momof3_angels

Worst case scenario? Get a hotel somewhere in the middle if you get too tired from driving. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I did a 7 1/2 hour drive at 3 weeks post op. I was fine to drive or sit as a passenger... but I was tired for other activities. Pack protein shakes and water. Stop and stretch as needed. We didn't need to stop too many times. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Congrats! There are some ladies on youtube who discuss pregnancy after WLS, Don't know how useful their info is... but you might want to check it out. Honestly, I would talk with your nutritionist. I am sure s/he can guide to to what to eat to promote a healthy baby... but not ruin your WLS. Your bariatric vitamins should have you covered as far as prenatal needs.. but your nutritionist can verify that as well.

Stats: Starting: 226.8 Surgery: 205.7 (I think... it was 205. something Today: 187.3 All wounds are fully healed. I noticed the last 2-1 days I haven't had ANY pain (including that weird sharp pain by the main incision site that would sometimes hurt if I did something stressful to it by accident). So far I haven't thrown up at all. This past week I started walking laps around my neighborhood lake (which is about a mile). I have done 2 laps every day, with 1 day adding a mile to walk home from the lake, and yesterday I did the 2 laps TWICE in the same day (early AM and at sunset). Starting to pick up my speed too. It takes me an average of 20 minutes which is great. That is closer to what I used to do. I am technically on the soft stage of my diet until day 36 (this is day 28). BUT... I saw the nutritionist today. She was very proud of my progress. I have been worried that I haven't been meeting my water goal, but she is sure I am there if you include the water in the foods I eat. She loves the way I am doing my meals. She said I can pretty much try to eat anything that I want to try (sticking to the high protein/low carb/low fat guidelines). Guess that means I am beyond the soft diet early... if I tolerate it. She commented that "I am ahead the curve" with my diet and weight loss. They consider a BMI of 29 or lower to be a success... and I am already almost there. But I intend to get a lot lower than that. Anyhow, feeling pretty good. Pants are less tight. Shirts are much looser. Had to buy smaller bras. Bought smaller sneakers and workout clothes. Holding off on "work" clothes until closer to next month when I actually go back to work. Doc gave me a full 8 weeks, but I actually am getting 9 because of a work-wide vacation next week (I work for a school district and we have an October Break... and I guess it doesn't count when taking sick leave). On Sunday I have to drive to CA from AZ... my daughter is scheduled to perform at Disney CA Adventure... so I HAVE to go to a theme park lol. Not sure how my energy will hold up. I am feeling pretty good this week (FINALLY), but I do still get tired. I thought I had a hotel right next to the Mickey Mouse parking garage shuttle, but they rerouted pedestrian traffic so it is too far to walk when tired. Changed hotels to one across the street from another parking lot tram... but it will be much further away so I don't know if I will want to take so much time to go back and rest mid-day. Still, it is an option. It is just my daughter and myself going... but I can let her go with another family if I do need to leave the park (her dance team is performing together, but forming their own family/friend groups as desired the rest of the time). Also need to figure out what I am going to eat while there. I scheduled reservations for early dinner, so that we have INDOOR reserved seating to allow me to rest for a while. I think I can have soup or a caprese salad appetizer in the one place, and chili the other day/place. Or just pick off my daughters plate but she didn't like the thought of me doing that lol. Now I have to figure out what the heck I am going to eat the rest of the time at the park! The hotel has scrambled egg and sausage for breakfast, so that will work. I know I will have a protein shake each day (but have to keep it cold or I won't drink it). Dinner as I said is covered... but then I have 2-3 other snack/meals to worry about. It will also be interesting to see what ride I can go on and tolerate. I think I will be fine for most of them... but do worry about the few that are kind of jerky (indiana Jones etc) or super fast (wonder how that will make my stomach feel?). I really want to participate as much as I can, I just hope I get through this trip without setting myself back. I would rather not go right now... but this trip has been planned for a year.

I told my husband to bring my chocolate premier protein shakes to work for a patient of his. It is just too much for me now. I can drink the vanilla OK though. But I did see my nutritionist today. She suggested putting crushed ice in all my drinks and in my protein shakes and sip on them longer. I think that might help me with thinning out the chocolate shake.

