pezzypooh

Well, I was sleeved 12/14/15....I have lost about 85 pounds since then....but weight loss is now slowed and stopping (still have about 40 pounds til goal) - but for a good reason! I am pregnant! It was a huge unplanned surprise...It looks like I got pregnant literally two months to the day after my surgery (whoops...Valentine's Day!)...and I still lost, albeit slower, during my first two trimesters. I am going into my third and have been advised not to lose at this point. Dr. still only expects me to gain 10-15 pounds - mostly baby weight...which will hopefully come back off fairly easily after baby is born once I am fully back on plan and breastfeeding...been a wonderful experience!!!!

I was sleeved on 12/14/15...starting weight was 298, day of surgery was 279, current weight 243 - total loss of 55...pretty happy with that so far...especially since I struggled so much pre-op. I had a very long stall for about 4 weeks with no loss and was getting very frustrated, but now that I am back at work and more active naturally, things seem to be moving again. I am typically getting 600-800 calories a day - try to keep it in the 700s most days. I drink one Protein shake in the morning for 30g, and then make up the rest of my protein with the foods I choose. Snacking here and there, but really not much...feeling pretty good going into regular foods next week - excited to try some veggies again!

I had a DVT in my leg in the past...I had none of the classic signs...just thought I had twisted my knee somehow...the pain traveled down into my calf and was unbearable after a few days...get it checked...it does not take long to get a Doppler and some piece of mind!

Definitely bring lip balm, lotion, deodorant, slip on shoes (I chose Crocs - easy to slip on and easy to clean if needed), my own fleece blanket, a long phone charger (the standard ones are too short!), I-pod and earbuds (helped at night if a loud patient nearby)...I did not use a lot of the things I brought!!!

I am in the same boat...sleeved 12/14 and have been stuck for a couple weeks...even went up a few pounds (possibly rebound effect from water pill being d/c'd)...I always get my protein, but often down on the water...gotta keep plugging away at that goal...

I agree about the one ounce cups...not only did it help me initially sip small amounts, but it motivated me! Try it and see!

Well, my sleeve was completed on Monday, December 14th. It was very late in the day - I think the actual surgery started at 4:16pm (had been scheduled for 2:45pm). I don't remember much of anything from that day. I remember pre-op and being rolled into the OR, moving onto the table, getting hooked up to stuff, and nothing after that. I don't remember them even telling me they were starting the anesthesia. After the procedure, I vaguely remember my fiancé and parents talking to me and saying goodbye for the night, being in pain, not being able to open my eyes, and my pacemaker being checked. I do not remember going to my room at all. During the night, I was made to get up and walk several times and to use the bathroom. Tuesday was awful. I felt very nauseous and tired. I wasn't allowed to drink anything yet. I went for a swallow test, drank the barium stuff, and promptly started throwing up. I threw up all day, every drop of liquid I put in my belly, I threw up. It was very scary - weak, tired, dizzy, and scared. I was able to sleep for a few hours Tuesday night, and then Wednesday seemed to turn the corner for me. No more throwing up after Tuesday night, able to get all my fluids in, walk, use bathroom, etc. Ended up staying in hospital one extra night because I am on blood thinners and they were trying to get my INR therapeutic. Still not there, but working on it at home. Hopefully, reading this, others will see there is hope after a rough start!

Good and bad days...been really exhausted the last couple days...hard for me to accept resting all day, but doing it if I have to!

I was also sleeved on the 14th! Every day is different. Generally I am feeling better but sometimes I'm just exhausted and the nausea gets me down. Vitamins have been the biggest struggle for me. I think my taste buds are just more sensitive now than before! I got some suggestions about the vitamins...especially if you're using the chewable tablet type like Bariatric fusion. A friend of mine who had the surgery suggested crushing it up into warm water or warm juice or something like that or if you're allowed to crush it up into some applesauce. He said this made the vitamins a lot more tolerable for him. I am trying to just chase them with a little bit of propel today. For me I don't have a whole lot of pain, just my main incision is a little bit achy. The worst thing for me at this point is not being able to sleep well-I have to sleep on my back still and I feel like I haven't slept in a week! Last night was the first time I felt like I might be able to start sleeping on my side but it just wasn't quite there yet. Glad to connect with so many of you that have the same timeline as me-looking forward to moving to the next phase of eating and some scrambled eggs and cottage cheese!

