CammyC

I do not regret my surgery at all!! I had my surgery on March 3, 2020. I weighed 230 on my surgery day and I weigh 140 now. I have very little saggy skin and I’m running now and doing yoga and it’s toning me up. I love my body and it’s helping me love the inner me. Good luck!

Hey Y’all, I’m 11 days post op and in the full liquids phase and started slowly incorporating purée/soft foods which I’m doing well with. I had Refried beans last night which I thinned with broth and melted a tiny bit of cheddar cheese into them. Yum! I’ve been adding unflavored protein powder to creamy soups—not the best taste, but So far, so good! For a few days, I’ve been stalking “the world according to eggface” blog and I am craving one those smoothies! Is that something I can try this Week or do smoothies need to be in full food stage because they do have berries and veggies and such.

I started on 10/7/19 with the first appointment with the surgeon. I had my surgery on 3/3/20 so right at 5 months. I had to fulfill a lot of appointments with others doctors in that 5 months per the required guidelines of my insurance. I was dedicated and got it all done within the timeline. Mine was supposed to take 6 months but I got it done in 5 months. Whatever your surgeon’s office asks you to do and whatever appointments you need to make, do it. Good luck.

Don’t give up. I had my surgery 3/3/20. My weight loss has not been as much as I wanted and I fell into a bit of a depression. I’ve lost almost 50 pounds including pre- surgery. It gets into your mind. I know. Focus on what’s going right and keep getting in your protein and water. I think that’s what happened to me. I can hardly eat anything without feeling so full and I forgot about the protein and water. I have to remind myself every day to get those two in. I’m still holding steady at 207. I also got my period this week. I won’t touch the scale for another two weeks. I hope it works out soon for you.

I tried the Ricotta cheese bake and now I’m so freaking sick! I bought two tubs of ricotta cheese because I was so excited to try it and I loved Ricotta before surgery. What a waste! This is a learning experience. I feel like I’m having the dumping syndrome again. So apparently anything with milk is going to mess with me right now. Thank God I’m at home when trying it out. It smelled so good at first and now I’m nauseous from smelling it in the kitchen. This really blows.

I’m about 5 weeks post op (3/3) and I still feel a pinch every now and then on the right side incision when I bend or overexert myself, but it definitely got better in the last week or so.

I want to preface this by saying it’s important to listen to your surgeon’s directions....however we are all different. No two people are going to have the same needs after surgery. I had my surgery on 3/3 and I listened to my body. I needed more liquids than suggested. I can now drink a 20 oz water within an hour if I feel I need it. My directions were also as many others to wait 30 minutes before and after meals to drink liquids. Which now, that’s not a problem for me as I’ve finally entered the honeymoon phase as they call it, but before the last week I was drinking water and Powerade zero before the 30 minutes. If your body is telling you that you need more than 5 oz an hour then listen to it. Out new tummies are tricky to navigate for sure. It will let you know when you are and are not ready for something. I hope you feel better soon.

Hi Carol, what kind of surgery did you have and what’s your starting weight or surgery weight, if you don’t mind me asking? I didn’t see it on your profile. I’ve found from my very limited experience that those that weighed more tend to lose more at first. I’m 5 weeks out and the last time I weighed I was down 16 pounds so we may be about the same start weight or weight day of surgery. I was 230 on my surgery date. Also you may be on that stall that some have endured for up to 3 weeks. 😟 What are you eating and how much exercise are you getting in? I know our Veterans will have words of wisdom.

Me too!!! I find myself mindlessly eating at times and not being conscious of it. It’s a long instilled habit that’s hard to break.

