McButterpants

Hi there. Congrats to you! This is a life-changer. I'll tell you my story...My recovery was seamless. I was lucky. I had no nausea and little pain. I took two pain pills and that was mainly to get better sleep, not so much for the pain. I'm not saying it was sunshine and lollipops, there was discomfort and at times I was frustrated, but it was no worse than recovering from my c-section 14 years prior. I had my surgery on an outpatient basis - I was in at 6:00 am and out at noon the same day. I was able to recovery in the comfort of our timeshare condo. I paced a lot those first few days - it was the only thing that helped get rid of the gas. I had a pain in my left shoulder which is normal - when I walked it dissipated. I set the timer on my phone to chime every 5 minutes to remind me to sip Water. I didn't get my minimum water or Protein mins in those first few days, I just did the best I could. I realized quickly that I didn't like plain water any more - it was like drinking liquid sandpaper. I had to switch to Vitamin Water Zero or Propel. I still can't tolerate plain water at almost 9 months. As for work, I telecommute full time doing work on my computer. I was had my surgery on Thursday and went back to work 1/2 days on the following Monday, working a full day that Tuesday. If I had to go back to an office, I would have waited a full week. I got tired the first week easily, so I took many breaks during the day. I flew back home 8 days after surgery and had no issues - again, I got tired. There were times the day before surgery that I thought about backing out...In fact, I almost did in admitting the morning of surgery. I thought, "I can walk out of here and only be out $500." I am glad I didn't. There were times immediately after surgery that I had buyers remorse thinking "What the hell did I do to myself." But now, I have no regrets or 2nd thoughts at all. I am so glad I did this. I have so much happiness and joy in my life today - I'm glad I didn't let fear overcome me that day. Sure I've had bad days, but I have had many more good days and they keep getting better. Best of luck to you!

I loved plain Water before surgery - since the day after surgery, I can't drink it. It's like liquid sandpaper. No idea why. I drink a lot of Propel or Vitamin Water Zero. I can drink some of the Crystal Light drinks, but not very often. I will say - it's totally worth it, even with all the sacrifices I've had to make.

I was in the recovery room and they were trying to wake me up. I asked, "Is the surgery over?" The nurse replied, "Yes, you did great." I obviously didn't feel any different, because I said, "Are you sure I'm already done? Are you sure they performed the surgery?" She sounded a little annoyed and said, "Yes, honey, do you want to see the incisions?" My reply, "Oh my god, no, I don't want to see the incisions!"

I just celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary - so...I have absolutely no advice for you, other than I advise you to let us know how things go. I need some sort of excitement in my life and I want details!!!!! Best of luck - look forward to hearing how things go.

At my three month appointment, my doc said, "no restrictions"...My body says something different. I'm almost 9 months out and still have problems with lettuce - I can eat about 1/4 cup of finely (very finely) chopped romaine lettuce. I can have strawberries or blueberries in my shakes with no issues. I'm OK with some cooked veggies, but raw is hit or miss - some days I might be able to eat some carrot or tomato and another day, I can't. This time of year cherries are a local favorite...I ate 10 cherries the other day and was in excruciating pain. I can have one or two at a time, that's it.

I had to introduce new foods very slowly...only 1 or 2 bites of something new at a time. Fruits and veggies are a wildcard for me even at 8.5 months out. There are a couple of go-to veggies for me - bell peppers (but not green ones), broccoli and cauliflower. I can do some fruits in my smoothies. I thought I would be able to do Flathead cherries that are so great this time of year...I ate 10 of them without thinking and was in excruciating pain for a couple of hours! Also, if you try a new food and it doesn't agree with you, try it again in a couple of weeks.

