Mike4132

I'm 7 days out from surgery and can't believe how fast the weight is coming off already. As of this morning I'm down 22 lbs from the time I started pre-surgery liquids. (I only needed 2 days of liquids prior to surgery). I know this will slow once I get on puréed and solid stages of food but I'm still blown away by how effective this is. What is probably more important is: - I'm sleeping MUCH better and for the first time in 2 years I can breath through my nose instead of laying all night with my mouth open, choking for air. I'm also starting to have, or at least remember, dreams again. I feel like my sleep apnea is gone but realize it may be too early to claim victory entirely. Keeping my fingers crossed. -I was also pre- diabetic prior to surgery and craved sweets constantly. Now the thought alone makes me nauseous. I also haven't had blood sugar issues at all since surgery. -My BP has decreased to normal levels. -I'm wearing clothes that haven't fit me for the last 2 years. -it may sound strange but everything outside seems more vivid in color. The trees, the sky, the Water, they all seem brighter.....maybe it's just because I'm spending more time outdoors walking and relaxing instead of working, stressing, and eating, but it doesn't seem like it. So far I'm very happy I had this surgery even though it's far from being easy and I'm still in some slight pain/ discomfort. I'm getting a glimpse of what the future holds and things are looking up for the first time in a long while. I can't wait to see what life is like a year from now!

My doc recommended sugar free Popsicles to help hydrate post op but I've found that most brands have sugar alcohol in them. I stopped eating them yesterday and gas pains have been greatly reduced. ( sugar alcohols cause gas in many people) If you are recently sleeved, eating SF Popsicles and can't get rid of gas, sugar alcohol may be contributing to some of it. It seemed to be for me.

I found these at my local health food store and they are a life saver. Each packet has 15 grams of Protein and 5 or less grams of carbs depending on the flavor. I add a scoop of Syntrax unflavored protein for an extra 10 grams. (25 total) They have been a real lifesaver for me on the liquid phase post op. If you can find them or order them, they are definitely worth trying. ( relatively low sodium also)

I don't notice the taste when it's in a broth. I haven't tried it by itself though.

I haven't tried it, is it good?

I'd agree with that. You can minimize your risk further by researching and finding the very best surgeon you can get. Not all surgeons are created equal by any means. (I'd also look for a hospital that is recognized as a bariatric center of excellence.)

I'm 8 days post op and feel better than I have in a loooong time, so hell yes!

Mine was a week ago and a very similar experience to Steve and Bob. Today is day 8 and I feel unbelievable. I also agree that if more people knew how easy it "can" go they wouldn't be so worried up front. By the way: congrats Steve & Bob! We are all in this together!

You are losing, that's all that counts! I'm struggling with being bloated also but I'm much newer to the sleeve than you so we may be experiencing different things. What im trying is to cut out sugar free things that have sugar alcohols, and also trying a non dairy Protein shake. (Still looking for a good one). Cutting sugar alcohol has helped already so it may be something for you to try to aid in reducing the bloating feeling. (Assuming it's due to gas) Good luck and don't be down on yourself. You lost weight and are continuing to lose, that makes you a success already.

You guys are right, each day has gotten better since surgery and so far day 3 has been no different, although this is the day it got ALOT better! Last night I was in pain again so I took lortab and a couple Gas-X strips before going to bed. I knew the lortab would help me sleep but didn't have a lot of faith in the Gas-X accomplishing anything. Wow, was I wrong! 4 hours later I literally woke myself up in the middle of the night with the greatest passing of wind the world has probably ever known. Seriously, I wish I had a stopwatch handy because it had to have been some kind of record for the sheer duration of it. I can't say my wife was as impressed as I was but my dog certainly seemed to be. And just like that, almost all my pain was gone! The new only pain I feel now is the incisions and that is very minor and completely tolerable. Sorry to be crude but this was a milestone in feeling better for me and I'm just sharing my experiences as they come. I hope the rest of you who have had surgery recently are feeling better today also.