In terms of the fluids... don't worry too much, they go through you. I can drink quite fast... but I can't eat more than 4 ounces of anything. When I do eat 4 oz, it is something with fluid in it (like soup/chili). I can't eat that much of solid food. I am one month post op. Dr. Vuong (youtube bariatric surgeon guru) says it is natural for your body to feel hunger. It is not natural to feel full. Makes sense when you think about it. Fight the urge to overeat. It is OK to feel hunger. And I am still not sure if what I am feeling is hunger or just my stomach still churning a bit after surgery. Seems like both feel pretty similar. Look the doc up on youtube... he has some great videos. I like him so much I bought some of his cookbooks and gastric sleeve info books.

I have 2 goals. 1st is the doctors goal. He said I should be able to get down to 160. I was 226.8 when I first say him and 205 the day of surgery. I am 5'4". I think 160 is way too high and I am certain I can get below that now that I have this new tool. My goal is 135. For BMI... I could go well below that, but I look too thin if I am less than 130. 135 was my healthy weight 10 years ago. Hoping to get close to that. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have to take a vitamin every day with the sleeve as well... plus extra calcium. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I prefer the sleeve as I don't want my plumbing completely rerouted. The sleeve is a more straight forward removal of a large portion of the stomach. Bypass does that but reorganizes your gift track so it works differently. If I had a lit more weight to lose I would have to co sider the bypass... but the sleeve should do the trick for me. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Take measurements once a month. I record them in the bariastic app... since today is Oct 1 I did my measurements a couple days shy of 4 weeks post op (so I can just do it the 1st of every month). I lost a total of 17 inches throughout my body! Didn't realize I had lost that much. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had glue as well and at 3 weeks I could see my incisions were closed well... so I just washed and gently peeled it off. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

And yesterday I bought some workout clothes without trying them on. I bought them in large which is a size smaller. When I put them on when I got home, the form fitting ones not only fit.... but my daughter who is always hypercritical of me (she is 15) said that I looked really good in them! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

19 days post op. Since May 20, I have lost 33.8 pounds. I can already start my abdomen is less bloated, although I haven't quite yet dropped a pants size yet. My clothes are looser, but when I go down a size they are still too snug. But... this morning I put on the flip flop style sandals that I have been wearing for about 6 months regularly and they are TOO BIG! They are totally too loose and I could easily go down at least half a size in them. I am so glad this happened today, because I was getting ready to buy a new pair of walking shoes. When I am heavy I wear an 8.5, but when I am skinny I wear 7.5-8 (that is where I was 8 years ago). I will probably have to go with an 8 today since I am not down to my 7.5 size yet. Anyhow, it is those little victories that get us through this, right?

I am 3 weeks and 5 days out. I have lost 16.8 pounds so far. Quite good since I started with a lower BMI. I have had 2 single days where I didn't drop... but then I drop a little more the next day. But I have a feeling my first stall will come soon.

LOL... I just ordered 2 bras for the smaller cup size! BOO! I knew they would be the first to go for me. They always are. Went from a 40C to 38B. Just under 4 weeks post op, but also 4 months total of weight loss. By the end of weight loss... assuming I get close to where I really want to be... I will be an A cup.

Blood thinner probably! I didn't have to have it post op at home, but I did get two doses in the hospital. Once pre-op, one the next day. I still have very faint bruising left in those 2 spots 3 1/2 weeks later! Almost gone though. And yes, they go in the fatty part of the belly with a tiny needle. Not as intimidating as most shots! Have you ever seen an insulin needle? More along those terms instead of the big shots/longer needles that people are used to seeing and receiving.

I am 3 weeks and 4 days post op. Just the last couple days I have started walking laps around our little lake. Each lap is close to a mile. First lap is starting to get easy. 2nd lap is a bit more work. If I walk beyond the two laps I am wiped out. I have also been cleaning around the house. I have to take frequent breaks. As for going back to the gym? Nowhere near ready. Plus my doc doesn't want me lifting anything over 10 pounds for a full 8 weeks. I mostly am following that rule, but with housework... sometimes stretching or raising my arms high (like to put something on a high shelf) cause pain at the main incision site still. I would love to do Pilates, but there is way too much I wouldn't be able to do yet. I AM considering trying water aerobics (at my own pace). I am off work for around 5 more weeks, and have never been able to go before. Not sure if I will be able for participate fully with that or not.

