In the first few days of my new life...

[Gaelsmom 100]

Leolar and Solly33

There are a lot of emotions that you go through. Instances such as watching food network at my son's doctors office and being like I can never enjoy trying out all these recipes if i go through this. Or the mere fact that going out to a restaurant will never be the same again or that Sunday BBQ. I'm a foodie. And that part of my identity will forever be gone.

And the first few days after surgery, I did have regrets. And others I know did too. I think this process is the hardest thing I have ever done. But I know why I am here. I know that eight weeks ago, I was in food coma, couldn't fit any clothes or had the energy or desire to take my toddler to the park. I was absolutely miserable. And today, post surgery, I have taken him out nearly every day to the park for hours to play. And soon, when cleared, I'll be able to run after him and not sit on the sidelines of his life or my life. At my biggest, I had stopped being an active participant in life. Now, food is no longer as big of a focus. Everything else is including my health, my job prospects and most importantly my family.

Make sure this is right for you. There's no going back. What do I miss so far? Chugging Water on a hot day. Lol. Silly but that's all I want. Good luck to you both. We are all here if you need us.

[lealor 127]

Thanks Galesmom. Awesome advice. Xoxo

[jfzimmerman 50]

@@lealor @@Soly33

This is not a decision to be taken lightly for sure. I'm a true foodie with a big family that likes to eat together ALL the time. For me it came down to how I want to live the rest of my life. After struggling for 30 plus years with my weight, I know that once I get the weight off, I will feel better, look better and have more energy than I can ever remember. I will probably never have some of my favorite foods again, others I will have a limited amount of, and I will develop some new favorite foods. Hang in there and decide what is best for you!

Edited August 20, 2015 by jfzimmerman

[Gensjourney 0]

My surgery date was August 17, 2015. They kept me in hospital for two nights and now I'm in hotel for 3 till I fly home to Canada. First day out of hospital was Hell, the gas pains were really discouraging and I woke up last night with excruciating pain where my drain was. Today I'm doing much better. The gas comes and goes. I had some broth today and I've managed to get 1 bottle of Water with crystal light down. I'm on clear fluids for 1 week and begin full fluids next Thursday. Still feeling weak after my 12 to 15 min walks around the hotel room. I'm not hungry at all but I know I need more fluids to keep me hydrated.

[Gaelsmom 100]

My surgery date was August 17, 2015. They kept me in hospital for two nights and now I'm in hotel for 3 till I fly home to Canada. First day out of hospital was Hell, the gas pains were really discouraging and I woke up last night with excruciating pain where my drain was. Today I'm doing much better. The gas comes and goes. I had some broth today and I've managed to get 1 bottle of Water with crystal light down. I'm on clear fluids for 1 week and begin full fluids next Thursday. Still feeling weak after my 12 to 15 min walks around the hotel room. I'm not hungry at all but I know I need more fluids to keep me hydrated.

I had bad gas pains for four days and today is my eight day post surgery and I'm finally able to drink like I used to, just not the same volume. Hang in there. Also try some sugar free popsicles. I had my first today and wish I had done it sooner.

Good luck gensjourney!

[klo319 7]

Hi all,

I have been MIA for a bit.. So glad we have had new people join us! It's a nice little club. So I am now 8 days post surgery. I saw the Dr. When I was 6 days out. She said I could drive! Who hoo. My freedom is back. I felt like a new woman. So, she has allowed me to add yogurt, oatmeal, farina, cottage cheese to my choices of things to have on top of Protein Shakes. It was so exciting to use a utensil! I have felt better everyday. A little less gassy. Less burps as I drink. This morning I weighed myself and I am down 13 pounds... Holy crap! I have a little pain near my belly button incision, but that is about it. Today was my hubby's birthday, it was a challenge. I went to a specialty store and bought fresh made ravioli is for him and homemade Italian sausage. It smells great in the crock pot when I got home.. I cooked it all, served him and the boys and then walked away... It was tough! So, I feel like I am grazing on things. shakes, yogurt etc. and I stop after a few bites bc I am afraid of getting too full. Does that sound weird? Anyway, safe travels to our friends heading home. Know that I was feeling like you 2 days out, questioned why I did this, but it is getting better.. Little by little!

