Czuck1983

Yesterday I had my 2 week, post-op followup with my surgeon. He was extremely pleased with my progress, 60lbs down since I first met him, 40 since I started liquid only, 20 since the morning of surgery. My incisions are healing wonderfully and he approved me to start eating soft foods. One meal a day this week with 2 shakes, next week 2 meals and 1 shake, and so forth. I was so excited, went straight home and made myself a small omelet, 2oz of egg whites and a tiny bit of mozzarella. It tasted like the best meal I had ever eaten, even without any seasoning (I thought salt and pepper might be a little harsh so decided to leave it bland). Also spoke to him about last weeks issue with sluggishness and all, he said it is likely because I became overly ketoic, dropping 40lbs in 4 weeks on liquid only and struggling with daily protein shakes in the last 2, likely slowed my system down. I was instructed if I feel like that again to get a small amount of sugar, either some apple juice or Gatorade. When I was feeling it on Friday I had a small glass of apple juice and the improvement was almost instantaneous. Now that I'm on real foods, I shouldn't have that issue anymore, but it's good to know that it isn't that uncommon of an issue and can be easily remedied. But the last 3 days I've felt better then I have in, I don't even know how long. I have a ton more energy, I'm sleeping through the night... and best of all, today I'm at work wearing a suit that hasn't fit me in almost 11 years. Anyway, thank you everyone for all of the support on here...

I'm not too sure about my plans for exercise. I own some yoga dvds that I used to do, so I'll likely start that again. Aside from that, I have some back issues, so I can likely get an rx for physical therapy and that will prob be cheaper then joining a gym for now, since my hospital stay helped break my deductible and my out of pocket maximum for insurance. I definitely notice more energy and an increase in my quality of sleep. I don't remember the last time I slept through the night without meds, but the last 2 nights I slept great and woke up feeling rested. Work has been good, first few days were rough, but that's because of the ketosis issues I mentioned above. But since I overcame that, I've been feeling great. Almost as if I could run a marathon... Which I may consider trying next summer if all is good with my physical issues. Do you have any plans post-op? Anything you'd like to do long term that you couldn't do before? Sent from my VS988 using BariatricPal mobile app

That's great... it'll be here before you know it.

When is your surgery? It's a tough one, I wouldn't say my tastes changed (at least not that I've noticed yet), but somethings became hard to stomach for a while. If it's a little too thick of a shake, it can occasionally sit in your stomach weird and make you feel fuller faster. I really struggled getting all of my fluids in for the day. But it's important to remember that everyone's journey is a little different. So you might have no problems at all, I wish you all of the luck in the world.

One more small shake recommendation that isn't thick at all, try mixing unflavored powder with water and a tsp of orange crystal light... really smooth drink with a good sweetness to it.

I also found almond milk to be one of the easiest things to stomach aside from water. My current favorite shake is unsweetened almond milk with vanilla Unjury powder. It's like drinking melted vanilla ice cream. When you're able to handle a slightly thicker mix, chocolate splendor by unjury is also amazing. If that still ends up being too thick for you, try half almond milk and half water. I'm personally not a fan of chocolate protein in water, but gotta do what we gotta do.

Honesty I think part of it is that I struggled hard with my post-op protein shakes... some days I didn't drink anything, and some days I could maybe force myself to get one 4oz shake down for lunch. So I think the lack of intake probably caused a little extra loss. I've also been mixing a serving of benefiber into my drinks twice a day, which likely contributed to helping keeping my system nice and clean (to put it nicely).

Took off 9 days, Surgery was on Monday May 26th, returned Wed April 4. Thankfully I spend 90% of my day at a desk, so it was an easy return.

I went through the same thing, it's not really that abnormal... just make sure you're drinking very slowly and follow your doctors orders for proper post-surgical care. Things will get better in time, you're still healing, and your stomach will take a little time to get back to the normal feelings. Feel better.

Check out Unjury as well... Chocolate Splendor and Vanilla are amazing, tastes like drinking melted ice cream.

Anytime... always happy to help.

