vikingbeast

The hospital will give you a robe but I should warn you it will be HUGE.
I took to the hospital a small bag with:
a pair of chanclas/flip-flops/thongs/jandals/whatever you call them, for walking around a spare pair of chonies (TRUST NO FARTS) my phone and a charger my reading glasses (for signing check-in paperwork) chapstick and Biotene spray a book (which I never touched, I was so tired I couldn't focus on text) a chaplet/rosary (which I never touched, didn't even have a chance to count back from 10 for anesthesia) my CPAP mask (which I never touched, I didn't stay overnight) my ID, insurance, and Covid vax card, all of which were inspected a spare t-shirt from the 'fat' pile so that I wasn't stretching fabric across my incisions I also, thanks to this site, took a flat pillow with me, so that after surgery I put it on my belly and didn't have to buckle the seatbelt across my new incisions.
The hospital will provide your liquid diet for the time you stay there; mine was Soup so salty it tasted like licking a bouillon cube, weird diet cranberry juice, some thick vegetable gruel that was disgusting, and Water.

If you drink coffee or eat a lot of sweets, now's the time to start weaning yourself off them so you aren't having to deal with caffeine and sugar withdrawal in addition to the pre-op diet. Hint for the caffeine withdrawal, if you can, eat a small bit of a chile pepper (I used chile serrano, they're hotter than jalapeños) and it'll jolt you awake. It won't help the headache, though.

Don't freak out. There could be a host of reasons why you gained two pounds. Maybe your food's extra salty. Maybe you're under a lot of stress. Maybe it's almost time for the monthly visitor.

But do track EVERYTHING. Download MyFitnessPal or MyMacros+ or Baritastic and log LITERALLY EVERYTHING you put in your mouth BEFORE you put it in your mouth. Including Water. Including coffee. Including the sugar and cream in your coffee. Including the oil you cook in. Including Salad Dressing.

Weigh things out—don't look at a piece of chicken and say well that's gotta be three ounces, get a $15 scale off Amazon or at Walmart and weigh it out. If you can't figure out how to track it, don't eat it. (You'll need to do this at some point after surgery anyway.)

Start "auditioning" Protein Shakes and Protein waters. You'll be surprised how full they make you even pre-surgery, and most are 150-200 calories and give you anywhere from 20-40 g of protein. Start by substituting one meal with the protein shakes. Once you're past that, substitute another meal with a Protein Shake (add a little salad or something with just a spoonful of dressing if you're still hungry).

Drink a cup of water before you eat if you're prone to binging so your stomach's fuller.

You got this. It'll come off and your surgeon will say, yep, you're good to go.

If you drink coffee or eat a lot of sweets, now's the time to start weaning yourself off them so you aren't having to deal with caffeine and sugar withdrawal in addition to the pre-op diet. Hint for the caffeine withdrawal, if you can, eat a small bit of a chile pepper (I used chile serrano, they're hotter than jalapeños) and it'll jolt you awake. It won't help the headache, though.

Don't freak out. There could be a host of reasons why you gained two pounds. Maybe your food's extra salty. Maybe you're under a lot of stress. Maybe it's almost time for the monthly visitor.

But do track EVERYTHING. Download MyFitnessPal or MyMacros+ or Baritastic and log LITERALLY EVERYTHING you put in your mouth BEFORE you put it in your mouth. Including Water. Including coffee. Including the sugar and cream in your coffee. Including the oil you cook in. Including Salad Dressing.

Weigh things out—don't look at a piece of chicken and say well that's gotta be three ounces, get a $15 scale off Amazon or at Walmart and weigh it out. If you can't figure out how to track it, don't eat it. (You'll need to do this at some point after surgery anyway.)

Start "auditioning" Protein Shakes and Protein waters. You'll be surprised how full they make you even pre-surgery, and most are 150-200 calories and give you anywhere from 20-40 g of protein. Start by substituting one meal with the protein shakes. Once you're past that, substitute another meal with a Protein Shake (add a little salad or something with just a spoonful of dressing if you're still hungry).

Drink a cup of water before you eat if you're prone to binging so your stomach's fuller.

You got this. It'll come off and your surgeon will say, yep, you're good to go.

I lost 75lbs starting in January 2021, then started my pre op liquid diet last week and lost another 9 for a total of 84. I've got one more week to go! My goal is 180, which would still be a bit overweight but was a thin as I've ever been so it's a long ways to go

The gas pains are so annoying but they do get better over time. I’m four days out and definitely still have it sometimes. One thing (sorry if TMI) is that the gas pains get less bad once you have a bowel movement. It took three DAYS for that to happen and I immediately get better and had way less gas.
The “foamies” I get when I consume too fast. I forgot to sip yesterday and chugged probably 3-4 oz. of Water and was in agony for probably an hour.
The hunger pangs are the worst, it feels like my stomach is literally twisting itself like a wet washcloth. I made Protein Jello (orange sugar free Gelatin with half a scoop of whey protein isolate dissolved in the cold water used for the gelatin) for when I absolutely can’t hack the “grinding”. The big packet of Jello makes 8 portion cups and I usually eat about half a portion cup, so a whopping 8 cal. It helps a lot.
I haven’t weighed myself yet today (doing it every day for the first two weeks per doctor’s suggestion—“you’re gonna wanna see the numbers”, then weekly after that) but yesterday morning I was 9.6 down from surgery weight in three days. I know that won’t last but some of these are numbers I haven’t seen in a decade, I already had to size down in my favorite Carhartt shorts, and had to throw out the larger size chonies because they were starting to hang off me.

