artisticmindRN

Today is the start of week 4 post-op for me, sleeved 7/31. The past week i've bounced around the same 3 pounds since last monday. 220 up to 222, down to 221 up to 223, down to 221, up to 222, down to 220, etc, since surgery i've lost 14lbs. i know the stall will end but it sure is frustrating. i'm meeting protein goals 90% of the time and fluid goals just as much. i have to remember just breathe, it will come in time and hopefully in 6 mo i'll chuckle at this feeling!

Wednesday will be 3 wks PO for me (7/31). I’m on soft foods so no raw veggies. I’m planning on making some tuna or chicken salad tomorrow. I’m not a huge chicken/tuna salad person to begin with but I know it’s something I can eat. But not with a fork out of a bowl LOL. If I was farther out I’d totally use cucumber slices but that’s not an option right now. What have you used if you’ve tried chicken or tuna salad? I haven’t tried introducing toasted bread back in to my diet nor do I want to right now. I was thinking some kind of lite/reduced fat crackers. I would like to use the almond-thin crackers but I think they would be too dry/crunchy. Granted it would probably be like 2 or 3 crackers.

Hey All! I had my VSG on Wednesday, 7/31. Had a hernia repair along with it. Hernia repair pressure was intense, i remember waking up with it in PACU, Nurse gave me a shot, it went away and I barely remember the ride up to my room and then drifting in and out for several hours. I was discharged on 8/2. Had pretty much just incisional pain, occasional bouts of nausea out of the blue, no heaving or vomiting. Definitely had some esophageal spasms for about 4 days but those have went away except for a random one here or there. Had to journey to the mall on saturday 8/3 with my girl scout troop (my daughter is a daisy and I'm one of the leaders) for their build-a-bear party. Spent a total of 3 hours there along with my son doing the girl scout stuff and school clothes shopping for both kiddos. It feels like I've been on the go for the most part since surgery. Energy level is a bout the same as it was pre-op. I've pretty much slept on my tummy since the 2nd night home. Monday after surgery I turned a corner- haven't taken any nausea or narcotic pain meds since then. I've been able to take normal size drinks since then as well. Getting a protein shake down daily. Total fluid intake is anywhere from 35-60 oz a day- just depends. The hospital gave me instructions of full liquids until my 2 week post-op appointment. I was struggling with that the end of this week- everything is sweet- shakes, popsicles, jello, flavored water. Okay with broths but with little to no protein content I tried adding protein powder to it and while it doesn't alter the taste very much it was like drinking gravy and I couldn't do it LOL. And some soups are just not meant to be blended down. Friday night i figured I was going to push my luck since I've tolerated some thicker, blended soups and went and got some refried beans- The restaurant I got them from serves them very mushy, almost like a thick soup that the broth has simmered off. Trialed 1/4 cup over 20+ minutes. Oh my gosh, amazing. It hit the spot and since then my protein shakes have been way more tolerable. I have my first followup on Thursday where i'm sure i'll be updgraded to soft texture foods. My best friend had her VSG 2 weeks before me, same MD and hospital, given the same instructions, and at her 1st post-op they asked her how she was doing on soft foods and she was like "they told me full liquids for 2 weeks until I saw you." So if we are able to transition to soft foods after a week or 10 days the hospital lost that in their discharge teaching and printed instructions. As for results so far I went into the hospital weighing 234. Came home weighing 237 and as of this morning I was 223. 14lbs if you count the water weight, 11lbs going from my pre-op weight. Can't wait to see where this journey takes us!

I'm just starting my sleeve journey. I have my first appointment on may 2nd with Dr. Arnold. I'm excited. Nervous. All the things.

Tentatively July 31st in Phoenix. Trying to get it bumped to the week before to maximize my time off work. 🤞

once you are in your room have family or a friend bring your chosen refrigerated or frozen aspartame-free options. There is usually a patient fridge/freezer that we can place a patient label on and keep it while you're in the hospital. (RN here )

What are the "little," somewhat trivial, things that you look forward to once thinner? -Being able to lean in to my washing machine and reach clothes straight on versus having to have my side against it to reach to the bottom or use a steps tool. -Being able to lean over the bathroom counter to get a drink of water to swish wash my mouth out post-brushing/mouthwash (i'm too cheap to use cups LOL). -Tucking my legs in better when at the movies/sporting events where people can pass by easier.

After surgery, healing, and being at goal/mid-goal has anyone went to an amusement park and had problems with rides? I'm hoping to have surgery in late july or beginning of august. We're planning on Disneyland in March/April 2020 and maybe Universal. I'm able to ride coasters now ( I love my thrill rides!!) but I know people who've said surgeries and/or pregnancies changed their tolerance and they are no longer able to tolerate the rides. Has anyone experienced this or were you able to before and can still go on rides?

As a nurse, kids are germ carriers. Even though they may act well doesn't mean they aren't carrying something. Its the same reason we ban kids under 12 (except healthy siblings after delivery) from our labor and delivery floor during flu/rsv season and anyone under 16 from the NICU- including siblings. I'd say leave the kiddos and dad at home. You either won't be able to or won't feel like picking up either kiddo directly post surgery and that will make them more upset.

We (husband and I) used to watch this show. I stopped watching when a guy chugged gallons of water to throw a weigh-in; and then the next week he lost the most weight giving himself a "safe" pass. Thought it was pretty crappy of the show to allow cheating like that. But yes, the general premise of the show was horrible and I've read studies that they royally screwed up their metabolism and most didn't and couldn't maintain the weight loss.