Sunshine0331

This TOTALLY happened to me! The good news is that the wagon is still there. You’re WORTH it!!!! Don’t give up. Stop/drop/roll - call your dietician immediately! 🙂. I waited 3 months because I was embarrassed. Had my 1 year surgery follow up. Was so nervous - I put myself in a total panic and broke down crying. The surgeon kindly laughed and was like you LOST 97 Pounds - that’s 77.8% of your EWL. He explained that EWL is the Excess Weight Loss. Ask for your percentage. He said that as a surgeon, they anticipate/ hope that in 18 months you lose 75%. The dietician came in who I’ve been in amazing contact with until I stalled. I was embarrassed. I haven’t lost a pound in 3 months. We talked - came up with a solution and it’s working. They see this ALL the time. It’s not a personal failure. They will help if you ask- I promise. You’ve got this!!!!! You’re amazing and so is your body!!!! Everyone’s journey is different. Have you heard of Unjury? They have an amazing viritual support group and bring in incredible professionals to chat about stuff like this. register for the Wednesday nights (you can do both - but Wednesday night is for post op) - https://unjury.com/newsletters/join-the-best-support-group-now-for-best-results/ You’ll see me there - Christina B. Say ‘hi’- you’ll feel so loved and supported. You’re not alone in this!

Hi! I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It’s difficult to balance for sure. As a diagnosed BP I can relate. My surgeon and psychiatrist have given me positive reviews on the gastric sleeve. I’m 8 months post op and have been doing well. I can honestly attribute much of the initial weight gain from BP depression and BP meds. I was at an athletic weight until 27 years old. Then diagnosed. Not sure if you’ve experienced this - but it took years to find the right mix of meds that worked. Now that I have found the right mix, I am stable and my weight has been stable. I would definitely discuss medications with psych and ask for an honest opinion if the meds affect weight. AND CONGRATS 🎉 ON YOUR POSITIVE GAINS!!!! You’ve come so far!

Awesome Job on choosing self-care. I opted for the nutritionist. I’ll tell you why. This is a MAJOR change in your life and it should be a journey of celebration. I love my PCP but that’s what he is- general. My nutritionist has been AMAZING. She is SPECIFICALLY TRAINED IN Bariatric nutrition needs and has worked with 1,000’s of patients with long term success. Bariatric nutritionist can guide you through your specific journey, listen and partner. They can give you resources a PCP can’t and prepare you for surgery and life after surgery. I felt completely prepared. All my anxieties were relieved and I got into HEALTHY Bariatric habits that made the transition easier. I’m 7 weeks post and am so glad I choose a nutritionist who specializes in Bariatric- no mixed messages. Bariatric living has become a habit I don’t even think about. Worth the extra $ - you’ll get what you need - not just push through the insurance checklist. Hope this helps and congrats 🎉 on your journey. You deserve to look and feel good! Best, Christina

I’m 4 weeks out nausea in the beginning. They prescribed anti nausea pills that melt under the tongue. Worked instantly for me. I’ve had very little gas. No vomiting or diarrhea. Constipation for sure - but Milk of Magnesium seems to work well on stomach. Follow dietitians instructions and you’ll be a- ok! 🙂. Congrats- you got this!

Congratulations! One step at a time. You’re going to feel great with the new habits you develop. 🙂

Don’t get discouraged. It’s one man’s opinion. I have researched the gastric sleeve immensely and have had mixed reactions. I’m 3 weeks post op and it is ABSOLUTELY the BEST decision I made. I had been considering WLS for 7 years. I had body issues before deciding to go forward so I did see a therapist on a regular basis to deal with that. IF YOU THINK ITS THE BEST THING FOR YOU- then make the decision based on your needs. You’re the one that lives with your buddy and your the one that knows your struggle. WLS is NOT the easy ‘way out’ - so throw that out of your head. It’s a great opportunity to restart and live a healthier life. Follow YOUR surgeon’s directions and DIETICIAN and you’ll be fine 🙂. Good luck!

