DeniseM

I got a CRAZY rash on my abdomen the first week after surgery. I itched myself raw in a few places. When I went for my one week post-op appointment, my doctor said it was likely an allergy to betadine because I was itching everywhere they washed me with it before surgery. She told me to use hydrocortisone cream on the entire area, EXCEPT anywhere near my sutures and to be extremely careful not to get the cream on a suture area because I had dermabond and the cream would break down the dermabond. The rash/itching lasted about 10 days and then I was fine.

One thing that really helped me get my fluids in was using a stopwatch app on my phone. I set it for 10 minutes for the first four weeks and then 5 minutes after that, and every time it went off I took a sip of water. I also get busy at work and would forget to drink, so it really helped. You really need to push yourself until you get to the 64 oz per day mark- less than that and you are putting yourself at risk for dehydration, plus you will lose weight faster the more water you drink.

Mine was easy because I discovered on the first day of my bariatric orientation that I was at my highest weight ever so that is what I use.

I took two weeks off work (again) and then it was four weeks until I could do any exercise other than walking. The recovery was easier for the GB then it was for the sleeve, probably because of being able to eat, but I had five incisions, so now a total of eight incision scars on my abdomen which is not cool. If you are having GB issues, I would definitely ask them to take out your GB at your sleeve surgery. I had no issues or stones before surgery, everything developed after surgery which was rough to have to go under anesthesia again and take more time off work. The first time I had vacation and sick time saved up. The second time I had to take time off without pay which wasn't so cool.

I had my GB removed about six weeks after my sleeve surgery.

No catheter, and I went home the next day after surgery.

Pureed means blended so it it smooth with no chunks or lumps. Your stomach is very sore and swollen the first weeks and a chunk of food could get stuck in the bottom of your stomach. I used a food processor for a few things and a submersible hand blender for soup (easier to clean).

All of my shoes are a little looser. I am not sure if my size will change or not, but I can definitely tell my feet are smaller and I am only halfway done losing weight.

I was having those same symptoms and then it got so bad that I couldn't eat anything with fat in it. I had my GB out and have had no issues since.

What you are thinking/feeling is completely normal at this point. I had many days before surgery where I questioned why I was going to put myself through surgery. For me, it was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I have no regrets. I just wanted to comment that the band is VERY different from the sleeve, and most of the problems with the band come from the band itself, mostly from slipping. There is no slipping with the sleeve, and very few long term issues aside from post-op complications which are expected with any type of surgery. Once the sleeve is done and healed, 97% of patients have no issues, and only 3% of patients have long-term issues after surgery. I do not know what the statistics are from the band, but I know the complication rate is much higher than the sleeve. I initially started my surgery process wanting the band, but when my surgeon told me that she takes more out than she puts in, that made me really stop and consider that choice.

I also stocked up on a bunch of protein drinks that most of them ended up getting returned because I couldn't tolerate the taste after surgery. My advice- buy one of every kind of protein drink/flavor you can find and keep track of where you bought them so you can go buy more of the ones you like and don't have to deal with returning the ones you don't like.

It was four weeks for me.

Absolutely! A few rough post-op days are nothing now that I am losing weight and feeling so much better about myself!

Completely normal, and will continue for a few more weeks until you are on all solid foods.

I was EXTREMELY careful to follow my post-op instructions precisely and I did not cheat once on my post-op diet. I was so scared of complications and I had no sick time left after surgery so I could not afford to be sick. It was really hard at times to not cheat on the post-op, especially on the liquid phase, but I made it through with no complications and now I can eat whatever I want. Just keep reminding yourself that the post-op diet is only temporary- you will get through it and then you will forget all about it, just like being in labor. Hang in there!

I have eaten fresh fruit and veggies as well as steak and pork chops without any issues. I only eat a few bites of raw fruit and veggies at a time, but I do eat quite a bit of steak and pork. I was not told to avoid these things by my NUT or surgeon, only that they could cause issues so I should be careful eating them until I know how my body will handle them. I think I have a sleeve of steel because nothing I have eaten has bothered me, except when I was having gallbladder issues, and as soon as I got my GB out, it was back to business as usual for my sleeve.

I have started running! Not very far and not very fast, but I can actually run now which is amazing to me because the last time I ran was in high school. My goal is to compete next summer with my hubby in a sprint triathlon. I have a LONG way to go, both with fitness and weight loss, but I am at least on the path to reaching that goal.

I also recommend waiting- it will be several weeks after surgery before you are healed enough to wear them, and by then you might be down a size or two and what you bought won't fit. Also, you won't see loose skin for a few months, and it is hard to predict now what size you might be, or if you will even need them.

You will feel better once you get to the soft food and regular food stage. I asked my doctor about this and she said that when you eat baby food (meaning liquids and puree) you have baby poop. I thought it was funny, but it was true- as soon as I started eating solid foods, I then started only having a bowel movement every few days, so almost the opposite problem.

Chicken is my number one protein- I have no problems with it at all. I started eating chicken as soon as I got to the soft food stage. I can also eat grapes without any issue, but if the skin is tough like on muscadine grapes, I don't eat the skin.

The cravings are still there, but not nearly as bad as they used to be. Occasionally I indulge, but it is much easier to control my diet because I am rarely hungry. I just focus on getting in my Protein and Water every day. I lost 20 pounds the first month after surgery.

I can have any food I want to at this point- I have no food issues after surgery. However, I choose not to drink any carbonated beverages or alcoholic beverages, and I choose not to eat gluten which eliminates a bunch of the "naughty" foods like bread, pasta, cookies, cake, etc., and I also choose not to eat dairy products. I am physically able to eat them, and I definitely enjoy eating them, but I have decided to follow a Paleo diet for health reasons, and it is working really well for me.

My hubby came with me to my appointment when I met with the surgeon before I had my surgery, and was there on surgery day. All the other pre-op appointments I did on my own.

I'm 5'8 and my surgeon's goal is 175 but my goal is 150 which was what I weighed in college. When I graduated from HS I was 125 and while I would love to be that skinny again, I just don't think it's realistic at my age. We'll see what happens...

We might not all have had one last beer, but we all had one last something! I know I had several "last" foods! I think it is completely normal, but I do recommend saying your goodbyes before you start your pre-op diet.