I am 5 weeks post op now so not that far behind you. I too felt very hungry in the beginning and I still use my protein shakes if I feel hungry when I know I’ve already eaten and would not be able to hold anymore food. I will sip on protein shakes for a few minutes—very slowly—and it seems to settle my tummy. I love all the suggestions above and wish I could bookmark this thread for any future reference. I’m still a newbie myself and my tummy is teaching me new things everyday. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. ❤️

Oh honey, I feel your despair in this post. My original surgery was scheduled for 1/14. I got the call two and half weeks prior to surgery that it wasn’t going to happen due to the strict guidelines of my insurance. I was DEVASTATED. After many tears and talking with my girlfriends, I realized then I had been waiting on this surgery to be a fix-all that it just couldn’t be. I decided then I had to be okay with myself as I was before surgery. The surgery was just a tool I could use for my weight, but I had to be okay with Camille before and after surgery. I started journaling and after I had isolated myself for two years because I hated the way I looked, I put on make-up every day, I did my hair, polished my nails and dressed up even to go to the grocery store. I went on a couple of dates. I found it okay to put myself out there and to treat myself, as I was, like someone who was worthy of being cared for even if it was only me I was doing it for. i started being more gentle with myself and when that horrid voice inside my mind told me I would always be a fat loser, I told that b*tch to shut the hell up! I became even more invested in getting ready for the surgery that I had no idea when it would even happen. It finally happened on 3/3 and I felt I was prepared then and ready for it. I had not been ready for it mentally and emotionally in January. It was a blessing in disguise that my surgery was postponed. Congratulations on losing 50 lbs already! What an accomplishment! See you’ve got it in you! You are worthy of happiness regardless of when you have your surgery. It will come. It will happen. This is not no, it’s just not right now. Focus on your and your family’s health and safety at this time and this will all work out. So you’ve gained 8 pounds back. I know it’s disappointing, but you can turn it around at anytime and thank goodness it’s not the 50 you already lost. Keep posting and getting your feelings out instead of sitting on them and eating over it. You’re in company of kindred spirits who understand how you feel about this. Good luck and keep on your journey! It’s so worth it and so are you! ❤️

I’ve gotten the foamies after my protein shakes and applesauce that I ate too fast. I’m not sure what causes it. Our new tummies are teaching us all the time what we can and can’t handle.

I’ve done well with the following: Eggs, cottage cheese, shaved cheese from the blocks, Refried beans, well cooked green beans, baked beans and butter beans —basically any kind of beans, meatballs, sauerkraut, boiled cabbage, applesauce (no sugar added - I add a tiny bit of Splenda), oatmeal with fair life milk, grits (soupy - but I eat this very slowly), canned peaches or diced pears in water or lite syrup, prunes, beef pot roast that was in a crockpot all day (very tender and juicy), smartfood white cheddar popcorn, a slice of sandwich style ham or turkey. I’m 5 weeks post op and I still drink my protein shakes for 2 meals. My new tummy has been very sensitive. If I get a hankering to chew on something, these are things that have not made me sick. Ive tried chicken and tuna as well, but those kinds of proteins feel like cement in my tummy even though I’ve put them in the food processor and still chewed very well. I’ll try those again in a couple of weeks. Good luck on graduating to soft foods and beyond! ❤️

I haven’t ordered yet like I’ve not had surgery but I’ve been driving past a Taco Bell recently really wanting a crunchy taco. I wanted it really bad. I’m 4 weeks post op, no way is tummy going to handle a crunchy taco but I get it.

@Nicholas203 Hi Nicholas, sorry to hear you’re having such a terrible time of it right now. I’m just a little past 4 weeks post right now and I can no longer eat what I was eating 2-3 weeks post op. The meal the size of one egg fills me up now. So many things are making me sick with the feeling of dumping syndrome. I don’t have all the symptoms you’ve noted. I have no appetite. I do throw up quite a bit after trying new foods or eating too fast or too much. Dizziness and vomiting and dehydration may be signs of low blood pressure caused by your new stomach. I wish I had more of an answer for you. I know the Veterans here will have more experience to provide. I really hope you feel better soon and get the medical attention you maybe need. Hope it gets better for you very soon!

