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.

December 1st here

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!

Nana22, I had a similar experience. I weighed 220.7 lbs the morning of surgery on Dec 29th and weighed 228 the following evening from so much water retention & gas? I think we have to hold on to a lot of non-scale victories.

Being 5 days post-op, I have already noticed being able to breathe easier when sitting in a car with a seatbelt on and my knees not hurting or breaking when I walk down the stairs.

While the head hunger is real and I am counting down the days until I get to pureed food (thanks for those suggestions, btw), I already feel like the procedure was worth it even though I experienced a few surgical complications (required a transfusion and an emergency EGD with the second surgery for a burst internal blood vessel and now body hives), I can already see the benefits of tracking water, protein, and planning out my meals throughout the day!

I haven't really needed the pain meds except for at night before bed. I ran out of one of my sleeping meds and I needed a prior authorization again so it did help a bit falling asleep. They gave me like 60 pills to take 3 times a day as needed. Like I think 30 would have been fine. I'm more annoyed with the hives from the medical glue. The pain only really hurt while moving, coughing, sneezing, or laughing and only at the incision sites. I didn't feel any gas like I did when I had my hysterectomy. I never had any hair loss for the hysterectomy either (I had endometriosis pretty badly), and I've never had hair loss from any surgery. I have tons of thick hair so I might not even experience hair loss and even if I do it might not even be noticeable. In fact it might feel nice in the summer lol.

Mine was on 12/20. I am in texas and am 50yr old. I was nervous at first and went through this journey as a single woman and no physical support. If I can do it you can too. Especially since I am a procrastinator. I am now on soft foods and excited about cooking healthy. The hardest part is trying to eat slow and keeping hydrated.
Quick question what is the best vitamins to take. I tried celebrate and they leave a funny taste.

I'm taking the Bariatric Advantage chewable multivitamins with iron in strawberry and the mixed fruit. They are very smooth and easy to take because they are not chalky at all. They kind of taste like a larger Flintstone vitamin.

I'm also taking the Bariatric Advantage calcium chews and they are nummy. I'm doing the sweet assortment which come in chocolate, caramel, coconut, and maybe peanut butter? I also got a bag in the mixed fruit and they taste like Starbursts.

I'm using my FSA to cover both as they are a little bit more on the expensive side but it's worth it for the taste.