Afrankrn

Hey everyone, here's my update: Surgery was 10/11. I was 259.8 (heaviest weight) right before I started my 1 week preop diet. Down to 248 right before surgery. Current weight is 219. I'm now on a regular diet since week 6 (currently week 7 since Tuesday). I can only tolerate about 3-5 bites before I'm too full. I eat 4-5 times a day to get my protein in and prevent myself from getting sick due to my stomach being "too empty". I'm averaging about 500-700 calories a day most days. I still struggle to slow down when eating, especially if I've waited too long to eat. Work in progress. I have started back the gym this week. I have made a goal of doing a 5k in the spring, and I have gotten a trainer to help me until I get situated and comfortable around the gym. I had the dreaded 3 week stall. It lasted 3 weeks. Broke this week. I think the gym helped. I still struggle to get my fluids in. However, I feel great. I have turned the corner and gained energy. My mood is better as well. I have decided to take a weekend trip somewhere (that part is not decided) as a reward for getting into Onderland when I get there. My reward for going to the gym 4x a week for the next 2 weeks is a new pair of shoes (I really need them because my shoes have gotten too big since the weightloss, its a bonus to use them as a reward though). My NSV: I can put on my shoes without wanting to be taken out by a sniper. My back pain and knee pain are gone (I hadn't had the pain long though, so it went away quickly versus someone who had longer chronic pain). I have energy and smile more!

I'm only 8 days post op so I haven't hit this yet, but my program says to try to keep it under 30 carbs on average. MD said he wants people to stay under 30, but also live life. You wants some cake at a bday party one day? Eat it. But the next day get back to protein/veggies. They also acknowledged that the carb count will be higher during the pureed/soft diet part because a lot that is more carb heavy. I just know carbs are going to be my weakness. I have 0 hunger since sx but I still think about carbs (warm yeast rolls?! Honey butter croissants?! Yessssss). If I'm thinking about it while not being hungry at all, then I know it will be a disaster if I start eating it.

I survived for the first 5 days post op on just water. I'm 8 days post op now. I packed water, sf jello, broth for immediately post op. I hated the jello after because of the sf taste (fine with it beforehand) and also hated the broth for no good reason. Finally had creamy soup yesterday and had gas pain/bloating. We will see how it goes. I did like the easy crunch ice (from Zaxbys/sonic). Medicine wise: I packed chloraseptic spray (throat sore post intubation for surgery) and gasX. My advice: prepare to be flexible with finding what you like and be PATIENT with yourself. I kept feeling like I should be able to drink more, get more protein in (starting day 6). Truth is that I'm no where near my goal for fluid or protein. I just can't take that much in. But I get a little more each day, and I'm happy with that for now.

We have the same surgery day. I have been stressing about fluids and protein (just started protein drinks back Sunday). I haven't come close to goal yet on either. Finally, I just decided that I was 8 days out from having like 80% of my stomach removed. It's just going take time. I have decided to just try to do a little bit more each day and see how my body feels instead of going by what's on the paper. I have gotten a little more each day, so I consider it a success. I just started back soups Sunday as well, and have only been able to take like 1-2 oz. Also got bloating and gas pain with it (may be the type of soup though). Going to try something different, but I think the amount is on par. I would use unflavored protein in the soup (even if only a little) to boost protein count. In terms of sweetness, I haven't had that issue yet, so I would have to defer to others. I am trying to do the Fairlife. I like the 26g protein better than the 42g protein, but need more protein. So I mix the 2 to get a flavor I like with more protein. I think just being flexible and listening to your body is good enough during this stage. I can't take multivitamins yet until I hit pureed/soft per my MD, so I will have to see how that goes.

I'm 8 days post op and could probably entertain if I had to, but I just wouldn't want to. The challenge of the surgery wasn't physical for me. If anything, this is probably the easiest surgery I have ever had. After the first 3 days, the struggle has been mental. There is some isolation and feeling out of place when I have no food/or planning for food around my day. Its different when it's preop because there is excitement and all for the surgery and this short-term goal (and still possibility even if you don't do anything with that possibility). Post op you have permanently changed your life. You can't decide that you no longer want to follow a "diet". You have done it. And that's why I got surgery, but that realization is still hard. You have done something that you cannot realistically undo. I imagine at 17 days post, it would be roughly the same. Not because of physical at that point (for me at least-everyone is different), but because of the mental toll. People will need to eat and all, and I just don't want to have to deal with the emotional toll of being around family and not able to partake with them. I want to focus on my own healing. I know that sounds selfish, but I cried when my husband brought home pizza for him and the kiddo. I have ZERO hunger. I didn't want the pizza. I just felt lonely because I couldn't eat. That's a lot to deal with on top of a bunch of family and entertaining.

I tried some creamy blended soup, but I got bad gas pain and bloating from it. It was Panera broccoli and cheese (blended to make sure no solids and watered down a little). Only had about 2 oz. Going to try a different one and see if that helps. Sugar free Jello makes me break out. So I am surviving on protein shakes and water. Which isn't awful because I'm one of the ones that have 0 hunger post op. I feel like I could never eat again and be ok. Which is great in some ways but also means I feel full whenever I try to drink anything. I'm looking forward to pureed/soft because I am craving normalcy. Sitting at a table with the family and taking a bite of something. I am dreading the 3 week stall, but I am happy to be on the road to a more normal diet pattern.

