Hey guys, I'm only one week out, but I would love to hear from some of you "seasoned sleevers" about things you didn't expect during the first month post-op gastric sleeve? I have already experienced sole unexpected things myself, like not being able to swallow my crushed pain meds, and ending up back in the hospital the day after my release. I think if you guys shared some of your experiences with us, we can be better equipped to handle these situations as they occur. Please share with us...the good, the bad and the ugly lol! Thanks guys ????????????✌????️❤️

Oh I forgot one!

I guess it may be TMI for some, but after reading all the threds about irregular/ disappearing/never ending periods, I was so surprised to get one on time.

Immidiately there was a new surprise: it sucks not being able to take ibuprofen.

Mines is never ending..was on beforr surgery, during now after..yikes

This is one of my most favorite post thus far! I so love the honesty from everyone.

I am 12 days out, so yes I am a "newbie". The things that surprised me are:

1. I CANNOT digest gummy Vitamins. I ate two on day 6 and OMG I thought someone was

cutting my inside out! No more for me.

2. I have lost so much weight, I was scared but I meet my surgeon today, reassured it was normal

3. I have BRAIN energy! I wake up wired! I am like...BING! Up and ready to roll. It's kinda strange, I

know I am not strong in my body, but yet not weak, just very very alert

4. Today was my first day of "soft foods", I ate cottage cheese and avocado mixed up.... YUMMY

5. Zero complications thus far, tolerating everything okay. Have not tossed my Cookies

6. BUT I DID Day (toss cookies) of surgery, it was a horrible night. I had no ideal about the dye.

Horrible

What dye are you referring too and what about it? I heard nothing about dye.

I like the thought of Brain energy as mine is seriously failing me.

That is great you can see soft foods now and congratulations on the nice weight loss.

I havent tossed any either (fingers crossed) since the dye test either, omg that stuff was horrible.

@@Alex Brecher I think it's great you post on here too ... Thank you for this site ... it's one of the best parts of my journey ... being able to ask the questions and KNOW that people "GET IT" and I'm not alone in this ...

Thank you Mr. Brecher!

@@Alex Brecher I think it's great you post on here too ... Thank you for this site ... it's one of the best parts of my journey ... being able to ask the questions and KNOW that people "GET IT" and I'm not alone in this ...

Thank you Mr. Brecher!

Staying active and participating on BariatricPal keeps me accountable. You're very welcome!

A different perspective here ...

Some people (it's suggested in some threads that the majority of people) have very easy recoveries post-op. I certainly did. Check out this recent thread for a different perspective from those who didn't have many issues post-op:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/351493-my-doctor-faked-my-surgery/

Either way -- whether you suffer post-op or have an easy ride -- you can take this to the bank: A few months down the road you will look back on the first few weeks post-op as no big deal because you'll be doing so well.

Good luck to you all.

P.S. Oh, and @@Radar ... my surgeon cleared me for coffee on Day 10 post-op. But I don't drink as much coffee as I used to and don't miss the second, third and fourth cups at all.

A different perspective here ...

Some people (it's suggested in some threads that the majority of people) have very easy recoveries post-op. I certainly did. Check out this recent thread for a different perspective from those who didn't have many issues post-op:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/351493-my-doctor-faked-my-surgery/

Either way -- whether you suffer post-op or have an easy ride -- you can take this to the bank: A few months down the road you will look back on the first few weeks post-op as no big deal because you'll be doing so well.

Good luck to you all.

P.S. Oh, and @@Radar ... my surgeon cleared me for coffee on Day 10 post-op. But I don't drink as much coffee as I used to and don't miss the second, third and fourth cups at all.

Thanks. I was told if I drink caffeine I have to drink more Water, and I didn't anticipate swallowing water would ever be this difficult. I'm used to downing a liter of water in a minute or so without really even trying. Now I take the smallest sip possible and immediately start feeling pain.

I never thought I would be looking forward to flatulence because farts make me feel better and I really never thought my wife would want me to pass gas.

Not pooping for nearly a week freaked me out, but it all came out all right in the end.

I was surprised I gained weight in the hospital, but it was all the IV fluids they gave me. I prepared my family and staff for me to be irritable for the first few weeks, but once I discovered clear Isopure Protein drinks, I was able to keep my Protein up and that made mood ok.

I have heard someone else mention the isopure Protein Drink. Where do you find yours? I am interested in trying some!

@@TMG1980TMG - GNC

I didn't expect for it to be this hard. I can't stand anything puréed or liquid I want real food. I didn't expect not to feel like I've recovered two weeks out, I feel no pain I've not felt pain since hospital and even at hospital I didn't get the shoulder pains or the swollen throat thing. It is an up and down journey for me sometimes I feel really depressed about it and sometimes I'm glad I've got it done and over with. Also obsessing about how much I've lost like the scales will be a problem and sometimes you'll stand on the scale and think "I've lost 1kg in two days how the hell was this worth it??" But it is because losing weight is better than losing no weight and also I think I was a bit harsh on my body regarding how much weight I lost, I wanted to lose 5kgs a day and it is clearly impossible so don't be too harsh on yourself be realistic and be patient. I also don't consume any source of protein and I don't know the effects this will have on me but I feel fine. Lastly, I didn't expect to fall out with family members over the tempting food they brought home, I thought hunger (including head hunger) would not exist after the surgery but sadly it did and I found myself feeling like I'm being tortured after family brought home a cake, but I remind myself that I'm doing this for me and in the long run it will be me laughing at them so don't sweat it.

