logicwand

I think you're right about needing a month or two before travel. I went back to work in 5 days but was tired for 3 weeks after surgery. I'm definitely feeling much better now and tomorrow marks 4 weeks post. I would feel comfortable traveling abroad now. I have to say it's difficult to adhere to your post op diet requirements. There's so much you have to try and figure out. Some foods/drinks you may like, some you may not and you have to figure it out fast because your body is trying to heal and wants nutrients! Lol. I would think your surgeon could schedule your surgery within 6 weeks of hitting your goal weight. That would have you ready for England and you'd be a ball of energy (probably lol) by the time your busy season hits. Good luck to you!! Excited for you. (I suffer from osteoarthritis and I know this sounds flippant, but I really felt that this surgery would be a walk in the park compared to my joint pain. So far, it's true. But nonetheless, it is a major life change and it takes time to adapt to it - that's the most "painful" part for me.)

You all make it sound so easy!! LOL Glad to know you are all doing better!

Excellent!! For me, it seemed like once I finished all my pre-op appointments, I started getting nervous like things were happening so fast. You'll be on that gurney before you know it, girl!!

Oh my gosh, that's awesome!! Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!! LOL I hope I lose at least 40 lbs by the 3 month mark. I'm afraid it might be less. (I've lost 17 lbs in this first month.) But progress is progress!

@Want2BFitMama.... how are you feeling at 3 months post op? Do you feel the difference since surgery?

Hi kaleia! I had this too! Food feels like rocks going down my throat. LOL Well, I am 4 weeks post op and I'll be happy to report that it does get better! I'm on the "soft foods" stage now and I haven't noticed it as much anymore.

Hahaha!! Good luck walking those hospital halls! Maybe you'll see fellow sleevers walking around too!

You look GORGEOUS!!! Thank you so much for your advice, your post will help me stay on track for sure!!

Congratulations!!! That is fantastic!!! Btw, "The Loser's Bench" is sort of a metaphor to indicate you are on the other side now (post surgery) and thus, can sit on the bench of people losing weight - "Loser's Bench".

This is so great to hear. Thank you everybody for posting. I'll be 4 weeks post on Wednesday. Despite not feeling energetic, I have this desire to work out. I walked my dogs longer tonight. I feels so good. I think my 25 lb weight loss is actually making it easier for me to move. This is truly incredible. I hope this lasts and is not just some weird spot I'm in. LOL @Fantasstik, how are you feeling today? Did things get any better? Are you eating puree yet?

First, congratulations on your weight loss!! That’s fantastic! Surgery is a pretty scary thing. Especially when you’re choosing it voluntarily. But there’s a reason you’re choosing surgery. Think about those reasons over and over again. Think about not doing the surgery and what your life will be like 10 years from now. You are strong. And I’m willing to bet you’ve made it through some pretty hard times in your life. This surgery will be easier. I’m excited for you. You’re going to do great. And I can’t wait to hear about your further weight loss by the 4th of July.

Same boat. I tend to lose weight everywhere else but my belly. In fact, it looks like I'm with child. Pregnant for 10 years straight now. LOL Here's some before (black maxi) and 3 week post pics (gray t-shirt). I can totally tell a difference after 25 lbs lost, but my baby bump is still there. I know I will eventually lose it in time and with core workouts.

It's funny, but my favorite pureed item was taking a Hormel "Compleats" chicken breast, gravy and mashed potatoes meal and pureeing it in the blender. I felt like I was eating a Thanksgiving dinner even though it was one item, with one color, and one consistency. (I hate puree!) But it was pretty awesome. LOL. It's 10oz with 210 calories, 18 grams of protein, 4.5 grams fat, and 26 grams of carbs, and 0 sugar.

Good luck to the March sleevers this week! You will do great, you are stronger than you think!

I was sleeved on the same day as your wife. This post-op diet has been very difficult!! She is NOT alone. But please tell her this is only temporary for her stomach to heal. Her diet, including water consumption, will become a lot easier! This is the TOUGHEST part. Tell her to hang in there!!

This is a big no-no, but I am drinking flavored (Crystal Light) water out of a 24oz tumbler with a straw. I just find I drink more water if it's from a straw. So bizarre. I know. But it's helping me!

Ok, I'm 3.5 weeks post op and tonight I peeled the glue off 4 of the 5 incisions. There's glue on one incision that felt kinda painful as I went to take it off, so I just left it. I put Bio oil on the others now and will apply after every shower. I'm hoping it helps make the scars less visible.

I bought the Patch MD vitamins here at the store. I love them because I hate swallowing pills. This way, the vitamins get absorbed through your skin. This might also be helpful for you with the sour stomach.

Congratulations, Jo! That's awesome!!!

I did. There were some random posts that were helpful, but I wanted people to comment here all in one spot - kinda like a poll. "Yes, I had my gallbladder out x years after the sleeve" or "no, I'm x years post sleeve and my gallbladder is fine". Saw nothing like this in my searches. Thanks though.

You know, I was wondering about this. How is it possible that carbonation could stretch a stomach out? I thought that's why our bodies make us burp - too much air in the tummy. My friend who's thin as a rail drinks at least two cokes a day. Of course everybody's different, but honestly, I just never understood how this could really be true. Hmm.

My doctor told me drinking before, during, and right after eating fills your stomach and you can't eat what you need to eat. You will feel uncomfortably full if you drink and eat. I am almost 4 weeks out and find I have no problem drinking before or after I eat. In fact, I drink a bit after eating because I want to feel fuller. I eat my meal and get plenty of protein (scrambled eggs) but I will end up feeling hungry an hour or so later so I begin drinking soon after eating my eggs. Maybe this isn't good, but I thought your intestines do most of the nutrition absorption, not your stomach. *shrug*

Had the same thing, I think. VERY painful type cramping after drinking water. Doctor said I'd be fine but didn't have any advice/meds for me. The pain medication I was sent home with didn't alleviate this. Each day the pains came less often and less severe. But it took an entire week for it to completely go away. Nothing I did helped. For me it was just time, unfortunately.

I took a lot of naps too. Sleep is also important for recovery. I was very tired and weak for about 2 weeks post op. I would always feel better when I woke up from a nap. I’m starting to get some energy back. Yay.

Have any of you had gallstones after WLS and had to have your gallbladder removed?