Shells_Almost_There

I also have stomach swelling - I've lost weight post-op but my waist/gut has not shrunk at all. I think my tummy is still in shock. Next week I will finally have my first post-op appointment with my surgeon and I plan to ask her when the swelling will subside. Of all the places I need and want to lose weight, it's my big gut!!!

I don't have any specific revenge fantasies, but I think there will be a class reunion in about 2 years that I hope to go to and look fabulous! I skipped the previous one because I was too embarrassed about how I looked.

I don't have any specific revenge fantasies, but I think there will be a class reunion in about 2 years that I hope to go to and look fabulous! I skipped the previous one because I was too embarrassed about how I looked.

As Bufflehead mentioned, there are a lot of different programs and plans - so what's outlawed by one doc might be perfectly fine for another. My surgeon's rules are very lenient compared to many I've seen mentioned on this site. In fact, I was given ibuprofen while still in the hospital, after my surgery! My doc has no issues with it at all. Concerning Protein, I am a very picky person and what some people say tastes good or great usually tastes terrible to me. I got a bunch of sample packs and finally found just 2 powders that I could stand. I also got the Premier Protein ready-to-drink ones from costco and those are saving my life. In fact, I have a bunch of powder and samples that I will never use because the Premier is all I need. I'm also at my 4th week post-op (tomorrow! time flies) and my recovery has been like clockwork. I had very little pain, no gas pains, haven't puked yet (but it's been close), and while I thought I'd lose my freakin' mind during the 2 weeks of liquids only after surgery, I did actually survive!!! LOL I haven't had any emotional issues, but it's early still for me. What I'm finding is that now that I'm allowed purees/mushies, I am eating more carbs. This is something I need to control. It's also a balancing act, because I am still struggling to get in 8 glasses (minimum) of Water per day - not because I have trouble drinking, but because I just forget or don't feel like drinking. On an empty stomach I can gulp water - it's very surprising. My next steps for week 4 and beyond are to track my water much closer, since the weight isn't magically falling off and I can tell I'm dehydrated. Plus, I will continue to use My Fitness Pal to track all foods, so that I can keep a watch on those carbs. Finally, I have been having a real issue with BMs. I will suddenly realize that it's been 2 days, and so then I drink a dose of Milk of Magnesia -- X number of hours later, I experience the pain of not being regular. It is really no fun. I am planning to get on a daily dose of some sort of OTC med for this, because I hate Milk of Magnesia!!! But, I hate constipation more. (There's just no such thing as TMI on this site, FYI ) I hope some of this helps. This surgery has been my best decision ever ( btw, less than 10 people are aware that I had surgery because it's my health and my decision and I don't want comments/feedback/scrutiny), and I wish I could have done this 10 years ago. Good luck to you!

As Bufflehead mentioned, there are a lot of different programs and plans - so what's outlawed by one doc might be perfectly fine for another. My surgeon's rules are very lenient compared to many I've seen mentioned on this site. In fact, I was given ibuprofen while still in the hospital, after my surgery! My doc has no issues with it at all. Concerning Protein, I am a very picky person and what some people say tastes good or great usually tastes terrible to me. I got a bunch of sample packs and finally found just 2 powders that I could stand. I also got the Premier Protein ready-to-drink ones from costco and those are saving my life. In fact, I have a bunch of powder and samples that I will never use because the Premier is all I need. I'm also at my 4th week post-op (tomorrow! time flies) and my recovery has been like clockwork. I had very little pain, no gas pains, haven't puked yet (but it's been close), and while I thought I'd lose my freakin' mind during the 2 weeks of liquids only after surgery, I did actually survive!!! LOL I haven't had any emotional issues, but it's early still for me. What I'm finding is that now that I'm allowed purees/mushies, I am eating more carbs. This is something I need to control. It's also a balancing act, because I am still struggling to get in 8 glasses (minimum) of Water per day - not because I have trouble drinking, but because I just forget or don't feel like drinking. On an empty stomach I can gulp water - it's very surprising. My next steps for week 4 and beyond are to track my water much closer, since the weight isn't magically falling off and I can tell I'm dehydrated. Plus, I will continue to use My Fitness Pal to track all foods, so that I can keep a watch on those carbs. Finally, I have been having a real issue with BMs. I will suddenly realize that it's been 2 days, and so then I drink a dose of Milk of Magnesia -- X number of hours later, I experience the pain of not being regular. It is really no fun. I am planning to get on a daily dose of some sort of OTC med for this, because I hate Milk of Magnesia!!! But, I hate constipation more. (There's just no such thing as TMI on this site, FYI ) I hope some of this helps. This surgery has been my best decision ever ( btw, less than 10 people are aware that I had surgery because it's my health and my decision and I don't want comments/feedback/scrutiny), and I wish I could have done this 10 years ago. Good luck to you!

Absolutely! I took pictures in a basic outfit that fit me at the time, and then I took pictures in a too tight outfit so that I could track the clothes getting bigger on me as I lose weight. I thought it would be fun to have these mementos! I love it when post surgery people post their before/after photos.

Congrats! I also wanted everyone to just leave me alone when I came out of the anesthesia - too many people trying to get me to talk and all I wanted to do was concentrate on how much my incision sites hurt. I kept telling them "Sssshhhh!" Embarrassing now, but it was how I felt at the time. I needed quiet to focus. ha ha I hope the next few days fly by for you, since they can be the worst. Keep us updated!

