BLERDgirl

Gosh let me go into detail about what my surgery was like. EASY.
I went in on Thursday. When I woke up in recovery I had to pee. I was given the option of bedpan or toilet. I choose toilet. I was able to sit up unassisted and get into the wheelchair. I was surprised at how little it hurt. My abs felt like I done a really vigorous workout the day before. When I got to the bathroom, I darn near ran inside! I really had to go from all the IV fluids. I spent quite a bit of time in recovery because the room I was assigned to wasn't ready. My mother was there and we chatted and watched tv. I went to the bathroom 2 more times in recovery. The nurses were impressed I could get out of the bed on my own and allowed me to walk to the bathroom instead of using the wheelchair. I was given a cup of ice chips to suck on.
After about 2 hours in recovery I was finally taken up to my room. Since I was walking they didn't use the compression things for my legs. They offered me the morphine pump and I explained I didn't really have any pain. I turned on the tv chilled. Later that evening my sister came by. She had my iPhone and iPad. I had her plug in the charger. The evening was spent talking on the phone to friends, playing candy crush on the iPad and watching tv. Later the nurse brought in colace (stool softener) and omeprazole (antacid). I was given Jello, broth, tea and Prosource no carb liquid Protein. I sipped on the Liquid Protein and ice chips. Meanwhile I was still peeing like crazy. I had an overactive bladder prior to surgery and since they were still running IV fluids it was coming out as fast as it came in. The nurse thought it was funny that I was in the bathroom every time she came in. They checked the drain and took my vitals. I was offered the morphine pump but I explained I didn't have any pain. (I also didn't have any nausea). I ate too large a piece of ice and vomited a little. The next day was more of the same. Since I was drinking well they disconnected the IV, but left the PICC line in. Friday afternoon I asked if I could go home early. They said probably not, they preferred to watch me for another day. Again with meds, broth, Liquid Protein, ice chips. I was careful to keep the ice piece small and take slow, sips of the liquid Protein and Water. The nurse asked who would be taking care of me and offered to arrange a visiting nurse. They finally took the morphine pump out since I wasn't using it.
Saturday I was told I could go home. I was happy to finally get that PICC line taken out. The drain being pulled felt odd, but didn't really hurt.
Home was easy. I was on all liquids to start and gradually added back in foods. I have tolerated everything I eat. I can and have eaten out many times. IHop, my favorite diner, a Japanese rest. I don't eat much. Everything ends up being a doggy bag, but I eat more than 5 bite. Probably a ¼ - ½ cup. I was allowed to drive after 2 weeks. I was back in the gym at 3 weeks. I had a bit of discomfort with acid and the doctor increased my omeprazole to 40 mgs a day and now its fine. I had my first BM on Monday, 2 days after discharge. I have been regular every since. I go at least once a day. Occasionally 2 -3 times a day depending on what I eat/drink.
Meanwhile I am losing steadily. I don't weigh more than monthly but as of 2 weeks ago, I am down 55lb since my surgery on 9/18/14. I tolerate every food I have tried so far. I have zero regrets.

@@lapier Talk to your doctor. You should be at least walking for a minimum of 30 minutes a day from day 1. More strenuous exercise is at your doctor's discretion. I resumed Water aerobics at week 3 once my incisions scabbed. I currently work out 4 -5 days a week. Most of that is Water aerobics, but I also walk, use the treadmill, and use light hand weights.
At 2 months my calorie goal was 600 - 800. Anything over 1,000 calories is maintenance level and far too many calories for those of us still losing. Not meeting your Protein and Fluid goals will impede your weight loss as well. Some people are told to keep their carbs at around 40/50 if they are eating 800 calories. I track my food at myfitnesspal. I also watch to make sure my sodium is not too high and that most of my sugar is from natural sources.

@RJ'S/beginning - I am often concerned with the language that people use, especially to describe themselves. You, my friend are not a monster by any stretch of the imagination. You are a survivor. If you want a smoother look in your clothes, buy some Shapewear. I There are a thousand different types on the market now for every sort of outfit.

