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For the abdominal piece you may be able to use sick leave/take FMLA. Diastasis recti repair is considered medical. I was able to take 3 weeks of sick leave for mine.

I didn’t exercise & I lost all my weight & more. No running or cycling miles or hours at the gym for me. It’s not that I can’t I just dislike it … a lot. All I do are a few resistance exercises & stretches. (I did add some sit-ups but as I do them I tell myself I’m crazy.) I do a series of exercise combinations over three sessions each afternoon & evening. They take me about 25 minutes in total & wouldn’t burn 30 calories. I do them more to better support my back & my oozing discs & a little toning. There are a variety is simple exercises available on line for people with a variety of mobility issues. You could give them a try too & see if any work for you.

We didn't have any liquid only diet; we had puree and soft things (yogurt, scrambled eggs, etc.) in the hospital along with a lot of liquids, of course. The general rule the first month was to move between liquids, purees and soft solids as we could tolerate them; if we came across something that wasn't tolerated, then move back to proven foods and try that one again in a week or two. Some progressed more quickly than others. With protein shakes as a staple to ensure adequate protein, I started with broth, then graduated to thicker soups like vegetable or chicken noodle or rice with the chunks strained out, then just mashed the chunks as the next trial, then went unmashed and well chewed, etc. As the group had around twenty years experience in working with the sleeve (at that time), I wasn't about to argue with them being different than others online.

I found everyone's posts about which procedure and surgeon they went with to be really helpful when I was struggling to find the right surgeon so I thought I'd start a thread for mine too. I've lost over 170lbs total and am currently 16 months out from my surgery, and at a stable weight for over 3 months. I just scheduled an extended Tummy Tuck for this August with Dr. John YS Kim in Chicago at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. There will just be a single scar, and even though I do have a bunch of extra skin above the belly button too, he said I didn't need a Fluer de Lis which is great. I had also seen Dr. Shifrin who had recommended a circumferential lower body lift to get all my extra backside skin too, with "auto-augmentation" to make it rounder. Dr. Kim recommended to not try to do that at the same time since the recovery would be quite difficult with both front and back worked on at the same time. I was having a hard time understanding how I would even recover when it would hurt to be on my back, front and sides so it wasn't hard to convince me. I was really unsure of if I was "at weight" or not and as long as I was standing there naked in front of him, I asked if I had more weight to lose or not, or if it was just skin. I find it impossible to tell. He said that I actually don't have much fat, just some on my pubis and above belly button which he'd remove with liposuction at the same time. It's nice to just focus on being a stable weight and not wondering if I'm getting it done too soon. The surgery should take 4 hours, and I would go home the same day, and then see him once a week for the next 4-6 weeks. There will be 2 drains in place and removed 2 weeks later as well. Plus a binder/compression garments for 3 months. The surgeon fee was $16,000 with a non-refundable 10% down when I scheduled and the remainder due 3 weeks before the surgery. With hospital and anesthesiologist fees it came to $20,800. If I change my surgery date, I lose the the deposit so I can't chicken out. 😅 There was another surgeon there, Dr. Galiano, whose fee was $10k less which was tempting, since it was still a great doctor at Northwestern hospital, but I really liked Dr. Kim and kind of wanted "the best". Dr. Shifrin who performs the surgery in an outpatient surgical center at his office would have cost $22k. I didn't feel comfortable doing these surgeries outside of a hospital so that helped narrow down my choices too. I have BCBS and only one of the surgeons was willing to try to document skin irritation so that insurance would pay for some of the procedure. Everyone else was just like "lol no it's cosmetic" and that was the end of it. I get infections from time to time but they do respond to medication and don't happen all the time so I felt like it was really unlikely that I could go that route. Insurance said that if your pannus was below your public line AND you have infections that don't clear up, then they would pay for just the Panniculectomy. The entire experience really convinced me that you have to see multiple surgeons because prices are ALL OVER the place, even within the same practice/hospital, and everyone had a different idea of what work I should do, the combination of it, pain management, etc. After the first consultation, I learned that I suck at asking questions while in a paper gown, and gave the surgeon a printed copy of my questions and asked him to walk through each one with me, which also was a great way to way to feel out their personality and willingness to work with me. My plan is to also get a breast, arm and inner thigh lift but none of the doctors wanted to talk about surgeries that wouldn't happen for maybe a year or longer out. Once I'm recovered from the tummy tuck, then we'd discuss the next area to focus on which for me would be arm/breast combo. So this process is going to take a while, with having to save up all of my vacation for the entire year for each surgery.

