hopeful333

Disclaimer: I haven't had surgery yet. But I will tell you what my surgeon's office told me. They said the reason that you are supposed to lay good groundwork and create good habits during the honeymoon phase is because after the honeymoon phase your metabolism starts to get wind of what's going on so to speak and starts working against you again. Pre surgery Your metabolism fights you tooth and nail to keep you at your current weight. Especially if you don't do metabolism boosting things such as daily exercise, proper eating, and drinking plenty of Water (which i'm sure most if not all of us are guilty of!).
There is something about this surgery that my surgeon believes temporarily affects your metabolism (the honeymoon phase). He believes that for a period of time it is not fighting you at all. This explains why people do things/eat things they shouldn't and still continue to lose plenty of weight. They dangerously believe that since it is such small amounts of food that their transgressions aren't going to affect their weight loss. And it won't during the first 12 months. But as soon as your metabolism catches wind of what's going on it's going to start fighting you again. If you haven't created good habits during this time then it will be so much harder to maintain your weight or continue to lose weight. The sleeve is not only a tool of restriction but also a temporary metabolism reset (according to my surgeon). Use it wisely. Use that time where your metabolism isn't taking notice of the copious amounts of weight you're losing to do activities that create a more efficient metabolism. Because a bite here and there of the stuff we're not supposed to have is going to affect your weight when that honeymoon phase is over if you continue .
When my surgeon explained this to me I really took it to heart and it makes me want to take advantage of that honeymoon phase to do ALL the right things. I am sure that is much easier said than done but I am hopeful that I will follow the plan strictly.
At the end of the day we are all in charge of our success, as the previous poster said if you stick to the plan you will not gain all of your weight back. Best of luck to you!!

look thru the other forums located here i believe there is a veterans forum. Read along with the people that have been there done that the longest and it should help you get a feel for what the long haul will be like.
with the understanding that the people that failed the worst are not likely to be here at all.

I haven't posted in a while and realized it's been 3 months today since my sleeve!
Life has been so different since surgery. I was exhaustes all of the time until about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Now I have all kinds of energy. I've been exercising since about week two. I ride my bike or walk. That's the extent of my exercise. I've lost pretty consistently since surgery, averaging 2 pounds a week.
I'm eating approximately 800-1000 calories a day and at least 70 grams of Protein. I still drink shakes-at least one a day, and sometimes 2. I still struggle to get Water in. I'm lucky to get 24 ounces a day.
I went from a tight size 18 pants to a loose 14. I even fit in a size 12 last weekend. Everyone tells me how young I look now. I'm not used to all the attention that I get, and it makes me quite uncomfortable. But it's to be expected.
I'm so glad I did the surgery, and I'm even happier that hubby did it with me. Btw-he's down to 279 from 364!!
HW 241
Pre Surgery Weight 3/1/18: 228
CW 182

I am almost 7 weeks out and have had many stalls already. Continue to follow your plan and they do break and the scale will move again.
I only weigh once a week so that I don't get as discouraged.
Hang in there.

Hello everyone. My surgery was May 2nd, gastric sleeve.
As of tomorrow it will be 4 weeks post op for me. My highest weight was 222 in November 2017, when I started the journey towards WLS.
My surgery weight was 207. I weighed myself yesterday and I weigh 193.1. (down 13.9 lbs since surgery, 28.9 lbs lost from highest weight).
I am struggling with fear. Scared that this drastic surgery will not work for me. Constantly wondering with each stomach pain, am I hungry?, am I eating too much?
I was upset when I realized that my weight loss since surgery is ONLY 13.9 lbs but I finally snapped out of that. I am losing weight and that is all that matters. The number on the scale is going down rather than up. Instead of worrying about failure, which leaves failure as an option I need to believe in myself and my tool. I struggle with food addiction but this tool gives me the ability to really think about what I am eating. I track my food and Water intake with my fitness pal. Getting enough water is a struggle for me. I am doing well with meeting my goals in Protein because of Protein Shakes (Isopure and Premier).
It is really hard to figure all of this out., to condense to three meals and a snack instead of sipping on liquids all day. What constitutes a meal really? How many ounces at one time? All the information I have learned and been given, and yet...it is so unclear to me.
My stomach has settled, not so many spasms. I try to listen to what my body is telling me. I am so happy I did this but it is difficult. This is the new normal for me. Best wishes to all of you!

