lsereno

Hi all, My week's goal and progress so far: Monday: Ride bike 2-3 miles, walk 1 mile with hubby. I walked 1 mile with hubby and we washed the dog at the self-serve dog wash. Tuesday: Walk 3-4 miles with my walking group. I made it about 2 miles. Had to turn back early. Walked another mile with my husband in the evening. Wednesday: Follow along with Sit and Be Fit class that I recorded from PBS. It's 8:30 p.m. I am going to go follow along with this class right now because I don't want to be a slug today. Even though I feel like it. My big incision is a little sore today. I saw the Dr. today for my first post-op and I am cleared for more activity including working out and lifting more than 1- lbs. Dr. said just don't do it if it hurts and don't go crazy-build back up slowly. Thursday: Walk 3-4 miles with my walking group. Friday: Follow along with Sit and Be Fit class that I recorded from PBS. Ride bike 2-3 miles, walk 1 mile with hubby. Saturday: Day off! Sunday: Longer bike ride with friends. Forgot I have a big community event to organize on Sunday, so I'll be walking and biking all over my neighborhood.

I'm in San Jose too. If we get enough South Bay people, maybe we can organize a get together down here. I will be thinking of you Monday. Where are you getting sleeved? Lynda

Ha! Great minds think alike! Today I bought a package of Jennie-O Turkey Meatloaf, http://www.jennieo.com/products/SoEasyEntrees/turkeymeatloaf.aspx. It looks like it's pretty much heat and eat. I hope to be tearing into two ounces of it tomorrow after I return from my first post-op appt, at which I expect to be advanced to mushies. And I bought a peach and some canned in fruit juice peaches too. Lynda

Yeah sizing sucks! I bought a large summer dress at Walmart and had to return it for a medium. I need it a little small because I won't be wearing it for a month. In normal sizes, I am wearing between a 1x and a 2x, or 16W-18W. Sheesh! Lynda

I'm with Kaiser NorCal and when we first join the bariatric program we get the "bible". It includes a chapter on nutrition and they recommend a cooler emergency kit for times when you are out. They suggest drinks such as bottled Water and crystal light "on the go" packets, sweet Snacks, such as unsweetened applesauce cups and fruit, and food items such as lunch meat, boiled eggs, string cheese, tuna packs, beef Jerky, edamame, and dried vegetables. For me, I think shelf-stable foods are easier to grab and go with for long days and easy to eat snacks, such as string cheese and a banana for shorter trips. I'm a little more used to packing snacks because I've spent several years on the Weight Watchers treadmill and I tried to pack food for road trips so I wouldn't be stuck with only bad choices. I've found a string cheese will be OK in the purse for a few hours. I used to pack a sandwich that I might not eat for a couple of hours too. I mean, heaven forbid! I'm older than a lot of people on these boards and we used to take our lunch to school, let it sit for 4 hours (we didn't have cooler packs in those days) and then merrily eat our egg salad, tuna salad, or lunch meat sandwiches. Lynda

I'm only two weeks out but here's a couple of things I've done: Pre surgery: Bought a 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle. If I get bored, I work on it a little. Made myself a feel better kit for when I got home: Little tray to hold stuff on the bed, good smelling candle I hadn't used in a while, spiffy new lip balm and lotion I bought for hospital, recorded some sappy stuff on TV Post surgery: Bought a couple of inexpensive shirts at Walmart in two sizes: one a little snug and one size smaller. These shirts are under $4 each. Bought a silly magazine because I went grocery shopping with hubby and I didn't get anything else. (I was already stocked up on the items I'm allowed to have.) Hang on these boards reading other's stories and realizing I am not alone. Stay uber-clean and well groomed. Helps when I look in the mirror and don't scare myself :-) Getting some fresh air and sunshine, even if it's just sitting in the backyard 15 minutes. Saying no to volunteer work if I'm already tired. I have had a couple of urges, even though I don't really want to eat anything. My hubby had popcorn and I really missed having any even though the thought of eating any turned my stomach. Yesterday I was bored and watching TV and I thought: I want a salty snack! Again, the idea of actually eating the snack still kinda makes me sick, but the first urge was there. Lynda

I gained 15 lbs. from the IV fluids. It put a bit of a stretch on my skin to do it overnight, but at least I wasn't worried about being dehydrated when I got home from the hospital. It took 8 days for the Water to work its way out of my system. Lynda

Hi all, I'm two weeks out today, and so far, I found my plan for this week may be overly ambitious! I'm working on it, but haven't made my fitness goals for the first two days so far: Monday: Ride bike 2-3 miles, walk 1 mile with hubby. I walked 1 mile with hubby and we washed the dog at the self-serve dog wash. Tuesday: Walk 3-4 miles with my walking group. I made it about 2 miles. Had to turn back early. I'm going to try the Sit and Be Fit class this afternoon. Wednesday: Follow along with Sit and Be Fit class that I recorded from PBS. Thursday: Walk 3-4 miles with my walking group. Friday: Follow along with Sit and Be Fit class that I recorded from PBS. Ride bike 2-3 miles, walk 1 mile with hubby. Saturday: Day off! Sunday: Longer bike ride with friends.

