Leaderboard

Today is my 1 year anniversary since surgery! It has been a wild ride! I am so glad I decided to get the surgery done. I used to get winded just walking up the stairs from my basement. Now I walk between 2-3 miles per night. Next on the agenda, possible skin removal next year and both knee replacements (holding out as long as I can). I have had continuous weight loss, however, I have stalled somewhat but still had small losses during those stalls. Keep on track and use this tool to its full advantages! I have been of Blood Pressure meds since surgery. I may not need my cpap any longer, but I haven't done another sleep study. STATS: I have lost a total of 227.2 pounds: 17.25 inches around my chest 32.5 inches around my belly button 27.25 inches around my waist 6.25 inches around my neck 4.5 inches on bicep 10 inches around my upper thigh 4.25 inches on my calf HW: 469.8 PreOp: 450.6 (19.2 pounds lost) SW: 430.8 (39 pounds lost) CW: 242.6 (227.2 pounds lost)

So, I went to my primary doctor today and I will be going on to the next step Monday and get my bloodwork done. She will also be in contact with my other doctor, and I have to say I so love my primary as she told me that minus my weight that I am actually pretty healthy as in my blood pressure is not high or low; my lungs and heart sound great so unless my blood work comes back with something that we can't see she will be clearing me from her end for surgery. So one more step closer or at least a half a step.

Welcome & congratulations on your decision to have sleeve surgery. Can’t help with your denture question. After surgery , many of us experience a temporary change to our tastebuds & sense of smell meaning that some foods (including shakes & drinks) taste &/or smell awful. For me things became too sweet & some textures became off putting (like the shakes were too grainy for me after surgery). It can persist for a couple of months. Moral is have a couple of samples of different brands & flavours on hand. Also some develop a temporary sensitivity to lactose so you may have to find a plant based protein shake. I started driving short distances during the second week. But your surgeon will advise what they recommend for you.. I didn’t return to work until week 5 (I struggled with low blood pressure & energy & had a shorter concentration span for a little while) but I know people who were back at work after a week. A friend took 3 weeks. It really depends on how you recover. Generally I felt okay for basic chores around the house & short trips to the shops in the second week. Pain was gone by day 4 except for a little general discomfort if I did a little too much or moved too quickly. I lived alone and I was fine by myself though I didn’t have any health issues which may have meant I required any assistance. I slept easily on my side & could get up & down easily (just slowly & carefully). Write down your questions or things you may want to confirm from our stories as you think of them so you have them ready to raise with your surgeon. It’s easy to forget somethings.

You have done amazing. If it wasn't for the tats wouldn't even be sure it was you in the latest pics.

Great list. I took up pilates and like it so much the teacher is putting on an extra class each week for me, just have to hope others sign up also so she keeps them going. I am going on my long wanted holiday to D.C. I now know I can do all the walking and sightseeing I have had on my list and I can fly in comfort knowing I am not restricted in a small seat/seatbelt and can shop in the non-plus size sections of Macy's Bloomingdales etc. I bought myself a couple of handbags as 'rewards' I think I will soon be ready to look at starting to date again. It has been years as I never thought I was worthy, if I didn't love myself why would someone else? But I think I am close to now to being ready to at least dip my toe in the water, albeit the reality of if all makes me feel a bit nauseous. I used to like to walk and I have enjoyed doing that again, even if it is just 20 minutes around the block. Just nice to get fresh air and have a bounce in my step. I am organising a party next year for my birthday which I invited all my family (about 30) to a hotel for a few days away, my treat, to celebrate and also thank them all for their love and support over the last year. (Means I can't buy anymore handbags for a while as have to save!)

Blimey @ShoppGirlyou have had a lot to deal with this week! Gallbladder- I had mine out last year but I wasn’t told anything to avoid foods, drinks or anything but was warned that gall stones can come back in the bile duct. After a bit of a rocky start (lots and lots of fluid leakage as my gallbladder was horribly inflamed which resulted in a much longer surgery blah blah blah) I’ve been fine ever since. Fingers crossed all will go well with that aspect of the week for you. Please take your pain meds and give yourself whatever respite you can. You’ve had 2 major operations this week and you are really going to be feeling it 😮 Would a heat pad give you any additional relief? Injecting yourself - I inject one lot of meds weekly and another fortnightly and, believe it or not, I think it’s easier to self-inject than have someone else do it for you. I just grab a fat roll at the top of my thighs, hold the pen against my skin and press the button. I’ve to count to 10 before releasing. A quick wipe down with a sterile wipe and I’m good to go. Yes, it very occasionally hurts, like if I haven’t grabbed enough for the injection, plus you have to rotate your injection site as you can end up pretty sore with it if not (never had that problem, thankfully 🤞) You can also inject in your stomach if that’s a better choice for you. I was told that I have to have B12 injections every 3 months - I’m going to look like a dart board!!

I’ve been very slow to lose weight and it hasn’t dropped for days. Currently 13 days post op and lost a combined weight of 16 lbs. Gastric Sleeve. I am still on liquids. My nutritionist said my body is in shock and trying to hold on to everything including water. so well see… but i understand the feeling of slow.

Yes sounds a bit vanilla of a presentation and she certainly doesn't sound like the best example, even for someone who had no issues with the surgery or recovery as not giving a great example of how to live life after by the sounds of it. Do you have to go to many of the sessions or is it just a once off? Do you need to have the knee surgery first? I was told I had to lose weight for knee surgery but hospital said to have the weight loss surgery first for two reasons, one to still be considered a high enough BMI (like you I had/have no co-morbidities) to qualify for the state paid surgery and also to release some of the weight pressure my knees are under before going through another surgery.

Great suggestion to write down questions. A friend suggested for me to keep a list on my phone and that was ideal because it’s always with me so I could add them as they popped into my head no matter where I was.

Thanks for all your replies I was feeling as my weightloss wasn’t significant, I’m anxious to have a solid meal my surgeon had me on a 4week post op liquid diet and now I can move onto 2 weeks of puree then 2 week of soft food, his diet style seems strict and I’m just loosing motivation over here.. really trying though. Having an extremely difficult time meeting protein and liquid goals, it’s so much for one day when my stomach can only handle 2oz at a time!!