Honestly, I felt better than I expected to. I was in the hospital one night, and I didn't take my pain meds after I got home. I made sure I walked and got in all my fluids, and I got out and about after a few days. I felt tired, but when I did, I slept or rested. I went back to work after two weeks. I felt well enough to go back to work sooner, but I am glad I took the time to just rest and take care of myself.

Mostly I was super tired. The liquid lortab took care of most of the pain, with the exception of the drain site, which hurt me every time I bent over, twisted to the side, stood up, etc. for about two weeks. As long as I remembered to brace myself there I was fine. But exhausted!
I was off the prescription pain meds during the day time after about three days and off them entirely after about a week. But I didn't stop napping during the day and feeling exhausted for about 2 1/2 weeks.

I also felt better than expected. I did have a bad reaction to the pain meds. I worried I might because I am allergic to hydrocodone (sp?) and they knew it. Gave me something else, but it was similar and it made me sick as heck. I basically slept the whole day after I woke up from surgery, but they changed the meds after a while, but I was home in the mid afternoon the day after surgery and didn't need any pain meds of any kind once I was home.

I was able to walk around and do most things without issue. Sleeping in my bed was uncomfortable the first couple nights or so at home, and I found the recliner worked best (I think it was because my abdomen wasn't stretched out from laying down).

Really, all was good. No nausea, either.

I felt like I didn't have surgery. I am 4 months out and I haven't experienced any pain, nausea, or fatigue.

I wasn't in pain, just uncomfortable from all the gas of surgery. I walked the floor relentlessly in the hopes of getting the bubbles out, but to no avail. Time was the only thing that took care of it. The drain in my abdomen was also very uncomfortable, but I felt better from that very soon after it was removed. I was in the hospital 2 nights on the pain pump, and then was discharged the third day and didn't need to take any of the prescription pain meds they sent me home with. The only lasting "ouchie" I had was a large hematoma at the incision site above my abdomen. It was swollen, tender, and looked like I had been beaten with a bat; it also was worse because my surgeon has his patients inject Lovenox (the blood thinner) for a month post surgery to guard against clots. I finally had my surgeon aspirate some of the blood to decompress it at my 2 week follow up appointment, and that helped, but it did take awhile to heal. I'm almost 8 months out, all of my incisions have healed nicely (just tiny little pink indentations that would make a star shape if you played connect the dots lol) and I have a small light lavender colored patch of skin around the incision where I had the hematoma. All things considered, I'm very, very lucky that I didn't have any major complications and that I can tolerate all my protein and liquids.

Not a bad experience. I mad the mistake while in the hospital of not staying ahead of the pain. It was about 4 or 5 hours after waking up that I moved one way and got a stabbing sharp pain on my left side. On that scale chart of 1-10, this pain was off the chart like a 15:sad: :sad: . Yes this man had tears. The awesome hospital staff did everthing to get the pan to subside. The nurse would make sure I pressed my "button" ever 6 minutes. Other than that one incident, it was no problem. Only used the liquid pain medication at night to get to sleep and only did that for 2 days after coming home.
Walking is the key to get rid of the "bloated feeling" from the gas. I walked as much as the staff would allow me. It really helped.
Took awhile to adjust to not being able to sleep on myleft side but that has since passed (had surgery in Jan).
Have had a couple of bouts with vomiting but that was due to not truly understanding the amount of food to be eaten. I tired to eat as much as I had before surgery--nope can't do that. :noway: I have learned (yes you can teach an old dog new tricks - even a man:laugh: :laugh: )
I feel it is the best decision I could have made.
I am only 2 1/2 months out and I am already at my goal weight of 190 lbs (actually a bit below at 188.4) so now is the trick to stop and learn to keep from losing.

I hope you have a good experience as well

I only remember the day of surgery (Jan 9, 2014) being pretty rough from the gas and soreness in my surgery site but once I left the hospital, I never took any more pain meds..not even Tylenol. I was able to sip my water, broth and jello went down pretty good, and no nausea to speak of. I even joked with my surgeon on my 10 day follow up appointment and asked him if he opened me up, looked inside and changed his mind because I didn't feel any different except I wasn't hungry! Needless to say, I am thrilled with how smooth the surgery, recovery and postop went and would do it again in a heartbeat. Each phase has been an easy transition. I haven't had any negative issues with food from liquids to pureed, soft and now solids. Lovin' it. Praying you have the same experience! Feel free to friend me. Have a great day!

64 days since surgery +47 pounds down = best decision ever!

Good luck. When is your surgery? It seems we all react differently, there is no absolutes. My experience over the last 2 weeks since surgery has been amazing and frustrating at the same time. New life, new behaviours but without a doubt the sleeve is making my choices much much easier. I finally arrived back in Australia and can focus on buying the 'right' foods. I have found packeted baby food perfect for this phase. It is easy to get two meals from it. I do add a little seasoning for my own pleasure but very satisfying and perfect texture. I hope it all goes really well for you but even if you have a rough few days it does get so much better.