bini120

One of the recipes provided by my practice is a no-tortilla burrito: refried beans, taco sauce/smooth salsa and low-fat cheese microwaved and then topped with a teaspoon of sour cream.

How soon post-op did folks resume regular sexual activity - specifically, intercourse? I find my constitution is a bit unpredictable day to day and too much err.. movement.. can bring on nausea.

I've noticed others have experienced these weird hiccup-y/burp things after surgery. Not uncomfortable but they are totally new to my body and I can't figure out if its my stomach spasming, gas being expelled or something else....

Agree with @@OutsideMatchInside! I had surgery on 6/21 and am not interested in weight loss at all right now. Right now, it should be all about following your nutritional plan and healing. Once you're back on solids and able to exercise, that's when you can begin monitoring your weight.

I wanted to add a positive account of my 2 weeks post-op, to give pre-op folks some comfort. After minor episodes of mild incision pain and occasional bouts of nausea as my new stomach got used to digestion again over the last 2 weeks, my body is feeling almost completely normal again. I am in awe of its ability to heal itself. - My incisions are 4 very small cuts (belly-button, sternum, left and ride side of torso) which do not hurt at all anymore. I have some itching occasionally, but I understand that this signals healing. - I can drink Water in normal larger sips now (and even if I forget and take a larger gulp, there is no discomfort) - I have almost completely gone off the taste of Protein shakes (can only manage Core Power banana milkshakes even though, as one user pointed out, these are higher in carbs, so I don't drink more than 1 a day). I get most of my protein through my vegetarian puree diet (Beans, tofu, cottage cheese, (no eggs)) and through adding GENEPRO to my 3-daily cups of tea. - I feel fullness/restriction much better now that I'm on purees (compared to when I was on full liquids - I have to guess if I'd had enough Soup as that flows through rather quickly). A couple of times I've eaten my pureed dinner a bit too quickly and have felt nauseous for 15-20 minutes. That's something to remember with the VSG surgery - your body can feel so normal after a while that you 'forget' about the limitations of your new stomach. - I've lost 14 lbs since surgery and 20 lbs since my highest weight. But mentally, I want to focus on healing rather than weight loss at this stage. I know the weight loss will come - it can't not! I see and feel slight changes in my shape already. - I took 4 weeks off work (because luckily, I could) but could have easily gone back to my office job this week. - I walk 2 miles every evening and while I'm not allowed anything more strenuous for another 4 weeks, I did help pack and unpack furniture and other bits while our home was being decorated these last 2 weeks. I also flew to the Caribbean and back (for a convalescing vacation) without any issues. Take comfort from no-complication stories like mine - as miserable as you might feel a day or two after surgery, your body is designed to snap back quicker than you think.

All I'll say is yes, you may be somewhat uncomfortable/dozy when you wake up from anesthesia, but if all goes well (and odds are that they will!) you will feel better much quicker than you might expect. On day 2 you're likely to feel able to walk around comfortably, by day 3 you're likely to be able to drink liquids without discomfort, by week 1 you're likely to be off all meds and feeling pretty normal. That was my experience and it's quite astonishing how each sleep brings you closer to healing. Also, do yourself a favor and forget about the weight loss for the first few weeks after surgery. Focus on healing and follow your doctor's instructions. The weight will come off but that shouldn't be your primary focus initially. Good luck to you - you will be great!!!

Righto! Thank you all for sharing your (very private) experiences

I've just realized how insensitive my post in response to @@Kindle, was to your original post. I'm sorry. I should've been more aware - I feel a right idiot. Just a point about your original post: it is infinitely healthier and more courageous to walk away from something that you know is not in your best interest, than to stick around because you're afraid you won't find something better. You will be changing your life with this surgery and no time like the present to discard of old routines that were damaging to you. You can do this without him.

Totally agree with this advice. Some more questions you should ask yourself: - How long have you been struggling with the weight? - How many times have you tried to lose it? - Have you previously had success with a diet/exercise/lifestyle change that you think will give you the results you want if you put your mind to it? - What is keeping you from making lifestyle changes to getting healthier (no judgment! this is just a point worth being honest with yourself about) Personally, I never thought I'd have WLS. I don't know anyone who's had it and always thought it was for 'other people'. I spent 10 years going on and off diets and exercise programs while the result was my actually getting heavier every single year. WLS sounded really drastic and at 34 years old and 244lbs, I thought I was just the right diet away from losing the weight and keeping it off. Finally earlier this year, I decided to stop kidding myself and take the step. I'm only 2+ weeks out but truly feel it's the best thing I could have ever done for myself. (Apologies if this sounds like I'm advocating for WLS (well, I am, but only based on my own personal experience). Ultimately it's about you being honest with yourself and exploring other options before you decide to go down this road.

