Coleslaw

I would absolutely do it again. My surgery was May 2019. I want to say it completely changed my life, but that's not entirely accurate. What it completely changed was that period in my life where I had slowly grown obese over a decade, no longer recognized the "me" I had been most of my life and began to resent myself. I thought it was a willpower problem, or a laziness problem, or something else entirely within my control that I had failed to do. When I finally realized there was no amount of diet or exercise that could compete with the slowing metabolism of a late-40s woman, I began exploring options. The sleeve gave me back my sense of self, increased my energy and self-esteem. I no longer cried in the TJ Maxx fitting room! I felt like me again. You can read plenty of the pre- and post-surgical challenges on this site. I barely remember them as they were a drop in the bucket compared to the long-term benefits. The biggest challenge for me in the 1st year was explaining my rapid weight loss to people who saw me regularly enough to notice but who weren't close enough for me to tell about my surgery. The stigma of medical intervention for weight loss is dissipating with the rise of GLP-1s and its widespread acceptance, so I doubt this would even be a challenge for me if I were to do it again today. One more thought about GLP-1s: my BMI was the bare minimum required by my insurance for the sleeve. Had GLP-1s been available and affordable for me at the time, I would have tried that before having surgery and I'm confident it would have worked. How do I know? I'm currently on a low dose of Wegovy. I gained about 20 lbs between my 4- and 6-year surgeon visits and knew I would be unsuccessful reversing this trend on my own. I began Wegovy 6 months ago, dropped the 20 pounds, and am now on a maintenance dose. Things to consider between the sleeve and the drug: -- How quickly do you want to lose the weight? I dropped 70+ pounds in 5 months after the sleeve, and 20 pounds in 6 months on the drugs. They work, but take longer. -- Can you afford the drugs? And can you afford them for life? I'm fortunate that my insurance covers them for a modest co-pay. But even if I lose coverage, I'm already back at goal weight and thanks to the sleeve I do not expect to gain more than 5 lbs a year. At this point I could probably take it every few years or so for maintenance. No, you can't go back on the surgery. But barring complications - which are unfortunate, but also rare - I can't imagine that you would regret it. Good luck!

It took a while for my husband to get used to the new, smaller Girls, but he still loves them! The absolute best part of it for me is being able to wear bras that don't have an underwire. Didn't realize how miserable the wire was until I got rid of it. Whew!

Good luck!

It has been almost 2 years since my surgery and I am still cold quite often, but I've gotten used to it. In the summer, I'm the one wearing a light jacket or long sleeves at night (outside) while my friends are in tanks. Over time, I've found it's mostly my hands that stay cold -- and living in an old, 1800s-era house doesn't help. This winter, I bought arthritis gloves to wear while I'm working from home. They are nice fitting with the fingers cut out so that I can type and do most activities. They have really helped, and my husband says I look like a badass wearing them. I'll take it!

First, a rave. I'm about two months post-op and down almost 40 pounds. I started weight training at a new subscription gym called The Exercise Coach and love it. My weight loss is quite noticeable and I get plenty of compliments. I'm down two sizes. I like looking in the mirror again. I am being patient; I know this is a journey. While the stalls are annoying, I know that it's part of the process. I don't freak out if I go up a few pounds; I know that my body is fickle and still adjusting. I haven't vomited or gotten the "foamies." I had no complications from surgery. I poop regularly. I haven't had any hair loss. Overall, I feel like everything is going exactly as it should. Now, the rant. I really, really miss eating a full meal. The kind where you have a variety of foods on your plate. By the time I get all of my protein in my new tiny tummy is too full for anything else. Sometimes I supplement with a protein drink or shake just so I can skip (or limit) the protein at my dinnertime meal and add a small amount of salad or veggies. I always thought I loved to cook, but now I realize that what I really loved was EATING what I cooked. I still cook for my husband, but it's become a chore instead of a joy. He will have a steak, potato and salad while I eat from a small plate containing only tuna, or salmon, or turkey, etc. He is a simple eater -- easy to please -- so I no longer get creative with meals because I don't get to enjoy the finished product. I used to plan meals in advance, shop for fresh ingredients, prepare them with precision, and present them beautifully. I also really miss restaurants. My husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday this week, and all I really want is to go to a nice restaurant and order some fresh seafood and a glass of good wine. But I didn't propose this because I don't want to order a fabulous meal and only eat ⅛ of it, and not drink. I don't really miss drinking alcohol, but I do miss having a good glass of wine occasionally. Thanks for listening. I feel like I can't share these feelings with my husband because this was my choice -- and this is my journey. I don't want him to think I have any regrets, because truly I don't.

