Looking for folks to follow and build with who are o a similar surgery timeline.

I’m getting the sleeve on December 5.

Let me know if you’d scheduled similarly and would like to share experiences and support here. Please feel free to introduce yourself in the comments. I’ve included my own intro below.

ABOUT ME:
I’m Sarah, a 40yo woman from nyc.

I have a senior level professional job as a consultant and work from home most days of the week. I hate failing and I think that’s why weight has been such a hindrance for me, it’s feels like a personal failure.

Im pretty active and close my Apple Watch rings most days. I love to swim and do swim laps 30-60 minutes/day - 4-5/days a week. Outside of swimming I love to read, wander the hiking trails in Central Park, volunteer for campaigns and causes I care about, writing, and travel anywhere are everywhere in spite of dreaded airline seats :)


My WLS decision:
I’ve been overweight most of my life but for a few years after a prior 120lb weight loss associated with disordered eating about 10 years ago. Needless to say most of that weight was gained back in recovery and then some yo-yoing down 50 and up 60 every other year to follow. I imagine many of you can relate to this story.

Though I’ve thought about wls surgery for sometime my blood panels and other levels were still in healthy range only my weight was an outlier. But then COVID came and especially terrified me - I was scared if I caught it I would be at risk to lose my life. I made efforts on my own to lose weight and like past attempts I shed 50lbs and was really good for 6 months but then something happens at work and I prioritize that above myself and before I know it I’ve gains it back. This last year I found myself of the gain side of the yo-yo and for the first time being afraid to sit in some chairs, after break a plastic deck chair. I noticed I was keeping myself in bc I was disgusted with myself, holding myself back from dating, from living, and carrying myself with little confidence, with little to look forward to.

The tipping point:
I went to my nieces dance recital and could barely squeeze into the auditorium seat. I needed to make a permanent change. Two months later I had my first consult for surgery and here I am ready Dec 5 surgery.

I've been home one full day and it's been scary at times and then absolutely fine the rest of the time.
It's scary having to drink soup and figure out if you're full or if you're just psyching yourself out.
Hiccups hurt like a cow is jumping on your chest.
My tongue has its own fur coat, which is gross to the max.. I need to invest in a tongue scraper ASAP.
I woke at 6 in pain, took a tramadol, and slept for another 4 hours. It's been a weird day.
I'm still so happy though, no regrets whatsoever.

So.. sipping is the key. With your 20 seconds between each one. It sounds tedious, but you won't forget when you get that bubble of pain or have to run to the loo because your stomach is literally too full.

This was a jumble of words!
Apologies.
I spent my 30th birthday, recovering, in the hospital. It wasn't too bad, everyone kept wishing me a happy birthday. It was nice.
Okay, goodnight!
- Jo

Hi, I’m new here [emoji2]. My name is Jennifer, and I’m getting sleeved on 12/19/2022. I’m excited and terrified especially after the results from some of my labs. Good luck to you!

Good Luck [emoji106] u got this

Hello. Jacquie here. Newbie. December 21 is my surgery date. Tomorrow I'm going full-on pre-surgical diet although I've only had protein bars for the past several days. I ordered a bunch of protein shakes and vitamins that will be here tomorrow.

Unfortunately mine has not been the best of all possible experiences to date. My surgeon -- I really like him. Unfortunately, he has been in the process of splitting his practice with another surgeon, and he's also had some office turnover, so the brunt of scheduling all the labs and various medical clearance appointments...making sure my prescriptions have been dealt with...I feel like it's been a very D.I.Y. process, unfortunately. And subsequently I'm probably more afraid than I need to be.

Hello. I'm am scheduled for VSG 12/28. I think I'm having second thoughts. I have been reading posts and I'm getting discouraged with the preop diet.

2 hours ago, blackginger said:

Hello. I'm am scheduled for VSG 12/28. I think I'm having second thoughts. I have been reading posts and I'm getting discouraged with the preop diet.

Don't get discouraged! I felt that way too just prior to starting my pre-op. I was on the liquids for two weeks prior to surgery, I went through the thanksgiving holiday on liquids and I made it, you can too!! Just focus on your goal. I did a lot of praying to get me through that phase. I had my surgery on Nov 29th and so far things have been working out fine. I am now at the soft food stage and the liquids are but a memory. My focus now is making sure i am eating healthy foods with protein and getting my fluids in, you can do this!!!

Edited December 24, 20223 yr by Merri Beth
wrong date.

Hello. I'm am scheduled for VSG 12/28. I think I'm having second thoughts. I have been reading posts and I'm getting discouraged with the preop diet.

You are so close. I'm having a bypass the day after you. While the pre-op diet has been hard I understand why it's necessary. I try to remember why I decided to do WLS in the first place. If it helps, look back at the checklist and all the things you've done to make it this far! Those are huge milestones in and of itself. Rather than concentrate on all of the posts in the forum that make you question your decision, look at the thousands of positive posts where people have truly been able to change their lifestyle and regain their health.

We are in this together! Stay strong. I know it's really difficult to maintain pre-op guidelines when there is sugary food everywhere, but we're doing this for ourselves. Just imagine where we will be in our journeys next December!

Tell me, what is one of the milestones you are most looking forward to with weight loss? I want to be able to walk down the stairs in my house without my knees hurting and to be able to wear pants without elastic waists, again.

