ShannonK

Day 17 - no loss last 4 days. 20 pounds gone forever so far...Thank God for this website, or I would be freaking out. I am eating right, drinking, and it will be okay..... Doctor said hide the scale....yeah right!!! But I have faith.....

Went to the Dr. today - I have lost 20 pounds so far and dropped my BMI 5%. He says I am doing fantastic, my incisions are completely healed and I have permission to submerge! Here I come Beach, pool and rivers...it's just not a summer in Texas without floating down the river a few times!! My concerns were this: 1.) I haven't lost any weight at ALL in 4 days. He says to put away my scale, I say no way! He said hide it, I said I am sorry, but no! 2.) My heart felt like it was thudding out of my chest the other night - very strange. It was like every 4th or 5th beat, it would pound hard. It isn't doing it now, and no pain - he says sometimes your esophagus can spasm...but I said there was no pain...he said strange, let me know if it happens again. He also asked about my Fluid intake - I am good, and drink 24 oz of G2 gatorade to keep my electrolytes good.....so we shall see.... 3.) My muscles are achy - like I worked out hard. Stiffer in the mornings, better as the day goes...but still sore. I have been BUSY - lots of running around, errands, kid stuff, but no "working out". He said very rarely, the anesthesia they use, particularly the stuff that paralyzes your muscles, takes a LONG time to get out of your system. This could explain why I pretty much had NO pain after surgery and could sleep in my bed as soon as I came home with no discomfort or pain meds....I pay for it now Anyway, he says it should subside..... That was about it. Still no lifting - can go walking or do cardio. No tough meats or veggies until 6 weeks out - no problem, loving my fish!! I told him his shakes blow, and that I will be thrilled to never HAVE to drink a meal again! Of course - I do have some Muscle Milk in the fridge for when I HAVE to grab something on the way out the door. I am really trying to hit my 60-70g of Protein a day. I don't want to be a flabby bag of skin!! My back bothers me - but when I asked about a chiropractor, he said NO! I didn't need to be twisted and contorted yet (I have never been to one). He said to treat myself to a massage - and that it would be better and cheaper! I will have to tell hubby this ANyway - feeling great elsewise....no fatigue, in a good mood. Looking forward to more pounds dropping...... SHannon

My 20 year reunion is in the plans for next July.....I am THRILLED to have just had this surgery - I will be SPECTACULAR and FIERCE by next summer!!! I did attend my 10 year.....at about 285 and a size 22....I am so looking forward to seeing all my old buddies again...even if I have most of them on facebook!

I think the first responder thought you were getting 80oz - not 8 oz! I am 2 weeks out, and the first week was really hard to get my liquids in......grape g2 gatorade went down easier than water, and I was a HUGE water drinker before surgery! Just keep trying and trying - you DO NOT want to go back to the hospital!! It can be done - keep working at it!!!

Turkey Meatballs!!!!

It ended up making 5 patties (because of the added ingredients to the mixture)......I am surprised the carbs were that high - with 5 crackers, I figured about 1 cracker per pattie.......no carbs anywhere else..... Anyway......very good, glad you liked it - and I am sure shrimp or a white fish would be great as well!

Ya know - I had the cancer fear. I asked my Dr. about it, and ya know what he said? Obesity causes cancer. I put that in my pipe and smoked it. I am 2 weeks out today, down 20 pounds, and feel great!!

Y'all - I survived my 2 weeks post op with the food network channel!! I know it sounds weird, but it really seemed to help. Now I have all these ideas for making savory, high protein meals... I know the crackers aren't low carb - but the 4 aren't terrible when divided into about 5 patties......but you need a binder with the egg..... Let me know how you like it... I am looking forward to some of the ricotta cups, but I am sad that eggs are so low protein.....with a small tummy, I really want to hit my 60-70g of protein a day...and eggs won't cut it because I can't eat 3 of them!!!! I am thinking a Tuna Salad is in my future!! But the crab cakes are great for a hot meal!!

Every single person is different! I am 12 days post op today - and have felt GREAT the whole time. My surgeon wants me on full liquids for two weeks, then soft foods for 4 weeks.....needless to say, I CAN"T wait to have SOMETHING to chew!! I feel your pain! I think days 6-11 were really hard...not as bad today. SOmething I did - and yes it is a cheat, but is satisfied me without a lot of guilt! I took an ounce of hard parmesan and nibbled on it for an extended period. I figured it would be like cheese soup!! It gave me something to "chew", had bold flavor, and isn't bad for you....just a little early progression..... I hope the rest of your days are a little easier, I know each day is easier for me....God Bless!

My diet says it is part of the mushies/soft stage.....

yes, yes it can! I feel a bit like an alcoholic in a steel cage placed in a bar!!! When that feeling happens, I drink water - take some deep breaths, and move on..... I know it gets better with time.

I had malt o meal today - kind of like grits.....the milk made it so sweet to me, didn't add anything else to it!! Yummy!

Home made mac n cheese.....my cheesy chicken speg. with slices of jalapeno.......

What size are your portions?

Howdy! Today is my one week post op - and I feel great! No pain or nausea, and I am going to the beach with my family today! I won't go in the water, but I will enjoy the sunshine, sand, wind, and my family! I will also make sure I drink, drink, drink!!! I can't wait for some REAL food, - I pretty much am drinking 1 - 2 protein shakes a day (30-60g of protein) and about 44 oz of water......I am down 13 pounds from day of surgery. Every day gets better!!!!!!

I was sleeved same day as you - and I am going to the beach today with my family! No water, but playing in the sand and walking - love it!! I may not make it to a gym (I live on a ranch 30 miles from one) - but playing with my kids and going for walks are things I like to do!

