Jamie Greatone Jamison

Hi Shannon. I too had the same fears as you. I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter and was fearful that I might die during surgery and then she would be without a father, and why, because I can't exercise and eat properly. But then I started to think of the probability of outcomes. Was it possible that I could die in surgery yes? But the chances with laproscopic surgery are very, very, very small. So if I didn't have the surgery what were the chances I would actually turn my habits around and learn portion control and lose weight. Again, in my opinion, very very small. The much more likely outcome if I did nothing, was that I would die of heart disease or some other obesity related illness much sooner than I wanted to. So in weighing the risks and the rewards, it made complete sense to me to get this surgery. I'd much rather take the small percentage I could die during surgery than stick with the much larger percentage that I will die early because of my morbid obesity. That didn't change my fear at all going into the operating room, but it certainly helped me to make my decision to go through with it. Now I"m 2 weeks post-op, down 34 lbs, and I feel awesome! One of the best decisions I have ever made. Best wishes, Jamie

So following surgery I was allowed to return to ibuprofen. So you might just need to make it through 2 weeks. I would contact your surgeon and explain your needs. Maybe you can get a prescription level tylenol to help out.

Well the foods you need will depend on your surgeon's guidelines, but Protein powder is probably a must. Soup broth, sugar free Jello, and sugar free popsicles are probably going to be on there as well since they are pretty standard. Get a good blender and a good food processor if you don't have one. Depending on your surgeon's recommendations, you will move to pureed foods a couple to few weeks after surgery. Buy extra baby food! You and your little one might have the same dinner at night! I would try to focus more on the mental side of it though. Think and plan how you are going to do liquids when other people are eating (i.e. going to a birthday party or family cook-out). Start to wean yourself of caffeine now if you drink soda or coffee regularly. Start exercising now. Try to practice not drinking while eating. These are some things that will help in the long run.

I have a desk job and returned to work after 1 week. I actually felt fine after day 4 1/2 or so. So I could have returned on day 5, if I wanted to, but took the extra couple of days to just really rest up. The best advice I can give you, if you need to return to work in that 5 day range is get yourself on pain meds at home around day 2 or 3. You will need a couple days for the stuff to flush out of your system.

While I would like to think I'm super woman....I'm all man!

I don't know your lifestyle, but I think P90X might be a bit advanced for someone only 4 months out from this surgery. That's a pretty intense workout regimen.

My surgeon said that walking would really be all it takes, but I don't agree with that. There are two key components to losing weight with exercise: 1) Fat-burning Cardio - you need to work out and keep your heart rate at 55% - 70% of your maximum heart rate for 30 minutes a day. 2) Weight Training - you need to be some weight regimen. You don't have to kill it and get super bulky, but muscle burns more calories than fat. So if you are only doing Cardio - you are burning less calories than you would be if you were also adding some muscle. Another great thing to do is swimming or just walking in Water. The extra resistance will make you burn more calories than regular walking. Also, your body will burn calories by trying to keep your body temperature at 98.6 degrees. If you can't go to a gym, get a Biggest Loser workout DVD. They have great exercizes you can do at home with little equipment. You might need to get a couple of 10lb weights, but that's about it. They combine cardio and weight training. Just some thoughts.

I went back to work after 1 week, but I felt fine by day 5. Felt like my old self, tons of engery, and just really really good. I even went and got a massage that day. Everybody heals differently. My surgeon's take was just do what you can do and if it hurts or feels bad, don't do it.

Just a different perspective, I asked my surgeon the same thing and he said that I didn't have any lifting restrictions like that. Basically, he said, if it hurts don't do it. I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter who is about 40 lbs and I pick her up and I'm only 2 weeks post-op. Doesn't bother me in the least.

I don't know that a 2 year history is required with Aetna. I have sleep apnea. They told my surgeon's office that I would have to complete a 6 month doctor supervised weight loss program before getting approved. A few weeks later, my surgeon's office called me to tell me that Aetna had approved me and that I could get the surgery now. My BMI was over 50 though, so that could have played into it. I think it honestly depends on who you talk to at Aetna because obviously, in my case, 2 different people gave 2 different answers when my surgeon's office called for approval.

So thanks for the feedback. I'm not looking for anyone's permission including my surgeon's to do what I want with my body. I guess I was curious as to how there could be such variety between one surgeon and the other. To hear my surgeon tell it, eating pureed foods at the 14 day mark is way too quick. Yet other surgeons who went to medical school, and perform this surgery say that is okay. As to the comments, that others are not like me. My surgeon gives the same dietary guidelines to everyone after surgery, so it's not as if his 30 day guidelines were written specifically with me in mind. I find it funny that so many responses call for me to just do what my surgeon says. Had I researched more and found a surgeon who allowed pureed foods at day 14, and I posted that I was moving to pureed foods at day 14, the responses would have been "Yay, for you!." So again, not looking for someone on this board to tell me it's okay to move to pureed foods, but moreso a discussion over why are these requirements so different from surgeon to surgeon?

So my surgeon has a zero percent leak rate which he is quite proud of, but his post-op diet specifications seem overly conservative compared with what everyone else seems to be on. In doing some research on other surgeons, it appears that most recommend moving to pureed foods as soon as day 8 and many by day 14. My surgeon's plan calls for 1 month after surgery. I am really struggling with this liquids only diet. There just isn't enough variety. So I'm thinking of moving on to the pureed stage at day 14. I know many people on here just advocate doing what your surgeon says, but how can both plans (day 30 pureed vs. day 14) be the correct way of doing things? Surely, day 14 must be ok otherwise all these other plans would make people wait until day 30 right?

I have slept on my sides since and back. I have laid on my stomach for back massages though and been comfortable.

I am five days post-op and so ready to move on from liquids only. I am watching my girlfriend and my daughter eat regular food and its very hard. I know its just head hunger, but I still want to eat even normal healthy food like grilled chicken and vegetables. I CANNOT wait until I get to pureed/soft foods. Just to have different textures and tastes. So tired of broth and sweet protein shakes.....

Cidmor: How long after surgery until you began to feel like yourself? I too am trying to avoid pain meds and have been pretty good about it. I am curious if for most people it takes a week, 2 weeks, or longer until you start to feel normal again.