sunnyd

I could only walk at first but just got the ok to start on the elliptical at 3 weeks out. I can do light weights but nothing over 20lbs until six weeks.

So I'm now a little over three weeks since being sleeved. I actually typed this up once before but somehow lost it and was too tired to type again until now. My time in the hospital started off with a glitch and ended with a glitch. At first (after being at the hospital for over 5 hours- also had a vena cava filter put in) my bloodwork showed I had low potassium. If they couldn't get it raised by taking what I call potassium "shots", which were super nasty tasting, then my surgery would have to be post-poned. Yeah...I freaked, but my levels did raise about 40 minutes after the potassium shot- so yay surgery! Everything with surgery went fine. The surgeon said if I hadn't lost the 63 lbs. ahead of time she would've had to have done an open procedure because my liver was still pretty big but thank goodness that didn't happen! I was so happy to wake up alive and with the laproscopic option! My other glitch was one night I woke up with a nurse sitting by my side. Apparently my oxygen levels went really low and I stopped breathing. The nurse had to stay with me as I slept that night since it kept going low- scary! Anyways that led me to staying in the hospital another night and I was supposed to stay a fourth night but they decided to let me go home if I slept with oxygen at home and scheduled some heart tests and a sleep study. Whew- I was glad I could leave the hospital! I was so ready to be home! Finally after a couple days home I got on the scale- oh I so shouldn't have- I had gained 15 lbs!!!!! What... I thought I was supposed to lose weight! So I know it was due to receiving fluids for 4 days and the air they pump into your stomach during surgery but still it was depressing. I've since lost those lbs- thank goodness. Then came the appointments. Had an echocardiagram and bubble tests done on the heart, potassium checked, additional bloodwork done, follow- up with the surgeon and nutritionist, and more bloodwork done to see if I had infection (had some bad stomach pain). All of that came back good. And then I had the oh so fun sleep study last night. Wow- that was an experience! How weird to be hooked up to so many wires and to have someone watch you sleep. The strangest thing was waking up in a pitch dark room while someone was saying my name. Of course I woke up forgetting where I was and I kept looking around trying to see who was calling my name- well duh it was over the intercom. he he . I haven't received results yet but the technician said I definitely didn't have severe sleep apnea and she wasn't even sure I'd be diagnosed with sleep apnea/need a c-pap. Both she and my surgeon guess it may be because of the pain meds why I had issues in the hospital- but of course I won't know for sure until my follow-up with the doc. Whew- well there is my story. Overall things went well. It is definitely an adjustment but I continue to tell myself it will get better and better. I've really enjoyed reading all your stories and NSV's and can't wait to be there with you soon!

WOW!!! CONGRATS TO YOU!!! You have done a fantabulous job with your weightloss! Your story is very inspiring!

I agree it is hard to lose 100lbs on your own. I did actually lose 140 lbs. on my own a few years ago but the maintenance of keeping it off is even harder- hence my gaining that all back. That is why this time around I knew I needed medical intervention to not only help me lose but also maintain. I love that your headquarters is from your Sealy posturepedic bed. I slept on one last week during my sleep study- oh my how comfortable! I think I need one!

Good luck to you as you begin this journey!

Good luck to you!

How wonderful!!! You must feel great to be in onederland!!! CONGRATS!!

My surgeon gave me the ok to get on the elliptical at 3 weeks out but no heavy lifting until 6 weeks or so. Of course she also says walk, walk, walk!

Thanks guys! I'm wondering if anyone else had issues in the hospital due to low oxygen? If it is because of the pain meds I think that would be a more common siutation???? I really don't have a clue but am curious.

CONGRATS!!! That's exciting! May 9th will be here before you know it! Good luck to you!

I had my surgery 3/16 and orginally took off 3 weeks. I extended it another week since I was so tired and still had to go to many doctor appts. post-op due to issues in the hospital. However, I just got passed 3 weeks and I feel great right now and think I could go back next week. I think 3 weeks is a perfect amount of time to recover. Now will I still stay home an extra week? Yeah-I think so.

