Hi! Wanting to be a supportive husband..

[tooteaching]

My wife is getting the gastric sleeve on Friday and I wanted to know as a spouse what I need to do to support her especially during recovery and after recovery. Any tips, info, advice.

Just wanting to be a loving and supportive husband.

Thanks!

[louisianagirl55]

My husband has really been supportive! Some things I've noticed is he doens't bring junk in the house I should not eat. He tries to eat something with me that I'm eating most of the time. he walks with me when he can and encourages me with drinking water and taking my vitamins and stuff. you know your wife and what she is like but I've really enjoyed how he has helped me. He also wanted to lose about 40 or so lbs so he is also trying to eat much better. We have a teenager at home still and she has been really supportive too. she still eats junk but pours it in a small dish instead of just eating straight from the bag cause she says she doesn't want to over eat. Oh well maybe she will learn how to eat portion sizes.
I think it's great that you are already trying to think of ways to help her. That right there shows where your heart is so I'm sure you will do great. She is Very blessed to have you on her side. So many sleevers struggle with family memeber who almost work against them. Be Blessed!!!

[tooteaching]

Thanks for the compliement! I told her to not do it for me. To me she will always be beautiful, but she has health reasons that this surgery will solve.

I tell her that soon the rest of the world will see what I already do!

[Funegirl]

OMG I wish my husband was like that lol she is lucky you have a honey tongue and that is ALL the sweets she will need :-)

[DebiA]

Keep her spirits up and keep her motiviated to stay on track. Tell her every day that it's going to get better and better.

[Evie Sleevie]

I love hubbies like you!! Just by getting on this forum shows how much you care. After her surgery, make her get up and walk--even if she doesn't feel like it! Moving as much as she can after surgery will help her feel so much better, even if it's up and down the hall.

Don't eat yummy foods in front of her, or foods that smell really good. She is going to be dealing with head hunger in the upcoming weeks.

Fix her broth and refill her water/beverage of choice often.

Keep on being your wonderful self!

[DennyE]

My way of being supportive was to have the surgery with her :-) we were both sleeved the same day.
It's kinda backfiring on me though... Men loose faster than women, so I'm down 90+lb, she's in the 40s.
So it's a breeding a little resentment that she's not loosing fast enough... (by some arbitrary standard that only exists in her mind)

The only good advice I can give you is to love her. Love _her_, not her body. Fat, thin, healthy, sick, elated and crying - and she will be all that and more through this journey. Love her every day and look for ways to show it.

-Denny

[EricV]

love, listen and be patient. There may be times she is not quite herself, dealing with gas or what ever, don't take it to heart and be there through good times and some of the tough times.

[N2DVN]

My hubby is also on here, as his way of being supportive of me. I'll have him get in touch w/you. He has been amazing through the whole process. You will need to be patient w/her and being on this site will help you understand what she is experiencing.

[deeTX]

I had a dream that my husband asked the questions you have..................and then I woke up!!!!!. My husband is a good guy who loves me fat or thin. but he has been uninvolved in my sleeve journey. He says he supports any decision I make......but he didnt want to know anything about the surgery. THis is a whole new way of life and she will want to talk about everything..................be there to listen.........be interested in her journey and support her on the not so great days. Others have given great suggestions on how to do that.....................I wish both you and your wife the best!!! I hope she knows that she is a lucky woman!!

[GSBarbee]

If you have not already,go shopping for protein powders/drinks to have her try before surgery. She won't feel like trying a whole lot afterwards. Also, go to the store and get all of the stuff she needs for after surgery, soups, drinks, etc...She won't feel like it and won't be able to do it by herself for awhile..
What a great hubby you are, mine is the same way!!!
Good luck to your wife.

[N2DVN_Hubby]

Greetings,

As my wife has stated I am her as a supportive husband. I realize that many people here think I have had the sleeve. However, I do not qualify for it nor do I see it as an option for me in the future. I have had my own battle with weight over the years, so I do know what a struggle it can be. I am personally down from 398 lbs. to my current 265. I still battle with my weight daily, but it is much easier to deal with when you have someone to go through it with. I will be glad to share any of my experiences with you to help you understand what is going to be happening to your spouse over the next year or so.

I do realize that most men are visual in their learning process. So if you do not have a weak stomach I recommend that you watch this online video of a Sleeve Gastrectomy so that you will know what to expect when the doctor trys to explain to you what is going on, and so you can explain it to others who may have questions.

ORLive, Inc.: Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy

[midnight]

My husband has been great too! He has been there for me the whole way. Walking in the halls,buying all the things I needed to laying down beside me eating sugarfree Popsicles. He read a book called The Emotional first+aid kit for bariatric surgery. He finished it the day before surgery so he had it all down.Lol you are a great husband. Your wife is really lucky.

[Guest-BGT]

My wife is getting the gastric sleeve on Friday and I wanted to know as a spouse what I need to do to support her especially during recovery and after recovery. Any tips, info, advice.

Just wanting to be a loving and supportive husband.

Thanks!

Pretty awesome of you to be supportive like this.

[onmyway2abetterme]

You are awesome! All the advice here is excellent. Just be there for her. She will go through emotional ups and downs. My husband was very supportive. He eben went on the liquid diet with me. He only lasted 3 days. LOL! But he didn't eat around me.He still encourages me. I am eight weeks out. Continue to be a blessing to her.