karen091866

You look amazing! I am 21 months post- op and down #110... the changes are simply beyond words. Congratulations on your success! Sent from my SM-T350 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've been on Levothyroxine since 2013 & lost #101 within my first year post-op. I do; however, fall into the category of those with thinning hair/ hair loss...despite still having a thick head of hair, my hairline has receded and I lose a significant amount each morning when I shower & shampoo my hair. Aside from that, I certainly didn't feel that my weight loss was hindered by hypothyroidism...If anything, I've been bewildered that my TSH didn't change, allowing me to take LESS Levothyroxine after losing nearly 1/2 my body mass...but the dose has remained the same.

Leggings w/o any zipper...or sweats. DEFINITELY the way to go... Comfortable and also (important) easy to get out of should you have any "post-op gastro-intestinal distress" and need to make mad dashes to the nearest bathroom. Been there/ experienced that post op...and was grateful for cooperative clothes

Good to know! I was needing to swing by GNC today & replenish my stash of Protein bars! It is often a gamble selecting/ trying something new, so "endorsements" are always nice to hear. I will pick up a few of these this afternoon--Any flavors that really struck you as wonderful? Have a great day!

StephanieSO28, I hear you--my husband and I went out to eat with some dear friends a while back, and it was odd watching them sip/eat/sip/eat during the meal...while I can no longer do that. We live in WA, on the Pacific Coast, so we're surrounded by wineries and breweries...before my surgery, I was a huge fan of locally made mead-- (honey wines)---and had a rough time giving them up. LOL...we were in a frequent buyer club @ one winery...and they hated to see me go! It was one of the 1st sacrifices I had to work into my 6 month pre-op stuff...Mead and ALL carbonation were the first things to quit cold turkey. Long story short, NOTHING tastes as good as being healthy/ thin FEELS. (that is my inner mantra when I am faced with stuff like wine, bowls of ice cream, pastries, etc)

Flushable hygiene wipes...Sold near the toilet paper. Just trust me on this...they will become your friend.

I agree w/ LipstickLady 100% about the flushable hygiene wipes...they are a Godsend. We simply have too much going on post-op and during the huge learning curves afterwards to deal with such petty distractions. Tip: Pack a small stack of wipes in a zip-lock baggie to keep in your purse, for when you're out and about. I speak from experience on the importance of this.

During my pre-op nutritionist visits, we were taught that alcohol consumption essentially stalled any/all weight loss for 3-4 days after...so I simply felt it wasn't worth it after making the decision to have my VSG. I have an indulgence, though---sugar-free Torani Bourbon Caramel syrup...drinking just doesn't appeal to me anymore...not to mention, I'm not wanting to experience any hangover, nausea, etc, due to my drastically changed BMI and stomach size...I simply don't know what my new body can/ could handle...and don't care to test that.

YIKES! Glad you're ok after that...The diet phases are in place for our own protection, as the surgical wounds heal...We definitely don't need seeds, nuts, "other rough stuff" affecting a healing wound. Get back on track & take steps to stay on track. Are you keeping a food diary? That was something that I was "strongly advised to do" during the 6-months of pre-op nutritionist visits...to track my fluids, calories, Protein, etc...but mainly, for accountability. If we have to write it down, we have to OWN it...and it makes us think twice about what we put into our mouths. Take care of yourself as you heal!

@ Sent from my SM-T350 using the BariatricPal App

I'm a floor nurse & took off 3 weeks from work...I didn't want to "go back just because I felt OK"---I wasn't going back to direct patient care until I was 100%... Even then, my first shift back @ work was tiring...the pushing, pulling, lifting, twisting & bending...I felt it all at the end of the day...and came home---sat on the couch and was out like a light. Don't rush to get back to work...Do yourself the favor & courtesy of waiting until you're 100% and have your food and Fluid routine down, somewhat...because that will be a priority, right alongside work. Take care--Hope all goes as planned for you!

