Marie from Michigan

I agree with the others. I have lots of food in my cupboards that I "thought" I would eat/drink post-op. And some of the foods that I ate during the two week pre-op diet, I could not tolerate after surgery. Save your $$ and make your purchases after surgery. For me, Protein drinks were (still are) the hardest. I have to have them to up my protein counts, but I don't really like any of them for long. 4-5 days and I am moving on to try another brand. Best wishes to you for your surgery and new life! Marie

My surgery was April 12. I did not have either a drain tube or a catheter. I woke up in recovery with severe pain in my shoulders. The nurse said it was due to the way they have you lay during surgery, but I know now it was gas pain from the CO they inject into your abdomen. My surgery was mid-afternoon and I was up walking about 7pm. I remember being extremely thirsty and was given ice chips. I controlled my own pain pump and pushed it consistently. The first time I got up to walk I was a bit quesy, but it went over quickly. I had a lot of trouble sleeping that first night. I would think that I had slept for a couple of hours but the clock had moved only 3 minutes. It was literally the longest night of my life. The next morning I was a bit nauseous and the nurse told me it was probably from the pain drip. Since I really wasn't feeling any pain, I stopped pushing the button and the nausea stopped. I was able to use the bathroom on my own beginning a few hours after surgery. I began coughing a bit the day after surgery and that hurt. The nurse showed me how to support my stomach with a pillow when coughing. On the day after surgery my face felt really flushed and my blood pressure and temp were a bit elevated. I was concerned, but the medical staff didn't seem at all alarmed. Said it was pretty normal. I spent the day after surgery drinking 1 ounce of unjury each hour with ice chips in between. I was supposed to go home the 3rd morning, but early morning blood tests showed low potassium levels. I had to have 2 bags of potassium intravenously and that took about 3 hours. Since potassium really burns going in it was by far the worst three hours in the hospital. Sorry this was so long, but I wanted to give you an honest account. I was pretty weak and low energy for the first three weeks, but beginning week 4 saw great improvement. At 8 weeks out I feel normal. All in all I am very glad I did it and wish I had been able to have the sleeve 20 years ago! Marie

I am 8 weeks post-op, but I remember having sharp pains at the beginning that lasted only a minute or so. However, I encourage you to call your Doctor's office and discuss. My doctor's office has a "phone nurse" whose job it is to take such calls. I called several times during the first few weeks and she was very, very helpful. She eased my mind that some of the things I was experiencing were normal, and a couple of times prescribed over the counter meds that were very helpful (Milk of Magnesia, etc.). You paid for it!

Congrats from another Michigander! I am eight weeks out this week and have lost 28 pounds since surgery, 44 since my first WLS appointment last January. The first week after surgery was rough, I won't lie. Walk as much as you possibly can. I went to Costco the day after I was released from surgery just to hang on to a cart and walk around. (Weather was cold and rainy in mid-April). I must have looked like death warmed over but I didn't care. The first week I went back to work was also hard. I had low energy and was very tired. Don't be surprised if a stall starts about week 2 or 3. About at week 4 things really started improving! Wishing you all the best. Marie

I am two months post-op tomorrow. In the last two weeks I have noticed that I do feel differently when I haven't eaten for four hours or so. Something is telling me that its time to eat, but it is very different than either hunger pains from the past or cravings. It's more of a gentle reminder to eat. At that point no matter what I eat I am satisfied, very different than a craving for a specific food or snack. Like the previous poster said, I think this is how it is supposed to be. Loving my sleeve. I take an acid reducer daily before surgery and don't think that is what I am experiencing. Marie

Hi Meggie My highest weight in January was 270. I started the pre-op diet at 265. Two weeks later on the day of surgery I was 254 for a loss of 11 pounds during the pre-op. I came home from the hospital at 265 (that was depressing!). At two weeks I started mushie foods and a stall. The stall lasted 10 days. I am 7 weeks post surgery and am at 229 pounds for a total loss of 41 pounds. According to the Doctor, I have lost 36 pounds since they take the pre-op weight as the starting point. I have not lost any weight for the past 4 days and am worried I am at another stall. I read on the boards this morning that weight loss might be slower if you have a history of yo-yo dieting. That certainly describes me so maybe that's part of my problem. I actually lost weight faster when I was on the medically supervised diet at the same Doctor's office. I keep telling myself that the difference is that this time I won't gain it back, but that sounds hollow even to me.

Hi Tamz I am a Type 2 diabetic and have been for 10 years. I was also on Metformin. Before surgery I was taking 1000 mil twice a day. In addition I was (actually still am) taking Actos. They both lower blood glucose but work in different ways. My blood sugar levels were running about 140 - 170 before Breakfast even with medication prior to surgery. My doctor wanted me to go on insulin but I wanted to do WLS instead. The day I started my pre-op diet I stopped the metformin. On the strict pre-op diet my morning readings dropped to about 120. Hopefully the Metformin will work and you will be able to have your surgery. Wishing you the best!

