smund

Hi everyone! I had VSG surgery two and a half years ago (Feb 2020)
I'm finding that there are days (most days) when I feel like I am my best, strongest, healthiest self and then sometimes there's a day or two where I'm the most frail, delicate, exhausted, fussiest critter in the world because of my VSG needs. Is this pretty normal, do you think?
Sometimes navigating "new normal" things really frustrate me and make me feel like I am weaker because I have different needs than a "normie" does.
I get to drink all of that Water, again. Not enough water= confusion from dehydration which is REAL.
It seems like it gets hard when the differences post VSG are really obvious: my boss pointed out that I didn't each much at a lunch, because she thought I was nervous- so I disclosed my surgery to her privately and then she understood, or a stranger will comment on how strange it is when I am waiting 30 minutes to drink water before/after a meal. These are usually people that didn't know me when I was obese, so I get it, it's a little out of the ordinary to strangers. But I deal with it. And then I go to an outdoor festival and there is a no outside food policy and I'm left with eating half of a greasy burger patty with my bare hands, no, I don't want the fries or the bun, thanks- but because no forks either, for some reason- but Protein, is protein. These are things that *I* have gotten used to, but sometimes they are still incredibly frustrating. (Venue got an email with some suggestions!)
Anyway, do y'all need some bariatric friends, so we can have safety in numbers? Because I am yet to encounter someone who openly eats like me in the wild. It's not really that disruptive all the time, but there are times when I'm just like...... WTF did I do to myself? (and why didn't I do it sooner?!)

No negativity from me, really. I have no regrets. I just wish I had people to help me navigate!

Hi there! It's nice that you have so many people wanting to do such nice things for you! Maybe try and distract them- I don't need food, I'm on a particular post op diet, but you could pick me up the new book by whoever/or the new movie/or stop by and take a little recovery walk with me?
Congrats on being on this side of the surgery!
That first holiday can be a little rough, but knowing it will be different helps you plan for that. My Mom literally sent us a 7 lb. cinnamon roll cake for the first holidays after my surgery. No joke. I was really firm in explaining that I wasn't going to accept these type of gifts from her going forward and we were able to get rid of it. Even knowing that I had the surgery, she still sent this(?!) it helped when my nutritionist pointed out that this kind of thing says more about the gifter than the recipient (truth!)

Half the holiday will be putting food on your plate and moving it around. That's part of the social aspect of the holidays + food. Don't worry about everyone and what they're thinking- just take the food and toss it (or give it to someone else as you can) Put things in your napkin. The good news is that at holiday gatherings, we tend to move around a lot to socialize, so you're not usually at one table with one person, so they don't get the opportunity to super judge your plate. Most people won't notice or care, but you'll wind up with one person who just wants to be extra special about it all. Bring some Snacks and things you CAN eat easily for yourself or to share with everyone else if it's a potluck.
People didn't really notice the weight loss on me until I got to the 40+ lbs. mark. Then the comments started (but so did the compliments!) As I got further along, I felt braver (I originally planned to tell no one except immediate in my home family) and was able to tell extended family, a few friends (lost a few, but whatever- again, it's a reflection of THEM) and a few strangers like neighbors who got really needle-y about what was wrong with me/how I was doing it.
The first time I was in a restaurant and said "xyz.......because I'm a bariatric patient." I thought my poor hubby was going to fall over!

Let me know if you need anything!

Thank you - those were very helpful suggestions and advice. I know that people mean well (usually) when they offer comfort food. If the show up unannounced I graciously accept and put it in the fridge for later “when I’m feeling up to it” and then share with family or neighbors. I thank them and tell them how delicious it was (based on whoever ate it’s comments) and let them know how much I appreciate it.

I’m just rather private and don’t share personal things well… I probably wouldn’t have told many people if I were getting my tonsils out or something equally as benign … so need to know on this seemed natural.

