Orinskye

They wanted me to wait one month to get it. I will be getting my second dose on Saturday.

I was on a low dose blood pressure (cut in half) med that wasn’t meant for blood pressure, it was meant to increase blood flow to certain organs. I was told to keep taking all meds after surgery. About a month out I noticed I had issues because I would stand up and get dizzy/lightheaded and at one point I flat out fainted. I called my surgeon FIRST even though I was pretty sure I knew it was an issue with my blood pressure med (I was 60 to 70 pounds heavier when it was prescribed and it was still half of the lowest dose). The surgeon assessed my symptoms and determined it was nothing on their end having to do with protein or water intake etc. so they suggested I call the dr who prescribed that medication to determine what should be done. The dr I called took me off of it immediately. The lowest possible dose …. But now 60-70 pounds lower weight…. I just didn’t need it anymore. So things DO change. It wasn’t an immediate thing, I noticed the issue as I lost weight to the point where that lowest dose was still way too strong 🤷🏼‍♀️

The stalls are no joke. I was stuck in a stall for a while (I was at 266-264 for a long time over a week… possibly more) and then I stepped on the scale this morning and I weigh in at 258. That major drop happened in only a few days. Lol

This was my last ditch effort to make the pain go away. I admit I was skeptical lol. I knew it would lesson the pain but I didn’t expect it to completely go away, especially not THIS quickly. I am only 38 and they were talking joint replacements but my weight was an issue.., as well as my young age. Now I’m good and I no longer even need to look at joint replacements. If I keep up with cortisone shots here and there it will be good for a LONG time. the first few days after surgery when you have gas is the worst. After you move from that it gets better

Congrats on finally getting there!!! I’m So excited for you. For my pre op he confirmed what surgery I was doing, he confirmed if I still wanted surgery, he also went over my medications, he explained about the surgery process. He explained about the pre surgery diet. He made sure I understood that this was a lifestyle change and made sure I was aware that I couldn’t eat certain things. They took vitals.... the basic stuff. it was no big deal. I had two pre ops. I had one over the phone.... and then I had to go for my pre surgical one a week or so before surgery. My pre op diet only needed to be two days. I’m not going to lie: toughest thing ever. Nothing but clear liquids for two days was torture. The people that do that for two weeks are rock stars. lol I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. To look people in the eye and honestly tell them I am doing great is amazing. Before I had chronic pain that was excruciating ALL THE TIME and I would smile..... I was go through the motions and tell them I’m good..... but I was lying. I’m not lying anymore. I just applied for more teaching positions (getting a job with my weight and health things.... it was impossible. They always chose the skinny blond. Always. It was really upsetting to me every time I got passed over even though I had the experience and the skinny blond didn’t... they had zero experience and were fresh out of school. Unfortunately discrimination because of weight is still legal.) so hopefully things change this year. I’ve got much more confidence in myself now

I can now fit into my size 12 shoes with room to spare. So my feet have shrunk. I’m not going to buy any shoes until I reach goal weight though. my wedding rings which used to NOT fit (too small during pregnancy) finally fit again pre surgery ..... but now 5 weeks post op they are too big and slip off. I just went into my drawers and cleaned out the clothes that were too big ( it was a lot of clothes) . I also fit into my “when hell freezes over and I can actually fit into these” pants. They are a size XL and a 3XL used to be my go to

Probably not. Lol im only 5 weeks out and the rings I had that fit just before surgery slip off my hand now.....no wedding ring for me for right now lol

So my “tiny jeans that didn’t fit pre surgery” are now too big lol. thankfully I have a **** ton of leggings that will hold me over because I won’t be buying clothes until my weight is more stabilized. I started off as a size 24 (those were getting tight) and my smaller jeans are some strange sizing so I don’t have an accurate measurement there. I DO know that I was wearing an XXXL in PJ pants and my mom just gave me some XL PJ pants that were too long for her and they totally fit me. So I went from a 3x to a XL in about five weeks. I still have another 65 pounds to loose. oh..... and I had some smaller bras floating around. My boobs have officially shrunk lol. Kinda knew that was a guarantee though.

I’m in the midst of a stall I think...... so I’m just waiting for it to get moving again. I started exercising more this last week (I couldn’t earlier due to blood pressure issues) so I’m hoping that it jumpstarts my body again. How many ounces can you take in of solids at once? I can have about one and a half ounces of chicken and a few bites of potatoes and I’m done. Fish I can have a bit more at two ounces. Two egg whites is too much for me to eat at once and I have to stick to one hard boiled egg white for lunch (that’s it, just a hard boiled egg white) I feel as though their expectations are a tad much. They are saying 2 meals, two protein supplements, and 1-2 snacks. The serving size for my upcoming stage is 2-3 ounces of protein and a quarter cup of veggies/side dish and there is just no way that’s going to happen... I can barely choke down HALF the protein without feeling full. 😬

I weigh myself very infrequently. I just did and I am 265. I’ve lost about 30 pounds since surgery on March 24 (so it’s been about 5 weeks) . The big number is from my highest weight though. I’ve lost 65 pounds from my highest “I am so out of control ....eye opening .....need to get my life together” moment. Lol Furthering my determination to be successful: I was just informed yesterday that my brother (who is only 1 year older than myself) is going into dialysis due to kidney failure. I have kidney disease as well..... we both got it from my dad.... who got it from HIS dad. My grandfather died at 42 due to kidney failure and his symptoms were sever just like my brother. my brother is a healthy weight but his kidney issues are worse than mine. One reason for my decision to get surgery was because it would help preserve my kidneys and make them function better. That reasoning is now at the forefront in light of what my brother is now going through. I just got a big reality check. So glad I did this.

