LookingForward22

That’s what I was expecting to feel, but instead I just keep drinking and nothing feels any different than before. I’m going to try not to stress about it. Hopefully as things heal and settle down I can get a better idea of what the restrictions are and how to work with them. I’m grateful I don’t feel hungry and that I seem to be getting fluids in ok. I just worry I’m doing something wrong that will hurt me in the long run.

I was doing pretty good at pacing myself… but that darn tomato soup was so good and went down effortlessly. The only thing I’m feeling right now is the need to adjust my abdominal binder —- every time I sit it scrunches up and hurts like a bugger. It stays I place nicely for laying down, it just does not like sitting.

Thank you. I was wondering the same thing (did they really take part of my stomach out?) I’m still drinking everything - but I can drink soup, broth, water, juice, protein drinks - all without any issue. Which is great, I suppose, no reason I can’t get my fluid intake in. I was expecting an ounce or two and I’d feel like I couldn’t take another sip. It scared me a little that I could drink so much without an issue. I need to be better at monitoring or I’ll take in too much. I’m hoping I’ll notice a difference when I move on to puréed foods next week. I’m excited for the refried beans with cheese and the protein pudding. Lol

Finally home and got that tomato soup I was craving since last week. It is fantastic! It’s odd because I’m not hungry, but I’m not noticing any restriction either? I’m still on full liquids… so does that make a difference? For those of that have had the sleeve, what does restriction feel like? I understand it is different for everyone. Thanks for your help.

Surgery was yesterday: still on clear liquids (can have full liquids when I get home if tolerated. I can’t wait for tomato soup! Lol. So far I am tolerating and keeping everything down. No nausea today … moving around well. The binder they gave me was a wonderful help. I’m still sore where the took my stomach out and in the center near my sternum - but that’s where all the work was done (hernia repair also). Meds are making me a little groggy but not horrible. I’d say I’m dealing more with discomfort than pain (though some movements are painful), but even the worst is bearable and manageable). No problems with drinking. I seem to be able to do the warm and cold liquids with no issue. Hope everyone is doing well!

Surgery update: all went well this morning. I’m in my room for an overnight stay and monitoring (standard practice). I’m having some discomfort from the gas, but manageable and my right side hurts some when I change positions - but again, manageable. I’m doing clear liquids today and if all goes well tradition to full liquids tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well. Looking forward to cheering on our successes and for everyone to have a speedy recovery!

I’ve only had built bars and the simply delish (in very limited amounts) and so far neither bothered me … but I imagine if I had enough of either it might bother me like aspartame and sucralose do. I will probably end up skipping sugar free and waiting for the purée stage. I know those popsicles won’t upset my digestive system.

I like jello … but the artificial sweeteners kill me. First the taste, then digestively. I wish I could find something without aspartame. Erythritol doesn’t seem to bother me as much - but I’m not finding popcicles made with that. The simply delish is the best of the jellos I have found - but pricy. I have some of their pudding to try - when I’m allowed to have it. Once I’m allowed purred fruits, I will make some protein fruit popcicles and gelatin “jello” - but that’s not until week 2 for me. 

I struggle with sf jello and popcicles… the simply delish jello is ok (I can eat it… well a little of it) but in general… I look like a cat with a hair-ball trying to eat eat sf stuff. Are there brands that are better than others?

Thank you… I’m trying to stay calm and keep my anxiety in check. It’s a challenge. Lol

We are heading to the hotel now. It’s not that far, about an hour - but I didn’t want the stress of the traffic and run the risk of being late (or needlessly stressed).

Good luck everyone having surgery this week and speedy recovery to all. Just got my time for tomorrow and my heart jumped into my throat when I saw the hospital name on the caller ID. I have to be at the hospital at 7:30 am … not sure if I’m their first of the day, but at least I’m before lunch… so hopefully by this time tomorrow I am in my room and resting comfortably… or taking a lap. Lol. Deep breaths… calm, relaxing & positive thoughts… 😊

How exciting!!! I was told “we will only call you if there’s a problem” … so I obsessed until I checked my portal and saw that negative result.

Thank you… I’ve struggled during that loss (putting weight back on, resetting - going back to what I know works to get it off again). I’m hopeful that will help me do the same after surgery if I slip up.