@@Lauriep - Congrats! I'm happy all went well. I had an easy time of it as well.
Don't worry it will slow down a bit. Those early numbers are usually high. I lost 26 lbs in my first 2 weeks. At my 6 week check up I had only lost 6lbs. I expect the rest will be a slow, but hopefully steady weight loss like that.

Yep, I only had 1 puree stage as well. Each stage was only 2 weeks long. The goal was to get to getting Proteins from real food. Each program is different, that's why as helpful as we can be to each other here, we need to understand what the program we signed up for requires.

A few things:
1) If you are unclear on what the doctor or nurse has said, you need to tell them that. It is their job to make sure you understand. Ask them for specific examples.
2.) The folks here have posted some suggestions but you have to try. I did some things in the nutra bullet, but mostly I made things up according to my taste buds. My handbook sites examples such as a soft scrambled egg for breakfast., a Protein shake mid morning, 4 tbsp. of tuna fish for lunch, 4 tbsp of chicken for dinner and a shake in the evening.
Here's how I make my soft scrambled egg:
I take 1 egg, tsp of plain greek yogurt (I use Fage 0%), I whip that together and top it with a bit of shredded cheddar. I either cook it on the stove in no stick pan stirring constantly or I pop i in the microwave for 1 minute. If microwaving it will be a bit under done when you take it out. Stir it together and pop it back in for another 10 seconds then chec to bring out and stir again.
You want all of your food at this stage to be fairly moist. You might add some broth to any meats you puree. If they are too dry they may be difficult to swallow and digest.

Have you talked to your nutritionist or doctor? The basic rule of thumb is Protein first. The goal is 60+gms of Protein a day plus 48-64 ounces of fluids. You should not be living off of applesauce. Call your nutritionist first thing Monday and express your concerns.

If you're really unsure call your nutritionist. Here's some suggestions from my handbook. Hope this helps.

@@Amanda Elder - This site can be a great source of encouragement. Like any place online you take the good with the bad. It's challenging when you have more than 100 lbs or so to lose, because for the most part you know your journey will take more than a year. This thread is a nice reminder that even though it takes a little longer, it can be done. When I start feeling discouraged I come hang out here.

*Finally* under 300! I know that's not a big deal to many, but for me it's a cause for celebration. This has been a long time coming!

I was 412 day of surgery. 414 was my highest weight. I had an absolutely easy and painfree surgical experience. I was achy & sore but not ever truly in pain.
I hope you read the previous post. They had some really great info. What you can expect is:
Check in day of surgery, get arm bands, etc... then you sit in a waiting room until they call you back. The surgeon and medical team (anesthesiologist, etc...) may come out and introduce themselves. A nurse will give you an IV and have you put on a gown. When it's time you most likely will walk into the OR. Some hospitals wheel you in, but walking is not uncommon. The OR will look a little intimidating. Keep in mind OR's are set up to accommodate a lot of various types of surgery. Not all the equipment is for you, but there will be a lot. You will get on the operating table. It will look tiny. There will be 3 or 4 people in the OR, if students are allowed maybe one more. They will likely be gowned and masked. They will clip a pulse oximeter on your finger, a blood pressure cuff and hook the IV up. *I recommend practicing taking slow, deep breathes to help calm and center you. This is the point where people sometimes get nervous and the deep breathing can help that. They put the mask on your face and ask you to start counting backwards. You will be out quickly. After that you wake up in recovery. You will feel like you slept 5 minutes. If you are like me, you feel really refreshed. Propofol is typically used for this type of surgery and there's a reason why Michael Jackson was addicted to it. Some sleeve patients wake up in pain. If you do, let your team know and they can help with meds to control it. In prep for post-op life I recommend:
Practice walking and increasing how far and how long you can walk. If you can also strengthen your core. Eating very slowly (30 mins or more with each meal) and taking super tiny bites & swallows. Quit sodas & caffeine.

I had surgery Sept.18/2014. These pictures were taken July 2014 & 2015

Just keep trying to do better each day. I'd also step away from the scale for a bit. Especially if it's making you crazy.

