303nursemom

I live in Colorado and do a lot of hiking. Just did a 2 day backpacking trip and had no issues getting enough food and Water. I’m about 11 months post sleeve though, and can eat pretty normally (just smaller volumes). I packed cheese sticks, beef Jerky, nuts & dried fruit, Protein Bar, dehydrated backpacker meal, and oatmeal (I could handle handle 1/2 cup oatmeal around 2 -3 month mark). I definitely wasn’t as high protein/low carb as I normally am, but with the increased activity level it was warranted. I also used a Camelback for water and had a filter to refill it from the river. Hiking this summer has been so much better than the last couple of years due to my weight loss. I have a lot more energy and endurance. Enjoy! You will do great!

On 6/19/2020 at 10:16 AM, Taylor.. said:

Thank you for taking the time to give me some great suggestions! I am also curious to hear from people that started out around 200lbs or know someone who has so I can get my expectations in check about how much I may actually lose. I would love to lose 80-100 lbs but I'm not sure that is realistic

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Welcome! I also debated this surgery for years before pulling the trigger and I definitely regret not doing it sooner. My stats: 40 yo F, 5’3” SW 205. CW 144, sleeved 8/27/19, so I am almost 10 months out. I lost most of my weight in the first 6 months, around 50 lbs, then my weight loss slowed. I am currently at 144 lbs and feel great, but I am still pushing to lose another 10-15 lbs. While this forum can be very informative and a great source of support and motivation, I do recommend trying not to compare your weight loss with others. We all lose at different rates and may have stalls at different times, but if you stick to your program you will be successful! Best of luck with your journey!!!!

I also only told my spouse, parents, and a few close friends. I’ve heard through the grapevine that some of my coworkers have speculated that I got a lap band (I was actually sleeved), but no one has flat out asked me to my face. Other neighbors/friends have commented on my weight loss, but haven’t questioned it. They do know I am seeing a personal trainer, so they see I am working out hard and watching what I eat. I think at this point I would be comfortable discussing it with a coworker/neighbor/friend if they brought it up to me. What I didn’t want was to hear all the opinions and judgement before hand. It’s a very personal decision and nobody’s business but your own.

I started Pilates 6 months prior to my surgery (Sleeved August 2019) and it has really helped decrease my back pain and strengthen my core! I love it! It’s great that it’s low impact but still so tough and such a muscle builder. Indirectly I think it has helped me with weight loss since improving my core strength and decreasing my back pain allows me to work out harder without aggravating the pain. I run, hike, and cross country ski again, which I wasn’t able to do this time last year. I only do Pilates once a week right now, and my trainer recommends at least twice a week for better results, but there is only so much time (and money).........

I think your kids are young enough they won’t necessarily know you are doing anything different, unless you make a bid deal of it. I didn’t tell my 6 and 8 year olds I was having the surgery and honestly, they were both pretty oblivious to the fact I wasn’t eating the same way. After the first month I was able to start eating family meals again. So a relatively short period of time that you will have limited food choices. After you are cleared to advance your diet, focus on modeling healthy food choices and behaviors for your kids. I do exactly what catwoman7 recommended. I stick to Protein and produce, and they get an added carb in. I LOVE what you said about “emphasizing strength and soul over beauty and thinness”.
I also focus on words like healthy, strong, and fit, and avoid words like skinny, fat, diet, and weight loss.

(I thought my long response via private message made more sense than public forum, but it’s weird it won’t go through!)

It was my first time going under general anesthesia and I was really nervous too. I had c-sections with my kids, but I just had a spinal so I was awake. I don’t remember much, but I remember rolling into the OR, then my next memory was when they were transporting me to my room after the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). I don’t remember my PACU stay at all, so hopefully I behaved! 🤣
I understand wanting to keep it private. I only told close family and a couple of my closest friends about the surgery. I didn’t want to hear everyone’s opinions, so I stuck with telling only those I knew would be supportive. Maybe in time I will share with more people.

That’s great you met with Geof! And it is a really nice option to be able to bring your baby. You are so brave! A new mom and a major life change. Pretty cool that your baby won’t remember this process though, and will just know the healthy new you! My kids are 7 & 8 and it was a bit tricky trying to decide what to tell them.

