Need answers from 'sleeve gastrectomy' people

 Will be having a sleeve gastrectomy on 4/12 and when I went to the pre surgical classes yesterday it seemed all their information was related to RNY people.   I know some of these issues should have been done in the session but it was large and running behind already do to so many questions and I was the only one going to be having a sleeve done.  My questions for people who have had sleeves done:

The restrictions for pill size the same as RNY?
Is the vitamin, calcium supplement requirements the same?
Is it still necessary to go through the clear liquids, full liquids, pureed foods, soft foods regime the same?

I will be trying to get ahold of the surgeon's office for some of these answers but feel the input from actual patients who have had this done will be beneficial as well

 I am not a sleaver, but I am pretty sure there are many differences on vitamins and calcium becasue the RNY is both restrictive AND mal-absorbtive. You will have to let your operation heal and you will notice a large change in your quantities when you eat. 
  I know other locals and better informed people will jump in here, but maybe you can check out the sleave forums for your answers.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/

My pre-surgery class discussed both the sleeve and RNY. I didn't pay attention to the RNY part, tho. It's too bad you class didn't address the differences because there are some. Call the office and ask to talk to someone who can answer your specific case. You need answers specific to the sleeve.

I had my sleeve 4 weeks and 2 days ago. I feel great. I love my sleeve. You will, too. I'm never hungry. I work hard to get in my protein and liquids but I'm doing better at it. That's the most important thing to remember. Sip sip sip...

Oh, yes, to echo Paul, go to the OH VSG forum. It's very active, friendly, and informative. I'm there all the time. It helps keep my head in the game.

Hi Dizzylee!
I had the Sleeve done on January 10th. I can't tell you how my life has changed for the better!! I love my sleeve!

I have had a lot of ups and some downs as well. Vitamins were one of the downs. It wasn't until I converted the majority of my vites as well as calcium to liquids that I felt I was getting what I needed.
It wasn't a matter of swallowing them or getting them down, I just feel like I absorb them better in liquid form.

The vitamin requirements are the same I think. You're not malabsorbtive with the Sleeve, but you just can't enough volume or healthy foods to get what you need in the way of vitamins.

The clear liquid, full, pureed/soft food requirements are the stages we need to go through as well. Try to get 64 fluid ounces in a day. Even on clear liquids, this allows for milk and protein drinks as well.

I had my surgery at Unity and the program there is wonderful. I have a book they gave me and certainly could make arrangements to get you info from it. Please also feel free to add me as a friend, and PM me if you have more questions we could also speak on the phone. I speak at Unity every other Tuesday to people considering WLS.

Best of luck in your journey and welcome to a new life!!
Best regards,
Heidi

Oh Thank You So much Heidi,
     I have surgery on Tuesday 4/12 at United.   I've been hearing all these things from everyone and they say OH etc, etc, etc,    I thought I was all ready and felt good about everything, so I try not to listen to what people are saying but it is hard not to hear what they're saying sometimes so I'm getting pretty nervous now.   Once I figure out how to add you as a friend I'll do so.   

 

My program had a lot of info on RNY and the band, and not much on the sleeve, either. I've kinda pieced some of it together, but I will say that for the most part, we follow similar paths as RNY.

The restrictions for pill size the same as RNY? My program wants me to not take anything bigger than an M&M. All of my vitamins are chewable because I've always hated swallowing pills. That said, I did take some nyquil gel caps last night for the first time and I didn't have any issues  (I'll be 12 weeks out tomorrow).

Is the vitamin, calcium supplement requirements the same? Possibly, but your surgeon/dietician will tell you what they want you to take. I take a multivitamin, iron pill, sublingual b12, and calcium pills every day.

Is it still necessary to go through the clear liquids, full liquids, pureed foods, soft foods regime the same? Likely yes, but again ask your surgeon. I was sent home from the hospital with some follow-up information and  then got more at my first pos-op appointment. I did clear liquids, then pureed, then soft foods.

Good luck! I'm so glad I did this.

 Thanks so much!   Where did you have the sleeve done?  I see from your post you're from Mpls.

I was at Fairview with Dr Leslie. I've heard good things about Unity, too.

So where to all you Minnesotans metro area people go for your post op support group meetings?