smryan

Thanks for following up with us *newbies*! Your post was inspiring and you look amazing but better yet, I'm happy to hear you FEEL better!

It's been a month since surgery and a while since I made an entry. All in all - no regrets! This has been a total change in lifestyle for me and so far so good. I've learned a ton about my body and what I can and can't eat. Yesterday I experienced the pain that comes from eating too fast and not choosing the correct foods. I had some steamed broccoli and salmon for lunch (left over from dinner out the night before). I had a tightness in my chest and severe nausea. And then it hit me - the vomiting. I was VERY uncomfortable for about an hour. I had some errands to run and jumped in the car. Big mistake - the seatbelt made it worse. Had to pull over on the side of the road. It happened at dinner the evening before as well. Had to run to the restroom at the restaurant. Lessen learned. I suppose there's a reason the NUT said soft foods ONLY at my 3 week appointment last week. So back to shmooshy foods I go and more shakes. I'm struggling to get in enough protein daily (80 grams) and forget to eat. I'm not losing as quickly as I was before and it's frustrating but I know I'm shrinking because my clothes are very loose. I'm down 36 lbs. from my high weight on 7/16 (19 pre and 17 post). I'm not napping nearly as much as I was and I do have more energy during the day. The next few weeks are going to be stressful as we are moving so I'm going to have to remember to take care of ME first during all of it. This is a new concept as I'm usually last in my life (after my kids, husband, pets, home, etc.). I have more confidence, I'm taking control and I'm EXCITED for a fresh start

I'm 5'9, started at 285, shooting for 175 for a healthy BMI!

I've been on Syntax Nectar (vanilla, chocolate & fuzzy naval) for 3 weeks solid. I was advised to look for whey protein isolate as the first ingredient in my protein to ensure proper digestion, etc. I mix them with 1% milk and combine flavors. Unjury chicken soup flavor has also saved me from too much sweetness. You can find them online at www.unjury.com (they also have a sample pack that comes with a shaker and a thermometer). They have unflavored as well to mix in crystal lite, etc. You have to get VERY creative but you can do it! Crystal Lite flavors are great with a fruit protein flavor. You will adjust to the taste. Keep telling yourself it's temporary and you WILL get through this! Trust me - I'm 3 weeks out and it's all that's sustained me. Best of luck to you!

I was sleeved 8/26 so I'm just over 2 weeks and feeling better daily! Still on liquids only (water/protein shakes) and can't WAIT to move to shmooshy foods next week. Each day gets better and better. I'm not napping as much as before, swallowing is a breeze now (hurt like HECK at first). I'm down 29 lbs. total (10 post op, 19 pre) and have gone down a size already in clothes. Would love to stay in touch w/other August sleevers.

When I had my endoscopy they saw one but when my surgeon was doing my surgery it was nowhere to be found. I was told this is common in some cases. When they opened me up there was nothing to repair!

I was sleeved on August 26th. Highest Weight = 285 (7/16) Before pre-op diet = 280 (8/14) Surgery date = 266 Hospital release date = 272 13 days post-op = 258

Follow YOUR doctor's pre and post op plans to the letter. Don't be swayed by what others are doing on this sight. I found when I turn that part off, I do better. For example, some will have liquid only pre-op diets, others don't (I didn't). Some will be on liquids/protein shakes only for 1 week and then graduate, others don't. Listen to what your doc/clinic instructs you to do and stick with it. I have followed my instructions to a T and lost 19 lbs. before surgery and 8 lbs. post (including the extra weight I gained immediately after surgery from bloating and fluids). Don't 2nd guess it, just do it. Take all supplements they recommend and drink a TON of water. Be prepared for exhaustion for a while. I'm just shy of 2 weeks post op, have 0 pain anymore but I'm so tired it's unbelievable. I allow myself to nap (which is very hard for me). You can do this!! Once you are through surgery it will be a blur and you can focus on the real work ahead.

I will be 2 weeks post op this coming Monday and I'm right with you! Exhausted and napping during the day (which is frustrating as I'm usually a go go go kind of girl). I'm glad to hear this will soon end (crossing fingers). Best of luck to you!

I'm using the Unjury chicken flavor and love it but going to try the unflavored now. I'm 7 days post op and struggling to get enough protein cuz I'm sick of the sweet flavors. My incision areas are sensitive as well and starting to itch. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but I still hit these walls of exhaustion on a daily basis that are tough! Best of luck to you!

I'm one week post op yesterday and still very tired. I feel great but the exhaustion takes me by surprise. I'll get a little burst of energy and then have to lay down. I hear this lasts a while - give yourself plenty of time. It doesn't "feel" like a big surgery but it really is.

You look amazing and I bet you feel a ton better, too! I'm a week post op and I'm also 5'9"! I appreciate you sharing your meals - I'm still in the liquid phase and cannot wait to graduate 9/19!

Tomorrow will be 1 week post op. I'm more tired than I realized I would be, in fact - pure exhaustion. Since I'm not physically sore anymore, it's hard to stop and realize that I just had MAJOR surgery. My incisions are healing so in my head I'm thinking "I'm fine"! But I'm not. I'm tired. All. The. Time. A lack of calories isn't helping but I'm doing my best to control that with constant shakes at my side. After doing some research to see if I'm "normal" I've come to the conclusion that I'm expecting too much and I'm my own worst enemy. Part of this is my "I'm ok, everything is fine" exterior I've exuded all my life that I'm working on changing (thank you to my therapist). Part of it is "what will everyone think that I'm just laying around" syndrome. Bottom line - I'm at a place where I just don't care. I have to rest. My body is begging me to. So, I will. And I am. And I do. This too shall pass, and I will look back on this period of time and wish I would have slowed down more. But, just in case, I am calling the Center on Tuesday just to touch base and let them know, cuz that's also how I roll. If you need me, I'll be over here sleeping.