Great post for newbies to read! I had one last meal (Outback) and that was it. Of course I was tempted but knew I had to focus on losing weight pre-op. I'm so glad I did (lost 63 lbs) because the surgeon told me if I hadn't she would've had to have done an open surgery versus laproscopic because my liver was still pretty big. No way did I want a long scar down my stomach! I've also heard that some surgeons have canceled operations due to people not losing enough weight pre-op. So it is important to listen to what your doc wants you to do!

Good luck to you on Thursday!!! That's great that you are calm about. How wonderful that you were able to educate your family about the sleeve and receive support. That will be so helpful after surgery. And I hope you rock your sleeve!

Sorry to hear about your struggle. I think it was smart that you went to another doctor. Glad you were able to get diagnosed and hopefully these new meds will help you feel better. Sounds like your other doctor needs to educate himself a little more. I hate when docs blame everything on weight- seems like an easy out (not that being overweight doesn't cause issues- I think we all know that it can/does). And congrats on your weight lost- you've done great!!! Good luck to you as you begin these new meds- I hope you feel better each day!

Congrats to you! That's inspiring!

Are you drinking with your meal or right after? I did that just once and had discomfort. After that I just follow the docs orders and wait 30-40 minutes to drink and I'm fine. That was probably the hardest adjustment for me- not drinking while eating. Still don't like it- but do what I gotta do to be successful.

I was sent home with hydrocodone for pain- I could take it whenever but I only took it at night to help me sleep. I also took levitin for nausea and docuate sodium to help with bowel movements since you can get easily backed up after surgery. I really didn't need the last two as I didn't have nausea and had no bathroom issues. But I'll tell ya I loved me some of that hydorodone at night! I can see how people get addicted. I refilled it once and then cut myself off.

That's great that things are improving! And 11lbs lost is a great number! I actually gained 15 lbs. while in the hospital. And aren't moms the best when we're sick or recovering. After I had my surgery my mom stayed with me and I thought no matter how old I am- I always like and now appreciate when my mom takes care of me. Good luck as you continue on this journey!

Yeah I watched that show too and was hoping to hear about the sleeve on TV and nope just the band. It's interesting that many surgeons are now choosing to NOT perfom the band anymore on theor patients and yet that was the focus of the segment on weight loss surgery.

I am so glad I had the sleeve. I had chosen the bypass orginally until I found this board and read everyone's posts and stories. I then made another appt. with the surgeon and changed it. I actually thought she seemed to push the sleeve more than the bypass but I wanted the bypass because I thought I'd lose more weight with that option. I am very lucky to have heard from so many people on this board about the advantages of the sleeve and the comparable weight loss. Thank goodness!

So when I was in the hospital I gained 15 lbs! Probably from the 4 days of fluids. Anyone else gain that much in the hospital- I was totally surprised by that. When I think of my weight loss since surgery which is an additional 10lbs- should I count the 15 lbs and think 25lbs? I think that doesn't count and only tell myself 10lbs. What do you think?

Since you like grape Gatorade maybe you would like the Grape Frost Isopure. It is kind of like Kool Aid and has 40 grams of Protein. It is the only flavor of Isopure I can handle. Sometimes I only drink half depending on what I need protein wise and what I can handle at the moment but with half I still get 20 grams of protein. Also have you tried any of Eggface's Protein shakes. She has a lot of different shakes listed. I've been trying a few out and have found some I really like (chocolate Mint and strawberry Cheesecake are my fav so far). Good luck to you as you continue on- it really does seem to be like a trial and error process- somethings I like and some things I gag at.

I had surgery the day before you and I've only lost 10 lbs so I think you're doing great! I'm sure you'll reach the 100lbs goal- just got to give it time. I'm on mushies- slowly starting soft foods right now. I can't eat a whole lot either- don't think we are suppposed to be. Keep doing what you're doing - walking 2 miles a day is a wonderful accomplishment early out- way to go! Good luck as you continue on this journey!

I was going to mention the same things- try the Syntrax samples- they are pretty to cheap to sample all flavors. Also the Isopure- I can only drink the Grape Frost but a lot of people like the Alpine Punch too. Great job on the exercise- I think you're doing great. I need to get on that- been slacking. I also do the chewable Flinstone vitamins- work pretty good. Keep at it and it will get better- good luck to you!

CONGRATS TO YOU!!! You have done awesome and it is very inspiring! Keep up the great work!