2-weeks post-op update

[DeletedMember 715]

So I am officially 2 weeks post-op today. Thought I'd share my experience for those interested.

We'll start with the stats. I've lost 18 lbs since the surgery, and 64 lbs since I started this process 8 weeks ago tomorrow.

The surgery apparently went very well, doctor said it was one of the smoothest he'd had. There was awful pain post-op that lasted about 5 hours. It really was bad, probably the worst pain I've ever experience. It quickly subsided after that, and I have really had a pretty easy time with it since.

I went home the day after surgery, and began adding Protein shakes and Water on day 2 post-op. Things went well, and I was able to get my required 60 grams of Protein and 64 oz of Water almost right away.

The afternoon of Day 8, for what seemed to be no reason, I started feeling very nauseated, and extremely tired. By Day 9, I could not stomach the thought of Protein Shakes of any sort (which I absolutely hate since surgery BTW). Day 9 consisted of me just basically just getting in my water, and even that was a struggle. By mid afternoon I was feeling so horrible, and I thought I was having the beginnings of a panic attack. I was sweaty, dizzy, and felt like I was going to pass out. I decided to take my blood pressure out of curiosity, and it was 98/45. I was obviously a bit freaked out, and called the doc. He speculated that it was most likely that I had lost so much weight so fast that I was probably over-medicated now for my high blood pressure. I was taking 10mg of Amlodopine and 100-25 of Losartan-HCTZ. He had me stop the Losartan completely, and take half of my Amlodopine starting the next morning. I felt better (but not great) on Day 10, but by Day 11, I was 100% back and feeling great again.

I had started a tiny bit of applesauce on Day 9, tried yogurt, but could not stand the taste. Day 11, I added in cottage cheese, and Day 13 started with some roasted sweet potatoes. food has been absolutely no issue whatsoever. With the exception of the BP issue, nothing has made me nauseous, and while I have no sense of hunger, I also have no sense of feeling full. I actually find the process frustrating as I feel I am trying to sort out quantities, frequencies, etc by myself. And while it's going very smoothly, I have a lot of self-doubt about rather I'm "doing it right." My doctor does not give quantity guidelines as he feels it varies so much from person to person. He also does not give calorie guidelines as he doesn't care about calories as long as people are putting the "right" foods in their bodies (I know this is VERY different from most). I reached out to the BariatricPal community and asked to see what their doctors recommended in regards to quantity, which has been helpful. I saw that there were recommendations not to exceed 4 oz per meal, so I have been sticking with that, but I can definitely eat 4oz of cottage cheese with no problem at all. Never get a sense of fullness (again, I'm also never hungry), never feel back pain/pressure, or pain/pressure in my chest or any of the other symptoms I hear about.

All in all, I consider myself very lucky. Things have gone as close to perfect as possible. Even the blood pressure issue, while unpleasant, is exactly what I was hoping to get from the surgery. And while the food re-introduction is stressful for me, it couldn't be going better.

Just thought I would share my experience to-date for those who maybe going through the same thing, or about to be!

EDIT: Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention, I'm only about 7 lbs away from not being morbidly obese for the first time since I can remember (probably at least 15 years). He's to being severely obese (for now)!

Edited April 4, 2016 by msujester

[mngreeneyes 674]

WHOOHOOO! So glad things are going so well for you. I also had a smooth recovery. Keep up the good work.

best,

pam

[Robbie.R 2]

Awesome congrats!!!

[Moorekat 78]

Thanks for sharing your story! It's always nice to compare! I didn't feel good until about 2 or 3 weeks out! I couldn't lay down in bed because I cramped up on my side! Slept in my recliner forever it seems. LOL! Things are way easier now and I'm reaping in the rewards of this surgery now! I do struggle to get in my fluids. But, most important is the 80-100 oz of Protein they want me to get in. So I drink 2 shakes which helps with Fluid intake too! So glad you are doing so well! Keep it up!

[j16 166]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing- it's really helpful to read this as I get closer to my surgery date.

[DeletedMember 715]

And I looks like I've hit my first stall right on schedule (just about exactly at the beginning on my third week). 5 days, and I've actually gained 2 lbs. I'm getting all of my fluids and Protein, and consuming under 500 calories a day, so I'm not so worried about it, but like clockwork, there it is.

[teabear 4]

And I looks like I've hit my first stall right on schedule (just about exactly at the beginning on my third week). 5 days, and I've actually gained 2 lbs. I'm getting all of my fluids and Protein, and consuming under 500 calories a day, so I'm not so worried about it, but like clockwork, there it is.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm right there with you! I am almost at 3 weeks and my weight has stalled as well. Sounds like this should be expected? How long does it last?

Edited April 7, 2016 by teabear

[pqmr 7]

@@teabear and msujester..So glad you two mentioned stalling at 3 weeks post op. I went in for incision check and had not lost any weight from weeks 2-3 although I am eating under 500 calories and walking a lot. Today I walked nearly 10k steps and 6k yesterday due to college visits for my daughter. Although, I'm not too worried about the stall because for ONCE in my life I feel like I have total control over my eating habits and know I'm putting nutritious food into my body. I'd be curious to see when our "stall period" ends for all of us.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[DeletedMember 715]

@@teabear and msujester..So glad you two mentioned stalling at 3 weeks post op. I went in for incision check and had not lost any weight from weeks 2-3 although I am eating under 500 calories and walking a lot. Today I walked nearly 10k steps and 6k yesterday due to college visits for my daughter. Although, I'm not too worried about the stall because for ONCE in my life I feel like I have total control over my eating habits and know I'm putting nutritious food into my body. I'd be curious to see when our "stall period" ends for all of us.

I'll let you know. I'm on day 7 of mine. I'm eating around 500 cals a day, and hitting my Fluid and Protein goals, so it can't last forever. Over 11,000 steps today and 9,000 yesterday so I'm doing what I can control!