GeTnBackuP

Me Me!!! I check in at 5:30am on October 17th, see NUT tomorrow and the surgeon for pre-op visit on Tuesday...excited and a little nervous!!!

I couldn't say whether its normal since I didn't break my diet during the healing period. The thickest thing I ate for the first 3 weeks was yogurt.
pizza? Salami? These are not just dangerous to an operated-on stomach, but should largely be off diet for the duration of your weight loss period. And if you hope to keep the weight off, those types of foods have to be limited long-term.
This is a hard time. You are trying to recover from major surgery and learn a new lifestyle, all at the same time.
20% of patients regain a significant amount of the weight they lost in the first year postop. For good long term results, you have to work on what goes on your plate, not just how much.

Ok so it is Monday morning and I am up, dressed and at home. 6 days in.
I came home from the hospital on Saturday morning - which was a total of 4 nights and 3 full days - largely in bed.
I really laid low on the weekend, again mostly in bed slightly propped up. However, I felt SO MUCH BETTER because I could shower in my own bathroom, wash my hair and get in to clean sheets in my own bed. I can only do things slowly as I am in pain from the internal bruising on my stomach and I am not eating much so I feel a bit weak, but I just combat this by showering/doing other tasks gently. Slowly does it! I did, however, manage very easily to go for a manicure-pedicure with my friend on Sunday and a short coffee break afterwards - I had a glass of Water. It was a good entry-level activity and I think getting out and about was really good for morale!
Again, every day is getting better and better. I am finding I can manage different types of juice and my ability to swallow and not have massive bubbles of air and grumbling in the stomach is getting better, too. I can even take two big sips now - so water consumption has increased, which is a win.
As for pain, I am simply taking 1-2 panadeine forte (strong but only over the counter) in the morning...so I am not really on pain medication at all. Amazing, really. I would still describe it as having done 10000000 sit ups. My right side - where the drain was - is more painful than my left. Mobility is much better today.
I would therefore say that by tomorrow - which will be exactly a week since the operation in the evening - I will be in pretty damn good shape. I won't be lifting anything heavy anytime soon, and I won't be running a mile or doing anything too taxing at all - but I am doing my work on the computer, emails, etc...I am perfectly capable of my tasks.
I think the main thing now is I am noticing hunger because of my reduced options (liquid diet only) and I have noticed I have started to crave yummy foods again. I imagine I will go through the customary food-mourning-period, as I am addicted to yummy things. It will be hard but I will get through it!
I will weigh myself tomorrow - 1 week out - let's see what happens!

Thank you for your details of the first few days. They have been a great read. This is the kind of information I've been searching for. I'm scheduled to be sleeved on 10/3, and all I want are real accounts of what I may or may not expect. I do hope you are home safely and feeling better. [emoji846]

