roguegambit

Congrats I was sleeved on the same date Lost a lot pre-op so post-op is a little slow. Lost 13 pounds post-op so far. Happy with that.

I had good weight loss when on 3 Optifast shakes a day plus 2 C low starch vegs (e.g.broccoli not potato) and 1 tsp olive oil for dinner. Drunk Water a lot. Had Soups (Miso) in the evenings to help my picking habits. It was super hard. But worked. It would also be lower calorie than you're currently eating. I didn't exercise much as my will power was focused on eating right. But yeah, exercise would always help Sounds like you are doing great

I'm 2.5 weeks out. My head hasn't caught up with my stomach yet. Although it's easy to refrain from eating outside my plan, I still like the smells of food and have head hunger. Sometimes I think about food and when it finally is time to eat my 60gm of Protein its over in a couple of spoon fulls. I know it'll get easier, at the moment it's odd not being able to enjoy a meal. I'm trying to slow down purely to get to have a dinner. Have overeaten twice by 1-2 teaspoons which made me sick. Enjoy Protein Shakes with 1/2 a frozen banana as it's not gone in the blink of an eye. Am wondering how long my hunger hormone will be gone as it's SO much easier not being hungry!! Am getting in my Water, am trying to get in more as I'm getting the odd head rush when standing up after sitting down for awhile (which by other posts seems to happen for a bit after surgery). And yes, I miss being able to guzzle heaps of water to catch-up too!

You sound so determined @MissB1982, I know you will do so well! I have head hunger too. My stomach isn't growling, but I see something or smell something and just want a bite or two. I've started on puréed food which has helped, as liquids are getting so old (pre/post). I'm still thinking about food, so hopefully once I get into a rhythm things will become "normal".

So great to hear everyone has gone through surgery (pretty much) okay

After surgery I was able to drink Water easily with no regurgitation. I sipped all day, getting through quite a bit. Later when I got home, I've continued to sip and have drunk a couple of Protein shakes a day, stopping before I've finished the full amount when I feel like I've had enough. I'm trying to listen to my body and when it feels sated. I think I do get the tightness people mention but nothing extreme. Has anyone else had no problems swallowing fluids since day 1? How much Protein Shakes did you have from day 4 onwards? (my NUT said most people can only have one - half in the morning and half in the evening - so I've emailed to check I'm not overdoing it). Once you started eating solid foods, did this change, did you feel restriction, e.g. after 1-2 tablespoons? I know I need to give it time, and it should be fine. I'm concentrating on protein and exercise, just wondering if anyone had the same experience. Am looking through the older boards and some veterans seemed to have similar messages - that it does kick in but we all vary. For now, I'll keep taking it easy, learning my sleeve, as I know this honeymoon phase won't last forever. Thanks

Sounds like a wonderfully supportive partner

Hey Ginger, great that you're not hurting. I reduced my medication too. I still get tightness in my chest, what are your spasms like?

Agree with the previous reply. How about freezing protein into ice blocks to lick? Definitely important to get the water in. Get in touch with your NUT and definitely sip and enquire about anti nausea medication. All the best!

I would say that your experience is yet to be determined. Keep up the positive thoughts, complication rates are minor which is great. For example, I had my op in the morning, sleep a lot, and was up taking meds and walking in the afternoon. The woman next to me had her op after mine, and wasn't up and walking until day 3. I used half of my IV and they unplugged it because I was able to get in fluids. Meanwhile she still was using IV's till day 3, and extended her hospital stay. From one extreme to the other... You don't know how your body will respond and how swollen your stomach will be. I had very little swelling I think (and no hernia's to do, or past stomach operations etc), which is the reason I was able to slip a lot of Water from day one. I went home on day 3, and apart from the soreness getting into and out of bed, I was fine. I've been able to drink Protein shakes (stopping when I feel a sort of fullness), and can walk easily. Reading the threads, a lot of people have this experience. And a lot of people have a bit of swelling and need to focus on sipping. I'm on day 6, If I was in San Fran right now, I would be fine to go sight seeing. Of course I would take it easy. Day 3 post op, I was a bit wired from the drugs I think. They woke me to keep up my meds, and I was awake from very early in the day, so I snoozed a bit. Day 4 I was off a lot of the meds, and definitely feeling OK (minus a bit of soreness). However if I was the lady in the other room, I imagine that I would still be very bloated from all the IVs, and possibly not able to get liquids down as easily, which would make you feel more fatigued. All the best with your experience! Hopefully you are sipping and (slowly) walking the hospital halls in no time Enjoy the sight seeing and let us know how you go

