Hi there! I had my VSG on 4/9. Anything you need to know, just holler! MFP has been a fantastic tool for me, as has the Vertical Sleeve Talk forum. I suggest joining and reading both.

There's so much to tell you but it would help if you have specific questions that I could (hopefully) answer.

A few tips off the top of my head:

1. Don't buy a lot of "post op" food. You'll be able to eat so little that one can of soup will last several meals. Plus your tastes might change - there are foods I loved before that I can't even stomach the smell of now.
2. Start testing protein shakes to find one you like - but again, don't buy too much as post op you may decide you don't like that flavor any more. I cannot do whey based proteins so it took me quite a while to find soy or other protein shakes that I liked.
3. Get one of these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/BlenderBottle-With-BlenderBall-1ct/17179769?adid=bzv_fb_revshr_001. It can take several hours to get a protein shake down at first, and the contents will settle.

VSG is the best thing I ever did. I had no problem loosing weight but I always felt deprived and cranky. Living post VSG, I am satisfied and don't feel like I'm missing anything. I started at 282 and I am now 176. I only wished I did it years ago. It's an adjustment but so worth all the rewards. MFP has been great...all my friends are VSGers and are there to answer questions, give advice, and cheer me on.

My tips are be prepared to buy new underwear faster than you might think. Your other clothes can be worn baggy or belted but loose underwear is a bad idea.

Secondly, be prepared for weird cravings. I craved salt for awhile and I"ve never been a salt person.

If your doctor doesn't prescribe an acid reducer, ask him to. Mine didn't and I needed one. Kept getting a nawing feeling that I thought was hunger.

Fourth, blending your favorite soup until until it's completely smooth is better than creamed soups, no matter how it looks after.

Buy one of those trays that let you make your own popsicles. Make some out of low cal sport drinks.

Talk a flax seed oil supplement. If you can't swallow the big gel caps, puncture them and squirt. It will help with skin and hair loss.

I had my surger 1 year ago this Friday. I was so excited.

I am three weeks out. I would say get yourself a small firm pillow, it saved me when I had to get up and walk in the hospital- felt SOOO much better having it pressed to my tummy. Some surgeons give you one, mine didn't. Also pack ear plugs and an eye mask- hospitals are busy and noisy and people keep switching lights on and off so I used those to get some sleep. Low sodium broth was heavenly as were SF popsicles and cinnamon tea. Anise tea helped with gas. A few days out I started diluting clear isopure with crystal light lemonade - not everyone likes it but I found it OK and it helped get a bit of protein in early on. I still maintain that is why I've healed so rapidly.That and WALKING. I walked like a demon in the hospital.
Good luck!

Congrats! Thanks for the reminder of the eye mask and earplugs, I use both now but would have forgotten for the hospital. What Isopure?

Isopure Zero Carb is a ready to drink clear protein drink that comes in fruit flavors. It can be found at GNC or Vitamin Shoppe in the retail market. I buy mine online at lucky vitamin. My surgeon also sells it at his little supplement store.

The grape is pretty decent. Also the orange. Your tase buds change so much tho who knows what you will like.

I have posted a few videos. Here is a link to my first. http://youtu.be/D1r00FSE-rk

I subscribe to the following. Some are better than others but are worth a watch.

ahealthylife4me
AmySDMOM
Bariatric(Witch with a
BonnieJuneE
brownskinn32
CassiePassero
cecelialane
gastricsleeveLeslie
kappachulo (****My favorite**** )
karaserene1985
Kellawanda (***a little preachy but informative*** )
KristieQ1231
lillabee
luvenit1979
maryposa1978
MsLadyKanKan
Mylifestory2011
mystrength1303
NettiePieHead
PitaGirl83
ShyGirlWen79
skinnyminnie72
SlimmFast
TheSlimJen
TiffanysVSG
VegasSuzeeQ
vsggrim
vsgmom
WeightAbit

Oh gosh...I totally forgot about the underwear...LOL! Yes, most definitely get a couple of sizes smaller. Parachute undies are so not sexy. Also, allow yourself time to heal after your surgery. A lot of folks I discover seem to be in a hurry to get back to work, which I can understand for many reasons, but defintely use the post-op time to get walking (slowly at first) and to try and get your eating routine in place. And yes, VerticalSleeveTalk.com is also another great forum for VS Gers

For the first few months, calories don't matter. Even now, 8 months out, I don't pay too much attention to calories. Post-op, it will be rather difficult to get 1000 calories in. I rarely do it now.

The main focus should be on protein and fluid...especially fluid! Drinking will seem like a chore, but sip constantly to avoid dehydration. I know many people who have ended back in the hospital because of dehydration! Protein is very important. It will help with hair loss and with muscle repair. Find one a few you like and also check out websites like The World According to Eggface for creative and delicious recipes for protein shakes. Her website is a plethora of information, even though she had a different surgery. She has recipes for every post-op stage and all of the ones I tried were rather tasty!

Things that helped me with post-op eating are buying smaller plates, using baby silverware to make sure I wasn't putting too big of a bite in my mouth, and buying a blender/food processor/juicer com. Don't go too crazy buying food/protein because a lot of it might go to waste; I know mine did!

Hope this helped!