VSG4Mag

I started Thursday night and then at morning and night on Friday and everyday since. By Saturday I was good and I've been good since 👍🏻👍🏻 I'm trying for 2-3 times a day at the 1teaspoon (which is a 1/2 serving). I've just used cool to cold water either shaken in a water bottle or stirred in a cup. Once you drink it you need to wash the cup out immediately or it will stick to the sides. If you don't drink it quick it turns into a jel, which is I guess what it doesn't inside you and sort of cleans you out like root-rooter or draino. Lol. But it's important to drink it before it gets too thick. That's also why I do a clear liquid chaser afterwards. To make sure it's out of my esophagus and getting through my sleeve. No stomach cramps or loose stool (sorry- but that's what I got with miralax 😱). It is gritty, but not too bad to get down.

BTW- I take it 1-3 times per day when I'm due to drink clear fluids anyway.

I just started metimucil last Thursday night and by Saturday I've been going every day 1-2 times per day. I barely went for 2 weeks straight post op. I use the sugar free powder. Prior to surgery I used the capsules from COSTCO but they are too big for me now with my new sleeve. I do 1teaspoon in about 4 oz of water bc you have to drink it pretty fast. Within 5-8 minutes. Then I follow it with some clear fluids. I used benefiber from the day I left the hospital to prevent constipation but it didn't work at all. I liked how it mixed with clear fluids and was basically tasteless, but it didn't do anything for me. I would like to get my fiber from food, but even pre op my diet was FULL of veggies and constipation was a problem, for years! My brother told me about it a couple of years ago and it's the BEST.

Everyone is different. Genetics plays a role, but The younger you are the more likely you won't be as bad. As you get older the skin loses its elasticity. Also, the longer you have the weight on, the more damage it will do to your skin. My mother would have talked me out of the surgery too- she is a huge part of my life long struggle with my weight. I could go into a huge vent, but I'll spare you, lol. Do this for YOU. You have your whole life and future ahead of you and with a lighter and healthier body you will have fewer limitations. Loose skin is secondary and may not be an issue at all for you.

The premier protein shakes are the best for me. They are 30 grams of protien each and packed with vitamins. In the beginning it took me over an hour to sip one down, but now it's about 40 minutes. I try to do 2 each day. I drink Gatorade G2, but I water it down. I like it better then the MIO drops (personally- so many friends love them). So I will pour the Gatorade into 3 different empty 16z bottles of water and then water it down. I do this bc the Gatorade still has calories and carbs and I'm trying to keep my carbs down as low as possible and don't want excess empty calories. I will drink plain water, but I find it hard too. I get my premier protein from COSTCO. Chocolate, vanilla and bananas and cream. They have strawberry and caramel on line. I've heard that Walmart may carry it too in 4 packs. It is WAY more paletable for me then any other protien shake so far. I just haven't found a powder that isn't gritty and gross - but again it's so personal, my friend will ONLY drink the powders. Vitamins are important too. I use patches (patchmd.com) and today was the first time since surgery I didn't wear them...and I felt like crap. Needed a nap and if I wasn't visiting family, I would have stayed asleep...so I think they are helping with my energy. The patches I love bc it's one less thing to factor into my day of "eating" and drinking. But get in you FLUID! Dehydration is one of the most frequent complications from surgery and it can be prevented (most of the time) with some effort. And believe me, I feel you, it was effort. I set alarms to remind myself to take sips and eat. lol. I hope you feel better. It takes some time, but focus on healing and the protien and fluids will help the healing.

I am at a stall and a couple of pounds up according to my mother in laws scale. I didnt post this to bring down the enthusiasm, but to prepare you. I WAS NOT prepared for a stall or small gain this close out. When you read, you figure, they must be eating poorly or not drinking or not getting the protein in....reality check! I've been very strict and here I am at 2 1/2 weeks out. I'm not letting it get to me. I am exercising and getting my vitamins but I just didn't expect this until maybe a few months into it (if at all). So im still going strong...but I just want to keep it real. No regrets. Just moving forward.

You sound just like me! I was hoping the scale at my hotel was wrong, but I'm up a few pounds and stalled at 2 1/2 weeks im still on track but I lost 13 pounds pre-op. Was UP 6-8 pounds home from the hospital. Then in about 2 weeks down almost 14 (including that water) and now nothing. I only had to do the liquid diet 7 days pre-op, but I did it 2 weeks and I felt like it helped the detox and prepared my body for the adjustment. Exercising is a great prep though and will help your recovery.

I felt the same way!! Hugs to you and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Great article, thanks.