Hello everyone. My surgery was May 2nd, gastric sleeve.
As of tomorrow it will be 4 weeks post op for me. My highest weight was 222 in November 2017, when I started the journey towards WLS.
My surgery weight was 207. I weighed myself yesterday and I weigh 193.1. (down 13.9 lbs since surgery, 28.9 lbs lost from highest weight).
I am struggling with fear. Scared that this drastic surgery will not work for me. Constantly wondering with each stomach pain, am I hungry?, am I eating too much?
I was upset when I realized that my weight loss since surgery is ONLY 13.9 lbs but I finally snapped out of that. I am losing weight and that is all that matters. The number on the scale is going down rather than up. Instead of worrying about failure, which leaves failure as an option I need to believe in myself and my tool. I struggle with food addiction but this tool gives me the ability to really think about what I am eating. I track my food and Water intake with my fitness pal. Getting enough water is a struggle for me. I am doing well with meeting my goals in Protein because of Protein Shakes (Isopure and Premier).
It is really hard to figure all of this out., to condense to three meals and a snack instead of sipping on liquids all day. What constitutes a meal really? How many ounces at one time? All the information I have learned and been given, and yet...it is so unclear to me.
My stomach has settled, not so many spasms. I try to listen to what my body is telling me. I am so happy I did this but it is difficult. This is the new normal for me. Best wishes to all of you!

Hello everyone. My surgery was May 2nd, gastric sleeve.
As of tomorrow it will be 4 weeks post op for me. My highest weight was 222 in November 2017, when I started the journey towards WLS.
My surgery weight was 207. I weighed myself yesterday and I weigh 193.1. (down 13.9 lbs since surgery, 28.9 lbs lost from highest weight).
I am struggling with fear. Scared that this drastic surgery will not work for me. Constantly wondering with each stomach pain, am I hungry?, am I eating too much?
I was upset when I realized that my weight loss since surgery is ONLY 13.9 lbs but I finally snapped out of that. I am losing weight and that is all that matters. The number on the scale is going down rather than up. Instead of worrying about failure, which leaves failure as an option I need to believe in myself and my tool. I struggle with food addiction but this tool gives me the ability to really think about what I am eating. I track my food and Water intake with my fitness pal. Getting enough water is a struggle for me. I am doing well with meeting my goals in Protein because of Protein Shakes (Isopure and Premier).
It is really hard to figure all of this out., to condense to three meals and a snack instead of sipping on liquids all day. What constitutes a meal really? How many ounces at one time? All the information I have learned and been given, and yet...it is so unclear to me.
My stomach has settled, not so many spasms. I try to listen to what my body is telling me. I am so happy I did this but it is difficult. This is the new normal for me. Best wishes to all of you!

I took it several years ago and lost 40 lbs. in 2 months. When I quit taking it, I gained it all back plus an additional 45 lbs. Side effects weren't too bad, just a feeling of being on edge sometimes. Definitely gives you lots of energy, because it's an amphetimine (an "upper").

She's hungry. Presurgically, you eat very low calories. Then you have surgery...which demands a massive calorie burden on your body for repairs, and you have a couple of days of consuming nearly no calories. Then starvation level calories for a couple weeks.
She's HUNGRY. Sally Struthers Dying Childen in Africa hungry. Body starving hunger. It's demoralizing and HARD.
I wanted to chew my own leg off I was so hungry two weeks after surgery.
When I started to eat soft foods and had some variety and more calories I felt human again.
You don't get it until you experience it.
And experiences differ. Some folks are massively nauseated and have a hard time eating anything and all food is tasteless. Some people struggle a lot. Some have an easier time.
But if you draw the hungry card...it's still very tough.

Three weeks out today and 22lbs gone!❤ The weight is dropping slowly but steady, maybe not as fast as some of the others, but I love it!

OK :-) So since your labs are coming back low, may I suggest that you switch to Bariatric Advantage or Celebrate Vitamins and Calcium supplements? Both are designed specifically for bariatric surgery folks.