[Gaelsmom 100]

Hi all,

I have been MIA for a bit.. So glad we have had new people join us! It's a nice little club. So I am now 8 days post surgery. I saw the Dr. When I was 6 days out. She said I could drive! Who hoo. My freedom is back. I felt like a new woman. So, she has allowed me to add yogurt, oatmeal, farina, cottage cheese to my choices of things to have on top of Protein Shakes. It was so exciting to use a utensil! I have felt better everyday. A little less gassy. Less burps as I drink. This morning I weighed myself and I am down 13 pounds... Holy crap! I have a little pain near my belly button incision, but that is about it. Today was my hubby's birthday, it was a challenge. I went to a specialty store and bought fresh made ravioli is for him and homemade Italian sausage. It smells great in the crock pot when I got home.. I cooked it all, served him and the boys and then walked away... It was tough! So, I feel like I am grazing on things. shakes, yogurt etc. and I stop after a few bites bc I am afraid of getting too full. Does that sound weird? Anyway, safe travels to our friends heading home. Know that I was feeling like you 2 days out, questioned why I did this, but it is getting better.. Little by little!

Congrats on the weight loss!!! Good to have you back.

[bonniegold 2]

Hey all! August 14th here! Did anyone start an August fb? Id love to join!

[aaronvt 4]

I also had mine on the 11th. I always feel full...I think that's what the feeling is. I live on sugar free ice pops and can seem to eat about a cup of cream Soup. I have been able to meet my goals but still in pain from the right side.

[LaLaLucy 22]

Hi @bonniegold. I had mine done on August 14th as well!

[Graciesmom04 184]

I had my sleeve done on 8/12/15. I had very little post-op pain in the hospital, but I'm pretty sure they were johnny on the spot with my pain medications. I also warned them ahead of time that I usually am extremely nauseated and vomit after anesthesia, none of that this time! The worst part of the experience so far has been how tired I was in the hospital---no rest there! I have been home for 4 days now, and am dealing with the "head hunger" I was warned about on this site. I am not getting in my recommended fluids, although I am trying like mad. I have not cheated for the fear of damaging the sleeve. I still feel fatigued, but nothing like in the hospital. The whole thing still remains a dream to me. It seems so weird that this will change my life. I have the incisions to prove to myself that it was done, but my brain hasn't accepted the reality yet. I am super excited for the future me to bloom!

My husband and kids have been a great support system these past few days, as have my friends. Some family still thinks I made a HUGE mistake, but it was MY mistake to make, if indeed it is one.

I will be reading all of your posts for support in this clear liquid stage....already can't wait to get to pureed foods, but you won't hear THIS girl complaining!

Thanks for all the support so far and to come.

Heather

Good luck! You'll do great! Just a small tip to try..when the "head hunger" really gets at you...right after mine, I wasn't hungry, but my head told me everything sounded so good. I was on liquids...i went to McDonald's, paid $1 for a cheeseburger and chewed it up and spit it out....got another bite, chewed it up, spit it all out.....sounds strange, sounds gross...but let me tell you. It was the BEST $1 I ever spent! Just to get flavor and text in your mouth...made a world of difference!!!!

[shellyd67 198]

I had my sleeve done on 8/12/15. I had very little post-op pain in the hospital, but I'm pretty sure they were johnny on the spot with my pain medications. I also warned them ahead of time that I usually am extremely nauseated and vomit after anesthesia, none of that this time! The worst part of the experience so far has been how tired I was in the hospital---no rest there! I have been home for 4 days now, and am dealing with the "head hunger" I was warned about on this site. I am not getting in my recommended fluids, although I am trying like mad. I have not cheated for the fear of damaging the sleeve. I still feel fatigued, but nothing like in the hospital. The whole thing still remains a dream to me. It seems so weird that this will change my life. I have the incisions to prove to myself that it was done, but my brain hasn't accepted the reality yet. I am super excited for the future me to bloom!

My husband and kids have been a great support system these past few days, as have my friends. Some family still thinks I made a HUGE mistake, but it was MY mistake to make, if indeed it is one.

I will be reading all of your posts for support in this clear liquid stage....already can't wait to get to pureed foods, but you won't hear THIS girl complaining!

Thanks for all the support so far and to come.

Heather

I could have written the same post word for word !! I feel exactly the same way !! In time, we will have it down to a science ????

