Iluvbats

@Loz90333 I think there's probably some colourful language but you'll get the idea...

@Anj0399@Loz90333 You poor thing! Did you get it on the NHS? I'm an ex-pat living in US originally from Northamptonshire. Still have family there and come back regular when we're not in the middle of a plague. The info Anj sent you is exactly the same as my Dr gave me here in Tucson, AZ. It's totally on the money! There is a lady on YouTube who has some videos on her experience, her name is iamkahlaarmani Im not tech savvy so I don't know how to send you the link but if you put that name in YouTube you will see her video on the first few days post op through other stages. It really helped me alot because I couldn't find a local support group other than on Facebook and I don't do Facebook. I just don't like it. As she says in the video, just follow the directions for the 2 week liquid diet. It's tough, I'm not going to lie, but your new tummy needs time to heal. You are fortunate to have some great walking areas in UK so take advantage of the parks and canal walks etc. I envy you because it is 37C here in Tucson! I have to get up at 5:00 am to go walk, but it HAS TO BE DONE! Hang in there, and feel free to contact me. I think my info is on the profile page if not let me know and I'll give you my email. This forum is a lifesaver. So many kind, generous people willing to help each other out. So look forward to hearing from you soon xx

Yes!!! It's definitely a struggle! In fact, if anyone dare suggest to me that I took the easy way out or this surgery is easy, I'm going to have to pray for strength not to give them a knuckle sandwich! lol I'm two weeks post op and supposed to be able to eat mush. That has not been going well at all. I ground up some chicken and after the first bite started throwing up watery type substance... not the actual food. It's been and hour now and I am still extremely uncomfortable. I think my problem is, I am thinking with my old brain. I must concentrate on how to work with my new tummy... make friends with it and work with it rather than fight it mentally. There are so many things I hadn't thought of and maybe that's because we can't know how it's going to be until we get there. Now that I am here, I am determined to make it work. Walking as soon as you possibly can will help you immensely. At first I could only walk for 10 minutes, and then once around the track very slowly with several rests. I felt bad for my husband because he is alot fitter than I am so it was a crawl for him but after 2 weeks of getting out every day I can do once around the track, no stopping. I'm averaging between 4k to 5k on the fitbit. I suffer from severe depression and have had some very low points, but here again, getting out of the house and walking for 10-20 minutes will help. This is a marathon, but with training we can do it. All the best to you and you got this!

I guess each hospital is different. My surgery was scheduled for 10:15 am so I finished drinking at 8:15 and then my surgery was pushed back until 5:15 pm. Once I got the compression socks on and the iv set up they came in and talked to me and I don't remember anything else except waking up in my room because they were slapping me lol! I took PJs but ended up staying in the gown they provided and the socks. They did not make me walk around other than going to the toilet. I had a wonderful night. I would have liked to have stayed longer but it wasn't necessary. I showered as soon as I got home and rested and walked the rest of that day. You will do just fine. Alot of this is being able to follow directions ie do what they tell you to do. Don't rush things. Take something for a sore throat if they allow it. All the best to you!

Congratulations! The surgery is the easy part imo. I really didn't have any significant pain. I would recommend having some Cepacol type lozenges (if allowed) for the sore throat, but ask first. I had my earbuds and listened to music on a really low volume so I could sleep through the night, but you do you. I actually enjoyed my hospital stay. My nurses were phenomenal! I could have stayed an extra day! All the best for tomorrow!

I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with heartburn. My doctor put me on Prilosec which I take every morning. I haven't had any heartburn but definitely call your doctor's office. They will be able to help you.

Welcome! I am 11 days post-op and really loving the decision I made to get VSG. The support from others telling their experiences really helps because no one knows what we go through except for us, right.