Pretty much the same for me too. I was wondering if it was ok. Nice to hear I'm not alone. Lol

You HAVE to get your protein and water in. It Is A chore in the very beginning, but think about it, you don't have eat or cook for yourself. Lol. In the first week it took me over an hour to drink one premier protein shake. And I had 2 a day. I would set 2 alarms for 30-45 minutes later and just hit snooze, so I drank an ounce or 2 every 4-5 minutes. I took water with me everywhere I went. Even work where I have a water cooler. I'd pack food and water for the whole day, in case I got stuck at work or had to run the kids around (like every day basically- 3 kids going in three directions). Also, starting BEFORE my surgery, I use patch vitamins (transdermal). So I don't have to worry about tolerating them. I had a tough time tolerating multivitamins before surgery so I figured it would be no better after. I was a coffee junkie up until about 3-4 weeks before surgery and I would literally nod off without it. I think the b-12 arch has helped because I don't feel that way at all. I use that, plus multi vitamin patch, vitamin D/calcium patch and biotin patch. I am very happy with them, but I won't know my levels for a little while (whenever they check them post op- I'm not sure)

I am on vacation. I left about 9 days post op so my diet is pretty restricted. I took premier protein shakes, yogurt and cheese sticks to the parks every day (Disney) packed in ice packs along with my waters. I would say at your point, you would look for some low carb beef jerky (try nicks sticks on Amazon-70 calories, 9 gm protein and 5 sugars), weigh out some almonds and macadamia nuts and put them into baggies (I go to COSTCO and find the quality is good and the price is right, you just have to package them up). You can make Tuna or egg salad and pack the cooler, that way you feel like you are getting some REAL food. Don't rely on the rest stops, if you get lucky and find a great choice go for it, but at least you have your stuff packed and ready if there is nothing for you. I find the jerky (not that I can have it yet- but I was paleo for a bit) in the stores has lots of sugar, and the nuts are full of salt too.

You've lost 40 pounds in nearly a month!! That's great!!! I have been PERFECT with my protein and water intake. And I gained at about 2 weeks (3pounds). I'm factoring in my traveling though and. Trying to take it in stride. I was definilty swollen after my flight, my fingers were tight and puffy. I was in Disney all week in the heat walking 15000 steps a day pushing a heavy stroller and felt swollen each night. And yesterday I got my period!!!! So I'm hoping that is a big factor and I will see a drop. I will usually gain 2-5 pounds water Weight PMS, I just wasn't thinking about it. Im staying at my in laws for a few days and hoping to hop on a scale for some good news. It would really suck to go to Disney, following the plan completely and staying active (I did the eliptical a couple of days BEFORE the parks) and see NO loss. But I will say that I look better...and feel great too. Someone here said to take measurements so that all of your progress isn't just measured on the scale. I've read from some vets that during their stalls, they have lost inches and clothing sizes.

Following bc I'm hoping to be in your shoes next year. And just wanted to say congrats on your weight loss. 100 pounds! Awesome!

Initially I was going to Mexico for self pay because my BMI was 36 and I had no co-morbidities. But I figured, why not give it a shot through insurance first, that way I can justify spending out of pocket when I have good insurance. My first appointment was 2/7 and my surgery was 3/23 here in the US fully covered. Most insurances only give you the very basics when calling for the criteria. Either 40 BMI or over 30 with co-morbidities of severe sleep apnea, high blood presssure, cardiac problems, diabetes, athsma, high cholesterol and maybe one other. I didn't have any of them and I'm thinking to myself, I'm trying to PREVENT that! And WHY would you want to wait until they are developed and THEN perform a surgery on a sick patient!?! So I went to my Doc in NY in HOPES of having sleep apnea. My requirements were blood work, check up and clearance from pulmonary doc, cardiologist, primary doc, NUT, psych doc and endoscopy. It was a PAIN to find a nutritionist and psychologist who dealt with weight loss surgery but I called some local weight loss practices and was able to find local people. my doc is an hour away because I didn't want my family/friends to know my plans, they so have all of the specialists in house at their main office, but none are covered by insurance and it was more inconvenient due to the distance for me. I left that first appointment and literally scheduled the cardiologist, pulmonary, nutritionist, and endoscopy in the parking lot and all within 1 1/2 weeks. The psyc took me 2 weeks and I had just seen my primary doc for extensive blood work. I did a sleep study at home and had the results about 2 weeks after the first appointment. I was not hopeful when the results were mild-no sleep apnea. I called my insurance company and was told that those are just the basic guidelines, and if the doctor could articulate why the VSG was medically necessary (I.e. Mild apnea interfering with my rest, I DO have a host of documented orthopedic issues that were exasperated by my weight gain over that past few years and mild reflux) that I could be approved. And 2 days later I WAS approved. You would have thought I won an all expense paid vacation when I got the call! I guess technically I did! I'll take my Mexico self-pay money and go to Mexico for some fun!! BTW, my insurance did require 6 months of weigh-ins, but somehow i got around that (I wasn't going to call and ask why) Not sure how. My doctors office took care of all of the insurance approvals so I had minimal dealings with them. so all in all there were definitely hoops, but I was on such a mission to get this done, I used it's a motivator. It also felt good knowing I had been examined and had minimal health problems going into surgery. I had a required class just before surgery with a bariatric nurse at the hospital (going over the diet, the procedure, and what to expect, etc.) and the pre-op blood work and the rest is history. from start to finish, just over 6 weeks from first appointment to surgery. I'm 2 1/2 weeks post op and I feel great.

