wendybird

I definitely felt it for about 3 days after surgery. Then, it went away. The incisions did itch a bit during the healing process, like any cut.

That is amazing progress! I was sleeved 1/24. I think a lot of us could drive ourselves batty looking for worst-case scenarios. I've progressed fine, even had a glass of wine once (!!!! with water and internally soooo careful the whole time for no ill effect), and have been able to not suffer any calamity with my program. I'm almost to "any healthy foods" stage (in a week or two) and I was like you, afraid to move to each stage thinking I would have adverse reactions or stalls. Now I have internalized the cardinal rules of my program (no fluids 30 min before or after; eat until satisfied; take my time; make healthy protein-y-est choices) and am ready / adjusted to my new normal.

It's bananas how different everyone's programs are. Mine was: 2 week liquid before, 2 week liquid after, one week puree, two weeks soft, then after 6 weeks it's just "healthy diet." What I'm most looking forward to at 6 weeks is swallowing pills! Crushing meds is no fun.

I progressed to "soft" foods today (surgery Jan 24th) and man oh man am I excited to eat (some of) the same food as the rest of my family at dinner instead of paste/purees!

Hi Everyone! I know I came to these forums to help prepare me for the surgery, so this post is about helping you be as prepared as possible and know the nitty gritty. I was sleeved Wednesday 1/24 in Chicago. Your mileage may vary. The night before, I was NPO after 9PM and was the first surgery of the day, so I had to be at the hospital at 5:15 am. Have a backup ride ready because you might not know this until the day before, and my husband had to stay home with our kids. Pro Tip: You can reserve a cab or Lyft ride in advance, so I had a lyft scheduled at 4:30 AM. They do weigh you at the hospital when you arrive. Pre-Op was a breeze. I have a high BMI so I had a shot of a drug to prevent blood clots, if you don't like shots, ask for it in the thigh. I had mine in my right shoulder both days and it was fine, nothing more than a flu shot feeling. Post op your mouth will be DRY. DRY DRY DRY DRY DRY. Bring lip balm to keep your lips moist and you will, will, WILL get through it. If it's really bad, make sure you are not getting dehydrated. Late on the night of my surgery, my heart rate and blood pressure went way up, so they gave me a "BOLUS" for dehydration, which is a lot of IV fluids really fast, it did the trick and by morning I was fine. WALK! Get up as soon as you feel able to. I walked and walked, and peed and peed. They will measure your urine so don't flush it, there will be a measuring thing in the toilet, don't put paper in it because you want credit for every ML of urine you produce! And did I mention walk? It's so easy. I was shocked that I was the only person walking around the floor. It really helps with that gas pain. The morning after surgery I did a "water trial" where a member of the doc's team brought in two thimbles of water. I had two hours to finish them and it took really about an hour. Go slowly. After that, I was not brought a tray of anything, just a FULL styrofoam cup of probably 20 oz of water and was told "this is what is between here and home." It took me about 3 hours to drink it, and then I was finally discharged around 3PM. Walking around in CVS on the way home is when the farting began. It hasn't stopped but I'll tell you I have zero gas pains! Get the liquid Tylenol. You will want it when you are home, even if just one incision hurts (I have five "stab wounds" and only one is really bothersome at all - and the liquid tylenol is enough.) Now I am home and am slowly sipping Premier Protien Clear (yum) and water (yum) all day. TIP: Don't buy the orange protein water sold at Target, order the premier protein clear online. They are vastly different. TL:DR? You will fart a lot. That's good. You will burp a lot. That's fine. WALK A LOT. Stand up a lot. You'll do great. Ask me anything!

It could be dehydration- I had it after surgery and needed additional iv fluids. Call your doc.

I eat scrambled egg with tofu, refried beans, Greek yogurt, hummus, and cottage cheese in a cycle of sorts. When I’m really bored I integrate cream of soups from the full liquid stage. Only a few more days for me until I progress to “soft” foods. You can do it!!!

