groovygal

Had my 2 week post-op appointment today with my surgeon. All is well, healing nicely- although I CANNOT WAIT to be done with liquids. Still on liquids (2 weeks pre-op and 3 weeks post-op) Next week I can start a few things like mashed avocado, eggs & cottage cheese. Hooray! How are you doing fellow Marchers?

19 hours ago, MikeP81 said:

Hello everyone. New to the Forum. 39 yo male.

I had gastric sleeve surgery yesterday March 29th and am home today. Not as bad as I thought. Swallowing is still a real shock to the system. Even with just Water. I used to chug Water and this is a definite challenge.

Presurgery weight was 329. I'm 5'10. I had lost 45 pounds dating back to october before the surgery including 2 week liquid diet . Looking forward to these new challenges and the opportunities they bring.

Welcome @MikeP81! Congratulations & hope your healing goes well. For me things got a lot better after the first 48 hrs. Wishing that for you too!

On 3/25/2021 at 10:27 PM, Rosie_flips said:

Thanks for the details @groovygal! I’m glad to hear you’re doing well. My surgery is at 9 am and the say to expect to be discharged around 7pm. Were you able to drink at all that first day, or was it all IV fluids?

They had me sipping Water before I left the hospital (plus IV fluids) I hope your surgery goes well! (can't remember your date?)

On 03/20/2021 at 05:31, WanderingHeart said:

My naturopath recommended Garth Davis as a resource, but I’m struggling with the idea of being 100% plant-based. We buy organic/grass fed meat from small farms and I’m okay with it - we are not huge meat eaters anyways. Anyone strive for a balance? I’m starting my pre-op diet in a week and I ordered Pirq and Iconic, one is plant based Protein Drink and the other is grass fed.

I’m similar to you @wanderingheart. Not a huge meat eater, veer towards lacto-ovo vegetarian 80% of the time and trying to figure out how best to get my Protein in once I’m off the liquid diet & eating real food. *can’t wait!*

On 3/18/2021 at 1:11 PM, JustJazzy said:

Glad you’re home and not doing so bad. I’m being released today they made me drink 24oz of Water in order to be released. I have one more 8oz bottle of Water left.

@JustJazzy How are you doing? I've been MIA from here, just recovering and sip sip sipping away.... I hope you are feeling well!

On 3/18/2021 at 12:00 PM, Rosie_flips said:

I hope you’re resting well! If you have the capacity/want to would you be able to share a bit about what your experience was like as an outpatient? My clinic also does the sleeve as an outpatient procedure as standard.

@Rosie_flips I was nervous to have it done outpatient, but honestly it has gone really smoothly. My surgical team set me up with IV hydration at my house the day after surgery, thank god because that first 24-48 hrs I was really struggling to get fluids in. I ended up scheduling another hydration appointment with that nurse the next day just to be proactive, and I think that was a good decision because the next day when I woke up I felt I had really turned a corner (day 3 post op)

They also were very proactive with nausea meds and I never had any nausea that I can remember. Apparently I vomited in post-op but I don't remember.

Here's how my outpatient surgery went-

• Checked into the hospital @3p
• Pre-op stuff 3-5p
• Surgery at 5:30p
• Post-Op 6:30p ish to 10:30p ish. They kept me several hours with IV fluids, got me up and walking, tried to get me to pee, but I couldn't. Discharged with orders to come back to the hospital if I hadn't peed in 6 hours. which didn't end up being an issue.
• Home and in bed by 11:30p. I didn't think I would be able to sleep in my bed, but I did just fine, propped up on pillows a bit.

Hope this helps with anyone who is looking at having outpatient surgery. My insurance required it due to COVID, and I was nervous- but 8 days post op I'm doing really well.

On 03/18/2021 at 05:46, JustJazzy said:

Hey guys! Just wanted to check in surgery was yesterday they also had to repair a hernia I didn’t know I had. Not in much pain but sore as hell. @groovygal how are you ?

Doing pretty good. My surgery was outpatient so they sent me home last night at 11p. Trying to get these gas bubbles out is no joke. No pain yet except for that, and some soreness on y upper abdomen. (Also had hiatal hernia repair)

I’ll check in again later- so sleepy!