Mushy and pure foods were pretty easy. It is the soft foods that are a little more scary but I am doing fine with most everything I have tried. Not that I have tried much lol. Ground beef can be a but tricky but I can eat it in small amounts/small pieces. 23 days post op Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

The general pain subsided around a week or so after surgery. That said, I do still get a sharp pain above my main incision site every now and then when I do something it doesn't like. It does help to wear the binder when I am more active... but I don't wear it all day. What really bothers me is my achy back. Not sure if it started because of positioning on the surgical table... but it still bugs me. I know I am protecting my abdomen so that still plays a part in it. I only took pain medicine for the first 5-6 days. After that I once in a while take liquid tylenol. I did take 1 dose of the pain medicine last week on a trip. I have one dose left I am saving for next weekend when I will be very busy. Just a thought... my doc did prescribe a muscle relaxant and that did help me fall asleep. I can sleep on my back, my left side, or stomach... but if I sleep on my right side it positions my main incision funny and it might hurt. I am 23 days post op. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctor put me on protronix Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Just curious if there are things that you were either 1) glad you brought with to the hospital or 2) you wish you had thought to bring to the hospital. Or heck, anything you brought that was a total waste to bring lol My surgery is on Wed Sep 4th and I want to be prepared! I don't want to bring anything more than I need (plus as a nurse I know how much personal stuff can get in the way lol). I have to bring my CPAP, so that is a given. And my inhaler if I can find it (never use it lol). I will wear a loose comfy shirt and pants to/from the hospital and obviously bring clean underwear. I am sure I will want my own brush and toothbrush (going to forgo most toiletries since it is only an overnight stay). A decent pair of shoes to walk the halls in (thinking crocs because they are easy). I read someone comment that they were glad they had a pillow for the car ride home to hold against their belly, and will probably want to use it in the hospital (hate hospital pillows). Maybe I will have hubby put a blanket in the car too for the long ride home (oh wait, it is going to be 100 degrees, so maybe not lol). I know I will want my phone after surgery (hubby can hold it during surgery). The obvious: Insurance card (in hubbies wallet). Did you need your picture ID? I assume I will get a call about that this weekend from the hospital. Wasn't really planning to bring much else... but am I forgetting anything I should have? Kind of sad right now... they mentioned they might move me to September 3rd due to a cancellation, but it is Friday afternoon on a holiday weekend. If they haven't moved me already, I doubt it is getting moved! I call the hospital on Tuesday afternoon for the exact time I need to be at the hospital on Wednesday. Anxious to get this over and done with!

Hang in there! The first couple weeks are rough, but each day gets a little better. I am 19 days out. Don't hurt most days, but then I do something and the main incision site hurts bad. Rest and it goes away. I think I am having more back pain from protecting my abdomen than anything else. And my energy level still stinks, but steadily improving. Keep working to improve your fluid intake and moving around.

I think my belching in the hospital was minimal, but the more I walked the more I released Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 12 days post op and it is mostly cleared up... although I still burp and pass gas sometimes throughout the day. Not too bad. Now my burping is more associated with intake of fluids and food. Especially when I am filling up more. Now stomach spasms are still all day long. Don't really hurt, but continuous gurgles at times. Main incision pain is mostly subsided too... only hurts once in a while Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

How long did it take you after surgery to start really figuring out if you are hungry or full? What signals did your body give you? I am 12 days post op and still trying to figure this out. I mean, my tummy is gurgly all the time, but I don't think it is hunger gurgles. At least not most of the time. Most of the day I really don't care if I don't put ANYTHING in my stomach, which I know is normal. And then when I do eat, there isn't really anything thick going into my stomach yet... so I am never quite sure when to stop trying to put something in? 4 oz of fluid, be it water, both, cream soup, or protein shakes go in fairly fast. Probably too fast. But then when I have tried a few thicker purees (mashed potatos, scrambled egg), I am only taking a couple bites and I stop, because I don't want to overdo it. I mean, sometimes I can tell when I am full... burping/hiccoughing/pressure, but sometimes I burp or hiccough with the first sip or two of water and then I can keep going. I haven't figured out which signals really mean something (other than the pressure). Is this just something I am having trouble with because I am barely in purees? Will it get better with soft foods? Or should I already be figuring this out now?