Hello all,
I am going to be sleeved on Tuesday (19th September 2017) and I found myself on this website this evening creating a profile...
I suppose I am on here for some support and guidance, but also because I thought it might help center my own thoughts about my journey to 'have to' type it out. Mini therapy, I guess.
I also couldn't find - maybe I was being lazy - too many people sharing their journey with my sort of stats, so many I will be helpful to some younger, female patients on the 'light' side of the scale in terms of what to expect etc. We are all in this together!
VITAL STATS
Age: 26
Height: 159cm or 5'1"
Weight: About 86.5kg, or 190lbs - I will verify this and put it on my signature when I am weighed pre-op.
Female
Location: Australia, home for the operation but I live in London, UK.
Surgery + Date: Gastric Sleeve 19/09/17
JOURNEY TO NOW
I suppose I always had a bit of a problem with my weight. I have certainly gone through periods in my young adult life where I was slim. The trouble for me, I suppose, is that I have an identical twin sister who has always been slimmer than I have (maybe 5-7kgs) and, as such, I have always subconsciously felt like the 'bigger' twin. My twin is tiny - she is now about 20kgs lighter than me and it really gets me down. She lives in Australia still and I am in London, but imagine living with a 20kg lighter version of yourself! Someone who is exactly like you but 25% less weight. It can be hard, although she is really supportive.
I am a really emotionally stable and rational person, but I have self-control issues and I emotionally eat. In the last 2.5 years, I have gone through 2 serious break-ups. The first was with my boyfriend of on-again/off-again 9 years...and the second was with a man I loved possibly more. I turned straight to food and alcohol (which I seldom drank prior) to forget the pain I was feeling and to be able to get on with work. Over this 2-2.5 year period, I have gained about 25kgs. I remember being 62kgs at Christmas 2013, and when I was weighed a month or so ago at the surgeon's office I was 86.6kg. To say I was devastated was an understatement.
Although I admit I have self-control issues, I certainly have it within me. I guess I would classify as an 'all or nothing' person; I can easily eat and eat and eat, but when I reallllllly get on a roll with a diet, I am the type to be able to starve myself. This has lead in the past (over 10 years) to yo-yo dieting and I have tried it all; starvation, Protein Shakes, exercising, duromine/metermine pills...really anything. Sometimes it has worked, sometimes it hasn't.
My mother has been overweight my whole life and although she doesn't have diabetes, her mother did. I live in a family of eaters and providers, and I see patterns in my own behaviour that mirror my mother. My mother was a very attractive woman in her youth - she is still attractive now actually - but I do not wish to see the same health and aesthetic issues she has repeated in my own life.
I find myself not wanting to go out and socialise because I have nothing to wear; my clothes don't fit and I always tell myself I should lose weight before I buy more...I say no to outings, I hide away and eat. I am embarrassed about my weight - I hear myself telling people that I 'put on weight recently' and over-compensate for it by saying how I used to be slimmer....I go shopping and I don't even bother to look at perfectly normal, lovely clothing because I seem to have subconsciously (or otherwise) decided that I could never wear something like x, y, z. All of this might seem extreme given that I seem to be less overweight relative to some people on this forum - but I am sure these are issues we all share to varying degrees. Also, I am so short and small in frame that my weight is probably largely as evident as others.
All in all, I suppose I subconsciously 'decided' I was chubby years ago and have become obese as a result. It is such an unhealthy pattern.
GOALS
First goal: get under 80kg. Second: get under 70kg. I want to take it as it comes. But, longer term: to be 60kg or under. 55kg would be ideal. 60kg would be great, too. NSV: Throw out all the old clothing I have been wearing to cover up - aka my 'fat' clothes. NSV: Buy size 28 jeans for comfort, like I used to. I am currently in a 32 of the same jean. To be honest it's really hard to write my goals as I have not yet even conceptualised this working! It has been so long since I lost weight and felt good that I can't even remember....perhaps I will work on the goal list later!
I'm also gonna post some headless pics....I think that will help me...
Anyway, this is a start. I have an appointment on Monday to see the Dr and take bloods...then it's straight to it on Tuesday.
Wish me luck!

Prayers for you. You'll love making this decision. Take care and keep posting your progress . I'm new here too and I can use some inspiration [emoji120]


Elena Farah

Thanks for all those tips. I never thought to blend my Protein Shakes with fruit. I definitely will try that.

I had a BMI of 37 and all I hear is how I don't weigh enough to get it done. I am 4'11" and was 189 - I am 177 now.

What people don't know is how unhealthy my body is. Type 2 diabetic, borderline stroke blood pressure (we have it somewhat controlled now), NASH, sleep apnea. My fatty liver was bad enough 5 years ago that he told me if I did not lose weight I would have damage to my liver in 10 years so really that is was what prompted me to lose weight. It was my GI doctor that suggested I look into weight loss surgery.

