MariaC6

I had my surgery on Thursday and today is Saturday so I’ll go with today is Day 3. Lots of gas pain last night but I was still able to sleep 3-4 hours on two separate occasions. I’m still so very puffy/swollen from the IV’s. I can tell by my feet and hands that I am holding water which might be a good thing to help combat any dehydration. So far I haven’t had any real difficulty sipping on fluids. I am taking baby sips. My goal is to have two premier protein shakes and one protein H2O today which will mean I hit my protein goal (80 grams). Since 40 ounces of that is liquid, I just need to drink one pitcher of the water cup that I took home from the hospital that measures 20 ounces of water and that will put me at 60 ounces. One thing I forgot to mention is that my left had /forearm (where my first IV went) is so swollen. They had to replace my IV because the one of my hand became infiltrated the morning after my surgery.

Well it’s my first night at home and boy am I experiencing the gas pain. Hopefully this won’t last more than a few days. Dr. Sent me home with a prescription for liquid hydrocodone but I do not take any narcotics because I tend to get very very sick taking them. For now, I’m just using liquid Tylenol which is doing a decent job.

Having my first protein shake in the hospital. I’ve noticed that for me, water goes down much easier than the shake. The shake doesn’t taste bad it just seems to make my stomach ache a little. Nurse brought me in an abdominal binder and it does seem to offer support and comfort when I’m standing or walking.

I’m less than 24 hours out and have been able to drink 20 ounces of water so far Gas pain hasn’t been too bad. If things continue well I should be able to go home today.

Well today I officially joined the losers bench. Surgery went really well and for the first time, I didn’t experience any post op nausea which I normally do even with EGD’s, my hysterectomy and my ball bladder removal. Prior to surgery they gave me Tylenol, Celebrex and Gamapentin and that combination seemed to work well for me. I’ve been sleeping off and on all day . I’ve drank about 10 ounces of Water for far and I’ve walked the halls a few times. I did ask what size sleeve I was given and the fellow for my surgeon told me a 32 French.  I don’t have any clue if that’s small or not. I will say the care here at Cleveland Clinic has been amazing so far. My husband spent the better part of the day here and he has gone home now. If everyone continues to go well, I will get to go home tomorrow. One thing- my first trip to the bathroom was well, interesting, as I had no clue I was peeing and when I stood up thinking I was done I realized I was still going and had to clean myself up some 😂.

So I’m scheduled to have my VSG on 8/27. Because I have a fatty liver, I started my pre-op liquid diet on 8/10. For the most part I have followed the diet pretty strict (mine is the true liquid diet) except I substitute an Oikos triple zero for a shake but am still getting 80 grams of protein and staying between 60-85 grams of protein a day and 650-800 calories. When I first looked into bariatric surgery back in January of 2020, my weight was 252 and I’m 5’ 8 1/2. Prior to the diet my weight was 236 (my insurance requires 6 months of nutritional visits and I did lose some weight). Now I’ve dieted off an on for over 15 years and can usually lose 20-30 lbs but it has never stayed off and I revert back to the 250 range which puts me at a BMI above 37. I have fatty liver & sleep apnea and when I made the decision to pursue bariatric surgery it was for my health. Here is my conundrum, in 11 days I have lost 10 pounds which to me is amazing so I’m now at 226lbs and a BMI around 34. Why am I now second guessing having surgery??? I know deep down the reason why I’m doing so well and sticking to the diet is because I’m terrified of having a fatty liver during surgery because of the complications (soft livers tear easily). Have any of you experienced this?

Oh I’m sure this is just pre-op jitters plus I’m well aware that I need to make as much of a permanent change as I can so I can keep this weight off long term. I might be in the minority here but I truly think I have Megarexia, and all of the sudden when I lose a little weight I think I’m good, but I know I am not and need to make the changes for my long term health.

I’m starting day 9 of my pre-op diet and have noticed already that I really don’t enjoy my cup of morning coffee like I used to as it just tastes different (and I’ve always drank it black). I’ve also noticed, what others have reported, that the shakes are tasting sweeter than in the past and this is something I really don’t like anymore. I definitely enjoy my broth more than anything else I’m eating. Funny how tastes change in just 9 days. I’ve also been struggling with insomnia the last few days. According to the internet 😅 this is likely due to being in Ketosis. Anyone else?

August 27th for me! And yes I’ve already started the liquid diet- I started it on the 10th as I have hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease). Day 3 of the preop diet was the worst for me but doing ok now.

Update, today is day 7 and I feel so much better. Day three was the worst for me- terrible headache (despite drinking a ton!). Bloating is better (I used some smooth moves tea and a Gas X). Only issue now is I’m peeing way more than I used to which is probably a good thing.

Ok what the hell, I’m three days into my pre-op liquid diet of shakes, broth and other sugar free liquids and I’m bloated! I expected to wake up thinner today (day 3 of the diet) but instead my stomach is bloated and I feel like I’m holding water. I guess it’s possible that my broth is too high sodium (I’m drinking about 16 ounces of that a day). Anyone else have this issue ? I’ve drank premier protein shakes for years now (albeit not 2-3 a day) so I don’t think it’s the whey that I’m reacting to. Thoughts? I don’t plan on weighing myself until Monday (since I started on Monday).

@perfektlynrml thank you!

As part of my pre-op requirements for my surgery (I’m having the Sleeve in August 27th) my nutritionist requires that I purchase bariatric vitamins (have my vitamins) at least two weeks prior to surgery. I did that and opted for Bariatric Fusion. I just realized that the dosage is one vitamin 4 times a day. Woah. That seems like a lot! I’m going to do my best to remember to take all 4 every day but does anyone know of a chewable that’s only once or twice a day? Thanks!

