pinkpeonies

I'm 5'6". HW 286. SW 265. CW 256. Sleeved one week ago, 4/4/13.

My surgeon doesn't want me eating solids till 9 wks out. Maybe give it some more time before you tackle the dense proteins?

Congrats! Great news.

Wanted to add that I'm not trying to scare you! But pain was a reality for me. Only fair you hear all sides...

Yes, it was done lap. The swelling has been pretty intense, I didn't get in more than 3oz Water during my hospital stay, I was shocked they let me go home. When I would sip, the water would just sit there, feeling like a monster was trying to crawl out of my chest. Taking the liquid pain meds was the worst, because I couldn't sip it, it had to be taken like a shot (because the taste was so vile and I was so nauseous). I'm six days post op now and still in pain for much of the day. The last two days have been exponentially better than the first five, though! I was regretting surgery based on how much pain I was in. Now I can see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I attribute feeling better to the fact that I "cheated" on my post op diet instructions, which called for no Protein till day 8. But I was so weak, nauseous and no improvement for days. I drank half of a Protein shake yesterday and started to feel better within an hour. It was like night and day.

Quite a bit, actually. More than I expected. I usually bounce back pretty quickly. Standing up/sitting down is the pits! I needed the whole bottle of pain meds I was given, just polished it off today.

I had the same NSV last weekend! DH and I went to see GI Joe, and I was jonesin' for some popcorn like I couldn't believe. He helped me stand strong, which was unusual, as he's usually the one convincing ME to waste $8 on a bucket of popcorn.

Thanks for the positive thoughts! Not sure about the protein restriction. My surgeon is very very conservative (with amazing outcomes), so I'm sure there is a reason for it, but I didn't think to ask.

Neighbor! I work in Arlington, live in Marysville.

Could you please add me? vedder.ami@gmail.com. Thanks!

I didn't use NWWS, but I am in N Snohomish Cnty, so wanted to say hi

I'm not so sure I regret my revision to sleeve (god knows the band did nothing for me) but I didn't understand how excruciating the recovery was going to be. I bounced back from two babies and the band in the blink of an eye, but dang, I am really struggling with the sleeve. The swelling is so bad that getting any fluids down - incl pain meds - is very difficult. And, I started getting hungry today. I'm not allowed to have any Protein for four more days. Never thought I'd be craving a Protein shake this badly... I'm sip sip sipping though the nausea, hoping I don't end up back on IV fluids.

I had my band in and filled when I was pregnant with my second son. It was pretty text book, no issues at all. I didn't start gaining till I was about 17-18wks pregnant, and gained a total of under 20lbs. I did have to get unfilled about 4 mos into my pregnancy. By the time my 6w post partum check up came around, I'd lost all the pregnancy weight plus some. I also have PCOS, but I don't cycle regularly (mine were forced with progesterone and femara). I was worried about milk production, but it all worked out fine. I nursed DS till he was 2, had plenty of milk (I wouldn't have known that if I was pumping, I could never express enough that way). My OB explained that baby was getting everything he needed to grow from me, so I just needed to focus on taking care of myself.

I have a 3yo, and we cosleep. Has only been a few nights so far, but he's doing great. I have no intention of moving him from my bed. He's been letting big bro help out with diaper changes, dressing, and mealtime with very little push back. I just remind him that mommy's hurt, and he's very curious to see my booboos on my tummy,

My dr said no protein the first week, just clear liquids. I'm having enough trouble getting water down, can't imagine having to worry about protein, too!

I'm doing well with chewable Flinstone completes, chewable calcium, and chewable Prilosec. No tummy upset, so far.

Came home last night. I have to say, I was completely unprepared for the level of pain and nausea. I'm quite swollen, so every sip is painful. I'm almost in tears when I have to take my pain meds (liquid) because If I try to sip it, I gag, so I have to take it like a shot. It took 4 hrs for the surgery, most of that as to remove the band. I'm sure I'll have difficulty even remembering how miserable these days are. But for now, I regret it. A lot. The pain and discomfort are out of control.

Ditto - sleeved 4/4. Life is sucking at the moment, but I know it gets better!

LOL, stop it! It really hurts to laugh.

I agree, they are really good. Also, I recently tried the peanut brittle Protein shake recipe and it was really good, if you like sweets.

I have 3yo and 15yo boys - what an adventure! It's nice having a built in babysitter.

You're in WA too? Awesome! OK, seriously, you need to see Srikanth. He's the best we've got for revisions (and that's not a backhanded compliment, he really is great and the best!). Everyone on OH will tell you to see Srikanth anyway. lol He's based in Federal Way, but also practices at Evergreen in Kirkland.

If your insurance covers VSG, but your surgeon does not have admission rights at any network hospitals, you can ask your insurance for an exception. They may pay for you to get it done at that hospital. It's worth asking. Be sure you choose your surgeon with care. Revisions are no joke, and you want a surgeon who's been vetted and is experienced with good outcomes. Obesityhelp.com is a good first resource for that IME. A DS (duodenal switch) is not like an RNY, BTW. Your pyloric valve remains intact, and you don't have a pouch, you have a stomach. A DS involves the same stomach reduction as a VSG, but they do re-route your intestines. It's the heavy duty WLS. VSG is often stage 1 of 2 for DS patients.

That is exactly the position I'm in right now. I never told anyone about my band. My revision is coming up so soon - 9 days! But I don't want to tell anyone about the sleeve, either. I don't want to be that big fat loser that failed, and is doomed to fail again. My aunt had her band removed and had DS last year. That surgery is NO joke. I hope I'm as successful as she is. She's lost almost 150 lbs since last January. It's nice to have someone IRL that understands this struggle. OP, you are not alone!

You have done FANTASTIC! It's normal and to be expected for your weight loss to slow down. That's still a pretty decent rate of loss though. Have you been counting your calories? Might want to track everything you consume for a week or two.