TakingABreak

My surgeon recommends 4 weeks minimum. If you feel great after 2 weeks, go back sooner. But I'd plan on 4-6 weeks. As far as the pain, everyone's experience is different. 90% of my pain was in the hospital. Coming home, it was just soreness. Nothing that I couldn't handle with some Tylenol.

Everyone's restriction is different. I am almost 7 weeks post op. I remember when I took my bariatric class the nutritionist told us that everyone's pouch size would be different. Some would be 4 ounces, some would be 8 ounces. Plus as the swelling goes down, you will be able to eat more. Also it HIGHLY depends on what you are eating. Yogurt is very filling for me.

They ended up giving me Milk of Magnesia to help the progression. It took a day and a half to kick in. I'm not sure why it took so long or why they waited so long to start me on something. Nonetheless, it didn't matter how much I walked I wasn't passing anything that first few days. I remember when the gas came though, lets just say, I'm glad all my visitors had gone out for dinner. It was loud and constant for about 15 minutes. Pack some type of febreeze or air freshener, while mine didn't stink necessarily, I felt better knowing that the room smelled fresh. My energy returned about a month in. I'd say I was close to 100% coming back to work this week which was just past 6 weeks post op. I honestly don't know how people go back to work sooner. I knew I wanted to be fully past all my food progression stages before I was out in public for 8+ hours per day. You need time to experiment with foods. I still don't eat anything new unless I'm at home.

Try this recipe if you are up for a new pizza option. @BINABINA25 I ate this during my "soft" foods phase which was week 5 http://www.plainchicken.com/2012/03/wheres-crust-pizza.html#Kwq9qHxEVRcQ45XV.99

Oh and I forgot to mention that you body goes under an IMMENSE amount of stress. I got shingles in the hospital from this stress. Take it easy and focus only on your recovery!

Basically everything @Creekimp13 said. The stalls are daunting! I lost 27 lbs in the pre op diet, then lost another 12lbs in the first week, and stalled for almost 2 full weeks. I was only 2 weeks post op at this point. I was terrified. I thought I'd gone through all of this for 39 lbs. But then, after having patience with my body, I started increasing my calories and working out. I've broken the first of many stalls! I didn't have a hard time with drinking after about week one, meaning I could gulp by this point. I just had a hard time reminding myself to drink. Prior to surgery, it didn't matter. No one really thinks about how much liquid they are taking in throughout the day until they have bariatric surgery. Go figure. LOL The fatigue is relentless. I mean, relentless. I remember going to the grocery store 2 weeks out and having to stop in the middle of the store and LEAVE MY CART. I just gave up. I couldn't go any further. The biggest thing for me that I wish I knew was how much pain I was going to be in after surgery. I really struggled for the first 3 days. I was in the hospital for 5 days due to my bowls taking that long to wake up and pass gas. Now, this is probably why I had extended stay and pain. Also, I had a drain left in for 3 days as well, which was painful.

Many weight loss patients cannot tolerate plain water after surgery. I know I am one of those people. I cant drink more than a swig from a bottle of water without feeling the urge to puke. I'd try adding calorie free, sugar free additives to the water to see if it helps. I drink fruit tea (caffeine free). You can also use crystal light, watered down 100% juice, lemon, or cucumber.

I wasn't able to get higher calories in until I reached my soft food phase. I'm not sure where you are in the food progression. Its actually a lot easier than you think it would be. Solid food=more calories. You will find that it means more restriction too. On liquids and soft foods, I could eat a full cup. Now, solid foods I'm lucky to get a 1/2 cup in. I'm not sure what your program allows, but I'd stay away from cocktails. Actually, I'd stay away from all drinks that include calories. My surgeon warned that caloric liquids is one of the sure fast ways of regaining weight. No surgery can prevent you from drinking your calories. In my program, I can't have alcohol until 6 months out. Honestly, its not safe at 3 weeks. You can significantly slow your recovery.

You look great! You should be so proud. I can't wait for my year mark!

I'll have to ask at my next appointment. That would be awesome if I could get one. I just would be hesitant to use it in case I got turned down. But I should do it, save some money!

Maybe that is what I'll try next time! I'm just going to wink at them and say "I'll tip you better if I can order off the kids menu". Its worth a shot!

There is this "card" where you can give it to the waitress and order a reduced amount & priced meal. Its only with participating restaurants. I wish I had it to show you, but I never did save it. I'm sure that some of the vets might have it.