I just scheduled an extended tummy tuck for this August with Dr. John YS Kim in Chicago. It's pretty far out but August turned out to be the best time for me to take off work anyway. I asked him how long before I would go back to work (desk job) and he was pretty confident that it was 4 weeks minimum. If I can go back sooner, I will but I managed to get the time off so if I need it I have it.

I was on full fluids from day 1 - the very first thing I was given post op was coffee and strained yoghurt (which I simply could not get down). 2 weeks of those, 2 of puree, then onto normal but softer foods progressing as I felt able. Surgeons really do differ a lot. I did like comparing my programme to others here though - still do! Best of luck, hope you do really well OP.

I am on the 21st I started liquid diet (Optifast) on Saturday - for two weeks with 2 cups non-starch vegetables. Have my last pre -op meeting with the surgeon, internal medicine specialist, anesthesiologist, surgical nurse and pharmacist on the 15th - will get my plan for the last two days pre-surgery after the final set of tests - so it sounds like the plans are really personalized - if your team hasn’t said anything maybe you’re fine. I would ask. High protein, low carb in the homestretch sounds safe

No they changed my surgery date back to the 22nd so I'm 2 weeks away Sent from my moto g power (2022) using BariatricPal mobile app

I was on clear liquids post op day 1 and 2, then 12 days or so in full liquids, then pureed/soft for 2 weeks, so once I had hit the month I could eat regular textured food. I was self pay in the US with virtual meetings. My sister was with insurance, in person meetings, weighted about 70lbs less and she was on liquids for 4 weeks, because that was her plan. Sent from my SM-G960U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have ate primarily vegan for three years. I do eat fish/shellfish sometimes. I don't eat dairy or any other animal products except fish/shellfish. I am on the pre-op diet of salad, protein and I alternate with protein shakes. It is boring and I am hungry I am concerned about the liquid diet after and puree and soft food phase. I am concerned about getting nutrition. Iron, protein.. I bought a multivitamin. Any vegan food ideas for those phases.

I think many people here would put their hand up & say they too wondered if they really needed surgery & couldn’t just do it themselves. So you’re not alone in that thinking. However, I think all of us would say we tried dieting ourselves (or with clubs, dieticians, weight loss companies) in the past with all the best intentions many, many times, yet we all found ourselves obese. Yes, you are asked to follow a liquid shake diet post surgery but it is usually only for 2 weeks, then you usually progress to purées, soft foods then solid food. It is in place solely to support your healing of your tummy. Think of the sutures & staples holding your tummy together - you don’t want to stress or strain them with coarse or dense foods. After that the diet you will be placed on encourages healthy eating of nutrient dense foods. It encourages you to consider the nutritional value of what you eat, to work at breaking cravings & old habits., to look at your relationship with food. With the diet you slowly add a greater variety of foods & increase portion sizes until how you’re eating close to your maintenance point & it is much like the way you’ll eat in the future. The pre surgery diet, which often also is shakes, is also short term & in place so you will lose some weight quickly, reduce fat around your liver & make surgery easier. For me the surgery changed my metabolic rate, gave me a new set point (the weight my body is happiest at), it adjusted my digestive hormones. Most importantly it gave me time to look at my eating & develop new habits. No other diet did that. Every other diet I felt like I was punishing myself which is why when I finished the diet I went back to eating in the exact same way I always had & the weight came back. I didn’t with this. I have a new way of looking at food & eating. I’m not on a diet. This is just the way I eat. But only you know if the surgery will be right for you & that’s okay. All the best whatever you choose to do. PS - Sorry for the long post. I guess you can tell I’m very pro surgery but that is because of the success I’ve had.

