Any April Sleevers?

[seattleslew 36]

So glad to hear that SSlade! Everyone's different but I'm glad to hear you avoided the gas pains!

[RoseZ 6]

Sslade1223… im so happy for you… I go in tomorrow i have to be at the hospital at 6am… im excited but really nervous . I just wish it was sunday already.. Im so glad Ifound this site again you all give me ccomfort when im in panic mode. Thank you

[dsmith_rn 186]

Tomorrow I start my one-day pre-op liquid diet. I have scheduled myself to work that day (I work 12-hour shifts as a nurse) so hopefully I won't notice it too much. I had Breakfast food for dinner tonight because money is tight, but I really haven't felt a need for a "last meal." I have had plenty of delicious food in my lifetime, actually more than my share, and I have no regrets about "missing" anything.

I had my pre-op appointment with the surgeon today. It went very well, and I wasn't nervous at all, just excited. My anxiety level was pretty high last weekend, but I have settled in to being 95% excited and only 5% nervous. I know this is the right thing for me to do at the right time and I'm ready. I also have tremendous confidence in my surgeon. He has been a surgeon for 26 years, teaches surgeons from around the world, and his office has earned a Bariatric Center of Excellence designation which few facilities in this country have. I have also spoken to at least 10 people who he has done surgery on; they all have nothing but glowing things to say about him. We discussed my gallbladder which is full of stones, and he said he may or may not remove it on Friday, depending on what he sees when he gets in there; he will ultimately make the decision based on what is safest for me, and I have full confidence in him. The last thing he said to me before he walked out of the room was, "Let's get you healthy." Then they sent me downstairs for blood work and an EKG.

He gave me my prescriptions I will need post-op (Hydrocodone for pain, Compazine for nausea, and Emeprazole for stomach acid to help my stomach heal), and he also gave me a card I can show at restaurants that will allow me to order off the kid's or senior's menu since I won't be able to eat a "normal" size portion of food anymore. I go in at 6:30 on Friday and my surgery is scheduled for 8:30am. He said when I wake up I will be on oxygen, IV fluids, and have a urinary catheter in place; also I will be on a PCA pump (that's the kind where there is a constant drip of pain meds and you can push the button to get some extra medicine if you need it). I was thankful he said that very rarely is an external drain required. They will have me walk as soon as I am good and awake. I will do lots of walking as it will speed healing and prevent complications. They will also have me start sipping small amounts of liquids as soon as I'm awake.

The next morning the PCA pump goes away and they switch me to oral pain meds. When I can get out of bed by myself the urinary catheter comes out, and when I'm drinking OK my IV comes out and then I can shower. As long as I'm drinking well, my pain is under control, and I have no nausea, I will be discharged from the hospital after lunch.

I will be on Clear Liquids for a week, then full liquids for 2 more weeks (including strained Soups like potato, thinned cream of wheat, applesauce, yogurt, etc.), then pureed foods,(refried Beans, ground meats, pureed veggies, etc.) for another 2 weeks before moving on to "regular" foods. No carbs (bread, pancakes, tortillas, Pasta, etc.) for 6 months as they get "gummy" in your stomach and can cause a blockage.

I'll pack my little suitcase when I get home from work tomorrow; lip balm, Gas-X strips, my own pillow and satin pillowcase, lotion, deodorant, mouthwash, body wipes (not allowed to use deodorant before surgery--ick!) and facial cleansing wipes to help me feel fresh, cellphone and tablet with chargers. I'll bring my own socks and slippers, ear plugs and sleep mask to help me sleep, and a heating pad for pain. Seems like a lot of stuff for just an overnight stay, but I like to be comfortable.

My fiance will be with me constantly, and though he still thinks I don't "need" the surgery he has been wonderfully supportive. He will be a big factor in my healing process, as will be my darling little Yorkie, Lyla. I feel as ready as I can possibly be, and excited to start my new life!

How are all of you doing who were sleeved early in the month? Please update us!

[KMLG135 27]

@ dsmiyh_rn WOW good for you! You have got this by the tail now & have come a long way! Listen to you!! YAY you are Soldiering right along to your new life! So this is your HAPPY V DAY EVE!!

FYI -I was nervous the week before too & then this sense of boldness & calmness came over me & I carried those positive thoughts with me right to the OR. I'm 2 weeks post op now &. I feel pretty good - just a little sore around my incisions!