Looks like we are surgery twins… and I’m right there with you on that surgery anxiety. My liver function numbers were not great and my liver was VERY enlarged. That’s what finally made me agree to even look into WLS. I have more to loose than you but knowing the weight loss I have had leading up to this has already made a difference, I know I’m on the right path. I’m scared… anxious and a little overwhelmed right now. The closer it gets the more those feelings flood me. I know that this is the best thing for me (and my family). My pcp sat me down and said - are you committed to going forward? I said, yes - I think it’s the right thing to do (kinda hesitating). He said no… if you are sure this is the right thing and committing to it - then you go into with a positive attitude and go forward with confidence, it will make all the difference in the world. So I’m trying to be confident and positive. I’m scared - and it’s ok to be scared, but we all have more reasons to go forward than not, make the most out our new tools and find success no matter how many or few pounds that is. Together we can get through this! Deep breaths… we got this!! 🥰

Hi Shannon, I live in Pennsylvania, and I am scheduled for surgery Tuesday (16th)… I’m 48 and have similar goals as you. While I’m not a veteran, I have friends who are 7-15 years out and I grilled them about several of these things so I will share my experience this far and some of theirs. Let me just say there are tons of people who will help with their experience also… and one of the things I learned from this board is everyone is different. (I love this app and the people on here - they are so awesome!) 1) I have IBS (largely well managed) and dealt with constipation after my c-sections as well. The high protein pre-op diet made that flair up for me. In addition to water (I struggle with that) and hitting my other liquid goals, I add miralax once or twice a day (depending on my needs) to help keep things moving. Also moving around - walk, walk walk… even puttering around the house. Moving helps keep things moving. At the first sign of things not cooperating I take an approved laxative by my program. That’s my last resort (because that is never fun) but I know my body and I know when it’s necessary - so if I catch things early enough a partial dose (I prefer liquid to pills) is usually enough to keep things productive. 2) I have digestive issues with artificial sweeteners. So I like Sodastreams water enhancers (Bubly) zero calories, zero carbs. But lately I’ve enjoyed my zero water filter enough to not bother with the flavor. I can easily work 3 20 oz bottles of water (some days 4 or 5). Keep in mind I’m pre op… but I’m hoping that post surgery I will be able to get back into that habit after surgery, because I too have kidney stones and am eager to avoid that. Right after surgery they all warned me I won’t make my goals most likely - but to do my best. With time it will come. Broth and bouillon have been helpful in hitting (and exceeding) my goals. So I will use those to work towards my daily goals. 3) Depending on your surgery - will depend on the long term possible side effects, one of the reasons I’m having sleeve (shorter potential list). However my surgeon balanced it by saying the potential side effects of not doing it the surgery or taking other steps to loose weight (prolonged joint deterioration, effects of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiac disease, elevated risk of cancers and although I’m not diabetic - eventually I’m likely to be, liver disease, etc) are equal or greater. On balance the surgery is a toll that helps me improve more than it risks in my case. 4. Hormones can be real - hunger, menstrual, general emotional. I was told that some women who stopped menstruating, would start again… (also warned to watch out for later in life babies), some women who have fertility issues, see a reversal… weight loss - especially large amounts, can result in an estrogen release (hormone swings). There’s no guarantee of if my hunger hormone will be gone - or how long. Everyone is different in that area. My hubby and I had a talk of what to possibly expect after (throw back to postpartum depression). Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I have Virtual appointment already scheduled with my therapist for the week following surgery and recurring every two weeks after (with the options to call if I need to see sooner and ability to cancel if I need to rest and not up to it as long as I check in). I’ve been seeing him for a while now to adjust to life after a car accident. I also have my pcp follow up scheduled and my endocrinologist scheduled within a few weeks after my surgery so I will have those check-Ins to help with anything non-surgical that might pop up. I have some help lined up (kids, husband and one friend I told what I was doing) just in case I need a little extra help right after. However the rest of my family (siblings, parents, extended family and others) know only that I’m getting a hernia repair and that I started working with a nutritionist pre-op and will continue post op due to some other health issues … which is not untrue, just not the whole truth. I’m taking care of me first for the pre-op and the post-op recovery. I’m hoping by doing that, I can reduce my stress and help manage any of the hormone fluctuations that MIGHT pop up and well as focus on meeting my nutritional and water goals. I hope this helps!

My program gave me several options to choose from. I ended up choosing 2 Flintstone complete a day for a multivitamin (the target or Walmart brands were approved as ok). I went with that because I knew I could tolerate it, their price and they are easily available. (That was one of 4 options they gave me). I asked about patches - they said no to those. I also take ez-melts B complex. I take two other vitamins beyond their program requirements, but I always have (including a prescription vitamin D). They won’t have me add any other vitamins until they do my labs at my follow up, including calcium. They said most people get enough calcium in their diets - so I might not need to take that one.