As a woman who HATES to shop for the obvious reasons (nothing fits, crying in the fitting room, trying to find tops that I think hide my fat belly but in reality do not, etc.), in my four weeks post surgery I find myself longing to shop. I regularly go onto the websites of stores in my local mall to look at all of the cute things I know I will be buying and wearing soon. I picture the day I can walk through the mall, see something cute in the window or on the rack, try it on and IT FITS!!! I'm not there yet physically, but mentally I am ready to be a shopoholic. I haven't been fat my whole life, or even for a whole decade. Before the surgery, I went through my closet and got rid of all of my current-size clothes that were out of season, and held onto a few in-season things to get me through these first few months of summer. The rest of my closet is filled with all of my "skinny" clothes that I haven't been able to wear for 5-7 years. I have a nice progression of sizes that will last through the summer. By fall I will plan to start buying consignment shop clothes to get me through until I hit goal. Then, look out mall... here I come...!

The same thing happened to me. I went in for my EGD about a month before the surgery and the anesthesiologist came in, introduced herself, looked at my chart and said, "You're too skinny for this surgery!" I was a 36 BMI with one co-morbidity. I was already super stressed out about the EGD (but not the surgery itself). A childhood friend of mine had an EGD prior to WLS three years ago, something went horribly wrong and she lost oxygen for 6+ minutes. She is now in a persistent vegetative state. I told my surgeon and the nurses about stress as a result of this story, and they were very comforting and supportive. Then in walks the anesthesiologist...! I was pissed, but didn't feel like I was in a position to complain at that moment, since the procedure was starting in 5 mins. But after the fact, I told my surgeon about it. He was truly shocked and apologetic, and promised to say something to her directly. I did not follow up with him, but now I plan to when I see him for my 6-week post-op visit.

At 22 pounds, a lot of people started asking me if I had gotten my hair cut. ***I HAD NOT!*** LOL. They notice something different but haven't figured out it's my weight. Still wearing the same clothes. I could probably go down a size but my incisions are still healing and I prefer a loose fit for now. I'm still only 3 weeks post-op. HW: 192; SW: 180; CW: 167.

I have a Saatva bed with adjustable base. It was a game changer after surgery, and still very nice to have. I went from bed to recliner to bed. Lying flat wasn't fun, comfortable or easy.

My doctor recommended walking 10 mins of every hour for the first 6 weeks. He will not clear me for exercise until my 6-week appointment.

Now for the physical part... I have six incisions -- five on my belly (sleeve) and one just below my left breast (hiatal hernia repair). All were closed using surgical glue. It's a purple glue, so it looks like I'm completely bruised up in those areas but I'm not. Five of the six are fine, no pain, no itching. One of them, and I presume it was the one where most of the surgical activity took place, is sore as hell. Burns, stings, very uncomfortable. There are no signs of infection, and when I called the doctor he said it was just the nerve endings expressing their discomfort at being severed. I am using lidocaine patches (Icy Hot) around the incision but not on the incision itself. It helps some. I also wear an abdominal binder. It keeps anything from rubbing the sites, but it starts to annoy the skin after a while so I am taking it off every few hours and letting my belly hang out to breathe. I can walk easily with no assistance, and getting in and out of chairs, bed, is easier each day. I have to remember to use my legs and elbows for leverage. Stairs are not a problem. But the more I walk, the more that one incision bothers me and I must lie down without moving for 10-15 mins before it goes away. Other than that, I feel pretty good. No vomiting or dumping. I had my first BM this morning with no issues. A little gas here and there, but not as much as I had expected. I'm not getting enough sleep. I stopped the prescription pain meds and just use liquid Tylenol (PM at bedtime) and the anti-cramping pills. When it wears off, I wake up. I usually fall asleep on my back, then shift to a side or stomach position. I can't do that now, so I stay awake and try to nap during the day to make up sleep.

