Newbie Adjusting To Post Sleeve Life

[New_Me_915 5]

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie settling into life with a sleeve. Things have been interesting, but I'm excited about what's to come. I decided to join to be accountable for myself going forward (that little ticker thing) and hopefully help people as I learn and live through my experience with the sleeve.

I started my pre-op diet on 5/6 at 365.4, and had surgery on 5/28 at 341. Yesterday, 6/5 (30 days after starting the diet), I weighed in at 325.4. So yes, 40 pounds down in 30 days. I'm a male, but is that type of weight loss common for 30 days?

I had surgery at approximately 9:30 AM, and was in my room by noon. I was incredibly nauseated and in a great deal of pain the first couple of hours, but by 4:00 PM, I had stopped using the PCA. I felt so good, I asked my doctor to discharge me when she stopped by, but she didn't bite. I got up and started to walk the room - slowly, but after a bit was walking the floor pushing my IV pole. I ended up doing a little over 15,000 steps that day. As a bonus, my nurse allowed me to sleep without using the leg compression pump. I returned to work on Monday. Things, all in all, have been good so far, other than several lengthy and intense bouts of hiccups. First follow-up with surgeon is next week.

A few questions I have for everyone:

How long does the weight loss honeymoon last?

How much weight can one expect to lose in the first few months or what was your experience? Is there a 'guide' as to whats 'normal' in weight loss or is it completely dependent on the person?

I'm struggling to eat much right now as I don't have an appetite, so I'm supplementing with Protein Shakes. How long before you had any actual desire or appetite to eat?

TIA.

[KCgirl061 1,533]

Congrats on your 40 pound weight loss so far! Thats one of the best results I've seen on the forum in one month, so I'd say you are right on track if not a super loser! There is a chart out there that can tell you what to expect based on your starting weight. However - don't measure your success using someone else's ruler! Your journey is your own.

I'm 10 months out and hopefully wrapping up my honeymoon period now, I've actually upped my calorie intake on my surgeon's request because he doesn't want my BMI to get lower than 20.

My hunger returned almost 6 months to the day of my surgery. Until then I followed my surgeon's plan and ate near perfectly as I could to maximize my weight loss during that time - high Protein, lots of veggies, no sugars or complex carbs. When the hunger came back it came back like a monster and I took a mild appetite suppressant to keep myself from grazing. I only needed it for about 2 months before the hunger monster died down (or I just got used to it?) But those diet pills were a saving grace!

See you around the forum!

[Brent701 438]

I had my sleeve one month ahead of you (April 29 th) and my starting weight was very close to yours and I am the same height. I lost 20 on the 1 week pre op diet, and was down 43 for my 1 month follow up. I have no physical hunger and only the occasional mental hunger. Clear and full liquids are not good indications of what having the sleeve is designed to do. You will start to notice restriction once into thicker puree and beyond.

How long does the honeymoon last Ive seen 9 to 18 months. There are a few expected weight loss calculators to give you a ballpark estimate. https://www.obesitycoverage.com/how-much-will-you-weigh-after-surgery/

Great job so far.

[GradyCat 3,697]

Welcome to the forums and good luck on your WLS journey. You lost a LOT in your first 30 days, so I think that's above-average. Keep up the good work.

Edited June 6, 2019 by GradyCat

[Impromptu 20]

All done! Feeling pretty good sucking back on ice cubes. Walking around with little nausea or pain. Just a bit of gas pressure. Still have not peed, but am hopeful for the next attempt.

[ConnCT 9]

Wow- that sounds like an amazing 30 day accomplishment!

I’m 4 days post surgery. My first two days were horrific. I was vomiting & a bit of blood came out- the nurses said normal to see? But the gas pain was wedged under my ribs- making it hard to breathe normally for 2 days. It was excruciating. The surgical team asked me to stay another night in the hospital so they could monitor me & continue iv fluids. The gas remains in my ribs slightly, more so now in my collarbone area.

I thought that this surgery would be a breeze compared to two c- sections and I would be back to my dog walking normality within days. Sadly, the reality is that this surgery threw my body for a loop.

Constantly sipping liquids has been my main focus since coming home yesterday. I will hope for excellent results at my 2 week post op check in with dietician & surgeon.

Keep up the great work everyone!

Edited June 7, 2019 by ConnCT

[Brent701 438]

16 hours ago, Impromptu said:

Still have not peed, but am hopeful for the next attempt.

That is the meds causing it. It was very frustrating but should go away within 24 hours.