Taylor5

Me again! Went to OCC, got my blood work & EKG, saw the nutritionist, and am now settled in at the hotel. Feeling Much better now! Also found out I am first in the morning, so def happy about that and allowing myself to get a little excited! Please disregard the exaggerated nerves and grumpiness of my earlier message, and thanks for listening

Just arrived in San Diego last night. Staying at the Sheraton on the Marina. So pretty looking off the balcony at the boats on the marina and the bay. The flight from Philly was awful, even in first class - which apparently is just bigger seats these days, much more expensive tickets, and better Snacks (which did me no good on my clear liquid diet, lol).
Hurting pretty badly from all my back pain & fibro issues. Van from OCC will be here at 10 to pick us up and take me for pre-op testing. If all goes well surgery is tomorrow. Feeling so weak and tired though. Kind of wishing I could stay in this big comfy bed looking out at the boats. Maybe I could be anorexic? I'm kind of getting used to this not eating thing...Just kidding, not trying to make light of anorexia - I know it's a serious illness and hope I didn't offend anyone, I'm just so tired. I'm hoping the excitement will kick in more once we get to OCC and get settled in.
Best wishes to all Dec sleevers who got sleeved over the past several days - hope you are feeling good! And to everyone going in this week as well. Good luck everyone!!

Just arrived in San Diego last night. Staying at the Sheraton on the Marina. So pretty looking off the balcony at the boats on the marina and the bay. The flight from Philly was awful, even in first class - which apparently is just bigger seats these days, much more expensive tickets, and better Snacks (which did me no good on my clear liquid diet, lol).
Hurting pretty badly from all my back pain & fibro issues. Van from OCC will be here at 10 to pick us up and take me for pre-op testing. If all goes well surgery is tomorrow. Feeling so weak and tired though. Kind of wishing I could stay in this big comfy bed looking out at the boats. Maybe I could be anorexic? I'm kind of getting used to this not eating thing...Just kidding, not trying to make light of anorexia - I know it's a serious illness and hope I didn't offend anyone, I'm just so tired. I'm hoping the excitement will kick in more once we get to OCC and get settled in.
Best wishes to all Dec sleevers who got sleeved over the past several days - hope you are feeling good! And to everyone going in this week as well. Good luck everyone!!

Hi all,
I was sleeved on December 20th. The first few days were rough but each day I felt better. I'm excited to start this life long journey of healthier me.
Ciao Ciao for now!

I had surgery yesterday and everything went great! I'm up now trying to get in some of my fluids.

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Thank you for your candor, I couldn't agree more. I am scheduled for 12/27 at a different facility. I did a lot of research but it is always concerning to hear about complications, especially when they are so extreme. It's terrible that you had to go through this ordeal and the way you were treated because you didn't have the perfect success story. I hope you are feeling better now after your revision to RNY. Good luck in your continued recovery. I know I will be keeping this in mind during these last few weeks before I leave, and things to look out for while there.

Kroger stores often have some of the Premier shakes as singles. (Kroger owns a bunch of things under other names, but if you have one, you probably know which it is.) Some of the bigger convenience stores/gas stations have them, too, which seems weird, but it's true.

Target sells 4 packs of Premier - maybe a flavor other than chocolate would appeal to you? I love the bananas & cream flavor!

I hate the Premier Protein as well. I use lean shakes by GNC. They have 170 calories, 25g of protein & 3 g of sugar. They have single ones in the stores and they have tubs that you can make your own with many flavors. During the holidays they have snickerdoodle (my fave!!!!). For me it has been trial and error to find what I like.

I just bought the GNC snickerdoodle so I’m glad to hear you like it!! I was skeptical but figured I’d give it shot


HW & CW: 251
Height: 5’3
Age: 31

Ive also been sampling with protien shakes. I really like nectar from Syntrax. It has fruit flavors like fruit punch..grape..grapefruit and many others. It has milky flavors too...buy the fruit have been my favorite. I love the Grapefruit n ice tea. U can buy the sampler to try all the flavors before getting a tub. Have u considered an unflavored protien that u can add to Soups n stuff?