Thanks Kaze, good luck with the other situation you have going on. And I think you're right, holding off on drinking water after a meal may help a lot. Thanks Rebecca, interesting to hear it started with dense purée. Thanks Kathy, that was a very sweet reply I'm counting my stars that I can drink water easily, I love me that water! And you're right, this is the part to just enjoy the ride and lack of hunger hormones. Am hoping to make the most of it and get down, so when that dreaded regain hits I'm at least at a good starting point.

I haven't felt the restriction yet either. I can easily drink Water since day one, and get through Protein drinks, though I end up stopping before I'm finished the full amount as I don't want to push it. Drinking water is no problem, maybe I'm just not as swollen as others. I have a few days before I start purée food, am hoping once solid food starts I feel a good bit of restriction....

Thought I would post my entire story as a bit of record keeping... Arrived early for the 6.30am admission. Nurses collected us, I had weigh-in with my clothes on, then remove all clothing and get changed into the hospital gown (buttons down the back). They also give you hideous elastic undies to wear - if you have your period you aren't allowed to have a tampon, so they give you different undies and a pad. I had to do the walk of shame to the bathroom with these undies and pad in hand to change into. Realised after I'd changed, that a back button was undone, hastily re-did it before walking back, hoping that it popped undone while I was sitting down in bathroom. Wish I had weighed myself in the gown, however I weighed myself naked before I left for the hospital, so will use that as my pre surgery weight. The nurse went through the questionnaire again. She put an anti nausea patch behind my ear. They put on the compression leggings. My Dr came in for a friendly and encouraging chat, we lifted up my gown and he wrote the procedure and his name on my stomach. The Anaesthesiologist visited asking the usual questions. The pharmacy nurse visited, collecting any regular medicine I take. And the Anaesthesiologist partner visited last to take me to the surgery room, she also asked my original nurse to put on the compression pads (look like cricket leg guards), which the nurse was a bit miffed by as they should do it in theatre. I wasn't worried either way... Walked out with the Anaesthesiologist partner, who said there would be a lot of people in the theatre and not to worry. Which was nice of her. I walked in and about 3 ladies were getting things ready around a table. I lay down onto the bed, and the Anaesthesiologist partner unbuttoned the back of my gown underneath me. She unbuttoned a couple around my throat too, and put in some pads to measure my heart / lungs I assume. The Anaesthesiologist couldn't find a vein in my inner elbow, so he put the needle in my hand. He told me I was about to receive two glasses of wine and some sunshine - which reminded me of the last time I had general anaesthesia. They then said they were giving me oxygen and put a mask on my face, telling me to take deep breathes. I knew this was sleep time, so I closed my eyes, took about 6-7 breathes and I was out. Next thing I remember is opening very tired eyes and having the nurse say something while I was in the recovery room with other people. Not sure how long after that but they wheeled my bed into the elevator and into my room. This part is a bit hazy, I'm not sure how long I was in and out of it, but at one stage she offered me Water through a straw, which was great. I thought I wasn't allowed anything the day of surgery. I think she got me to swallow drugs at that stage, or measured my blood pressure and pulse, and when she left I told her I was going to sleep for a bit which she of course told me to go ahead with. At this stage I had no pain. I was still basically in one position on the bed. Slightly upright, arm at each side. I could reach the mini jug with a straw in it. I cradled the jug in my underarm, and would snooze for a few minutes, then sip. I found out pretty quickly I could sip a lot without regurgitation or nausea. This differs for everyone. Definitely sleep as much as you need to - the nurses will wake you for medication and blood pressure tests, so just wake up, take it, then go back to sleep. I can't remember if I did my first walk in my clothes or the gown. Either way I definitely remember I had the IV attached as I walked. I think that when the nurse came back around 12-1pm, she said she could wipe the dye off my stomach. I sat up and was still feeling OK. After a sponge down she said there was some she couldn't reach (around the side of my breasts). I told her I could do it... this part is a little hazy, however I think she also asked if I wanted to get into my own clothing. She unplugged the IV, and I went into my