Shells_Almost_There

I find that I can't have the protein bars or shakes that I relied on before and after VSG. Now, they are too sweet and (sorry, TMI) I almost immediately get the shakes (dumping) and will probably have to run to the bathroom. And really, that's what's changed the most after my revision to RNY - I haven't had more than maybe 5 normal BMs in 19 months.

I woke up/came to as they were wheeling me from recovery to my room and every bump/jostle hurt so bad I thought I'd cry. Next, I wanted water - they gave me ice chips - which made my new stomach do this weird very painful hiccup. Again, I thought I'd cry. Once I sipped water instead of having the chips, all was well with that. Otherwise I had a massive gas pain in my left shoulder that took about 4 days to resolve. I seem to have relatively low tolerance for pain immediately after an injury or after waking up from surgery, but then I'm generally ready to go and walk/run within a day or so. Day 3, I was raring to go (my surgeon has a 2-night stay for bypass patients). Probably the only other thing that hurt like mad for me was Day 2 when I went to do the swallow test and they tilted the thingie back and I wasn't prepared. Gravity made it hurt going backward, and again when they stood me back up. I got a bit dizzy from that pain, but was fine once they got me back in the wheelchair.

So true. I used my chapstick, the phone charger, my toothbrush/paste, oh - and I brought my surgery bunny to hold against my belly when standing the first day. That's it. LOL

I use WW for accountability - only online, I don't go to meetings. I have been a continual member since January 2010. However, since starting my WLS journey, I have not followed their program/points system. I still am at a very high weight, so the plan assigns me a lot of points, both daily and weekly. In fact, too much for a VSG patient. Also the plan is open to having people eat whatever foods they want - not exactly what we are supposed to do post-surgery. I would never follow their plan now, since it goes against my surgeon's/NUT's food plan for me and it would be way too many calories in a day. It is my choice to continue paying the money - because honestly, I love having 4 years of weight loss (and gain, ouch!) data at my fingertips, and having the pressure of a weigh-in every Monday without fail. I can see no benefit in starting again on their "food" plan, since it's not what I would call an acceptable post-surgery VSG diet. I hope you decide to check in with your surgeon and NUT, and maybe look into the support groups option, because the WW "diet" is probably not the right thing at this point in the journey. Good luck!

Love it!

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.

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!

Congrats! I'm home now and do have a friend helping me - mainly the pain of using my stomach muscles for standing and/or sitting. Other than that, I feel pretty good too, which is awesome.

I have a New Year's goal as well! Can't wait to see changes by that time

Congrats on a very successful surgery. This is exciting. My surgery is Monday (Bea, I'm the 16th also!), and I'm just really hoping for an "easy" time. My surgery isn't until 10:00, so I'll probably be a basket case by that time, but I'm hoping for some nice relaxation drugs while I wait. Keep up the great work!

I have heard that most people (at least around this site) who get the sleep study are diagnosed with some amount of sleep apnea. Being overweight seems to go with the apnea, which makes sense to me - more fat in the neck/throat area, it can close off when sleeping (this is information I got from my respiratory therapist). I did the required sleep study and was diagnosed with "moderate" apnea. That means I got a CPAP machine and will use it until I don't require it anymore. I suspected I might have sleep apnea based on a few symptoms - specifically waking up with a dry throat, and sometimes waking up to a racing heart in the middle of the night. I don't snore much at all, but the other symptoms are just as telling as the snoring. Good luck to you!

Good luck! Keep us posted

So inspiring! Love your photos!

Sorry to hear this - I read today on a successful sleever's blog that she would eat one of those little red boxes of Sunmaid raisins each day to "keep things regular." No idea if that will help, but thought I would mention it.

I too worry about my own "Fat mentality" after I lose weight with the sleeve although it has really been a long time now since I was at a decent weight where I could imagine I looked slightly ok and attractive to the opposite sex. I too am keeping my procedure pretty much a secret (maybe 5 people know - during my psych evaluation, the therapist absolutely advised against telling anyone for a long while!). Good luck to you in the next step of this amazing journey. I am hoping for a September surgery date, and it's a scary but excited feeling!