Hello, just scheduled the surgery and am scared!

Hi, my name is Nicole.  I just scheduled my surgery for 4/27 in Mexicalli with Dr. Aceves.  He did my lapband and also removed my lapband a year ago when I completed rejected it and it got too tight and was not able to eat or drink anything. 

So I originally lost weight with the lapband but gained it all back plus some.  It has been such a struggle and I just decided I had to get it under control or I would not be alive to see my kids graduate or have their own families.

I am very nervous about the sleeve.  Im worried about the pain.  Im worried about the 6 weeks after surgery and Im worried I will fail again.  Im excited, then Im nervous.  When I went to have my band removed I saw 2 people get the sleeve and swore that I would never do that b/c they looked like they were in so much pain!  But I said that after my 1st daughter and still had another one!  LOL!

I have a few questions.  1.  What is the post op diet regime?  How hard is it to drink?  I keep seeing everyone say sip sip sip.  2.  Are there any foods you cannot eat after the surgery?  I thought I had read something about beef/ hamburger?  3.  How long did you take off work?  Im really limited in the time I can take.  So I plan to have the surgery on a Wednesday and return the following Thursday.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.  Im looking forward to this journey!  Thank you!  Nicole

I had the band then got the sleeve....  ITS SO SO MUCH BETTER.

The recovery was more involved.  The first couple days were tough.

I was on clear liquids the first 10 days, then full liquids until 3 weeks out.  I started mushies after that and was cleared to start regular food after 4 weeks. 

I have absolutely NO food that affects me negatively.  I have had lean hamburger many timeS.  I took off 4 weeks but could have gone back after 3.  There is no way I could have taken less than 2 weeks out but everyone is different.  Some people on the boards go back with no problems after a week.  My doctor wouldn't clear me though.

Be sure to have all your supplies and liquid ready and GOOD LUCK

What exactly can you have for clear liquids?  Can you do protein drinks during the first 2 weeks?  There is so much info out there I never know what to do!

Every Doctor seems to be different about what to eat and when. I had 1 week of clear liquids. 3 weeks of full liquids/puree. Now I'm on a month of soft. Then I can start adding whatever I like. Protein first, of couse.

For clear liquids I did water, herb tea ( the warmth felt good to my baby sleeve), Unjury chicken broth, and that awful Isopure crap that has 40 gr. protein in a 20 oz. bottle.

For full liquids/puree I started on protein shakes, yogurt, a bunch of blenderized canned soups.

Now on soft I've added scrambled eggs but I still feel OK with pureed stuff. I'm not in a hurry to start much else. I guess I should, tho.

I hope you get good info from your surgeon about a food plan. Good luck to you! 

Congratulations,  you are gonna be so glad you are doing this.  Best thing i ever did.   I found these links really helpful as far as the diet guidelines/timeline and i hope they help you.  I didn't have a band first but i went back to work after two weeks but i could have gone back after just one.   The first couple of weeks were challenging, i always tell people its kinda like a bad case of the flu  not fun but you'll live through it  lol   Best of luck to you  :o) jeani

http://www.sleeveguide.com/uploads/1/7/9/4/1794785/dietguidevged42006feb.pdf
http://www.northwestobesitysurgery.com/pdf/sleeve-gastrectomy-diet.pdf
http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf

Thank you for all that information.  I dreamt about the sleeve last night.  lol  Seems like it is all that is on my mind. 

Congrats and Good luck... This is also my surgery date.. Itll be here before you know it...

I know it!  Thats what I am afraid of.  But it will all be good.  It will be a great day and we can all support each other!

 HI,

Dr Aceves did my band to sleeve revision in one surgery about 6 weeks ago.  I had the same questions as you had.  Email Nina and she will email you the preop and post op diet requirements.  

Scared?  Yes I was so scared.  Dr Campos was doing and xray of my band the day before surgery and I was telling him how scared I was.  He said they would take care of me.  They really did.

The day of surgery they gave me a "happy" pill and the next thing I remember was waking up after surgery.  Within a few hours I was up walking.  This surgery was much easier than the lapband surgery I had.  There was someone else there and their experience was much different than mine.  My husband was with me and couldn't believe how great I did.  Could have also been the great drugs.

First 30 days were really tough but well worth it.  Like you I am afraid it won't work since my band was a total failure.  This is the first time in a long time that I don't "wonder" what new diet I am going to start and I am not hungry at all, actually need to force myself to eat.

So far so good and I am a happy camper.

Good Luck and you are in great hands with Dr Aceves and his team.

Thank you!  That is encouraging.  When I had my band out there were 2 people that had the sleeve and they were miserable.  I didn't see them until the following day b/c they were knocked out after complaining of the pain.  So that kind of scared me.  But I have always handled surgery well and recovered quickly so I am hoping that is still the case.