On 03/16/2021 at 10:03, LoveSimcha said:

Wishing you and @groovygal lots of luck!

Thank you @loveSimcha! 😍😍 How’s your recovery going?

On 03/16/2021 at 09:56, JustJazzy said:

Hey Twin!!! I got the time I have to be there @12pm which isn’t the late wanted earlier tho but no complaints. Praying for us to have a safe surgery with no complications and speedy recovery.

Drat- sorry it’s not earlier, but thinking of you and sending prayers and good wishes for all to go well. Let me know how you are in the next few days if you’re up for it & I will as well. I’ve been a little anxious and just feeling off today. Looking forward to being on the other side of this! Hugs to you! 🥰

On 03/14/2021 at 12:38, JustJazzy said:

Heyyy! I still haven’t received my time yet surgeon said hospital will call me Monday with the time. 5pm? And you won’t be able to all day. Ugh! I’m hoping I get an AM surgery! You ready? My emotions are all over the place!

Did you hear anything today @justjazzy? I got my Covid test done this morning.

Thinking of you Chantrella- I hope you are starting to feel a bit better and your recovery is smooth sailing from here for you! Sending you allll the healing vibes & good wishes. Let us know how you are, when you are up to it.

Hooray! I am almost at the end of my pre-op liquid diet, and honestly the first few days were hard but it has gotten easier by the day. You've got this newyorklady20!

Good luck to you Jnfinney! I'm sure the nerves are all over the place. I'm a few days behind you and I'll be feeling similar most likely. Deep breaths and try to remember why you've gone through all the steps so far. Happy thoughts for a calm & quick day tomorrow for you.

3 hours ago, SistaSha said:

I am scheduled for 3/22 Gastric Sleeve. I have been on a high Protein, low carb pre-op for one week, as prescribed by doctor,

I have Chronic Kidney Disease, Stage 3a, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and family history of cardiovascular disease. Currently, I am 22 pounds down from my absolute highest weight, and 15 pounds higher than my lowest weight. I reached my low right before COVID and regained those 15 pounds over the past year.

I also turned 70 during this past COVID year, however, I do not feel, act or look like an old person. I work full time and am active with my 5 grandchildren. I'm hoping that my comorbidities will disappear and that I can live as long as my role model: my 96 year old beautiful, smart, and graceful mother who is loved by her 7 great-grand-children.

Nice to meet you, @Sistasha! ♥️ Best of luck to you.

On 3/11/2021 at 5:19 AM, Jennie4315 said:

Hey everyone my liquid diet starts March 16th please let me know what worked for You guys

Hey Jennie4315- I'm on day 12 of my 14 day pre-op liquid diet. I probably overdid it with shopping before hand, but I know myself enough to know I would get bored & it's good to have choices!

Who knows what our tastebuds will like after surgery, but here are the things that have worked for me pre-op. (My program includes 2 Protein Shakes a day, unlimited Clear Liquids including sugar-free/decaf things like herbal tea and gatorade zero, and popsicles.

Things I bought and have enjoyed:

• Simply Asia Soy Ginger chicken broth
• Miso paste to make miso broth
• All the Better than bouillon flavors esp. the sautéed onion & veggie ones. These are concentrates you add Water to, and they have more depth of flavor to me than the boxed broths. I like that you can easily make them stronger or weaker by adjusting how much you add.
• Ginger lemon tea, Mint Tea, Lavender Mint tea
• Isopure infusions Tropical Punch (mix it up and let it sit a bit to get rid of the froth)
• Lemonade Crystal light (good mixed into the tropical punch for a change of pace)
• Protein20 infused water Harvest Grape (also tried the mixed berry but didn't like it as well)
• Gatorade Zero
• Isopure Zero Carb Protein (unflavored) Have added it to broth & smoothies with good results
• Pre-Made shakes Premier Protein chocolate (really good added to Decaf iced coffee which helps thin it out)
• Levels Pure Chocolate Protein Powder (I like that it has minimal ingredients, (5?) all recognizable and is less sweet than others)
• sugar free popsicles just having something to sort of chew is fantastic!
• Decaf Starbucks Via instant coffee packets- to add to chocolate shakes for a change of pace. Really yummy with ice & blended, sort of like a mocha milkshake.
• Insulated Blender Bottle (got mine on Amazon) works great for mixing up things like the tropical punch and then I let it sit in the fridge to settle down and it stays cold for a long time once I drink it.

