kittymommy

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!

River Edge... (Bergen county)

Piscataway NJ
Surgery date 11/22

Piscataway NJ Surgery is 11/22

NJ!!!! I will have my surgery on 1/12/18

I wanted to post this to remind people that it is as or maybe more important to measure.
Every time I get frustrated that the scale hasn't moved I refer to this simple spreadsheet I keep. The number on the scale tell only part of the story. This tells the other.

Just want to say that it will be the best decision you made.
Every one goes through surgery differently.
I did not have any problems what so ever.
Just walk,walk,walk to get rid of gas pain.
Follow the plan. Exercise ( walking) protein/ Water and you should do fine.
I have lost 100 lbs. I am 8 months post op sleeve.
Only thing is Constipation. I take stool softner for that.
I use to have IBS but not now.
I would recommend WLS TO anyone with health problems who can't get rid of weight.
It is a good thing!!!!

Sent from my D6708 using BariatricPal mobile app

It all has to do with you height and weight distribution. I am 5'7" 255lbs 40BMI and I'm very proportional, so I wear a size 16/18. My Goal is a size 6!!! I wanna be able to go shopping and find clothes that fit correctly!

Surgery went well. Initially felt like someone was sitting on my chest but feeling is improved. I wasted at 7 and 9:15 and seems to help with gas. Now in room and guess I will try to sleep. Pain isn’t terrible. How often should I be working. Kinda scared of drinking my Water. So just lots of smalll sips. No limitation on volume per hour?

Central NJ!

Update: 12/1/17: Weight: 220.. down from 260 for a total of 40 pounds lost. Thanksgiving was...interesting. I ate some turkey and stuffing and mash potatoes, but what was different was I ate very little of it and felt full much quicker. I feel as if I didn't miss out on anything. I had a tiny sliver of pie and could not even finish it.

Clean your belly button REALLY well and brush the hell out of your teeth in the morning. Your nurse and anesthesia will love you
And keep up the enthusiasm, it's gonna be an incredible experience

My insurance wants me to have 6 months of supervised dieting, however, since I'm on Weight Watchers, they have accepted that. I still have to abide by the surgeon's guidelines and find out how many months of supervision they require from me. I've completed approximately 90% of the prerequisite testing. In 2 weeks I'll complete the rest (psych evaluation, meet and greet with the surgeon, nutrition/dietician) I've been doing this for a month now, and I'm getting pretty impatient waiting for the next appointment, or even getting any information. But that is something I have to deal with. I'm hoping to have surgery In January/February (Fingers crossed!). I can't wait to have some sleeve buddies!

Well, my original surgery date was supposed it be the middle of November, but my doctor did not feel comfortable sending my request off without me losing weight. I lost 17 pounds in two weeks and received me approval last Monday! I started my liquid diet today and will have surgery December 11th!

Well as of today my friend is still in the hospital, 40 days now. The good news is they have moved her out of ICU, so that is a big improvement!

Hi I’m from Wayne, having my surgery next Monday

Almost 100 pounds down

I️ was nervous too! I️ am exactly 3 mos out and have lost 50 pounds ( including 5 preop). I️ feel totally normal and not deprived. I️ can eat anything now- just have to eat dryer cuts of meet more slowly or it feels stuck. I️ don’t feel left out of social events or office parties. I️ just make good choices and the restriction stops me. When I’m restricted I️ have no desire to eat more. At a resent Friendsgiving at work I️ chose health options , ate only what I️ could, and had a few nibbles of small bite sized Desserts. It was a great feeling watching others pig out and not wanting to join in. Also I️ have improved so much in the exercise domain. My thighs don’t bump my tummy in spin class and I’m an animal burning all those calories. Barre classes are so much easier for me now which means I️ can push myself. I’m even doing planks!! I️ feel good about how I️ look. I’m not tired and I’m happier. So yes I️ was nervous- but so thrilled of my 3 mos results. I️’m losing about 10 pounds a month which is not as quick as others but who cares. Good luck. It’s well worth it!

I was a 41 BMI when I started on my 3 month diet, I needed to stay above a 40 for my insurance to allow it so I ended up losing 13 lbs very quickly then had to maintain that weight within 1.5 lbs either direction (or my surgery would’ve been denied) for 2 months plus 5 weeks waiting for my preop diet to start. I lost 13 lbs preop, 11 lbs during the liquid diet, (gained 8 lbs with surgery) and lost that and a few of its buddies as of today.
I enjoyed my liquid diet, I loved the bone broths and can’t wait for my new stomach to let me have them again. Since surgery my diet has been Water for the first 4 days and today I can tolerate some of my Protein Shake and hoping to give Bone Broth a try.
Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 230 SW 231 ASW 239
Surgery Date: 11/21/2017.
Goal weight 150’ish 🤞🏼

I’m so excited, my insurance approved in less than a day! My dream of being sleeved this year is coming true! I have a surgery date of December 20, a wonderful early Christmas present.
I know for me it was important deductible wise to get surgery in this calendar year but I didn’t think it would happen.

SW 319 CW 209 GW 160
Last pic is at my highest weight. 330lbs  
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using BariatricPal mobile app

OMG I'm so glad someone contact me I'm so nervous and happy at the same time I live in Galloway New Jersey

Sent from my SM-N920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh, I’m at 30 lb now.. one can’t change stats on the app and I rarely access the forum on a computer but you haven’t missed much with my progress If I didn’t have a reminder to weigh in weekly I would probably not step on the scale. It’s not so much about the pounds for me as it is about establishing good habits now. We’ll see how that goes.
As far as being back to “normal”; well, a friend of mine ended up being an outpatient and drove himself home... others take it easy for weeks. I was pretty much back to normal 2-3 days after I was home; so 4-5 days post-op.
Once you have your liquid intake under control I don’t see a reason why you shouldn’t be back in action but Water (i.e. liquids) is key. It won’t be child’s play but it’s definitely doable!

Alrighty folks! Update time.

I am now 2.5 weeks post op and am slowly learning to listen to my body. I’m experimenting with food but find that variety isn’t that attractive at the moment. I’ll eat something a couple of days in a row if it works.

I plan for the whole 4 ounces at each meal but mostly push it away about halfway through. I also still drink Protein Shakes twice a day.

I’m not feeling hungry, except for when I go way past my designated eating time.

I’ve lost 20 lbs but honestly I only weigh myself for the record, I am more concerned about establishing habits.

I’ve been spotting on and off since I came home and there’s slight bruising on my left side. Both minor inconveniences really.

My knees don’t hurt anymore and I’ve already sent off one bag of clothing.

I always make it a point to reach my goal of 10k steps everyday. That usually involves 40-50 minutes on the treadmill at 2 mph, no incline. I was advised not to do exercise that breaks a sweat just yet but honestly it’s what I feel comfortable with anyway.

Haven't told anybody in my family that I was getting the sleeve I am scheduled for surgery the 27th of November
Sent from my SM-N920P using BariatricPal mobile app