My doctor’s recommendation is to have a multivitamin with iron (at least 40-60 mg a day). I wish I didn’t need it either because of the constipation

I didn’t need a letter of medical necessity but my insurance requires 6 months of nutrition visits with weigh ins. Pre-Op testing will included a cardiac work up. I had an EGD with Bravo Insert instead of a standard EGD to rule out GERD. I also had to clear psych and everything else you have listed.

@PerezL84 good luck to you! And yes, mindset is important. I’ve decided no food funerals. I will start my 2 week liquid diet August 13th and until then, I will eat what I normally eat but I’m making a conscious effort to eat less/smaller portions. And my liquid diet is truly liquid- shakes, bone broth and jello limited to 800 calories a day. I’ve also purchased exercise equipment that will be delivered to my house about 3 weeks post op and I hope to start using at about 4 weeks post op. I started looking into WLS in January and am so thrilled that I got approved (I have BCBS of Michigan).

I just got notified yesterday of my approval (wow that was a long process as my insurance required 6 months of nutrition visits first) and my surgery date for sleeve surgery is August 27th!

I just started the process of inquiring into Bariatric Surgery even though I’ve been considering it for years. I’m 43 and have been overweight since I graduated from high school. I’m currently 5’9, 254, and my BMI is 37. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos hypothyroidism 3 years ago. I suffer from GERD and recently found out that I have high cholesterol and Hepatic Steatosis. My endocrinologist just ordered a sleep apnea test for me because she thinks I might also have that. Within the last 6 years I’ve tried every weight loss medication out there and have had some success but have always gained the weight back. Once I found out I had fatty liver disease (I had an MRI for abdominal pain) I decided I really needed to get serious and do something about my weight and my health. I know I have a food addiction and also a crappy metabolism due to my thyroid issues. So the first thing I did was contact my insurance company to see if it was a covered benefit and what the plan rules were. My insurance is BCBC of Michigan (Although I live in Ohio and it’s administered through Medical Mutual), covers bariatric surgery 100% if I have qualifying comorbidities. The insurance requires that I have tried a medically supervised diet for six months within the last 4 years (which I actually did in 2018- I was on Saxenda for 7 months and only lost 20 lbs but gained that back). Once I found out that it might be covered, I contacted 3 hospitals to inquire about bariatric surgery. (I did this in Jan. 5th). All three Hospitals have forms that you fill out on their websites after your watch a mandatory video. I guess now it’s a waiting game for the Hospitals to get back to you? One of my friends had WLS last year and she told me that it could take a few weeks before the hospitals call you back. I am very happy that I have stumbled upon this website! I have already learned so much from all of you sharing your stories.

Kind of an update I guess, apparently one of the Hospitals I contacted had contacted me right away and I didn’t realize this until yesterday when I was clearing voicemails from my cell phone (no clue how I missed this!).  Anyway, so I called the Hospital back and spoke with a Patient Navigator and she emailed me a packet of information and a packet for me to fill out which I did that same day. I really like that they seem to be on top of everything.  While we were on the phone we scheduled a tentative “surgery consultation appointment” for January 30th. I say tentative because she indicated that they will have to check my current comorbidities with my insurance since my BMI is 36.2 (I have high cholesterol but I am not on any meds and I do also have NAFLD/ Hepatic Steatosis). I am already scheduled to have a sleep apnea test done on the 22nd of this month and apparently if I do have sleep apnea, that’s a for sure comorbidity with my insurance. My Endocrinologist (who treats me for hypothyroid Hashimotos) ordered the sleep apnea test last month so that was already in the works so the timing just happened to coincide. I guess I will know shortly if the insurance will cover or not.

Update, so I received a packet from one of the Hospitals that I contact which requires me to get it filled out from a physician recommending me for the surgery. I have an appointment with my Primary Care Doctor tomorrow to discuss my decision to pursue bariatric surgery.

@danielleleigh90. That’s awesome! I did follow up with one hospital by phone to see if maybe I was missing something and was told that once someone completes the online form, they are put into a queue and will have their insurance informations checked out and then contacted to start the process. I was also told this time of year was a little busy with everyone wanting to start the new year with new goals so I’m trying to be patient. I have found that watching YouTube vlogs of those that have undergone the procedure have been very informative, especially the vlogs that are one week post op. Good luck to you and keep posting!

I have a history of stomach ulcers (in 2011 and they were resolved). Recently (November 2019) I started having stomach issues again. I had an EGD, Colonoscopy and an MRICP and was diagnosed with GERD, focal peptic duodenitis & gastric erosion (no ulcers). I am considering weight loss surgery and wonder if my current gastric issues will mean that I am not a candidate for the surgery. Anyone have any experience?

Hi JRT Mom, my first set of ulcers were related to H Pylori. This time around they tested for H Pylori but it was negative. I don’t use a lot of NSAIDS so I’m not really sure what the culprit is. I had my gallbladder removed shortly after I was told I had Ulcers in 2011 (sludge). The MRICP revealed no pancreatic or duct complications but it did reveal I have Hepatic Steatosis (non alcoholic fatty liver disease). In 43 and so finding this out was a shock & that is why I have really decided I need to do something about my weight. I’ve already been told my cholesterol was high and was diagnosed with Hashimotos Hypothyroid about 2 years ago. I will definitely make an appointment with my gastroenterologist to discuss bariatric surgery and to get his input.

Stomach Surgery. Tell them you are having stomach/digestive/health issues and need surgery. 100% accurate right?

I did Saxenda for 6 months in 2018. Only lost 20lbs and that was in the first two months then I hit a plateau. I have since gained that weight back and more. I saw my endocrinologist yesterday and am trying Qysmia. I’ve also started looking into bariatric surgery.