lisafrommassachusetts

So I am 6 days post op and doing really good; most people have a good reaction to this surgery. But what is the fire drill here? It seems like if you are this unsure you should talk to your surgeon about postponing for a month or so, and see if you can talk to the nutritionist, the psychologist, etc. Also, search on here for "low bmi" and I bet you'll find other people who had similar BMIs. I assume you have seen someone about your depression, and if you have not you should make that a priority. Your surgeon should also be able to talk to you about how your lower BMI will affect the likelihood of successful weight loss. Whatever you decide, good luck!

Such good news! Thanks for sharing, and hope you have lots of easier days ahead.

Everyone should get a copy of this with our discharge paperwork.

How are you doing otherwise? You're a week ahead of me, you had it 2/3? Are you on soft foods yet? How was getting through liquids only?

The problem for me is drinking AMD now adding in protein and walking are taking up all of my time lol. If you can sip fluids in your church it might be good to get out of the dang house

Hooray! Let the healing commence

Yesterday I felt pretty good; I did not even need Tylenol and I got the 64 oz of fluid in. I walked over 6000 steps, which is almost 3 miles for me (shorter stride). At the risk of stating the obvious, dehydration is pretty bad. Once they told me to stop worrying about the protein and concentrate on the fluids I started to feel better. It was really Thursday (3rd day post op) that was bad. Also, yesterday they told me to start taking Miralax; and, again with the TMI but it is relevant, today I finally had a BM. I am pretty sure that has helped, too. Also, once I got fully hydrated my stomach stopped feeling "hungry". Not sure if it was coincidental, since they say it takes a few days before the hunger hormones dissipate. All in all I have had a pretty easy go of it, and I know that. Also I think the minimally invasive techniques have improved so much that even though losing 80% of your stomach is still a major shock to your system, your body is in a better place to heal. Hang in there! It certainly did not live up to my worst imaginings. How is pre-op eating going?

So sorry you are experiencing this! Could certainly be gas pain, but good thing you reached out. I am sure your surgeon's office told you if the pain gets intense or you have changes in your ability to breath call 911. For me the walking helped with the gas immensely.

5th day post op and I am feeling so much better. Hydrating really made the difference, and today I can actually take normal size swallows, so it is not taking forever to get one cup of fluid in me. How is everyone else doing out there in February surgery land? I know we had a couple of people scheduled for 2/14.

Hope today is a bit easier for you! One day closer to eating egg whites! Hooray!

Lots of truth in there, @GreenTealael!

I'm only one day further out than you! But I will tell you today was a LOT better. The doctor's office told me to forget about the protein for now and just concentrate on getting the clear liquids in. I can't stand the taste of artificial sweeteners, so crystal light does not work for me, and the water gets pretty old. I have found some success rotating water, herbal tea with a little stevia, sugar free pops, and chicken bone broth. I also feel less hungry (or whatever that feeling in my stomach is), maybe because I am better hydrated, and maybe because when they cut out most of my stomach you stop producing the hunger hormone. Who knows. However, I did want to rip my husbands plate away when he made himself some toast....

I had heard about this phenomenon, so I am waiting until my follow up appointment with the nutritionist 11 days after the surgery. This post op is hard enough without seeing the scale go UP!

@Rosey115, I had my surgery (sleeve) on 2/10. I will tell you yesterday was the worst day I had since the surgery, and my friend who is a recovery room nurse said that is not uncommon. However, if you are feeling pervasively sad, and it sounds like you are, I would hope you reach out to your surgeon's office for someone to talk to. Are you mourning food? Are you struggling with the all liquid diet (I can't imagine anyone doesn't struggle with this). Are you in a lot of physical pain? Do you not have support at home, either through family or friends? Are you having intrusive thoughts about things you used to enjoy, and are now worried you won't? I think that some or all of those thoughts are probably very, very common and normal, but if you are that down, you should get someone to talk to. This recovery is no joke, so you don't need it to be any harder. If you are having thoughts of hopelessness, or hurting yourself, PLEASE reach out. At the risk of being intrusive, but I'll take intrusive, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is: 1-800-273-8255. You've made a decision that is life affirming and there are great and wonderful things ahead. Our lives will be more than sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, sip....Hang in there.

I had my sleeve on 2/10 so I empathize with how hard this post op diet is. It sounds like you are really concerned, so maybe reach out to your surgeon's office and see if there are any signs you should be on the look out for. You will feel better and be able to put this behind you. Don't keep beating yourself up!

Oh no! I am guessing it is the change in diet, as others said, but I would let your surgeon know. You don't want to dehydrate.

Great news! That is going to fly by. Good luck with your pre-op diet and of course the operation, as well.

Good for you! You've got this!

You have very lucky students! And you have packed a lot of wisdom into this post. Thank you.

Thank you so much for checking on me! I am better today. Yesterday was long, and I felt awful from the dehydration. I certainly had a few "Oh my god, what have I done to myself?" moments, but I feel much better today. I really have no pain. Once I was finally hydrated, the nausea got much better. I'm going to try to get a little more protein in today. Someone on here said this was going to be a roller coaster ride, and I've just experienced my first big dip, I guess. I know there are people out there who consider this "an easy way out"; boy, if they only knew. Thanks again.

Good luck to everyone having valentine's day surgery today!!! Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Good luck tomorrow! Keep us updated! Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm so sorry you are having these issues. My husband and my son struggle with periodic insomnia that has not responded to any particular approach; We live in Mass which has both medical and now recreational marijuana available, but it did not work for either of them. Maybe try to mix some PB powder into your protein shake? I've heard that can help with rest. Also, my son actually feels using a weighted blanket has helped him. If you are gaining weight because of the prescription meds, maybe having some documentation of that side effect from the prescribing doctor and/or the nutritionist will bolster your likelihood of a successful appeal if it does impact your eligibility? Also, if your sleep issues relate to sleep apnea, losing weight has been pretty well vetted as a preferred treatment. Good luck!

I had my sleeve on Monday, and I really hear you. I messaged with the hospital nutritionist today and was told to stop trying to get the protein drinks in and just concentrate on hydrating liquids because I was showing signs of dehydration, i.e. headache and urine darker than normal. She also said the nausea may abate a bit once I get hydrated, and that regardless for most people it abates over the next few days. I am genuinely hungry now. Even though the thoughts of eating anything makes me slightly sick. The protein water is disgusting. Here is what I have gotten in today: 24 oz. of water 1 sugar free popsicle (2 oz. of liquid) 1/2 serving of Swanson Chicken Bone Broth (4 oz) (also about 4.5 g of protein). Ginger Tea with a 1/2 tsp of Stevia (8 oz.) I also had a c. of Iconic Chocolate Truffle protein drink heated up and drank it as hot chocolate. I can tolerate the Iconic better since it uses Stevia and Monk Fruit juice instead of the aspartane or sucralose. The headache is gone, so even though I have not hit the mark for clear liquids I think I may be rehydrated. But my total calories today are 66! No wonder I'm hungry! How the heck do we get through the next 6 days of this?

Wow! You look amazing. I bet there have been many, many positive changes, not just smaller pants!