@MrsMurky721- I got mine at Walgreens. Something else to keep in mind: if you are eating sugar free Popsicles they Could causing additional gas if they contain sugar alcohol. (Almost every variety I checked had it in the ingredients so I stopped using them and gas has reduced greatly in days 3-5)

@@Don Packer- it should get better. Hang in there the tough days are almost over.

Congratulations! The phone call and letters of approval are the best. I'm still saving my voicemail from the surgeons office and got sleeved 4 days ago. Merry Christmas and again, congratulations!

Thanks for the tip I'll give it a try.

Oh yeah I had the jitters. I think its normal so be strong. I'm 4 days out today and can say that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Read all you can about what to expect and it will help a lot.

I just hit day 3 and experienced everything you are describing on the first 2 days. The 3rd day is infinitely better I promise!

Unjury makes a chicken broth flavored protein powder that is fantastic. (High in sodium though) Syntrax unflavored is really good for adding to things also.

I will be sleeved next week on Dec 10 and like many before me (and I'm sure many after me) I'm going through a phase of doubt about my ability to maintain the lifestyle changes I'll need for long term success. In the back of my head, I'm worried that about 2-3 years down the road I'll regain the weight because the old familiar habits will set back in and I'll eat more junk and sweets than I should. What has recently come to mind is my past experience with the Atkins diet and low carb eating. The more I learn about how to eat after my sleeve the more I realize the ideal diet is pretty much the same as the later stages of the Atkins diet. I was an advocate of eating low carb and for many years was able to lose weight and keep my weight from skyrocketing even though I was never able to lose all the weight I wanted. I would, however, always seem to slip and begin eating carbs again until I regained the weight and then some. (Repeated many times over the years and each time my weight would go a little higher.) I guess my worry is: I know that eating low carb "works" and that by going into ketosis with it, you generally lose hunger and the weight comes off. I also know that for myself, it's easy to slip and once I do, it's really hard to get back on track with it. I'm encouraged to know that eating after the sleeve is similar to eating Atkins style because I've done it before and know it's very "doable". (Mainly Protein, vegetables, natural foods, with limited starches) What I'm wondering is, when I slip, and I know I will at some point, does the sleeve help make it easier to get back on track? (Or does it make a slip less damaging?) For those who have tried low carb eating in the past and know what it's like and how it works, yet who have also had the sleeve after: How has the sleeve helped during those times when you slip? Is it easier to get back on track? Does the reduced stomach size help keep you from slipping "too much"? Are cravings and hunger less with the sleeve than they are with low carb induced ketosis? I apologize for all the questions, but would love to hear from anyone who has experienced weight loss with low carb/Atkins prior to the sleeve and who can share the differences the sleeve, as an added tool, can have on their ability to maintain long term weight loss.

Thank you all very much for your insight and experiences, this has helped a lot!

Very inspiring, thank you!

I think you have one of the best reasons I've heard for wanting/needing this surgery and think you should be proud of yourself for having the courage to do what it takes to make sure you are there for your family. The "easy way out" comments will probably always come and they always suck to hear because people just don't understand and they certainly don't think before they speak. Try to keep in your mind that that the "easy way" probably isn't all that easy, but it is definitely the most statistically successful. Your goal should be to take the safest bet for achieving long term health and wellness because you can't afford to lose that bet due to pride. No one will come to an obese persons funeral and say "It's a shame they died so young and left their family behind, but at least they didn't take the easy way out. I sure do admire them for that...." I also think you've come to the right place for support and advice as there are many on here who are tremendously supportive and helpful. If friends and family aren't always understanding, you can always come here and either get encouragement or solid advice when it's needed.

It's Nov 1st! For Dec Sleevers it means we can now think of it as "next month"! Does that freak any of you out a little?

I have the same fears so don't feel alone.

I'm on the 10th and really starting to freak out the closer it gets. I'll be your bud if you want one. I know I could use one.....

My doctor requires a 4 day liquid diet prior to surgery. I'm wondering if that is enough for liver shrinkage. I really don't want to go in only to wake up and not have the surgery done because I have a liver that is too big. What length of liquids diets are you he rest of you scheduled for?