Thanks all, I am really looking forward the time when I can say "finally"

A couple days ago I was searching for silverware to use as a bariatric patient. There is some cool stuff coming out of England, but it was kind of pricey to get across the 'big pond', but Amazon had these Bariatric/toddler training untensils. I just got them in today, what do you think:




$14 and some change shipped, you get two sets and two carry pouches. They seem well made... and smaller than you think. These are supposed to help with slowing down your eating, and of course eating smaller portions. I will test them out from here on out... probably give them a rest when I start the liquid diet...

I’m SO looking forward to moving to puréed foods this week, was are your favorites?
HW 289
SW 262
CW ?
VSG 5/2/18
Kaiser, Ontario - Dr. Chin

You can do it to...trust me, food was my bff! [emoji23]🤣[emoji2]

HW: 256
SW: 238(4/25/18)
CW: 226
GW: 165

I think most of us have been emotional eaters! I had my surgery on April 25 and work in an office where, almost everyday, someone brings in doughnuts, Cookies, pastries, pies, etc. Before surgery, I was the first one to partake. Now, I can go in there and not have anything. I changed my mindset...food is no longer my "comfort". I worked with my psychologist and after the weight started dropping off, I'm determined not to put it back on.

HW: 256
SW: 238(4/25/18)
CW: 226
GW: 165

Hi Everyone,
I was sleeved 5/3/18 about 5PM. I want to share my experiences so far, both pre and post op.
PRE OP:
Pre surgery I went through what (I think) pretty much everyone else goes through...anxiety. I worked so hard to get insured and then approved and was focused on that and the need to get the surgery done. Once I was approved and it was really going to happen, it finally occurred to me that I was going to have surgery for the first time in my life (I'm 65) and I got VERY scared. I wrote about it many times here. It was actually a roller coaster for me cuz I kept fluctuating between "This is going to happen." and "I don't have to go through with this." My husband, God Bless him, told me he was ok with whatever my final decision was. The day of surgery when he left me with the nurse he said "I have my phone, all you have to do is call and we're out of here." His attitude definitely helped me deal with this. Many people on this forum kept reassuring me that the risks for the surgery are very low. I researched this and it's true. I have a specific medical condition that had me particularly concerned. I had to advocate for myself and not give up and be a pain in the axx until I got my questions answered to my satisfaction. I kept saying "This is something I know I need to do, but I'm doing to so I have better quality of life and longer life, the last thing I want is to die on the table." There were times I was in a panic. I was afraid of general anesthesia as much as the surgery. The truth is, there's actually an extremely low risk of death from this surgery. Ultimately, I had my wonderful husband's support, either way, and I made the decision to ask God to watch over me and keep me safe throughout my journey. I'm not religious, but consider myself spiritual. Meaning I pray everyday and I do trust and believe God loves me and cares about me and will take care of me. I was rolled into the operating room and I swear, I had no anxiety and hadn't been given any anxiety meds. Once in there, while everyone was gathering in the room and setting up, I said loudly "Can I please have everyone's attention?" they stopped and looked at me in surprise and I said " I know I probably won't ever see any of you again after this so I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for taking such good care of me." Everyone came to me at the table, very surprised, and each assured me they'd take good care of me. I felt completely at ease. Soon after the anesthesiologist asked me to breathe into a mask and the next thing I knew, I woke up in my hospital room.
POST OP IN HOSPITAL:
Husband was waiting in the room for me when I got there. I was out cold. He asked how I was & I told him it hurt but I just wanted to sleep and to go away. Nice, huh? After all his support? He stayed another 45 minutes until he realized all he could do was watch me sleep. Again, my surgery ended around 6:30-7PM, so it's now like 10:30PM. I slept through the night and have vague memories of people coming to take my vital signs, test blood, etc. throughout the night. I was VERY sleepy the next day. The call buttons in my room (2, me & roommate) were malfunctioning and kept going off without being pushed. The nurse would ask what we want and we'd say we didn't touch it. They'd have to come in to check on us anyway and were getting annoyed after a few hours that it kept happening. I'm thinking "You're annoyed???" I would just fall to sleep and one would go off again. I had been told it's possible to just stay one night and decided I needed to do whatever I had to do to get out of there and I thought it was just another barium swallow to check for leaks and started reminding them this needed to be done. I nagged and dozed until they brought be down for the test. I felt weak and wasn't even sure if I could stand, but had to. Good news, I didn't have to drink barium or a big quantity of anything. I was afraid I'd have to do exact same test as before surgery, nope. They gave me an 8-10 oz? cup, half filled with some clear liquid in it. I got it down and no leaks. YAY! Back upstairs I'm asking when I'll be released and was told I had to drink, and keep down, 4 cups of Water or crystal light before I could go. They