cat17

We flew into Boca Raton on Sunday afternoon, found our hotel and got our bearings. On Monday, I went to the medical center and had my pre-op work done. They took my information, drew my blood, took chest x-rays, and an EKG. Everything checked out fine and I was asked to arrive in the morning at 6:00am. I was nervous, but felt somewhat removed. I'd resolved to do this, survived the interminable two week liquid diet, taken my "before" pics; I was ready, but I wasn't sure I knew what I was in for. Surgery weight: 239.4--Wooohooo! Pre-surgery, I was asked to change into a giant paper gown and booties. They put an I.V. in my arm and a myriad of people came to meet me; the anesthesiologist, the intern, the nurses, and the surgeon. I sent a text to my family and told them I was going in and that I loved them. The anesthesiologist came back and told me he was going to give me something to relax. He explained that this wasn't the "sleep" medication, just relaxation, but I honestly don't remember anything after that! I woke up in recovery, but was so groggy, all I remember is hearing the nurse say she would call my mother. Then I was in my hospital room. The nurse explained that my pump had morphine and I could push the button when I had pain. I pushed it a lot. The hours after surgery are so hazy.... I know the surgeon came in and explained that the surgery went well, that he'd repaired my hiatal hernia (who knew I had a hernia?!) and that I'd done well with my liquid diet. I pushed the button every chance I had, and slept most of these hours. Part way through the night my breath rate dropped, apparently too much morphine makes you forget to breathe! My nurse came in and asked me if I was having pain. I wasn't, but I was terribly nauseous. So, I decided to stop pushing the morphine. A few hours later (time was surreal at this point), I felt okay. No more nausea, so I decided to try to walk. My nurse was surprised, but she helped me. I made it about 15 feet and had to go back to bed. Too nauseated again. I tried again a short while later. The first night, I walked four times! By morning I felt pretty good, sore, but not pained. Then I was sent to radiology for a swallow test. I've seen gastografin before, but what they handed me was like the worst poison in the world. I managed three tiny sips, stood like a statue for the imaging, and retched uncontrollably. Thankfully, they had the images they needed and I returned to my room. Those three tiny sips sent me spiraling. I was nauseated for hours and my stomach hurt. When I'd recovered from that I was given a pitcher of water and several medicine cups and told to start sipping. Sipping hurt! I failed at this until the nurse explained that I had to drink, or would not be released the next day. So I walked, and I sipped, sipped, sipped, walked...... All of this was over a week ago, and I'm home now. I am surprised to find myself struggling. I've got the sipping thing down, but can barely get in 48 oz, and force myself to finish 64 oz. I'm still on full liquid, and have not figured out how to schedule all of my protein drinks. So, I'm super tired. The pain has decreased dramatically, and I can walk easily for 30 mins now. So I have written out a schedule for myself, hour by hour, of how much I have to have in. So WEIRD to struggle with water! I am not hungry, but have had a few moments of foreshadowing where I get a "craving" for something. Makes me laugh because my head has no understanding of this new reality.

I've switched to baritastic-it's a tracker for wls patients. I've only used it one day, but I like it so far

The liquid diet is so hard! I struggled with it each minute too, but now... it's just a memory. The last two months have gone by so quickly. Try to focus on your goal and stick with your plan. You can do this. As for your friend--sounds like a jerk. Is there someone else who can help you with transportation?

The liquid diet is the worst!! But I agree with the above replies....you can do this! I hated the liquid diet too, but now it's just a memory...

You've lost 37 pounds-that's amazing!! You had your surgery 2.5 weeks before me and since my surgery I've lost 30. Ive been told that average loss is around 10 pounds / month. That means some months may be more, but some will def be less. Follow your plan and be kind to yourself-you've done great so far!

I took three weeks, and I'm very glad I did! You may want to look into what FMLA means at your facility. For me is it only protection of my position, I would still have to use my accrued time for pay. I wish you the best!!

Normally, I'm a daily/every other day weigher--I like to see what my body is doing. BUT, I hit the dreaded 3 week stall, and suddenly couldn't handle the stress. (I couldn't eat less, I was on my program 100%.) So, I decided only to record my weight on my monthly surgerversary. Letting go a little and trusting the process worked wonders for my peace of mind. I still peek if I'm curious, but I don't get down about it. Once I hit maintenance, or am able to eat more normally, I will probably watch the scale closer.