Try not to compare yourself with others...it's going to lead to disappointment. We all got to our high weights differently, we're all going to lose it differently. My metabolism is different than yours - I may lose faster or slower. We may have different activity levels. Some people that lose very fast don't work out and they may be losing their lean muscle mass - others may be working out vigorously and retaining their muscle mass, but losing inches. I know it is hard to not compare. I know it's hard to not step on the scale and hope to see a new lower number. In a "had I known then what I know now" moment...I would have stayed off the scale. It's bad for your soul. I take more pictures and take my measurements more. I've hit the exercise really hard in the past week - I can already feel a difference in my body, even though the scale isn't moving. I think you're doing great! Enjoy this ride - embrace the changes you're making in your life. This process has become so much more than a number on a scale. This has been a life changer and life saver for me. I have my life back - I'm more engaged with my family. I am happier. These are all things NOT related to that number on the scale.

I can eat at Subway - I'm 8.5 months out. I will order a 6" turkey. I take 2 bites with the bread, that's all I can tolerate, but it's nice to feel "normal"...I then eat the insides. I can't eat a lot of raw veggies, they are hard on my tummy still.

Reminds me a story...I went to the orientation meeting with the surgeon that I ended up dumping. We walked in sipping a Diet Sprite from a straw. At the start of the presentation, he mentioned he was a gastric sleeve patient himself - I thought, "Wow, this guy went thru what I'm about to go thru. This is cool." Then came the part out post-op living...he mentioned that we will have to give up soda and drinking from a straw AS HE IS SIPPING HIS SODA FROM A STRAW! HIs response when asked about that was, "It doesn't bother me." Interesting.

I found that decaf green tea helped me when I got hungry. I drank a lot of it. It was on my approved list - you may want to try it. Also, from my experience the first few days are the hardest on the pre-op. It got easier for me on about day 4 - like I found my groove and my body stopped revolting! Just know that this is a means to an end...it will be over soon. Best of luck to you! Hang in there.

What a great thread! I look forward to reading more responses. I'm 8.5 months out...I'll give you some of the highlights: I purchased a size 14 for the first time in about 17 years. I cried in the dressing room. I didn't look at the price tag and was a little shocked when I found that pair of shorts was $48. I didn't care! I will keep those shorts forever. My son said, "I'm proud of you" after I jogged an entire mile with him. That was priceless. I cried then, too. I climbed up a 300 foot butte and made it to the top without stopping (think about climbing stairs for 6.5 minutes straight - it was like that). It has been my goal for years and I finally did it. Yep, I cried. So many tears have been shed during this process - some tears of frustration, anger, and disappointment, but most are tears of joy and happiness. I know I'll have more as I continue on this journey - more good moments than bad.

I had quite a few food funerals before I started my 2 week pre-op diet. It was so unnecessary! I still eat some of my favorites, but others, like bread and Pasta, I just don't want any more. The night before my surgery, after I had followed the pre-op diet perfectly (2 shakes and 1 lean and green meal daily), my doc said, "Go out and have dinner tonight. No restrictions other than no all you can eat buffets and don't over do on red meat." My husband and I looked at him like he was crazy. I asked if he was joking - he wasn't. He said, "Go out and have a great time." So, there I was thinking about what I wanted...did I want Mexican? Italian? pizza? Wow, it was a hard decision. We decided to go to macaroni Grill...We started with some bread and we ordered an appetizer of stuffed baby peppers. I ordered a pasta with grilled chicken. Oh my god, it was wonderful. But what I realized about half way thru the dinner was it was awesome because I was with my husband and I wasn't eating very much food. I was eating slowly, savoring every bit, as I had practiced for the previous two weeks. We followed dinner up with two Desserts...we both took a couple of bites of each dessert and left the rest. It was an awesome evening with my husband - we were both scared because I was going into surgery the next morning and we discussed the risks. We didn't know what was going to happen. We were just happy being with each other in that moment. It was awesome. So, enjoy your last meal - savor it. Most importantly, share it with someone special to you and make it about more than just the food you are consuming.

