Hi Everyone,

I've been reading these boards for a while but first time posting. I decided to post today since I officially scheduled sleeve surgery! My journey has been interesting thus far but not nearly as long/hard as some posts I've read. I originally started thinking about wls over 2 years ago. I had always been thin growing up and it wasn't until I had my first child that I began to gain weight. Actually after I had my first child I lost all the baby weight and fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans 2 weeks later (size 5). But it did not last long as I found my appetite had increased and the weight would not come off like it used to. That was over 16 years ago. Since then I've tried numerous diet & exercise programs. Bootcamp, weight watchers, slim fast, intensive bootcamp, jenny craig, well you get the idea. Each time the same thing would happen, I would lose a bunch of weight and then slowly regain the weight lost and some. I grew tired of the see-saw but never really thought about wls as my immediate friends & family view it as taking the easy way out. Also at 5'4 and 220lbs (my heaviest to date), I was looked at as not having the large amount of weight which would deem wls appropriate. In other words, you don't have that much to lose so you should just work out and eat right. That stuck with me for a long time. I think during the exercise and diets the lowest I came down to was about 180lbs.

Anyway about 2 years ago I began intensely researching wls. But before making the decision, I decided to give myself one year to do it on my own without surgery. Well a year later and although I initially lost 20lbs, I gained it all back and am at my heaviest weight to date. That was it for me. So I began the process of getting approved for surgery. Since I have BCBS, the only requirements were BMI over 40 or BMI over 35 with co-morbidities. Every doctor I checked out online was in-network so I made a couple of consultation appointments to feel them out. Next I just had to have 2 dr. visits (the consultation satisfied 1 visit) and one psych consultation. At both consultations I received a script for blood work. The one I ended up going with was more thorough with their bloodwork requirements, while the other one set me up with a surgery date on my first visit. I didn’t go with the second one because I felt like they were treating me in a rushed manner because of my “easy” approval requirements and it felt kind of like they were a salesperson.

The first place, (nj bariatric center) I felt they were more professional and I felt more comfortable with the doctors but the office staff leaves much to be desired. I almost went to look for another place because of my dissatisfaction.

I decided to go to a different psychiatrist rather than the one associated with my doctor’s office just due to logistics of when they would be in the office (I missed my first appt. and so had to reschedule for one a month later). I found one that had Saturday hours and met with her and she was able to write my report and send it off that same day.

My bloodwork came back with some issues requiring follow-up: had low iron so was put on iron pills, EKG came back with something troubling on my heart so had to see a cardiologist to get cleared (the cardiologist required 3 visits before clearing me).

So I finally got all of my “extra” clearances and met with the doctor for the second time to go over the results of my tests. I was then told that now that I was cleared I would be called to schedule my surgery. The next day I was called and was offered surgery dates as early as June 5 but I decided instead on July 12 because my daughter will be out of school by then and able to help me around the house.

So here I am. I still have to get some pre-surgery bloodwork done at least 2 weeks before surgery. I also have to meet with the doctor again to sign some consent forms and I have to view a video on the surgery. So from my first appt on 2/10 to my scheduled surgery date of 7/12 it will have taking me approximately 5 months and some of the delay has been self-inflicted. I am excited and nervous.

Day 2. Drank the other 1/2 protein shake from yesterday. Now tackling some water and vitamins. This wouldn't really be so bad if it wasn't for my throats hurting so bad. My stomach is sore but bearable nothing like my previous 2 csection pains.

Day 2 done. Drank 2 and half protein shakes. 40 oz water and a cup of beef broth. Also walked for 30 mins. Didn't take any pain medicine today. Throat still hurts and tummy is sore but manageable. As of now I feel like I'll be ok going to work on Monday. We'll see how I do tomorrow though.

Day 2 done. Drank 2 and half protein shakes. 40 oz water and a cup of beef broth. Also walked for 30 mins. Didn't take any pain medicine today. Throat still hurts and tummy is sore but manageable. As of now I feel like I'll be ok going to work on Monday. We'll see how I do tomorrow though.

You made it through! Congrats! One day at a time!

Thanks for all the congrats and encouragement!
Day 3 is full underway. Today my throats is only slightly sore more of an annoyance than anything else. Tummy is sore as well again more of an annoyance. I am getting sharp pains sporadically in my stomach which I'm attributing to gas.

So far I've had 1 and a half protein shakes and 40oz of water. No pain medicine and I think I'm gonna toss the rest now.

I do feel like low energy like my energy is drained. Did my 30 min walk on treadmill though.

Also today is the first day I've felt the water and protein shake traveling down my throat to my stomach. I also noticed if I take too big a gulp that it irritates me for a few seconds. So small sips are the way to go.