Howdy! So - surgery was MOnday, had to be at the hospital at 8:30 and surgery was to be a 12:00. Hubby and I went to my room and I got into my gown and footies. I still had a cough left over from my pneumonia, so I had to have another chest x-ray and a breathing treatment. 12:00 comes and goes and I don't get taken to the pre-op room until 1:30. Now keep in mind, I am totally freaking out now. Since my original surgery date (june 5th) didn't work out because of me getting sick, I started thinking maybe it was a sign that I shouldn't do it. Then I read an update on here of someone living their moment of regret at day 6! What was I doing!!!!! Couldn't I just lose the weight on my own? This is crazy! I asked for some type of drug to help my anxiety - nothing! I was freaking out! They take me back, hubby is left in waiting room, I get a shot of heparin in my belly, a scopaline patch for nausea behind my ear, and they start my IV in the meat of my forearm!!!! Never had one there before! They take me to the OR, I scoot over onto the operating table...I am thinking 'NO NO NO" and they put the mask on me and I am out. I wake up feeling nauseous. The pain wasn't bad, just sore - and they gave me meds for the nausea....it helped after a bit. I believe surgery and time in recovery was about 3 1/2 hours. So I was back in my room around 5:00. I started on some ice chips because I was so thirsty. I had a morphine pain pump, no drains, no stitches...... I got up to pee and walk at about 7pm. I walked about every 2 hours (because I had to get up and pee). I only drank Water or ate ice chips in very small amounts. The hospital food (broth, sorbet, tea) went untouched. Then they cut me off of all water/ ice ships at midnight so I could do the swallow test the next morning at 8:00. Warning: The crap you swallow for the test is the devil's elixir! I had to swallow 3 BIG swallows of the nasty bitter crap, turn 4 different ways, then lay on the table as they tilt you back so your head in lower than your feet- and I understand why they do that - but the nausea was the worst after that. That was the worst part of the whole procedure. Terrrible - but glad I did it to check for leaks. At this time, they tried giving me anti - nausea meds by IV, but my vein blew out and it hurt like hell! They wanted to poke me again - but I figured I was going to be discharged in a few hours, and I was drinking fluids, so I politely declined getting poked again!! I am at home now...did sleep in the recliner and take a pain pill last night. I took prilosec this morning (I was supposed to get Nexium - but my insurance wouldn't cover it and it was going to be $156.00!!) and had to do some disgusting and painful deep coughing this morning. Still had some nausea up until around 11:00am, now it is a brief feeling that comes and goes. I am drinking my water and have enjoyed the unjury chicken Soup (4 oz each time) twice now. My hubby also brought me some G2 grape gatorade on ice to enjoy. My tummy is growling and grumbling a little bit....but not too uncomfortable. I haven't pooped yet - last solid meal was Saturday.....just can't wait for that!! I also haven't chewed up my Vitamins yet - might start in those tomorrow. All in all - it was one of the scariest things I have ever done. I am glad (as of now) that I am through it and I feel like my new sleeved tummy and I are going to have to get to know each other. I am down about 5 pounds and my belly is still puffy and swollen. I hope Ii have put in all the details.....feel free to ask me if I forgot something...... Laters!

Hey Laura - I used no pain meds today and no nausea! I will take one tonight to get good sleep - I feel like a baby that has its schedule backwards!! You can't get good sleep in a hospital! I have had thinned potato Soup with some Protein added as well as a Breakfast shake - so probably about 35-40 grams of protein today. I am doing good on my Water - just have to remember not to take too big of a swallow - gives me a brief sharp pain. My mom made me squash soup also - so I have some flavors to play with. I am already DREAMING about the mushy stage - bring on the cottage cheese baby!!!!! And Bean Dip! I am also going to go walking tomorrow......I will let you know how that goes. First few days blow - but they get better pretty fast!!!

Day 3 post op - I actually slept in my bed last night, was able to get one protein shake down and doing well on my water today. No nausea, but a little pain if I take too big of a swallow...I am learning my little sleeve! I also had some home made potato soup (abut 2 oz.) that was great - Down 10 pounds already, and my tummy is softer as the gas is getting out... My intestines are definitely awake and working!

I tried mixing the unflavored Unjury with grape gaorade - it was gross. The chicken soup is the best!

Me!

I have to be at the hospital tomorrow at 8:30 and surgery is at noon. I am on liquids only today...and plan on drinking lots of Water to hopefully get a head start on hydration.... I am still nervous.....but when those negative thoughts start in, I remind myself of all the positives..... I am also a little pissed that food is such a negative thing for me. I mean, I love it - we eat to Celebrate, when we are sad, bored, happy, etc.... And unlike booze or smokes, you can't just walk completely away from it. So this sleeve will help me moderate what I have not been able to do by myself....and it kind of makes me mad. Have any of you watched a thin person eat more than you do and shake your head? Well, I know life's not fair -and this is the hand I was dealt. So off I go tomorrow to have most of my normal stomach removed so I can begin the journey to a normal life not limited by my size.... Sorry for the rant.....I love this site and the friends I have made. I appreciate the support and the fact I can vent my emotions....and know that many of you have felt the same way..... I think I will go and have some broth now...... Shannon

Thanks for your blog - I am planning on walking as soon as I am able - and am terrified about the coughing! I have a small cough still left over from pneumonia last month... and I had a hysterectomy a few years ago, and I know the pain you feel for those little incisions..... and I also remember getting up and walking soon - the first time is the hardest!! Thanks again - surgery in 25 hours!!!