ThinIce

Three c sections and a lap chole here. VSG by far the easiest recovery.

My program does not allow fruit until you hit maintenance and then limits it to one serving of berries per day. They also allow no carbs whatsoever until maintenance, and then only beans and Quinoa or the like. That being said, I still eat fruit occasionally and have no problems. Losing well in spite of this. Enjoyed home grown watermelon this summer and enjoying the occasional fall apple now.

Thank you for sharing your story, very inspirational. My initial weight loss was more typical than yours, but it is slowing down which I expected it to do. I've always been a slow loser too historically. I'm fine with it though. Gives me a chance to build muscle and wear out some of these clothes before it's time to buy a new size!!!! Also I've never been a fan of all the unsolicited comments others make when I'm losing weight. I'm hoping that slow and stead garners less of this overall.

Better - I think. The real test will be the dexa scan table at six months. I do know I'm sleeping SO much better now 38 pounds lighter which now that I think of it may be related to more normal joint positioning as things shrink and shift. I no longer wake up in pain at all which just dawned on me.

I'm 7 weeks post op today, so happily losing weight with pain a distant memory. However, my recollection is that my worst pain was horrible back muscle spasms as I woke up from anesthesia. This lasted for a few hours. Nurses told me I was on the surgical "board" for quite a long while due to complications elsewhere and I believe it. I struggle to lay on any sort of flat surface due to my "curves." Just doing the dexa scan was torture and I was deep breathing the whole time just to get through it. The tech felt sorry for me it was so hard for me to get up afterwards. Told her hopefully the 6 month post op scan will be much better since my butt will be so much smaller! Anyway, while inpatient they gave me tordol IV for the pain which has always been my favorite for incisional pain - but you can only have so many doses. They sent me home with hydrocodone which I took very little of.

I weight every day now and use the Happy Scale app which gives me a running average of weight loss so it smoothes out the ups and downs. I have a history of going for months conveniently "forgetting" to weigh and fooling myself into believing that I've only gained a little then when I get the nerve up, well you know the story. I even tried the Shapa scale which did not show a number, just a color based on the direction of your weight. Gained 30 pounds while I had that thing. I totally get the reasons to not weigh often, however with the app averaging the weight for me I'm actually doing a good job learning to accept those ups and downs that used to sabotage me mentally. Living with my reality instead of putting my head in the sand like I used to do. So for me, daily weighing is working.

My insurance also changed from BCBS to Cigna during the process. It made things SO much easier. No supervised diet, no therapy. Had my surgery less than 3 months after my first bariatric visit which I was SO thankful for. I can't imagine being here 6 weeks out and still have months of waiting to go. I did have a letter from my PCP documenting his support and reminding the reviewer of my arthritis in weight bearing joints (which is already so much better). Other than that easy peasy.

Mine told me he "cuts a generous 40."

Mine has been very smooth as well. I was ready to go home about 6 hours post op and had to wait what seemed like forever to get out of there the next day and get on with it! I'm almost 5 weeks post op now and those first few days feel like ages ago. I've had no issues with getting my fluids or protein in from the get go. I've stopped having any incisional pain and hopefully will get the clear soon to work out harder (more weight, planks, core exercises etc). Still taking that part easy until follow up next week.

I was in a similar situation to you. Amazed that I was finally able to lose some weight on the pre op diet when I always failed in the past. In my moments of doubt I would think "I don't need this surgery, I've proved to myself I can do this on my own" My next thought - "and if I cancel we can go out to eat as a reward and I can have anything I want." Bingo. Proof in point. I did need this surgery to break this cycle and get healthy again. I'm so very happy I didn't cancel. I'm only 3 1/2 weeks out at this point so I don't have a lot of historical experience, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was worth every gross meal replacement shake and even that bottle of mag citrate. One difference from your situation is that I don't have a family member trying to talk me down. That's probably because I didn't tell them.

I chose to only discuss with my husband and healthcare providers. I'm so happy with my decision to have the procedure and have no shame, regret or embarrassment. However, I know from a wealth of experience that outside of my husband, the remainder of my family is the opposite of me - extroverted, telling everyone their own business plus everyone else's - including mine. My wanting control of the situation is what it really boiled down to. It would have became everyone's business (picture multiple church phone trees activated simultaneously) if I had let a peep of it out. Also, a pet peeve of mine that my extended family makes a habit of is using "you've lost weight" as their go to complement or conversation starter whether it's true or not. I've been working over the years to help them see these comments can be hurtful and we're making progress finally. If they knew I had the procedure I suspect it would return to free range season on comments about mine and everybody's else's body - not OK. On an aside, I also did not tell my children. My husband did not agree with this out of the rare chance that the "worst" might happen (spoiler alert - it didn't). Ultimately, I didn't want to put the pressure of not discussing it outside of our nuclear family on them or the worry during the procedure. They are old enough to be left alone for a few hours and we do not have babysitting options, I couldn't bear the thought of them alone at home worrying. So, I had a "business trip" earlier this month. They have asked questions about why I'm eating so little and I just tell them I'm trying to get healthier so my portions are smaller.

