Sleeved, what’s next!

[SheStrong 0]

4 days post-op, I have no regrets but I do have questions... My surgeon, and his team made me feel comfortable as possible. I was provided all the resources/tools I needed for the pre-op and post-op stages. For the two-week pre-op, I lost 12 pounds. It was challenging but I did stick to the Protein Shakes and plenty of Water. I just wish I would've drank more cold water at least two days before the surgery because I'm dying for a glass of ice water.

On 11/30 I got sleeved.... When I woke up after surgery I had this need to urinate extremely bad and using that pan was not it! I had to go to the bathroom and my nurse was warm about it to say the least (LOL!!!). I also had this urge to walk around until I started to dry-heave. I was definitely in shock that I followed through but in fear of the post-op phase. After I finally relaxed; I slept the whole time I was in the hospital. I had no need for fluids but still I challenged myself to drink some water and unsweet tea. My incisions did not hurt as bad and four days post-op there's little to no pain. It has been hard learning to sip and intake required fluids. I usually need about 6/7 hours of sleep but been sleeping for about 12 hours. I have been walking around and yesterday I drove to the doctors appointment by myself and felt no fatigue or dizziness so I guess that’s all good.

Highest weight- 224

Surgery date weight-212

Current weight- 202

Now for the questions...

This awkward abdominal pain besides an ice pack what can I use?

I’m not sure if this is a bowel movement but I’ve been had a purpleish discharge. Is this normal?

Can I use my ‘old faithful’ Vaseline to help heal my incisions?

How can I tell that I have drunk enough fluids before my body starts to tell me (the need to burp is brutal)?

Are there any recommended exercises to start immediately to help prevent excessive droopy skin and tone my legs?

[JacquelineC 43]

These are questions you should be asking your doctor.

[SheStrong 0]

And how do you know I didn’t, please do not assume.. I’m asking for real life feedback!

[Mr Alley Gator 263]

Ok First of all congratulations and everything you need to know is on this site

As for Water DRINK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN min 64 oz is the goal. Now further down the journey other liquids can be put in place of water. For example I drink tons of Gatorade and electrolyte drinks but that is a long time down the road.

As for moving for now you simple take it easy walk a little but you have to heal before you do to much exercise.

CBC cream really helps the incisions

Get the skin tightenign lotions and apply by the gallon durning this journey I have little to no saggy skin and I used it the whole time, Now once you are about 4 months you can begin a workout designed to tighten skin, Get a trainer or look online there are some great rubber band exercises.

BUT FOR NOW CHILL OUT YOU HAVE TO HEAL WORK ON YOU SHAKE.SMOOTHIE PLAN AND Vitamin AND MINERAL PLAN

[AZhiker 2,253]

56 minutes ago, SheStrong said:

4 days post-op, I have no regrets but I do have questions... My surgeon, and his team made me feel comfortable as possible. I was provided all the resources/tools I needed for the pre-op and post-op stages. For the two-week pre-op, I lost 12 pounds. It was challenging but I did stick to the Protein Shakes and plenty of Water. I just wish I would've drank more cold Water at least two days before the surgery because I'm dying for a glass of ice water.

On 11/30 I got sleeved.... When I woke up after surgery I had this need to urinate extremely bad and using that pan was not it! I had to go to the bathroom and my nurse was warm about it to say the least (LOL!!!). I also had this urge to walk around until I started to dry-heave. I was definitely in shock that I followed through but in fear of the post-op phase. After I finally relaxed; I slept the whole time I was in the hospital. I had no need for fluids but still I challenged myself to drink some water and unsweet tea. My incisions did not hurt as bad and four days post-op there's little to no pain. It has been hard learning to sip and intake required fluids. I usually need about 6/7 hours of sleep but been sleeping for about 12 hours. I have been walking around and yesterday I drove to the doctors appointment by myself and felt no fatigue or dizziness so I guess that’s all good.

Highest weight- 224

Surgery date weight-212

Current weight- 202

Now for the questions...

This awkward abdominal pain besides an ice pack what can I use?