You just have to constantly remember that NOTHING tastes as good as being HEALTHY feels! Keep a vigilant food log (I keep a running MS Word document going, and track my foods/ Fluid intake on my phone during the day when I'm away from my laptop) A vigilant, HONEST food log will keep you on track and accountable...On days where I've made mistakes, I've actually gone back and flagged those as "WTF days" (that's accurate and honest, and I've got to keep things real)...I reflect on what went on that day (drama or stress at work, or with family...there is ALWAYS some sort of trigger involved)---and I hold myself accountable for my choices. Regarding missing foods that we once enjoyed, there are so many credible WLS recipe resources out there -- EggFace is one of the best I've found, since she is "living this"... I'm still a newbie, being 8 months out...but my transformation and success has simply amazed my family..and me... I shared my decision to have surgery with VERY few people...and one asked me if I had any regrets, given that the VSG is permanent / irreversible....My very honest answer to her was, 'Absolutely NO REGRETS! ---It is obvious that "my way" wasn't working. The sleeve FORCES me to treat my body right." ....and I feel that way every day. Each morning, everything I put into my mouth is a CHOICE...and I now have a tool 24/7 to make sure that I make the wisest choices....That is how I look at it.---My way wasn't working, so I chose this tool to turn my life around...and in 8 months, I've made amazing progress...a non-obese BMI, wearing clothing that I'd have never worn (or have been ABLE to wear just 8 months ago)...and the health benefits have been such a blessing. It is a learning process to adjust to having a banana-sized stomach literally overnight, after having a football-sized stomach all of our previous lives. Make peace with yourself for whatever little mistakes you've made...and make friends with your new stomach...you're in this together...and you'll be fine---

So sorry to hear that you're having these issues post-op. I'm right @ 8 months out--and truly was fortunate, in that my only issue was that my IV infiltrated (went bad, the vein collapsed and the Fluid was collecting in my hand, not flowing through the vein, as intended) The gas pains can be terrible after any surgery...try warm fluids, if you haven't already. Make sure that you're doing your incentive spirometry, especially since you're taking narcotics..."Splint" your abdomen each and every time you have to get up from your "recovery nest" (bed, couch, recliner...wherever it is you're set up during your down-time)...You do this by "hugging a pillow" close to your tender belly, to offer a great deal of supprt as you get up from being seated/ laying down. You mention diarrhea...I had this issue directly post-op and quickly found out that it was the Protein powder causing it. unjury and I don't work and play well together..so I switched to IsoPure--and the problem immediately resolved. In regards to getting all of your liquids and protein, when you're early on in your recovery, why not kill 2 birds with one stone---a Protein shake is BOTH! Manage things that way until you get your other issues ironed out...That is how I did things...because all of the sip-sip-sip, no fluids with solids, etc..etc....is a huge learning curve...and you need that protein to heal. Protein shakes covers it for you! Make sure that you're taking your Prilosec (or whatever acid-reducer med your surgeon prescribed)--skipping that can cause issues, too....Don't hesitate to take your Zofran (or whichever anti-nausea med your surgeon ordered)---those can work wonders when diarrhea is an issue. I'm by no means a VSG expert...I am; however, more than happy to offer up what I've learned and found to work since starting this journey back in November of last year. Hope you're feeling better soon...Try not to let a few bumps in the road cause buyer's remorse...I'm willing to bet that you're gonna be beyond thrilled with your results and life-changing choice once things get smoothed out.

VSG is permanent...but you've known this throughout your preparatory months (nutritional counseling, psychiatric eval, all of the required medical visits) Change can be scary...I'm nearly 8 months out--and, "fortunately", was able to do some serious changing beforehand...so the post-op changes were more about me "getting acquainted" with my new banana-sized stomach. This was my first elective surgery--but something I knew that I desperately needed...so, despite it being permanent & viewed as extreme/ drastic to many-- It has been THE BEST gift I've ever given myself...hands-down. You can read success story after success story here on this forum...There are so very few "failures" out there to read about. -- This surgery has been life-changing---and only is the best of ways. Hugs and peace of mind to you...In the morning, you will do what's right for you!

Call your Nutritionist--you should've been given Protein goals/ caloric ranges post-op / as part of discharge planning. Everyone's #'s are different, since height/ weight, start/ goal weights vary so much.