Some helpful hints. You will be INCREDIBLY thirsty/ dehydrated post - surgery. Bring Biotene toothpaste and mouth wash. Swish as much Water as you can as soon as you can reach a sink. You may not be able to swallow fluids just yet. And your mouth will THANK you! You can get at Amazon/ Walmart/ Target. BariWise chicken Bouillon- lifesaver - Amazon. Clear Liquid- it tastes good and has 15g of Protein. Amazon - Amazing. ****PILL GRINDER (not cutter) - looks like pepper grinder to actually GRIND your pills so much easier to swallow! - Amazon. Ask the hospital for the 30 cc cups - they’re 1 ounces and you can pour your Protein Shake and liquid clears to keep measurements . **** DO NOT be afraid to ask for pain medication (this was a mistake I made). I acted tough. Ask ask ask for nausea meds - lifesaver. No vomiting. Women - plan on wearing a sports bra that doesn’t touch your top incision and cotton underwear that does not touch your bottom incision. Wear a loose cotton dress to go home in and for recovery. Amazon has a lot of different ones (with pockets). You can lounge in them. Walk around the neighborhood and go out with nice sandals/slip on shoes or flip flops. Amazon also has long roomy comfy sleep shirts - great for lounging and letting your incisions breathe. BariWise hot chocolate- 15grams of protein and considered a clear. Add sugar free Syrup ( can get a bottle at Home goods for under $5) for a treat. Cinnamon sticks and peppermint tea help with nausea. Throw a cinnamon stick in your Decaf hot tea of choice (or hot chocolate). Take a small walk when comfortable even if it’s just around the house when you are waiting the 30 minutes before or after your protein. If you have a gentle dog - take them for a walk (although the first few days I couldn’t because of the bending to pick up poop). My neighbor offered to walk the dog for a few days. Enlist help - people like to help. I was sent home with liquid pain med - keep on schedule and Prilosec capsules. I was instructed to open up. Toss the beads back and follow with chaser - amazing - helped with stomach pain. Also sent home with anti- nausea under tongue melts - AMAZING. If you have headaches/ menstrual cramps - I recommend Hylands brand / melts under tongue (Amazon). Hope this helps! Wish me a great recovery! Best, Christina

You bet! Miller’s Sipping Broth - Delight Pho and Lemon grass - delicious and clear - only 10 calories - Amazon (of course)

Some helpful hints. You will be INCREDIBLY thirsty/ dehydrated post - surgery. Bring Biotene toothpaste and mouth wash. Swish as much water as you can as soon as you can reach a sink. You may not be able to swallow fluids just yet. And your mouth will THANK you! You can get at Amazon/ Walmart/ Target. BariWise chicken Bouillon- lifesaver - Amazon. Clear Liquid- it tastes good and has 15g of protein. Amazon - Amazing. ****PILL GRINDER (not cutter) - looks like pepper grinder to actually GRIND your pills so much easier to swallow! - Amazon. Ask the hospital for the 30 cc cups - they’re 1 ounces and you can pour your protein shake and liquid clears to keep measurements . **** DO NOT be afraid to ask for pain medication (this was a mistake I made). I acted tough. Ask ask ask for nausea meds - lifesaver. No vomiting. Women - plan on wearing a sports bra that doesn’t touch your top incision and cotton underwear that does not touch your bottom incision. Wear a loose cotton dress to go home in and for recovery. Amazon has a lot of different ones (with pockets). You can lounge in them. Walk around the neighborhood and go out with nice sandals/slip on shoes or flip flops. Amazon also has long roomy comfy sleep shirts - great for lounging and letting your incisions breathe. BariWise hot chocolate- 15grams of protein and considered a clear. Add sugar free syrup ( can get a bottle at Home goods for under $5) for a treat. Cinnamon sticks and peppermint tea help with nausea. Throw a cinnamon stick in your decaf hot tea of choice (or hot chocolate). Take a small walk when comfortable even if it’s just around the house when you are waiting the 30 minutes before or after your protein. If you have a gentle dig - take them for a walk (although the first few days I couldn’t because of the bending to pick up poop). My neighbor offered to walk the dog for a few days. Enlist help - people like to help. I was sent home with liquid pain med - keep on schedule and Prilosec capsules. I was instructed to open up. Toss the beads back and follow with chaser - amazing - helped with stomach pain. Also sent home with anti- nausea under tongue melts - AMAZING. If you have headaches/ menstrual cramps - I recommend Hylands brand / melts under tongue (Amazon). Hope this helps! Wish me a great recovery! Best, Christina