Rosie_flips

Hi @newyorklady20, I don’t have any helpful advice (but I was grateful to read @arabesque’s answer). I just wanted to say *hugs* and I’m sorry it’s hard right now. We had surgery almost at the same time, and I’m in a remarkably similar situation, I’ve got all my crossable parts crossed that things will get easier for you. (And me!)

Thanks Lorey! I’m hoping it gets easier, for both of us. How are things going otherwise?

I just need a super-quick vent. Nobody IRL knows about my surgery and I’m having a ROUGH day today. I’m 15 days post op, and while I had a remarkably easy time with surgery and in the first few days, I’ve been stalled since day 5. I even *gained* a lb or two. And while I know that isn’t “real” weight. It’s still incredibly disheartening. I’ve been so careful to follow my plan. I’m tracking everything, I’m making my water & protein goals, and I’ve been avoiding hitting the scales every day. Yesterday my hunger came roaring back to life. I feel like I’m working so hard, and getting nowhere. And there’s a mean voice in the back of my head saying “you spent $19,000, and rearranged your guts for THIS?”. I know this will probably pass, but I’m cranky that I won’t get the epic first month of drastic losing that other folks seem to get. I’m not really looking for sympathy or advice just letting off some steam!

Thanks @BigSue, I really appreciate your perspective and your kind words. It’s reassuring to hear that it gets better!

I don’t have any advice, only wanted to share that I’m in a similar boat. I had surgery on the 31st of March and lost 8lbs in the first week. Since then, nothing. I’ve been incredibly careful to stick to my plan, but I’ve actually put on a lb. I know it’s brutally disheartening, and it’s hard to have faith. But I can’t think of anything else to do! I hope this passes quickly for you and you feel better about it soon.

Hi @Lorey_a! I hope you’re feeling more un-yucky now. This morning just getting up felt like a MASSIVE task, and I’m pretty ready to have a bit more energy. But my post surgical appointment went great! I did have to have an ultrasound to rule out a DVT, because I’ve had leg cramps in one leg, but I got the all clear for that. PHEW. Might be just me/hormones/everything but my emotions are a bit rollercoaster-y today. I came THISCLOSE to angry-crying about my house keys being in the wrong spot! 😂🤣🤬 I’ve never used a C-PAP, are you having issues with one?

Hi Steph, I was sleeved on the 31st too, yesterday was the first time I met my liquid goal. Some things to look out for with dehydration are the colour and smell of your pee. Clear and light coloured with no distinct odour is good, but if it’s dark in colour and has a strong smell, that’s not great. Another thing to try is the pinch test, if you pinch the skin on the back of your hand it should spring back to shape within a few seconds. Defs call your team if you think you need extra fluids/support. I found that setting a 5 or 10 minute timer and portioning out 1oz of water (in a medicine cup) really helped me focus on getting the fluids in. And I added chunks of cucumber to my water for flavour (I’m pretty sick of sweetness) but of course I don’t eat them! Wishing you luck and I hope it gets easier for you.

Extra good luck @Blueslily! Wishing you smooth sailing, and an easy time.

Hi @Newlyfe2021 I was sleeved 3/31 and I had no nausea AT ALL. And barely any pain. I don’t know how rare that is, but I just wanted to let you hear a non-horror story!

Hi @Lorey_a! That sounds like a pretty rough time! I’m glad you’re doing better. I had a pretty ridiculously easy time, and I feel super super lucky. I had no nausea to speak of, and I needed to pee pretty much as soon as I woke up. I left the same day (About 12 hours) after my 9am surgery. I was awake every hour that night to pee and drink tiny sips of water, which meant I was able to walk off most of the gas pain that night too. My first day home was a bit of a blur, but I didn’t need to take the oxy I was prescribed, and I’m mostly off the Tylenol now. Getting fluids in was a challenge, but it’s much easier now. Premier protein shakes taste pretty lousy to me now, so I’m hiding them in decaf coffee. I had (runny) mashed potatoes for dinner tonight and it felt like the most delicious thing I’d ever tasted!😂 I hope the chicken broth tastes similarly awesome! I’m back to work on Wednesday (also for a half day) I work from home though. Were you tired after your half day? One weird thing I didn’t expect was a night of really bad insomnia, the night of the 3rd I didn’t sleep at all, but also wasn’t tired, I read that it might be a ketosis thing. Here’s to smooth sailing for the next couple of weeks! When do you move to soft/purée foods?