You are not kidding! This is THE hardest thing I have done! My stomach constantly releases hunger hormones and therefore I get the pains. It got so bad last night I mashed about 1/3 cup cottage cheese (acceptable in my next phase) because I couldn't stand the brain stress. Needless to say, I suffered last night. It was definitely too soon and too close to bedtime. Today is a good day though! I ordered some lamb OXO boullion cubes off Amazon and I had some chopped mint that I added and it really reminded me of lamb and mint sauce! I'm definitely struggling mentally with this and physically with the hunger pains being SO STRONG! I was not expecting that at all. Trying to stay positive... only have 4 more days on phase 1! Hang in there, everyone! We got this!

@somber Congratulations! I am so glad everything went well for you! I am so excited to be on this journey.

Well, after getting on the scale today and being thoroughly disappointed, I decided to put it away. I've been glued to the scale since I was 22 yrs old and I've decided I am taking that control back! Why does a number have so much power over me? Because I allow it! Since I'm starting a new chapter in my life, I am going to find other ways to enjoy non scale victories. For instance, today I was able to walk for 20 minutes only stopping to catch my breath twice! Next week I go for post op follow up and I will let them tell me how much I have lost! #taking the power back

Last night was the first night the hunger pains didn't wake me up. I'm one week post op today and still have another week on the liquids. The doctor's office called yesterday and I asked them if I could have something in addition to the liquids and she about jumped through the phone! So I'm counting down the days until I can have mush! lol

I feel for you! Hang in there. I am 1 week post op VSG. This liquid diet is driving me nuts! You're looking good though. Healing nicely. Be strong!

That's a really good idea! Small spoons! [emoji3]

Is anyone else experiencing extreme hunger pangs? Mine are so severe they wake me up at night. I have 9 more days on the liquid diet and I'm only allowed to have broth, popsicles, jello nothing substantial.

You will do fine! [emoji177]

I have heard that some people gain. It's normal. I follow this one girl on YouTube and she recommended not getting on the scale at all for the first couple of weeks and I think I might do that because I didn't lose anything for a couple of days and now I'm down 2 lb. Yes it can be disheartening.

I'm not allowed to have anything other than protein shakes, waters, jello and sugar free popsicles. The one thing I am surprised about (and I can't understand why I'm surprised) is how hungry I am! I'm on day 5 post-op and each day is better. I'm really looking forward to being healthy!

Day 4 post-op: walking this morning was hard. I only managed 20 minutes and had to stop several times because I was out of breath. No more sore throat. It's getting easier to swallow. I'm learning to sip instead of gulp. I hope everyone is doing well and stay positive!

You look beautiful! Congratulations! [emoji1376][emoji1376][emoji1376]

@girlfriday,@tinman Congratulations! I am SO glad I made this decision. My journey started on June 1, surgery was June 16 and the reason I'm saying June 1 is because I did the 2 week pre-op diet. In my opinion every effort counts towards success. We are all WINNERS here! It's the same as any other addiction as far as I'm concerned and that requires facing each day as it comes. Setbacks and all. Make sure you ask your Doctor if you can use a throat lozenge because trying to swallow the first 2 or 3 days can be challenging. All the best to you and see you on the flip side [emoji4]

I am so looking forward to real food! I don't care if it takes me a whole day to eat it [emoji846]

@erica b I totally agree! I haven't told many people because I don't want anyone raining on my parade. I AM already a success story and it's going to stay that way! We've got this!

Today is definitely better. I'm 3 days post-op. I finally got Cepacol lozenges for my sore throat and I'm doing much better with the Gatorade Zero and protein shakes. Anyone got any ideas for a protein shake? I've got 11 more days until the next phase.

Thank goodness I am not alone! I'm 2 days post-op and today has been the worst. I tried to drink 2 protein shakes and I just couldn't. It hurts to swallow,my throat is so sore. I just want this day to be over. I need real food.

I was told that the 64oz was in addition to the shakes but each Dr is different. I would love it if it did count. I'm 1 day post-op and I've only managed to down a little soup, almost a whole shake, a popsicle and a few ounces of water. Tomorrow will be better though!