ttdish

I'm 5 weeks out today. I think you read about a lot of people who have miserable recoveries, or loads of regret in the first few weeks. Keep in mind, that those people need a place to vent, so they come here. I think most people have a much better recovery, they just don't post about it (what's there to post? I'm two weeks post op. Feeling good. The end. LOL). If these boards were your only measuring stick, you wouldn't believe that the complications rate for this surgery are very low.
I've had a very smooth recovery. My surgeon had me on real food very early, so that helped (sometimes I think the misery in the first few weeks comes from the liquid diet. I would imagine it's mentally and physically tough). I have zero regrets. I still have minor muscle pain, but am otherwise back to normal- well, except for the 37 pounds I've shed along the way (including 2 wk pre-op diet).
It's good to have realistic expectations, that there may be pain, nausea, etc, but know that it may also be much easier than you expect. Try to remember the big picture, and know that the hard parts are such a tiny part of this whole journey. People on these boards may disagree on a lot of things, but the overwhelming majority are glad they had they had the surgery. You can't count the people who regret it in the period immediately post op, as that nearly always passes.
Follow your surgeon's instructions. Don't be afraid to take the pain medicine (that's what it's for!). Walk as soon as you can. Get your Water and Protein in. Rest, and let yourself heal. Some things are out of your control, but these are the things YOU can do to make your recovery as smooth as possible.
Good luck!!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I'm 5 weeks out today. I think you read about a lot of people who have miserable recoveries, or loads of regret in the first few weeks. Keep in mind, that those people need a place to vent, so they come here. I think most people have a much better recovery, they just don't post about it (what's there to post? I'm two weeks post op. Feeling good. The end. LOL). If these boards were your only measuring stick, you wouldn't believe that the complications rate for this surgery are very low.
I've had a very smooth recovery. My surgeon had me on real food very early, so that helped (sometimes I think the misery in the first few weeks comes from the liquid diet. I would imagine it's mentally and physically tough). I have zero regrets. I still have minor muscle pain, but am otherwise back to normal- well, except for the 37 pounds I've shed along the way (including 2 wk pre-op diet).
It's good to have realistic expectations, that there may be pain, nausea, etc, but know that it may also be much easier than you expect. Try to remember the big picture, and know that the hard parts are such a tiny part of this whole journey. People on these boards may disagree on a lot of things, but the overwhelming majority are glad they had they had the surgery. You can't count the people who regret it in the period immediately post op, as that nearly always passes.
Follow your surgeon's instructions. Don't be afraid to take the pain medicine (that's what it's for!). Walk as soon as you can. Get your Water and Protein in. Rest, and let yourself heal. Some things are out of your control, but these are the things YOU can do to make your recovery as smooth as possible.
Good luck!!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I'm self pay, so I made my decision without consulting my PCP. When I finally had to go see her to get my pre-op labs and chest X-Ray ordered, I was nervous that she wouldn't be supportive. I was so relived when she said she was happy for me, and that she'd heard lots of success stories about the sleeve!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I'm 5 weeks out today. I think you read about a lot of people who have miserable recoveries, or loads of regret in the first few weeks. Keep in mind, that those people need a place to vent, so they come here. I think most people have a much better recovery, they just don't post about it (what's there to post? I'm two weeks post op. Feeling good. The end. LOL). If these boards were your only measuring stick, you wouldn't believe that the complications rate for this surgery are very low.
I've had a very smooth recovery. My surgeon had me on real food very early, so that helped (sometimes I think the misery in the first few weeks comes from the liquid diet. I would imagine it's mentally and physically tough). I have zero regrets. I still have minor muscle pain, but am otherwise back to normal- well, except for the 37 pounds I've shed along the way (including 2 wk pre-op diet).
It's good to have realistic expectations, that there may be pain, nausea, etc, but know that it may also be much easier than you expect. Try to remember the big picture, and know that the hard parts are such a tiny part of this whole journey. People on these boards may disagree on a lot of things, but the overwhelming majority are glad they had they had the surgery. You can't count the people who regret it in the period immediately post op, as that nearly always passes.
Follow your surgeon's instructions. Don't be afraid to take the pain medicine (that's what it's for!). Walk as soon as you can. Get your Water and Protein in. Rest, and let yourself heal. Some things are out of your control, but these are the things YOU can do to make your recovery as smooth as possible.
Good luck!!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

You are only eat 2 oz of Protein 3x per day? That's it? If that is correct, I'd say you are most definitely not eating enough.
Remember, you made a huge change and sacrifice for a lifetime change. It's been 7 weeks. Be patient.

