kendajones

I haven't seen any posts in a while -- how is everyone doing? I had a sleeve on 10/9, lost 19 pounds really fast, then at 2 weeks, hit a stall that lasted about 3-1/2 weeks. It was very frustrating and I felt like I had messed something up or done something wrong. I wondered if this was not going to work for me and yet I was permanently stuck with a tiny stomach. I hated seeing all the social media posts of all the people who seemed to be continuously losing weight every week while I stalled -- even though I knew not to compare my journey to other people. But even during that long stall, I had to stop wearing a bunch of clothes that were too big, I moved my Apple watch to a tighter setting on my wrist, I was able to stop taking all blood pressure and diabetes meds because my levels were all normal or low, and I even completed a 5K (walking it mostly but still!!)!!! My doctor told me not to worry about the scale -- that "it would catch up." So I just didn't weigh for a while, though I stayed the path on eating, water, protein, and movement. Well, today I got on the scale and have now lost 31 pounds since my surgery. The scale is catching up. What a relief! I'm sure that I'll stall again at some point, and I'll be in a better mindset to just stay consistent and keep with the program and have faith.

Oh thank goodness it's not just me! I lost 19 pounds the first 2 weeks, and I've been stuck ever since -- stalled for 2-1/2 weeks so far. I was convinced that I had done something wrong and have been very frustrated. I talked with my doctor about it and he was completely unconcerned and said "the scale will catch up, don't worry about the scale." Here's the explanation, which makes sense and gives me great comfort: Those first 2 weeks post-op when you are just consuming liquids and lose a lot of weight really fast, that's all pretty much water weight that you lose. Then as you start to add back real food, you gain back the water weight. So even though you are gaining back the water weight, the scale is not moving because you are losing fat (which is the real reason we are all here, to lose fat). So until the fat you lose eclipses the amount of water weight you originally lost, the scale won't move. But that is not a bad thing, because it means that you are still losing fat. So in my case, until I lose MORE than 19 pounds of fat, the scale will stay at about the same spot. But once I pass that 19 pound mark, it will start going down again. At the same time, I have not had to take any diabetes medicine or blood pressure medicine since the surgery. I sleep great, I have more energy, I can briskly walk 2 miles at a time without back pain (which was a major problem for me before!), I don't really mind when I have to park farther from the door of the store than I'd like, and my clothes all fit significantly looser. I can see in the mirror that my body has changed dramatically. So even though the scale is not moving, it's very clear to me that this IS working! I'm just impatient to see a lower number on the scale, which is actually pretty silly considering all of the other benefits that I can clearly see and measure and feel. So we just need to stick together strong, keep the faith, and trust the process! We will get over this hump together!

There's a "dreaded 3 week stall?" This is the first I've heard of that! I'll be 3 weeks on Monday!

For me, I was scheduled to spend the night in the hospital but when my doc met with me that morning before the 7:30AM surgery, he said that if I went to the bathroom, kept down some fluids, and was walking around, he would discharge me that afternoon. For the first couple hours after surgery I did not think that would happen because I felt so out of it. But by the afternoon I was like "Let's do this!" and was discharged around 4PM. I felt SO much better at home. Good luck!

I'm 2 weeks out and I think I have pooped a total of 4-5 times since the surgery; the first time was 3 days post-op. A couple of times it was a real struggle!

Maybe it is a breeze for some people, but I think perhaps most of us have something. I had an UNREAL allergic reaction to the dermabond and my incisions became these horrible super itchy angry splotchy red messes with a little bit of bonus leaking fluid! After a couple of days of Benadryl, cortisone cream, then an antibiotics prescription from my doctor, they have finally calmed down and seem nearly healed.

Corinneblooms, I'm 2 weeks post-op today and yesterday my back started hurting -- mid back pain, which I've never had before. I went to the gym a couple of days ago and did the TINIEST number of arm/ shoulder/ back exercises with the TINIEST of weights, but one rep of each left me completely worn out and I left! I've been telling myself that I pulled something or did something, but maybe it's just the post-op thing!

Hang in there Arendiva! Everyone has their own experience! You'll be out and on to Stage 2 in no time!

I hear this! I'm 11 days post-op and yesterday was really the first day when I made it through the whole day without needing to take at least one nap! I've only hit my Protein goal once, but I'm aiming for it again today! Keep going!

Preaching to the choir Momo! I'm 8 days postop and I miss real food so badly! My protein goal is 90g and honestly I have not met it yet -- I've gotten as high as 81 so far. In order to get to 90 almost every liquid I consume has to be high protein and that is rough. Plus my doc has me on Stage 1 all liquids for THREE WEEKS! AGH! I might die! But I'm like you, it's just temporary. It will be worth it. GREAT TIP re: trying on clothes that don't fit! I love that suggestion! Gonna go do it now!

Hi Liz! I had a sleeve on 10/9/23. I have had two challenges with swallowing: (1) my soft palate (back of the roof of my mouth) was destroyed by the intubation and it really hurt to swallow! It has just started improving today; (2) I sometimes forget and take a BIG swallow instead of a sip and my body immediately reminds me that was too much! I'll get like 5-10 seconds of what feels kind of like mild heartburn until the liquid works it way through. It's not too painful, but it's definitely uncomfortable. Otherwise, the liquid diet is pretty miserable. But it's only for 3 weeks. I figure I can do anything for 3 weeks, considering the benefit on the other end!

I also have high blood pressure and insulin-dependent diabetes, Shnee. I'm 5 days post-op and my blood sugar has been so low that I have not needed to take insulin since the surgery (though I am monitoring it constantly!). As my doctor said, "Bariatric surgery is the only cure for Type 2 Diabetes." WE HAVE GOT THIS!

4 days post-op and feeling good. Walked a MILE today! Stopped to sit down very briefly halfway through and paused to stretch a couple of times. It took me almost 24 minutes, but I did it! My doctor allows sugar-free low carb Greek yogurt and sugar free nonfat pudding during this initial liquid diet stage. Today, I put sugar-free PBFit powder in vanilla Oikos Greek yogurt and it was amazing. I could not eat the whole container, but it's a 5.3 ounce container, so that makes sense! I am also enjoying the bariatric chicken soups for a little variety away from all the sweet flavors.

My post-surgery pain has been quite minimal. A little pain on my right side, especially when I need to use those abs. And the rear roof of my mouth feels really badly bruised from the intubation I guess -- I've never had that before after surgery so it is not likely to be related to WLS, just my particular experience this tie. I'm basically able to do most of what I did before, but already with less pain. 3 days out, 5 pounds down from surgery weight.

I am also certain that I am not getting in enough plain water, but I am putting protein powders in water and counting those toward both protein and water. But I'm still not drinking enough water, and I feel like i am constantly sipping water all day long! Sometimes I'll take too big a gulp and it feels a little like I have 30 seconds of heartburn -- always a reminder to take smaller sips! 2 days out and feeling good. Took a nice walk with my sister today -- she's going back to Alabama tomorrow. Booooo!