Did you feel OK afterwards? Just curious. I was sleeved 1/24 and plan to have a glass of wine and a taco (or the inside of it) for a special occasion. It will be 5 weeks post-op, at which point my program says "healthy diet" (aka no more restrictions.)

I had surgery on a Wednesday, was back in the office Monday with no problems.

If you're on the two week pre-op liquid diet of protein shakes, that's a lot of protein and zero fiber. My advice is to buy both Miralax and suppositories pre-op. Mix miralax in Day 2 post-op and I needed to use a suppository on day 3 or 4. Since then I've been really regular (TMI) but yes every visit to the toilet is a gift.

My program’s advice was to drink water in between each alcoholic bevvy to remain hydrated. I haven’t had a drink yet but will likely have a glass of wine in a couple of weeks at a social event and am keeping that advice (I’ll be 6 weeks post op by then.)

Haha my vsg was on the 24th and mine came the 29th! Crazy!!!

I like using the caramel premier protein shake as cream for my coffee.

I was 1/24 and I’m getting my fluids and protein - I am just really bored of full liquids and can’t wait to move up to purées on Day 14 post op!

I have a 32 oz bottle of water that I try to fill three times a day. I have one for home and and one at work. I use Crystal Light sometimes (I fill the bottle half way or use two packets) but mostly just try to take a drink of water every few minutes, I always have it with me. I also like to drink hot herbal tea like mint and chamomile.

Hi! I was sleeved on Wed. Jan 24th. I lost about 20 lbs on the pre-op liquid diet, so started out at 297, surgery weight 277, and today am 267, so 10 lbs lost since surgery. Everyone's program is so different. I'm still on full liquids until 14 days post-op, when I can start purees. My surgery went great and I'm recovering really well - I just wish I could progress a little faster on the diet phases. I drink about 96 oz. of water a day in addition to my liquid foods of sf jello, bone broth, Premier Protein shakes, and strained cream of soups, which is mostly hot salty milk. I'm happy to connect with fellow January sleevers!

Best wishes! I was only in the hospital for one night so aside from lip balm and my phone/charger I didn't take anything else out until I got dressed to go home. You've got this!

Great question! In the hospital I was automatically given Pepcid in my AV whether I needed it or not. At home I’ve been fine - can only sleep on my back due to the incisions, so I use two pillows to elevate my head slightly. No reflux (knock wood.)

I am post op day 4 and totally relate! I’m trying to drink more broth and hot herbal tea to keep the hunger feelings away. My program allows 2 protein shakes a day at this point with a fluid goal of 64 oz and 60g of protein. I’m moving up to full liquids in 2 days and can’t wait for soup!

Hi Meg - on Day 1 yes it was clear water for me. Other programs are probably different, but mine is clear liquids the first two days and then clear liquids plus two protein shakes for a few days, then all liquids, etc etc. What made it hard to drink fast was that you could really feel each sip going down to your stomach, and too big of a sip or too much too fast would cause me chest pains. Cut to a day or so later and you can take sips closer together. It’s all part of the new normal!

I'm three days post-op and returning to work on Monday (day after tomorrow) because I can definitely do my job (seated desk work.) I'm kind of excited to walk to the train and to my office. I'll be going to my 1 week post-op visit on a long lunch break from work on Thursday!

Sleeved 1/24 and am doing a good job of 64 oz water plus 60g protein. The Premier Protein brand is really the most pleasant, today I get to add 2 shakes a day to clear liquids. I’m having some tenderness at one of my incisions but I’m surprising myself with how I’m adjusting. I was severely dehydrated in the hospital so maybe I’m just crazy paranoid about it happening again! On the other hand I took my first dose of Miralax today and pray to straighten out that part of things before work on Monday!

Rock on!!!

I didn’t have to do a weight loss plan prior to the liquid diet.

I’m telling close friends about it - at work I said I’m having a surgical procedure and that’s it. If anyone wonders about my weight loss I plan to just say that I drastically changed my diet and am exercising more. That’s enough.