OK, give it to me straight: How bad are the first 8 weeks?

Pros: great almost effortless weight loss with no appetite so no temptations (what a relief), fastly falling BMI, going down several sizes in clothes, going down a shoe size, reversal of diabetes, sleep apnea fading away, and no asthma meds at all since surgery.

Cons: a couple of bouts of brutal constipation (mix some benefiber into your drinks!), developing a loathing for protein shakes, difficulties with swallowing food and feeling that it's stuck in my chest and/or throwing it up altogether, 2 separate visits to ER for dehydration, rapid gastric dumping (similar to dumping in terms of symptoms experienced), some hair loss, and having to buy new clothes every 2 weeks or so (awwwww, poor me)

Would I do it again?  YOU BETCHA.  Is it worth the cons?  YES, for me absolutely.  The cons list may look longer, but its impacts are much smaller than the pros; the cons will pass and I will be left with all the pros for the rest of my life.

You made an insightful statement when you noted "you could only imagine..."  This is so true.  Whatever you think may happen probably won't while things you never considered will.  That's why people say Welcome to the crazy world of being a sleever.  It is so worth it; I would never wave a magic wand and go back....  NEVER!!!!!

I am 3 days out its not a breeze but not the worst I have ever experienced. 

Dr. Curry has his VSG pts. on liquids for a week the last think I even think about is food, my concern is getting in fluids!  I know Im not getting in enough protien but hopefully everyday it will get a little better.

I was sleeved on Tuesday and went to work today for 3 hours.  The worst part so far is the neck/shoulder pain  from the gas its very painful I have read that some people get it and some do not guess Im one of the lucky ones that has it

The veterans say to keep moving well I have dont that but still have the shoulder pain.

I guess the experience depends on your pain threshold and if you have any health conditions that could slow recovery and of course the experience of your surgeon...
Good Luck
Tee

If you request to be my friend, you can read my blog in detail and see what I went through each week.  I was pretty nauseous the first 8 weeks or so, so I was sure regretting having the surgery.  But not now....I LOVE MY SLEEVE!

Pre-op I felt the same.  How in the WORLD can I survive on 1/2 cup of something per meal?  I just couldn't imagine it.  The first couple of weeks I did get hungry more than I do now.  But I think it's because I can eat more solid proteins now, so they stay with me longer. 

Last night I decided to have shrimp for the first time.  I sauted 3 shrimp in EVOO after seasoning with Greek seasoning.  OMG!!!!!!!!!  It was heavenly!   And I was stuffed from just 3 little shrimp. 

It's just hard to wrap our minds around this concept prior to surgery.  But it happens and it's wonderful!   Your stomach won't tolerate much of anything else than what your surgeon will allow you, so even though you may want something (head hunger), your new stomach won't let you. 

I can't even imagine why you would regret it once you have gotten beyond the first few weeks. 

Best of luck to you.

Wanda