I've been a nurse for 25 years...military nursing won't happen after WLS .... The tremendous risk of dehydration with heat exposure...and the inability to chug fluids to rehydrate...not to mention, the constant need to be sipping fluids...basic training alone would be impossible. Sent from my SM-T350 using the BariatricPal App

Start food-logging again...hold yourself accountable for every bite and every sip. It all 'sinks in' when we see every bite & sip written down and accounted for...it makes us 'own it all' & be responsible for nourishing and hydrating ourselves responsibly. Don't forget the Golden WLS Rule: Never mix fluids and foods! Separate them...just like back in your old days! You'll be back on track in no time. =) Best of luck to you taking charge of things again! [[[[[ hugs ]]]]]

8 years ago, I went to a clinic with a knee injury - and saw a doctor I'd never seen before--He knew nothing about me or my medical history. Within the first 5 minutes of my visit, he blurted out, "Have you considered having the Lap-Band?"---and I was hurt, appalled, bewildered...stunned speechless that someone who knew NOTHING about me would have the audacity to broach such a personal topic...without ever having seen me before. Long story short, I made the decision to have WLS on MY terms...cooperatively and with the full support of my primary care provider. We all have our story to tell...and it amazes me how the stigma of obesity is so pervasive, with ignorance, cruelty and unprofessional incidents being more and more common than one would care to believe.

I work 6am-2pm as a nurse.... Since VSG, I have to allocate 30 minutes for Breakfast....but have to take my Levothyroxine an hour before I eat.... I get up @ 3am...immediately take my Levothyroxine...shower/ get dressed/ do my hair, etc.....I eat breakfast from 4am-4:30am....and head out the door @ 5am.....(starting my first Fluid cycle during my commute in to work) I take my calcium citrate around 8am....and take my multivitamins either @ noon or when I get home. Regardless of the Levothyroxine, the MVI's and Calcium have to be separated by 4 hours or they break down and cancel each other out, failing to be absorbed. My husband shakes his head at my willingness to get up even earlier than I ever have in my life for this journey I'm invested in....but it is all worth it. Of course, the thyroid med could alternatively, be taken @ bedtime, as we've got an empty stomach by the time we turn in for the night...

4 months post-op---never a single problem while in the hospital for 2 days. My surgeon put a Scopolamine patch on me in recovery, so that headed off ANY nausea before it had a chance to even begin & I kept that on for 72 hours. I was fortunate enough not to have need for a post-op drain. I went home with Zofran to use if nausea was an issue, but never needed to take it. No issue with constipation. -- As a nurse, I already knew to be vigilant with my incentive spirometry & to walk-walk-walk once I was home. I have never once regretted having VSG =) One thing I will stress as being important post-op is: STICK to your diet schedule. Don't advance to the next phase of foods "on your own because you feel ready"....those phases are in place for a reason...to allow your staple line to heal without offending textures irritating it. (I cringe each time I read about people 'skipping ahead', then complaining about how awful they felt afterwards. Do what your surgeon instructs you to do....do your best to consistently meet your Fluid and Protein goals...and CALL your surgeon and/or nutritionist if you have problems or questions....they know what is best for each of us. Best of luck to you! You're getting ready to embark on a life-changing journey!

The first thing that comes to my mind is--> are you getting adequate fluids every day? Are you reaching your Protein goals? I am a few days past being 4 months post-op & back in the beginning, I had a few days where I felt dizziness creeping in ---I'd look at my food log & immediately see that I was behind on my Fluid intake...Once that registered with me, I never let it happen again. If you're meeting your fluid & protein goals and still feeling this way, I'd pick up the phone and call your surgeon. They know what's best for each of us post-op.

I work 40+ hours a week @ a high-level activity job as a nurse. - I took 3 full weeks off...and felt fatigued for several days upon returning to work. You don't mention what type of work that you do---just that it is very 'part-time'. -- If it involves lifting, pushing, pulling, twisting @ the waist or bending at all, I'd take the longer time off option you're able to manage. You want to do right by your body & recover 100%---so you return to work able to give 100%, too.

When you were hospitalized those 3 days, did you have any surgical wounds? You'd have had to have the sleeve laparoscopic-style ---leaving 5-6 small incision sites...or it would have been "open surgery"...and you'd have had a significant, noticeable surgical scar. You'd have had some sort of post-op discomfort, too...No one just hops right out of their hospital bed without soreness that last several days, etc..etc Something is very wrong here...

Awesome! Congratulations! Keep us all posted on how surgery goes... I am a little over 4 months post-op- & have ZERO regrets! Best of luck to you on your big day!

Several people in this support site have gone to Mexico for surgery...Most with good results & significant savings. Search through the topics for surgeries in Mexico to get some information there. Hope all works out for you!