So today was my first day back at work as a sub teacher. I work tomorrow and Monday as well. I felt GREAT. As soon as I got off that blood pressure pill my dizzy issues went away completely. I can WALK from one end of campus to the other multiple times a day and my feet are only a bit sore (before I could barely limp to my car). I must have walked across campus (which isn’t small) at least twelve times. I can keep up with the kids. I don’t have to leave class five minutes early to make it to pick up the kids on time, it takes my 1/10 the time to walk now than it did before. No one has seen me since before I had surgery and I was already losing weight before... so now .... everyone was a tad shocked by how well I walk and how much I’ve changed. In looking at my step count I am curbing way more calories walking than I am taking in. Now that I am actually walking more I will be able to take off the weight that much more super happy!

It wasn’t a side effect of the surgery. It was my meds. My dr originally prescribed that pill because it would help blood flow to my kidneys and improve kidney function. I was prescribed half a pill at the lowest dosage (and that was when I was 310 pounds). But now.... I’m in the 260 something range.... it doesn’t make sense to split that small amount of dosage even further so they took me off the pill altogether. The pill was one that increases blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels and thus also lowers blood pressure. It was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.... but I’m at the weight point where it worked too well and they don’t think I need it anymore Which is a good thing . Less meds!

Well......I may have mentioned I get a tad dizzy when I stand up fast. It hasn’t really been that big of an issue...... until yesterday. yesterday I full on feinted. I had gotten up from a laying down position quickly because I needed to grab my youngest and on my way back I started to feel dizzy, my vision darkened to the point where I could see nothing, and my legs went out from under me. I just dropped. End result: I was taken off one of my meds because it was causing steep blood pressure drops

I had one the morning after. They wouldn’t count that one and told me to continue with laxatives..... which then gave me diarrhea the next day. Then they told me to go OFF the laxatives and I have now settled into one every 4-5 days. (I’m 2.5 weeks post op). Thus far I have not noticed any constipation. Before surgery my schedule was actually every 3-4 days so it’s not drastically different

I agree it seems to be varied. My program does three days clear liquids, two weeks opaque liquids, two weeks puréed, two weeks soft foods (this is where I can finally have simple foods like a scrambled egg), then 6 weeks of “early transition foods” (moist fish type stuff), followed by three months of “transition solids” (I can have chicken and Turkey here) , and finally around month 7 I get to eat more of smaller sized regular meals . So yeah.... I don’t really get to eat until 7 months after surgery 🤷🏼‍♀️ right now I am on the puréed stage because I had surgery relatively recently. But looking at the whole scope I am really happy that I am lucky and my hunger drive is nonexistent otherwise I would not be such a happy camper these days lol

Overall I’m doing great. But yes.... I’m still really tired. I took the kids down to the beach today and by the time I got home I was exhausted. I had issues yesterday because I was doing a lot of activity (bending up and down cleaning stuff because we have inspectors coming) and I started to get lightheaded. But that hasn’t happened today at all with taking the kids to the beach. I’m not cleared to go back to work until after April 19th so I still have a lot of time to get back to the swing of things before it’s a normal routine. I’m sure it will be difficult at first of this exhaustion keeps up though lol

If you are unsure weigh yourself options with your physician and see which one they recommend. I went back and forth and was undecided but ultimately decided on the sleeve because the results are very similar with less risk. In addition to that both my dr and I were concerned about vitamin deficiencies in the future due to malabsorption (I already have issues with malabsorption and they can’t figure out why so they didn’t want to make it worse by doing the bypass). From what was discussed with my physician I also got the impressions that Success is individual and it really depends on how well you follow your plan. full disclosure: I’m only two weeks post op but I’m doing really well. I just moved to puréed food, I’m getting 64 ounces of liquids easy, and there was little to no pain post op. I took half a Tylenol the first day I was home and then nothing after. I was 293 prior to surgery and I’m now 273. Their goal for me is 195.

Did my follow up this morning and I got the thumbs up to start my vitamin regimen and also start the next stage for food. Yay! I tried the ricotta bake (minus the harder to digest cheeses) and it tasted AMaZING. I have sugar free pudding, applesauce, refried beans, and mashed potatoes ready to go. I’m not into puréed meat.... so that won’t be happening. I will be at this stage for two weeks. I am still not feeling the hunger. I really just “blah” about food in general. I will have to remind myself to start alarms to tell me when to eat. With just two protein shakes a day it was easy, but now I will have to get down two protein shakes in between “meals” (like 2 tablespoons worth lol) and can’t drink 30 minutes before the meals. Etc. So it’s going to be more tricky until I find a Rhythm for the last stage I was in: the Jell-O shots were a fail. I really didn’t care for them. They were too sweet. I’m likely going to end up just letting my kids go nuts on them. I might try again with jello and Greek yogurt mixed together to make a mousse type thing. The yogurt may tone it down a bit.