Day 4 post-op and feeling better day by day. Got on the scale this morning and I'm down 21 lbs. since mid July when I first started this journey. I may have overdone it yesterday though. I was feeling so much better that I tackled some paperwork in the office, threw a load of laundry in and walked a bunch (including up the steep driveway and to the mailbox). So today I'm paying the price with very sore muscles. Lesson learned. I'm not one to sit still but I've got to let myself heal properly so I can move on. I'm now able to take on more protein shake at one time vs. the 2 oz. every hour they recommend. That was driving me crazy to try and remember. So now I simply make my 8 oz. shake and sip it slowly all hour long. As long as I get 4 of them in I should be good...and tons of fluids/water. The Unjury chicken soup protein powder is a LIFESAVER. I don't think I could do this if I had to drink sweet shakes all day long. The other thing I did to help keep me on track was a quick Excel spreadsheet of all my meds & supplements I need to take daily. This has helped tremendously and keeps the guesswork out of it. Last but not least, as much as I SWORE I wasn't going to start dunging out the closet, I did grab a few HUMONGOUS sweaters I can't stand to look at anymore and put them in the donate pile. I love clothes and this one is going to be tough for me!

Thanks all! Your support means a ton to me!

I'm almost 50 and was just sleeved Monday. I too am looking forward to a healthier me! Glad I stumbled on this forum.

Good decision, as hard as it may be. With friends like her, who needs enemies? Your TRUE friends are there for you, cheering you on every inch and pound you lose. Sounds like she could just be jealous, too. Move on. And CONGRATS on how far you've come!! Keep it up!

I checked in to the hospital earlier than anticipated Monday, Aug. 26th (they called and said they had a cancellation and could I come in early!). After a few hours of prep and waiting and more waiting, I was finally wheeled away. Surgery went quickly, doc said about an hour and NO hiatal hernia to repair after all! Apparently sometimes the endoscopy will pick something up but then when they actually get in there, there's nothing to sew up. Recovery was long for me. I had a hard time waking up from the anesthesia. I was in a ton of pain and almost collapsed when they got me out of bed the first time to go to the bathroom (no catheter for me) but thank goodness for my husband and a strong nurse that held on tight. First night was rough - not going to lie. I wasn't prepared for the pain from the gas they fill your tummy up with. I have 6 2 inch incisions on my stomach and no bandages! I came home yesterday the 27th and took my pain pills religiously thru the night to allow me to sleep. Each hour gets easier and easier pain wise. I'm up and walking a bit and doing 2 oz. or protein shakes at the top of each hour and as much water as I can get in. My daughter just shared her chicken noodle soup broth with me and it was HEAVEN. It feels very strange at first to have anything going down to the stomach pouch but I'm getting used to it. I weighed 266 going in to surgery and gained a few pounds from the gas, fluids, etc. but my weight is going down quickly. I can't eat until 9/19 when I go back for my 3 week appointment but I'm prepared with all my shakes and supplements, etc. I'm so happy to have the actual surgery behind me and be moving on. And I can't say enough about the staff at Swedish Hospital in Seattle - they are AMAZING!

I go in today as well! Please stay in touch and here's to a speedy recovery!

Tomorrow is my surgery. I feel like I'm going to wake up and it's Christmas. The future is bright! I can envision a HEALTHIER me now - being more active, less self-conscious about how I look, how I'm always the biggest in the room, etc. People keep asking me if I'm scared or nervous. I can honestly say I'm not. I've put a ton of thought and planning in to this. I've followed my Center's directions. I've lost weight pre-surgery. I have amazing support. And I want this BADLY. 99% of weight loss is MENTAL. I've got this and I will be successful. I'm excited to fit into smaller clothes, shop for amazing jeans at The Gap or Levis (no offense Lane Bryant and Macy's Plus Size, but this girl's MOVING ON), walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I will fall over, tie my shoes with ease, use a smaller bath towel and have it wrap around me, sit in an airplane seat without the buckle being all the way extended, go sideways to fit around people and not worry about bumping in to them...I could go on and on. Wheels up - let's do this!

Today is my last day of my pre-op diet, although my Center didn't put me on liquids only - just high protein, LOW carb, no sugar, fruit, booze, etc. for a little over a week. I've lost 10 lbs since starting it and feel great. Since tonight will be my last "meal" (tomorrow is liquids only, Monday is surgery) I plan to relax a bit and enjoy myself. I'll be at a wedding and may even have a small glass of wine. You can put your mind to anything and be successful!

This is the last weekend of my current life as I know it. No remorse, no regrets, just an urge to get a move on with surgery. I'm going to enjoy these last 2 days of actually being able to eat and chew food for a few weeks, but stick to my low carb, high protein ways as I've become very accustomed to it. Sunday is liquids only, no shakes, just WATER. Monday is NOTHING by mouth and a check-in time of 1:00. I'm more nervous about not being able to drink anything for a half a day than I am about surgery. I've grown so used to drinking approx. 64 oz. of water a day that I find I can't go long without sipping. I'm hoping the next 2 days will fly by, filled with fun activities with great friends. I find that with a bit of pre-planning I can go just about anywhere now. I make sure I have a shake with me, some water, a cheese stick, etc. with me to snack on. This will be my new way of life.

Happy birthday! Your post inspired me. I'm being sleeved this Monday the 26th and will be 50 in March. Can't wait to celebrate a new me! And I love the rebirth idea and will adopt it!