AnnC

Just a post op update. My surgery was Friday Aug 25 and went great! My energy level is fine and if it weren't for my abdominal drain I think I could go back to work tomorrow (3 days post op)! I'm taking the entire week of tho because of the drain.

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It gets easier. The first week is super hard. Your body is adjusting (and pissed) and it seems like everyone struggles with different stuff (shakes, Water, liquids...). Don't beat yourself up, take it easy. Do the best you can while you heal up. Before you know it - the shakes will go down smooth and you will be introducing new stuff. Try to focus on keeping hydrated and getting rest. The other stuff with come... GOOD LUCK and CONGRATS!

Please let me know what the doctor says, we can get through this!

Today has been a tough day! I have been really questioning...did I do the right thing? And hearing that you are having some of the same symptoms makes me feel ENORMOUSLY better. I took a Zantac 150 mg this am, then my previously prescribed protonix. I'm going to take another Zantac before bed. I'm supposed to see the doc on Thursday but if these meds don't work better tomorrow, I'm going to call on Monday.

@ann c, I had mine on the 21st and am the same way, I have been waiting for someone else to say this and not make me feel crazy. I was told the hunger was probably acid but if I take an antacid it does not stop. I drink Water without sipping, just regular with no problems. I was beginning to wonder if I was broken. You have made me feel much better.

Thanks for this post! I am 5 days post op and can drink Water with no problems and I am feeling hungry. This thread made me feel much better, like I didn't just have a major operation for nothing. Please keep good thoughts for me!

I'm a 50 year old mother of 5,scheduled for August 21st, just 5 days after I drop my "baby" off at college. I'm really excited. Just joined this forum.

Hi I'm 5'0" and in the low 200's and it's been a struggle for me too. Back pain sleep apnea restless leg syndrome knee pain, torn cartilage in my left knee. My surgery is tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to it. This is the right direction for me. I've tried so many diets it isn't even funny. But with the gastric sleeve, I can and will succeed. The best of luck to you on your journey.

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I had my surgery this morning and doing well! No nausea, some gas pain but not bad at all. Thankful!

same as mine!

Beans, no carbs for the first six month - even nuts. What do I eat today? Anything I want.... just still small quantities. And I do have to admit that I should not eat as much sugar as I do now but I'm having no trouble maintaining so really just am keeping an eye on it and will absolutely return to my post op diet if needed.
What could/should I have done better? Absolutely #1 would be I should have done some strength training and exercised more. The loose skin is much worse than I expected it would be - so to those who feel they are losing slowly consider it a benefit that your skin won't be as saggy. I look like an 80 year old woman underneath (I'm 54). To be honest my tummy is the best of the 3 saggy areas - tummy, thighs and arms. My arms are by far the worst; I had larger than usual upper arms all of my life - inherited from generations on my mothers side. When I consider plastic surgery that is really the only part I definitely want to address. My tummy is always covered; my thighs are most of the time; when I wear a bathing suit I still wear shorts over it - which is what I did when I was heavy so no change there. I also should have done a better job of consistently using skin firming cream - I think it would have helped more. My favorite is Jergen's Skin Firming - it does a nice job and costs no more than any other lotion - and even less than most.
What do I feel I did right? I was absolutely faithful in sticking to my surgeon's post op diet. Having failed at the Lapband I was overly determined to succeed. I never want to feel the way I felt as a failed Lapband patient again - seriously! I did make sure that I exercised regularly while the weight was coming off. I used a Fitbit - I tracked my food every day on MyFitnessPal. Those were both invaluable tools. I came to coin my 'eating plan' that worked best for me as the '40/60/100' plan. What I found was that if I ate less than 40 carbs a day, 60g+ of Protein and drank 100oz+ of Water, I lost consistently every week.
I regularly read these forums as well as obesityhelp.com. I have met many new friends here - mostly virtual but even some in person. One has really become a very close friend which has been great. Another started a separate Facebook group for those of us who had surgery from January through March 2012 and it is just an incredible group of women (and one man) across a wide range of ages, though mostly younger than me - and we have become so close and been there for each other. The great thing was that as we were coming down we were going through the same stages of the post op diet and the associated challenges, successes, emotions, etc. I would highly encourage others to start or belong to a similar group after you have your surgery.
Well I really need to wrap this up now so I don't start putting people to sleep.....
To those of you embarking on this journey - I wish you much success. If you are still trying to choose which surgery you should have it goes without saying that I absolutely 100% recommend VSG and already had Lapband so learn from my experience.
To those of you who just had surgery - hang in there - the first four weeks were the worst. It really does get better... and better and better. Stick to your Dr.'s orders. Do not test foods you know you shouldn't eat to see if you can eat them - that was one of the major mistakes that I made with the Lapband.
To those of you farther out and struggling - go back to your roots - try your post op diet again - or my 40/60/100 plan for a week... hopefully it will give you the jumpstart you need.
And to the many people in this group (well really from the old verticalsleevetalk.com group) who encouraged me and led by their example - please accept my sincere THANKS!!! for sharing your experience and encouraging me throughout my journey.
Susie (2.0

I'm almost 54. North Alabama. I'm scheduled for Aug.15th. I was told only a 2 day pre-op liquid diet but from all I've read..........I think I'll be starting about a week before. surgery weight will be from 230? Of course the weight loss is something I'm looking forward to, getting off all the medicine is my greatest anticipation and feeling better. Birthday is the 29th so, guess I'll be celebrating with a 1/8 c applesauce/pudding or something . I wish you all the best, easiest, surgery and transition into our healthier lives.

I am a low BMI gastric sleeve patient. My BMI was a little over 35 when I got sleeved. I was approved by my insurance because I have kidney disease and getting HBP or diabetes would be detrimental to my health. I'm getting very frustrated with people not knowing my history and saying I didn't need the surgery. Although a 35 was the highest my BMI has ever been, it's more about the constant struggle with loosing weight and trying to stay healthy.

We fall off the wagon the moment we begin using food as something other than what it really is intended for: nutrition to fuel our bodies' basic activities.
Some people use food as an emotional crutch. Others use food to bestow enjoyment upon their lives (e.g., the satisfaction of feeling full after eating at the all-you-can-eat buffet). Others use food to conquer boredom or loneliness. Some people use food to deal with stress.
Some people use food as an escape mechanism because they subconsciously dislike themselves. For some, food is their drug. Here's a saying: "Addiction is an attempt to escape from yourself. Recovery is an attempt to discover yourself."
If we find ourselves regularly reaching for junk food rather than real food, it's a surefire sign we're using food for purposes other than intended.

I'm a 50 year old mother of 5,scheduled for August 21st, just 5 days after I drop my "baby" off at college. I'm really excited. Just joined this forum.

I'm a 50 year old mother of 5,scheduled for August 21st, just 5 days after I drop my "baby" off at college. I'm really excited. Just joined this forum.

I am scheduled for August 21st. I am 35 years old and have 6 kids. I am really nervous about this surgery as well.

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