Hi Stacy Our stats are almost identical. I am 7 weeks post op and have lost 24 pounds. I am eating about 70 grams of Protein a day. My Nutritionist told me not to count calories or carbs until 3 months out, but I estimate about 40 carbs a day and 700 calories. I drink at least 64 ounces of clear liquids a day and walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes five times a week. I had a stall at week 2 that lasted 10 days. Since then I have been losing about 1-2 pounds per week. I am certainly not losing at the rate that some others are and that is disappointing for sure! I keep thinking that I put it on 1-2 pounds per week so that is probably how it will come off as well. I try not to weigh myself every day and at one point even put the scale in the garage, but that just made me crazy! So I weigh each morning and hope the scale shows a loss. I think us "slower losers" might be more common than it seems on the boards. When I had my 6 week post op visit last week, the doctor said my loss was normal. He didn't seem at all concerned. I keep remembering what Julie from Paraguay says, "Its not a race." So my plan is to continue following my Doctor/Nutritionist guidelines and let what happens, happens. I am sure that the weight will come off at some point.....just not as quickly and dramatically as it does for some others.

I agree that you probably didn't do any harm since you still have over a week to go. I would take this time to really think HARD about why you cheated. And more importantly, what steps you are going to take to insure that next time you can resist the temptation. After surgery, cheating can lead to leaks and lots of other BAD consequences so you need to have a plan in place. I am seven weeks post-surgery. Since the two week pre-op diet I religously planned out exactly what I was going to eat the night before and set it in a special place in the fridge. No impluse or last minute decisions for me. I also told myself that I was NOT going to deviate since my health was at stake. I know it sounds really regimented, but it worked for me. I got to 270 pounds by mindless eating and that was the habit I needed to change. I also write down everything that I eat now. Its a pain, but I will probably need to do it forever. I realized that what I did in the past had not worked and I needed to make some drastic changes for WLS to be successful. My PCP did her job. My surgeon did his job. My nutritionist did her job...and now I had to accept the responsibility to do my part. None of the others "cheated." They all gave me 100%. So I am not going to cheat either. Just my thoughts.

Hi Meg: My insurance requires a psych eval for everyone. Mine was scheduled for about 6 weeks before surgery. He asked a lot of questions about why I wanted to lose weight and how I expected my life to change after the surgery. He also asked about what support systems I had in my life and what techniques I used to handle stress. I had the impression that he was looking to understand if I was fully aware of the consequences of the surgery and followup. Also, that I understood that much of the success of the surgery was going to depend on me changing my bad habits. The whole session lasted about 45 minutes. At the conclusion he said that in his opinion I was a good candidate for WLS and his report to the insurance company would reflect that opinion. I never saw his report, but I was cleared for surgery! One last note, at the group appointment with the nutritionist to go over the pre-op diet there was a woman who asked a ton of questions. By the nature of her questions it was clear that she had unrealistic expectations for WLS and how it would change her life forever afterwards. Her comments indicated that she thought she would be able to eat what for her was "normal" and that the surgery would insure that she would continue to lose weight regardless of what she ate. Truely the "easy way out!!" I remember wondering at the time how she ever passed the psych evaluation. Interestingly, she did not attend any subsequent groups sessions so I don't think she had the surgery. Good luck on your pre-op journey!

Congrats on being "sleeved." The first fews days are by far the hardest and you will start feeling better quickly. Walk as often as you can. When I got home, I used a heating pad for the gas pains and it seemed to help quite a bit. The more active I was, the better I felt. I tired quickly though and took both a morning and a afternoon nap for the first couple of weeks. Just think, the hardest part is over!

I am seven weeks post-surgery and am following my Nutritionist's instructions. A minimum of 70 grams of Protein per day, protein first. Fruits and veggies if I can fit them in. I start each morning with a Protein Drink and usually end the day with a Protein Bar. In the afternoon I have a serving of soy crackers or "crisps." I find that between the crackers and the protein bar I satisfy my desire for both salty and sweet Snacks. Its only been a few weeks, but its working for me. My nutritionist doesn't want me counting calories or carbs until my 3 month appointment. She said to work on getting in the 70 grams of protein first and we will take it from there. Honestly, it's still a struggle to get the protein in. Hope this helps.

Hi Meggie: Hiccups and burps are definitely my signal to stop eating! I am at week 7 today so just a few weeks ahead of you. I found that the more "solid" the food (baked potato, cottage cheese) the less I could eat. I am also realizing that it is difficult for me to throw food away, particularly if I am needing it for the Protein. I measure out about 1/3 cup but I can rarely finish it. I have learned to STOP as soon as that first hiccup happens. Last Thursday I was cleared by my Nutritionist to move to solid foods. I went "up north" to the lake over the weeked to stay with my extended family. I tried steak, taco meat, baked Beans, and egg /ham casserole. I found that when eating with others I tended to eat faster and talk while I ate. I had a couple of episodes where I knew I had overdone it and thought I was going to "toss my lunch" but after intense burbing and hiccupping I felt better. I learned my lesson and do not plan to repeat that experience again. On a good note, the whole group walked or ran around the lake on Memorial Day (6 miles). I only made it about 3 miles but it was fun and I hadn't been able to join them for the past couple of years! By next year I should be able to make it all the way around.

