July 24th

Finally have my surgery date. Took me awhile to get enough nerve to post because my last surgery date was interpreted by my back surgery. I had a herniated disc that needed repair. Not a big surgery but it had to happen before my sleeve. Glad it’s done but the waiting is a killer.
Only two weeks until my sleeve surgery . I have yet to be nervous through this whole sleeve process until NOW. I’m mostly excited but I’m a bit scared too. It didn’t start until after I talked to my mother in law who had some concerns. She says, “You will forever have half a stomach” my reply is I’m aware. :) “my friend had stomach cancer and lives without a stomach” me ??? I don’t have cancer. I know she means well and she’s allowed to have an opinion and if you love me, I want to hear it. However, I’m a people pleaser so it was really nice when everyone thought me getting a sleeve was a good idea. Lol any people pleaser out there KWIM? People pleaser or not I have to and want do this for myself! Anyway.....

What to bring to the hospital?

Good luck on your surgery. Mine will be on July 30th and I am the same. Wasn’t nervous until they told me the date.

Congratulation on your surgery date! It's perfectly normal to be a little nervous, especially when people point out "they're cutting 3/4 of your stomach off" hah! I was totally hush hush about my decision, only my husband knows. I just didn't want to deal with anyone else's opinions once I made my own mind up to do it.

The hospital essentials IMO are lip balm and my own pillow (for sleeping and the ride home). Didn't have time or the energy for the magazines and my iPad I brought. I was sure to shop and have everything I would need once I got home beforehand too. Broths, protein shakes, sugar free pops, sugar free jello.

Best of luck to you, you are in for an exciting time!

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Originally Posted by coopersmom

Congratulation on your surgery date! It's perfectly normal to be a little nervous, especially when people point out "they're cutting 3/4 of your stomach off" hah! I was totally hush hush about my decision, only my husband knows. I just didn't want to deal with anyone else's opinions once I made my own mind up to do it.

The hospital essentials IMO are lip balm and my own pillow (for sleeping and the ride home). Didn't have time or the energy for the magazines and my iPad I brought. I was sure to shop and have everything I would need once I got home beforehand too. Broths, protein shakes, sugar free pops, sugar free jello.

Best of luck to you, you are in for an exciting time!

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How are you doing with your recent surgery?

Hooray!

It’s normal to feel nervous and excited all at the same time.

Like Coopersmom, I told very few people. I’m not a people pleaser and I’m OK with “None of your business “ in a nice way ;-)

Bring a pillow especially for the ride home...seatbelts can be uncomfortable. Some kind of lip balm helps for dry lips. The rest (tablet, etc) I never looked at...I just wanted to rest.

Best of luck as you embark on this amazing journey ;-)

Lip balm is a must. I didn’t have it and missed it desperately. I brought my iPad and phone but didn’t use them much. Something comfortable to wear on the ride home and a pillow for the car ride. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Vickey1123

How are you doing with your recent surgery?

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I am so thankful to say I'm doing super! I really did have a fairly easy time, I've never thrown up or had any adverse reactions or problems reintroducing things back to my diet. I started at 223 at my consultation, 218 at surgery and I'm 10 weeks out and weigh 178. I couldn't be happier and am feeling like my former self for the first time in years. I've got a new attitude LOL.

I feel better mentally not just physically. It's hard to explain, I just feel so good all over. I'm excited about getting out, have a ton more energy, a lot of my pre surgery symptoms are gone, high blood pressure, pre diabetes, sleep apnea symptoms.

You'll be thrilled, the sleeve works if you work the sleeve.

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Originally Posted by karissasmom

Good luck on your surgery. Mine will be on July 30th and I am the same. Wasn’t nervous until they told me the date.

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Perfectly normal to be a bit nervous. It's a complete lifestyle change, but it's one of the best decisions I've ever made, just wish I had done it sooner. Follow your Dr.'s orders and post op diet to the letter. Believe me, you will be glad you did. My biggest challenges were getting enough water in daily. I really did carry a bottle around and sipped all day. When adding in solid foods, you'll have to plan around waiting 30 minutes before/after eating.

I also had to remember to eat slooooooooowly when introducing food back. Eat a bite, chew 20-30 times, swallow. Put your fork down in between bites. A meal took about 30 minutes, but the pain of eating too fast is a quick teacher to slow it down.

I think one of things that has helped me the most is that I walk daily, 2-3 miles a day. I started that from the very beginning and now I truly enjoy it and have added in a few HIIT classes weekly to help firm up some of the 'flab'. It's made a huge difference in how I look and feel.

If I can do this, you both can do this too!

Wow! Good luck. I'm excited FOR you. I am super impatient to get my surgery date! So I am going to live vicariously through you guys that are going in now! ;)

All I brought or needed was chap stick. Slept most of the time, no phone or computer. Just there one night.

It's best to tell as few people as possible. Most people know nothing about the sleeve and say really stupid things. You don't need any negativity in your life at the moment.

Good luck and have fun! It's amazing!

I only told a few select friends (after I had the surgery) who were (and still are) totally supportive.
My partner knew of course but I didn't want any negativity from anyone who had no idea what the surgery entailed or had never struggled with their weight before. I'm a bit freer with the info now (almost 2 years out) but there are some people that I will never tell.
I didn't take much to the hospital. I was there 2 nights. Didn't have any energy to read or use my phone etc. Comfy clothes, usual toiletries etc. Lip balm is certainly a must.
All the best and keep focusing on being excited. It's going to be so much fun.

Hi, welcome here!
Exciting times for you ahead.
I have two tips:
1. Bring a little pillow to tuck between your stomach and the seat belt of the car on your ride home.
2. Ask your surgeon to push the gas out after the surgery is done. It will save you some discomfort later on.

As for the people pleaser, you will have to learn very quickly to put your own needs first.
That does not mean you let people down, just that you take care of yourself first.
Just like the oxygen mask at the airplane.

I brought chapstick - but you can ask your nurse for the stuff they have (its in a tube here in NC) for your lips. Or for some lemon swabs. They are usually pretty good about doing that for you.

And I liked having my own slippers for walking. I have vertigo and the socks made me feel precarious, at least in my head, lol.

Love all the folks who said "chapstick" as we give our patients a "care" bag which includes lip balm, hand sanitizer, thermometer, a lovely journal with tips, and a book called, "The Weight Loss Surgery Coping Companion" (I recommend this book), a Bari Bear and fliers for our 2 support groups per month, and 3 bariatric fitness classes in a folder with tips & guidelines! We are a great bariatric department and our patients also have a 2-hour pre op class given by our CBN nurses which is very comprehensive.

I think information and ongoing support are a key aspect of success and maintenance! You're going to love the journey and I wish you much success:)

I googled your Bari Bear, I had never heard of that.
http://teddy-tech.com/productbari-buddy/
Nice!