were 10-12 oz. cups. I panicked. It was like 2:30 and I really just wanted to sleep. I remembered to SIP VERY SLOWLY. I was fine. I just paced myself. Slept a bit, more vitals, etc. Then was reminded I also had to be up and walking around by myself before I could be released. So I did that, making sure to walk by the nurses station so someone would see. Eventually (around 4:30?) I threw one of the cups of water into the toilet because I knew I couldn't do it fast enough. Talked my husband into drinking another 1/2 of the other cups, then he refused. He said "If you really need to do this before you're released, then you have to do it." He had a good point. If they'd told me earlier in the day it was a requirement and I had started earlier, it would have been easier to do. By 5:30 I had finished what was left at the same time my doctor came in to check on me and tell me I could go. YAY! Truth be told, if it weren't for the malfunctioning call buttons going off practically nonstop, I would have been very happy to stay and rest and spend another night. We live a couple hours from the hospital, so was home and in bed by 9PM by the time they got my release papers together, the wheelchair and me downstairs and plus, it was rush hour in Boston. Soon after I got home I did vomit. It's the Oxycontin. I took once before and the same thing happened. All that came up was clear liquid and what looked like shards of dried blood. Because I really wanted my tummy to heal, I chose to stop taking it that night and haven't vomited since.
POST OP AT HOME SO FAR:
I slept like a baby that night. Out cold. I remember feeling pain throughout the night but not enough to wake me up. 40 hours post op, I switched to Tylenol only 1000mg. 3 X a day. I had some nausea that day as I figured out what to drink and how much. Trial and error. I drank 2 sips and waited. Fine. So, 4 sips and after the third went down, the 4th was in my mouth but I knew it wouldn't go down. It sat in my mouth for a few minutes, then went down, but I could feel it in my esophagus. So I stayed with 2 sips at a time with 10 minutes in between for a couple of days. Then 3 sips, yesterday I got up to 4 at a time with no problem. The first day home, I did not get all 60 ounces of fluids down. Second day I got close, probably 45 oz. Third day I got the full 60 oz. down comfortably and have stayed that way. I want to be sure to allow my new stomach proper healing and not do anything to aggravate it. By Monday night, I actually forgot to take nightly Tylenol. Took just one dose yesterday and probably won't take any today or from here. As far as my pain goes, I would describe it more as tenderness on the skin where the incisions are and I've had some internal pain that I'd really describe as spasms or cramping. Everyday it gets better. I did rest a lot the first three days wanting to heal and because I was weak and tired. I noticed I couldn't take a deep breathe. Like my breathing was restricted and I posted about it on here. An Angel answered me and told me to use the Spirometer they sent me home from the hospital with. My husband did pack up everything that was on the table, which included this weird blue thing. I didn't remember anything about it or any instruction on it's use. Once I was told what it was and how to use it and how often, my breathing got better, my alertness and energy got better and I was up and walking around more. I can't emphasize enough how important the Spirometer is! It's made a bid difference in my general overall feelings of wellness. My husband was able to "walk me" (he's been walking our dogs, but now also walks me! LOL!) the day after first using Spirometer for 10 minutes with 2 rests. Next day 20 minute walk with one rest. We'll see what today brings. I still feel somewhat unsteady on my feet at times because I'm somewhat dizzy. I have a problem with dizziness even without surgery, but it's worse now. I hold onto railings, my husbands hand and other stationary objects to make sure I don't fall. I move slowly on purpose. Plus I'm still a little mentally foggy. That part comes and goes. Surgery last Thursday night, it's now noon the following Wednesday and I can say all my panic and anxiety has proven to be for nothing. Not in pain today, just sporadic, temporary internal spasms that are getting better and fewer. Likely no pain meds today or after. I was very afraid I'd be STARVED, but no. I haven't found that at all. My husband has been eating his dinners in a different room and they do smell good but, so far, I have no interest in eating anything. So far. This was a huge worry for me ahead of the surgery. I was really afraid I'd need to eat something and not be able to and I'd hurt myself or make myself sick. This hasn't happened. I'm still concentrating on getting my 60 oz. of liquids down. I have noticed a bit of gas. Is it I'm now lactose intolerant? Is it cuz I'm making my Protein drinks in a blender so they're like a milk shake with lots of air in them? Is this my intestines adjusting? Time will tell. I also didn't have a bowel movement 4 days post op and didn't think much of it until I was reading posts on here. I thought I hadn't actually eaten anything for 6 days so there was nothing to pass. Turns out there was. My doctor said to take 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia and that worked within 2 hours and I haven't had a problem since. It's possible we all need something to get started.
Bottom Line at this point: No complications or problems up to 6 days out from surgery. A few minor aggravations or inconveniences. Feeling pretty good and better every day.