[AprilinParis 2]

So, I am ten days out from surgery (08/11) still drinking Water, Protein shakes, broth, and eating SF Jello. I have had an ounce or two of SF pudding the past two days (not today), but it seems to fill me up for hours. Except upon waking up, I always feel fill, sometimes uncomfortably so. I have not weighed myself, and refuse to buy a scale because I know I will become obsessed, but I do feel lighter and the arthritis pain in my knee is gone, for some strange reason. I am "head hungry" quite a bit, and I had my cable turned off yesterday because I just could not stand the constant ads for food (I read a lot anyway and have lots of streaming services on my smart TV, so this isn't really a great sacrifice.)

My question to all of you: some of you are already walking and exercising. Good for you! Yet, how are you doing this? While I do not have real pain (incisions can get itchy) and feel "fine" overall, I have no energy and feel really weak overall. Taking a shower wears me out. I went to have my hair done today, and I could not wait to get back home. I went to the grocery store a couple of days ago, I was exhausted and feared that I would pass out. I know this is probably because I am not getting a lot of calories and am still healing, but I am a bit concerned. Anyone else experiencing something similar?

[samiro23 13]

I had my sleeve done on 8/12/15. I had very little post-op pain in the hospital, but I'm pretty sure they were johnny on the spot with my pain medications. I also warned them ahead of time that I usually am extremely nauseated and vomit after anesthesia, none of that this time! The worst part of the experience so far has been how tired I was in the hospital---no rest there! I have been home for 4 days now, and am dealing with the "head hunger" I was warned about on this site. I am not getting in my recommended fluids, although I am trying like mad. I have not cheated for the fear of damaging the sleeve. I still feel fatigued, but nothing like in the hospital. The whole thing still remains a dream to me. It seems so weird that this will change my life. I have the incisions to prove to myself that it was done, but my brain hasn't accepted the reality yet. I am super excited for the future me to bloom!

My husband and kids have been a great support system these past few days, as have my friends. Some family still thinks I made a HUGE mistake, but it was MY mistake to make, if indeed it is one.

I will be reading all of your posts for support in this clear liquid stage....already can't wait to get to pureed foods, but you won't hear THIS girl complaining!

Thanks for all the support so far and to come.

Heather

Good luck! You'll do great! Just a small tip to try..when the "head hunger" really gets at you...right after mine, I wasn't hungry, but my head told me everything sounded so good. I was on liquids...i went to McDonald's, paid $1 for a cheeseburger and chewed it up and spit it out....got another bite, chewed it up, spit it all out.....sounds strange, sounds gross...but let me tell you. It was the BEST $1 I ever spent! Just to get flavor and text in your mouth...made a world of difference!!!!

I'm right with u had sx Aug 18th and 3 days later my head is telling me I'm starving it's terrible cause I'm getting nervous it didn't work. I find my self chewing and spitting out as well.. o thought ild be disgusted by the thought of food but not the case.

[Gaelsmom 100]

So, I am ten days out from surgery (08/11) still drinking Water, Protein shakes, broth, and eating SF Jello. I have had an ounce or two of SF pudding the past two days (not today), but it seems to fill me up for hours. Except upon waking up, I always feel fill, sometimes uncomfortably so. I have not weighed myself, and refuse to buy a scale because I know I will become obsessed, but I do feel lighter and the arthritis pain in my knee is gone, for some strange reason. I am "head hungry" quite a bit, and I had my cable turned off yesterday because I just could not stand the constant ads for food (I read a lot anyway and have lots of streaming services on my smart TV, so this isn't really a great sacrifice.)

My question to all of you: some of you are already walking and exercising. Good for you! Yet, how are you doing this? While I do not have real pain (incisions can get itchy) and feel "fine" overall, I have no energy and feel really weak overall. Taking a shower wears me out. I went to have my hair done today, and I could not wait to get back home. I went to the grocery store a couple of days ago, I was exhausted and feared that I would pass out. I know this is probably because I am not getting a lot of calories and am still healing, but I am a bit concerned. Anyone else experiencing something similar?

I took a 4 hour nap today and not sure how I'm going back to work on Monday.

But to answer your question, the doc told me to fuel before the walk. So I drink part of a Protein shake, wait 30 minutes and then do the walk. I actually get energy from it. But I also have pain at the upper abdomen and it hurts to breathe in deep. But I get past that stage after ten min. I take an easy walk and then come back and fuel again or sleep. Lol

Even after six weeks or so, the doc recommended that to get past any workout we need to fuel ahead of it rather than after since our intake is limited.