I had mine at NYU Langone Medical Center. My doctor is Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding. She is wonderful, as is her staff at the NYU Weight Loss Center. Terrific hospital as well.

Bloody hell woman! You're one tough cookie! In comparison I was completely useless first couple of days and even if I might not have needed much physical help, if I'm being honest with myself, it was nice to have my husband there to give me the "there, there, poor baby" lines.

Listen to your doctor and also provide room to listen to what your body tells you it feels ready for. I found after surgery that I was extremely in-tune with what my new stomach was telling me (2+ weeks in, I continue to listen to it very closely) so if I didn't feel like I could ingest something (like the 70g of Protein I was expected to consume straight out the gate), I knew and worked around it. (Except I never messed around with drinking Water - even if you feel like you can't drink it easily, don't risk dehydration.) My plan allows 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of puree and 2 weeks of soft foods before progressing onto everything else. However, I started purees after 11 days as I felt like my stomach was ready for it. E.g. during the liquid stage my plan did not allow yoghurt but I had some watered down greek yoghurt to get more protein into my system. Right now during my puree stage, If I'm eating refried Beans and get a full kidney bean or two in the mix, I chew it and eat it (rather than avoiding it). I'm also training my stomach to take in slightly denser consistencies of purees when I feel like it can handle it. I only do this for a spoonful or two of food at a time, to avoid overdoing it or getting sick. This is just my experience - and it's worked for me so far.

I've always been quite sensitive to smells and now even more so. Before surgery I used to enjoy fake MorningStar 'bacon', seasoned tempeh etc. and now the smell makes me gag when my husband cooks it for himself. I'm hoping this is ultimately a good thing where I no longer want overly processed foods (that tend to stink the strongest) and go towards simpler stuff.

My 2 week liver-defatting diet was more lenient than others' on here: it consisted of 5-6 shakes and up to 2 cups of green veg every day. I had a few slip ups but lost 6 lbs. On surgery day my liver had shrunk sufficiently and surgery was 'textbook' according to my doctor.

You should absolutely not expect to be naked at the doctor's/hospital for your weigh in!!! Typically it's just shoes and jacket off as many have said. During my 4-month multidisciplinary period (for insurance purposes), I did choose to get down to my bra and knickers to arrive at a very specific weight I needed to be for the 4-month period. I only had a nurse in there with me, so it was no big deal.

Really thoughtful responses by @@Bufflehead as usual. A lot of your questions should be discussed with your doctor (especially those around medication, fertility, post-op diet expectations etc.). I kept lists on my phone of every and anything that came to mind to discuss with my doctor during my monthly mandatory visits before I was sleeved. And of course, there's always this forum for miscellaneous questions you may have as you go along this journey.

Definitely be excited - you'll be doing something really positive for yourself.

Good going!

I was lucky enough to be able to take 4 weeks off but could have easily gone back to my office job this week (2 weeks post-op).

@Smjnranrk How did you do?

Mine was a 45 minute session, where the psychologist asked me about my history with food, concerns about my weight and expectations from WLS. He wanted to make sure I understood that the sleeve is just a tool, not a miracle and I think he wanted to gauge if I had realistic expectations about the results. I believe he also wanted to get a sense of my commitment to a healthy lifestyle going forward, as VSG (unlike a gastric bypass) feels almost normal after a while and doesn't typically have physical deterrents like dumping if you've made the wrong food choice, so it's easier in the long term to revert to old habits of unhealthy eating.

It's normal. It would be weird if you weren't a bit nervous. At 34, it was my first surgery too so it's a of fear of the unknown. You have your age on your side (which typically means a quicker recovery) and remind yourself that you're giving your future-self a wonderful gift. You're on your way to being happier, healthier and look the way you've wanted to.

Same thing happened to me - I find most shakes too cloying now. Try adding GENEPRO to your coffee or tea. It's whey based and while it doesn't have a strong flavor, it's vaguely reminiscent of powered milk for me and you cannot taste it in white coffee or tea.

I believe you, but that's hilarious! How fat are the soles of my feet?! Don't think of it as short - you're 'petite'.

Agree with your advice. Escalate this!