Just wanted to fill people in on what my experience has been like thus far since surgery. If you want to know something I forgot to mention, please don't hesitate to ask.

HOSPITAL STAY:
So I had my surgery May 19th around 10:30 am. I was in recovery and waking up by 11:45 am. All that went smoothly.

The first day I was so dang tired that I drifted off and on while sitting in the chair in-between walking around and drinking. I felt bad for my husband who stay with me all day. He was totally content and happy to be there but I knew he too was tired so about 7pm I made him go home (visiting hours ended at 8 anyway). LOL

When I first got to my room I was like, OMG I have HORRIBLE burning like heartburn and even complained about it. They gave me some sort of Gas chew and it didn't do jack. It wasn't until I got up and walking around that I figured out it was NOT heartburn but related to that gas inside and the walking helped that feeling subside.

They gave me nothing but water or Gatorade Zero while there and I was totally fine and content with that. They mentioned medicine if I was nauseous but I never was. I felt totally fine and normal but for the one incision site that's to the right and up from my belly button. Doc said that's the typical complaint spot and where he pulls the extra stomach through so that's to be expected. But it hurt like hell when first standing from sitting and also wiping after peeing. Uggghhh. I slept in a chair sitting up that night when I could sleep which really only amounted to 3 hours total.

I was given Tylenol for pain and an Oxycodone once on that first night. They sent me home with the Oxycodone too for pain and so far I have only taken it once at night to help with that pain while sleeping.

The next morning they took more blood work and everything came back good and they allowed me to go home by early noon. Mostly because my pain was managed by meds and because I was easily able to get enough water down and I was not sick.

Also, I did not pack much but I did pack my cell phone, charger, kindle, Biotene, Chapstick, brush, toothpaste and toothbrush, extra underwear and that was it. I did not use ANYTHING but for my brush and, right after surgery, put on my own undies and a pad since I got my period the day before surgery. I did not even use my cell phone (maybe once to post here) cause I was just so dang tired (plus trying to get my liquids in and walking) and hubby did all the updating to others for me. I mostly watched TV as it was on for background noise more than anything.

MOVING AROUND:
Every day is getting better but this dang incision spot is a ******!!! Can't wait for it to stop hurting cause I'm really tired of sleeping sitting up. I tried every way possible to lay down and it's just not possible! The dang area feels like it's burning and tearing apart when I do. Otherwise I'm following orders and walking around. I do not feel I still have a lot of gas issues but I most definitely feel like I am swollen about my stomach area for sure.

APPEARANCE:
I was actually surprised at how weird my stomach looked after surgery. Normally my stomach is smooth/one size all over and flat/round-ish (except for my little fat pouch right under my left breast that's been there forever). But upon looking at my stomach after surgery, I feel like some spots are like poofed out and others dented in, if that makes sense. Especially the bad incision spot. Strange. Not sure how else to explain it. Today is day 4 and it looks like I'm starting to bruise around most, if not all, incisions. Just slightly.

FOOD/WATER:
So my after diet consists of 2 weeks FULL LIQUIDS, followed by 1 week PUREE, and 2 weeks SOFT FOODS, then finally normal foods. Strange enough, I have had NO problem getting in 64 oz of liquid at all. I've had no chest pain, full feeling or sickness. A few times I had what feels like if you drink too much how it creates a sorta air bubble that hurts for a split second but then it passes. Otherwise, no issues. In fact, a few times after trying to drink/gulp like I normally would, I had to stop and remind myself that I no longer could do that. So weird cause I feel, aside from the incision pain, I would never know I even had surgery. So right now since all I've been able to ingest is liquids, I'm not sure if this is gonna be a blessing or an issue. On one hand I'm glad I can seem to "eat" and drink normal and also have had no aversions to taste. But on the other hand, I worry that will not help me in the long run to lose weight. This remains to be seen but I am scared I won't lose for this reason.

So far I've had protein shakes, water, Gatorade Zero, the broths from creamed soups, sugar free popsicles and that's it.

MEDICINE:
I was told I wouldn't be able to swallow anything bigger than a tictac. That was a lie. I have been able to swallow all my pills, even the big ol Metformin, with no issue.

POTTY:
Had my first BM on my second day home. Had several a day since. No problems there either.

WEIGHT:
Not that I expected anything yet but, I have gotten on the scale and it's the same as it was the day of surgery.

I think that's it. Can't think of anything else right now but if you have any questions please ask.

Edited May 23, 20215 yr by SummerTimeGirl

2 hours ago, mamabear_2_2 said:

Congratulations on your 71lb loss! That is amazing!!! I'm with you - I can gain or lose 50lbs and still be in nearly the same size. Granted, 50lbs smaller and the size I am currently in is a bit looser and when I was at the top of that weight range it was a squeeze. But, still! Very frustrating for sure. I think this is where counting those inches like you are doing really pays off. I read a thread on here the other day about this topic and it seemed that once folks get into the lower of their weight range goals 10lbs or so seems to equal a size. My surgery is in five days (fingers crossed!) and I have been thinking a lot about this, too, and how I can keep myself motivated because I know my sizes won't drop quickly in the beginning.