Hi mnbsleeve, Dr. told me I could ride my bike as long as I didn't fall off! It feels great even though I tire pretty quickly still. Hope you get the clearance to get on yours before the full month is up. Lynda

Bert, I will be thinking of you on Wednesday and sending healing thoughts your way! I'm just two weeks ahead of you! Get your rest and enjoy a healthy meal if you are not on the liquid diet some doctors prescribe. Lynda

1) Why do people choose the gastric bypass verses sleeve? This seems like a better way to go I chose VSG because it is restrictive only. Bypass also causes malabsorption. And with VSG you can take anti inflammatory drugs, there are no food restrictions after you heal up from the surgery, and you can enjoy a drink or two here and there. 2) Was the surgery painful? Not for me. I was sore afterwards, but the pain meds kept it well under control if I didn't do anything crazy like pick stuff up off the ground or sleep on my side. Still a little sore if I hunch over when sitting down. 3) How long were you down? (I have two small kids so Im wondering how long till I could pick them up? My doc has me on lifting restriction: no more than 10 lbs. But I'm only two weeks out. If you don't get an answer here and you can't find one when searching through previous posts, then I would re-ask this question on another board. This one is a bit more "buried" so people may not have seen your question. 4) Did your spouse benefit from your surgery( did your family also lose weight? Yes, my hubby began losing weight as soon as I started the pre-op diet. 5) How much can you eat REALLY?? about 6 months to a year out Can't answer this one cuz I am only two weeks out, but I know there are plenty of answers to this if you search the previous posts. Also look at Eggfaces site. She often posts what she eats during the day: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ 6) I cant find any statistics on long term weight loss. Im terrified to gain back. Anyone know what success is like after a year or two out?? First year is still considered the "honeymoon" period so most people are close to their lowest weights then. Two years out and beyond: I'm not sure what the statistics are. 7) Do you know anyone who has gained weight back from sleeve? 8) Any regrets? No. 9) If you had to self pay would you? I thought about it, but can't say for sure. I was terrified that as self-pay, I would have a complication that would not be covered under my insurance. But at the same time, I know that if I didn't have the operation, I was looking at a shortened life span. So I think I would have done it even if my insurance didn't cover it. Lynda

Moms - gotta love them!! Congrats on size 16 non-spandex!! Better enjoy them before they get too big :-) My Mom bought me a dress and a darling top years ago during one of my failed weight loss attempts. At the time, both were just "a little" too small. Of course, over they years they became WAY too small. I can't wait to get into them and let my Mom know her encouragement and support finally paid off! Lynda

I just use my regular blender and I'm fine with that. So if you have a blender and don't want another appliance, I would skip the bullet. However, if you don't already have a blender, the bullet is a good choice for the kind of blending tasks you will be doing. The bullet got a terrible review from Better Homes and Gardens, but the convenience of making your drink right in the cup makes up for the fact that it can't blend a frozen margarita as well as a conventional blender. Lynda

Hi Joy, I recommend taking the Magnesium Citrate sooner rather than later. I drank mine about 4 p.m. and didn't go poo till about 11 p.m. and didn't finish till about midnight. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending healing thoughts your way! Lynda

Congrats! So many outsiders think WLS is all about fitting in a smaller size, but for those of us who have been stuck in an outsize body for years, we know the real joys! You and your daughter look so happy and joyous- the pictures brought a smile to my face and make this dreaded recovery time easier to bear. Thank you for sharing your victories with us! Lynda

Also check the hotel where you will stay post-surgery. They may have a hotel safe you could use. Lynda

Bob, I'll be thinking of you over the next few days and sending healing thoughts your way on Tuesday! Best wishes for a speedy recovery! You'll be on the loser's bench before you know it! Lynda

Thanks for this! I hate my Protein powder. Maybe the lemons will do a better job of hiding the taste. Lynda

Hi Jim, I took my hydrocodone pain meds full strength for the first eight days or so. Everyone has different pain levels. Your pain will diminish with time! And I have taken it really slow getting back to full-time activities. I'm not even driving yet. IMO, it's better to take it slow and nip the pain in the bud. Everyone's journey is a little different. Lynda