There are lots of differences in plans for pre & post surgery. From how long each stage lasts to what you are allowed to eat or drink on each stage, etc. While the two weeks cycle is quite common many have shorter or longer stages like one week liquids or skip stages like no purée. Some find they need to stay longer at a stage or go back a stage because they’re not healed enough. I have heard of some surgeons who have encouraged their patient to move to the next stage earlier than they first required. I was on two week cycles of the three stages: liquids, purée & soft, before beginning more solid food. Liquids did not have to be clear & was allowed smooth soups & broths with shakes during the liquid stage but no juice, sugar free jello or popsicles at all. Many are allowed mashed potatoes & apple sauce during purées but I wasn’t. I was allowed herbal or green tea from the beginning. Best advice is always to follow your surgeon’s plans. It’s in place to protect & support your healing tummy & not put additional stress on it. They have developed their plan based on their theories & experiences. If you do have an issue with the stages or plan discuss it with your surgeon - never hurts to ask for modifications.

I did the MGB WLS and I was put on clear liquids diet for a week. I was allowed to drink orange juice (without sugar), herbal teas, chicken soup without spices and reduced salt etc.

I was sleeved on 9-1-22, one week away from turning 71. I had hernia repair at the same time. I have lost over 50 pounds and have about 20-25 more pounds to lose. I, too, said to myself "I can just follow the plan, etc and I won't need surgery." Then!!! I asked myself "How did that turn out for ya?" LOL I had not been successful in losing and keeping that same 50-70 pounds off in the past. I knew I needed another tool to be successful, otherwise I would be doing the same old thing over and over again. I did not want or need to spend the rest of my life living like that. For me surgery was the best decision I could have possibly made and it is a worthwhile journey. Best wishes to you!

I had ESG in 2020. You should be fine two weeks out. You will notice fatigue due to your decreased calorie intake so plan for that. Also, meals maybe a bit of a challenge depending on your food restrictions but doable.

Yep, I had a hiatal hernia repair with my bypass. It was unexpected - I had no idea I had one (but in hindsight it explained a lot!) and neither did my surgeon until he got in there. My hernia was a large one, and had been forming for a long, long time apparently 😬. I honestly felt like I'd been hit by a truck for a good two weeks after surgery. My incisions were fine, but my insides took time to settle down. I slept with a pillow protecting my abdomen for a while. Pain medication kept it manageable, though. Once healed it was all smooth sailing though. Just gotta weather those first weeks while you're healing.

Best wishes for a smooth operation and recovery, so happy for you! I had my pre-op consent visit today, surgery three weeks from now on 3/29. Praying for all of us who have committed ourselves to major life changes - we can do this!

My bag is packed, ready to go. Check In at the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning. It is hard to believe that I have come this far already and the day is finally here. Although I know this journey has only just begun I have to celebrate the small successes along the way of making the decision to make a change, seeking help, making a true commitment, sticking to the plan, working the program, working on me and recommitting each and every day to keep loving me and working to improve me. We all can do this! Here's to determination! Here's to LIVING! HERE'S TO US! If it is not too difficult or stressful for you, I say go and enjoy yourself but drink your protein prior and enjoy sipping on your teas, broths, etc while they eat and you all socialize. I am on day 10 of 14 and took my son to dinner for his birthday last week with family and did exactly that and was so glad that I went and enjoyed myself. It didn't bother me at all nor anyone else as they understood (many of whom I didn't feel the need to explain the full situation but simply if asked why I wasn't eating I explained I had an upcoming medical procedure and was on a very limited diet. No questions asked. Enjoy yourself! You can't stop living! This is only the beginning of life-long changes when we will not be able to eat as others do. Good luck and be strong. This is your life, live it! ❣️

I was on clear liquids until I had a bowel movement (which took a few days). And then I was on 2 weeks of full liquids. So, my liquid stage was more than 2 weeks. Then I had 2 weeks of pureed, 2 weeks of soft, then on to solid. So, I was 6 weeks + before eating regular food.