GET A SMALL, FIRM PILLOW AND HOLD IT AGAINST YOUR TUMMY WHEN YOU STAND UP, GET OUT OF BED, ECT. YOU CAN ALSO USE IT TO SUPPORT YOUR TUMMY WHEN YOU ARE IN BED. USE IT WHEN YOU COUGH, SNEEZE, AND DEEP BREATHE. IT CAN BE THE SIZE OF A TRAVEL PILLOW, BUT NEEDS TO BE A LOT FIRMER. I WAS GIVEN ONE AT THE HOSPITAL AND IT WAS MY BEST FRIEND FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I’m not sure if this is a bowel movement but I’ve been had a purpleish discharge. Is this normal?

Can I use my ‘old faithful’ Vaseline to help heal my incisions?

DON'T USE ANYTHING ON YOUR INCISIONS UNLESS YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO. IF YOU HAVE SURGICAL GLUE OR STERISTRIPS, THEY WILL COME OFF ON THEIR OWN, BUT DON'T RUB, PICK AT THEM, OR PUT ANYTHING ON THEM THAT COULD LOOSEN THEM (LIKE VASELINE.) IF ONE IS GETTING ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES AND MIGHT FEEL OFF TOO EARLY BY ACCIDENT, YOU CAN COVER IT WITH A LARGE BANDAID THAT DOES NOT TOUCH THE ACTUAL INCISION. THE BANDAID JUST PROTECTS IF FROM RUBBING FROM CLOTHING. OF COURSE A BANDAID HAS TO ALSO BE KEPT CLEAN AND DRY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER SHOWERING.

How can I tell that I have drunk enough fluids before my body starts to tell me (the need to burp is brutal)?

GENERALLY, IF YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE GUIDELIINES AND GETTING 64 OZ OF FLUIDS IN DAILY, YOU WILL BE FINE. BUT YOUR URINE SHOULD BE VERY VERY LIGHT YELLOW.

Are there any recommended exercises to start immediately to help prevent excessive droopy skin and tone my legs?

THERE ARE LOTS OF EXERCISES TO TONE MUSCLES. I FOUND A GREAT ROUTINE ON LINE. MUSCLE TONING AND STRENGTHENING IS REALLY GOOD TO DO TO KEEP MUSCLE MASS, BUT I'M AFRAID ITS NOT GOING TO DO A LOT TO PREVENT DROOPING SKIN. YOU DID NOT START OUT AT A REALLY HIGH WEIGHT, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOSE, BUT YOUR SKIN WILL NOT BE AS SAGGY AS SOMEONE WHO LOSES 150 OR 200 POUNDS. AFTER YOU REACH GOAL, WAIT AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AND YOU WILL BE SUPRISED AT HOW MUCH YOUR SKIN WILL TIGHTEN BACK ON ITS OWN.

[njlimmer 344]

48 minutes ago, Mr Alley Gator said:

Get the skin tightenign lotions and apply by the gallon durning this journey I have little to no saggy skin and I used it the whole time, Now once you are about 4 months you can begin a workout designed to tighten skin, Get a trainer or look online there are some great rubber band exercises.

What creams/lotions did you find that worked for you? There are so many!

[Arabesque 7,623]

Unfortunately the creams won’t do much. They’ll help with your skin texture but won’t eradicate over stretched skin. Think of an elastic hair band that’s stretched out from lots of use compared with a new band. Your skin is the same.

The amount of sagging skin you’ll have depends on your history of weight loss & gain, your age, how much you want to lose, how long you were overweight, your natural skin elastin, etc. But really once your skin has been stretched the only way to get rid of the loose skin is to surgically remove it. I don’t have a lot of loose skin but it’s enough. I’ve chosen not to go the surgical route. If only I could stretch my body so I was 3 inches taller I’d have little or no evidence of loose skin - & I’d be taller. lol!

My friend wore incontinence pants for a week after her surgery because of the watery diarrhoea. I only had one attack & then was constipated. We seem to be one or the other. Also remember your consuming very few calories, so there’s little waste for your body to get rid of, & the calories are all in liquid form.

My surgeon told me not to touch my wounds until they had healed & to keep them covered until the dressings fell off themselves. Once healed I could apply Vitamin E oil or bio oil to help reduce scarring. A lot of people also swear by the silicon strips.

I used to roll the waist band of my knickers, pants & skirts down below the wounds so as not to put pressure on them.

This site has lots of good advice & suggestions. Best advice I received was to go slowly & listen to your body. It will tell you what you can’t or can do, eat, drink, etc. We all go through this journey at our own pace. You just have to discover what works for you.

Good luck on your journey.