I started the process at 35, had surgery when my bmi was 33. I had high cholesterol, high BP, pre diabetes, and type II hiatal hernia. All are resolved, 8 weeks later. Easy surgery, the only issue I'm having is dumping. Black Beans, sugar free pudding, ham, and it's slightly distressing me. But I've gone from 195 to 159 in 8 weeks.

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Yes, I would kill to be 250lbs. I'm currently 387, but I'm also 5'11".
I will admit to being critical of those that started with a lower weight/BMI, but I began to realize that those lower numbers were associated with smaller people. And those smaller people could have a host of other issues effecting their body. These forums have opened my eyes to many of the different reasons people have the surgery and helped me to adjust my thinking.
I'm not going to hate you or think ill of you for trying to do what is best for you and your body. I wish you success in this journey!

Hi all I just found this group and my surgery is this Monday - July 31st and my BMI is 34 so am happy and relieved to find a group w lower starting BMI. Your posts have really helped me feel so much better about this decision.
Congratulations to all of you on your success and I look forward to getting back to you all after my surgery!

My boobs sure are deflating and I really feel a difference in the cellulite loss as well.

HW 258
SW 242 3/22/17
CW 178
GW 140
5'3''

I'm a little annoyed... I didn't tell a lot of people I was having my surgery. Insurance wouldn't cover it and I was afraid if something happened financially (total cost was $22,800) I'd have to tell everyone I wasn't having it... anyway, I feel like people are expecting me to lose 100lbs within a few weeks. I can tell when they look at me. I'm 11 days post op.... people need to back off and give me time to adapt to this new life!!!

Had a terrible time with Constipation, I finally have found the solution that has been working for me the last 2 months. I do miralax in my coffee every morning, and eat a small piece of my "life changing loaf of bread" every other day. In the beginning I ate it everyday, but now I don't need to. With all that good flax seed, etc and the psyllium seed husks, it keeps things moving. I make a loaf , cut it up in small slices and put the whole thing in the freezer to last longer. I love it, 1/2 slice toasted, yum.
http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2013/02/the-life-changing-loaf-of-bread/

I want to thank you all for the well wishes. I am now four days post-op, and I'm feeling pretty well. It's so true what they say about not being hungry. I am forcing myself to get in the little bit that my body allows. It is so strange not being able to eat or drink like I normally would. It's like my body has an automatic shut off valve that says stop, that's it, and I just can't get anymore down.
The hospital experience was so much better than I expected. The only thing that would have been awesome to know in advance was that they required TWO IV ports. One was for fluids and medications, and the other was in case I needed blood. So... the part I feared the most was doubled. Other than that, I can't complain about a single thing. They made sure that I never even had a chance to feel much pain because they were on top of it.
Even now that I'm home, there is only a little bit of soreness. I'm not even taking the prescription painkillers. I have taken Extra Strength Tylenol a few times because I'm sore and a little stiff when I wake up in the morning. Be sure to do your coughing and breathing exercises because they do help so much.
I was a little freaked out because I gained weight in the hospital, but it's already almost gone. I'm told it's from being pumped full of fluids.
Anyway, now I'm on the other side and am so excited for this journey towards the new me. No regrets!

My first before and after photos.

It's only 2.5 months out, and being low BMI obese, I knew it would go super slow. My fat is very fluffy, I was size 18 and pushing 20, with thunder thighs to make Barney the dinosaur proud. So even though my pounds were low, I was too big for plane seats etc.

But being low BMI, the loss is so much slower than many, which is frustrating even though I've had no stalls except the two weeks post surgery. So maybe posting this first progress report will encourage other low BMI obese friends.

The first pic is right before surgery. I'd lost 13 lbs already on pre op. The second is today, 2.5 months out and only 19 lbs less. I have done 8 weeks of Jillian Michaels app on beginning level, not doing any high impact.

Yes! I totally forgot to put “when your shirt becomes a dress” [emoji85]

Sleeved on 12/16

SW: 185
CW: 111

Reached my weight goal in July

Eight months anniversary from surgery today. First photo is December 2016, the day before I started the preop diet and the last one is 10 days ago. It is a new life...