My blurry vision lasted until around day 6. Probably a whole combination of things including the patch, anesthesia, the hyosyamine for muscle spasms... but glad its back to normal.

That I needed to make a contingency plan for when the dogs vomit and I'm home by myself post op. I ALWAYS dry heave when this happens and pre op I just pushed through and cleaned it up anyway. Happened POD 4. I almost had a panic attack when I saw it, then did the only rational thing, covered the messes with towels and pretended they weren't there until my husband got home (surprise!). Vomiting/dry heaving = something to avoid at all costs.

Squinting to write this...Yes I'm POD 4 and struggling mostly with near vision. Hoping it clears soon so I don't have to get a new prescription (that might then be too strong in a few months). I took off my scopolamine patch either yesterday or the day before so that should be getting out of my system. Not drowsy at all, just can't see.

Scheduled to show up for my gastric sleeve today at 11:30. I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be, but there's still time for that to change! Pre op Liver shrink wasn't so bad. But sticking to clear liquids only at the end (and I did) was a little tough while cooking for my family. Mag citrate was (and still is unfortunately) and adventure. But, I'm down 16 pounds from highest point now thanks to the pre op diet and can't wait to see what the next month brings. I have loads of trust in my surgeon however we all know the unexpected can happen no matter how rare and unlikely. Kind thoughts/prayers/positive energy welcome.

☺️Thanks for the warning. I'm focussing on drawers and boxes that are already out to make sure I don't strain any sutures. You're right, excitement can push us right through to hurting ourselves sometimes. Anticipate having a big donation bag when it's said and done, will save that for my husband to handle

I'm doing great. I actually didn't pay close enough attention to the post and posted in the bypass section rather than sleeve, which is what I actually had. I put a more detailed posting under the sleeve folder. I couldn't be more pleased with my progress so far and how it is going! Regret is no where in sight so far.

Thank you for all the well wishes. Everything is going well, so well in fact I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. My surgery was quite late due to unforeseen issues with patients scheduled before me. Not sure exactly, but I think I got back here around 3PM. No problems with fluids or walking so I was discharged around 1PM POD 1. Pain and nausea well controlled. I was able to do some light work in the garden every day starting on post op day one which was a big boost to my spirits. (Even harvested enough basil to make 3 batches of the pesto they love for easy future meals for my family). Cooking for them continues to not be a hardship, that is as long as I have a reliable taster at my side. Today starts day 1 of full liquids. Stocked up with all I need. Spent last night making some of the full liquid soup recipes in my program literature so I can have good variety. Right now I can't wait to be able to exercise at full tilt! Energy is good needless to say which I am amazed at. While I'm glad everything is going so well, I'm also preparing myself for setbacks. Thanks to this board though, I know they will be temporary. I have yet to have any regrets about this choice Now I'm of to go through boxes of old clothes to "shop" from home for smaller sizes.

July 7th for me. Day 2 of Liver Shrinking Diet. Alternating between nervous and excited.

Congrats and hope your recovery goes well. I'm still preop, scheduled for July 7 so I can't provide any insight yet. But I was debating on whether or not to weigh that first week post op. Water retention from all the fluids is for real, but you're right - only temporary!

I've used Liquid IV and it definitely does not fit in my program's guidelines for carbs. I've used it when I've came in from working outside and found myself overheated/dehydrated. It works great in those situations (hopefully not placebo response). I only plan to use it if I'm behind on hydration/electrolyes. Hopefully that won't happen though. (still pre op so only time will tell)

Yes, nervous alternating with excited. Some nights it's hard to sleep (and sometimes I find myself distracted by some message boards when I should be doing other things ). I definitely need to exercise more. Went swimming tonight which was wonderful. Told myself I need to do that as much as possible in the next month since I won't be able to for most of July. I'll just sit on the sidelines burning fat hopefully and sipping on water (doesn't sound so bad really).

I'm still pre op, therefore lacking in real experience. My program forbids potatoes for life and only allows complex carbs in the form of quinoa, beans, oats, etc. And then, only after reaching goal. I love to garden and recently discovered the love of growing my own potatoes. I will be eating those potatoes (don't tell ). I actually love plain boiled potatoes with salt and pepper. Don't really care for French Fries. Home grown potatoes that I planted myself, weeded, dug up by hand, cleaned and boiled didn't get me to where I am today! I plan to pair them with protein to prevent glucose/insulin spikes. As long as I meet my goals I plan to eat my potatoes!

I'm scheduled for July7. I'm not required to start pre op diet until 2 weeks prior which will be low carb very low cal. I started on my own yesterday with low carb moderate calorie to get a jump on it. Would love to get the first 20 pounds behind me before surgery day.

I'm July 7.