Almost Surgery Day!

[casey b]

Hi fellow weight loss adventurers!
I am cautiously optimistic for my gastric sleeve.
(Op date 1/30/25)
I am about to start my pre op diet (liquid)
Which feels to me like the challenging but rewarding process is starting. If anyone could take some time and talk about the pain aspect of recovery? or advice of what to have on hand, I would so so appreciate it. I just don’t want to be loddy dah and get smacked with reality. And the first thing I will think is I should have asked my community. All my best. You are all an inspiration.

Casey

 

[GiantsLola]

Hi fellow weight loss adventurers!
I am cautiously optimistic for my gastric sleeve.
(Op date 1/30/25)
I am about to start my pre op diet (liquid)
Which feels to me like the challenging but rewarding process is starting. If anyone could take some time and talk about the pain aspect of recovery? or advice of what to have on hand, I would so so appreciate it. I just don’t want to be loddy dah and get smacked with reality. And the first thing I will think is I should have asked my community. All my best. You are all an inspiration.

Casey

Congratulations on getting so close to your surgery. I had gastric bypass. So, I can't really speak on the recovery from a sleeve.

 

[Kream7]

Hi Casey! I just had my sleeve done on 11/11/24. While in the hospital (I was there for 2 days), I really made a point to walk around the floor multiple times a day. The gas pain is almost worse than the incisions! I did hold a pillow to my stomach for a lot of my recovery because my stomach felt almost 'loose' or uncontrolled. Once I left the hospital, I only used one of the pain pills that they gave me otherwise I was able to stick to the powdered Tylenol (which I would get if no one has said anything!). I also made sure I had a shake flavor(s) that I really liked as well as a sugar free drink (my choice was Propel). Having a little bit of variety while also making sure you enjoy what you're having to drink was huge for me. I guess I would suggest just trying some of those foods you can have after surgery now so you aren't stuck with nothing/too much. I have potato flakes for days...

Just keep yourself positive and mindful. That's an easier thing said than done but I have to continually remind myself to be present in the moment when I am eating or to not drift into bad thoughts of myself when my scale hasn't moved more than 0.5lbs in a week.

I'm so excited for you and hope it all goes much smoother than you could imagine!

 

[mycalsuite]

Hi fellow weight loss adventurers!
I am cautiously optimistic for my gastric sleeve.
(Op date 1/30/25)
I am about to start my pre op diet (liquid)
Which feels to me like the challenging but rewarding process is starting. If anyone could take some time and talk about the pain aspect of recovery? or advice of what to have on hand, I would so so appreciate it. I just don’t want to be loddy dah and get smacked with reality. And the first thing I will think is I should have asked my community. All my best. You are all an inspiration.

Casey

Hello Casey, congrats on making this significant move! You are correct that the pre-op liquid diet truly is the beginning of the journey because it establishes the mental and physical tone.

While it comes to pain, most people report it more as tightness or discomfort than as intense pain, particularly while moving or in the vicinity of the incision sites. As soon as you're cleared, taking a short walk greatly reduces gas pain and speeds up healing.

Items to keep on hand:

A heating pad to relieve gas in the abdomen or shoulders

Electrolyte drinks without added sugar to stay hydrated

Try a few different brands of protein shakes that you truly enjoy!

When coughing or getting up, a cushion to press against your stomach