Hi @Lorey_a! How are you feeling today? Did they keep you in for today? And nausea?

Absolutely! We’ve got this!

Hi @Lorey_a! I’m having surgery tomorrow too. My surgery is at 9am and they said to expect to be going home between 7-9pm same day. Super-good luck for tomorrow!

I had a weird salty metallic taste in my mouth for the first 3/4 days of my liquid diet (I was allowed vegetables and ate a them for dinner too) it went away on the 5th day for me. So hopefully it will pass for you too. But my sense of smell has been super-heightened since being on the liquid diet!

Hi @MissAlexandra! Are you in surgery today too? This is such a good place for reassurance! Hearing that folks are managing, even in the early stages just after surgery, and how they’ve benefited in the long run has been really helpful in calming my fear. This part, the waiting, is scary. I’ve been doing some mindfulness stuff where I ask myself *what* I’m feeling, and then use a “making space” technique. Where I notice and the ask myself if I can make space for the feeling to be there, (even if I don’t like it!). Sometimes I will say what I’m feeling afraid of *specifically* out loud. And see if it feels true or rational? But try and accept it either way. Apologies for unsolicited advice! And I hope good things and calm feelings for you!

Please let us know how it went and how you’re feeling when you get a chance. Hoping an easy time for you!

Amazing! Good good luck! We’re rooting for you!

I don’t have any insights about post-surgery regrets, but we’re surgery twins! The last few weeks have been both super fast and weirdly slow, and I know the fact that surgery is 48 hours away has me in a bit of a spin! Well done on sticking with your pre-op diet! Are you feeling nervous? Would it help to share what your specific concerns are here? I’m feeling a bit apprehensive, but my partner is a bit of a (kind, loving, and supportive) nervous wreck on my behalf.

Thanks for the details @groovygal! I’m glad to hear you’re doing well. My surgery is at 9 am and the say to expect to be discharged around 7pm. Were you able to drink at all that first day, or was it all IV fluids?

I started 7 days of pre-op optifast (which is a liquid diet) today. Which means I’m 9 days away from sleeve surgery! I’m lucky in that I also get to eat 2 cups of veggies (and broth/sugar free liquids) per day too. How is everyone else doing in their first few days? Any tricks or tips or insights to share? My first is that Optifast or vanilla protein powder blended with warm (but not boiling) Rooibos Chai tea is genuinely DELICIOUS. I had a chai latte and it was so good. My second is that even being in the kitchen is really hard. I’m avoiding it unless I have a specific task. And then I’m using self-talk (literally out loud!) to say, “yeah. It’s hard being in here. Just finish up and move out, you can manage” when I am in there. I’d love to hear what’s working (or not working) for other people.

Yes!! The queasiness is so real! Sometimes drinking water helps me. But it’s a lousy feeling.

I’m glad you’re starting to feel a little better! Are you finding it easier to swallow now?

Me too! Glad the liquid diet is going well for you. I start Optifast tomorrow.

I hope you’re resting well! If you have the capacity/want to would you be able to share a bit about what your experience was like as an outpatient? My clinic also does the sleeve as an outpatient procedure as standard.

Thank you for this, it really helps to be able to visualize that (it’s tiny amounts!) Thank you! I’m going to try the medicine cup and alarm thing. I do MUCH better when I can visualize what’s coming. And thank you for the suggestion. I was on the fence about protein water and you’ve decided me!