeks diet should or shouldn't include.

Just realize the liquid phase will pass soon enough. You may need pepcid or some other antacid and a stool softener. Try Protein drinks now to find one you like perhaps add fruit into blender, I like 1/2 banana in mine.

You will lose a lot of weight in first three weeks because of liquid/pureed diet. Fight impulse to buy a lot of smaller sized clothing as you will be replacing it a lot. Get only a couple of items and save some money. I need to get a new suit and will be having it altered again due to additional loss.

Sure others will post more tips. Enjoy the new you that you will become. And keep us posted.