One thing I like about Unjury protein is that they have a chicken broth flavor. I'm not big on sweets, and this is my favorite drink of the day. It feels like I am having a real meal. I got my first supply at my doctor's office, and will be reordering online at https://www.unjury.com.

I added up all of my calories in my pre-op diet, during which I used milk as a mixer for two of the three protein shakes, plus the pudding. It was 900 calories / day and 125 g. protein / day. I promise I was not hungry. I lost 9 pounds in 13 days (doctor expected a 7-lb. loss). I split it up like this: Wake-up time to 11:30-ish a.m. - one to two bottles of water (16-32 oz.) Noon-ish - ½ cup oatmeal, 1 protein shake with milk 12:30-3 p.m. - one to two bottles of water (16-32 oz.) 3 p.m. - ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 protein shake with water 3-7 p.m. - two to three bottles of water (32-48 oz.) 7 p.m. - 1 cup soup, 1 cup veggies, 1 tbsp. fat-free dressing, ½ cup pudding 7-10 p.m. - two to three bottles of water (32-48 oz.) 10 p.m. - ½ cup yogurt, 1 protein shake with milk This worked great for me and my lifestyle. By spreading it out and drinking a gallon+ of water daily, I wasn't hungry or tempted to cheat. I tried to stop drinking water after 10 p.m. as there was a lot of getting up during the night to pee.

Pretty well. It stayed down, so that's good! I started with cream of wheat; it was OK. Then I tried a tuna pouch pureed with a bit of fat-free mayo and some pickle juice. It was yummy but I could only handle about ¾ of a tablespoon. Next up was fat-free, lactose-free yogurt (Siggi's brand); it was the easiest by far. I ate a whole tablespoon. All of the above made me feel full. I had to cut my protein shakes down to 4 oz. from 8 oz. I find that broth (fat-free, low sodium) gives me a fuller feeling than water and is easier for my stomach to handle than water (not sure why). I am struggling to get enough water/clear liquids in a day. My doc says 48-64 oz. but I've managed at best only 32 oz. in one day. Today (Day 4) is going a bit better so I'm hopeful I get in at least 48 oz.

I am also lactose intolerant. I am using Unjury protein powder, which is lactose free, along with fat-free, lactose free milk as a mixer. It is funny how doctors and dietitians can be so different in their opinions. My doctor strongly discouraged us from using Premier Protein, which was my go-to drink prior to this process. He recommends only using protein powders or shakes that list the first ingredient as "Whey Protein Isolate" or "Soy Protein Isolate." We were told to avoid at all times any protein that was a blend (even if isolate was in the blend), a protein matrix, whey protein concentrate (like Premier Protein), or milk protein isolate. A summary of the differences is at this link: https://www.gainful.com/blog/protein-powder/whey-protein-isolate-or-concentrate/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwocPnBRDFARIsAJJcf95GNTrsZ4U5PomYTJlidflVb3sn2D16sB_T_7s4DCHuQcIsNuVYMKYaAhhpEALw_wcB

Thank you! I was lucky not to suffer from severe gas pains.

