iamjohnbamber

Just had my VSG yesterday. I was very pleasantly surprised at how little pain I experienced, especially considering I also had a hiatal hernia. I had no incision pain but a fair amount of gas pain, the intensity of which fluctuated throughout the day and night. Walking helped a LOT as did a couple dosages of Dilaudid and Zofran throughout the night. You may or may not feel up to walking when they tell you to start doing so but be sure to do it - the gas buildup will thank you.

The pain really isn't that bad. Getting up and moving around really helps a lot, especially with any gas pain you might have or as @@JamieLogical mentioned above.
When I got home, I'd get up and walk a few times an hour or so, and it really helped. I found I didn't even need my pain meds 3 days after the surgery, but just used them to help me sleep. Day 5 post-op I was completely off my pain meds and getting a fairly good night's rest each night.
Don't overwork yourself or stress yourself at all, relax but move around, you'll be totally fine.
For me the only real stinging happened when I was getting up or sitting down but once standing or sitting it was almost nonexistent.

Don't beat yourself up. You're a human being, I'm a human being, we all make mistakes. Unfortunately some may be less compassionate about it than others, and sadly it's the price we all have to pay for things like this on the internet. I will never talk down to someone or beat them up for making a mistake, so if I ever do come across that way in a post it's unintentional and I apologize in advance for it.
If you want to chat privately feel free to message me.
You're right, nobody knows you, but I'd like to think that we all do care about each other. That's why we're all here, right? I mean, that's why I'm here. I'm a single man living alone and going through this recovery by myself. I've battled with food all my life and need all the help I can get to make it through this process.
Hang in there... it will get better, I promise.

Don't beat yourself up. You're a human being, I'm a human being, we all make mistakes. Unfortunately some may be less compassionate about it than others, and sadly it's the price we all have to pay for things like this on the internet. I will never talk down to someone or beat them up for making a mistake, so if I ever do come across that way in a post it's unintentional and I apologize in advance for it.
If you want to chat privately feel free to message me.
You're right, nobody knows you, but I'd like to think that we all do care about each other. That's why we're all here, right? I mean, that's why I'm here. I'm a single man living alone and going through this recovery by myself. I've battled with food all my life and need all the help I can get to make it through this process.
Hang in there... it will get better, I promise.

Really well said - I also wanted to add that sometimes its tough to read text on a screen because there's no emotive content there... so if someone were to write, for example "You shouldn't have done that." - it could come across harshly, whereas the person may have meant it in a tone more like "I understand what you mean, but just to be safe you really shouldn't have done that." Etc.
Like a few other posters had mentioned, we're here because we underwent (or will be undergoing) surgery as a tool to get better. It's not an easy road but we can all do it together.

I need one of those cards... I picked up a number of flavors of Chobani yogurt (believe it or not never really had yogurt in the past) and will be doing a taste test later today... Getting sick of drinking stuff but I'm only another week until puréed, then soft foods after that so progress is progress either way.
@@popoop penny, hang in there this whole thing is a process. It gets better, I promise.
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I think your surgeon ripping your head off is a little extreme... he should have talked to you about alternatives or ways around dealing with the hunger pangs. Also, he should explain or clarify (in a professional tone of course) the reason behind the dietary restrictions after the surgery.
Most surgeons will have patients go through a series of stages in which the food gets thicker as you progress so your stomach can get used to how things are going to work. Also, your stomach has to heal internally, around where the stomach is stapled shut. Tissue has to grow over the staples to help make the stomach liquid tight, and thus prevent leakages.
Clear liquids are the most innocuous regarding that healing, but as the weeks progress the tissue inside the stomach grows more and thus can handle more serious foods and things with more substance. Also, liquids will pass through more quickly so it gives the stomach more time to heal on its own without anything in it.
I'm sorry you had a rough experience, but I'd say do the best you can to stick to the program outlined by your surgeon because that will ensure your recovery goes smooth and you don't run into any complications.
and...a month of Clear Liquids? YIKES indeed. I hope he's flexible on that!
Best of luck to you.

We are all in this group for a reason. So, let's not be so mean.
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Going back to the liquid diet should definitely help!
I was Lap Band -> Sleeve revision, so I think your situation might be similar to what I went through during my pre-op diet. I dropped 20 lbs in those 2 weeks before my surgery.
Just be sure you're getting your Protein in, 70-100 g/day, and 64 oz of Water.
Think of it like a little "reset" - Best of luck!

All the best! By the way, "sleeve it to beaver" is one of the best names I've seen on here. :-)
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All the best! By the way, "sleeve it to beaver" is one of the best names I've seen on here. :-)
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal app -- it's great!

