McButterpants

I agree with Fluff - exercising up front will aid in your recovery. I was working out or walking daily about 6 weeks before surgery. I believe I recovered quickly due to the fact I exercised prior to surgery. Post-op, I am a little over 5 weeks out and still only approved for walking. I walk 60 minutes at least 5 times per week. Once OK'd for more, I'll add the elliptical and weight training.

I had my surgery on an outpatient basis - I was out of the hospital by noon the day of surgery. I needed help that day and the next day (so if I had a hospital stay, I would probably be OK on my own on the day they would have released me). It was nice to have someone there just to assist - I tried to be self sufficient and not rely on help. I felt like I needed to move (it helped with the gas pains), so I didn't rely on anyone to get my drinks for me, I got up and got my own. I traveled to Las Vegas for my surgery, so we stayed in our timeshare - I wanted to be on the safe side, so we decided to stay down there for a week after surgery. That was total overkill. We could have flown on day 4 or 5 easily. My biggest issue was fatigue - I needed a nap every day for the first couple of weeks.

You won't feel your stomach is "missing". Your brain knows it isn't there, but it doesn't feel any different. I was surprised at how quickly I fill up - I'm amazed that 1/2 an egg and 1/2 a turkey sausage patty fills me up at Breakfast time. It's surreal the first few times you sit down to a meal and you think, "seriously, this is all I get?" Then you leave some on the plate because you can't finish it. I felt empowered once I started adding food into my diet. Empowered because I know that 1/4 cup of food is going to fill me up and I don't feel like crap from doing the latest fad diet. It's an amazing process.

Interesting discussion... My dad was initially really worried about my decision to have VSG. He didn't understand the procedure. He didn't understand what happens before, during or after the surgery. He was scared for me. He made a statement the other day that I thought was profound when he asked me to tell my brothers about the surgery (I have only told 5 people and my brothers were not part of that group). I feel my brothers will not understand why I did this - they are both skinny and have never ever worried about their weight. He said, "You had a medical procedure to better your health and increase your quality of life. There's nothing to hide. It's no different than a knee replacement." I thought coming from a 79 year old man who works out every day and doesn't have a weight problem, that was a great way to think about it. (Although it didn't change my mind to tell them!) I agree with Lipstick...I had to go thru the pain and risk of the surgery. I had to figure out how to sip 64 ounces of Water a day while trying to get in shakes as well. I had to figure out how to eat a scrambled egg again and chew it into a paste (blah) so it sits well in my stomach. I'm the one that had to endure the pre-op diet and the post op shakes that now make me want to puke. I'm still going to have to control myself because I will have the ability to eat around my sleeve. I am the one that is going to have to drag my fat ass to the gym and sweat. I will have to live with the fear of gaining the weight back and becoming that bloated fat chick again. And if anyone says that's the easy way out, then so be it. I know the truth - this isn't easy (and I can honestly say, I wasn't prepared for it.)

What a beautiful smile!

PB2 is awesome!

Hi there. Contemplation and research are you friends! :-) I'm just over 5 weeks out - I can tell you with all honesty, I don't think about food like I did before surgery. If I crave something, it goes away very quickly - like a fleeting thought. The first few weeks, the drinking of Water, shakes and, if you're allowed, food will consume you. Because you're trying to figure out the balance - when you should have Breakfast, then incorporate a shake, and getting in the water. I have finally hit my stride and it's much easier now - it's just my new normal. Cooking for a family up until this week has been a challenge and I relied a lot on my husband to figure out what he and my son were going to do for dinner. Now that I'm on a somewhat "regular" diet, I don't have to cook two meals. Last night I made roasted chicken and vegetables. We were able to eat the same things. We've even gone out to dinner a few times and I either ate off my husband's plate or had the inside of a taco. I'm also finding some great recipes that are healthy and sleeve friendly that my family enjoys! I bet your family will adapt to the "new" you, whether you tell them about the surgery or not. You're taking your health in your own hands and that's commendable - whether they agree with the decision or not. Just don't fret too much! Happy holidays!

