stomlin75

I was breastfeeding up until the day before surgery. Then, I stopped. You really should either wait or stop. I am a huge proponent of breastfeeding so I would wait it out if I were you. Here is the deal. You are pumped full of drugs between the anesthesia and the post op period. These take a while to leave your system. But that isn't even the real problem. You are going to barely be able to get in enough Protein and hydration to sustain yourself post op. You are also going to be void of Vitamins that you will be supplementing yourself with and just like in pregnancy, breastmilk takes the good stuff first and you get what is left over. You will feel sick - trust me. I considered letting my son having some last week (surgery was Dec. 7) and I knew that it would cause serious problems all around. Lastly, your body is going to go into full blown ketosis. You drop ketones in your urine and it is my understanding that these are also founds in breastmilk as well. If I were you, I would talk about this particular aspect with someone at the le leche league. Good luck to you!!

This happened to me too. I was sleeved on the 7th. The first 6 days, I was losing 3-4 pounds everyday. Then all of a sudden it just stopped. I am dropping very very slightly again but only about .5 lbs each day now. It's bizarre because I am really not getting that many calories in and am moving around quite a bit. I feel like I have seen so many others post about losing 35 pounds or more in the first month post surgery. Hoping to hear from others as well about this.

I've been drinking tomato based soups and I am only 10 days out. We are told we can have V-8 at this point.

I am 12 days out and yep, I feel hunger. I have figured out the difference between head hunger and real hunger though. If you are drinking constantly, which you should be, then you won't really be hungry. It won't take much to fill you up. If you do feel hungry, then drink a protein shake. You aren't likely getting enough anyway and I found the more protein I got, the better I felt. I choke them down and am not a huge fan but know that this is the deal for right now. I keep reminding myself that this stage is temporary and will be over soon. You can do it!!

My sleeve was done on Dec. 7 and I still have the burps but the gas pain is so much better. Walking does help but also just moving around is good - changing positions. One thing that has changed for me is that I belch all the time and my family is just used to it now. My boys (age 2 and 4) giggle constantly about it and I find the humor refreshing. Good luck to you!! Steph

Thank you so very much for responding. This has been quite a week!! I am so glad for this site and the people like you who are so active here. It really helps.

I ate like a pig up until I started the pre-op diet. Ironically, that was the day after Thanksgiving. There are actually a few things I wish I had eaten before doing it because I probably won't get to eat them again. I think food funerals are very common for most who have WLS. Don't beat yourself up.

I am 1 week post op and have some mild but noticable pain in the upper left side of my abdomen under the bottom part of my ribs. It is much, much worse when I lie down or sit down. It pretty much goes away when I stand up. I also noticed last night that when I tried to sleep on my right side, I felt enough pain (on the right that time) that I had to turn over to get it to stop. I don't have a fever and my heart beat is normal so I don't think it's a leak or anything. I did not notice this pain before at all so this is new. Does this sound normal?

Thanks, that makes sense. I am struggling to get the protein in. I will get those drinks.

So, I had my surgery on the 7th and have been losing weight very steadily at approximately 2 pounds per day or so. I was 275 before surgery and 280 right after my surgery. As of yesterday, I was down to 266. Today I weighed in and I am still 266. What should I reasonably be expecting? I am so worried I won't lose weight after years and years of failed attempts. I feel like I remember someone telling me they lost 17 pounds in the first week. Thoughts??

Prenatal One by Rainbow Light is awesome. I took that with all 3 of my pregnancies and continue taking it as my main multi now even though I am done having kids. It's pretty gentle on the belly, especially during pregnancy. The other vitamin that works nicely is Baby me Now but you have to take 5 of them per day....just how they break it up to maximize absorption. Good luck!

I love these posts!! Keep them going!

This is really good to hear. I have tried to do the protein shakes but they are kind of yucky and it's a struggle. I would rather just eat yogurt with some stevia or some soup. Most artificial sweeteners really turn me off.