If you look at the inches of a size chart. There are more increments between sizes for the “normal” sizes.

UPDATE:
I just had my video appointment with my dietician and surgeon. Both said everything is going well from what I have told them. Surgeon said I'm still ahead of the game when it comes to weight loss as I'm ONLY 2 lbs away from being in the 6 month weight range!! Meaning, for me (based on where I started and their calculations), at 6 months out I should be weighing in around 232-255. Right now I'm at 257. They also gave me additional ranges of:

15 months out: 186-223
18 months out : 170-212
21 months out: 155-201

The Dietician said not to worry about not being able to get in veggies with my protein right now that it will get better over time once I'm able to tolerate more volume of food.

I will meet with both again in 3 months which will put me at 6 months out from surgery. At that point the surgeon is gonna run more labs that include a multitude of things my regular doc won't be checking for in a few weeks. Things like various vitamin levels and whatnot.

Oh and, we talked about how I have switched to the ProCare one a day with 45mg of iron and how someone from the office told me not to take the extra B1, B12, Iron or Calcium. After looking at my previous labs from BEFORE my surgery back in March, surgeon said NO, I did NOT have to take Calcium as my levels were perfect then. And to not take any extra of the others as I was told. But we of course will know more when I have the new labs drawn in 3 months and will adjust accordingly.

Oh, the surgeon gave me the go ahead to start using weights and also gave me a website to use that has FREE exercises/workouts. It's called www.fitnessblender.com If anyone is interested.

Edited August 18, 20215 yr by SummerTimeGirl

On 8/17/2021 at 12:34 PM, SummerTimeGirl said:

UPDATE:
Just wanted to post a small observation. So, since March I have lost 71 lbs total. Well I finally was able to try on some new pants and sadly, I only fit into the next size down. It fits me good. Not too loose or too tight. Just right.

Strange because you'd think with 71lbs down you would have lost several sizes (plus I lost 7 inches off my waist and 5 off my hips). Or at least I think like that. LOL Guess not. I guess it also means what I already knew, that I carry a LOT of my weight around my mid section.

I have lost about 45 lbs and my clothes basically fit the same, although some pants that were a bit tight are now a bit looser. But my clothes that are knits, which is basically almost all my pants, you can't tell any difference. It's a bit depressing.

I’ve lost 58 lbs from my preop weight (40 pounds since surgery 6/1) it’s a slow but steady downward trend and I’m happy with it. My clothes are definitely baggier/ looser. I put drawstrings in my scrub pants for work because I don’t want to buy new scrubs just yet. Got the kit on Amazon…easy to do.

UPDATE:
So today I got some blood work done that my gp requested. He had me do a CBC, Basic Metabolic, Triglyceride, LDL and A1C tests. Everything came came back good and/or improved but for a few.........

LDL:
On 3/11 it was - 151
Today, 9/9, it was - 135

Triglycerides:
On 3/11 it was - 322
Today, 9/9, it was - 141

A1C:
On 3/11 it was - 6.7
Today, 9/9, it was - 5.8

And my iron shows as low. Lower than in March and May when they checked it but I'll wait til I see him next week to talk about this. Otherwise I am soooooo close to having everything back in the NORMAL range!!! In November I'll have more blood work done for all the vitamins and stuff the surgeon is requesting.

On other note, not sure why but for the last week or two I have stalled again. And in fact my weight has gone up 3 lbs from my lowest (my lowest was 253.4 on Aug 28th and has now been staying around 256/257). Not sure why. Nothing has been different but for me regularly walking on the treadmill (30 min a day, for two weeks now) and I have started to incorporate an upper body, full body and lower body routine (Mon, Wed, Fri) and the upper body part has me using weights (started this week). Otherwise, eating the same, bathroom has been the same, etc. I am due for my period in the next 8-12 days. So maybe that? I don't know.

It's totally normal to have stalls and even bumps up a few pounds in any weight loss journey. Just follow your plan, drink your fluid, etc. Look at the trends over time, not just in one week or a few weeks.

Edited September 10, 20215 yr by lizonaplane

UPDATE:
So, I think in two days it will be 1 month since I had any loss. Not sure why or what's going on as nothing is new as far as my eating goes. I've also still been keeping an eye on my protein intake and it's been fine. The only thing I have been wondering about is the Metformin.

Last month some time I ran out and was without it for like a week. Well I noticed that in that time I had no loss. Didn't think much of it as it was just a week and that happens. But then my doc went and lowered my dose during my last doc visit and again, no loss since. That was several weeks ago.

I am wondering if this is just a typical stall for whatever reason or is this change/loss in medication really working against me and the reason for it? I just can't figure out why the stall for this long. And it's not just a stall but my lowest weight was 251.6 on Aug 28th. I am now fluctuating between 256 and 258 again. It's driving me nuts!!!!