Thank you thank you thank you SO MUCH For starting this topic! I was about to do the same but was thrilled to find this and I'm glad I'm not alone.
Whitney is in SUCH denial, OMG... but I think that's what she's using to get attention. I saw the episode where she rode a bike in a 2 mile beginner ride, etc. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to show she's determined to overcome obstacles in front of her but at some point she's gotta realize she's doing a better job at making a fool of herself.
I don't know whether to boycott the show or keep watching it, because I'm just waiting to see the episode where the light bulb goes off and she finally says "I realize I have to do something etc..." and she goes in for bariatric surgery. She could use her "body confidence" and positivity to really inspire some people and impart some good change on those considering having surgery... Surgery isn't a magic pill, and her making a recovery and setting an example could help so many other folks battling with their weight.

Nice!
The pureed stage is the one I'm most nervous about and I'm not sure why. Texture is really a big deal for me, for that reason I avoided Jell-o. Jell-o has made me gag before so I'm hoping I can get through the puree phase without gagging too much.

I just hope the manufacturer of the surgical robot isn't the same one who makes those crane-claw prize games you find at carnivals. Then every time the surgeon goes to retrieve the removed section of the VSG stomach, the claw will hit the side of the abdomen dropping that piece of stomach back in.
In all seriousness, I had a traditional surgery, but read many positive aspects of the robotic bariatric WLS (less invasive, finer control, etc.).
There is one called the da Vinci system you can Google. There must be other manufacturers out there too.

Nice!
The pureed stage is the one I'm most nervous about and I'm not sure why. Texture is really a big deal for me, for that reason I avoided Jell-o. Jell-o has made me gag before so I'm hoping I can get through the puree phase without gagging too much.

Nice!
The pureed stage is the one I'm most nervous about and I'm not sure why. Texture is really a big deal for me, for that reason I avoided Jell-o. Jell-o has made me gag before so I'm hoping I can get through the puree phase without gagging too much.

Welcome Tara! Glad to have you here.
I just hit my full liquids stage today, had a Protein Shake for Breakfast (Premiere Protein chocolate) and got about 7/8 of the bottle down before I felt satisfied. Had a delicious bowl of Tomato Soup for lunch (forgot to measure but I think it was about 4 oz) and been sipping Water all day. I found my mouth gets dry quickly.
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During my research in learning about the gastric sleeve procedure I came across something called "Robotic Surgery". In short, a surgeon would operate on a patient from a console adjacent to the operating table, and instead of manually operating a cart with 4 robotic arms would do the actual procedure while under the remote control of the surgeon.
I read that these are used mostly in Gynecology and Urology, but I haven't seen anything stating it was used in Bariatrics as well.
How do you all feel about the idea of a surgeon remotely operating on you?
I for one am repulsed and terrified by the idea... I'd much rather the delicate hands of a surgeon meticulously performing the procedure live, directly on-me. No robot arms on my body.
What about you?

Nice!
The pureed stage is the one I'm most nervous about and I'm not sure why. Texture is really a big deal for me, for that reason I avoided Jell-o. Jell-o has made me gag before so I'm hoping I can get through the puree phase without gagging too much.

So, I will be 2 weeks out tomorrow. Last night I met 3 of my very long time friends for dinner at our favorite Mexican food place. I missed having my margarita and usual cheesy enchilada but mentally prepared myself beforehand. Being on full liquids, my only real choice was tortilla Soup. They blended it for me and it was delicious! Was full after 6 or 7 spoonfulls. Kept telling myself that next time I could have some refried Beans and Quest and eventually a few bites of enchiladas.
Not totally easy but certainly not worth ruining my evening over lack of food. On to purees tomorrow!

Welcome Tara! Glad to have you here.
I just hit my full liquids stage today, had a Protein Shake for Breakfast (Premiere Protein chocolate) and got about 7/8 of the bottle down before I felt satisfied. Had a delicious bowl of Tomato Soup for lunch (forgot to measure but I think it was about 4 oz) and been sipping Water all day. I found my mouth gets dry quickly.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal app -- it's great!

Welcome Tara! Glad to have you here.
I just hit my full liquids stage today, had a Protein Shake for Breakfast (Premiere Protein chocolate) and got about 7/8 of the bottle down before I felt satisfied. Had a delicious bowl of Tomato Soup for lunch (forgot to measure but I think it was about 4 oz) and been sipping Water all day. I found my mouth gets dry quickly.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal app -- it's great!

Totally 100% normal. I promise these feelings come and go and you're not alone. Keep the end goal in mind... you're going to be healthier and happier. Surgery isn't a magic pill and you won't drop the weight overnight, but it's a wonderful tool to have in your arsenal to ultimately improve your life and extend it. One thing my nutritionist told me, and this makes total sense, is never to compare yourself to others. I'm actually going on a Caribbean cruise 7 weeks after my surgery (I'm a week post-op writing this) - I'm a little nervous about that, but I'm going on the vacation to connect with family and pamper myself. Hang in there, you're going to do wonderfully!

I start full liquids tomorrow... Not getting much Protein in yet but I plan on fixing that with full liquids... I couldn't do the clear Isopure drinks...
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I saw mine 4 days after, then next appt is about 6 weeks but I may go in sooner since I go on vacation before my 6-week follow up and I'd rather see him before I go
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