Eeniebeenie

Hi All,
Nice to meet you, I'm Wika, 28 y.o!
It is probably uncommon for asian, especially in my country to do VSG. I have always been heavy since I was a kid and bullied because of it (mainly from elementary to high school). My self esteem was so low that I could not even love myself. Last year I have finally decided and told my parents to get the surgery done no matter what. I hate not being able to love myself and the social pressure around me was so high. I gotta admit that the reason I did my surgery is 80% because I don't want to be called fat anymore by my peers (and family), because it hurt me. My parents allowed the surgery and paid for it (phew! glad!) and it is probably the best decision ever in my life.
I feel healthier and lighter. I no longer lose my breath when I walk down the street, I feel energetic more than ever and it definitely boosts my confidence! I feel better, happier, and healthier. I start to open myself to other people, getting to know them (and go on several dates hahaha) unlike before. I love sports more than ever and in fact I spent most of my free time at the gym now. My original weight was 97,5kg and before the surgery it was 95,5kg, now I am between 60-61kg. I am 168cm, originally size 20 for tops and bottoms, now I am size 8 (and it is still considered big in Asia).
I still want to go down a bit more, till I am 55kg, but it's a little hard to hit that weight (due to snacking hahaha). Nonetheless, I am a happier me now and I can call it a success!! Regardless the reasons for VSG, it is important for you to be a better you and remember that VSG is only a tool, not the solution.

I weighed more when I came home 2 days after surgery than the day of surgery. I think the damaged tissues from surgery retain Water. I definitely was bloated, and my tummy stuck out more than ever. I lost that weight and a lot of the bloat within a couple days of being home. And now I'm down 10 lbs from the day of surgery beginning weight. Surgery was 9/26. Also not feeling bloated anymore.

Upon discharge, my surgeon put me on a full liquid diet. I think it's similar to the pureed. I am allowed to have Soups that I've put through the blender, pudding, yogurt, Tomato Soup, Protein Drinks, milk, etc. After I go back to see the surgeon next Tuesday, I believe they will upgrade me to the Soft/mushy stage which includes soft/cooked veggies, canned fruit and bananas, tuna and chicken salad, eggs, Beans, cottage cheese, etc. I'm most looking forward to the cottage cheese, it's one of my favorite foods!

I've had a little nausea, but not too bad. I don't really feel hungry at all yet, I have to make myself eat.

I'm hitting my 64 oz goal but it's not easy. I have to remember to sip constantly! And I used to drink a ton of Water, but like you said, there's just a tiny little stomach left now!

Thanks, mustbeaspeciallady!

I haven't had the hungry grumbles but for the first few days after I came home I feel like that's all my stomach did was make weird noises!!!! Luckily it's gradually gone away almost completely.

Impressive that you were up within 3 hours! How much do you walk? I've been doing a slow 1.5 miles-2 miles daily on fairly flat surfaces around my neighborhood.

9 hours ago, njgal said:

Thanks Eeniebeenie!

Welcome! Happy to help!

I was also sleeved on 9/26. Glad to hear it went well for you! I apparently also impressed the hospital staff with my eagerness to get up and go on the first day. I was walking the halls by about 4 pm on the day of surgery(8:30am surgery). I had heard that walking helps with the gas pains so I was determined to get up and go.

However, I feel like my gas pains were minimal until yesterday. I was slowly lowering the amount of pain pills I was taking and yesterday was supposed to be the first day I stopped completely. But I went walking, and was in pain the whole time, and by the time I got home I just had to take one. Today it's the same. I have been sleeping in my bed on my sides(I'm a side sleeper) and have had no issues until yesterday, so I may try sleeping in the recliner tonight and see if that helps.

Question for everyone---how long did your surgery take? Mine was only 30 minutes---when they came out to tell my family, it freaked them out at first, they were thinking something must have gone wrong. But luckily it was good news. I just was surprised at the fact that it could be so short when I've heard it takes 90 minutes to an hour.

I had similar bouts of second guessing. I'm 8 days post op and I'm so glad I followed through. I can already tell that it was a reset button for me. I know things can change as time passes but I just feel it in my bones that something has changed and I know I'm going to be successful with this.

Also, I never follow through on anything, so the fact that I got to the point that I actually had a surgery date, I thought to myself "this has to be the right decision for me if I was able to follow through this far". There's just no way I my previously self-defeating personality would have allowed me to do all of the work up to surgery unless there was something deep in my mind giving me that extra push.

I wish you well!!!!

During my 6 month supervised weight loss period, I lost at first and then gained. I was actually up 10 lbs from my first appointment when insurance approved me. I think I might have pretty lenient insurance. I lost that 10 lbs during my 2 week preop diet which means I was the same weight day of surgery as I was on my first appointment. Not proud of that, but like you said, if we were good at losing weight we probably wouldn't be getting surgery.

12 minutes ago, sleeved_Queen2be said:

VSG

My pre-registration was 9/7 and my surgery was 9/26. I went and did the pre-registration on the same day as the last nutrition class. I don't know how normal that is.

12 minutes ago, Eeniebeenie said:

Wow, my process started in January and my surgery just happened Sept 26. But my insurance required a 6 month doctor directed weight loss plan, so that made it a little drawn out.

But once I got the final approval it was 3 weeks away, which was good because I had to do a 2 week preop diet.

53 minutes ago, MG1776 said:

I just got my date, October 16th. Started the process mid-August

Wow, my process started in January and my surgery just happened Sept 26. But my insurance required a 6 month doctor directed weight loss plan, so that made it a little drawn out.

Sorry it took me awhile, I took a pain pill and got distracted

Ok, here is what the surgeon's office gave me. I hope it helps! I'm typing it exactly as it states on the handout and I have done this type of relaxation in the past and it does indeed help me. It's reminiscent of a yoga class I used to attend as well.

Set aside 20-30 minutes by yourself to accomplish this exercise. Find a fairly dark place to sit or lie down. It is often helpful to have a tap/cd of quiet instrumental music or comforting sounds playing. Get in a comfortable position and close your eyes.

1. Diaphragm Breathing: Begin by taking deep, slow breaths through your nose, exhaling through your mouth. To help, pretend you have a balloon in your abdomen that you are slowly filling then releasing. As you breathe, concentrate only on the inhaling and exhaling. Your mind will tend to wander to various other things, but gently bring it back to the breath. Continue this process for a few minutes as you begin to establish regular deep breathing.

2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Shift your focus from your breathing to your feet. Gently point your toes forward away from you, slowly tensing (not to the point of pain, but enough to feel a tightness in the foot muscles), then release. Repeat. Move your focus to your calf muscles. Repeat the slow tensing and releasing of these muscles as described above two times. COntinue with this process moving up your body--next your thighs, then your buttocks, then your stomach, your chest, your back, your arms and hands, your shoulders and neck, finishing with your face and scalp.

3. Visualization: Shift your focus once again. Now let yourself travel to a peaceful place. It could be real or imagined. Maybe it's by the ocean or a babbling brook, perhaps it's in a meadow or up in the mountains. Wherever you find enjoyment, comfort, and beauty. Allow your mind to gently explore this place. Focus on the sights there. Feel on your skin the sensations around you. Let yourself linger awhile with these pleasant sensings. Then slowly rejoin the real world feeling relaxed and renewed.

My surgeon gave out some relaxation exercises in the packet of info they give out at the beginning. Did you surgeon give you something like that? It could help you with the nervousness you are having. Also, taking a walk if you are able is another possible way to help with that.

If you want I can type out the relaxation exercises for you.

I'm having these exact symptoms, my surgery was 9/26/17 and I just came home today. Did any of this improve since you posted this?