No, both the surgeon and the nurses just said to walk as much as you possibly can. I don't get too far at one time before the pain starts to kick in, so I try to do mini-walks throughout the day. According to my doctor, the "no bumps no lumps" stage is the pureed foods. For me that phase is Day 3 to 20 post-op. Today I plan to puree some tuna with fat-free mayo in my food processor. I am not allowed to have more than 2 oz. of food at one time. My recommended meal plan for the day is below. It's only my first day on the puree, so we will see how it goes. 4 tbsp. c. cream of wheat 10-12 oz. water 1 protein shake 10-12 oz. water 2 tbsp. pureed tuna with fat-free mayo 2 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce 10-12 oz. water 1 protein shake 10-12 oz. water 2 tbsp. pureed chicken 2 tbsp. pureed green beans 10-12 oz. water 2 tbsp. low-fat cottage cheese

Prior to my surgery, I had to attend one general informational session, one support group, one psychological assessment, got clearances from a heart doctor, a pulmonologist, and my PCP, and attended a 3-hour seminar on what to eat during each phase of the process. I started my pre-op diet on May 15, and follow the diet to a "T" -- twelve days of the following (no more, no less): 1 cup low-fat soup (cream or tomato) 1 cup veggies (carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, or iceberg lettuce), with optional 1-2 tbsp fat-free dressing ½ cup of each of the following: sugar-free pudding, sugar-free applesauce, fat-free yogurt, and oatmeal. 3 protein shakes 48-64 oz. water The doctor said the pre-op diet was to reduce the fat around my liver, but it had some great psychological benefits as well. I savored every bite I took, took my time to eat and enjoy it, used smaller utensils and plates. Surprisingly this filled me up, thanks to the protein shakes and yogurt. I went to a restaurant with family and ordered only water, I brought my own meals to barbecues with friends and did not cheat once. It felt very empowering! Also a bit frustrating as my friends tried to push their food on me -- "Are you sure you don't want to try this? It's really good. One bite won't mess up your diet." I sat there very happy with my soup and salad, and finally shut them up by asking if they wanted to try my delicious iceberg lettuce and cream of tomato soup. The final day of pre-op (the day before surgery) was clear liquids only. I drank a gallon+ of water, and ate about 4 sugar-free jello cups. I did go to bed hungry that night but happy to do so because I knew what was coming next. My husband and I are avid boaters with lots of friends in the boating community who we spend most evenings and weekends with. Two days before my surgery, we had 7 of my girlfriends on our boat and one of them took a group photo. There they all were looking cute in their bikinis, and there I was looking fat and frumpy in my t-shirt and jean shorts. Any nerves or qualms I felt about the surgery were instantly gone when I saw the photo. I was ready! The surgery itself on May 28 went well. It took about 2 hours, and my surgeon also repaired a hiatal hernia. I did have one problem in the recovery room. Apparently my body can't handle opioids very well, and every time I pushed the pump for more pain medicine I would fall asleep and then quit breathing. I had a dedicated nurse who was closely monitoring this. She quickly contacted my surgeon who recommended a dose of Narcan to reverse the effects of the opioids, and then ordered only manual doses of pain meds. If it weren't for the constant care of the recovery nurse, it could have been a bad situation. I spent one night in the hospital, where they encouraged me to walk the halls, and even refused to discharge me until I did so. I took and passed a second leak test the 2nd day. They sent me home with an abdominal binder (#gamechanger), a pill crusher, and prescriptions for pain, nausea, cramps, and reflux. I have 6 purple incisions on my belly -- they aren't bruised, the glue they used is purple. It feels like a scab, and will fall off on their own in 1-2 weeks. I am up and walking around, even up and down stairs, although more than about 8 minutes at a time is exhausting and painful. But each time gets easier. Tomorrow I start the puree phase of my post-op diet. Protein shakes, applesauce, pudding, cream of wheat, yogurt. Nothing with anything but a smooth consistency, so I can puree canned fruits & veggies, fish, etc. Twenty days of that, then on to soft foods. At 6 weeks I will no longer have restrictions but plan to eat most of the same (eggs, fish, lean chicken, veggies, etc.). Thanks to everyone here who have shared their stories, challenges and victories. It really has been helpful for me, and I'm sure many others.

I am scheduled May 29. One more appt with the surgeon, then a seminar on pre- and post-surgery diets. Had an EGD last week.