I have learned to always carry a protien bar, turkey meat stick and a Special K protein water packet. And I always have bottled water in the car. However, with the warm weather the past couple of weeks, that water gets HOT. Might have to pack a cooler. Take care of yourself first!

I had my 6 week post-op appointment yesterday. I had lost 25 lbs since surgery on April 12, 40 since pre-op. I have experienced two stalls. One at week two that lasted 12 days. The other now at week six that is currently at 6 days. My nutritionist said to increase protein to 70-80 grams per day and to stop counting calories or carbs. Also, be sure to get in the 64 oz of water. Since I had only been averaging about 55-65 grams of protein per day I have to step up my game. My doctor said my BMI was 6 points lower than before surgery and at six weeks out he considers that "normal." I wish the stalls would go away!

Hi Meggie I have been faithfully following your videoblogs since before your surgery. I really like your optimism and perspective on this whole weight loss journey. I am six weeks post surgery so just a little ahead of you. I have lost 40 pounds since my first doctor's visit in January, 24 pounds since surgery. My unique goal is to go to a Zoo or Amusement Park with my young nieces and be able to keep up with them for the entire day without "rest breaks." I am planning to go to Disneyland in June with them so I will be able to see if I meet my goal in a few weeks! Another goal is to golf 18 holes without a cart and not be too tired at the end. My sister says to let her know when I am ready to try this one. I am aiming for mid-July. Lastly, I would like to be able to swim laps for exercise in our local Y pool. So far I am way too self conscious to get in the pool with all the other serious lap swimmers. But maybe soon! And Jenny - I really like your list. I am going to start my own list today and then cross things off as I accomplish them.

Same here. My tummy makes strange gurgling sounds everytime I eat. I am 6 weeks out from surgery and had been told it gets better but not for me so far! It was so bad on Sunday morning that I had to get up and leave the church service. The woman in front of me turned around and looked at me every time my stomach made a noise. I finally gave up and walked out! Too funny.

So glad you are feeling better! Some on this board report that they set their phone alarm to remind them to drink water. That might be something to try for a couple of days. I know that I can get so involved with things that I forget to drink for an hour or two. Marie

Cleaning out the closet is tangible proof that the sleeve is working! I also spent part of Sunday going through my closet. I moved OUT the size 3X and 24W and moved in the 1X and 2X clothes that I had stored in the basement after I re-gained weight a couple of years ago. Those are the smallest clothes I have so when I can no longer wear them its also shopping for me! Can't wait.

Just keep doing all the right things. I also had a stall that started at Week 3, the same time I went off from full liquids. It lasted 12 days. I am six weeks out today and have lost 24 lbs after surgery - 4 pounds per week. However, every week has been very different. Some weeks barely a pound, other weeks 9 pounds. My routine has stayed pretty much the same. I eat about 60 grams of Protein per day, 40 carbs, and about 600 calories. My nutritionist would like the protein and calories higher, but I just can't get them in. The way it is I feel like I am eating and drinking all day! I am also walking 30 minutes per day. So....just keep doing the right things and over time the weight will come off. Marie

Hi Nancy I watched your blog during lunch today. Nice job. The worst part for me was the wait between my initial doctor's visit and the surgery date. I was doing a lot of traveling (both personal and for work) so it was a couple of long months of waiting. I just wanted to get it over with and start living my new life! I think its a good idea to start experimenting with the high protein foods. However, some of the things that I liked during the pre-op diet I totally could not eat after surgery. And, vice versa. When they say your tastes change, they mean it! Marie

Hi All: I am Marie from Michigan. I was sleeved in Grand Rapids, Mi on April 12. I just found this forum for the first time last week upon advice from a friend. I have been doing a lot of lurking and find it comforting and motivating to hear so many stories like mine. My surgery was "text book" according to my Doctor and I have had relatively few complications. Like most of you, the first two weeks after surgery were really rough, but now at 5 weeks out I am feeling pretty good. I am still on "mushies" until week six. After reading here, I think my Doctor is pretty conservative when it comes to introducing new foods. But I haven't had any problems so all is good. I am really looking forward to things like eggs and tunafish. I am supposed to eat 70 grams of Protein and drink 64 oz of Water each day. I make that most days but its a struggle. Calorie-wise, I am averaging about 500-600 per day. I have lost 38 pounds from my first Doctor's visit, but only 16 pounds since surgery. I went through a stall at 2 weeks that lasted about 12 days. Recently I have been losing about 1/3 of a pound a day. So...not losing weight as fast as others I have been reading about. Hopefully, the weight loss will speed up soon. After my two week post-op appointment, I was cleared to exercise. I have been walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. So far, so good. I am going to Disneyland with my family in late June. I am looking forward to fitting into the airplane seat without an extender as well as doing the rides without worring about fitting the seats. Wish me luck!

Thanks, Nancy. Looks like your surgery is coming up quite soon. Hope everything goes well.

Thanks for the invite, Lisa. I work some Monday nights. Is it okay if you can only come 1-2 times a month? I have attended the last two Thursday night information sessions and found them helpful.

Hi Lisa; Same practice, but my surgeon was Dr. Foote. Did you also have the sleeve?