Oh, congrats! That will be here so soon! I’m so excited for you! I have been working out with Geof. It is pricey, but I really needed to make that investment in myself. I’ve cut costs other ways since surgery (less food costs/not eating out, stopped buying Starbucks, No beer/wine, etc). I was too intimidated to try it on my own in a big box gym. Plus, I really needed that motivation. I won’t miss a session with him because I am paying good money, lol. It’s easier to skip out on a workout if I don’t have someone holding me accountable. Geof is knowledgeable about both weight training/exercise and weight loss surgery/nutrition. He seems to know when to push me and when my body needs a break. I plan to continue 2x week with him in January, then cut back to 1x week and start trying some strength training on my own now that I am feeling stronger and more confident (October was my first month working out with him).

On 12/20/2019 at 10:00 AM, sarahSingh91 said:

Awesome!! How was your recovery? How is your weight loss? Do you go to any support groups?

Recovery was easier than I expected! I was pretty tired for about 3 weeks, but after I was able to get in more calories and Protein I started feeling much better. I have lost about 50 lbs (I will be 4 months out on 12/27) and my BMI has dropped from 36 to 27.5. I feel so much stronger and much more energetic. I work out twice a week with a personal trainer to help gain muscle mass, and then another 2-3 x a week on my own. I haven’t done any of the support groups, but I feel like as I get further out they may be helpful to remind me of my why and to keep bad habits from creeping back in my life. Do you have a surgery date set yet?

I had surgery with Dr.Weaver at the same practice as Dr.Synder this past August and had a great experience. Dr.Synder has been around quite awhile and is well respected. It’s a pretty well organized program (minus some billing issues I am still dealing with, but no fault of the providers). Hilary, the nutritionist, is really kind and knowledgeable. Elaine, the NP you follow after surgery, is also great. Rose provided top notch care too. I had a one night stay and fairly easy recovery. You’ll be in good hands with their program!

Hi all! August 27th post sleeve here. I love reading everyone’s updates and can relate to many of the successes and challenges. I have lost about 50 lbs since surgery and my BMI has dropped from 36 to 28. Even better, I exercise consistently and feel strong and more energetic! The reason I decided to post today is because I slipped up for the first time and ate more than I should have in a sitting. I paid for it by getting sick and vomiting almost immediately. I am pretty disappointed in myself, but trying to get past it and move forward. I still have so many goals, I need to stay on track!

I definitely feel more restriction with solid foods, but can still easily eat 3-4 oz of them at a time at just over 2 months out. I am strict about measuring so I don’t go over this amount, even if I don’t feel “full”. I also haven’t found any foods I can’t tolerate yet, including raw veggies. I’m thinking I may just have a larger capacity pouch??? I was planning to talk to my surgeon about it at my 3 month post op. In the meantime, I am sticking to my plan and losing weight, although slowly these past few weeks. Even though I feel hunger and can tolerate more then others at this stage, my cravings for food is drastically less which I am thankful for! Good luck to you! I felt like things got much easier when I was able to start on solids. (SW 205, CW 167)

18 minutes ago, antodd said:

I was sleeved 10/11 and have felt the same way...like I can tolerate more than everyone else. I am three weeks post op today. did you end up feeling more restriction with solid foods?

I had my sleeve on 8/27 and also stalled between 4-6 weeks. My weight fluctuated up and down a few pounds during this time (likely Water weight). My weight loss has started again and yours will too! Keep getting your water and Protein in, and walk a lot. Also, stay off the scale for a few days if you can. Hang in there!

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Thanks for this post! I can also eat 3-4 ounces of soft foods comfortably. I was sleeved on 8/27, so not even 3 weeks out yet! I don’t feel restriction or discomfort with this quantity, and 2 oz just doesn’t fill me up. I feel like this is more than a lot of people can tolerate at this stage though, which makes me nervous. I do feel more restriction when eating scrambled egg whites, and can only do 1-2 ounces at a time, so I’m hoping when I am able to start more solids I feel the restriction more.

I think that’s great your surgeon is following ERAS protocols! That means they are up to date on current Bariatric surgery research and want the best outcomes for their patients. I would encourage you to ask about medications they plan to use pre-surgery and intraop too though (narcotic, non-narcotic, Long acting local “numbing” medicine). That’s a big part of helping to limit narcotics post op. Hopefully your surgeon can alleviate some of your concerns when you speak to them about it. Best wishes for a successful surgery and smooth recovery!