It’s not until you aren’t eating as much that you realize how much of life seems to revolve around food!

Hi there! It's nice that you have so many people wanting to do such nice things for you! Maybe try and distract them- I don't need food, I'm on a particular post op diet, but you could pick me up the new book by whoever/or the new movie/or stop by and take a little recovery walk with me?
Congrats on being on this side of the surgery!
That first holiday can be a little rough, but knowing it will be different helps you plan for that. My Mom literally sent us a 7 lb. cinnamon roll cake for the first holidays after my surgery. No joke. I was really firm in explaining that I wasn't going to accept these type of gifts from her going forward and we were able to get rid of it. Even knowing that I had the surgery, she still sent this(?!) it helped when my nutritionist pointed out that this kind of thing says more about the gifter than the recipient (truth!)

Half the holiday will be putting food on your plate and moving it around. That's part of the social aspect of the holidays + food. Don't worry about everyone and what they're thinking- just take the food and toss it (or give it to someone else as you can) Put things in your napkin. The good news is that at holiday gatherings, we tend to move around a lot to socialize, so you're not usually at one table with one person, so they don't get the opportunity to super judge your plate. Most people won't notice or care, but you'll wind up with one person who just wants to be extra special about it all. Bring some Snacks and things you CAN eat easily for yourself or to share with everyone else if it's a potluck.
People didn't really notice the weight loss on me until I got to the 40+ lbs. mark. Then the comments started (but so did the compliments!) As I got further along, I felt braver (I originally planned to tell no one except immediate in my home family) and was able to tell extended family, a few friends (lost a few, but whatever- again, it's a reflection of THEM) and a few strangers like neighbors who got really needle-y about what was wrong with me/how I was doing it.
The first time I was in a restaurant and said "xyz.......because I'm a bariatric patient." I thought my poor hubby was going to fall over!

Let me know if you need anything!

I’m brand new to my sleeve but already I’m feeling what you are saying. Most people know I had a hiatal hernia repair, only very limited few know I had a sleeve done at the same time. Most people also know that I have been working with a nutritionist to try to reverse my fatty liver and that I have been eating differently even before the surgery.

Since coming home from the hospital - I keep getting calls like “how are you feeling? When you’re up to I’ll stop by with a Jello cake or cheese cake”. Or some other comfort food I couldn’t have had even if I had not been sleeved. Or even offering to bring me a meal. Which is very sweet … but then I need to explain that I’m on a limited diet for a few weeks while I heal and they understand - but they don’t get.

I’m nervous about going forward. I’ll be back to a normal diet with smaller portions around the holidays… and I’m scared silly how to navigate those gatherings. That aunt that always comments about your eating (too much or not enough). Hopefully I will have lost a noticeable amount of weight by then - to which that same aunt will be over the top about noticing.

I may still be too new to have the “what have I done moment”… I certainly wish I had done it sooner.

I’m not sure how I can help - but I’m here if you need moral support!

Best of luck. I have no doubt that we’ve got this!

yeah, I thought about that,too. I need to feed my husband and daughter, too and I don't want to be a short order cook forever. I would much rather make one meal and just have a small portion. I miss that normalcy.

I'm home. I had a terrible time with nausea and vomiting. I was seriously composing a goodbye letter to my family. Two teeth broken during intubation. will have to worry about that next week. stiff and sore shoulder but better in fits and starts

@smund - so sorry to hear about your struggles. Things will get better. I hope they can repair your teeth easily. I didn’t even know it was a possibility until the surgeon told me about 20 minutes before surgery.

Best of luck!

Good luck tomorrow! If it helps, I had very little pain; I had opiates in the recovery room, but then Tylenol and Motrin via IV; Went home the next day on just Tylenol; by 4th post op day not even Tylenol. A little stiff, but if you try to get up and move a bit every hour even that is nothing.

Crying grateful tears. Thank you.

