how does it really feel?

[JLWB]

Hi, I am brand new to this forum. I just got my surgical date for 5/25, and I am pretty certain that I am going with the sleeve. I have a lot of questions, and I was hoping some of you with the sleeve already could help. just want to know how it feels after surgery. Is there a lot of pain? Is it similar to a c-section (for women who have experienced that). Does it FEEL like your stomach is different on the inside? Are you not hungry? Are you glad you did it? What do you miss from before surgery?

[tammy73]

- Never had a C-section but my kidney stones were more painful
- My stomach didn't feel any different really
- I would have the sleeve again in a minute
- I have no feelings of hunger and actually have to work hard to make sure I am eating
- Had my surgery on November 8/10 and have already lost 82 pounds
- I feel like completely different person and have a much better outlook on life
- It is wonderful to be able to buy whatever clothes I want
- Recommendations.....drink lots of water, measure yourself because your weight loss WILL stall numerous times but you will continue to lose inches.
-The only thing that I really miss is Diet Coke. I haven't had one since October of 2010 and I used to drink about 3 cans a day.

If you have any questions please ask. I would be glad to help out if I can

[mom2dms]

There wasn't too much pain for me. Just the first two days, and day 2 was pretty uncomfortable for me..mostly because of gas and trying to drink.
I have had 3 c-sections and they were MUCH more painful than this!
I don't notice that my stomach feels different, but I couldn't feel my stomach before surgery. I do notice right away when I am full if that is what you mean. And I do not ever physically feel hungry, but I have heard others say they do. I am absolutely glad I did it and I miss nothing from before my surgery since I can have just about anything I want still.

Hope that helps!

Hi, I am brand new to this forum. I just got my surgical date for 5/25, and I am pretty certain that I am going with the sleeve. I have a lot of questions, and I was hoping some of you with the sleeve already could help. just want to know how it feels after surgery. Is there a lot of pain? Is it similar to a c-section (for women who have experienced that). Does it FEEL like your stomach is different on the inside? Are you not hungry? Are you glad you did it? What do you miss from before surgery?

[sherrimarina]

I agree with tammy73.
It doesn't feel like a C-section!
I would do it again in a heartbeat. In just 3 weeks I feel better than I have in a long time!
I miss potato chips and cigarettes!
I also miss drinking water (I hate sipping)
I originally had planned to have the lap band but after lots of research and reading decided 2 weeks prior to surgery to have the sleeve.
Not very much pain at all.
Listen to your doctor and follow their directions, you will do fine!
Good Luck! Welcome to the losers bench!
Sherri

[mom2dms]

There wasn't too much pain for me. Just the first two days, and day 2 was pretty uncomfortable for me..mostly because of gas and trying to drink.
I have had 3 c-sections and they were MUCH more painful than this!
I don't notice that my stomach feels different, but I couldn't feel my stomach before surgery. I do notice right away when I am full if that is what you mean. And I do not ever physically feel hungry, but I have heard others say they do. I am absolutely glad I did it and I miss nothing from before my surgery since I can have just about anything I want still.

Hope that helps!

Hi, I am brand new to this forum. I just got my surgical date for 5/25, and I am pretty certain that I am going with the sleeve. I have a lot of questions, and I was hoping some of you with the sleeve already could help. just want to know how it feels after surgery. Is there a lot of pain? Is it similar to a c-section (for women who have experienced that). Does it FEEL like your stomach is different on the inside? Are you not hungry? Are you glad you did it? What do you miss from before surgery?

[MommyToTwo]

I was just recently sleeved on 03/15, plus, I've had two previous c-sections.....the sleeve is MUCH easier and far less painful than a c-section. There was a little pain right after I woke up in the recovery room but they have you on pain meds that will get you through it. I went home from the hospital two days later and didn't need the liquid pain med at all but took a dose at night only because I would get a little sore laying on my side to sleep, and by sore I mean it kinda of felt the same to me as if I'd done a 100 sit-ups the day before. I was anticipating the pain to be much worse after having been through 2 c-sections and a hystorectomy. Comparatively speaking, the sleeve surgery was a "walk in the park". You're having it done laproscopically (sp?), right? I've talked to two of my friends that have the lap-bands and both regret their decisions; plus, I've read numerous posts from people that currently have the lap-band that are now going back for sleeve surgery. Most insurance companies will only cover one WLS (weight loss surgery) per lifetime so most of those people are having to pay 100% out-of-pocket for the 2nd surgery. With the lap-band, you have to go back in for 'fills' whenever you hit a plateau AND it can only be filled to a certain capacity, once that is reached there is nothing else you can do. A lot of people start gaining weight back at that point so they're now having to have the sleeve done. Save yourself the trouble and the expense. I do not regret, for one second, my decision to have the sleeve surgery. Would do it again in a heart beat!!!!