I didn't expect to take so long to get my energy back. I am two and half weeks post op and it is hard for me to be up and going more than 3-4 hours at a time if I am doing more than sitting in the recliner it wears me out.

_{I'm in my first week out, but these are the things so far that have surprised me:}

_{1. The trapped gas pain. I woke up with that already in my shoulders and neck right out of surgery. I never had it with other surgeries so no experience with it. It took an overnight for it to relent a little. Three days to feel fairly good. If it hadn't been for that, I would've said I had little pain. Also a surprise. Even so, I didn't use pain meds much at all after the first day.}

_{2. My taste buds haven't changed at all. Everything tastes just like it did before.}

_{3. How it's like I have a 2nd job - drink, eat, drink, eat and repeat. I'm doing ok with it, but it's completely all consuming. I knew the plan, but totally different living it.}

I would read people's posts about how hard it was to get their fluids in and think to myself they were crazy. Well here I am 3 weeks out and got a talking to by you doctor for not drinking enough. Lol. I feel like I drink ALL the time. I have timers set in my phone, apps the send me alerts and I always have a drink with me, yet I am still behind every day.

_{I'm in my first week out, but these are the things so far that have surprised me:}

_{1. The trapped gas pain. I woke up with that already in my shoulders and neck right out of surgery. I never had it with other surgeries so no experience with it. It took an overnight for it to relent a little. Three days to feel fairly good. If it hadn't been for that, I would've said I had little pain. Also a surprise. Even so, I didn't use pain meds much at all after the first day.}

_{2. My taste buds haven't changed at all. Everything tastes just like it did before.}

_{3. How it's like I have a 2nd job - drink, eat, drink, eat and repeat. I'm doing ok with it, but it's completely all consuming. I knew the plan, but totally different living it.}

Definitely feels like a sexond job, ill be glad when this phase is over..its depressing me

I would read people's posts about how hard it was to get their fluids in and think to myself they were crazy. Well here I am 3 weeks out and got a talking to by you doctor for not drinking enough. Lol. I feel like I drink ALL the time. I have timers set in my phone, apps the send me alerts and I always have a drink with me, yet I am still behind every day.

Same here..so frustrating. It has caused me to have severe anxiety

Also, if you Drink too much Water too fast will it stretch the sleeve? I can actually drink 4-6 swallows at a time if I wanted too.

I just happened to see this, and didn't notice an answer - generally accepted answer is "no" according to the surgeon I talked to, water/liquids quickly pass through the sleeve, which is why there is the prohibition on drinking and eating and waiting 20-30 minutes after the meal to drink again.

Well i'm only on my 3rd day since surgery. The things that have surprised me:

*how easy it would be to have only thin Protein shakes and Water. It is very easy for me to follow the program when I consider for a moment that most of my stomach is gone.....and there is a large sutured perimeter. Only an idiot would do something to jeopardize their safety. Strict adherence to my surgeon's specific instructions is very, very easy.

*Very minimal pain-discomfort from the sleeve itself. The lack of pain there is much appreciated. The only pain I'm really having is from the abdominal hernia he repaired at the same time. That is with 9 new holes in my abdomen. Amazing.

*How sore my whole body feels. I don't equate this with pain......just general body soreness in legs, hips, arms and etc. I'm having no problem getting 120+ oz of water down every day to combat against dehydration.

*That I'd be grateful for no BM. Seriously grateful. I do not want anything that causes internal pressure against the muscle stitches on the hernia repair. I was advised to take Milk of Magnesia after a couple days if constipation persisted. No worries.

*I thought I'd be craving all sorts of stuff after doing the pre-op liquid diet. I couldn't care less about all the HD TV commercials for restaurants......my family eating some of my favorites around me......etc No bother. Live and let live. Zero cravings. I simply want to stay strict on the program.

*How comfortable I'd be in the recliner. It's been extremely comfortable and supportive. Very tall arms and seat that make it easier to stand up from. Best money I've ever spent on furniture.

*How intuitive my dogs have been. They know something isn't right about my abdomen and are giving it a wide berth.

*How powerful a tool unjury chicken Soup flavored Protein powder would be during the pre-op diet. It was a nice hot break from the shakes. I highly recommend it. I"m hoping that my surgeon will approve my using it after Monday's visit.

*The fact that I weighed in this morning, 3 days after surgery......and weighted 6 pounds more was funny. I'd been warned, but it still make me laugh. Reason I find it funny is that I've been in ketosis and under seriously daily calorie deficit for 16 days. It's going to be cool how much it will actually read once things stabilize.

*How easy it is to just chew my meds. None of them taste great, but seriously....just chew them and swallow down with a sip of water. It's over in a couple seconds. Not something to whine about....just get it done an move on.

*How amazingly wonderful my shower was going to feel this morning. I tried not to hit the jets directly on my 9 holes......but I let them pulverize my back, shoulders and other parts as hot as I could stand it for as long as I could stand it. It was a outstanding.

*How much better the ride home from the hospital was in an SUV vs my wife's Maxima. Not having to bend way down was very nice.

*The lack of any complication has been very much appreciated.