I had my VSG on 2/14. I remember being in pain when I first woke up but then they adjusted my meds and I was fine in like 5 minutes. Seriously. The rest of the time at the hospital and the first few days I just felt stiff but it didn’t really hurt. I think the best I could describe it is the way you may feel the day after you do some crunches. I took pain meds the first 3 days I was home just to help sleep because my doctor told me that I should take them preventatively. I think that helped a lot.
I would also suggest trying to drink as much liquids as possible for the rest of the day until your cutoff time, especially with some salt like the gateroade or broth. The more hydrated your body is today, the easier your recovery will be tomorrow.

Hang in there you are soooo close! We are rooting for you 👍🏼

Hang in there. I've had a sleeve and a revision to RNY and both times pain control was very effective. I wouldn't worry about the pain.

I'm scheduled for sleeve on 02/26. I am feeling ALL of the feels right now. Mostly I'm ready.
I could use some friends as I'm not really telling people about my surgery. I was approved back in November, but I got that notification the same day I got a new job offer so I asked to wait to schedule anything until I got settled into my new position.
I lost a lot of weight a few years ago when I took phentermine. I am looking forward to losing weight, keeping it off and not being a jittery rage monster like I was on the drugs. Also: weight came back fast.
All of my preop appointments and labs are done. I just need to make sure I don't get sick between now and then. I am super stressed about that.
I start pre-op diet on 02/12. I'm working on eliminating coffee right now- I'm told no coffee for six months post op.
I'm down to four ounces or less per day, but giving it up entirely is proving to be really, really hard. I'm planning to take three weeks off post op.

Hey. Welcome and congratulations! I'm scheduled for the 19th. I'm with you on the feelings!! So many thoughts and worries and everything. But I really believe that we are making the best decision! Good luck!

Mine is February 27th as well, but in Tijuana. My insurance doesn’t cover it...

We have the same surgery date! Congrats.

I’m just ready to heal. My energy level is good. I was able to eat a chew multi Vitamin and kept it down. Day three, just feeling uncomfortable, not really a lot of pain. Just sore. Today I ate Isopure, chicken noodle Soup broth, lots of Water sips. My body is definitely healing and I’m not as Leary feeling today as I was day one, thank God. Also, walked three flights of stairs day two to get into my apt. I was shocked that it wasn’t that bad.

I'm 2 days post op. Just removed my drain today, and I got broth. That seemed to be a big deal. So, YAY! I did my barium swallow, and saw my tiny stomach. The surgeon said it was "pretty". I have a taken a shower, and I feel a solid ok. Yesterday was a little rough. I could not hold down fluids very well, and my IV infiltrated. I didn't walk enough. I did not have enough fluids, but today I seem on the up and up. I leave tomorrow morning to go back home. I am going to take it nice and easy. Lets get ready to SLENDERIZE!!!!

Mine is February 18th

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm scheduled for the sleeve on 2/20, my PreOp appointment is today! I understand exactly where you ate coming from, as I am not telling anyone other than my husband and mother. It's nice to see all the people on here sharing their stories and tips. It's even good to read about the struggles,we'll all have some! Good luck to you on this adventure!

I'm scheduled for sleeve on 02/26. I am feeling ALL of the feels right now. Mostly I'm ready.
I could use some friends as I'm not really telling people about my surgery. I was approved back in November, but I got that notification the same day I got a new job offer so I asked to wait to schedule anything until I got settled into my new position.
I lost a lot of weight a few years ago when I took phentermine. I am looking forward to losing weight, keeping it off and not being a jittery rage monster like I was on the drugs. Also: weight came back fast.
All of my preop appointments and labs are done. I just need to make sure I don't get sick between now and then. I am super stressed about that.
I start pre-op diet on 02/12. I'm working on eliminating coffee right now- I'm told no coffee for six months post op.
I'm down to four ounces or less per day, but giving it up entirely is proving to be really, really hard. I'm planning to take three weeks off post op.