Tomorrow is finally surgery day. I’m having my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. I started this whole process back in January, had to endure 6 months of nutritional visits (due to my insurance BCBS of Michigan and a BMI of 37 at the time) and then some delays in testing due to COVID.

In January when I first started the process, I weighed 256lbs. at 5’8 and now I’m down to 226lbs. (I lost 14 pounds during the 2 week pre-op liquid diet).

I’ve suffered with Hashimoto’s for years and weight loss has always been very difficult. Last year I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and fatty liver disease. At that point I knew I needed to make a change and like so many of you, diets and every diet pill you can imagine didn’t result in any weight loss that would last long term.

Pre-op testing yesterday included an ultrasound of my liver and pancreas (my gallbladder was removed years ago) a meeting with anesthesia, lots of lab work and a COVID test.

I found out today that one of my blood tests revealed that my Factor VIII is high and I will be taking Lovenox injections as a blood thinner post op for 14 days.

I’m to be at the surgery center bright and early (5:30 am). Tonight I have been instructed to drink 24 ounces of regular Gatorade (not sugar free) and another 24 ounces tomorrow morning 2 hours before I leave my house (so I’m really getting up early). Apparently this aids with recovery and reduces post op nausea and volume which I know I suffer from due to other surgeries.

I will try and post updates daily so that others that are pre-op can get a little insight on the experience.

I’ve learned so much from everyone’s posts on this site and from the forums I follow on Facebook and that has helped immensely.

Just an update, I am quite amazed I have not experienced any nausea at all. It does take me almost 45 minutes to finish one premier protein drink. I’m not sure if I’m still holding fluids or not. I did weigh myself today (almost 7 days post op) and from the day before surgery, I’ve only lost 3 lbs which is very discouraging.
I am starting to get my energy back and actually grocery shopped today.
I am able to sleep on my stomach now which is a blessing. My stomach is still sore but not as bad as it first was. I still have some gas pain but that is going away. I started taking a chewable probiotic and I’ve been able to use the bathroom finally!

Just an update on my progress so far:

Highest weight 254 (January 2020) when I started process to get VSG.

8/10/20. 239.6 (Started pre-op diet)

8/27. Surgery Weight 225.6 (end of Pre-Op diet WL 14lbs)

9/3. 218.4 (1 week post op)

9/10 214.4 (2 weeks post op)

9/17. 212 (3 week post op)

9/24 210.8. (4 weeks post op)

9/27. 210 (1 month post op)

10/1 205.2 (5 weeks post op)

10/8. 205.2 (6 weeks post op)

10/15 203.2. (7 weeks post op)

10/22. 202.4 (8 weeks post op)

10/27. 199.4 (2 months post op)

11/ 5. 197.4. (10 weeks post op)

11/12. 195.8. (11 weeks post op)

11/19. 194.2. (12 weeks post op)

11/27 190.4 (3 months post op)

12/3. 192.8? (13 weeks post op)

12/10. 190 (14 weeks post op)

12/17. 190 (15 weeks post op)

12/21. 188.6

12/22. 187.2

12/24/20. 187 (16 weeks post op)

01/04/21. 184

01/13/ 21. 182