One week post op - things I've come to know

[Dawn306 50]

Hi, sorry for the silence. I have been posting on a couple of other threads, one in "Any August Sleevers" and also in "August Sleevers in Tijuana". I had a really rough time of it for the first three days, but now I am much better. Things I've come to know:

• mix your Water half and half or so with some clear juice. I like peach or apple. It's easier to get down that way.
• hot liquids are easier on my stomach than cold. broth and peppermint tea are great. And I let my Water come to room temp so it isn't so cold that it makes my stomach (or some other place in my gut) cramp.
• if you have a lot of nausea, try taking some Maalox or similar white liquid after you get your broth down. Also before bed. That seems to sooth my stomach a lot.
• try to walk at least 20 to 40 minutes each day. It might mean five minutes at a time. But it will make you feel so much better.
• last, get lots of rest. Lie down when your body tells you to. Lounge around in front of the tv. You need this time to heal, so be good to your body. Kids and hubby have to fend for themselves for a while. They will survive.

Best of luck to you all, and thanks for asking about me. This forum is great. If you get a chance to get the book called "The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve" by Alex Brecher and Natalie Stein, I would highly recommend it. It is super helpful, and is a great place to go for quality information that's all in one convenient place. Alex also is the founder of this site, and speaks from personal experience as well as professional knowledge.

Edited August 17, 2015 by Dawn306

[Teesaa 30]

So glad you have it over you and are on the mend. I will keep your advice in mind when my time comes. I'm waiting for a response from the insurance and it is is like watching paint dry!! It went in August 6th. I called the insurance company today and they are telling me 35 business days for response . Ugh!!! The doctors office told me 10 days. It is so frustrating. Anyway keep up the good work. I bought the big book a couple of months ago. I also bought "the emotional first aid kit-a practical guide to life after bariatric surgery. Both full of valuable information.

[GaNanny 32]

Dawn - glad to hear you are on the mend!!! I also could only get Water down when mixed 50/50 with Apple juice. I also liked warm milk better than cold milk. Today is my 8th month postop. I have to watch the snacking.... I can eat a ton of chips..... One chip at a time I have about 10 pounds to go to reach my goal.... Happy where I am now!! Keep walking and sipping!!

[HeidiA 31]

Hi all - I'm 55 and tentatively scheduled for my sleeve on Thursday, 9/24/2015. I say tentative because my potassium was low (3.5) and there was some question as to whether or not it will be put off; I'll find out during hospital pre-op in 2 days. I greatly appreciate the advice and updates from everyone; thanks for sharing.

[Egharper 13]

I am a 57 year old female and I will be getting the Gastric Sleeve surgery on 3/28/16! I began my journey last year after getting chest pains and where my BP was becoming uncontrollable. While at my Cardiologists office I asked her if it would be beneficial to consider Gastric Bypass surgery and she said yes. I brought up the possibility to my main Doctor years ago but he insisted I do it the old way by diet and exercise. I tried my best exercising, eating healthy and lost a whooping 15 lbs and there I stayed until I got sick and then gained it all back. Finally my doctor agreed and then I had to work on my husband who had reservations about have surgery but he now has become very supportive. Just finished my first day of my 14 day liquid diet. It wasn't too bad but it's hard to drink shakes all day and try to get in at least 1200 calories. I could only get down 4 shakes 800 calories. I brought the GNC Total Lean 25 Protein Meal Replacement shakes with 8g of Fiber. They full me up so much I am unable to do more. Going to trying and work out on my Stride Rider tomorrow if I have the energy. Worn out today. Thought I would show some change in weight but the scale still shows no lost of weight. Many have said they lost weight while on the liquid diet prior to surgery. I have my fingers crossed I will too.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[TipTop in TX 81]

Hi Egharper.

It's almost your surgery date. If you follow the liquid diet, you will lose weight. I didn't sweat it. I didn't have a calorie requirement for my preop liquid diet. I had my sleeve 3 days ago. One of the Protein drinks my doctor recommended was Premier Protein. I got it at costco. It has 30 grams of Protein, comes in vanilla, s-berry and chocolate. I got a case of each. :-) It only has 160 calories though so you won't get your calories, just from that. My nutritionist said that if the Protein Drinks have too many calories, they are probably loaded with extra stuff like sugar. The premiere protein has 3 gm of Fiber and 1 gm of sugar. Maybe they won't fill you up so much.

[jane13 2,256]

@@Egharper - how are you doing now on your pre-op?