MrsSugarbabe

Overall it has been good. I have had a couple.. Only a couple of I wish I hadn't did this.. That's because my mind wanted to eat , eat , eat... However I'm not even hungry.. It's battling the mind...I wouldn't change a thing.. I have lost 22lbs..

I just bought my first pair of leggings in my adult life! and they were a size large! ive always been too embarassed to wear them b/c my legs were so huge, but i have to say i looked so slim in them, im so happy!
started in size 22 pants, now wearing a 14!
I am now able to fit a standard size bath towel around myself completely!

I talked with my surgeon about this before my surgery because I have a trip scheduled to Belize starting Saturday (Woot for vacations!). He said I would be fine to do that at 8 weeks out and I'm feeling like a million bucks, so I'm planning to go river tubing, zip lining and do all kinds of physical things with the kids.
I was worried about what would happen if I had complications but I decided just to go for it and I'm happy I did. Being on the beach we'll have lots of seafood choices that should fit into the meal plan but I am taking some of the nectar shakes you can mix with Water just in case I have trouble getting in the Protein.

I had my surgery in May (10 years ago) and went on a cruise in November (the same year as my surgery) it was fine for me. I felt great, had lots of energy and managed to lose another 4 pounds while on the cruise....(the things you remember)!

I am not sure if I would want to be post op. Im considering an all inclusive in Cancun. In a year. Thinner.

I'm 3 months post-op and my life is pretty normal, except for food. I still don't tolerate eating out well or even really want to eat most of the time. I usually just stick with shakes. Overall, it's not a huge issue.. but meals can be stressful at times. My SO still hasn't adjusted to the fact that I can't eat with him like I used to. He feels awkward, like I'm just sitting there watching him eat. It doesn't bother me too much, I can still enjoy the time spent together.. but I understand how it would feel weird if it were the other way around.

Everybody's experience after surgery is different.. so you might be able to tolerate eating out, but you might not. You'll be able to enjoy everything else, but there's no way to say for sure about the food. Personally, if it were me scheduling things knowing what I know now.. I would do surgery as early as possible and the cruise as late as possible.

We just postponed a European / transatlantic cruise that would have started 10 weeks after my surgery. (Scheduling surgery has taken so much longer than I had anticipated it would take -- Ay, caramba!)
My main concerns were: (1) not knowing how fast I will recover -- there are no guarantees about that and (2) I'm not thrilled about being out on the Atlantic for 8 days with no medical evacuation possibilities only three months after major surgery.
Yes, I am being conservative. But I also want to get used to my sleeve and make really sure my first six months are super-effective.

I will be 6 weeks post op on Saturday and leave Sunday on a 7 day cruise. As far as food I'm going to stick with soft foods for that week. But my physical activities will be limited....everything I want to do somehow uses my core.
I chose to have the surgery prior to the cruise because I was so ready to get started on the new me. I'll be hitting re ocean 35lbs lighter

i went to mexico one month before surgery and definitely thought i made the right choice. however, i'm 6 weeks out now and i'd be perfectly content going on a cruise or other vacation spot. yes, my food intake is completely different, but i feel great and would have no issue with it. of course, everyone is different, but if you allot yourself at least a month or two in between, i would think you'd be ok. GOOD LUCK!

Hi. I had the same issue. We have been planning on taking our daughter on a cruise for her graduation gift. I chose to wait. I thought, ok, I will be lighter, feeling better about myself, healthier, stronger. Sure, I won't be able to dive into those big lush meals like I would have before, BUT, I can enjoy them a little at a time. I will be going when I am, 3 months and 3 weeks out. I will be going when I am around 60lbs or more lighter. I am soooo excited. No worries about anything!
I hope you figure out what will make you happy and do it. Enjoy it either way!

I had the same thing going on before my surgery I ended up going before hand like 3 weeks before, I'm so glad I did looking back now its no way I would have wanted to be on a cruise no sooner than 3 months after, hope this helps.

I have my psych evaluation tomorrow morning and I am nervous! I just hope it goes ok. It is my next to last clearance I have to get before my paperwork can be submitted to insurance.
My co-worker's husband had the sleeve using the same insurance and doctor that I am using back in April, so he has been a great source of information as far as what to expect at each appointment, so I feel like I know what to expect tomorrow. Because I know what to expect, I am nervous. He said I will have to fill out a survey with 300-400 questions on it and maybe another test and then talk to the psych about my dieting history and what I expect to get out of this surgery and I guess just to see what my mindset is.
He said it was really no big deal...but to me...it is. I am nervous. I have severe ADHD and I am unmedicated... I just incorporate behavior modifications in my day to day life (make lists, take frequent breaks, have a solid routine) and I cope pretty well from day to day. I am nervous that after having to focus for so long on 300-400 questions and then possibly other tests, I won't be able to focus on talking to the psych and will come across as a complete lunatic or insincere. I just get really fidgety and my train of thought wanders or I get really aggitated and angry if I have to focus for so long (which rarely happens), and I guess I am just afraid that will come across as a nut case.
Has anyone else had experience with this? Or, does anyone have any suggestions?
I feel like maybe I should be really up front with the psych when I sit down to talk to him about my ADHD and maybe he will understand?