As far as YouTube! I'm a huge fan of vsgtanya2011 search her & go back to her beginning & then now! I encourage anyone whom might be reading this to do the same. She has an Amazing transformation! Her journey is super inspiring to me... She is so real! Anyway I'm glad your spirits are up.. You are going to surprise yourself with your strength... Take it very easy post surgery and with each day that passes it gets better & better, I promise.

[Jescriba1970 7]

Just sitting here all drugged up on oxycodone. Just did my walk around the nurses station feelin good. Eating my ice chips. Got weigh was up 4kgs due to Fluid. Can't wait to see the results soon. No to bad of gas pain good night all

[kclaws 151]

Was sleeved 4/7, so 2 1/2 weeks post op, whenever I go walking outside my left shoulder starts hurting when I take deep breaths. Could this still be from the surgery??!

[RoseZ 6]

At the hospital now just waiting to go in at 7:30 im sooooo nervous here but akso excited

[Purple_82 12]

I was sleeved on 4.15.14 so I'm 9 days post op! The second day was the hardest for me as my pain pump and I weren't getting along. I was having a bit of a reaction (flushed & nauseous) but once we figured that out it got better. I stayed 2 nights and then came home.

Since being home, I feel great, no major complaints. Pain has been bearable. The only things I'm having a hard time with is getting in as much liquid as possible and getting in Protein. I'm doing worse on Protein than I am liquids. So I've got to figure that out.

I do feel I'm able to "eat" and drink more fluids than I was last week but I can't stand the shakes and stuff so I'm trying to figure out how to get in the protein. Any tips are welcomed!!! There isn't much protein in broth!!!! I'm able to do full liquids and thin purées now so I've gotten some unflavored protein and will try that out.

I went up about 9 lbs due to fluids but based on the scale the morning I arrived I am down 11.6 lbs and based on the scale when I came home (w additional fluids) I am down 20.6 lbs!!!

[sslade1223 6]

Post op day 2: not feeling so great this morning. Didn't sleep so well last night because it was so cold in my room. Then about 4 am I had a coughing fit which put me in some pretty good pain. I think I waited to long to take the pain meds. I just feel really tired and achy and maybe it's a little because my hemoglobin dropped some overnight. Discharge got pushed back until later today to check it again. But still in good spirits.

[JustMeJFD 32]

I was sleeved 4-15 and am still having a lot of trouble. Lots of nausea and cannot tolerate any full liquids. Been rough going for me. Dont want to scare anyone. As you can see most people don't have these issues.

[MFoster9812 24]

Well today is the day.......im currently sitting in the hospital awaiting to go in im so excited for my new sleeve and life!!!

[webhopper 57]

I was sleeved 4-15 and am still having a lot of trouble. Lots of nausea and cannot tolerate any full liquids. Been rough going for me. Dont want to scare anyone. As you can see most people don't have these issues.

Hang in there Justin. I had Horrible nausea and couldn't keep anything but Water and broth down for two days. I threw up the Jello and I threw up the Protein Shake. So ya I feel your pain. Don't be discouraged; it will get better as the swelling goes down. I'm able to tolerate Greek yogurt and tunny oatmeal today and I added Protein Powder to the oatmeal to try and sneak some Protein in.

In the hospital I was begging for nausea meds and I was on three different ones but it wasn't helping

Just take your time don't be impatient

Focus on the things that will go down; for me that was apple juice; broth; and sugar free popsicles.

[SparkleCat 521]

Just go home from the hospital...the first 24 hours kind of sucked..nausea and a couple of dry heaves, but I seemed to turn a corner on day two. I also ended up being on of the lucky ones with no gas pains, which I am very thankful! There was a gentleman in the next room who had Roux en Y and, from the sound of it, was having a horrible time with nausea and gas...we were both up walking at midnight...I was doing well...he just wanted the gas to go away! I made the mistake of saying "Day two will get better!" To which he replied "I am on Day 3 and there is no change" So, yes, I am very grateful so far!

Just popped open my first Premier Proten shake and am attempting to get half of it down...it's not bad, but Protein seems to exaserbate my nasty ketosis mouth...I may have to be a hermit until my skanky breath goes away!

[JustMeJFD 32]

You got it for the ketones mouth! And I can taste something else strange since surgery too like blood almost. Also can smell everything! Good and bad. Hope I didn't get the wrong surgery and I'm actually a werewolf now!

[seattleslew 36]

JustMeJFD....hang in there - there's a little something different for everyone it seems. Keep your chin up if you can.