Nervous upcoming surgery / questions

[GMS1213 0]

Having VSG in few weeks and getting pretty nervous...

Any suggestions or tips for recovery/long term? Or things you wish you'd known going into? I keep thinking, this will be my "last" dessert or thanksgiving meal or Pasta but I know that's not true, it will probably just take some time to balance those things back in and in moderation.

Thanks for the support !

-Gina

[Jaelzion 1,123]

Let's see, a few things:

1. You may have a few uncomfortable days when you're wondering what you got yourself into. Don't worry, it gets better quickly.

2. Being "full" will feel different after surgery and you'll want to learn to recognize that feeling quickly. Overeating or eating too fast after surgery makes you REALLY miserable.

3. You'll only be able to eat a tiny amount at first. Just getting enough Water and Protein in will be tough. Don't worry, you'll be able to eat more soon.

4. Stick as closely as you can to the eating plan your bariatric team gives you.

5. About a month after surgery, you might stop losing weight. It happens to almost everyone and it's called the "three-week stall" here on the forum. Don't worry, you'll start losing again.

6. Don't buy a lot of clothes as you start losing weight. You'll be blowing through sizes really quickly. Just get a few inexpensive pieces until you know what size you are eventually going to be.

7. Don't compare your progress to other people. We have a different metabolism, dieting history, lifestyle, etc. Some people will lose faster than you and some slower. It's all good.

8. You will definitely reach a point when you can have your favorite foods again, although likely in small portions and not very often. Some things might taste different after surgery.

Just a few tips! Hope all goes well with your surgery. 🤗

[Betty1971 383]

This sounds silly but a few things I wish I knew ahead of the game:

Tylenol makes extra strength Tylenol dissolve packs where no Water is needed 500mg packets (amazon) and it works so well when you don't need the high powered pain meds as it doesnt cause the Constipation that the opiates do. Get a pack on hand as Walmart and such does not carry them that I can find. I didn't need much at all for pain where the surgery was concerned but I had headaches and couldn't take anything bigger than a pencil eraser and even that was difficult the first week.

Walking may be uncomfortable but as early as the nursing staff lets you....walk walk walk and when you are tired walk one more time. The faster you can work out that gas from surgery will make your healing at home so much easier.

As stated above just really try to get in that water and Protein and everything else just kind of works out as long as you follow your diet plan from your surgeon

[Arabesque 6,495]

To add to @Jaelzion excellent list:

9. You’ll lose some hair. The surgery & reduced caloric intake accelerates your natural Hair loss cycle. It generally starts around month 3 or 4. You can’t stop it cause it’s a normal process. It does stop & your hair is regrowing as you’re shedding. How long it lasts is an individual thing.

10. Constipation is common. Add benefibre or similar to your diet & have some gentle stool softeners on hand. You’ll become regular again once you get close to or are in maintenance.

11. After surgery you may experience some nasty & very sudden attacks of diarrhoea. Pack some incontinence knickers so you’re not caught unaware & forced to toss your own knickers.

12. You will have lose skin. How much depends on how much weight you have to lose, your age, gender, weight gain/loss history, how long you’ve been overweight.

13. A lot of hormones, etc. are stored in your fat & as you lose your weight they’ll be released into your blood stream. You may experience changes to your menstruated cycle like heavier periods, increased cholesterol levels, incidences of low blood pressure, etc. Things will settle once you reach goal.

14. You will experience tiredness & loss of energy at times. Rest, nap as you need it.

15. Take each step slowly. Your tummy can become very contrary & throw tantrums like a 2yr old child. You may not enjoy foods you did before surgery. food you ate successfully for weeks may suddenly upset you. Don’t give up on those things. Take a break & try them again later.

16. Yes, there will be foods you won’t eat again but they are the ones you won’t be able to tolerate after surgery &/or got you to the weight you are now. There will be foods you will only eat in moderation & foods that you discover healthier alternatives for or healthier ways of cooking them.

17. Listen to your body. It will tell you what you can or can’t tolerate. You may experience tightness or heaviness, vomiting or diarrhoea, even dumping.

18. You digestive system may gurgle, groan & whine like the ghost of the part of your tummy that was removed is haunting you.

19. Eat slowly. Put your cutlery down between bites, sit back & wait. Then ask yourself do you really need the next bite or do you just want it.

20. Don’t eat until you are full. Eat until you’ve had enough. There is a difference.

21. Sometimes, you may think you are having hunger pangs but it’s actually too much acid in your tummy. You likely will be prescribed esomeprazole to take at the beginning. If you weren’t, ask for some. My surgeon told me I’ll always be taking one every day.

Of course you may not experience all of these things but it’s better to be aware of them in case you do.

Good luck on your journey.

[Blue Crystal 18]

The above lists are very comprehensive. I’m only six weeks post-op, but a couple I’d add are:

22. Don’t worry about getting all the liquid and Protein goals met during the first week or two. Many people have problems getting enough of either. If you can’t, let your doctor know at your first post-op visit to ensure there aren’t complications.

23. Seriously do take small bites. I’m only now realizing that the hard lumps and discomfort in my throat when eating are because my bites aren’t small enough. The more solid the food, the more need to take small bites and chew very thoroughly. And moistening solid foods definitely does make them go down easier.

Best of luck!

[ExactlyAsh 16]

I felt the same way before my surgery. My coworkers even threw my a presurgery party that was junk food themed. We had chips, candy, burgers, Taco Bell, you name it. I had my surgery about 5 mo ago, and I can still eat all of those things, just in very small portions. I had a (very small) piece of cake just yesterday.

One thing that I’ve been dealing with was this feeling of sadness....or maybe jealousy. It’s definitely not regret, because I don’t regret my decision. But I see how much other people can eat and it makes me sad. I included a picture of my thanksgiving dinner. I had a bit of everything (turkey, ham, bread, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, corn bread stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy), but after I finished, I just sat there watching everyone else with their mounds of food on their plate.

Another thing, my surgeon told me, “you will throw up. It’s inevitable”. And that’s true, it just wasn’t what I was expecting. Most of the time it’s the foamies and the slimies. It’s basically just foamy saliva and mucous you’re body is producing to help food get into your stomach, but there’s just no more room, so it comes up and out.

I’ve had a lot of mixed emotions about my surgery, but every time I look in the mirror, I’m like, “yea, I made the right decision”. Every time I walk up a flight of stairs, I’m like, “oh yea, that’s why I did this”, etc.

All the best! Good luck!

[Arabesque 6,495]

9 hours ago, ExactlyAsh said:

.One thing that I’ve been dealing with was this feeling of sadness....or maybe jealousy. It’s definitely not regret, because I don’t regret my decision. But I see how much other people can eat and it makes me sad. I included a picture of my thanksgiving dinner. I had a bit of everything (turkey, ham, bread, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, corn bread stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy), but after I finished, I just sat there watching everyone else with their mounds of food on their plate.

Last Christmas I had a similar experience when looking at my family’s plates. Though I wasn’t jealous, I was shocked with the realisation that my plate would have been that full the year before & for years before. No wonder I was obese.

You have to remind yourself that they are likely overeating. Portion sizes are a lot smaller than what the average person eats. Sometimes they’re eating 2 & 3 times what they should be. You’ll soon be eating closer to recommended portion sizes in your smaller & healthier body & your plate won’t look quite so empty. 😁

[GMS1213 0]

Thank you all for the wonderful tips and the encouraging words!

Starting my Liquid Protein diet today! Two weeks until my surgery, fingers crossed!