Beautifully written, RJ. I always enjoy your posts. This is a great topic and I can't wait to read the responses! Though I am still new to this journey (sleeved just over 5 weeks ago), I can already see changes...some good, some bad. I have discovered I am not a patient person - sometimes I don't want to take 20-30 minutes to eat a meal and I am not losing weight as fast as I want to or as fast as I perceive other people are losing (comparing yourself to others is bad, I know). I discovered my husband has a lot more compassion than I gave credit. He has been my rock during the past 6 weeks. I have discovered that with every pound I lose, I become more accountable - more accountable for time I spend sitting on my ass not doing anything. There is a bigger expectation for me to participate in my own life - I wanted this, but now it's a reality. I discovered I wasn't truly prepared for the post-op journey - I really thought my biggest obstacle would be to get myself to the gym to work out. I was not prepared for the emotional toll this journey has already taken. I discovered that a 40 pound weight loss doesn't necessarily mean people will notice (no one has..someone commented on my hair this weekend, I think they are noticing something changed about me, but cannot pinpoint it). I discovered that I have underlying issues with food that I haven't addressed ever in my adult life and I need to address them now. I have discovered I am still the same person when I wake up in the morning. My attitudes, thoughts and feelings are the same - I think I thought it would be all sunshine and lollipops after I had the surgery and started to lose weight. I discovered I am still fearful when I pull on my jeans that 6 weeks ago were really tight and I had to lay down on the bed to get them zipped up. I still have that fear that I won't be able to get them on, even though the last time I wore them they practically fell off my body.

I had to listen to tapes - I was usually so relaxed that I fell asleep. When I explained this to the hypnotist she said, "It's fine, you're still getting something out of them anyway." Uh huh and you're getting something out of me coming here every week...a check!

P.S. I tried hypnosis - felt like a fool, but I did it. A lot of money later, I lost about 30 pounds, but gained in all back!

Great post! We hear so many times the WLS is the easy way out. Yeah, this is the easy way out...living on Protein shakes for months (pre-op and post-op). The mental game can be a killer! Stepping on the scale during a stall can be unbearable. Being hungry, really hungry and taking 25 minutes to eat 1/4 cup of food can be frustrating beyond belief. Oh, and how about not being able to poo for 5 days - yeah, this is a blast! I'm 5 weeks out and still waiting for the "easy" part! Thanks for posting!

Congrats!!!!

How does unflavored protein mix with Guinness?

OMG- I'm laughing. I couldn't have said it better! I went to the store the other day in search of Smooth Move tea - I couldn't find any. I'll try barking at the moon if I thought it would help. It is so uncomfortable!

Yeah, if you can drink milk with no issues, it's probably not that. I hope it gets better! LOL - I'm on the other end of the spectrum. Constipation has been my only side effect of the surgery. That's not fun either! Best of luck to you!

Do you think it could be the milk or lactose?

You're doing fine, sweetie. Hang in there - your body is going to lose at the rate it wants to. You help it along by following your plan - getting in your Water, Protein and exercising. That's all you can control. Sending hugs and best wishes!

Good for you. Be mindful of food pushers, too! :-) "Oh it won't hurt you to have on of these will it?" "Just try a bit of this." You'll do great - eat your soup an enjoy time with our family. That's what it's about...TIME...not the food that's being served.

Be strong - do not choose to put something in your mouth that you're going to regret later. Have a shake before hand - that should keep you satisfied for a while. If you feel tempted, remove yourself from the situation. I was sleeved on 11/14 and had Thanksgiving to deal with - I dealt with it by just not going to Thanksgiving dinner. Best of luck to you!

For those of you not tolerating the Protein shakes - specifically the Premier Protein, try thinning them out a little with some Water. The Premier Protein Shakes are very thick. Also you might want to try the nectar products - they are lighter on your stomachs. I got dehydrated on Day 3 - I wasn't drinking enough water. Make sure you're pushing the water. My doc said it's not likely you will get your protein mins and water mins in one week out, but you try, especially the water. If water isn't going down easily, you can try Vitamin Water, Propel Zero or Powerade Zero.

One thing you will find is your "wetter" foods like yogurt you'll be able to eat more. Once you progress to denser foods (once you'r doc/NUT OK it), you'll find you won't be able to eat as much. I was surprised that last night I could eat almost a 1/2 cup of (approved) chili, but can barely get down 1/4 cup of pureed chicken. In those first couple of weeks I stayed on mostly liquids, but was approved to eat 2 tablespoons per day of sugar free pudding or Jello, cottage cheese, applesauce or scrambled eggs. I tolerated scrambled egg easily.

A large Wendy's chili is 4 meals for me - how's that for cheap?!?!?!

OMG - the dry mouth at night!!!!!! It's like someone put glue in my mouth. I have noticed if I am over my 64 ounces, it's not as bad. I guess that's my clue!!!! I was allowed scrambled eggs during puree stage. Soft scrambled eggs - you can add Water, I add a splash of milk and cook them on low heat.

Be patient...

LOL!!!!!! I am just nibbling off my husband's and son's plates when we eat out! My refrigerator is full of 1/2 consumed Greek yogurt containers and plastic storage containers filled w/ Beans and chicken.