Phew, what a frikken crazy day! Owners meeting at work- always a blast but we're behind schedule and they didnt let us forget it! Got lots of steps in. I also went to see a therapist on my own, went well, and I will continue to see her for awhile. Obviously I have food issues and this will do nothing but strengthen me for this journey.
Then I saw the surgeon and pre-op nurse. He answered all my questions: I will stay 2-3 days. I need to speak to the anesthesiologist about getting a breathing treatment for my asthmatic bronchitis prior to surgery. I have no gall bladder and there are no special considerations. Post-Op I can continue to take Benadryl and Claritin. I asked about the bougie and Im getting a 40 French. I LOVE IT, I laughed so hard, my doc is cool...so happy about that!!
Surgery is set up for 6AM, Tuesday October 17th. I go to the hospital 7 days prior for a drop-in assessment where I assume I'll sign other misc. consent forms and pay pay pay. Day before I am on "Clear Fast" which is not a cleanse but a nutritional, pre-op drink- 2 the day before and I bring 2 to the hospital for after surgery. I guess those will be my last and first meals on my bariatric adventure.
Oh, I take 4 grams of EPA/DHA Omega-3 supplements everyday from now til the surgery (I'll up that to 4.2 grams which equals a teaspoon).
That's it...I was way more nervous yesterday. I think part of it was I had an insanely busy day at work and my appointment literally was the last one of the day....I had no time to mind f**k myself and it all went great!
I'm so excited, I just can't hide it...if you were here, I'd kiss ya thank you so much for your support!

You can have the juice...
Nonetheless, just because you can have it doesn't mean you should. While juice is perceived as healthy, most juices have just as much sugar as soda.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fruit-juice-is-just-as-bad-as-soda
If you want orange juice, it's better to enjoy an orange. If you want grapefruit juice, enjoy an actual grapefruit instead. Due to the Fiber in fruit, the body's reaction to the fruit sugar is mitigated.
In addition, it's a horrible idea to drink your calories so early in the game. fruit juice is empty calories: devoid of Protein, fiber, and healthy fat. It's a waste of time and space in your sleeve.

I agree with @Introversion... skip the juice... pure sugar!

Everything went great. I came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. All I can say is gas pains are NO joke! And I'm definitely out of breath and drained of energy super fast, just walking to the bathroom I lose my breath. But I'm on this journey to a healthier, happier Me.

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Wow, you look great.
My wife had her sleeve a month ago.
She is transforming right before my eyes.
I go for my preop appointment tomorrow morning.
Hoping to schedule surgery for September 1st.

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Today a stranger called me skinny... Sitting in a doctor's office a woman I used to be comparable in size to asked me to trade seats with her because I had (out of old habit) sat down in a bigger chair without arms and the only seat left was a smaller chair with arms.
She walked over and blushingly embarrassed and asked if I would mind moving over to the other seat so she could sit down too. I smiled politely and told her of course. She joked that some chairs were for skinny people like me and some were for fat people like her.
I felt the hurt in what she said. I remembered it, I knew the bitter taste of those words.
I moved that armed chair closer to the unarmed chair and told her a year ago I would have needed that bigger chair. I told her I understood and that I was sorry I was thoughtless enough to even require her to ask me to trade in the first place.
We talked for a while. I told her about my RNY bypass and how in 11 months I was down 120lbs. I lost a person. I told her that in my head I still look for the bigger seats because that person from a year ago still lives in my head. I only see a real difference in pictures. The biggest change I made for myself because of that realization was to take lots of pictures. Everyday I show myself the progress I have made because I can't see it in the mirror that clearly. I showed her my pictures and she was amazed. We discussed my before and current stats including weights and measurements.
I made a friend today. She called me skinny and it felt foreign and bizarre but we touched each other's lives and found a common bond.