Well, my sleeve/hernia repair was completed on Monday, December 14th. It was very late in the day - I think the actual surgery started at 4:16pm (had been scheduled for 2:45pm). I don't remember much of anything from that day. I remember pre-op and being rolled into the OR, moving onto the table, getting hooked up to stuff, and nothing after that. I don't remember them even telling me they were starting the anesthesia. After the procedure, I vaguely remember my fiancé and parents talking to me and saying goodbye for the night, being in pain, not being able to open my eyes, and my pacemaker being checked. I do not remember going to my room at all. During the night, I was made to get up and walk several times and to use the bathroom. Tuesday was awful. I felt very nauseous and tired. I wasn't allowed to drink anything yet. I went for a swallow test, drank the barium stuff, and promptly started throwing up. I threw up all day, every drop of liquid I put in my belly, I threw up. It was very scary - weak, tired, dizzy, and scared. I was able to sleep for a few hours Tuesday night, and then Wednesday seemed to turn the corner for me. No more throwing up after Tuesday night, able to get all my fluids in, walk, use bathroom, etc. Ended up staying in hospital one extra night because I am on blood thinners and they were trying to get my INR therapeutic. Still not there, but working on it at home. Currently, I am 6 days post-op. I have been pretty consistent with drinking my Protein shakes, hydrating with juice, Water, propel, cream of chicken Soup, and popsicles. I felt actually pretty great Thursday and Friday - showering daily, sitting in my living room rather than bed, and getting up and moving. By Saturday, I was exhausted, and spent much of Saturday and Sunday in my bedroom. I still showered, got up and walked, and worked on hydration, but just felt whooped. Today (Sunday), I slept a lot more, and decided to get up and shower- discovered i must have been dehydrated, as I saw stars in the shower and my fiancé had to walk me back to the bedroom and help me into bed. I then pumped myself full of a Protein shake, two popsicles, and propel. Feeling better now, but watching my intake much more closely. So, dehydration is an issue, mild pain at my largest incision continues, and a bit of gurgling each time I take a sip, oh, and exhaustion - but other than than that, feeling okay!

I struggle too with the protein. The one thing that I enjoy is the Isopure Apple melon drinks. They sell them at GNC but the best price is Amazon. The milky protein was really hard to get down at first. This is a clear liquid. And I usually do little paper cups and try and drink one Dixie cup every half hour. They have 40 gms of protein. Check out LuckyVitamin.com for the Isopure - cheaper than Amazon!

Hi, Mimisan! Once I was able to keep liquids down, I was able to drink apple, cranberry, and grape juices, Jello (but didn't eat much of it - didn't care for the snack pack texture), Protein shakes (Bariatric fusion in the hospital, Premier at home), Water, liquid medications (Carafate and Hycet for pain), and some broth (but didn't care for the stuff in the hospital - Too bland). Hope this helps!

Hi, everybody! Well, the long road to surgery is almost over...I am scheduled for December 14th! But...all is not smooth sailing before then...I have to get an IVC Filter on December 10th...I am on blood thinners, which means the bridging for Lovenox and Coumadin has to start this Saturday - so much longer on the shots than originally anticipated...but, that's a gripe for another day! I started my 12 day liquid diet today...looking for any suggestions that helped you get through this time pre-op...Thanks all!

I have been drinking Protein Shakes two times a day for five months...no gas problems here! Maybe you could try another brand? I use the Premier Protein ones you can get at Sam's Club - recommended by my Dr....

I think just about everyone has a moment of regret or buyer's remorse in the first few days/weeks after surgery. I remember calling my friend who was sleeved a year before me from the hospital saying "I can't believe you talked me into this! Why didn't you tell me it would be like this." She assured me it would get way better very quickly, and she was right. The first days/weeks you are going through sugar withdraw, carb withdraw, caffeine withdraw, plus you just had a relatively major surgery which demands that you completely change the way you've eaten probably all of your life. There's a lot of both physical and emotional change all at once. I promise it will get better and you will look back on it and say that you would do it all over again! ((hugs)) Hi, Caressa! Thanks for the link to your blog...I started reading it and enjoying your insights and experiences...I was curious...did you have any cosmetic surgery for loose skin or do you have any tips on how you managed? Your pictures look amazing!!!

I am not sure everyone has to give themselves shots long term...I know most get them while in the hospital until they are up and around (nurses give them)...it's protection against not being able to be mobile!

@@pezzypooh how did you know?? I'm so scared about clots after surgery it's making me nuts!!My BFF died a week after having her baby by c section because of a clot. I had pain in my knee at first....I thought I had just tweaked it running around with my nieces in my parents' hilly back yard on the Sunday prior...the pain travelled down into my calf by Tuesday and then was unbearable by midday Wednesday...I had gone to work that day, called the Dr. in the morning, and they could see me at 12:30pm...I was sobbing by the time 12:15 came and I was trying to drive across town to get to the appointment. I was sent immediately to the hospital for a sonogram of my leg and was diagnosed on the spot and started on Lovenox and Coumadin...been on Coumadin ever since (a year and a half...)...will be back on Lovenox for 30 days post surgery in the next few weeks...it sucks, but it's a lifesaver!!!

Take it from someone who has had DVT in the past, take the shots...take a deep breath, pinch the skin tight, place the needle against the skin, and push it in. Once you do the first one, you will be ok!!! I am pre-op for gastric sleeve in the next few weeks - but I had DVT a year and a half ago - been on Lovenox twice - one time for 5 days, once for 28 days - I gave myself all of those shots after I got comfortable with doing it twice a day! You can do it!!!