My gastric sleeve was done 1/22/22. I had a 10 day pre-op liquid diet which was a lot and lonely. My nurse was supposed to call and check on me about half way thru- she never did- nor did she return my voicemails. I also was in a weird schedule shift at work so I worked 8 of the 10 days- which I think was a blessing in disguise since I was busy and not focusing on what I was or wasn’t eating.

Due to COVID it was a drop off pick up situation. So my mom dropped me off at 5:20 am. I was in communication with her until my nurse anesthetist came in and they put my phone in my bag. I don’t remember anything after the operating nurse coming in and putting my hair net on me around 7:20 am.

The next thing I knew I woke up in recovery with a nurse sitting on either side of me. They were super great- my mouth was very very dry so they let me suck on a sponge. I was also very close to the desk in recovery so I could tell my mom was on the phone with them. I immediately requested my phone from my bag and called my mom. It was about 11:30am and she hadn’t heard from my surgeon- she was not happy. But had a lot of relief hearing from me. The conversation was short as I was still out of it. The nurses also put some Vaseline on my lips since they were super dry.

My room wasn’t ready yet so I was able to just relax in recovery for a bit. Lots of naps in and out and some texting with friends. Once my room was ready the wheeled me away from recovery.

Once I got to my room I was given goals.
-Manage nausea
-Manage pain
- go to the bathroom
-take a sips test
-walk around
-sit in the chair

I didn’t find my self nauseous until they gave me a different pain med via my IV. Luckily I didn’t throw up and they gave me some spearmint patch on my gown which was nice. Pain was managed via IV for the first bit.

I really felt like I had to go to the bathroom so the nurse helped me on my feet within about 2 hours of being in my room. No luck on the bathroom- but I found I could get up and move. After that we did my sips test at 1:15 which went really well. After that I got white grape juice watered down and water to sip on. Goal was 5 med cups (2 tablespoons) an hour.

After that another nurse came in wanting my to start walking. He helped me into my really comfy pj pants- no open booty walks for me! We did 2 laps around my ward. I ended up in the locked pediatric location so they were a little more lax with me about walking on my own.

During this time I also attempted to go to the bathroom a few more times. Finally before 8pm my nurse came in turned the sink on and basically told me to relax and I was in my head about not going. ALAS- it worked- a ton of relief happened from being able to go.

That night I walked more- drank more- slept more and prayed I was gonna be able to go home. I swear every time I was falling asleep the nurse aid came in to take my vitals. ☹️ the nurse aid also had no knowledge base in what I had done so when I asked for broth she told me to order… there were no ordering food for sleeve patients. The broth was in the kitchen on the floor so that was a bit of a run around but it all worked out well.

The next morning a different bariatric surgeon came in to talk to me- mine didn’t come in on Sundays…. But he was cool and told me I could go home! So I got my paper work and then a nurse came in unhooked my from my IV so I got dressed. My nurse came in gave me a cart and some directions and away I went. I got my meds filled there and then waited for my mom to pick me up.

The first day I was home I was very slow moving. Ended up sleeping in a recliner because it hurt too much to get out of bed.

Monday and Tuesday went similar- very quiet working on getting liquids in and moving around as much as possible.

Today I can get up much easier and moving around a lot more. Since I’ve been home I’ve only taken Tylenol for pain killers- they gave me more but I haven’t felt like the pain was bad enough to use them.

Here are my number so far…
Starting process- 270.9
Surgery day- 258.6
2 days home- 256.6

So far I’ve lost 14 pounds. I can’t wait to see where I am in a month.

I’ll definitely keep posting my journey here. Wish me luck!

On 02/09/2022 at 16:39, Winnie the Pooh said:

I got sleeved on 12/9 and they found a hernia, which they say 80% have. Now I am receiving HUGE bills when I was told $9800 was a total cost. Each bill is worse and adds things never discussed or informed of.

I’m sorry you’re going thru that. However this thread is about the recovery process from being sleeved and adapting thru the food stages. Medical costs are not the place for this forum- everyone has a different situation for how their medical bills are covered. Personally I’m in the US and lucky enough to have met the requirements to have some coverage via my insurance I have thru my employment. I know there are other threads that speak to costs.

2 minutes ago, jaymecaye said:

I’m sorry you’re going thru that. However this thread is about the recovery process from being sleeved and adapting thru the food stages. Medical costs are not the place for this forum- everyone has a different situation for how their medical bills are covered. Personally I’m in the US and lucky enough to have met the requirements to have some coverage via my insurance I have thru my employment. I know there are other threads that speak to costs.

?

First issue! I am about 10 days post op and I drank my protein shake too fast today. I am absolutely miserable!! Stomach ache and cramps are sooo bad. I called my doctors office and they told me I am ok and that it’s my new stomach not liking how fast I consumed the protein shake. This is awful! LESSON LEARNED!! Lol

Hey all- sorry I have been MIA. I’m not gonna lie- I went to a dark place. This thread seemed to change from me well us sharing our experiences post sleeve to people complaining about the financial side or honesty telling me I was wrong and other pointed comments in my inbox.

So I took a break. But there were quite a few of you who are so supportive and I’m sorry I ghosted.

Here’s my update I’m almost two months (roughly a week shy of 2 months) out and down a total of 36 pounds. I go to the gym 3-5 times a week and do quite a bit of weight lifting and cardio. I feel so much better. I’m down two pant sizes which is fantastic.

Lately I’ve been having odd soreness in my lower back and shoulders so I contacted my nurse- she thought it was that my body was still holding it’s self like I had those 36 pounds still. She recommended I get a massage- hey doctors orders I’m not gonna say no to a little pampering. But honestly it worked. No longer am I sore in odd places.

I hope you all are doing well on your journey and remember every body is different with the loss. Listen to yours and your care team.

I have been MIA too but life not ppl.glad to see your still around! I was sleeved 12/22/2021 down 39 pounds today! It is much slower than I expected but ill take it!!! So i had pain too saw a chiropractor and i felt like a new human! My husband has been great at giving me massages so happy in that department but consider seeing a chiropractor that helped me the most. Even my hips and shoulders needed adjusted. Good luck!! Glad to see everyone is still around and loosing!