Thanks! I saw someone post that they took a 2 -hr bike ride just three weeks out, so I thought I better step it up a little! Before VSG, I worked out 5 days a week: 3 days 30 min strength training with a trainer and twice a week walking 3-4 miles with my walking group and biking about a mile. I plan to return to working with my trainer in a couple of weeks. She is on vacation till then. I will be walking with my group again this week. Not sure I can keep up, but I'm gonna try! Lynda

Oops! Just saw the request for goals for this week: Work out every day. Monday: Ride bike 2-3 miles, walk 1 mile with hubby. Tuesday: Walk 3-4 miles with my walking group. Wednesday: Follow along with Sit and Be Fit class that I recorded from PBS. Thursday: Walk 3-4 miles with my walking group. Friday: Follow along with Sit and Be Fit class that I recorded from PBS. Ride bike 2-3 miles, walk 1 mile with hubby. Saturday: Day off! Sunday: Longer bike ride with friends. I see the Dr. Wed for my first post-op. Lynda

Today, I rode my bike 2 miles over level ground. First time I've been on it since the sleeve (May 17). Not much gym rat activity, but I'm on my way back! Lynda

Don't rely just on this thread. Look through the posts on this board along with the pre and post surgery boards and the general surgery board. Everything that happened to me after surgery was described by someone else on this board, so I wasn't really surprised. I knew: Lots of people have hiatal hernias that are repaired when the VSG is done. When I woke up from surgery, I found out I did too. Some surgeons leave the catheter in the first day to make sure there are no leaks (they watch for blood in the urine). Mine did. The pain meds work for most people, so they are not in a lot of pain after they wake up from surgery. They worked for me too. Many people get diarrhea and it goes away on its own in a couple of weeks. I got diarrhea, but I checked with my Dr. anyway, just to be safe. Most people can't sleep in their normal sleep positions for a week or two. I got some extra pillows and propped myself up to sleep like I was in the hospital bed still. (Big pillows under my upper back and head and smaller one under my knees.) Many people more emotional and cry easily. So I wasn't surprised when I burst into tears over something silly twice in the first week after surgery. And I've tried to go easy on my loving husband, who is my favorite punching bag when I'm upset. Most people have a hard time getting the fluids in the first few days. I followed a tip from several fellow-posters and used a small one-ounce medicine cup with a timer to make sure I got in an ounce every 15 minutes. Although there are unpleasant things after surgery, it's really helped knowing that I've had an average or better recovery. And one thing I've learned: even those with horrid complications get better. That helped me pre-surgery when I was afraid of what might go wrong. Looking through the boards, I found even those with leaks eventually get better. I had a regular IV. From what I've read, most others have regular IVs too. Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

The first few days are the toughest. Everyone post-op has been there, or some variation of there. Walking really helps to shake the gas out. Did your doctor prescribe an anti-acid (PPI). If not, call and ask for one. Your most important goal is to stay hydrated. So get your fluids in first, then worry about Protein. I used a one-ounce medicine cup, a measuring cup, and a timer to get my fluids in the first couple of days. Fill the measuring cup so you don't have to hop up and down. Then use it as a pitcher to fill your medicine cup every 15 minutes. Set the timer so you are reminded when your next 15 minutes begins. For protein, I found that I tolerate the unjury Protein powder much better than the Gold Standard. (Note that I'm not slamming the Gold Standard. I tolerated it just fine pre-op when I was testing Proteins and it may be the Lactaid milk that I mixed it with) I also had good luck with Isopure Protein Drink. I don't care for the taste, but it doesn't cause discomfort after I drink it, so who cares? I'm sending healing thoughts your way! Lynda

I gained 14 lbs. Water weight in the hospital. I was back to my pre-surgery weight about 8 days out. Now, 11 days out I am down 6 lbs. I only had two incidents with nausea, both lasted less than a minute and I didn't throw up. However, my stomach has had loud rumbles, cramping, and diarrhea since about 2 days out. The last few days, within 1/2 hr of eating, I get crampy gas and then go to the restroom. Once I poop, it's all good again for a few hours. I know food doesn't go through our systems that fast, so I'm not sure what's up. I've found I feel better with the unjury Protein powder than the Gold Standard Protein Powder. I didn't have a problem with the Gold Standard before surgery. Or it might be the Lactaid milk I mix the Gold Standard with. Many people report having gas, cramping, and diarrhea that clears up in about 2 weeks, so maybe that's the magic number. I hope so!! Lynda