My psych eval doc advised me not to tell anyone about my surgery, since then I'll be under a microscope. I agreed, but I didn't want to lie about a surgery I wasn't having (as noted above, you may need to actually have your gallbladder out as a result of VSG), so, I took a vacation! I've "been on vacation" for a couple of weeks now and it has been amazing. (I haven't taken a real vacation in 4 years, so it really was the truth - there just was a little surgery mixed in there, LOL) I've had friends come to visit from out of town, my mom hung out with me, and I've taken care of a bunch of personal things. No one, other than the 3 people at work who actually know why I was out, have questioned me. One thing that's made this easy is that I have been slowly losing weight since the first of the year and on a high-protein diet since June. People already knew I was making significant dietary changes, so when I'm actually back in the office and losing weight, it won't be out of the ordinary. They are used to seeing water and protein drinks on my desk. It has also been kind of fun, since I've been relaxing and I'm stress-free for the first time in years.

So sorry to hear this, but sadly not surprised. People can just be thoughtless and mean. Less than 10 people are aware I've had surgery, for this exact reason. All those who don't know about my surgery will notice I eat less, and then then will notice I am losing weight. That's all they need to know!!! Hang in there, you are doing everything you should. The most important thing is to "take care of you."

In your pre-surgery meetings, has this been discussed? I ask because per your ticker, you're having surgery tomorrow. This seems like a pretty important question to bring up at the last minute. One thing I do know - surgeons do what they do - they have a procedure, a plan, and they stick to it. Something like this, a high-stakes invasive surgery, isn't probably something they personalize patient by patient, or by request. Either way, good luck to you!

I used to use the Flintstones gummies (4 per day), but now I take the Centrum "flavor burst" chews - they essentially are Skittles, tasty and remind me of eating candy! (This is just the multi-vitamin aspect of supplements, not sure about the calcium, etc that others take). Hope this helps. (I also bought the Fiber gummies, they aren't too bad!)

I was sleeved 9/16, and I've also stopped losing weight. It's a bit frustrating considering how little I am eating. I am taking in 500-600 calories per day, very few carbs, but I can't seem to hit my water goal. The surgery does work, we've seen that here, but I think everyone is different. Are you getting in the minutes of walking (I am not no motivation at this point), because that might also make a difference. Hang In There!!!! We can do this!

I was sleeved 9/16, and it has been a very positive experience. I got super nervous right before my surgery (literally as they were wheeling me into the operating room) but then they gave me the happy drugs and next thing I knew I was out of surgery and it has been a dream since. I took a couple weeks off work, my friend and my mom came to babysit me (totally spoil me), and I haven't had any troubles. Each day I feel better, and can do more. It's awesome. I wish you the very same positive experience, and no regrets!!!

It will go by so fast, you won't even believe it's over when you wake up. Congrats on starting the next phase of the "new you"!!!

This seems to vary with everyone. I am starting my 3rd week post-op and I have a painful ache in my side when I sit up (in an office chair) for too long. So, I'm working half time from home this week, rather than trying to go back to work full time. Each day I am feeling better, but I am not a person who could have gone back after a week, or even two, due to the pain in my side. I've also heard a lot about fatigue, although I haven't had that issue. Good luck!

It could vary by doc, of course, but I've been on my prescription prilosec (Omeprazole) since the day after surgery. It's a small capsule. I was also advised to crush any pills like my tylenol for the first few weeks if they felt too big to swallow, but I haven't had a problem yet. Extended release meds can't be crushed, though, so I haven't taken any of that type of med since surgery. Good luck!

Love it!

Best Wishes for a great surgery today!

Congrats! Each day is a new adventure once you're home

My suggestion is to try even smaller sips. Early in the post-op phase, I could barely sip 1/5 of that tiny cup they give us at the hospital and I was burping and in a bit of pain. Now, a week later, it's much better. I also experimented with water temp and for me it turned out anything super cold went down better. Finding the right temp for you could really help. Good luck!

Another milestone - congrats!

So on day 4 (friday for me), my doctor's office said I had to take Milk of Magnesia because I needed to poo by/on Day 5. If nothing's coming out, it is not going to be fun. So yesterday midday and then again last night I had the Milk of Magnesia and it didn't happen until 4 a.m. and then 6 a.m. Most painful events of my life thus far that I can remember but thank god that's over. My advice: Don't wait - buy the cherry flavor MoM and drink up. I was warned if it didn't happen "naturally" I would be required to get an enema -- Words that scared me enough to drink MoM twice! What a nightmare, but at least it's over now. This is so TMI, but I hope it helps out.

Cheers! Lots of Confetti! Fireworks! Congratulations - it is a milestone, no matter what. Great job, and you should definitely take the props. Keep up the good work.

Welcome and congrats on a successful surgery. I was also on the 16th, and I'm feeling pretty good as far as recovery goes. Good luck to you in this next phase!

You have done an amazing job and you do look great. I'm glad to hear that your weight is leveling off, since you don't want to go too far. As far as your wife's journey with WL as compared to yours, it really sounds like she's on a different path or has different motivations than you. Your success isn't apparently the same as her success, so she isn't reacting the way you're expecting. I agree with above comments about the heart to heart and the idea of couple's counseling to be sure you are both still on the same track - it's good to check in. Also, if your weight is leveling off finally - it might truly be time to get to that more upscale department store where a menswear expert can "fit" you for your new body shape - from t-shirts to jeans and dressier clothes, fit can really make that difference and you sure deserve it after such amazing work and success! Good luck!