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!

11 hours ago, Heather13 said:

Thank you all for the feedback. I think my biggest concern is the idea that it would stretch the new stomach and I would have weight gain. Is this the reason it is prohibited?

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.

6 minutes ago, Dory2020 said:

Hi everyone! I'm new here and appreciate being part of this circle. I was sleeved on June 11, so I'm 5 days post surgery. I think I'm doing well and am likely where I'm supposed to be on my recovery journey. I still feel a lot of pain around the larger abdominal incision, but not enough that it stops me from moving around gingerly. I can't really do 'real' walks around the block or anything. I'm doing a few loops around my pool a couple of times a day.

It's really interesting to see how different the approaches are between doctors and patients. I started Clear Liquids two days before surgery and two days after surgery. since then, I started of full liquids - which pretty much allows me to drink Premium Protein Shakes, Water, broth, sugar-free jello/pudding and greek yoghurt. I see my doctor again next week and will phase into soft/pureed foods for 4 weeks at the end of two weeks. I have to say that I'm feeling pretty hungry. Anyone else? My new stomach seems to be turning, but I'm not nauseous, just hungry. Not a fantastic feeling and had hoped I wouldn't have to contend with that right away.

When I got on the scale today, I realize I have dropped 12lbs already (since clear liquids started before the surgery). I haven't been able to shed more than a 2-3 lbs over the last year with all kinds of approaches and then 12 lbs in a week! I'm thrilled but a little concerned too. Unsure how to process it.

As a result of COVID, I'm working from home and started back to work today, so far so good.

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.

2 hours ago, AlwaysCruising said:

Not at all common in the U.S. - can’t speak to whether it is used often elsewhere. Never known of anyone to use one before you and I have worked in healthcare for too long 😹

That’s wild! I’m in Colorado.

5 minutes ago, jlow347 said:

I’d love to have meat and veggies for pre op, lol. My pre op and post op diet is straight liquids.

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.)

9 minutes ago, Houston Woman said:

Just had surgery June 4th.

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

29 minutes ago, BoredFatGirl said:

How is everyone feeling that has had the surgery so far? I finally took a poop today (surgery was on the 8th) and I never thought I'd be so happy to tell others about it! 😂😂

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.

33 minutes ago, cowgirlcullen said:

Sorry, didn't realize this was for sleeves, I got the bypass. And I can't figure out how to delete my comment.

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

2 minutes ago, BoredFatGirl said:

I am currently in recovery. Everything went smoothly. I have some tummy pains but it's not unbearable. I wanted to get up and potty a half hour after surgery. It was tough then, especially trying to wipe myself, but it's getting easier. About to walk around in circles in my room to try and get more of this gas out (hoping that will help with the tummy pain)

I’m so glad you’re doing ok!

2 hours ago, nicoleh5686 said:

Hello all,

I'm new here and I'll be having VSG done on the 15th of June. I'm a little nervous but I'm ready!!! I think I'm just anticipating how I'll feel after surgery. Currently no one is allowed to come to the hospital with me, so I kind feel alone. How are you guys feeling about getting your surgery while Corona is still around?

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

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.

2 hours ago, BoredFatGirl said:

Tomorrow morning is the big day for me!! I am so excited and so freaking nervous. My husband has been on night shifts this week, so I've been up all night with him. I am really hoping I can get myself to sleep at a normal hour tonight so I am not so exhausted tomorrow and don't spend tonight feeling miserably hungry from having to fast.

Today we went out and purchased some mini milk (0.4% fat), cocio one, and skyr to be ready for the liquids when I get home from the hospital. There is a mention about blended Soup but the recipe link isn't working, so will have to ask about it and pick up some things on the way back.

How is everyone feeling post op atm? Any hunger pains?

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.

31 minutes ago, Mishyd84 said:

I have surgery scheduled for June 10th. My pre-op diet is liquid for 5 days. It is crazy how different places require a different amount of liquid diet. I’m so nervous he’s going to get in there and close me back up because I didn’t shrink my liver enough.

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.

17 minutes ago, jbelly said:

I hear you! Saturday nights are usually our order in night and Its hard to break old habits.


Sent from my SM-G973U using BariatricPal mobile app

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. 😂

1 hour ago, Focusonme said:

Thanks for that I’m doing 1 meal and 2 Protein Shakes daily and I swear I wanted to cry today. Monday I start my liquid diet and my surgery is Thursday. This is so much harder than I thought.

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?

6 hours ago, MaybeMeow said:

Hi. How are you feeling today?

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