Before surgery, I tried to get in the best shape I could - I believe that was my key to an easy and speedy recovery. I worked out at the gym and walked regularly prior to surgery. I was able to walk immediately after surgery (seriously, once I left recovery, I started pacing in the halls). I got tired easily for the first 2-3 weeks after surgery. I telecommute full time - I had my surgery on Thursday and went back to work 1/2 days the following Monday. It was nice to know that I had the afternoons to take care of myself - I wasn't expected to answer the phone or answer emails. I could rest or walk if I needed.

I can't do soda...My favorite adult beverage pre-op was a DiSorono and Coke. I've had 2 since surgery 8.5 months ago. I have to stir the carbonation out. My tummy doesn't like carbonation - the other day I tried a sip of Root Beer and immediately regretted it.

On the liquid phase I mixed my Protein shakes with Water.

One thing I do miss...sometimes, not all the time...Mama's French Toast at Cracker Barrel. See your pancake post made me think of them. I can have a bite now, but that's it....

I use unjury - vanilla and chocolate Splendor. I mix with Almond milk or 1% milk. I add Torani sugar free syrups to get different flavors to change things up.

I had to up my calories once I started doing gym workouts. It's hard to increase your calories, I know. I found that when I added some carbs (not a lot, but some) like fat-free refried Beans or a Protein bar that was enough to get me thru days where I worked out.

@@geelynn, I put in a couple of strawberries and some blueberries in my shakes. It adds texture. Sometimes I'll add 1" of banana, too. I always use low-glycemic fruits - I wouldn't add a lot of really ripe banana or pineapple or high glycemic things like that. It helps bulk them up!

Totally normal in my opinion - mainly because I did the same thing! LOL. I think I changed my mind back and forth a hundred times between August, 2013 and November, 2013 when I had surgery. I would go from feeling super excited to "OMG, what am I doing to myself?" This is a life changing decision...I almost backed out the night before surgery and the morning of surgery - seriously I did. I looked at my husband while I was in admitting and I decided at that moment that I was doing the right thing. I decided to walk down that hall into the pre-op area and start the process. I was convinced at that moment that this was the right thing to do. I have no regrets, none at all. It hasn't been easy - I've had really crappy days during this and even some buyer's remorse in the beginning. But, with out a doubt, this was the best thing for me to do. My life is so much better.

My suggestion is "always follow your doctor's orders" You have a lot invested in this process - it doesn't matter what anyone else's doctor's told them. Your doctor is your doctor and you should follow their rules.

Yeah, I remember totally reaming my kid, then looking at him and saying, "Buddy, this is so hard, not eating food. I just need to you to listen to me, don't talk back and do what I say. This is so hard, I just need you to understand that." Just know that this is temporary - it will get better. You will need to address your food addiction - it's going to be hard. You're going to have good day and really crappy days in the months to come. But it will get better.

Yes! They are made by Mission and you can find them at your grocery store with the other tortillas. They taste great, come in smaller sizes (fajita are perfect for our small tummies). I also make "chips" out of them - just brush with some olive oil and sprinkle some salt, then pop in the oven until crispy.

I introduced one food at a time - just a couple of bites. If I had a bad reaction, I would wait a couple of weeks to try it again. I'm 8.5 months out and still have foods that don't agree with me. I tried cherries for the first time since surgery yesterday - OMG, it was excruciating pain!

According to my doc, if you're going to lose your hair, you're going to lose it. Whatever you lose due to surgery will grow back. She approved taking Biotin and Folic Acid - this is for regrowth, not prevention. I used Nioxin shampoo and conditioner as well. I lost a lot of hair - between months 2 and 7...it was horrifying, especially when I got to the third month. I would lose a lot in the shower, then more when I fixed it. You could see the hair on the floor in front of the mirror. I saw some new growth around month 5 even though I was still losing. I lost a bunch up front and on top at first, then started losing it on the side and in the back. I have a lot of new growth now - lots of really short little baby hairs. My bangs are finally growing back. I had to go to a shorter cut to try to mask the loss. I also used a product called Toppik to try to hid the balding spots - it works great! Even though I lost a lot of hair, I am so glad I went thru WLS. It was totally worth it. It's not easy, but you will get thru this.