Have you looked on Pinterest? I have a ton of low carb, high Protein recipes pinned. Not all of them will be soft foods stage acceptable, but many are. I even have a whole board devoted to Soup. I LOVE Soup. If you want to peek at my boards, my username is Ttdish.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Found and followed you!
Mind if I piggyback and share my channel as well? I'm 2.5 weeks post op. And started my videos during my pre-op diet.
If this link doesn't work, my channel is called "Trisha's Sleeve Story." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5VTXLqKa3xU

Do you have pain meds? Or even Tylenol? No sense in being a hero and fighting through the pain, that's what the meds are for I definitely had one spot on my left side (actually a little below an incision) that has been giving me trouble. I'm just over three weeks out, and the last two days have been the first days when I've been almost completely pain free.
Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I agree that it sounds like a lot of food, but my plan calls for 3-4 oz portions of Protein 3 times a day starting at 2 weeks! No veggies though. I can't finish that much in one sitting, so I just portion it out, and eat what I can in 30 minutes. I was told to stop eating at 30 minutes (assuming I'm not still hungry), rather than sitting and trying for an hour just to get the full portion down.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Don't get discouraged, not everyone has a miserable first few weeks! I mentally prepared myself for the worst, but I just passed the three week mark, and it hasn't been bad at all. Biggest hurdle has been lack of energy, but I'm working on increasing my calories to overcome that.
Just wanted to throw that out there, because of the earlier comment. Prepare for the worst, but know you might be pleasantly surprised at how your recovery goes.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I agree that it sounds like a lot of food, but my plan calls for 3-4 oz portions of Protein 3 times a day starting at 2 weeks! No veggies though. I can't finish that much in one sitting, so I just portion it out, and eat what I can in 30 minutes. I was told to stop eating at 30 minutes (assuming I'm not still hungry), rather than sitting and trying for an hour just to get the full portion down.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I can't wait to get off my CPAP!! I snore like a beast without it! I figure I need to at least get well below the weight I was at when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea before I even bother trying.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I've heard heating pads can help with the pain too. Maybe try alternating ice and heat?
Glad all went well!!!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Mine was due 4 days after surgery, and I went to the bathroom after I checked in, and there it was!! Ugh!!
It really wasn't a big deal. She said it happens all the time. Let them know when you get checked in and are changing into your robe. They got me a pad and mesh panties. During surgery you'll have a catheter, but it's not a problem. Post op I was given the choice of a pad or an adult diaper. Sounds weird, but I took the diaper. I was only getting up to walk, and wasn't using the bathroom because the catheter was still in. Just made it easier.
Once the catheter came out I use my own underwear and pad/tampon as usual. I didn't get to shower until after I was discharged on day three (two nights), so bathing wipes (basically bigger sized baby wipes) were a lifesaver!!
Don't worry about it, you'll be fine
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

@@del112 at three weeks out you are still very swollen. You won't know your true capacity till several months out most likely. For many people about 3-6 months is when we discover our true capacity.

Just my iPhone for now, so the video quality isn't great. For now, I just try to record with lots of natural light when I can. I'd like to eventually get a laptop with a built in camera, but since I was self pay, no splurges in the budget for a while!

I don't know about great, lol, but my channel is Trisha's Sleeve Story. I'm only 2.5 weeks post op, but I've been enjoying making videos. I look forward to looking back at how far I've come.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5VTXLqKa3xU

I don't know about great, lol, but my channel is Trisha's Sleeve Story. I'm only 2.5 weeks post op, but I've been enjoying making videos. I look forward to looking back at how far I've come.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5VTXLqKa3xU

Found and followed you!
Mind if I piggyback and share my channel as well? I'm 2.5 weeks post op. And started my videos during my pre-op diet.
If this link doesn't work, my channel is called "Trisha's Sleeve Story." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5VTXLqKa3xU

Found and followed you!
Mind if I piggyback and share my channel as well? I'm 2.5 weeks post op. And started my videos during my pre-op diet.
If this link doesn't work, my channel is called "Trisha's Sleeve Story." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5VTXLqKa3xU

Me too!

I'm 32, and am so happy I had the surgery now. I feel "young," just because so many in this forum are 20-30 years my senior. The resounding feeling seems to be, "I wish I had done it sooner," so good for you!!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

My surgeon's plan allows real food very early on. I was having cottage cheese and yogurt on day 3. He's been doing it this way for years with no problems. Here is what the plan looks like:

I also did a YouTube video describing my first few weeks, since it is SO different from most of the plans I see. No clear or full liquid phase at all once I was discharged.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KWmDNXTFBtw
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I've never craved veggies in my life, and now I can't wait until I can eat them! I'm 2.5 weeks post op, and I get to add veggies back in at 4 weeks (for soft veggies, 6 weeks for raw). My plan allows real food very early on, but pretty much exclusively high Protein foods, like cheese and meats. I want those veggies!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Blew up? Lol.. That really stinks. I only have a desktop, and the lighting in there sucks, so I don't want to bother with just getting a web cam. It will be a while, so iPhone videos it is for a while!