River Moon

Hi there, Jessica. Congratulations on having your surgery! Each surgeon has specific plans they want their patients to follow, but the 2nd stage (what you are on) seems to be pretty universal. All liquids is what you should be getting in. Soups (clear broth only at this stage), shakes, sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles, and juices are all counted as your daily Fluid intake, so that helps a lot with getting in our fluids. I still have zero appetite, so I have to force myself to drink my shakes (still my most efficient way of getting in protein), and get my Protein in. If you find you're forgetting to eat, just set some timers on your phone to remind you. Also, be sure to sip Water or fluids all day a little at a time so you don't get dehydrated.
Due to not having any appetite, it took me a while to learn what full felt like in my stomach now. For me it's not that old pre-op feeling of fullness. It's now like a "ugh, ok I'm done" feeling. One sip I will feel fine. The next sip, "ugh ok, I'm done." It's so weird eating so little now, but awesome at the same time. You will eventually learn when you're body is telling you it's full. Just remember, we can only eat whatever we can eat. So, don't force anything down you feel is too much. And, of course, our surgeons and nutritionists are good friends of ours right now.
As for bloating, I felt bloated too for a good week or so after my surgery. Our bodies are still healing, and we still have gas trapped inside us from the surgery itself that adds to the bloating. sleeping can be difficult too in the beginning. For me, the gas pain was so bad that sleeping was hard. I had to prop myself up if I was in bed, or just sit up in a recliner and recline just a little in order to get comfortable. It will get better, though, I promise! It just takes time for that gas to release (gas-X chewables are amazing for that), the stomach muscles that were cut to heal, and for our bodies to adjust to the new change in lifestyle.
Edit: Also wanted to add that for the first week I was only able to get down one 11oz shake a day, and water. My nutritionist told me that was completely normal and to slowly work my way up. So don't stress yourself out if you can't get much down right now.

UPDATE:
I called the number on the $900+ bill I had by now received from the nurse anesthetist's office. They told me to call my insurance.
I called my insurance and the wonderful lady on the phone stated that since I had my surgery in a participating hospital with a participating surgeon, all other bills should have been processed as in-network, even if the particular surgical team member (the nurse anesthetist, in my case) isn't actually in-network. She stated that it looked like several different people at the insurance company had handled the charges related to my surgery and the person who handled the nurse anesthetist charge had not "realized" that the charge was related to an approved procedure in an approved hospital. (Someone wasn't being thorough in the performance of his/her duties!)
The proper pre-authorization had been obtained and all charges will be, hopefully, processed/re-processed correctly and paid as expected.
I'm so glad that I know just enough about medical billing and insurance to be able to tell when something doesn't look right, and sometimes even be able to figure out why and therefore be able to argue it effectively. I pity the people who simply pay any bill they receive. I don't think a year goes by without me having to straighten something out concerning medical billing... and I've had several different insurances over the years so it's not just one or two particular insurance companies that are the problem.

Thanks so much for your responses and kind words. It is really helpful to hear your first hand experiences!
It's reassuring to hear malabsorption issues are not so common with the sleeve and that whilst post operation depression is common it usually passes fairly quickly.
We also spoke in depth tonight with our friend who had the sleeve operation in March, and this has helped a lot too.
My wife has a consultation with a surgeon from Healthier Weight tomorrow. I think we are very close to deciding the Sleeve is the right thing to do but we'll also see a psychiatrist and make sure my wife and I are prepared as best we can be for this major change.

Welcome to the healing side of things. I am 1-week post op today and had this same issue. Just as Arabesque said, mixing them with your shake or some Soup is a great idea. My nutritionist also said using a little sugar free Jello works too. Jello essentially melts in our mouth and stomach so it's ok for phase 2. Congratulations and well wishes on your recovery.

Welcome to the healing side of things. I am 1-week post op today and had this same issue. Just as Arabesque said, mixing them with your shake or some Soup is a great idea. My nutritionist also said using a little sugar free Jello works too. Jello essentially melts in our mouth and stomach so it's ok for phase 2. Congratulations and well wishes on your recovery.

I too wasn’t sure about telling people because I was certain they’d judge me, think it was “the easy way out” or suggest things like “accept yourself, go to a gym, have you tried…” etc. My friends and family have all been supremely supportive and excited for me. My girlfriends are excited to go shopping with me in earnest (they’re straight sized and though I join them, I’m a bystander or buy shoes and accessories) and my cousins are ecstatic and so supportive. I’m so grateful.

also, who are your favorite youtubers?

I had gastric bypass on 5/7/2021. I began my weight loss journey in August 2020 when I attended my hospital’s bariatric seminar. My insurance required 6 months of diet before surgery approval.

