Hi everyone, how are y'all getting with your post op diets, exercise and wellbeing?
Here's my experience so far after getting the Gastric Sleeve procedure on 13th June 2024...
Immediately after surgery
It was pretty rough for me, I woke up in a lot of pain, so much so that the nurses had to give me 30mg morphine for the pain. I was in a recovery room for the first 24 hours (standard procedure for the private hospital in the UK i went through) After the initial 24hrs I was moved back to my room where I felt a lot better. Even able to eat an ice pop and a small cup of Tomato Soup (sipping of course) and sipping Water every 5-10 mins.
Week 1-2
I quickly moved onto the liquids phase, in which I must have taken in around 2-300 cals per day through Protein Shakes and watery Soups. I must admin this phase was the hardest for me, managing the pain meds as well as trying to drink as much liquids as I could in a day. It just so happened there was an international football (soccer) tournament on in Europe in my first 2 weeks' recovery so was engrossed in that! I also started walking 1 mile per day and upping that to almost 2 miles by the end of it. My weight loss was drastic in this phase but my word I was lethargic/got tired v easily and not up for doing much.
Week 3-4
Puree stage - finally I felt I was able to get some proper food in me, and a few days after starting this phase, my weight slowed right down - the dreaded (but expected) 3 week plateau kicked in. I went around a week and a bit without any weight loss, despite me sticking to the recommended diet. I am not going to sugar coat this, it was a bit disappointing standing on those scales after a week, but I knew this would happen so meh I guess. Still walking 2 miles per day during this phase and now feeling I have a lot more energy.
Week 5-6
Week 5 started with me starting to lose a pound every 2 days or so, so my body seems like it has adjusted to the inro of more foods for the 'soft foods' stage. I also started back at the gym doing some cardio work on top of my walks, and oh boy I have so much more energy for it! I am now around half way through week 6 and had my first appointment with my nutritionist and he is blown away by the progress I have made/am making. He gave me further chewing tips to make sure I am not overeating as I have been sick a couple of times when I've eaten too quickly and not realised I'm full/satisfied. He is now happy for me to start introducing more fibred meats and more complex foods, like a little Pasta and a little bit of rice, to test the waters.
Struggles so far:
Reminding myself I have a new stomach
not eating what family members are eating e.g. Sunday dinner
Eating too fast resulting in vomiting
Extra attention from people who have noticed a loss in weight (47lbs and counting since pre-op liver diet). Since I've been overweight most of my adult life, I carried a lot of shame internally, so its in my nature not to talk about myself/get photos taken etc
Wins so far
Losing a lot of weight and all the benefits that go with it.
Being more present with my family. Having the energy to do everything they want to do (I have a wife and 2 kids, girl 11, boy 7)
Clothes! I have dropped from XXXL to XL already. Which was a surprise when I packed to go to a 5 day getaway with my fam in week 5
Mental health - the mental benefits come as such a relief. I no longer feel down about my weight (although I know I still have a ways to go)
Confidence - generally just feel I can be more myself - hopefully some here will resonate with this.
be great to hear of your journey so far, so let's have it folks, we're all in this together
I'm day 3 post op ,The procedure went good no issues as of yet. Honestly the first 48 hours were the worst for discomfort and pain ,Today Iam up and moving around more and been sitting upright all day and really beginning to take more fluids in today still get stomach cramps periodically especially if I try to push fluids to quick, I've been able to tolerate Water, protien drinks and tomatoe juice. not to give to much (TMI) but definitely have issues with diarrhea started this morning but overall feeling pretty good
