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.

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.

Best wishes to any and all December sleevers . . . hoping your surgeries haven't been postponed due to COVID, and wishing you success on your weight loss journeys.

Children of alcoholic parents often get stuck in a care giving role of responsibility for the parent. They end up being thrust into a parental like role, which is enabling and unhealthy. You are NOT responsible for your mom, for her decisions, for her lies to the doctor, for her weight loss or lack there of, or for her long term success or failure. You are only responsible for YOU. For heavens sake, go to your OWN follow up appointments and let her go to hers. You are each on your own journeys in this. She is not going to stop drinking or smoking because of this surgery, and she may well develop complications because of that. You are not responsible for that - SHE is. She has you wrapped around her little finger. You can love your mom and wish the best for her, but you cannot live her life for her. You have one big job right now and that is to take care of YOU! Get yourself out of the house and back to college. You are putting your own success at risk by trying so hard to ensure your mom's success - but that is HER journey, not yours.
I strongly suggest you get to some Alanon meetings and learn how to be supportive without enabling, and how to take care of yourself. Please do this, or get some kind of counselling. Alcoholism is not a benign disorder. It deeply affects all members of a family in profound and damaging ways, You are on a whole new path now - a path to a healthy, long, happy life. You will be making many dietary and lifestyle changes, and I can tell you are determined to do this well and be successful. I truly believe you will achieve your goals in this. Be warned that your mom is probably going to try to undermine you, as her own progress slows down because of her compromises. You need to be as far away as possible so you can disconnect yourself from her issues. Your own life is complicated enough, and a responsible young lady like you does not need to be looking out for Mom. She is a grown up and can look out for herself and make her own choices. Please use this time to get healthy in every way - including mentally and psychologically. Some counselling regarding the alcoholic influence will be very helpful. Very best wishes to you.

Sounds like we're on the same program. I am so jealous you're almost a month before me! LOL I can't wait to hear about your experience!

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

Hey there 👋
My surgery is scheduled 12/9, I am so excited. I start my liquid diet on 11/30, literally six days from now. I don't think I have been this excited since giving birth. This is to a new me! I can't wait!

Just got the call from my VA surgeon's office and I am locked in for 12/2. The only thing stopping me now is me or my surgeon getting COVID. So happy! Day 8 of my liquid diet and I am -11 lbs. The cravings have subsided and I just have a slight general hungry feeling. The next 8 days will be tough, but I'm halfway.

Fantastic! I am dec 29th. Fingers crossed that covid doesn't delay mine.

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

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