I'm sure she will see the major difference and be extremely proud of you. It sounds like you have a great relationship and no matter what she is going to be excited that you are making positive changes in your life. You are always going to be your own harshest critic... you see yourself in the mirror every day, so the changes appear less drastic to your own eyes. If mom hasn't seen you in person for that long, trust me, the first thing she will notice is the difference. 75 lbs is a great progress in 3 months, and everyone's weight loss journey is different, so don't be hard on yourself if you feel you should have lost more. I'm sure your mom knows that it's a long journey and won't expect that you'd be at your goal weight just yet... that takes time, and you shouldn't even be expecting to be at that point yet... You're doing great, and you should be proud of yourself first and foremost... I can't imagine any loving mother would feel anything but the same.

So I'm almost a week and a half out and still struggling a little with my intake. My stomach has not been in agreement with the shakes too often, so I've been having trouble getting a full 12oz in over the day. I have been drinking as much water as I can handle... usually between 20-30 ounces a day, plus a cup of chicken broth and a sugar free ice pop. I've been feeling a bit of soreness, I must have rolled over in the night and slept on my left-side for the first time, so I woke up in quite a bit of pain, but nothing unmanageable. Today I returned to work for the first time, everyone's reactions made me feel wonderful. But I have been feeling some mild weakness. I was standing around talking to my coworkers and suddenly started to feel very light headed. It was probably the first time I had been on my feet for more then 5 minutes since surgery, so maybe I just need to work on strengthening myself a bit. I realized today that I have not been walking nearly as much as I should be. I walk maybe 2-3 times around the main area of my house (I do this probably 4 times a day) and I definitely need to start doing more laps, and get out of the house for some laps I suppose. Hopefully the day improves and I have no more episodes, I can't afford to miss anymore work, so with luck, there won't be any serious issues causing me to need to leave the office.

Day after surgery, after the x-ray to ensure no leakage, they were bringing me 1oz cups of water to drink every hour. I was instructed that it should take me about half an hour to drink the oz. Day after surgery, it was 2oz every hour. My surgeon admits that he keeps things to the more conservative side... he has his own in office, as well as online support groups and actually warns about going too much for advice on boards such as this because every doctor is different. I understand that his instructions may seem a bit extreme to others, but I'm going to stick to what he tells me to do for now. Thank you however, everyone, for the concern.

Well the instructions from my surgeon for the first 2 weeks was 32oz a day plus a 12oz shake. So I'm actually following along perfectly as far as fluid intake goes. I keep a 40oz water bottle on me at all times, I fill it every morning and take small sips every so often as I feel thirsty. Next week, according to his instructions, I should be up to 64oz a day, I see him for my 2-week followup on Tuesday and he'll give me my next instructions.

Have you added anything high in sugars? Too much sugar too soon can cause some stomach issues, including dumping syndrome. Make sure you're sticking to your surgeons instructions and keeping hydrated. I've been having some mild stomach issues myself, but just keeping myself going through the motions and avoiding anything that might cause any further issues.

So wanted to post a small update. I'm now one week post-op and while I still have some mild discomforts at times, I've been feeling pretty good. I have been struggling to get all of my fluids in. My surgeon wants me drinking 32oz a day of water plus one 12oz shake broken down over the day. I haven't kept a solid water count, but I'm likely getting about 20oz or do and drinking half of the shake each day. Despite these little issues, I'm doing really well. Down 13lbs since last Monday and I'm looking forward to returning to work on Wednesday. Sent from my VS988 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've kept myself satisfied, don't feel too thirsty overall. I should add I do have a cup of broth and a sugar free ice pop each day as well. So I guess my liquid intake is probably slightly higher overall. Sent from my VS988 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am officially POST-OP. Surgery went as good as can be expected and I'm relaxing in my room. Pain is practically non-existent and I've barely needed to use my magic pain button. Hopefully the next 2 days to by just as easily. Sent from my VS988 using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh. Ok that makes sense. I'm going to blame the dilaudid for failing to get that. Sent from my VS988 using BariatricPal mobile app

That's kind of a horrible thing to say to somebody you don't know. Sent from my VS988 using BariatricPal mobile app