This is pretty spot on. My support nurse said baby food is for babies. For soft foods, meat is not an option unless it's super fine/chopped. The dannon triple zero Greek yogurt (oikios) has 15 grams of protein. I get most of my food protein from baked white fish (talapia and Cod are my favs). I am away and had salmon (3oz was my max) and had that several times but I made sure to CHEW it a long time before swallowing the white fish is definilty easier to chew into small pieces

Yes. Some insurances require 6 months of weigh ins. Some doctors require weight loss depending on how high the starting weight is. Mine did not. And my pre-op diet was only required for 1 week. I did 2 hoping I would get in the week earlier, but alas I wasn't able to be bumped up. It's ok though. My system was totally ready when it came time for my VSG.

I feel great! I just finished up 5 days in Disney World doing 8-12 hour days at tha parks, pushing 75 pound stroller. Lol. I did most rides except I pushed it a bit with the Big thunder Mountain, comes to an abrupt stop and I was a tiny bit sore. Day one after surgery I felt crappy. I had to be up by 5am for my surgery so I was definilty tired later in the day. I thought I would be up and walkin laps around the place (bc a few people I knew had been just after surgery). I was 2 hours post op and like I'm ready to go, let's walk!! And then 1/2 way down the hall I was like, ok let's go back. 😂 But every 2 hours (even overnight) I got up and walked, each time going further and more steady. I passed my swallow test with no problem and tolerated the water, protein shake and jello, so I wasn't out by 1:00 the next day. They said to catch up on my sleep on my first day home and then I could go to the gym and they wanted as much moving as possible. I don't go to the gym, but I used my eliptical every couple of hours for 5-15 minutes day one and then every couple of hours for 10-20 the next. That helped so much with the gas pain. My gas pain wasn't that bad and was totally gone by day 3. I did use a few gasX strips each day, but I'm not sure if it helped, but it couldn't hurt. I was driving by day 3, but sore and tired. Since I have kids I couldn't take the narcotics too much (driving, etc) but I took Tylenol during the day and the oxy at night for the first 2 nights home. I went back to work day 4, but my work pants hurt my incisions (yoga pants we so comfy that I didn't factor in a belt and sitting at a desk) so I only made it 3-4 hours. But day 7 I was back normally with no problems. My only complication so far was a wicked rash that formed on my abdomen. I took benedryl each night (again can't get doped up on meds when you've got kids depending on you). They weren't sure what was causing it, because it wasn't really around the incisions, lightly all over but heavy on my sides. But it started to get super itchy near the incisions and the glue was coming off (after 8-9 days) so I peeled it off and the next day the rash improved and after that nearly gone. So I'm thinking it was an allergic reaction to the glue they used OR from the stitches. Either way, if that's my worst complication I'll be blessed. It WAS hard to get my protein and water in those first 2 days, but I make it my business to get it in. I over pack stuff for work and travel just to be safe and I track EVERTHING on baritastic (app). That's the most user friendly app for me personally and has been a very valuable tool. As far as weight loss, I'm hopeful. I'm away now, and I have. Even perfect on my diet. I ordered shakes and had them delivered to the hotel along with some foods I can have (yogurt, cheese) but I will see tomorrow when I weigh in at my mother in laws house. One big thing I WAS NOT prepared for was the weight gain after surgery. I was UP about 6-8 pounds on my home scale the day I came home. This apparently is common bc they have you on IV from an hour or so before surgery until a few minutes before discharge (which for me, was about 30 hours straight. I lost that over the first 4-5 days and now I'm about 10 pounds down from surgery. Since pre-op (about 4 weeks ago) I'm down 20 But I FEEL good. I have energy. I already look visibly better in clothes. I'm starting to see my old shape I'm not sure if they work, but I take biotin pills (COSTCO) and vitamin patches (patchmd.com) calcium/Vit D, B-12 and multi vitamin, and biotin plus. I told my PA at the office and she said other patients had good results, so I'm hopeful and I think they are helping with my energy. I'm praying they keep my hair fro falling out, but I've read that it says futile lol Don't overpack for the hospital. Just comfy clothes to walk in (I'm not a fan of the gown. And comfy clothes for the car ride home (and a pillow to hold over your stomach for the ride home). Someone posted about dry mouth here and it was helpful. It's NO JOKE. I packed a dry mouth spray and that was good. You can't swallow, but 2 sprays was soaked up immediately in my dry mouth- yuk. I'm typing on my phone half asleep- so sorry if there are typos