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I wish I'd spoken more to VSG patients in advance as the advice I got from them on what to eat was waaaaaay better than what my nutritionist said. Don't get me wrong, I stay within the macros and limits my NUT said, and I follow her overall guidelines. But taking her advice on what might taste good to me was like getting a non-drinker's beer recommendations.

I was the first surgery on Tuesday with my group, so with an arrival time of 5:30, I was up at 4am.
Got there and it all went very smoothly. They wanted a little last minute blood, they wanted a pregnancy pee test, then on to pre-surgery where I got a couple of shots and an IV catheter in my forearm. Everyone wants to know your name and birthdate...lol.
Had already taken the Emend pill for anti-nausea. Was given an antinausea patch behind my ear, and a motion sickness med. Also, a med for preventing blood clots.
Surgery went well. Woke up and learned that I'd had a small hiatal hernia that my doc tightened up to help prevent acid reflux.
Surgery was 7:30-9:30. I spent 9:30-12:30 in recovery. Was ready to leave at around 11, but there was a little delay getting my room ready. Got a few ice chips in recovery.
Around 12:30, I was wheeled up to my room. The pain from the surgical sites wasn't bad. The trapped gas, particularly in my shoulders, hurt like the dickens, though. Miserable feeling, but tolerable.
As soon as I got to my room, I asked to go to the bathroom. Got up without any problem, took myself to the toilet. (nurse did stand outside the door at first). Got out and said that standing upright made my gas pain feel much better, so asked if I could walk. Nurses seemed very enthusiastic about my willingness to walk and took me for a walk. I did a couple laps of the ward and wanted to sit down again.
So, then, I was given a little one ounce cup of Water to drink slow. Got some pain meds, some more anti nausea meds, some meds to encourage my guts to keep moving.
I drank my little one ounce cup without any issues for a couple hours in a row and they advanced me to drinking FOUR little one ounce cups per hour, and sucking on this plastic breathing thing ten times an hour. After a bit, they helped me put an order in to food service for some broth, Jello, and other Clear Liquids.
But here's the routine I had to follow (and am still following today)
10 sucks on the breathing thingy per hour, One or two small walks per hour. Four ounces of clear liquid per hour....drinking one ounce every 15 minutes in 10 little sips.
Yesterday at 6pm, they sent me home, and I've been doing the same schedule. Tomorrow, I'll alternate hours, and do 4 ounces of Protein Drink, then four ounces of clear fluid...alternating like this for at least 10 hours of the day. The goal is at least 40 ounces of Fluid per day.
I'll remain on Protein drink and clear fluids until my recheck a week from surgery. At that point, if all is well, I get cream of wheat, yogurt, pudding, and oat meal back in the rotation.
The toughest thing for me has been getting comfortable in bed. I'm a side sleeper and it's kinda painful...but wedging enough pillows around me helps. Also, I have a little narcotic medication in liquid form for home, that so far, I have only had to take at night.
Am feeling pretty good today! Still pooped, but getting my walks in.
One funny thing....they loaded me up so much with IV fluids that I actually gained about four pounds while away having surgery! All those swollen tissues must be holding a lot of Water. I was told this is very common and not to worry about it. Could also be a function of them taking me off my diuretic for a while until fluids get easier to swallow in bigger volumes.
Anyway...I'm doing great and wanted everyone to know the sleeve isn't that bad. The hardest part for me is all the meticulous measuring and making sure all my little recovery jobs are getting done. Walk, sip, suck. Rinse, repeat.
Good luck to everyone on a safe and effective outcome!