No issues with gerd. And as far as going to the bathroom...... I was sent home with clear lax. I mixed it with 8 ounces of isopure drink (completely tasteless). I had one normal poop after surgery and the nurse told me that we shouldn’t count that one and to keep taking the clearlax until I get another. I continued taking the clearlax and the next one I had (three days later) was diarrhea..... which they don’t want to see because you can get dehydrated that way. She told me to stop taking it and I haven’t had anything yet. So we will see. My “normal” was to poop every three to five days or so prior to surgery. I haven’t had any feelings like I have to go but can’t do I am assuming that the liquids only diet will stretch my normal out by more days 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’m good thanks for asking. I’m excellent on liquid intake (today I got 64 ounces in easy peasy and also 60 grams of protein). the only thing I struggle with is the fatigue. It hits me FAST. If I have to run downstairs for a water refill.... I have to make sure I rest when I get back upstairs because if I try to take a shower after doing that much activity? It’s not good. I just don’t have the energy to run downstairs and then jump in the shower/shave/wash hair etc. it’s too much. short bursts of energy are my friend these days. Lol i can also sneeze without it hurting and I can take a deep breath now without any residual pain (the pain I think was from the gas) . ive lost a fair amount considering I had the surgery less than a week ago. Going into surgery I was at 293 ish... then I started my pre op liquids... and then surgery.... I am now at 276. I haven’t been this low since high school. I got called the day after surgery but nothing since then. The dr will call me on April 6th. But anything else they made sure I had their number and to just call if I have issues (which I don’t). I never took pain medication and I only took Tylenol for the first day or two. The belly binder torture device I only used the first two days as well. Lol how are you doing? You are onto puréed food now right?

I’m just a week out from surgery. I am just walking around the house at this point. I have noticed that I can walk around fine and then all of a sudden my energy just plummets and I have sit/rest right away. It happened once when I was walking around and immediately after walking I went to take a shower.... I had planned to take a nice relaxing long shower but I had to get out right away because the energy drain hit me super hard really suddenly. I haven’t been cleared to do anything other than walk.

Definitely watching the responses. I substitute and this is something I am a bit concerned about going back. due to the hybrid learning system my district has now because of covid. Some teachers only get ten minutes (which is totally illegal and I now refuse to work if it is one of those jobs). I’m still at the liquid stage, but I will definitely be watching for ideas .

I had my surgery on Wednesday the 24th. I got up to normal liquid intake at about day 3 or 4. The first few days were the toughest. the clear liquid stage was the hardest, now I’m on “full liquids” so I drink two shakes a day and the rest of my day is water. I can get my 64 ounces in easy now. I won’t move onto puréed food until 2 weeks post op.

I’m good. Pain wise is nothing really. I’ve lived with chronic pain my whole life so I have a super high tolerance. I haven’t taken anything for it.... not even Tylenol. I don’t want to over do it on sipping and I feel like I’m constantly behind. Today it’s 7:20 and I’ve only been able to get in 28 ounces. How many ounces do you drink at once? I’m hesitant to go more than one 😬 puking is the most absolute worst feeling in the world for me and I haven’t puked at all.... I don’t want to start now. it’s an odd feeling. I was starving on the two day clear liquid prior to surgery but after surgery it’s so strange to not have any feelings whatsoever towards eating. I had a few Jell-O shots today just to spice things up, but it wasn’t because I was “hungry”. I was able to take a shower today which was also nice. The incisions themselves are like small hickies lol. Nothing too bad. I admit I saw one post on here where someone had super bad bruising, I’m glad I only have four tiny bruises. I got the call from the nurse today. Right as I was napping of course lol. And she was happy with my intake and my lack of meds/pain etc. when I was in recovery I had a bunch of people stop by to see me (I guess I’m like a freak of nature lol. The same thing happened when I was in recovery after having my kids. I bounce back from medical stuff super fast). They pointed out a woman next to me (I swear she looked like something out of the walking dead) and told me that most people look like her afterwords and having one like me is a rarity.... hence the parade of curious staff .🤷🏼‍♀️ im looking forward to doing opaque stuff. I want soup 😊 the talking stomach thing is also pretty wild. Any time I take anything my stomach gurgles away. Pre surgery that was a hungry thing but now it’s not. al in all I’m doing well.

Surgery went well. I don’t know what I said or did while I was out of it, but everyone was all like “ohhhhh. I know YOU!” Do you remember me?!”🤨 My check in was 7:45, I don’t know what time surgery was because my phone was out away the whole time and I had no glasses on. But I finally got my phone back in recovery about 1:00. im not doing too good on liquids/protein though. I got home at 5 pm and I have only gotten down about 10 ounces today. I pretty much passed out as soon as I got home so I have pretty much been asleep all day 🤷🏼‍♀️