My fist dietitian appoint was mid-October 2020. Prior to this appointment I had very little motivation to lose weight. I was 280+ pounds (5’ 7.5”) and depressed. My ankles swelled every day, I had trouble moving, none of my clothes fit well and my wedding rings didn’t fit at all. I had gone off the rails.

Between October and March 21’ I managed to lose 45 pounds. I attribute my success to my husband also taking charge of his health and being a great partner.

My packet was submitted in March and approved 1 week later. My surgery was scheduled 7 weeks form the approval to my disappointment. It was a long 7 weeks! I didn’t gain or lose weight during my wait. I was officially 237 at my pre-op appointment. I managed to lose 10 pounds prior to surgery on the liver shrink diet. I was 227 the morning of surgery
The surgery went fine. I had some nausea and dry heaving the first few hours. I was able to get Water down but not much else. The drain really caused me trouble so it was removed 12 hours later. I ended up only staying 1 night in the hospital because I was determined to get released early. I walked all the time and really kept my RN on his toes. Thankfully the doctor agreed with me that I would recover better at home. The next evening I was discharged and could sleep in my own bed. I followed the diet exactly for nearly 8 weeks. I went on a cruise with my family and 95% ate to plan. I would have a taste of dessert but let me tell you I sure paid for it. Dumping is real and it affects me. I seem to dump if I eat too fast, too much, or an item too high in sugar (hello chai tea!). I learned many lessons that week I’m thankful for. The surgery did exactly what I needed it to do- deter me.

I have had trouble with Constipation. I am taking 3 colace per day and benefiber each morning. Seems to help but my body likes to hold onto waste. I might go back to Miralax to help move things along. I’ve always had trouble in this area but now it’s more consistent.

On Saturday I hit “onederland” and weighed 199. I never thought I would get here. I weigh myself each day and I am fluctuating between 198 and 199 this week.

I have a heck of a lot more energy than I did a month ago. I am moving my body every day and using my elliptical at least 3 times a week.

I have changed sizes! Last summer I wore a 20 and now I need a 12. It blows my mind. It’s hard to describe how I feel. I can see the change but I don’t believe it’s me. People I haven’t seen in a year take a look at me and their mouth drops and tell me they didn’t recognize me or make a comment like “omg you have lost so much weight!” In a way it feels good to be validated but at the same time I hate the attention. Honestly if I didn’t lose another pound I would be happy. I am under 200 and I feel/look great! I can move without pain and I have energy. Heck I mowed the yard today! I’ve had some negative comments too- mostly from my parents- “you’re starving yourself, don’t loose too much weight, and I think you’ve lost enough” It’s painful so I don’t speak with them much.

I feel my weight loss has been slow but I remind myself how far I’ve come. 80+ pound weight loss is nothing to bat at! I’m doing a great job!

I hope to be better and update this thread monthly! Thanks for reading.

In my opinion, your money would be better spent and your health would be better.....seeing a bariatric therapist to discuss your concerns and create strategies for managing your habits if you feel you are overeating.

Congratulations!! You look fantastic!

Hey all,
This is my first time posting. Its just my husband that knows about my surgery but I wanna share it with you all because today I've reached my target weight[emoji1][emoji126] Im 7 months post op. I'm 5ft1 and weighted 15 stone before gastric bypass surgery and now today I've reached the 9 stone mark. Getting surgery was the best decision I could of ever made but the hardest thing I've ever done also. I travelled to nord bariatric clinic from Ireland to Lithuania in Dec 2020 solo. I was scared, ashamed nervous and so so miserable. I missed my kids and my husband so much for the time I was away it was scary being alone doing this but I knew I had to do this for me and for them. The first few months are a learning curve post op but honestly things get easier and you adjust. I still enjoy nice food and drink but know my limit. Having surgery has allowed me to feel like me again I feel the head demons are gone and I just feel free. Here are some before and after photos . Best of luck everyone with your journey. Its so worth it
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My surgery is July 7th. Having revision surgery from lap band to gastric sleeve. Has anyone had that procedure?

Hi everyone! First post here. My surgery is scheduled for July 7th, first thing in the morning. I'm so nervous, yet excited at the same time. I'm so ready to get my life moving in a healthier direction. 🙂

Congratulations to all the July surgery dates.

Hello everyone I’m scheduled for July 7th. I’m a little nervous.

Thank you! ☺️

Hello Everyone! My surgery is scheduled for July 7th! Getting nervous and excited :)

July 7th here!!!!

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Congrats on your surgery date.

Hi everyone! First post here. My surgery is scheduled for July 7th, first thing in the morning. I'm so nervous, yet excited at the same time. I'm so ready to get my life moving in a healthier direction. 🙂