Sassy Sleeve

I felt like I was too hungry - too frequently until I was finally able to move past all of the soft phases. I find that if I start with dense protein, then I feel full quickly. It sometimes means adding more protein. For example, when my family has spaghetti, I will eat the meat sauce with either spaghetti squash or zoodles. I found very quickly that I had to add small turkey meatballs (just a couple) and be sure to eat those first. I keep small meatballs and cooked chicken frozen, and ready to go. If I don't lead with lean dense protein, then I frequently feel full so quickly that I cannot finish. I have also found that meal planning/prepping, and measuring food ahead of time helps a lot.

I was given some blood thinners via injection. The bruising where I was given the shots looked horrible for a while. I had forgotten about the shots, but asked about the bruises at my one week appointment. That's when the nurse said "those are from the blood thinners"...

Welcome Krista! I had my surgery at Methodist. I had a good experience there. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Officially, the program I am working with recommends not weighing in so frequently. I weigh myself daily. At times, this has been frustrating. However, at this point (11 weeks out) it has helped me understand my body and my weight loss patterns. I know that I will go down to a new low, then over the next several days I may bounce around (up to 2.5 lbs) above that low before hitting the next low. As I said, early on this was frustrating, now I understand that it will happen and it does not stress me out (as much). I am currently using Fitness Pal to track my weight . I only enter new lows, and I don't record the little jumps back up between lows. Having that to examine the weight loss over time is very helpful. After the initial drops my weight-loss has felt so slow, but looking at it over weeks is helpful. I have a hard time "seeing" my weight-loss. The other things that has been helpful is recognizing the NSV. I had to buy all new pants. Also, I am almost done shopping in my closest. Those things can offer a boost when the scale is not moving as quickly as we would like it to.

Hi Meg, I had surgery on 8/10 - so about 10.5 weeks out. I am down almost 43 pounds. I had an easy physical recovery. I was in the hospital a little over 24 hours. I wanted to get back to things as soon as possible - so I stopped taking the prescribed pain pills and was driving again a couple of days after surgery. I do have a very flexible job, and I work mostly from home. I started working again a couple of days after surgery. I have not had issues with any foods as they were reintroduced. The post-op liquid phases were challenging. I felt hungry during those phases - I did follow my plan (I didn't cheat). Also, during the pureed phase I felt like I could eat more than I should. Then I counted calories, and I realized I was not really eating that much. Prior to surgery, I did not expect some of the mental changes. My spouse and I really enjoyed trying new restaurants, we liked tasting menus etc... And, that is no longer a reasonable activity given the restriction created by the sleeve. I also really liked trying new recipes and cooking. I do mourn the loss of those things. I still enjoy eating... but it does not bring pleasure like it did before. It has been more of a mental challenge to deal with that than I expected. I am glad I had surgery. My physical health is better. I think this was the right decision for me. If I could go back, I would do it again.

Hi Meg! I did not have surgery at ANW, but I did want to welcome You! [emoji4] Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

10/20 220.6 Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

221.6 Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

10/6 224.6

I asked about being able to lay flat at my one week appointment. I was not having issues with nausea or re-flux and I was OK'd to lay flat. I flipped onto my stomach right after that. I had a few stomach pains if I moved in an odd way. I used the support belt a lot the first week. My stomach incisions did not hurt much.

9/28 226.6

I have used to get horribly nauseous, and would be violently ill after anesthesia. I had to have surgery last December, and I talked with the anesthesiologist about it before the surgery. They used a patch behind my ear (and may have done something a little different with the medications used). However, the end result was no nausea! I was at the same hospital, but different anesthesiologist and again, we talked about the nausea - they put the patch on - and I was never ill. On day 1 and day 2 after surgery, I briefly felt nauseous, but I never got ill or threw up. In my case I got anti-nausea medication while in the hospital, I took one dose at home on day 2 post-op, but that was it. I did not need any more of the medication. I think I felt nausea after the sleeve procedure because of the procedure. I don't think it was a reaction to the anesthesia. I just stayed still. I think the anti-nausea pill is one that you melt under your tongue. Others have different experiences, and I was quite worried about nausea, but it did not happen.

@kimtree Sure! If there are things I can answer here, I am happy too. I could also respond more privately if that is more comfortable.

@erd Glad things seem to be going well! I have experienced ups and downs along the way. I am still glad I made this decision! The physical recovery from surgery has not been challenging - I wish the same for you!

9/22: 228.2