I've never had a C-section, but I would think that that is WAY worse then VSG. Especially if it's laporscopic (which it usually is). While they ARE cutting through muscle, it's nowhere nearly as extensive as cutting a significant incision into your abs and then uterus and all the hormones, etc. you are DEFINITLY way more prepared then I was. Lol. And it was no walk in the park the first 24 hours, but seriously not that bad. I look forward to your updates

I remember that feeling!!! I'm only 2 1/2 weeks out but when I decided it do it I was on fire!! Just wanted it done!!!! hang in there!

Just to add to the goodness... I was back at work feeling good 7 days post op and just survived (and thrived) in Disney World for 5 days (ending today) I had my premier protein delivered to the hotel from COSTCO and the garden grocer delivered some other post op friendly foods that I packed each day for the parks. I felt totally fine, went on most of the rides and walked a TON i barely lost any weight, but I got my period today, so that's not bad considering I usually put on 3-5 pounds water weight PMS. Hoping for a big loss in the next week.

I agree with James completely and was given the same advice prior to my surgery. I was a Starbucks junkie and gave it up, along with sugar and carbs leading into the pre-op diet. EVERYONE is different. Just like childbirth, you hear the horror stories from some and the ones who gave birth and were cooking Christmas dinner later that day. It's exactly the same. I went in the a "can-do" attitude bc the few personal people I knew were up and about so quick and easy. The one guy said he had NO pain and did 20 laps around the hospital floor right after surgery (and I spoke to him one week post-op). So I thought it would be the same for me....not so much. I got up ready to go 2 hours post op and fizzled out 1/2 way down the hall. Lol. That being said, each time I got up I went further and faster and was out the next day at home. I barely used the pain meds, but was definilty sore (but nothing horrible, I was just mostly weak and groggy) and my gas pains were GONE by day 3. I walked every day on my eliptical about 5 times a day for 5-25 minutes each to keep circulating and get the gas out. I think it's good to know the extremes going into it, and hope for the best case scenario. That way you are prepared. But don't focus on the bad stuff...I'm not sure why people want to freak people out when they went through the same thing. I remember the excitement leading up to it though, it was like getting married or having a baby-lol. But I was VERY scared. I never had a surgery before and I was second guessing myself thinking something bad would happen and it was just because I couldn't lose weight on my own. But I kept my eye on the prize and know that the risk was with the reward. And my kids would have a better mom and my husband would have a better wife (not just my body, but my lifestyle and health). Im just over 2 weeks out and I feel better already (of course I was prepping for a month or so prior to surgery so it's been about 6 weeks of better habits). Good luck to you!

I guess it's better to be safe then sorry, but I DEFINITLY wouldn't get on the plane first though. You will be sitting WAY too long pre-flight and take off before you can get up. I just flew (day 9 post surgery for vacation) and I waited until the very end to get on with my kids. For 2 reasons...the kids will get nutty before we even take off, and I didn't want to be seated so long. My surgeon said DEFINITLY get up and walk more often and do foot flex and circles when seated. Even 9 days out. My carry on was a standard back pack so I only needed the space below the seat in front of me. I wasn't thinking international flight when you originally posted, so I would bring a protein powder if they don't let you bring the drink through security. And just give yourself at least an extra hour or so. As I'm typing I'm thinking of the long security and customs lines in my previous international flights and think the wheelchair is a must to the gate at least. It's not the walking that got to me, but standing for long periods made me weak and woozy a bit those first few days. I wish you the best!

I don't think you will need a wheelchair. They want you walking as much as possible. I would just arrange for your bags to be handled by your driver and check in curb side. Dont pack too much for your carry-on bc you shouldn't be lifting more then 10 pounds. I just flew from NY to FL and was able to bring 2 premier protein shakes on board with me. I called TSA ahead of time and you can bring pre-mixed shakes for medical purposes. I didn't need a note. I didn't mind them opening them, bc I put them in the freezer for a couple of hours and transported them in a soft lunch cooler. They were being consumed that night so it didn't make a difference. But they said some people don't want them opened so they just get a pat down.

I left the hospital 8-10 pounds UP! So it may be fluid from surgery and you may actually HAVE lost weight, but it doesn't seem that way. I weigh myself every day. So it wasn't until about day 5that I was actually lower then before surgery.