My post-op schedule is one week clear liquids, followed by two weeks full liquid, next one week pureed, finally a week of soft foods. So, a four week progression before solid foods. I think the longer period gives our stomachs more time to heal and establishes a habit of consuming more liquid in our daily diet going forward. Plus the longer you abstain from sugar and carbs, the less you crave them making sticking to a diet easier.

My Dr. requires 4 weeks of full liquid diet after the sleeve surgery. This doesn't count any pre-op time. Then a week (or 2!) of pureed, followed by another 1-2 weeks of soft. I know every surgeon is different, but everywhere else I read 2 weeks of full liquid. I am guessing it is because I was self pay (US), and don't have a follow up until 4 weeks after, and even then it's only by phone, so this reduces the chances of complications? I am NOT looking for permission to do something other than what my surgeon recommends (or admonitions to stick with his guidance!) I will be discussing with the nutritionist. But I'm curious how many others are supposed to stay on liquids longer than 2 weeks? Were you given clearance AT an in person follow up? When was that? What is the follow up care of Insurance patients vs Self Pay, whether that is US or Mexico. I'm a 2 hour drive from my surgery center, and was told all follow-ups would be virtual.

Good luck and congratulations on taking steps to improve your health and quality of life. I am less that one week post-op (3/3/23) from VSG. I feel great. I have had no nausea and the only pain I have experienced is similar to a muscle soreness as if I had been doing abdominal exercises. You got this! **my saving grace during the pre-op diet was kosher pickles**

I don't think the inability to exercise is going to significantly affect your ability to lose weight. Yes, it does help - but weight loss is about 90% due to eating less and 10% exercise. I know of several people who rarely if ever exercised and they still lost a lot of weight with the surgery. secondly, I've had three surgeries since I turned 60 (although my RNY I had in my late 50s), and I was fine - but then, I don't have any major health issues, so that might make a difference. Your doctors can probably tell you if it's safe to have additional surgeries or not. as far as losing weight and keeping it off on your own, only about 5% of people are able to do that. Unfortunately, I was not one of the 5%. I lost and then gained back all the weight I'd lost about a billion times - again and again and again - decade after decade after decade. The only thing that worked for me was having weight loss surgery. I can't speak for you, of course, but that's been my experience.

My sleeve surgery is scheduled for April 12, 2023. I am 5’6, 400 pounds., 60 years old. My mother and grandmother were both obese. At 16 I was 116 pounds, with undiagnosed PCOS. I had uterine cancer at 39, and had a hysterectomy. No hormone replacement as they felt it was a hormone based cancer. At 55 had a swollen thyroid removed. Each time, my weight increased. Three years ago, I had a spinal injury, which led to back fusion surgery, which caused nerve damage, and a right dropfoot. I have to use a rolling walker or cane to walk, and my back surgeon says I can’t lift more than ten pounds. I know I need this sleeve surgery, and I want to live and get healthy. But I am still nervous about doing this to my body. My surgeon says sleeve now, perhaps a revision to bypass after I have lost weight if necessary. I have five hernias which I had surgery to repair, which is why I believe he wants the sleeve first. I wonder if the potential of two surgeries is too much at my age, or just a bypass and be done with it. And I am worried about my inability to walk and exercise due to my disability. In my head I think, maybe if I just cut back on food, drink two or three protein drinks a day I will lose weight without surgery. After all, that seems to be what they want us to DO AFTER surgery! Any advice or sharing your journey would be so appreciated! Thank you!

Three surgeries at once is really big, but you will make it through this. Each day will get better and better. Tried to take slow sips of water every 15 minutes to stay hydrated and try to stay positive 😊 Be Encouraged!