bathroom and got changed quite slowly, and washed my body with a cloth while she waited outside. The dye was in a lot of places. I then went for a walk (or it was before I got changed, like I said, can't remember the order). The walk was OK but I'm glad I only made it a short one. I came back to the room and continued to drink water, as I hadn't been able to pee in the bathroom when I went to get changed. And so the day went, sleeping, sipping, burping, txting, walking laps, playing games on my mobile, snoozing, and always drinking. I was able to pee later in the day, and she took out my IV. I still had a needle in each hand which was super annoying when getting dressed, or going to the loo. I guess they leave them in just in case they need to hook you back up to the IV. My Dr came in the afternoon. I was standing up walking around in my room when he came, and I told him I was up to my fourth bottle which he was shocked by. He said not to drink too much, so I slowed it down. He also said not to use the straw due to people getting air caught in their chest... I stopped using the straw, however the straw was the only reason I was able to drink so much in recovery, and I didn't have air pocket problems. Who knows if that extra water I had contributed to me getting out of bed faster than orders, or having a less inflamed stomach and being able to drink more. Or did damage! Dr also said to keep walking, slipping, etc. I told my visitors not to come, as it meant I could do my own thing. Plus it was only 2 nights away. The nurses continued to visit me every few hours for meds. Although the pain wasn't bad, it hurt a lot getting out of bed. I still haven't mastered that. Watched around one episode on my laptop, but couldn't be bothered. I went to sleep around 9pm, waking up at midnight for meds, then again at 5am. I wasn't able to get back to sleep after the early morning, but I snoozed during the day. I also had the compression paddings on, which make a lot of noise as they squeeze your legs using the machine... I left the lights on dim for the nurses - take ear buds and a sleeping mask Day 2 my Anaesthesiologist made a visit. He said I was doing good, and told me to take photos through my journey which I thought was sweet. I was still on water only, didn't feel hungry however at one stage after a shower when I'd taken more pills on an empty stomach I got a bit queasy. I rang the bell, told the nurse, and by the time she returned with some drugs it had passed. I took the pill anyway. She said passing gas helped with queasiness. I thought they would change my dressings, but they didn't. They said they are waterproof and I could shower in them, then take them off in a couple of days, and if there are white strips stick to my skin, just to leave them. The one where they pulled out my stomach has dried blood. The rest are all OK. Apparently the stitches used dissolve. Had another early night, waking at midnight, then being up since 5am on Day 3. Was starting to feel a bit wired with all the drugs and lack of sleep, but still OK. Physical therapy women visited giving me a breathing thingy. NUT visited going over the diet again. I'm on liquids for a week, then introducing quarter of a cup of mushy food if tolerable. At this stage (day 3) the other WLS patient was only just getting out of bed. So bear in mind that some people take awhile to get over the general anaesthesia. I was due home that day, and she was going to stay another night. I was really bloated during the 3 days, still am a bit now. Some places felt numb due to the strong pain meds, and other areas itchy, like below my neck. They finally took the needles out of my hands, gave me a lot of medication and off I went. Got home, had half a Protein shake for lunch, then the other half for tea. As I don't have issues swallowing liquids, I'm going to try and up my protein level today. Am very interested to see whether the restriction kicks in for solid foods, as I don't feel much at the moment. Won't rush it though, will stay on liquids for awhile. Energy wise I'm OK. Still a bit wired feeling from the drugs. Going to go for a walk, then hopefully do a bit of work from home - groan. Am still wearing my compression leggings. And yes, I get gurgle noises when drinking. I also do the cough test to try and get out any lung congestion. Am hoping I get good results long term. Seems weird to have no restriction yet. Enjoying not being hungry though. Still have the patch on, lasts 3 days, will take off tonight. Edit: Just wanted to add, by Day 3 the skin on my face was super dry. To the point of being wrinkly. I lathered myself in Bio Oil when I got home. Also, I slept with the bed up on night 1, thinking it would be easier to do the nurse things during the night. That was a mistake as it gave me a sore upper back and neck. Would've been easier to raise the bed with the machine when required.