I'm more a Whole Foods than Trader Joe's gal, but TJ's has a really good soyrizo I like. I don't even recall the brand but I know only TJ's sells it.
II like cold brewed coffee, but I make my own at home.

Congrats!

You can't change people. You can only control you. Trying to change folk's minds is an exercise in futility. Don't ask them for support they aren't prepared to give. It's family so you can't cut them out of your life. What you can do is make family occasions about something other than your WLS. If you need to talk WLS, save it for the relatives who have had it.

try adding more variety. If you eat fish try tuna in Water, try ground turkey instead of chicken, if you eat eggs, try soft scrambled eggs. a mild salsa or chutney adds a bit of change to meats and egg. I also recommend a nutra bullet or blender of some kind. It will help if food are too chunky for you at this stage.

I do Water aerobics. I swear the fact that I have been doing Water aerobics for the past 3 years had a lot to do with how easy things have been for me. My gym has classes 6days/2 evenings a week and each instructor puts their own spin on it. I go at least 5 days a week.
@@vsg_candy - don't worry about keeping up. You can modify most of the positions or just march in place through the hard parts. After a while you get the hang of things.

I see many post similar to this and it makes me sad. Please keep in mind that for every person posting their dramatic & rapid weight loss, there are just as many doing the slow & steady weight loss. Just remember prior to the surgery most of us would have lost this much weight in 3 months at all. As long as that scale is moving in the right direction, you are fine.

My program hasn't given me any grief with being a vegetarian. They have also worked with me around my other food allergies. I am ana to ALL seafood, get hives & swelling from stevia, food dyes, and most artificial sugars.) I am ovo-lacto that that makes things easier.
Things I eat:
greek yogurt
eggs
Beans
hummus
ricotta cheese
kefir
TVP
tempeh
vegetable both raw & cooked
fresh fruit
almond milk
vegetable broth
Beyond meat notchicken
Beyond meat beefy crumbles
tofu
In the all liquid phase I pureed Beans and mixed it with veg broth and a bit of Protein powder. I use CVS whey, and Orgain organics vanilla powders.
I also mixed ricotta, tofu, spinach in the food processor added a bit of Tomato sauce, topped with cheddar or daiya and baked in the oven.
I cooked fruit with ½tsp of brown sugar then had that with either cottage cheese or greek yogurt
If I don't feel like cooking Progresso minestrone is hearty and filling. I may add a bit of tvp for more Protein.< /p>
I work out in the mornings and was used to making a Breakfast smoothie each day so I still do that. Greek yogurt+Protein Powder will give you anywhere from 30 - 38 gms of protein. I also add in various mixins like a peeled orange, cacao powder, a splash of vanilla extract, a tbsp of almond butter or whatever else I have on hand.

Not at all. You are fine.

There are many variables. The surgeon's own skill level and training. It could be something as simple as whether he's a DO versus and MD. Some doctors are more conservative than others. Some have had more success with a certain technique. Because the surgery is still relatively new, some mirror the protocols they use for bypass patients. Then they also have to customize the procedure to the individual. So you have the patient's age & overall health to consider. You have look at their eating habits. Men and women may respond differently to the surgery. Does the patient have a hernia that needs to be repaired? A gallbladder that needs to be removed? What if a patient is vegetarian or pescatarian? What if the patient has diabetes or hypertension?
The basic surgery is remove approximately 85% of the stomach then place them on a high Protein diet to induce ketosis and then transition to high Protein regular diet.
It's one of the reasons why you need to do your research when choosing a program. You need to find a program that is a good match for you and your lifestyle. Otherwise you may be setting yourself up to fail.

I had surgery Sept.18/2014. These pictures were taken July 2014 & 2015

@@Kindle
I found it amusing. Body builders and anyone who is really into it will tell you, "You cannot out train a bad diet".
If your eating is bad, all the training in the world is pointless. I have lost more weight controlling my calories, than I ever did training hard.
The main focus of WLS patients needs to be controlling their food and head hunger. Exercising can be counter productive for some people because it stimulates the appetite. The other issue is balancing calorie intake with calories burned to prevent starvation mode.

You sound like you need a hug. So here's a hug. HUG!!!! XXOO