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So, I am nearly 15 years (yes years) postop. I started at 315 and plummeted to 142 within 10 months of surgery. I was super happy but I was also sick. I didn't have energy, I looked sick...but I was SKINNY! For the first time in my adult life, I wore a SMALL! I loved and hated it at the same time. Then I was told to gain weight because due to all the excess skin, I was really underweight and it was NOT healthy for me. Well, long story short...I can eat pretty much anything and not dump. Then my portions started growing and my snacking came back. I gained, I lost, I gained, I lost...you all know how that goes. I got back up to 230 and was miserable again. I started doing VERY well earlier this year and lost nearly 25 pounds of regain, then COVID-19 struck and has me working from home. This led right back to horrible habits and not as much movement (I didn't even have to walk to my car!). The company I work for has wonderful programs to help get motion and nutrition back on track. Well, that is if you are able bodied (I have bad knees and am just trying to keep replacements at bay as long as I can) and can eat like a normal person. The PT and nutritionist had me doing things that just didn't work for me...not once but TWICE. I told them over and over I couldn't exercise on my knees nor could I eat the portions they were assigning to me. Frustrated, I started researching revisions. I found one I was seriously contemplating, regardless of insurance coverage (I was THAT desperate). I was on the verge of calling my GP for a referral when I thought, "What about going back to basics"? So, about two weeks ago, I found some sites (this is one of them!) with bariatric specific meal plans, food, vitamins, gadgets, etc. I took the plunge and ordered protein powders, protein snacks, meal replacements and changed my vitamin routine to the 1 A Day on here. I bought shaker bottles for my shakes, 15 minute increment water bottles to make me drink my water (if you knew me, you would know I HATE water), and I also cleared two shelves in my pantry for JUST ME. It's now been just over a week and I am down 4 pounds. I have so much more energy that my husband was like "who are you and where is my wife"! I have already noticed a difference in some of my clothes - no more dancing routine putting on my yoga pants! It's not easy, but I have to remember where I was and where I want to be once again! Sorry this was so long but I started typing and couldn't stop!

Hello I’m back to report that I have been sleeved! Coming out of surgery was rough! I threw up two or three times which I’m told is very normal. I wanted to sleep most of the time, so I wasn’t immediately up and walking. I had this terrible ache in my upper stomach that was not incision pain, perhaps hunger? It was strong but the pain meds and sleep helped with that. Eventually, I got several walks in and used my lung breathing thing. Can’t recall what it’s called, but it helps your lungs expand and avoid pneumonia. So far, I can tolerate liquids well. I went a whole night without pain meds and feel great. Your first two night may be a lil rough, but just remember that it gets better.

Thank you!

How empowering the answers ere always within you. Stay true

I pooped tonight! Was starting to get a little concerned. And yes on the hot liquids. So much better... I've had cream of chicken soup (with the bits strained out, and some unflavored protein powder added) a few times today, and it was so so so much better than the shakes.

It sounds like you are doing everything well and are right on track! If you are feeling like you could do more exercise, don't give it another thought. Exercise is good for your overall fitness level, but diet is the key to weight loss. I did almost no exercise during my weight loss phase (aside from normal walking to get to and from work) and was quite successful. This process is difficult, both physically and emotionally. Give yourself a break and think of how much you have accomplished!

You read this correctly! I wanted to show my list of questions so people may add on any questions that I missed that may be beneficial for me

Thank you to the 1st week of November people that have posted! I appreciated reading your posts. Hopefully you're having a smooth recovery and acclimating to the new change effortlessly. My day is coming tomorrow. Whoohoo! I'm super excited! I'm all packed and am finalizing stuff around the house. I haven't been exactly the best with my preop diet, so hopefully my doctor won't take one look at the liver and send me back home. 😜 I lost only a few pounds, but I'm happy with that! As long as the scale is moving down not up, it's all good. My surgery is early, so I'll probably get zero sleep tonight. The hospital had me come in earlier in the week to get the paperwork done and they provided me with soap to wash the night before and day of the surgery. Wow... I can't believe it's happening! I'll do my best to keep y'all posted. Hopefully I can do so asap when everything is fresh in mind. Good luck Friday, November 6th day sleevers!

thanks to everyone that answered, i did start drinking a lot more water these last couple of days, not a lot has changed im afraid. the doctors keep telling me i need to give it time, however as time passes i get more and more desperate and anxious unfortunately. its scary when everyone is telling u that you are healthy but u don't feel it. i really hope that with better nutrition and more water it will go away eventually.

I underwent VSG at Blossom Bariatrics/Warm Springs Surgical Center on 1/24/19. My surgeon was Dr. Matt Apel. I have nothing but positive things to say. Their staff members were amazing, but more importantly, they were completely thorough in everything they did- from the pre-op work-up, to surgery, to the IV infusion the day after surgery. They even emailed me copies of the surgical report and pathology reports. Everything was spectacular. The hotel they put us in was nice, clean, and quiet. The presidential ground transportation they provided was also very convenient for out of towners like myself. I’m a registered nurse with a background in pre-op/post-op, so I tend to pay attention to things that most people don’t notice. I found absolutely nothing to critique. Every T was crossed, and every I was dotted. I honestly can’t think of a single thing to complain about. If your insurance won’t pay to have bariatric surgery done locally (and even if it does), then I 110% whole-heartedly recommend Blossom Bariatrics.