My New Sleeve experience (so far)

[A1220M 101]

My surgery was May 18th. My first week was ROUGH to say the least. The gas pains, Constipation from the pain drugs and dehydration made it hard to recover! I walked about 1/2 mile a day, but didn't get any relief until I stopped the Hydrocodone and relied on chewable Tylenol - the liquid burned the new tummy. I ended up having a couple of days of laxatives and gas-x along with the Tylenol-Worked like a charm.

During the second week, It took forever for the stomach cramps to go away - especially the ones that hurt as soon as liquid hit my tummy. Figured out that hot/warm Water was the best way to go. That helped get me hydrated, at least. The Protein Shakes I had were all cold and felt thick and gross (previously LOVED them and didn't much mind the 2 week liquid pre-op). I ended up getting the ProtiDiet Hot chocolate . It was great! Existed on that stuff for a few days until I could tolerate cold things.

My third week is going very well. No more pains! I did sneeze and get a sharp incision pain, but nothing crazy. I'm freely drinking cold things, which is great. I made a giant pitcher of coffee+Premier Protein caramel to drink at my leisure - that's been delicious. AND....finally eating fooooood! It's great to have a couple of bites of actual food. I know this restriction is temporary, but I'm absolutely loving it. It's the best of both worlds-especially after a month of liquids!

The only thing I'm dealing with now is the reflux. I've read all about other people's battle with this, so I knew it was likely to be an issue - especially while my sleeve is healing. It's no fun. Sometimes it's so bad I can't take anything down for a while. Yay for tums and omeprazole, but yeesh!

[kellym1220 472]

Congratulations! It gets better every week!

[lizonaplane 1,604]

Thanks for sharing your story with us! I hope your healing goes smoothly

[SummerTimeGirl 580]

Thanks for the update. Glad things are going better for you. Today is my first day of Puree and the first thing I had was the Ricotta Bake so yeah, I know what you mean about how great it is to taste actual food again. LOL

[Luna Girl 307]

So happy to hear you are on the mend! And Wow! 46lbs lost so far! You are doing great!! 🤗🤗🤗

[Jessyr702 4]

My surgery is scheduled for June 23rd… I’m getting nervous … thank you for sharing

[A1220M 101]

I'll take all advice and suggestions, that's for sure. Eating feels foreign like a weird new sensation.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

[Esi 179]

Hang in there! I’ve had a rough time too, but with nausea and vomiting. Even though I still vomit once every few days, at 7 weeks out, I will agree with a previous poster that it does get better each week overall! I am able to eat a greater variety of foods, get in most of my goals each day, and drinking fluids has gone faster.

For the first two weeks, I was wondering if I made the right decision. Now I know I did. 😀

[MistySkye 181]

I am 5 days out and have yet to experience nausea (knock on wood) My surgeon included anti-nausea meds in the pre & post op med regime. I have avoided narcotics other than what they gave me the day of surgery. The only med I'm taking 5 days out is 1 ES Tylenol a few times a day. Everyone's experience is different. I don't have pain per se, more so discomfort. Similar to a feeling of fullness. (Sometimes hunger pangs) I'm really not sure what is going on in there, I'm sure my body will figure it out eventually. Plus I have to remind myself that I'm still healing! I just keep sip, sip, sipping away at fluids.

[A1220M 101]

Hang in there! I’ve had a rough time too, but with nausea and vomiting. Even though I still vomit once every few days, at 7 weeks out, I will agree with a previous poster that it does get better each week overall! I am able to eat a greater variety of foods, get in most of my goals each day, and drinking fluids has gone faster.
For the first two weeks, I was wondering if I made the right decision. Now I know I did.

Oh yikes! I can't imagine how crappy the nausea and vomiting must be. So far I've been lucky to avoid that. I'm really struggling with getting fluids in, honestly. I get that full feeling and it's hard to keep making yourself drink.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

[A1220M 101]

Just thought I'd do an update!!

My Surgiversary was May 18th - I'm officially 1 year post-op and LOVING IT!!

PROs: I can eat literally anything and I love it. Tiny portions were easy to get used to. I wouldn't change a thing. The Portion Control I used to struggle with is now effortless. It's nuts. Also, I ALWAYS have leftovers and it's pretty awesome. Weight fell off faster than I could keep up. My obsession with tracking calories is optional now. That's been nice. I can RUN up a flight of stairs - or two! It feels great being active. Now I understand why it was so hard to do things when my weight was higher. I can finally function.

CONs: The HORRIBLE constipation/gas pains the weeks following my surgery cannot go unmentioned. The pain meds that constipate are a special kind of hell. It was worse than my c-section BY FAR. At week #4, I was getting back to normal. Now that I'm a year post-op, The reflux is still plaguing me. It's MUCH better than the 4 post-op months. I can definitely live like this if this is as good as it gets. I go between taking 20 and 40 mg omeprazole depending on what the food plans are that day. Pretty easy to manage now.

Walking by a mirror is still odd. I've changed so much that I'm still surprised. When I buy clothes, I'm still confused by the sizes I'm fitting into. Never in a million years thought I'd lose so much in the 1 year post-op. Buying/fitting bras has been a nightmare, but that's for another post.

Glad I did it! I would do it again! I can run and jump like a kid again! It's GREAT!