2 days post op. I was also allowed to drink Water a couple of hours after surgery which I was very grateful for. Left the hospital today. Was getting woken every 6 hours to check vitals and take pain meds. I'm still pretty bloated from the IV. Pain is annoying when getting out of bed, but otherwise not bad at all. liquids are going down fine, haven't tried solids yet.... that's a few days away. Still have on compression leggings. My pupils are very dilated. Not sure if it's from the drugs in my system, or from accidentally touching the anti-nausea patch behind my ear, then my eyes. Hopefully not the latter. Wishing you all a good experience.

Hi all, I'm two days post op and so far (touch wood) I've had no complications. Water goes down fine. Pain is very minimal. I hope my new stomach is small enough!. Guess I'll find out my restriction level when I move to the next phase. Glad to see this situation is common.

Had my operation 9 hours ago. I've been really lucky so far (or the drugs are good). No pain and have drunk a lot of Water. Slept most of the day, and have walked a bit. My dr assures me they did the operation! Ha. Other patient has been groggy a lot longer. I'm hoping I continue to feel like this once the good drugs wear off. I need to work from home when I leave in 2 days, so will see if that happens okay. All the best everyone, with your op and pre-op diet!

Wow, fantastic work!

I lost a lot of weight myself and wondered why I needed to cut a perfectly healthy organ. Couldn't I just do it myself and save some $$. Looking at my history of weight loss, yes it's hard to lose, but for me it's harder to keep it off... I'm hoping the sleeve helps with maintenance. It's still a daunting decision though.

I have miso soup to help with the pre-op diet. It's easier if I'm busy.

If we all had the willpower we wouldn't need the operation. I'm pre-op too... and I've cheated too. Hopefully now it's out of your system. I have a voice in my head that keeps telling to have one more meal .... I'm also on a 4 week pre-op diet, and put myself on pre pre-op diet too. So of course over that time I've cracked... twice to be exact. Just jump back on that horse.... the excuses that we come up with to eat are almost comedic. You can feel really strong, and then next minute you think something that talks you into cheating. The one thing being on this surgery diet has helped me with is that I haven't cheated as much as I would if I wasn't on it. It's given me a bit more of a reason to stick to it. As they say, they aren't doing surgery on our brains, just our stomachs. It's a tool, and hopefully we can learn moderation of treats and bat down the hungry girl voice. Plus this pre-op diet is hard! I'm on 3 shakes and 2 cups of low starchy vegetables. Least post op I can broaden my range slowly. You should be really proud of the amount you have lost so far. Back on that wagon, keep going

Had a weak moment the past couple of days, telling myself I should eat one last big takeout while I could. I didn't do it, however being on this pre-op and having to say no to that voice really highlights my food addiction. It's like an addict wanting another fix. I'm seeing results from the pre-op which has helped me stay strong. And it's good to know I can hear that voice and talk myself out of it. Here's hoping I get stronger at saying no as the journey progresses. And to those with nerves, I hear ya!

Charger Headphones (for whiteniise to drown out noise of nurses, roomate etc... Snacks..hahaha. Jk. We WONT be needing snacks No slip socks/ house shoes Heating pad Everyone join in so we get more ideas!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Eye mask in case there are heaps of hospital lights and ear buds in case it's noisy Slippers

All the best - keep us updated On the bright side, least you no longer have to be on the pre-op diet - it sucks!

I feel you! Though it's not a bye, it's more of a see you later (in way less quantities and improved moderation). All the best.

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