Things I brought and actually used: Lip balm Tooth brush and paste Long, long phone charger Extra pillow from home A portable fan (I thought I was going through menopause at 28) My husband brought me one that clipped onto the side of the bed. Larger wasted pants. Anything resting on my stomach was uncomfortable. Leggings did not cut it. Shower things. We traveled for my surgery so my husband brought his from the hotel, but I never thought I'd shower while I was there. Day 3, I was showering. I was also there for 5 days.

I noticed that my fatigue got significantly better approx. week 4. It was went I went from pureed to soft foods. When I hit soft foods, I started consuming 600-700 calories per day. It helped my energy level tremendously. I didn't increase my calories from there until this week. I'm now closer to 800 calories, but I'm also working out every day. You have to find a balance between what you are eating and burning. Your body will hit a stall and stop loosing due the notorious "starvation mode". Finding the right balance of calories is a tight rope dance. Good luck! It will get better.

My pre op diet consisted of Bariatric Advantage. I thought it was the WORST of all the protein powders I've tried. I used PB2 to mix with the vanilla flavored powder. I also only mixed with water. Milk has way too many carbs and the whole point is to send your body into ketosis. I also would eat a small meal in the evenings (days 1-7) consisting of 4 oz of chicken and 4 oz of steamed (low carb) vegetables. The remaining week, I did straight shakes. I lost 27 lbs pre op. But I think at least 10 lbs was water weight.

I'm 6 weeks post op and I find it hard to distinguish between head hunger and regular hunger. I just try to eat at "normal" times and don't eat at all when I'm not hungry. I've also had spells of nausea and NOTHING sounds good. I've struggled with what, if anything to eat at all. I go to the grocery story and leave with very little because nothing looks appetizing. But in the same day, I could feel like I'm starving while sitting at home. To prepare yourself for this, its almost impossible. Just have healthy things available for when your hunger does strike. Remember too, that even when your hunger does return, it won't take much to satisfy it.

I started swimming about 3 weeks post op. My incisions were no longer scabby though. I'd wait until they are fully healed. It felt so good to swim. It's a miracle work out for me. I don't feel the burn until its all over!

I take Bariatric Fusion. I like them a lot. My surgeons office said for many people this is all you need to take. However, I do take supplemental biotin and vitamin d/calcium pills. The biotin is from BariMelts. The Vitamin D is a chewable from Caltrate. This is only because my Vitamin D was in the toilet pre op and because I don't want to loose my hair (even though, its probably inevitable). Bariatric Fusion is also fairly cheap. I have to take 4 per day with RNY and 1 bottle lasts 30 days, at $27.99.

It's been just over 6 weeks since my RNY. I'm back to work now and feeling great. I don't know why I haven't checked in with you all sooner. I'm 55lbs down as of today. I'm working out fine, eating fine, drinking fine. Everything is wonderful. I had some hiccups along the way. Biggest things have been drinking straight water, it upsets my stomach. Therefore, I've become a fruit tea drinker (caffeine free, of course). Some foods upset my stomach, but I haven't eaten anything that I've said "never again". This site was my life saver pre op. I would read, read, and read about peoples experiences for insight into what my journey would be like. I had a fairly good program, but you never learn enough. I felt I learned the most by reading about the stories on here. For that, a great big THANK YOU! I feel terrible that I haven't been on, because without the people who have been through this, there are no "stories" for the next person like me. I'll be on more often.

I lost 27 lbs in the 2 week pre op diet, the remaining 28lbs since surgery . So total of 2 months. I had gained weight in December and around the holidays. I also quit smoking, which didn't help. But I started my pre op diet on 1/4, and then surgery 1/19. Thank you!

I’m here at the hospital waiting to get taken back for my RNY. Make room on the losers bench! I’m on my way. Down 25lbs since pre op diet.

Hi guys. Sorry is been a weird few weeks and I haven’t gotten on here but, I’m still doing well. On soft foods this week and haven’t had any problems with anything thus far. I have hit a stall, which is more of a bummer than I thought it would be. Staying positive. Thanks again for everyone’s continued support.

Update: I’m two weeks post op and down 40lbs from pre op diet and loss after. Doing well, just struggling with the purée diet. But I go to soft foods on Monday. My energy level is awful. I have this wall that I hit after about 30 minutes of physical activity. All in all, glad I did this

Ive done about 6 Laos today. Off of IV pain meds, just orals. Getting in about 2-3 ounces every 2-3 hours. Still feeling depleted but better for sure. Thanks for thinking of me.

Update. They removed my drainage tube and I feel 50% better from that. Only two spots of the hiccups so far. Medication resolved that quickly. I had an ounce of juice this morning and a lap around. Feeling better.