Hi rubyfit4life ! For anyone feeling the gases- it gets better and about day 3 (for me). Swallowing Water also got better at day 3. I was soooio thirty. When I drank even a tiny bit, it would hurt in my belly. It's gotten better. Sip sip sip or use ice chips. Ice chips are helping my get all my fluids. I'm 6 days post op. I added just a bit of sugar free Jello on day 4, and tried sugar free pudding on day 5. Today I'll try cream of wheat. I'm 17 lbs down.
What else is everyone trying at this 1 week point? Rubyfit4life what are you doing?

I was sleeved on 12/18. The first night was really rough. I started to have regrets bc I was in so much pain. I walked around and still felt gassy. Each day is getting better. I’m down 5 lbs since Monday!


Tiffany

How are all my first week of December sleevers doing? Let’s get some updates.

I’m 14 days post op and feel so great! Down 18 pounds at my 1 week follow up. I don’t weigh myself at home. I go to see my surgeon again next week so I’ll see how much more I’ve dropped.

Only issue is my heart races after I eat or drink anything. Anyone else experiencing that too?

Thanks! Everything went well. Pain isn't so bad, no nausea. Keeping liquids down. Best I could hope for.

I am so sorry!!!!! I hope these issues are resolved soon. I had a really rough 12 weeks. But I’m now 14 months out and happier than I ever have been in my entire life. For the first four weeks I cried every day, I was in pain I was scared, I was miserable. I’m not in your situation, don’t know how you’re feeling, I don’t know all that you’re struggling with I can’t tell you with 100 percent certainty that you’re going to be OK. But I will tell you for most of us who had a really rough first few months, most of us have gotten past it and are happier than ever.
Sending you the biggest hug and a ton of support. I wish I could be there right with you and help.

Sorry for your complications. I'm sure it will get better, and once the memory of the issues are on the back burner and your rapid weight loss is up front, I'm sure you will be happy with your decision. It will get better!
I wouldn't jump to any quick decisions about canceling. Complications are typically <3% (from my understanding) and most complications go away (except GERD, which can be managed via medication for most).
If you need more time to think about it, and you will not lose your insurance approval, then maybe it would be a good idea to push it back a bit, and spend some time with your surgical group's support groups.

It was sooo yummy!!!

So I am on Day 10 of my liquid diet. 2 Protein Shakes per day, 1 cup of homemade veggie Soup for dinner - omg can I tell you veggies and broth have never tasted so good before?! 1 bottle of low sugar Gatorade or Vitamin Water Zero per day, 2 sugar free popsicles, and the rest is all water and supplements.
My son was in the hospital for a week - just got out on Monday and had to move back in w/us due to some personal & health issues, so I spent the past week commuting to and sitting on a hard plastic chair at the hospital (great for my sucky back). Now it's total chaos around here trying to get him settled in as I also try to focus on getting ready to leave for San Diego w/my husband next Monday (Xmas Day) for surgery next Weds.
My stomach hurts constantly (combo of no solid food and stress I think), and I only lost 3 lbs this past week, regardless of the super low cal diet. So that's a bummer. But my son is alive, I am 3 lbs from the goal the surg/nut set for me, and I'm getting sleeved in a week, so I'm really only complaining a little Mostly I just wish the stomach ache would go away...
My gripes aside, cheers to all my other "December Sleevers" about to go in, just getting out, or enjoying the first weeks of recovery! Best wishes & good luck to everyone!!

Good Luck Beardman on your surgery.

Well, today is my surgery. A bit nervous but much more calm than I thought. Maybe drained from 14 days of liquid diet....

I always appreciate any feedback from "those who have gone before", lol. Even when it's not the perfect story, it helps to have realistic expectations. Even the horror stories have to be considered, I feel, but of course we usually take those into account during initial research whenever possible. For me, it is really helpful to hear what things are not that pleasant or even pretty awful to experience, but then hearing the majority of people say they would still do it again is what keeps me going! So definitely thanks for sharing And good luck with your continued recovery/success!

And no need to be worried about regrets (you'll see for yourself ) plus I'm only 7 weeks out from surgery so I assume eventually it will become second nature and I won't even notice anymore