You got this! Those first few days post op are rough emotionally and physically. Just be gentle with yourself and the process. I have to keep reminding myself that I am only 8 days post op from having like 80% of my stomach removed to keep it in perspective. Am I drinking enough fluids? No, but I'm only 8 days po and getting better each day. Am I drinking enough protein? No, but getting better each day. Just keep the perspective that each day something will be even a tiny but easier.

I am on day 7 post op. I have diarrhea anytime something more solid substantial than a protein drink hits me. Like I tried some creamy soup, and bam! I had my gallbladder out a long time ago, and it is normal for me to have what I call "gastric distress" if my stomach got too empty (pre surgery). So I am equating this period with that. Because I was mostly living off water for the first 5 days post op, my intestines are just having some "distress" after finally having something in it. I think it will get better though. If it doesn't once your body kind of adjusts, I would definitely ask your doctor. Be mindful of dehydration with it though.

My therapist (who I got to help combat my food issues) said cravings usually last 30 mins or less. Try to keep that in mind when you are craving something. I think you are like me. I am going to have to be very careful around certain foods (carb heavy hitters like bread and pasta for me). If I start, I won't stop. Kind of like an alcoholic in recovery. Some people can have a little bit and not suffer from "withdrawals", but if I were to have a little bit then my cravings spike and can spin out of control fast. My recommendations: 1. Track what you are eating in an app if possible cause sometimes that will help reign it in 2. Wait 30 mins when craving something and drink water. Go for a walk or pick an activity to distract you. After 30 mins, see how you are feeling and what your body may really be after (protein/more water/?) 3. Try to find healthy substitutes for what you are wanting. Pizza? Find a low carb recipe that tastes good and fills that urge. Sweets? Are some sugar free options or low carb options a possibility? 4. Journal and track when these cravings are happening. What's going on when they do? Are you stressed/bored/angry? Are you around others who are eating things you want? Are you out of the house and having to do fast food as quick options? Etc. See where your weak points are and then start identifying ways to help deal with them. 5. Get a supportive therapist to help you deal with your mindset around food. You can outeat wls. For many of us, this is going to be a lifelong addiction that we can defeat but will always have to be mindful of.

It's crazy to me how different doctors have different schedules for the post op diet. I also had the sleeve on 10/11 and have another week of liquids to go before I can do pureed/soft. Though, it makes me happy to hear you can handle the foods. Gives me hope that when I get started maybe I won't face many issues. Congrats!

Even if you have no oral intake (or only water, etc) your body will produce some waste. I would say if you haven't had a BM within 3-4 days then I would ask your surgeon. It takes a bit postoperative for your intestines to get back on track (sedation and pain meds slow motility of the intestines), but also most people have less fluid intake for a few days which can slow it down and make it difficult to pass as well. TMI- I had my 1st one on day 4, and it was awful. Not because of the surgery itself, but because I didn't have enough fluids to make it "normal". It was extremely difficult to pass. I wish I had gotten a stool softener instead.

I had surgery on 10/11/22 (Tuesday). I work from home doing chart reviews and came back today. I have a flexible team environment so it is less daunting to get up and get fluids etc. It isn't exactly comfortable being at the desk, but manageable. If I had to go to an office out of home then I would say prep is key: water bottle with enough for the day, protein drinks (if at that stage), and any meds that might be needed for the day. If I had the time off, I would probably take a couple of days more just for my own mental healing. With that said, I can manage it with little physical discomfort.

You got this! One recommendation, make a list of why you want or need to do this. From the big serious stuff to the silly small stuff (everything from being able to get up a flight of stairs without wanting to die, get off blood pressure/dm meds to being able to tie your shoes). Keep it to look back on during the difficult parts post op, and keep it to be able to track your progress on NSV as well. Best of luck!

I would talk to your doctor. I'm 6 days post op, and I had no anxiety going in or uncertainty. I knew I wanted to do this. I'm not saying that to brag, I am saying it because post op is hard. I have had several moments of wondering what in the heck I have done. I can't imagine what those moments would look like if I was unsure going into it. Sometimes the thing that brings me back now is remembering how sure and confident I was before. With that said, the surgery itself wasn't hard for me. I didn't have a lot of pain. I did have stomach spasms (last for a couple of seconds) every time I sipped anything for like the first 4 days. They have become much more random and occasional and less painful by day 6 though. I am struggling with upping my fluid intake (I have no urge to drink or hunger, which yay but it makes drinking anything a challenge when your body says you are already full). The emotional aspect though is rough. I know MANY people struggle with buyers remorse for the first month and then report that it gets so much better. I cried for no reason because my husband brought home pizza last night. I cried wondering if my life will get back to some semblance of normal. And I am not a person that cries often. My husband panicked. Most people have anxiety around surgery itself, so if it's that, then I would say it's normal. However, if you are having anxiety and concern around the lifestyle itself, that would be a red flag for me. I hope it gets better, and I hope you make the right choice for you (whatever it may be).

Congrats on the pending surgery! I am also a nurse and struggled with the decision for years. Despite being a nurse, I still felt determined that if I was going to do it "properly" I had to do it on my own with willpower and determination. Honestly, prior to deciding this summer that I was going to do wls, I had no idea the work that went with it. I'm now 6 days post op from gastric sleeve. I'm down 20 lbs. I feel fine with exception of struggling to get my fluid (and now protein) intake up. I know lots of people struggle for the first month though, so I am keeping that in mind and pushing through. Best of luck on your surgery!