It's completely normal to be a little scared, I was too. Once I scheduled the surgery and had an actual date, I found myself to be both anxious and nervous at the same time - ready to begin this wonderful new journey but scared to let go of my old and very comfortable self. My life was about to change in a MAJOR way so how could I NOT be nervous, right? It's totally normal. Also, I don't feel any different on the inside. You can't actually tell that a large portion of your stomach is missing....thank goodnes, right? :O/

I'm still on the full liquid phase of my post-op diet. It gets a little boring eating pureed/soft foods but in a couple of weeks I'll be able to start trying different things so I'm looking forward to new foods. I miss almost all my favorite foods right now but the weight loss helps with that. I'll see something that I KNOW tastes wonderful and I miss the fact that I can't just sit down and eat a big huge plate of it but, that's why I had the surgery because I WOULD always sit and eat that HUGE-A-MUNGOUS meal. So, if you're like me, that will probably take some getting used to at first. As for hunger pains, I still them, big time. I wish I didn't but I do. I was told that I woudn't have them anymore but that has not been the case for me. I've even posted about it on this forum and many responded that they too still get the growling tummy BUT I can live with that as long as I feel "satisfied" when I eat my 1/4-1/2 cup of food and I do!!! I'm actually very full after a meal, believe it or not. When I went to my nutrition class for my post-op dietary instruction (required by my insurance company), I couldn't even wrap my brain around that fact that 2-4 ounces of food would be ALL that I could eat at a meal.....truthfully, I didn't believe the nutritionist. My thought was, 'Well, that may be true for others but you've never seen ME eat, honey!' They weren't kidding though, that's all I can eat, not a bite more and I'm full. Honestly.

Another thing, you'll have some trouble with gas on your tummy so that will limit the amount of fluids you'll be able to tolerate for a few days. I had my surgery on a Tuesday (a.m.) and when I came home on Thursday, I didn't think there was ANY WAY I was going to be able to get in anywhere close to 60 grams of the required protein. I started having visions of all my hair falling out and having horrible skin issues, which they say are all signs of protein difficiency. However, that all changed on the Sunday following my Tuesday surgery. It was like a turning point for me in the healing process. I had so much air/gas in my tummy that nothing else would fit in there....even liquids. On Saturday, I took a few rounds of gas-x chewables and by next day, I was able to drink normal amounts of fluids.

Since those first few days, I've had no trouble drinking water, being able to quench my thirst or getting in all the protein. Have you found a favorite protein drink? You should start trying some now. My favorite is Unjury - Chocolate. You can order sample packets on their website at: Unjury.com I've tried and like both chocolate and vanilla. I haven't tried the 'unflavored' yet but I'm told that it's good to use with Crystal Lite drinks and to add to soups/oatmeal, etc as a way to get extra protein.

I have also found this blog that has been so helpful to me: theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com

Michelle aka Egg Face, has recipes available for every phase of your post-op diet and she's also had the surgery so she thinks like one of us. It will be a great source of information for you.

I'm sorry I've gotten so lengthy with this response. Just know that I'm SO happy that I had this done and, while it's been an adjustment, I already feel better and healthier than I ever have in my life. I did it for ME, I did it for my husband, I did it for my two precious little kids (8 and 5-yrs old), I did it to be healthy and I don't regret it for a second. :O)

Only 43 more days to go until your big day!!!! I'm so happy for you. Hang in there! Don't be nervous. :O)

[daisymax22]

3-15 for my new tummy also..... pain scale was a three of 1-10. Now sneezing and coughing (uuughhhhh). I had surgery on a Tuesday home on Thursday afternoon, diarrhea hit me badly on Friday so much so I spent the next two days in my room next to potty and shower. I had two C-sections also, compared to those this was discomfort, but one thing I will say is we all go through this differently others in my WLS group cope well but we all seem to have different pain levels.. some had mucus build up in their throats (I did not). I am 4 weeks out now, down 16 pounds since surgery 33lbs total (since Oct). It really makes you take a long hard look at how we think of food, it is in almost everything you do and we HAVE to eat. But I had to change that thinking to....I EAT TO LIVE not I live to Eat! U can cheat this tool, not following the guidelines eating high calorie no protein foods and silly stuff like that. I was terrified to sleep on my side, thought I'd shift my internal stitches (crazy thoughts!) I did sleep in a recliner for like the first week or proped up. best of luck to you

[Skhuff]

I had my sleeve Last Thursday! April 7th. So its still very fresh in my mind!
Only discomfort for the first day for me. Mostly the first couple hours after sx. Its the gas the place in your belly, it makes you feel like your having difficulty breathing. After walking around I felt much better!
I have had a c-section and a Breast reduction and both were way way worse!. 1 week post op I feel great other than tired after pushing myself.
Only down fall as of today is I miss Chewing!!! I have to force myself to drink my shakes, i just dont feel hungry! Any who, best of luck you will do just fine!
- Stef

[MissDeidre]

First off, congratulations on your surgery date!