I am 9+ mos post op. I too consider myself a slow loser. Since my surgery I have lost 63lbs. Since I started on this journey a year ago I have lost 96lbs. I still have 80lbs to lose to hit my goal weight. While it can be incredibly frustrating, just remember every body is different. You did not put on your excess weight the same way as everyone else and you will not lose it the same way. I have a friend who had the surgery two months after me and he has lost 157lbs since December!!! But he is a male and started off at 401lbs. It is so easy to want to compare ourselves and our weight loss. Yet if you sit and think for a minute that is pointless and self defeating. As long as you are working your program, allowing the sleeve to be the tool it is, you will lose the weight your body needs to lose. As I told someone just yesterday, you only fail if you quit. This is a forever situation. You have made a change that will be with you for the rest of your life. Allow yourself and your body some time to do what you need to. You may not lose all the excess weight within a year, and so what? You will be healthier and feel better and weigh less, that I can guarentee. Getting caught up in the numbers will only hurt you mentally and make it a much tougher process. ( Trust me, been there and done that) You are only accountable to you for your weight loss. If you truly wish to succeed you will. It is pretty much that simple. Just never give up on yourself.

Hey, you are losing faster than I ever did and I think I did pretty well overall. And remember - comparisons are the killers of joy. You are doing fantastic. Don't let anyone -- even yourself -- take that away from you.

I am about 7 weeks out and down 39 pounds total since the pre op diet began. So technically also "slow" I guess
Couple things
Don't compare yourself to others just causes depression anxiety and it's not worth it
Every pound you lose is done with good lifelong habits which means they won't come back!
So if slow is the way your bod wants to say goodbye to that old friend it's ok.
Its not a race. You any the other people walking and running together are friends not competitors. It's more like a tough muddier where you leave no man behind on the team!
Make sure you are getting your Protein right and your Water
I know that is my biggest challenge. The days I get 80 G Protein I don't necessarily get all my Water
The days I get all my water well I don't get all my protein. Self caused frustration
But the days I hit them both -- omg-- I tend to drop quickly. Like 2 pounds
It's a struggle. But it will come off

Hey...you're almost 40 pounds down in 2 1/2 months...averaging 15 pounds a month! That is incredible! Most of us could have never done that consistently pre-bariatric surgery. You keep doing what you're doing. Eat right: the surgery gives us Portion Control, you have to do the quality control; if you haven't upped your calories with all that exercise, you need to do that ASAP and get your body out of starvation mode; get your Water and Protein in and don't forget the GOOD carbs your body needs for fuel (especially since you're exercising consistently!). You're doing great. Don't worry about anyone else's progress, but your own. This is YOUR journey. Keep it up girl, because you're doing awesome.

great post. i tried several times to lose weight the "natural" way, but my love of food and my PCOS made it very difficult for me to keep it off for long. i'm 5 weeks post op and can tell you that this is definitely hard work and my small tummy is only the half of it. if i don't put the right things into said tummy, and i don't burn calories daily, i won't be successful. so to think this is an easy way out or that it is somehow an easy choice, is ridiculous. the point is to get healthy in whichever method is right for you.

Hello! I just had my first doctor visit and am starting a three month weight management program per my insurance. I will undergo all the testing during this time as well. They say I should be having surgery in September. So excited and so nervous at the same time!!!

I just started all the office visits and lab work. I have a visit with the cardiologist scheduled, lifestyle classes scheduled, psych visit scheduled. I'm very excited to be able to get the surgery, can't wait to get it done so I can get this weight off for good! Best of luck to you all!

So sorry to hear that low blood sugar is a complication with some that have this surgery.
I'm a diabetic type one. Before surgery my blood sugar would go low with my diet. I feared I would always have to monitor and stabilize low blood sugar with my sleeve. After surgery my blood sugars are well controlled.

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to post an update on my progress.
SW: 267
CW: 177
Feeling wonderful!