Thank you! I appreciate the comforting words… they are a big help. They did ask me to bring a few specific things along (an inhaler and the medications they want me to take that morning) and suggested a case for my glasses … so I’m trying to make sure I get those things in. I think I’m wearing a loose dress that day (bought it on clearance this week at Kohl’s) and I’ll wear that home to make that one less thing to pack. I keep going back and forth about taking things with me or having my husband just bring them in as well.I have to check their visitor policy - to know if he has a limit of when he can come in. Our local hospitals don’t restrict support persons (family/significant others), so I’m not sure what this hospital does.

Thank you for sharing that - I thought I was the only one. I know everyone was so kind at my endoscopy, if I get overwhelmed I will make sure I tell the nurses on Tuesday. I know I need to do this - for my liver, health and over all well being… and I want to do it, I’m just terrified of anesthesia and being intubated. Hopefully I will glide through, not remember a thing and I’m sure I’ll breath a big sigh of relief when it’s over too. :)

Thank you… the closer I get the more nervous I get. I know I’ll want to cry going back, but if I do - my poor husband will start to cry also and I don’t want that. Lol. For my upper endoscopy I was brave until I went back - but when I was back in the waiting area myself (for like 2 minutes) before they rolled me into the operating room I started to tear up and I swear the whole place was consoling me telling me it will be the best nap of my life and I’ll be annoyed that they woke me up. Of course that made me laugh. Thanks for the reminders…. I didn’t think about an eye mask, great idea! I just grabbed my Moxa packs (heating packs that don’t need plugged in - they last 12-24 hours), my lip balm and the long charger will go with me that day. I’m sure everything will be fine… it’s just freaking me out being intubated and the length of the surgery. I know it will all go smoothly… I just am ready to be in recovery. I’m looking forward to coming home and having tomato soup and working to meet my water goals. Lol.

Went for my pre-op covid test today. I need to quarantine until Tuesday (surgery day). We made hotel reservation to be closer to the hospital (it is an hour drive from the house). Today and tomorrow still on the high protein liquid diet… Monday is all clear liquid and I start my blood thinner shots. I need to get my overnight bag packed pack yet, but I’m trying hard to not over pack (like I always do). I’m super nervous and ready to be on the other side of surgery. How is everyone else doing?

I’m glad to hear you are doing better but sorry you are still struggling. I’m working closely with a therapist (for years now) … since my accident, and talking through my decision to take this step (surgery … I’m scheduled for next Tuesday). I also see a separate therapist with my husband. There are days I feel like both are a waste of time, but usually I feel like it helps and I even look forward to it sometimes. Even sessions when I don’t think are really head on dealing with “things”… usually end up lightening my load and making everything easier to deal with until my next session. My best therapy advice is find someone you connect with and you enjoy talking to. Sometimes you need to go through more than one, and that’s ok. When you find the right person - it will make all the difference in the world. Thankfully my therapist is experienced with bariatric / weight loss issues. If he wasn’t, I would reach out to my bariatric program (they have a great therapist in house) or if I wasn’t comfortable with their person, I’d ask them for a referral. I hope things continue to get better.

Their office called me to go over my medications and make sure I stopped anything I needed to stop prior to surgery. They asked me about my history with prior surgeries and anesthesia - if I had any problems. Asked me if I had any cold symptoms and then they had a Dr call me back to explain what to expect that day. They will do most of that again the day of but during the first call they said they do it prior to the surgery so they can make sure they get medicine ordered I will need in the hospital ordered (my regular prescriptions), tell me which to take the morning of and to skip as well as give me a chance to ask questions. The blood thinners vary by practice, dr and sometimes patient. I know blood thinners are protocol for my program (it’s in the book) but amount and duration varies by patient.

So far so good! I haven’t been hungry at all (but cravings still creep up… especially when food pictures or ads pop up). Thank you! I’m eager to to Tuesday, but scared a little also. Had my anesthesia consult yesterday so that is the last appointment (other than my covid test) before the big day. It’s been a wonderful experience to be able to learn from others through their experience and to share the journey with people who really understand. Best of luck and I can’t wait to see all the progress we make as time passes!

Over all, things are going pretty good. No real hunger but head hunger is getting to me today. I had my pre-surgical consult with anesthesia today. I go for my covid test Saturday … then my blood thinner injection Monday and surgery Tuesday. Im excited to get things underway…. But I’m also very nervous.