I've been told today that it looks like my stomach has already went down. Not to sure about that but whatever could be cause of the gas leaving and not being bloated.

I am going to work tomorrow though and since I'm no longer on meds I may attempt to drive in later on this week.

Day 3 done. 2 protein shakes and 40 oz of water. 30 mins on treadmill and a 20 min walk outside. Tomorrow I go to work so we'll see what happens.

Day 4 and my first official day back to work. So yeah it was a little rough going but I made it. Had 1 protein shake and about 28oz of water so far but it was slow going. I think up til noon I only had like 2 oz water. It's just really rough drinking now. My throat is fine but now I just feel like this pain in my stomach and chest when I drink. I know it means I have to take smaller sips but it's like Dag how much smaller do I have to go. Then if I do take too big a sip it's like I can feel it bubbling in my stomach. Ugh. So yeah not loving this. I hope this goes away and if not I hope it becomes ignorable.

Sitting in my office chair I have to consciously remember to lean back because if I sit up then there's pressure on my belly button where one of the incisions is. So yeah my belly button is pretty sore today.

I did a 30min walk outside today which was nice. I pushed myself today because I feel like there has to be a balance you can't be too comfortable and you can't go overboard but if you push yourself you'll heal faster.

Oh in TMI news I also had my second bm since the surgery today. Which actually was surprising since I've only had protein shakes and water for almost a week now.

Also in weird news: I miss food but I don't want to eat if that makes sense. My family had salmon for dinner yesterday which looked delicious and I was like mmm I want some but no I don't because I knew the feeling that I'd get if I attempted would probably do me in.

I also mistakenly thought the liquid diet was for one week but when I reread my instructions realize they are for 2 weeks so that stinks.

Finally because I'm going out of town I had to reschedule my one week followup appt for 2 weeks. Ahh well.

Ok so this is going to be TMI but if I can save another female from being caught off guard it's worth it:

So day after I returned home from surgery I noticed I was spotting. Didn't think much of it because I just had my cycle a week prior to surgery. Fast forward to today and it's full blown. So to say I am completely off schedule is an understatement.

Also 2x in a month with just a week off in between sucks (excuse the language)

I too have had a surprise cycle in the info from the hospital it did suggest packing sanitary towels. It appear to be pretty common to have a disrupted cycle. For me having the coil and being 50 it was indeed a surprise.

Smack dab in the middle of day 5 and already doing much better. I can tolerate more water. So far I've drank about 32oz of water and 1 protein shake. I'm actually tolerating the water better than the protein shake. I can take bigger sips without it hurting. Not huge or anywhere close to what I could do presurgery but not the baby sips either. So for that I'm grateful.

I too have had a surprise cycle in the info from the hospital it did suggest packing sanitary towels. It appear to be pretty common to have a disrupted cycle. For me having the coil and being 50 it was indeed a surprise.

I would have cried.

Day 5 done. 2 protein shakes and I think i made it to 64oz of water if not i came real close.

Day 6. I was starving! So I finished my first protein shake by noon. I also finished about 32oz of water by 2pm. I had another protein shake on hand but I didn't remember to grab it while I went from meeting to meeting and eventually made it home. Not to mention I had to get food for my child today. I ended up getting him burger king, I wanted a burger king fry so bad and I don't even like burger king fries! In fact I think they're nasty. Finally made it home to my protein shake and I'm feeling better but whoo that was rough. I also miss food. Like I just want to taste something. I've been thinking about cheese and how I just want a little cheese so bad. I want all types of food, chicken, cheese, pizza, sushi, everything. The only thing that stops me is the knowledge that I'm not ready and the pain would probably kill me.

I can take decent sized sips of water now and I'm grateful for that. I drove for the first time today. I was a little sore in my belly button for having to sit in that position for so long but it was tolerable. All in all I feel I'm doing pretty good healing wise.

Day 7 has been a day of regret for me. I did a road trip with family. While they have snacks and treats along the way I have my shake and water. They stopped at McDonald's to eat and I just pulled out my shake. Now they're out getting pizza while im finishing up my water in the hotel room. I wish I could have just a little. Or even something so I could join them. I wish I could have been satisfied with myself as I was so that I didn't do this drastic surgery. It's only week one and I regret doing this already man.

I just wish I could have something other than these liquids man. Ugh. Hope this feeling goes away.

Day 8. Spent all day touring Penn State. I was beat, the campus is huge. I even had to run for the bus at one point. Hurt a little but I made it. I actually felt normal that is until it was time to eat. Running on protein shakes and water isn't the best way to get energy. While my family refueled on meat and carbs, I sat and drank my protein shake and water. Ugh. Well I know I drank a ton of water today and got my 2 protein shakes in, walked a lot so plenty of exercise. I guess that's something...