Syntax,
I've had some "feel sorry for myself" moments where I think very similar things. During my feel sorry for myself moments I wonder what will happen on special occasions like holidays or birthdays. I also wonder if I'll have to eat cold food for the rest of my life because by the time I finish a meal it is getting cold!
I think your fears are normal. If they aren't, then we're both abnormal.

I noticed quite a bit of improvement on the 4th postop day and it has been steadily improving since. I just have to be careful not to take more than a small drink at a time.

Today is my 5th day post surgery. I spent most of it in the Emergency Room because of severe constipation/stool impaction. I am a Registered Nurse and tried everything that I could think of to help me but nothing worked. Finally I was in such severe pain and in tears that I had my daughter take me to the ER. I was so embarrassed and desperate for help. Finally, after a Soap Suds Enema and retaining it for an eternity I was able to get relief. I am so tired and weak from today and so scared that this will happen again. I have never had Constipation before. I have been taking the Colace twice daily as ordered. I added Dulcolax yesterday. Praying that this is a one time thing.
Staci
SW 219.5
CW 207.2
Surgery Date 5/2/18
Gastric Sleeve

Thank you everyone for the support. This app has really helped me through this journey.

Good Luck and sending prayers[emoji173]️


Staci
SW 219.5
Pre-Surgery Weight 207.0
Current Weight 201.6
Gastric Sleeve 5/2/18
Surgery Date 5/2/18
Gastric Sleeve

I am very much enjoying the freedom to spend time in my home, to drive to nice places to walk, to eat my real (liquefied) foods and sleep in my comfy bed Tomorrow I will be 1 week post op and I'm happy to report I'm chugging along just fine (even if the families chicken enchiladas smelled extra nice in the oven tonight lol).
Big hugs to those both pre and post op, and especially for those doing it tough at the moment.

I just weighed myself. Post-op 6 days...is this real??? I am so elated..it worked. I lost 9 lbs since I last weighed on May 3rd!!!
Staci
SW 219.5
Pre-Surgery Weight 207.0
Current Weight 201.6
Gastric Sleeve 5/2/18

Today is my 5th day post surgery. I spent most of it in the Emergency Room because of severe constipation/stool impaction. I am a Registered Nurse and tried everything that I could think of to help me but nothing worked. Finally I was in such severe pain and in tears that I had my daughter take me to the ER. I was so embarrassed and desperate for help. Finally, after a Soap Suds Enema and retaining it for an eternity I was able to get relief. I am so tired and weak from today and so scared that this will happen again. I have never had Constipation before. I have been taking the Colace twice daily as ordered. I added Dulcolax yesterday. Praying that this is a one time thing.
Staci
SW 219.5
CW 207.2
Surgery Date 5/2/18
Gastric Sleeve

Thank you!!! I just took some Milk of Magnesia just to be safe.


Staci
SW 219.5
CW 207.2
Surgery Date 5/2/18
Gastric Sleeve