Choose to Lose

Hello! I had my gastric sleeve on 12/01. Overall, things are going well! When I woke up from my anesthesia, I am pretty sure I was half delirious and obnoxious, but I only remember bits and pieces. The first night was pretty tough. The first time they got me up to walk, I was overcome with nausea and thought I would pass out, only made it a few steps. BUT, after that, it was very good progress and soon I was walking all the way down the hall and back. I have not had to take any nausea medicine since being home, and I only take Tylenol for pain rather than the prescription opioid they gave me. Also taking anti-blood clot injections twice a day, and oxygen at night. At home, I have been good at hitting my liquid goals. The protein goal was a little harder for me, and I had to work my way up to hitting it for the first time yesterday. Each day the pain gets a little better. This morning I was able to sleep on my side for the first time in a week, which felt wonderful, since I'm not really a back sleeper. My stomach wounds look pretty gnarly. There is one that is indented into my fat, and I now call it my second belly button! Haha. One weird side effect is that my hands suddenly looked 20 years older. The skin was all wrinkly and loose. I put some firming cream on them, and they are doing better now. All I can think about is food. It is everywhere around me. I watch TV and see a pizza commercial. I look at the internet and see recipes. My husband cooks his dinner, and the smell is so tantalizing. I keep thinking if I could only have one bite, it would be the best bite in the world. I think I just miss the flavors since I am on liquids. Finally, I am a bit amazed and worried about how fast I am losing weight. Of course, that was the whole point of this, but I can't help but wonder if it is healthy, since it is basically starvation on a liquid diet. I am down 17 pounds in 8 days (includes the 2-days pre-op on liquid diet). Eek! I suppose it will stop or slow down soon. Well, thanks for listening to my story! Good luck to everyone else.

What does your pre-op diet consist of, and for how long?

Awesome!

Hello! What counts as fast track? I am self-pay, so I just had my initial consultation on November 4, and my surgery is scheduled on December 1. I never thought I would be doing it within a month's time. Guess that'll keep me from overstressing for too long!

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I love paper journals! It may require a little more work for calculations, but I found a cool journal called Commit30, that is set up especially for tracking meals, exercise, and whatever other stats and goals you want.

Hello! My surgery was just rescheduled from January 2021 to December 1, 2020. Now I am only a week away! I am a bit worried that every one else has 2-week special diets before the surgery, but my patient guidebook says to eat normal the week before, and I just have to be on a clear liquid diet for 2 days prior. I am also hoping that the surgery is not rescheduled last minute due to Covid. It was hard getting my shifts covered at work when the date changed to 12/01. Wish me luck!

Actually, my date just changed, and I am on December 1 now. Hoping the date doesn't change again.

I am scheduled for January 4th in Denver, CO.

It seems you are already off to a good start with your positive attitude. I wish you the best!

Congratulations! You are an inspiration.