Oh and this is funny too but you guys will understand...I went from Morbidly obese to just Obese!! woo hoo!! small wins huh? my BMI went from 47+ to 37 already! woo hoo

I can't believe how proud of myself I am! I feel great! I have tons of energy now!! I just had my 2nd follow up appointment 12 weeks out from surgery and I am down 65 LBS!! I have gone from pants size 24/26 to size 18, I had to go out and buy all new shoes because my old ones I was slipping around in! I even had to cut off a bunch of my belt (didn't want to buy a new one) so that it didn't look rediculous! I haven't had a bunch of pictures taken of me lately but I will post some of my current look as soon as I remember!
I am just so excited at my new lease on life! Everyone at work and at home is so proud of me, it's amazing!! I still have a large amount of weight to go but I feel like the huge hurdle is already past! I am loving it! Best decision ever!

DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references.
How do I embed the weight loss ticker? Click on the liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein Drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, Decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc…
When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows:
Day 1-7 Clear Liquids
Day 8-14 Full liquids
Day 15-21 Purees
Day 22-50 Mushies
What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed.< /p>
Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs.
How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day.
How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz
When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest.
Best Protein Shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.

What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods)
How long will my surgery last? Typically about 45mins assuming there are no complications or other procedures (ie: hernia repairs) being done at the time of your surgery. Every surgeon is different so for a more accurate answer you should consult your respective surgeon.
Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside.
What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching.
What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between.
What do all these acronyms mean?
In no particular order:
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…)
NUT – Nutritionist
PCP – Primary Care Physician
VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
TOM – Time of the Month
SF – Sugar Free
WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner
How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off.
What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own.
When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity.
When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home.
What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink.
Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however.
I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, Constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses.
I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon.
Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy.
When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks.
How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay.
Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign.
Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling.
What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult.
What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.

Hello again everyone. I thought I would start a new topic with my update. I will try to include a lot of detail so if future spouses come looking on this forum like I did they can find this easily!
Friday (3 days before surgery): I was freaking out because I was in the grips of one of the worst colds I've ever had. Rob's RNY surgery was scheduled for Monday and I was so angry that I might be too sick to take care of him in the hospital, and even more scared that I would get him sick and make them delay his operation. I stayed home from work and resolved to just try and get better. Friday night we went out to get pizza, his favorite food... he didn't have to go on all liquids until the day before surgery and wanted to do a couple "last meals".
Saturday/Sunday: tried to get better. We went with our daughter to dinner at IHOP, truly his last meal for awhile. Also went shopping for various types of broth and sugar free Jello, also some different kinds of bottled Water. They suggested it was a good idea to have all that in the house in advance.
Monday (Operation Day!): Woke up feeling a little better. Took lots of cold medicine and headed off to the hospital. I took a big bag with lots of stuff with me to the waiting room, I knew there would be a lot of waiting... I had a book, some knitting projects, my Ipad. I wore my most comfortable sweatpants, a t-shirt and brought a hoodie because I knew it would be cold. My day went like this: Check in. Wait an hour. Rob went to pre-op. Wait an hour. I got taken back to go sit with him in pre-op. Wait an hour. Anesthesiologist came to put him under... then back out to the waiting room. I tried to nap as much as I could. The surgeon came out about 3 hours later to tell me it was done and had gone very well.
Waited another 2 hours while he was in recovery, and finally they told me his room number assignment. I waited for them there and they brought him up.
He was in the hospital overnight 2 nights and got discharged Wednesday late morning. I stayed there with him both nights. I feel lucky that our hospital has a bariatric wing so there are lots of other patients with the same procedure, and all the nurses / aides are very specialized and good at caring for the patients. He did really well, did a ton of walking and as best he could at drinking all the water he was supposed to. This helped him get out relatively early on his last day.
I have to say I felt bad for the patients who didn't have a caretaker staying with them (most didn't!) The nurses were very nice but often it would take 20 - 45 minutes for them to respond to a request (more pain meds, need another water bottle, etc.) With me being there I could go get him more ice chips, help him walk, go track down a nurse, etc. The staff were all very nice and seemed glad that I was staying there also, they brought a sleeper chair that folder out into a cot, and sheets/blankets for me at night.
I made sure to take some time for me... I was able to go home each morning and shower and eat Breakfast. lunch and dinner I would go eat at the hospital cafeteria and take my time. These breaks helped me take care of him better - rub his shoulders that ached a lot, challenge him to go for a walk, etc. The only other tip I can think of is that we brought his pillow from home, he was allowed to use that and was very glad to have it. One more tip I guess would be, don't be afraid to speak up and ask the nurses / staff about the reason for something, or if you need something. It was obvious that they want all the patients to "stick to the routine" because it's easier for them to keep to a schedule, but they are more than willing to explain something, or to give you something or make a change if it's within their ability.
I ended up taking Thursday and Friday off this week too, just to be here in case he needs me although he really doesn't. and also because I am still getting over my cold!!
He's already getting sick of the liquid only diet... next week, "soft foods" join the menu. I can't wait.