3 weeks post op observations

[msb-001 51]

Hello All. So comforting to hear others experiences, so I thought I'd add mine.

My surgery was on 8/21 and I was in the hospital for 2 1/2 days. My pain was actually well managed and my providers were aggressive about controlling post-op nausea. I won't lie, my first week was rough but not unmanageable and certainly in retrospect nothing that has made me regret doing this. One week of discomfort, mostly made manageable by meds is certainly worth a lifetime of potentially improved health. So if you are having pre-op doubts, don't let them overtake your decision. I confess to having many pre-op questions and can remember that "what the hell I am doing" thoughts right up until they rolled me to the OR. But knowing what I know now, 3 weeks plus in, I am very glad I did not let those fears stop me from doing this. It's perfectly normal to be really (really) nervous (read scared) pre-op. But it really will be OK.

As for post-op, I am down 30 lbs from my 2 week pre-op diet to date. I didn't take an actual surgery day weight ... but my guess is that I am down 20 lbs from that. My highest recorded weight was almost 340 in the years leading up to my surgery and I was 327 when I started the pre-op diet. I weighed in this morning at 297. I don't consider this spectacular weight loss but when I reflect, I have been killing myself to break though the 300 lb barrier for I don't know how long. And now here I am, so that is something I am reminding myself to Celebrate. My next big near term goal is 275. I think it helps to set small incremental goals rather to focus on the ultimate end point.

As far as my food experience, I am through liquid only, and then pureed foods, and now have started to expand my food choices to include soft meats (hamburger, meatloaf), chili, quiche, eggs, and the like. Premier Protien shakes are still an important staple of my diet both because they are easy and give me a huge assist in getting enough Protein (30 g per shake ... which is hard to beat). It is a huge adjustment for me that as I eat a meal, I am so limited in volume. I am not used to becoming full from so little food (or even ever being full) and now that comes so quickly ... it is weird and sometimes a bit of a downer. My head says, lets eat a good size meal and my stomach says we are done after 7 or 8 bites. Very strange. And while I am struggling with this some because the old me would be able to eat so much at a sitting, I also realize this is a great blessing to have this limit and also not to be constantly hungry. So on the net, I am appreciating the limit my sleeve is providing.

Even though I have a long journey to go, I am very glad I did this. I just hope my weight loss is reasonably on track. For those, still thinking about doing this or in that initial first few days post-op, hang in there. It gets way better fast ... of that I can promise.

Good luck!

Edited September 17, 2017 by msb-001

[Mytimenow17 99]

Thank you so much for your story, and Congratulations on your weight loss!!! That is awesome!! I will be visiting family the weekend I start my 3rd phase, so I am a bit concerned about what i can/will eat. And just hope I don't get sick. I know so will have to have shakes while so am there, and drink plenty of fluids, but kinda scared about what to eat. Thanks again for sharing your story! You are doing great!!

[msb-001 51]

Thanks for your reply. Even though you are entering your third phase, don't pressure yourself to drastically modify your diet too quickly. Ease into things. And I don't know I would use the occasion of a family visit to make dramatic changes. That is best when in your own regular environment so you are comfortable if you eat something that doesn't work for you. If folks know you have done this surgery, they will understand. And if not, just say you are on a doctor prescribed diet for whatever reason (GI issues, meds, whatever makes you comfortable). You owe no explanations to anyone really. I will say that you may experiment with some new allowed foods that don't agree with you. Knowing I could east sliced meat if I wanted to, I tried one of my daughter's lunchables which had sliced turkey with sliced cheese. That was NOT a good experiment. It sat there for at least 30 minutes and was on the edge of being sick for most of it and then finally it passed. My new sleeve sent me a message (loud and clear) that I was not ready for meat much beyond soft ground or well cooked meat like meatloaf or soft burger, etc. Suffice to say, no deli meats, chicken, or steak for me for a good while! I have read posts that say your sleeve will let you know what works. I now take that seriously. Anyhow, slow and easy in entering a new phase is best. Good luck on your family visit.