The only other thing is that I got my period last Friday and it's just now going away so that may be contributing somehow. But it's never stalled me this long and like this any other month. Just strange. I hope it picks up again soon cause I have way too much to lose still. This can't be it. Sigh

I know how frustrating a stall is. Wishing you a big whoosh soon. Have you tried pushing fluids to twice your normal intake?

15 minutes ago, FutureSylph said:

I know how frustrating a stall is. Wishing you a big whoosh soon. Have you tried pushing fluids to twice your normal intake?

No I haven't. And if I'm being honest I probably haven't been drinking enough either, let alone double. Maybe I'll try that. Thanks!!

So after what I wrote above on Sunday, I decided to take some Hydroclorothyazide that I had left over since surgery (was told not to take them anymore once I had surgery). I took what I used to take, one a day. Also increased my water intake. Did that for the last two days and what do ya know, down in two days those 8lbs I had "gained". Back down to 251. I had not seen that number since August 28th!! I have been peeing like crazy since taking them. Even in the middle of the night.

I'm hoping the scale will continue to go down from here but we'll see. Not sure why I was holding all that water weight. I mean I did just get over my period too but but I obviously did not have my period for the last month so not sure why this happened for so long. Haven't been eating salty foods either. So strange. Like nothing I did/didn't do was different.

I wonder what I can do naturally to keep that extra water weight off cause I'm not really supposed to be taking that medication anymore. I guess just drink more water? At least that's what I've read in the past.

31 minutes ago, SummerTimeGirl said:

So after what I wrote above on Sunday, I decided to take some Hydroclorothyazide that I had left over since surgery (was told not to take them anymore once I had surgery). I took what I used to take, one a day. Also increased my Water intake. Did that for the last two days and what do ya know, down in two days those 8lbs I had "gained". Back down to 251. I had not seen that number since August 28th!! I have been peeing like crazy since taking them. Even in the middle of the night.

I'm hoping the scale will continue to go down from here but we'll see. Not sure why I was holding all that water weight. I mean I did just get over my period too but but I obviously did not have my period for the last month so not sure why this happened for so long. Haven't been eating salty foods either. So strange. Like nothing I did/didn't do was different.

I wonder what I can do naturally to keep that extra water weight off cause I'm not really supposed to be taking that medication anymore. I guess just drink more water? At least that's what I've read in the past.

I would be careful taking meds you were told not to take. At least talk to your doctor. Trust the process. It's normal for there to be stalls

24 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

I would be careful taking meds you were told not to take. At least talk to your doctor. Trust the process. It's normal for there to be stalls

Well it is medication that was prescribed to me and I took it for years. I was only told to stop it because it acts as a diuretic and they didn't want me to take that when dehydration could be an issue after surgery. That's the only reason why they said to stop. But yeah, I understand.

2 minutes ago, SummerTimeGirl said:

Well it is medication that was prescribed to me and I took it for years. I was only told to stop it because it acts as a diuretic and they didn't want me to take that when dehydration could be an issue after surgery. That's the only reason why they said to stop. But yeah, I understand.

yeah, they may want you to go back on it once you are getting enough fluid in. I would check in with them. Are you doing well otherwise? I've enjoyed reading your entries!

2 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

yeah, they may want you to go back on it once you are getting enough Fluid in. I would check in with them. Are you doing well otherwise? I've enjoyed reading your entries!

Thanks! By writing here it not only helps me keep tract of things but I guess it can help others too.

My last doc visit a few weeks ago they lowered my meds even more so I doubt they would put me back on this (I was taking this along with my Lisinopril for my high BP which has now been LOTS better which is why they lowered my meds). That's why I was wondering what else, aside from water, would/could act as a good diuretic naturally so that I don't have to worry about this water weight gain/stall again.

25 minutes ago, SummerTimeGirl said:

Thanks! By writing here it not only helps me keep tract of things but I guess it can help others too.

My last doc visit a few weeks ago they lowered my meds even more so I doubt they would put me back on this (I was taking this along with my Lisinopril for my high BP which has now been LOTS better which is why they lowered my meds). That's why I was wondering what else, aside from Water, would/could act as a good diuretic naturally so that I don't have to worry about this water weight gain/stall again.

I can only drink so much plain water every day, so I switch it up with water flavor packets - I like Starburst and Walmart brand, also Kool Aid Zero sugar. The Starburst ones you can find at Walgreens and Walmart. I don't like Crystal Light really. I am 2.5 weeks out and drink at least 80oz of water or other liquids a day (including one 1.5 protein shakes, because I'm not eating much food at this point).

Otherwise, talk to your surgery center about why you're gaining water weight. Not sure why that would be, since you said you're not eating salty foods. Are you drinking a lot of things like Gatorade? I believe that is pretty high in sodium, but I'm not sure. I can't stand the taste. Good luck!