Syntax_Attack

As a military veteran myself I have to say go get a second opinion. I am sure that the VA psych is very tuned in to anything that can increase suicidality since it is as you know a huge issue in the Veteran community. However this doesn't seem like someone that has a lot of experience with these types of cases. Go to your weight loss clinic (if you are doing this through the VA go to a civilian one) and ask for their list of recommended providers that can give you the required psych clearance. If you think that your VA doc might have had at least somewhat of a legitimate concern you can even ask that the civ and VA doc discuss this to address any legitimate issues. If you go with a weight loss clinics recommended doctor they should have a lot of experience and can address any concerns your VA doc has. Good Luck.

Great news, glad to hear it!

I had my sleeve procedure on Monday with permission to go to full liquids on Wednesday. But I have been stuck on clear liquids since and was nowhere near my protein goals (maybe getting in 15-30 grams out of the 65 minimum i should have been getting). I was keeping my water down but could not bring myself to keep much else down. I have been feeling very malnourished, dizzy, spacey, and just all around miserable. Well today was a huge leap forward for me, I was able to get half of a premier protein shake down in about the span of an hour this morning and I am feeling confident I will get 2 down today (which will put me at 60g of protein for the day). But this protein shake may well be one of the best meals I have ever had in my life. I think the only thing that compares is the dinner I had after my 3 day survival training in the military (and that was a damn steak). I am telling you this shake was wonderful, it coated my stomach, filled me up, and stopped my jittery shaking for the first time in days. Because of this shake this is the first day that I am really feeling like this surgery wasn't an awful mistake (I mean mentally I knew it wasn't and I was prepared as one could be for this but still). It is amazing what a few calories will do for you when you are on starvation rations for days on end. Anyway that is all, I just wanted to share the good news and let all the other recent sleevers know that it gets better soon. Happy recovery all.

Oh yeah I feel better every day, I just had some cream of chicken soup and I am feeling wonderful today. I am ready for the stalls I think. I am chomping at the bit to get into the gym and start working out and seeing the muscle gains as the weight loss stalls come. I already feel the weight coming off and it feels great, I wish my 6 weeks light activity restriction was already over. As soon as I can I am going swimming and fishing in my local creek.

When I had to cough or hiccup it helped, but otherwise finding the comfy positions is key.

I can tell you that the first 6 hours or so after surgery were god damn awful. When they brought me out of anesthesia they hadn't given me any pain meds yet. It took them a few minutes to get me pain meds (they gave me a couple of shots of fentanyl after about 5-10 minutes of me coming out which helped a good bit but I can tell you that those few minutes sucked so hard. After that they controlled my pain with Norco. As I said the first six hours were pretty bad, but sleeping helped so the best advice I can give is sleep as much and as often as you are able. After the first 6 hours everything got much more bearable. IMHO body position is the key to keeping yourself out of as much pain as possible. Sometimes it is better to sit, sometimes better to recline, and sometimes it is better to lay down. All I can say is listen to your body and do what feels best. I quit taking anything but Tylenol on day 3 after surgery.

I am doing fairly well on my water but my protein intake is really falling behind. I had my procedure on monday and the past 2 days I was barely getting 20 grams of protein I should be getting 65 grams. But even getting all my liquid in is a challenge at this point. My doctor had me going to full liquids yesterday but no way am I feeling ready to even push it to thicker liquids at this point.

I am out of the hospital and resting comfortably now at home, and I hope the same for all of you. The first 6 hours were a real beast for me. Hell when they pulled me out of anesthesia I hadn't had any pain killers yet so I woke up feeling like I was stabbed repeatedly in the gut. Took them a good 10-20 minutes to get me even remotely relieved. But they got me dosed up and after I did some on and off sleeping I was feeling a ton better. As long as I keep up on my meds now pain doesn't really get past a 5 anymore and normally stays about a 3 which is plenty bearable. I have even managed not to throw up yet, even though I got close a few times. I am out of the hospital and resting comfortably now at home, and I hope the same for all of you. The first 6 hours were a real beast for me. Hell when they pulled me out of anesthesia I hadn't had any pain killers yet so I woke up feeling like I was stabbed repeatedly in the gut. Took them a good 10-20 minutes to get me even remotely relieved. But they got me dosed up and after I did some on and off sleeping I was feeling a ton better. As long as I keep up on my meds now pain doesn't really get past a 5 anymore and normally stays about a 3 which is plenty bearable. I have even managed not to throw up yet, even though I got close a few times.

It has gotten quite a bit better so on a good path here. Thanks for your concern all.

I have been out for a couple of hours and feel like death warmed over. Hope you all have a better time of it.

Harrisburg area.

Ugh got one surgery in front of me. Will be about an hour before I go back to the OR.

Thanks guys, I am hooked up to IVs in a gown waiting to go.

On my way to the hospital right now. Wish me luck all. See you ladies and gentlemen on the other side.

Honestly this is just going to be a test of your willpower. You can easily go by a nicotine product at the drop of a hat if you want. This is going to have to be you remembering what you want more in the moment, do you want that momentary gratification of the nicotine hit or do you want to get this surgery that I am sure you have already worked hard for. Remind yourself when you have the urges what you are doing this for. You are not going to be able to rely on anybody else to stop you from cheating on this program, you have to find it in yourself to stay the course when the going gets tough.

You can bet I will. I will have a laptop in my overnight bag and as soon as I have an opportunity I will post here.

Monday the 21st

They found I had a hiatal hernia which will be fixed during the surgery.

Got the call, going to be at the hospital at 1130 on Monday!!! Super excited!

I am on the 21st as well, waiting for the call from the hospital on the exact time, that should be coming in any minute now.

1 Week till my surgery and I am about as excited as one can get. Anybody else share my date?

At my leanest I was about 185 and that was when I was rocking a six pack (ah those were the days ). So 200-210 would be pretty good for me, definitely don't want to get above 220.

Definitely. My big downhill slope started about 4 years ago when I had to have emergency surgery for a congenital heart condition I had no idea I had until one day it felt like there was a fish flopping around in my heart. I was a bit overweight but still reasonably fit up until that point, but after that surgery physical activity caused skipped heartbeats and I became very sedentary, but I neglected to change my eating habits when it happened. It has taken a few years for my heart to adjust to the surgery but I can now exercise without that happening to much anymore but I feel like I am carrying around a 120lbs rucksack all the time, and it is just incredibly difficult on my back, knees, and hips to get moving. This is going to be the jump start I need. I simply can't wait to get back out into the bush again and do more hunting and fishing, get back in the gym and start lifting again, and I am really excited to pick up martial arts again. And the best part will be getting to do all this with my kids. I am prior military and a military mindset is how I am approaching this, dedication and commitment to change 100%. I will not fail, it is simply not an option I am willing to accept. I have this, WE have this and we will WIN. And if anybody ever tells you that getting surgery is the easy way out and cheating remember this saying. "Always cheat, always win, the only unfair fight is the one you lose!"

I will definitely talk to my doctor about the Biotin, thanks a lot!! I have had to quit my normal vitamins a week prior so I will see about getting on it ASAP after surgery.

It sure does help, thanks!