My blood pressure the day before surgery on two BP meds was 145/85. My PCP took me off the one with the water pill as of the day after surgery and last night when I checked, my BP was 123/68 on one med!! I am STUNNED how fast that happened. Almost like my body is like “YES let’s get this done, pitter patter!”
Energy level is coming back, but am still weak. I walk 5k every day at least and once the incisions heal and I feel like I can sweat safely I’ll start running.
Day after surgery was the absolute worst and then it’s a dramatic improvement. Already the best decision I ever made for my body. It’s really amazing to think, “This is the last time I’m ever gonna see this d**n number on that scale.”

I just had it and while I felt hungry yesterday, today I can't even look at food. If it stays this way I'm gonna be a thin as a rake in no time at all.

This exactly. My PCP actually had me take my BP med with the integrated Water pill the day after surgery. It helped get the Fluid out and I peed like a racehorse that day… and immediately felt better.

This, honestly. After surgery I definitely thought "wtf did I do to my body." But I'm on day 5 and today was a pretty good day pain and sensation wise.
Vikingbeast, congrats on feeling good.

Yes. Right away. Everything tastes extra salty and everything with sucralose tastes like an oil refinery. I switched from Protein2O to Isopure which is better.

My family had salmon one night and it smelled absolutely disgusting. They had burgers another night which smelled good but it was so weird to feel my brain go, “Huh. Burgers. Nah.”

I was shopping at costco today and walked up to a display of down vest type jackets. There was a woman looking at them as well. As I was digging through the pile she said “Oh, I already looked-they’re out of smalls in all colors”. Even two years post op it surprised and delighted me to have a stranger look at me and assess me as a size small. It made my day 😊

Surgery 8weeks

wow, sounds like you're doing fantastic!
I'm 6 days post op and down 11lbs my start weight was 251.4 and today's is 240 on the dot! my weird burps are gone and all body parts are back to working they way they should except the soreness from the incisions, I'm able to keep up with my protein and water and Vitamins. sleep is much better in my recliner (once I find a comfy spot.) I feel like everything is going well now, those first few days are sure rocky but I feel so much better than I did!
Its a crazy journey but well worth it!

congrats thats so awesome! On my surgery date I was 251.5 and I am 6 days out and down to 240 on the dot! I haven't experienced hunger pains yet or maybe I have? I'm not sure what they would feel like now? My gas is much better and I'm getting around much easier now. I found a comfy position to sleep so I feel like I'm into a good groove today 😊

Thanks! This is the first day I'm back on my computer. I am slowly feeling less pain, although it's still more pain that I expected (whoever described this as "discomfort" was either joking or a masochist). It hurts unless I am lying down. I have more hunger than I expected and I'm taking the omeprazole as directed. I finally had a BM after a week!!! It took four different types of laxatives. My surgery was Monday and I took my last opiod on Thursday. I think I took three total after coming home from the hospital.

It happened right after surgery for me. Everything tasted too sweet or salty. All flavors and smells seemed to be exaggerated. Protein Shakes absolutely had to be watered down, I would skip adding salt in my food. I can’t handle the smell of eggs. The change is still in effect for me (almost 4 yrs later)

Yes. Right away. Everything tastes extra salty and everything with sucralose tastes like an oil refinery. I switched from Protein2O to Isopure which is better.

My family had salmon one night and it smelled absolutely disgusting. They had burgers another night which smelled good but it was so weird to feel my brain go, “Huh. Burgers. Nah.”

Yes. Right away. Everything tastes extra salty and everything with sucralose tastes like an oil refinery. I switched from Protein2O to Isopure which is better.

My family had salmon one night and it smelled absolutely disgusting. They had burgers another night which smelled good but it was so weird to feel my brain go, “Huh. Burgers. Nah.”

Update:
Getting much easier to deal with. My energy levels are coming back though I’m still as weak as a newborn kitten.

Gas pains got a lot better, especially once I finally had a BM. I think it was backing up in there—take your Dulcolax or Miralax or milk of magnesia religiously!

I do get grinding hunger pangs that feel like my stomach is literally twisting on itself. I made some Protein Jello (big box of orange sugar free Jello plus half a scoop of vanilla whey protein = creamsicle) for when I can’t handle the pains. They pass quickly but are debilitating. 8 cal of protein jello and I can sort of stave them off.

I walk one minute every 15 minutes plus 5k a day which takes about 40-45 minutes. I’ll start running once I feel like I can sweat safely.

scale victory: down 9.6 lbs. in three days.

NSV: Had to size down in shorts and throw out unders that are too big. Also my BP went from 145/85 with two meds a day before surgery to 123/68 with one med three days out.

Thank you for the breakdown. It's nice to have an idea of what to expect.

Congrats!!! Everything is going well, I do have hunger pains, but I'm sticking to the script!! Protein & Water an ounce every 15 min! On the bright side already down 12lbs! How awesome is that! Fastest I've ever lost weight in my life 🤣! What about you how much have you lost?

I lost 30 pounds and four inches off my waist in 4 months (before even thinking about WLS) doing CrossFit, which is basically HIIT plus strength training. I can't speak for post-op progress since my surgery is this coming Tuesday, but honestly, I love the strength I feel from HIIT and strength training. And it will speed your body recomp.

Make sure you're taking measurements and not just using the scale as a guide—muscle does weigh more than fat and so the weight loss might "stall" but the fat loss is still going.

I gained 6 lbs overnight from the fluids they put into me. But I've also been peeing like a racehorse.

Just stick to the plan.

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.)

So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle."

Day before surgery
Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon Jello. Got about 830 calories in.
Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery".
Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses.
Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia).

Day of surgery
Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way.
A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV.
My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up.
My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours.
I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep.
Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me Water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée Soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something.
I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything).
Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived.
When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of Protein Shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable.

Day 1 post-op
My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower Protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided.
Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters!
Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of Fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra Protein Powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me.
I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise.
I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).