I was sleeved on the 27th and feel the same way. My hunger started a few days post op. I am forcing down the Water and Protein Shakes as I am suppose to, but I am counting the days until I can at least start soft, puréed foods. It’s been an emotional week for me, and I have had periods of doubt and regret, but I am hopeful this will change as I get further out in my recovery. I keep reminding myself my WHY, which helps a little. Hang in there!

Congrats to all the August sleevers! I was also sleeved on the 27th! I spent one night in the hospital and am home tolerating fluids and thankfully no nausea so far. My abdomen/incisions don’t really hurt, but I woke up with severe hip pain. I could barely stand. The pain meds have helped, but I wasn’t expecting hip pain to be my biggest complaint! Now to get through the one week on clears and Protein Shakes only.......

On 8/10/2019 at 3:45 PM, MinnieSD said:

Thank you, the pain has subsided, it feels now like it’s actually coming from my hips. I have been walking about much more today which has also helped, I will see how I feel in the morning and if no better will be going back to the hospital.

How are you doing? Did your pain resolve on its own? I had my sleeve 2 days ago and woke up this morning with severe hip pain on both sides. I could barely stand! My stomach pain is almost nonexistent however. I was not expecting this hip pain and am not sure if I should give it time, or call my doctor today.

8 hours ago, momof3_angels said:

I just did my pre-op nutrition session and was given some instructions that totally caught me off guard. I am to do my pre-op diet up to the day before surgery (OK, no surprise here). Then the evening before surgery I am to drink 32oz of either apple juice, cranberry juice (or the two mixed), or regular gatorade: FULL SUGAR. Then 2-4 hours before surgery I am to drink 16 more oz! Being a nurse this is totally foreign to me. I was "raised" in a world where you are ALWAYS NPO before surgery. They are not worried about the fluids because they pump your stomach when the are starting surgery, so it is empty anyway when surgery actually starts. That is reassuring. The reason they ARE doing it is because they are finding they have better post op results when they "fluid and carb load" prior to surgery. This does make sense. Afterall, we have a history of dehydrating people just before surgery, and we will dehydrate as it is after surgery, so why not hydrate a little longer. And also makes sense with the sugar. Just surprised to hear this and was wondering if other docs have started doing this as well for VSG.

That is interesting! Sounds like your surgeon is using ERAS protocols (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery), a more modern evidence- based way of approaching surgery that emphasizes early nutrition and ambulation, non narcotic pain medications, and helps improve patient outcomes and decrease hospital length of stay. Google ERAS if you want to learn more! Carb loading (via a clear drink) pre-op is a huge part of it. I am a PACU nurse and we have ERAS protocols for colorectal, GYN, and pancreatectomy surgeries, but aren’t doing it with WLS yet. Pretty cool!

Thanks for sharing your journey. One of my biggest fears is going through this surgery (and cost since I am self pay) and not being successful in the long run. I don’t have great advice for you since I haven’t even had my surgery, but I do hope you are able to reset your body and mind and find the success you are looking for. I have seen “pouch reset” topics posted here before, but they may not solve the challenges behind emotional eating. Best of luck to you! I’m rooting for you!

On 4/29/2019 at 12:30 AM, big_ange said:

So the reason I choose 8-2-19

Was because I'm an out doors kinda guy.. I love my fishing and taking dips in the lake.. my son turns 2 in April and I want to enjoy his day.. If I do it early I feel like I would get dehydrated with this central California heat and get to miss out on a lot of fishing and swimming with my little one

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Good luck with your surgery! Thinking of you and excited to hear how it goes!

23 hours ago, AppyMoe said:

Just got my surgery date last week. I'm having surgery on August 27th! My husband is going in the week before, on Aug 20Th. It's such a relief to see the day in sight! We have been jumping through hoops and dealing with delays since the beginning of January.

I am August 27th too! I wish it was earlier, but I am excited to hear how things go for the rest of the August group. Where is your surgery? I am in Denver, CO.

This is a great topic! I struggled with this as well, but my kids are only 6 and 8. I have told them I’m having surgery for my health, less back pain, and to help me be able to do more with them. They haven’t asked for anything more specific, but as they get older I will share more with them if they ask. The only question I got from them is “will I be able to jump on the trampoline with them after my surgery?” 😄