I was never really in a lot of pain from my surgery, once I got past the 2nd day. I was sleeved on 3/2 ... I don't really remember 3/3 at all ... and on 3/4 I was home ... I was back to work on 3/5 (I work from home, so my experience is slightly different from most others who have to leave the house to work)

My stomach doesn't feel any different from before surgery vs after surgery. It still feels like a tummy

I can't tell you how glad I am that I went through with the surgery. Even now, just 6 weeks post op, my life is changing for the better. I can work out more, inspired my son to work out (he's 17 and going into the Air Force in August) and have more energy to do the things I want to do. I have absolutely NO regrets and, if I were presented with the situation again I'd do it in a heartbeat. I have Type 2 diabetes and I went from having to take 3 pills a day for my diabetes to taking NOTHING. I'm certainly not cured of being a diabetic but my blood sugars are well controlled with just diet and exercise.

The only thing I miss ... the only thing that I really look at and want more than anything I have ever wanted ... is coffee. I was a true caffeine junkie before my surgery. I'd down 8 to 10 cups a day ... and then, a year before the surgery I was told to cut back ... so I got down to 3 cups a day ... and then nothing for 3 weeks before the surgery. I don't have the craving for caffeine anymore but oh ... that smell just gets me every time.

Best of luck and congratulations once again!

[Amymbd]

Loved reading all of the posts on this thread! So encouraging. My surgery date Is May 6th, which is a Friday. I am hoping to return to work the following Wednesday. I am an elementary school principal, so I'm a little worried I may be pushing it. However, my intentions are to work from my office and let my AP do most of the hard stuff!
I'm a cash patient, as I don't meet the requirements for insurance. My doctor has asked me if I want my gall bladder removed and umm...it will be like 1500 more dollars, so Im trying to decide what to do about that. Also, I don't feel very educated about pre and post diets, but there is literature I haven't read either. Well, I just wanted to say thanks to you all for sharing some positive experiences. I know everyone is different, but you seem to make this sound very doable!

[MissDeidre]

Most surgeons will tell you to take at LEAST a week off from the day of your surgery ... you are going to be very tender and you really REALLY don't want to risk popping a staple, even just with driving a car. But see how you feel and go with that.

This is a great place to get information on pre and post op dieting ... has your surgeon had you meet with a nutritionist? That is usually the best place to get your information about what foods you should be eating, how much protein you need to get every day (at least 70g per day), and your vitamin requirements (daily multivitamin, crushing up all your pills etc)

[kitsonk]

I have a desk job and I had surgery on the Thursday, checked out of the hospital on a Sunday and was in the office on the Monday, including driving myself. The first day back I only stayed until about 3PM or so. It wasn't easy, but I would probably change anything if I did it over again. The mental help of getting back to work was what I needed, but I know each person is different.

[tammy73]

That is interesting that you say that about your gallbladder. I am 5 months post op and had some problems with kidney stones about a month ago. When I had my CT scan done they found that I also had gall stones. Apparently when you have quick weightloss it is quite common to get gallstones. The doctor said that they may never cause issues but if they do I will need to have it removed. Knowing this now I think I just would have had it removed when I had my sleeve surgery. Just a FYI......

[gretchdb]

I got sleeved April 7th. Like Steph worst part was gas bloating day after. Only a few pains when sleeping. I have had 2 C sections and this was nothing compared to those. Had my gall bladder out 4 years ago and even that took longer to heal from.
I had 2 well chewed pieces of bacon and a few bites a an egg white omelet with mushy broccoli and shredded cheese this mrng and feel great! Been walking and could go back to work but decided i have the time to take so would take it to heal and get used to my diet. I

The only thing I see some problems with is when I smell food that I like I want to taste it so bad but know I cant have as much as I used to and do i really want to waste my 1/2 cup on something crappy? So getting use to that is hard. Some thing do smell and taste different so I am hoping pizza will taste awful! Lol

[accordingtome]

JLWB, the only pain I felt was right when I woke up from surgery. After I was taken back to my room, I never had pain again. I was sore and would be uncomfortable, but not real pain. I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and I would compare it to that. It was basically nothing compared to having a hysterectomy or having a hernia repair, I've had both.

There is a difference between pain and being sore. I was uncomfortable at times, but not pain.

The night before I went home, the Doctor removed my drain tube. It did not even hurt to have them pull the tube out. It did however hurt when they pulled the bag off that was around the drain tube. I teared up. It's like pulling off a bandaid with a lot of adhesive against your skin.

So, this surgery is not something to be scared of.

I hope this helps.