colormehappy

I’m only 3 weeks post op so I haven’t had my levels checked yet. But I was gaining weight no matter how much I dieted and exercised. My primary doc was the one who suggested weight loss surgery because she saw me struggling so much and my thyroid function was continuing to tank. I also have 2 other autoimmune diseases. Including my 1 week pre-op diet I’m down 30 pounds.

I’m 37 and was sleeved 3 weeks ago. I had a major complication with a GI bleed, but once that was under control my recovery has been smooth sailing. Today I’m about 95% back to normal, just holding off on the lifting. I was tired in the afternoon the first two weeks but that has eased up too. Including my one week pre-op diet I’m down 30 pounds!

My surgeon who has been performing WLS for 20 years said he believes stretching the sleeve is a myth. He said people regain because of all day grazing or concentration of calories (like drinking them.)

The nurses gave me Tylenol and acid reducers to swallow within a few hours of waking up from surgery. I haven’t had any issues so far, except that I have to actually take them one by one now. I used to just take all my daily meds in one mouthful with a big swing of water.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I find if I try to get a solid start on protein and water right when I get up it manages my hunger better throughout the day. I’ve always been someone who waited to eat breakfast for 1-2 hours after waking, but I can’t do that now or I feel pretty ravenous.

I had surgery June 2 so tomorrow will be 2 weeks. I had a GI bleed post surgery, and had to be rushed back in and opened back up. The bleed had stopped on its own, but I had 50 ounces of blood just hanging out in my abdominal cavity. Had that removed and received a few bags of blood. I’d say as of today I’m about 98% back to normal. I still get a little tired when I walk too much, but I’m cleaning house, chasing my kids, picking up groceries, etc. My husband has been super protective, grabbing things out of my hands to carry if I so much as lift a pack of toilet paper to carry inside. Haha. I may never be able to look at a Premier Protein shake again when this is done, but getting protein and water in has gone pretty well. I’ve always been a huge water drinker so the hardest part has just been not being able to chug water and always feeling just a little bit thirstier than I’d like. 27 pounds down including my one week pre-op diet!

It depends on the surgery you have too. From what I’ve read, it’s much more common for VSG patients to have hunger pangs post surgery, while bypass patients usually don’t. I’m almost 2 weeks post VSG. I have been hungry, but it hasn’t been unmanageable. Some of it is just suggestibility, because my husband and sons are still eating as they normally would. In my limited experience, starting drinking water and protein as soon as I get up helps manage my hunger throughout the day. If I get behind I feel weak and tired and it’s hard to catch up.

I LOVE coffee, and while it doesn’t sound super appealing right now, I do miss the ritual of it. This morning I made a decaf coffee with some skim milk and it tasted like sewage, no exaggeration. I hope that doesn’t last, but so crazy how my tastebuds have changed!

Is it possible to ask him to eat away from you right now? I’d consider doing it too, but I also have young kids and it doesn’t seem fair to do that to them. Does he realize how much it’s affecting you? I think there’s a misconception that you get surgery and just quit being hungry and craving food. Maybe he’s clueless.

That’s wild! I’m in Colorado.

Same! I’m on day 16 of nothing but liquids (8 days post op currently) and I just want to CHEW.

Sorry I’m being a serial poster. Did anyone have (or will have) an On-Q pump? When I woke up from surgery I had a small incision at the bottom of my sternum, and two catheters running under my skin on both sides of my abdomen. Then I carried around a little zippered bag of medication that slowly dripped into my abdomen for 3 days, numbing things. It was awesome and I had almost zero pain. At 72 hours I was able to gently pull out the catheters and throw the whole thing away. I’ve just never seen it mentioned here and was curious how common it was!

Make sure you’re having set meals and not grazing! (You still look great BTW, but I get your frustration.)

How are you feeling? I was just 2 days before you.

I’m 8 days post-OP today and feeling really good! Probably 90% back to normal, aside from some late day fatigue. OMG yes, the pooping. 😂 I wouldn’t be here without stool softeners, I tell ya. A miracle. i Just went and had my staples removed and it feels soooo good. My surgeon said one more week and I can get back to exercise as tolerated. Ooh, also down 20 pounds total! Including my one week pre-op diet.

This is the first I’ve heard of not being able to swallow pills post-op! Within a few hours of surgery the nurses at my hospital were giving me Tylenol, Protonix, etc. to swallow. I was told to return to my regular meds (thyroid and antidepressant) and soon as I was discharged.

You’re fine! I’m pretty sure we have a combo of both commenting here. How are you feeling?

I’m so glad you’re doing ok!

I could have had my husband at the hospital with me at various points (June 2) but chose to go alone. We have a special needs kiddo and it was just way less stressful for me to know that he was with my husband and not a family member who didn’t know his quirks as well. The only time I had a glimmer of regret was right before they wheeled me back to surgery. The unknown was scary and I could’ve used a friendly face. But my whole team was so lovely and it was a great experience in spite of my complications. I slept, I walked, I watched trashy tv on my iPad, and I was out of there before I knew it. Good luck! You’ll do great.

Yay! So excited for you! I’m 5 days post-op today and I don’t know how to describe how I’m feeling. Sort of like hunger? But sort of just like a hollow stomach feeling? I’m realizing from reading here that it may be more reflux than hunger, although it’s not the traditional backing up in the throat heartburn feeling.

I obviously don’t recommend it, but I’ve seen people on YouTube videos say that they didn’t follow the liquid diet at all! Some doctors only have a 24 hour liquid diet. You’ll do awesome, 5 days will be perfect.

My boys and husband just came home from the trampoline park and picked up Chick-fil-a! My protein shake and Gatorade Zero are going to have to do. 😂

Hang in there! It’s tough, but distracting myself helped a ton. Also drinking lots of water to fill up my stomach. I wouldn’t say it’s a breeze post-OP. The head hunger is still there. (I’m 4 days out today.) Drinking protein shakes while my family eats pizza isn’t any easier with a smaller stomach. LOL. You got this! Keep your eye on the prize.

Maybe a dumb question. I’m 3 days post op. I’ve been setting my 20 minute timer and pouring my 1/2 c. of protein shake to drink. So far I’ve only gotten down 1/4 c. at each meal before my timer runs out. The info from my nutritionist also says to stop when you’re full, don’t feel like you have to finish the whole thing. But EVERYTHING feels weird right now. It’s all so new and I don’t know what I’m feeling at any given point. Any advice?

Hey! Thanks for asking. Doing ok. I got home yesterday afternoon. Feeling weak but very little pain!