sleevedreams2022

Hi guys! I'm back from the other side.... Surgery was Wednesday, came home Thursday evening and have been sticking to a really strict water and protein schedule since then when I really feel like napping.... I'm thinking of it as laying a groundwork for my new life. Haven't been perfect about finishing the portions within 30 minutes but have met protein goals and fortunately water is still really satisfying and goes down easily. One thing I didn't expect was the referred pain from the gas to persist this long after surgery. I'm able to be still and get some relief but it's uncomfortable. I did choose not to fill an Ultram prescription and have only been taking Tylenol because my incision pain has been manageable, and the shoulder pain is really more nerve pain than musculoskeletal. Something I would've bought before surgery if I'd known is a better pill crusher (I have a good number of oral meds) that I wouldn't have to work so hard to use manually. Also, they recommended liquid Tylenol, I was only able to find children's Tylenol in liquid so had to drink 30 ml to get an adult dose which is a lot and the texture doesn't feel great so I've ended up using the tablets and crushing. This forum in general was such a lifesaver in helping me know what to expect, and my post-op nurse was actually 10 months post op RNY herself and she was so nice and encouraging.

Hi guys! I just finished 2 weeks of 4 shakes and 1 small meal (3 oz protein, 1 cup steamed veg) per day and heading to surgery for VSG tomorrow (still waiting on arrival time). I'm a nurse practitioner (completely different department) in the hospital where I'll have surgery so some nerves about that, nerves about whether I'll be able to get up and walk when I want to, how high my pain tolerance will be, etc. Also never had general anesthesia so we'll see how that goes, hopefully no reaction. I've been walking a lot for exercise so I want to be able to jump off the table and get right back into it but I know I'll have a little bit of a setback as far as my exercise tolerance goes. They said as long as I'm not doing inclines I can get back on the treadmill as soon as I want, so that's encouraging. The surgery coordinator prepared me that the first two weeks generally aren't fun for anyone but that there's a light at the end of that tunnel. I hate being nauseated but I tolerated being on Saxenda for almost a year so I think I can handle some postop nausea. Other fears: weighing myself for the first time after surgery (apparently there's a 3 week plateau and some people don't lose and it can be discouraging, so IDK when to weigh for the first time), being really thirsty and not being able to drink, not being able to get in enough liquids by mouth to stay hydrated, not being able to have a BM, having people I know see me and know why I'm admitted, vomiting after surgery, "taste buds changing" (I've heard this from some post ops) .... let me know if there's anything else I should be worried about so I can do so prior to surgery

This was my reasoning for choosing the sleeve as well, even though I have significant GERD and am aware the sleeve can make this worse. I take several medications that are extended release formulations and my doctor said that the pouch formed with the RNY really couldn't metabolize XR formulations correctly, and these aren't medicines I'm likely to stop taking with weight loss. So it was simple in that regard. Sometimes making a pros and cons list helps @Veritas34! It sounds simple but that also helped me see that the slightly higher weight loss percentage wasn't enough of a reason for me to go ahead with the RNY. But everyone's reasons will be different. Listing may help you come up with some questions for your surgeon! Best of luck!

I did a taste test with samples from different protein powders and flavors this week in preparation for my pre-op diet (starting May 18) where I do 4 shakes a day with one "sensible" meal. Surprisingly delicious was Bariatric Advantage HPMR Banana flavor when it was ice cold. I also liked their chocolate flavor. I shook it up and let it sit for a bit and it thickened to a nice texture. Still need to try the cinnamon. Vanilla wasn't as nice but it was room temp, so I think that was a big factor. They have a "sample kit" of shake flavors that was a good purchase for me because I hate to commit to a whole bag/tub of protein and then realize the flavor is off. Unjury meal replacement shakes also has a sampler of flavors and unfortunately the texture is a little grainy for me. The flavors I tried were also a little sweet. But that may fit the needs of someone else. My WLS clinic sells Optifast products which are the yummiest shakes to me but unfortunately are individually packaged and $3/shake which is much more expensive than everything else. And only available via MD. Hope my taste testing and $$ spent can help someone else! Please share if you guys have tried anything good!

We're so close to each other! I'm 6/1!

Did your surgeon give a rational or cite any medical evidence for using this approach? Or is this a case-by-case thing he's chosen for you? Feel free not to answer if too personal a question. Have you tried playing with the temperature and humidity settings? Once I got my air a little cooler and increased the humidity so my mouth wouldn't dry out I found mine much more tolerable! And the decrease in stroke and heart attack risk from wearing it is a big selling point for me. At this point I've been wearing it every night for 2+ years and I get a sore throat if I sleep without it. Idk what I'll do if I lose a bunch of weight and no longer qualify for it. It's comforting. I hope you find a way for it to work for you, I know they always ask at every appointment whether I'm wearing it every night.

Hi! Happy to say that after almost 2 years of following in a weight loss medicine clinic and doing preop testing (slowed down by COVID) with this goal in mind I FINALLY have my surgery date of June 1!! Preop diet of 4 shakes and 1 meat/veg meal starts 2 weeks prior. Happy to find a forum of friends to talk with.