Lotte22

Hi everyone. I’m home from the hospital. It’s day three and the pain in the back of my neck and shoulders is unbearable. Nurses said it’s just gas, but I’ve been walking a ton and taking a Gas X strips and it doesn’t go away! This evening I’ve been watching vlogs about post op days 2-5 and it’s got me pretty discouraged. Most everybody talks about how the pain is not so bad etc, and I’m over here with a heating pad on my neck and the feeling of daggers in my tummy each time I take a sip. Luckily, I have not thrown up yet. I’m worried I’m drinking too much and that’s why I hurt. But they tell me to drink drink drink, and if I stopped sipping when it hurts, I’d be dehydrated. So, here are my questions: 1. How much did you eat days 2-4 post op? Today I ate 3/4ths of a yogurt in the morning, a couple ounces of protein shake for lunch, and then about 5 oz protein shake for dinner. I’ve also been drinking a ton. Is that too much? I can’t read my body very well yet. 2. Did any of you have super sharp gas pains in the back of your neck and shoulders. It really hurts and pain meds don’t work. 3. When did your swelling decrease. I’m puffed out like a balloon and very uncomfortable 4. How long after coming home from the hospital did you continue taking your pain meds? 5. Will my stomach ever not hurt when I eat again? I know it’s just day three and I need to be patient, but I’m hearing so many others talk about how easy their experiences were and I’m starting to wonder why I’m so miserable right now. Thanks.

I’m home from the hospital. In considerable pain, but no vomiting so far. I’ve been planning and stressing about vsg for months. I can’t believe I did it. Now I’m just trying to get water in (despite the dagger to my tummy feeling). I hope this gets better soon. The nurses at the hospital were all great except one who told me I don’t look big enough for this surgery in a judgmental tone. I told her it has nothing to do with my looks. I guess some people think of this as plastic surgery. I actually am content with how I look. I did this for my bones and because of my family history. But of course that’s a lot to explain to everyone. Oh, and I’m seeing double. Did anyone else experience that after surgery??? Good luck to all of you who are having surgery this week!!

Thanks everyone. I’m in a lot of pain. The nausea meds I’m on in the hospital are working fine, but these heavy duty pain meds don’t even touch my pain! Every time I drink even a tiny sip of water it feels like daggers to my stomach. Is this normal???

I had my surgery yesterday. The gas pain is awful and morphine can’t touch it. But otherwise I’m going ok. Just really sore. I get to drink some liquids today. We’ll see how that goes? Swallowing saliva burns my stomach, so I’m a little nervous about drinking. But my mouth is sooooooo dry, I’m also looking forward to it. How are you guys doing? For those of you scheduled for today or tomorrow, good luck!!

Thanks everyone. They are keeping me here two nights after all. I had a hernia repair at the same time as vsg. Not sure if that impacted their section. I try to get up and walk around for about 15 minutes every hour, but the gas pain is still awful (even with morphine!). No vomiting yet though, so that’s good. There is no way I could’ve gone home yesterday. They haven’t even let me eat ice yet, so I need the IV fluids!! When do gas pains go away approximately?

I just checked in for my surgery today. The registration person said this is an outpatient procedure and I’m going home this afternoon!!! This comes as a huge surprise and makes me nervous? Aren’t IV fluids and pain meds important the first couple days???? I’m very nervous going home today. Did anyone else have an outpatient vsg?

I go in tomorrow morning super early. Of course I can't sleep tonight. So nervous. Good luck to everyone!

I’m scheduled for the 26th. I’m pretty new to this forum but would like to follow those who have a similar surgery date to mine. How do I do that?? I’m terrified right now. On the preop diet my BMI has dropped to 32.7. I feel really strange about having this surgery, but then again, I know that if I cancel, my BMI will go right back up again. But still, it feels strange and I’m really scared I’ll have complications.

I’m on 12/26. I’m very nervous.

Thanks guys. I cleared it with my nutritionist and will take benefiber. Oddly, I’m not allowed any veggies or green smoothies on my diet.

You’re so lucky! My clinic makes all patients—regardless of size—do a two week completely liquid diet. I’m allowed only three low-cal protein shakes a day, one yogurt, broth (not soups), and SF popcicles. It’s brutal!

I’m embarrassed to ask this, but here it goes... ive stuck to my pre-op diet almost perfectly. The only times I’ve messed up are once my friend only had 2% milk so I used that for my smoothie, and I took one tiny tiny bite of grilled chicken. So, pretty darn good. But my poops are rock solid! How can this be when I’m on a liquid only diet? Is this normal? I haven’t been counting my water ounces. Maybe I’m not drinking enough water???

That’s very good to hear! I’m allowed three shakes a day, but if I stay up really late, that’s not enough. Last night I got soooo hungry so I drank another half a shake. It’s not technically allowed, but I felt that it wasn’t a true cheat because the shakes are an approved item. I’m glad to hear that your nurse doesn’t think that’s too bad.

Thanks for the encouragement. I’m struggling on the liquid diet (still responsible for feeding my family).

Great to have some buddies I’m scared as hell. Of what? I guess everything. I’m not so sick right now that a lifetime of vomiting will be worth it, so I’m taking a risk. I’m a mom to twin 3 year olds. I’m on the pre-op diet now and already my energy is too low to play with them. I’m really scared I’ll be drained of energy for months, maybe years. But I’m devoted and doing well on the diet. I want this. I need this for my health. It’s ok to be scared AND excited!

I’m 38, so I’m in the same boat of needing to postpone my THR as long as possible. With a letter from ortho you should be fine. They even rounded my BMI up for approval.

Anyone scheduled for sleeve in late Dec? Mine is on Dec 26, and I’d love to be in touch with others going through it with me.

Hi. I have BCBS and 34.8 BMI. My only comorbidity is joint related. I need a total hip replacement. My orthopedic surgeon wrote a note stating that losing weight would be beneficial to my hip and could prolong my hip replacement. I was approved! Good luck to you.

Nope. But I’m in ABQ, so not far.

Hi. I’m on day two of my pre-op diet. I care for two three year olds and feeding them and having the energy to play all day has been a challenge. But I’m devoted to the cause and so far, no cheating. This is really hard!!! I’m only allowed broth (no soups), SF jello, SF popsicles, 3 protein shakes a day and one low fat yogurt a day... for two weeks. Does that seem more restrictive than most? My clinic assigns this same diet to everyone, regardless of weight or size of liver. my question is when I will get to eat real food again? How long after surgery until I can eat a few pieces of sushi, a few bites of sandwich, or a breakfast sausage? When will life feel normal again and I won’t have to constantly explain my shake when others are eating lunch?

My parents are freaking out. My dad has dieted his entire life and has never been able to maintain. Now he has heart and kidney disease. And yet he still judges me for not losing naturally. The thing that gets me is that he doesn’t see his own hypocrisy.

Agreed. But my clinic assigns all patients the same diet.

Thank you all for your thoughts. I have no intention of breaking my preop diet. I’m just very curious why there is no standard. Seems like there should be one diet proven to shrink livers most effectively. Oh well! It’s off to liquids I go!

Thanks everyone. It’s been really hard on me dealing with my parents being totally against this and making comments about how sad it would be if my children loose their mother. It was freaking me out. But my husband fully supports me and I’ve decided to go for it. Surgery is the day after Christmas!!

Hi. My preop diet only allows yogurt, popsicles, protein shakes, milk and jello. I start in two days and am really gonna miss chewing!! I read about liver shrinking diets online and it seems meat and cooked veggies are fine. We’re you allowed veggies and meat? Why can’t I eat anything that requires chewing?????