Thank you for posting positivity ❤️

@New2Me2020 I had to go from my iphone to a computer to answer these questions. What you're asking is so important and exactly what a weight loss surgery patient should ask. I guess my burning question is, is it okay to be scared? ABSOLUTELY! This is major surgery you're asking about. You are absolutely okay with being scared. What if I still want to use food to cope, what if I fail, what if I die? I don't write these questions to be judged but maybe to get some wisdom from someone who has conquered these fears? That's the learning curve I think most of us worry about. After food, what else is there? I have found since my surgery on 3/3/20 that I am no focused on walking, lifting 3 pounds weights (I will add more pounds when my body lets me know I’m ready for it as I’m 4 weeks out) and stretching. Addiction though runs in my family. I am afraid after the newness wears off what will happen. I don't dwell on that though. Because my life is changing. My body is changing. I'm in therapy weekly (due to other things that happened in my life) and myself and my therapist are holding myself accountable for my actions. I have my first appointment with psych on Friday and as nervous as I am, I am still excited. YAY!!!!! As you should be! A few other questions: Is it worth it/ do you regret it? It is sooo worth it! I am so happy I did this. Everyday I wake up knowing my body is changing and becoming a little smaller every day. Do I lose weight everyday. Nope. That's why I stopped weighing myself daily, but I can feel it in my energy and my clothes! I have more energy than I did before surgery even though I'm consuming way less calories and food. My clothes are becoming looser. My back doesn't hurt anymore. I can wipe my butt when I go potty (seriously, not joking....that's one of the reasons I looked into weight loss surgery because I sat on the potty and cried because I couldn't reach back there.) I know that may TMI, but it's one of the last straws that break the camel's back, as it were. When it comes to tying my shoes or putting on socks, I can now reach down and do both feet at once without having to sit up and take a breath because I cut off my breath from bending over! I'm going to be a lower risk for heart disease, diabetes and blood pressure which run in my family as well. We're just a hot mess all around lol. Do you feel like your life is normal? YES! I feel more normal than before. I feel like this is who I'm meant to be and I'm becoming her more every day! I just want to add it took about 3 weeks before I got my energy back. So expect at least 2-4 weeks of feeling not great and questioning why in the hell did we do this at all! Read the forum, you’ll see. But you’ll also find those same ones thriving and happy and so grateful after recovering. Can you do it with 50/50 support from those around you? 100% - I was one of those that told people I was having gastric sleeve surgery because I was so excited about it! You will have the nay-sayers. F' Them. In the most polite way possible. Everyone I told had their own ignorant, uninformed notion. "well you know so so had a terrible experience" ... "well if you really tried you could do it on your own" UGH! I looked them square in the eyes and when they paused, I said "thank you for your concern, but this is MY body. I'm doing the research and I will make the best decision for MYSELF!" Post surgery everyone now sees how happy and more energetic I am so they can suck it. Do you have to lose weight first? I had too. My insurance is Anthem BCBS. I had to be under 6 months Dr. Supervised weight loss. I ended up losing 26 pounds. I was so scared of the 14-day liquid diet that I started substituting 1 protein shake a day (Ensure Max Protein) for 1 meal a day. When I was okay with that I substituted 2 meals a day with a protein shake. *That liquid diet (if your surgeon prescribes one for you )is no joke. I also had to do heart stress test with a cardiologist, a sleep study with a pulmonologist, a psych evaluation with my psychiatrist, a note of approval from from PCP and 3 meetings with a nutritionist detailing my food journals. FYI going through all these things helped the time pass and helped me realize how much I wanted this! I successfully made it 5 days all liquid lol. Days 14-9 I still ate one meal a day like a salad. Days 9-5 I would take a few bites of healthy food like broccoli or grilled chicken (like 3-4 bites of food in a day, I was scared of screwing up) and days 5-0 all liquid. I guess I did a good job because my surgeon said my liver looked good and didn’t even ask if I had stuck to the all liquid diet. Go figure. Is the loose skin as bad as people make it out to be? I don't know that yet. That's why I'm incorporating walking, weights and stretching in my daily activities. Hair loss? I haven't experienced that yet, but it's supposed to happen around the 3rd month from what I've gathered in reading other's experiences. Tips? Do your research. Find a dedicated bariactric center and surgeon that will advocate for you when it comes to the insurance companies if you are not self pay. Start working on minimizing your food consumption prior to surgery. These are the things that helped me. Good LUCK!!! And congratulations on beginning your journey with these questions