I have only been out to eat twice since my surgery. I had salmon the first time and a salad the second--there are more choices than I thought there were! Just ignore the fries!

Look in the sub forum "don't sweat the stall stuff"--very informative and so many examples. I just came out of my 3 week stall (lasted about that long too), but I'm losing again, so no worries, you can do this!!

The liquid diet was the hardest phase for me! I did not think of chewing and spitting, not sure I could've kept myself from swallowing, and then I'm sure I would have busted the whole diet. You can get through this most difficult phase....it will get better!!

I did have a "funeral" for a few items before I started my liquid diet. Honestly, I shouldn't have. The funeral is a hoax because the food still exists!! Having it "one last time" does not make you want it any less. I'm 7 weeks out from VSG and I'm concentrating so much on eating the right things and learning what my stomach is okay with that I don't worry too much about my old foods. Truly, I can imagine how sick I would feel if I ate junk that the idea completely turns me off. Once in a while I get down about the loss of freedom. I can never just eat something and not think about it. I've been a little sad about that. No regrets, this has been the best thing I've done for myself. Good luck to you in your journey!

I am having the same problem. Surgery 11/7, SW 240 and I've been hovering at 215 for about two weeks. I think this is the "three week stall that has been written about a lot. There is even a sub-forum called "Don't sweat the stall stuff". Take a look at the threads there, it will help. Basically stick with your program--we're too early on to have had drinks, bread, or sugar. You're body will "adjust" to your very fast weight loss and begin losing again when it's ready.

Yes, it gets better! First do everything you can to get as much Water as you can--popsicles, ice chips, etc. Second, make sure you walk to move the gas out easier. If you can find Mylanta mini's, these helped me tremendously. Finally, hopefully you have taken time off of work, etc to heal. Take really gentle care of yourself and concentrate on walking and sipping. I wish you well!

Dr Shillingford in Bocal Raton, FL. His website gives the package pricing. I had a very good experience with him, and it's a bariatric center of excellence.

You'll do great...trust me time will fly past and you'll be posting at one month out! I wish health and peace of mind/spirit!

Love!!! Congratulations on your hard work!

I'm only a month post-op, but totally psyched that my five year old son ate salmon with me last night!! I'm hoping to evolve our diets as I move through the stages.

Yay!! Good luck!

I'm so sorry for your loss! I had to put my girl down two years ago, and I miss her all the time. Dogs are special. As for food for comfort, good for you for recognizing what your need really is. Grief is a process and there is no way to get through it, but going through. For what it's worth, this stranger on the net sends you love.

The percentages are not definitive, they are averages. Set your goal, and a stretch goal. My sister lost 100% and I plan on doing the same. This is our time to dream and make it happen!

You're dad loves you. Ultimately, you have to decide this for yourself. If you choose to move forward, maybe you can educate him as you learn. The surgery affects your body/life--no doubt. Some of the side-effects he listed are avoidable through behavior. I suggest reading as much as you can so you understand everything for yourself. The books I read: "The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve", "The Sleeved Life", or my favorite "The Emotional First + Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery" Good luck in your journey. Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you, as long as you make it.

I'm one month post op. I could not picture myself ever not wanting to eat. Now.....is a totally different story. I do get what I call empty. It's not the feeling I used to have pre surgery when I would feel serious hunger pangs, or not that serious, but the feeling that I couldn't ignore that would cause me to binge out on whatever food was available. Now I feel my stomach, but I am learning it's different messages. Most of the time it's acidy or gassy--not embarrassingly-I'm the only one who can feel it. But I have confused this message with hunger. Then sometimes, I can tell when my stomach is empty and I can have some Protein. The empty feeling goes away after about two bites. I can safely eat about 1/4 cup (less of some things). If I go over, I'm very uncomfortable and sometimes get sick. I remember my pre-op diet time. If I had told me I would feel this way I would have told myself I was crazy. The pre-op diet was so hard for me, so I understand you. Panera has an Asian flavored broth bowl that was like heaven to me (I threw away all the solid food in it). You can and will get through this part. I wish you strength!!