Don't get discouraged! I felt that way too just prior to starting my pre-op. I was on the liquids for two weeks prior to surgery, I went through the thanksgiving holiday on liquids and I made it, you can too!! Just focus on your goal. I did a lot of praying to get me through that phase. I had my surgery on Nov 29th and so far things have been working out fine. I am now at the soft food stage and the liquids are but a memory. My focus now is making sure i am eating healthy foods with protein and getting my fluids in, you can do this!!!

Thank you Merri Beth!

You are so close. I'm having a bypass the day after you. While the pre-op diet has been hard I understand why it's necessary. I try to remember why I decided to do WLS in the first place. If it helps, look back at the checklist and all the things you've done to make it this far! Those are huge milestones in and of itself. Rather than concentrate on all of the posts in the forum that make you question your decision, look at the thousands of positive posts where people have truly been able to change their lifestyle and regain their health.

We are in this together! Stay strong. I know it's really difficult to maintain pre-op guidelines when there is sugary food everywhere, but we're doing this for ourselves. Just imagine where we will be in our journeys next December!

Tell me, what is one of the milestones you are most looking forward to with weight loss? I want to be able to walk down the stairs in my house without my knees hurting and to be able to wear pants without elastic waists, again.

I want to be able to cross my legs and be active without pain.

Having the sleeve done on December 30 by Dr Alvarez, anyone gonna be there from here?

from The Woodlands - current BMI is 39 & doing this to help now and preventative due to several genetics counting against me on the mothers side of family.

nervous, but I know I’m in good hands! I had my gallbladder taken out Last end of Jan & I know I can do it!

On 12/23/2022 at 9:09 PM, blackginger said:

Hello. I'm am scheduled for VSG 12/28. I think I'm having second thoughts. I have been reading posts and I'm getting discouraged with the preop diet.

Hi Blackginger , my sleeve surgery date is also the 28th. Im also nervous, but keeping in mind i need to do this for long term health. My knees weren’t meant to carry this weight! And my momhas diabetes and high blood pressure. (Only 20 yrs older than me, im 54). Im in the Boston area. Hang in there!!!

60 yo male HS chemistry teacher from Cedar Park TX. Went to Puerto Vallarta and had the surgery on 12-20. Home now and feeling great. So this is Day 7 Post Op. My only struggle is my mind keeps telling me I need to eat something. No real issues with getting things down. Sip by sip

2 hours ago, Purple Pride said:

60 yo male HS chemistry teacher from Cedar Park TX. Went to Puerto Vallarta and had the surgery on 12-20. Home now and feeling great. So this is Day 7 Post Op. My only struggle is my mind keeps telling me I need to eat something. No real issues with getting things down. Sip by sip

I am a couple days shy of one month. My struggle is getting all the fluids in I feel like I am drinking constantly but when i check my intake it seems like it is never enough!

Had my sleeve on the 14th. Just about all of the pain is gone or minimal. Moving on to a liquid/pureed diet this week. Congratulations to all who have gone through the door. If you're getting close and having second thoughts, remember that we all had those thoughts. But you've worked hard to get here and final steps are just a few. Your future is on the other side of the door. Step through and begin your new life.

10 hours ago, Voogs said:

Had my sleeve on the 14th. Just about all of the pain is gone or minimal. Moving on to a liquid/pureed diet this week. Congratulations to all who have gone through the door. If you're getting close and having second thoughts, remember that we all had those thoughts. But you've worked hard to get here and final steps are just a few. Your future is on the other side of the door. Step through and begin your new life.

I definitely needed to hear this! This is such a major decision...but I'm realizing I have been feeling completely defeated after all these years and so many attempts. With your story and others on this forum, I'm slowly beginning to feel hope.

Congratulations to you and here's to a brand new you in 2023! ?

Love reading all of your experiences. They have been such a help to me already. I hadn’t posted because I was stuck on “what do I know?” and didn’t want to show myself a fool. My surgery was 12/21/22, so here is my experience so far…

lactated ringers IVs are the devil! I went home one day after surgery weighing 11 lbs more than checking in the day before.

pain was tolerable with medicine for the first few days. Tylenol only from day 4 out. Today is day 10, and I haven’t needed even Tylenol for the past three days. ICE packs are my best friend when I get ahead of myself and do too much around the house.

Two days of clear liquids taught me the real meaning of “to sip” very quickly. Hiccoughs are mild for me, but definitely a sign of having hit the full mark or drinking too much to fast.

On puréed stage now. I’m not as impressed with the ricotta bake as I thought I would be. Puréed Deviled Eggs though…. Amazing! Chili, refried non-fat beans, chicken salad, and chocolate egg-pudding (everything pureed) are also on the menu. Trying to focus on packing as much protein into that two ounces as I can.

I had purchased a used vitamix a few years ago. If you can find one or afford a new one, I highly recommend it. Beats my immersion blender by miles. Makes bulk cooking for the week much easier too.

SERIOUSLY follow that 10 lb lifting requirement. Really hurts when you don’t.

BEST part of the past 10 days is todays weigh in. 219.8 this morning!!! I had come home weighing just over 244. I know most of that is water weight, but oh does it feel good! Especially in the way my clothes fit.

Happy travels to full health all! And a very happy new year too!