Yes!! My tummy gurgles especially in the morning. I named my tummy Gurgly Gail. She’s usually got something to say. I’m 4 weeks post op. I’ve seen several veterans mention their stomachs gurgle too. Nothing to worry about ❤️

You’re absolutely right @StarMonroe This is not no, just not now. I’ve told so many others this and I’ll share it with you. My own surgery was delayed for almost two months once it had been scheduled. I was devastated at first but used that time to get even more prepared. Your time is coming! Hope you and yours and safe and healthy in these uncertain times. ❤️

I know you’re devastated by this news. Just know this is not a final no. It’s a not now. Your time will come. Hang in there. My surgery was delayed for almost 2 months and I spent that time preparing even more for it. Stay safe and positive vibes for you to stay safe during this mess. ❤️

@AJ Tylo This forum would not be the same without you. Thank Goodness you share your sense of humor with us!

Welcome back aboard! It’s a focus for sure! I’m 4 weeks post op and on my drive home from work tonight I was really craving a crunchy taco but I know first off I’m not ready for that and secondly the meal size of one egg feels me up now. So I switched my focus to that cheesy scrambled egg lol and enjoyed that when I got home.

I’ve been on LOA since my surgery date of 3/3/20. I’ve asked my surgeon to extend my absence as long as I can and I go back to work tomorrow morning. I work at one of those megabanks where people like me - not in the upper echelon - don’t get to work from home. I’m considered one of those essential workers that must report to work regardless. I’m scared. From what I’ve heard moral is super low at my office due to those of us that are forced to go into work. I live with my family and that includes my 74 year old mother who has diabetes, my brother and his wife and their kids—my niece and nephew—who are 6 and 4 respectively. I work in metro Atlanta in the same county with the highest amount of cases in all of GA which is Fulton County. my sister-in-law were in tears earlier today anticipating me going back into the office where I can bring this virus home to my mother - she is whom we all want to protect the most. I’ve been with my this corporation since 2006. They’ve been really good to me and protected me and helped move me when I was fleeing my abuser from my past DV relationship. My brother and his wife both have jobs that allow them to work from home. I don’t. I am also grateful that I have a career where I am still going to get a paycheck. So many others are hurting for money right now. Im just scared and I wanted to say so. I’ll do everything I can to protect my family. But I’m about to go out into this mess. I wanted to say thank you to all those others in essential fields required to stay open and in operation during this pandemic. I’ve had it good for a few weeks. I wish everyone out there stays safe and healthy. May God watch over all of us and our families. ❤️

Hey Machalo, Thanks for the encouraging words! I really appreciate it! ❤️ You know what, I got my energy back last week around mid week. I got my sleeve on 3/3/20 so it took a good 3 1/2 weeks before I felt back to myself. Well, no, I have more energy now than I had before surgery. I’m so happy I did this and yes, very thankful a lot of peeps are no longer around at my office—less exposure. We’re trying to make it as fun as we can. Now that a lot of people are gone we can act up and laugh loud and curse LMAO! Hey, it’s whatever gets your group through the day, huh?? Hang in there, y’all will have your surgery soon. And just be very gentle with yourself when you do. Of course, we’ll be here to help you and all others postponed any way we can!

@Polly7525 Hi Polly! Welcome!! I had sleeve surgery on 3/3/20. I’m 4 weeks also! I hope all is going well for you and you are recovering nicely. ❤️