Things I bought that didn't work for me:

• Fairlife Chocolate pre-made shakes (weird aftertaste to me, but I like the consistency- not sure if it's a bad batch?)
• Chicken Bone Broths (tried Pacific foods, Swanson, Kirkland) Not my favorite, I have to add things to them to get them down.
• Jello cups. They are good, but haven't satisfied the "ooh I feel like I'm actually eating something" wish.

Hope this helps a bit, you've got this! Good luck with your liquids & surgery.

On 03/14/2021 at 12:38, JustJazzy said:

Heyyy! I still haven’t received my time yet surgeon said hospital will call me Monday with the time. 5pm? And you won’t be able to all day. Ugh! I’m hoping I get an AM surgery! You ready? My emotions are all over the place!

I hope you get an a.m. time too! I can drink Clear Liquids up until 2p, so that won’t be too bad- it’s just the waiting... I’d rather wake up and go! I’m ready- and same as you, emotions all a jumble. Keep me posted on how it goes for you! 😍😍

On 03/12/2021 at 05:01, JustJazzy said:

3rd week Marchers we’re up next!! March 17th for me and I’m so nervous , anxious and excited to start the next phase! Just want to wish everyone who goes this week coming an successful procedure and speedy recovery! WE GOT THIS! On to a better version of ourselves.

Hooray! Can you believe it’s almost time? Thinking of you my surgery twin @JustJazzy! What time are you scheduled for on the 17th? I’m at 5p- which is the latest surgery I’ve ever had. Seems weird. But I wasn’t about to question it once I finally got my date! Haha.

On 03/11/2021 at 05:37, Chantrella said:

😢 I don’t even get a puréed food stage.

Me either @chantrella. My plan is all liquid for 3 weeks post surgery. What’s your plan look like? (I’m halfway through my 2 week pre op liquid diet and I can’t imagine 3 more weeks of it at this point. 🤦‍♀️)

On 02/06/2021 at 21:54, LoveSimcha said:

Hi - I am new to the site. My sleeve surgery is scheduled for March 10th. Anyone else here set for March? I am super anxious but also looking forward to it. I had a lap band in 2009 and a slip in 2014 that required removal. Curious as to what your pre-op diet looks like. I am on partial liquids now and full liquids for two weeks before the surgery.

Nice to meet everyone!

Thinking of you & everyone else having surgery today @LoveSimcha 😍

How are you feeling today @ShoppGirl? Just was reading your update and wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you & sending healing vibes your way! (I’m scheduled for the 17th)

On 03/05/2021 at 14:24, JustJazzy said:

I’m on day 3 of pre op diet and I’m starving as well. Lol I’m just excited and ready for the next phase of this journey

Same. I think we are the same day @justjazzy? Today is day 4 of my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. So far so good until my family asks what there is to eat. Haha.

Wish I had thought to meal prep a bit better for them during this 2 weeks- I was so focused on what to get for my liquid diet. 😂 I think if I cook for them it will make the liquid diet even harder to stick to!

On 02/26/2021 at 20:20, Lane McCormack said:

I’m the 1st at 12:30. The nerves, excitement and energy are very high right now. Not much longer. I’ve lost 20lbs on pre-op. Love having all of the posts to read and learn from each day

Thinking of you today! Hope everything went well for you. 😍

Love this- thanks for sharing, I’m going to try it!

On 02/19/2021 at 18:31, LoveSimcha said:

Dates are coming up for us! I am so anxious nervous excited - all rolled into one lol

Same! (Mine is a week after yours.) Somewhat nervous with all the unknowns that come with this, but excited too. This past year has been a long waiting game doing all the requirements and now that I have a date things are speeding by. 😂

Just found out today that mine is scheduled for March 17. 🎉🎉