Yep, my calories are pretty low as well. I am 4 days out and definitely not getting in the protein that I need. What I understand is that the most important to get is water/fluids. I sip on my water all day.

In an effort to combat 4 days of no #2, I decided to go all out and purchase some "help". I started with colace and after realizing that "capsule" did not mean it would be a pill I could break up, I tried to melt it in hot Water and drink it. I DO NOT recommend this. I have never had anything more foul than this and I have 3 children - use your imagination - liquid colace=BAD. So, I moved on to Milk of Mag. and while this tasted pretty gnarly as well, it was much better than what I just tried so I was able to get it down with no real problem. After a few hours of waiting to no avail., I thought it might be good to get out of the house and went with my husband to pick up the kids at daycare and then to the grocery store. 30 minutes into that trip, my lower belly began growling and it felt like even rippling. We wrapped things up and headed home and let me tell you, this stuff works. So, if you are having trouble, I recommend good ole Milk of Magnesia. As for the gas, wish I had started gas-x days ago. What a help that is.

I am 4 days out from surgery and still feeling it a bit - mostly gas. I haven't had a #2 yet either and got worried so I just drank milk of magnesia - holy yuck!! Hoping it will work through. Tried Miralax yesterday to no avail. Also ate some gas x a little while ago and what a relief finally!!

Matrix is ok but I haven't found one that I really like a lot. I would like one without any flavor at all and no sweetness. Thoughts?

I am 3 days out and thinking about my own exercise plan as well. I am starting to feel like I need to get out a bit and exercise is utlimately how I want to invest my time. My plan is to go out and walk tomorrow for 15 minutes, 2 times per day. This will give me 30 minutes of walking. I think if I had pressure to walk 1 mile, I would havemore anxiety about it. So, maybe you just take it one day at a time and do what you can. As for going outside in the cold, I think you are going to need to just do it and keep going. This sounds harsh, I know, however, if you budle yourself up, put on a hat, gloves, etc.. and get moving, you will warm up. It's a habit change and it's hard. I am worried about being cold too but know that this is a forever change that will require major behavioral adjustments in order to improve my life (our lives). If you want a check in buddy, I am happy to be that person. I know it's going to be hard for me to push myself when I can see my breath in the air!!!

Congrats!! I am 3 days out from my surgery and can't wait to see the scale go down. Nice work!

Had my surgery yesterday. Still in hospital bed and hoping to go home tonight or tommorrow. So far so good. Don't worry you guys. It goes fast. Lost 15 lbs during preop. Was 5 lbs up yesterday due to fluids so don't freak out if that happens. On another note, I am not hungruy at all. Wounds do not hurt at all. Have nauseau but they are using meds for that.

Well, it's my turn tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital at 9:30 and the surgery starts at 11. I am nervous and excited. The last few weeks on the pre-op diet have been just fine. I thought it would be really hard but once I was in ketosis, I felt no hunger. I wish you all the best and hope to be able to come here by tomorrow evening to let you all know how it went. I can't wait to feel better about my body. It's been a long road. Stephanie

Do not quit!!! You can do this. The first two days are hell and then it gets much much easier. I promise. Stick to the plan and your body goes into ketosis and you won't really feel it anymore.

Sounds like a stomach bug or there is something in the protein shake not agreeing with you at all. What kind are you drinking?

I started last Friday and am down 8 pounds. I started at 290 and am now 282. Feels good.

I am totally tired of the pre-op diet but I just keep reminding myself each moment of why i am doing this. I also had a great conversation this evening with a colleague who is a gastroenterologist surgeon. I very much trust his opinion and thoughts as a friend and colleague. I wondered if this pre-op diet truly made a difference and he said that is definitely does and to stick with it no matter what. He reminded me that it will be over soon. Eating has become a routine thing for me now..same thing each day. I ignore others who eat, change the TV channel is I see food and do my best to find other stuff to do. I have completed my 5th day today - down 6 pounds as of this morning.