My experience… sleeved on 1/22/22

[jaymecaye 30]

My gastric sleeve was done 1/22/22. I had a 10 day pre-op liquid diet which was a lot and lonely. My nurse was supposed to call and check on me about half way thru- she never did- nor did she return my voicemails. I also was in a weird schedule shift at work so I worked 8 of the 10 days- which I think was a blessing in disguise since I was busy and not focusing on what I was or wasn’t eating.

Due to COVID it was a drop off pick up situation. So my mom dropped me off at 5:20 am. I was in communication with her until my nurse anesthetist came in and they put my phone in my bag. I don’t remember anything after the operating nurse coming in and putting my hair net on me around 7:20 am.

The next thing I knew I woke up in recovery with a nurse sitting on either side of me. They were super great- my mouth was very very dry so they let me suck on a sponge. I was also very close to the desk in recovery so I could tell my mom was on the phone with them. I immediately requested my phone from my bag and called my mom. It was about 11:30am and she hadn’t heard from my surgeon- she was not happy. But had a lot of relief hearing from me. The conversation was short as I was still out of it. The nurses also put some Vaseline on my lips since they were super dry.

My room wasn’t ready yet so I was able to just relax in recovery for a bit. Lots of naps in and out and some texting with friends. Once my room was ready the wheeled me away from recovery.

Once I got to my room I was given goals.
-Manage nausea
-Manage pain
- go to the bathroom
-take a sips test
-walk around
-sit in the chair

I didn’t find my self nauseous until they gave me a different pain med via my IV. Luckily I didn’t throw up and they gave me some spearmint patch on my gown which was nice. Pain was managed via IV for the first bit.

I really felt like I had to go to the bathroom so the nurse helped me on my feet within about 2 hours of being in my room. No luck on the bathroom- but I found I could get up and move. After that we did my sips test at 1:15 which went really well. After that I got white grape juice watered down and Water to sip on. Goal was 5 med cups (2 tablespoons) an hour.

After that another nurse came in wanting my to start walking. He helped me into my really comfy pj pants- no open booty walks for me! We did 2 laps around my ward. I ended up in the locked pediatric location so they were a little more lax with me about walking on my own.

During this time I also attempted to go to the bathroom a few more times. Finally before 8pm my nurse came in turned the sink on and basically told me to relax and I was in my head about not going. ALAS- it worked- a ton of relief happened from being able to go.

That night I walked more- drank more- slept more and prayed I was gonna be able to go home. I swear every time I was falling asleep the nurse aid came in to take my vitals. ☹️ the nurse aid also had no knowledge base in what I had done so when I asked for broth she told me to order… there were no ordering food for sleeve patients. The broth was in the kitchen on the floor so that was a bit of a run around but it all worked out well.

The next morning a different bariatric surgeon came in to talk to me- mine didn’t come in on Sundays…. But he was cool and told me I could go home! So I got my paper work and then a nurse came in unhooked my from my IV so I got dressed. My nurse came in gave me a cart and some directions and away I went. I got my meds filled there and then waited for my mom to pick me up.

The first day I was home I was very slow moving. Ended up sleeping in a recliner because it hurt too much to get out of bed.

Monday and Tuesday went similar- very quiet working on getting liquids in and moving around as much as possible.

Today I can get up much easier and moving around a lot more. Since I’ve been home I’ve only taken Tylenol for pain killers- they gave me more but I haven’t felt like the pain was bad enough to use them.

Here are my number so far…
Starting process- 270.9
Surgery day- 258.6
2 days home- 256.6

So far I’ve lost 14 pounds. I can’t wait to see where I am in a month.

I’ll definitely keep posting my journey here. Wish me luck!

[ShoppGirl 4,786]

Awesome. Glad to hear you are having a good recovery. Congrats on the loss. Keep it up.

[GreenTealael 25,340]

Congratulations!

[I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ 804]

Thanks for sharing and best wishes on your new journey!

[jaymecaye 30]

Thank you for the well wishes!

Here is my update for 1/27/2022

I was able to sleep in my own bed last night! I had been sleeping in a recliner so I wasn’t getting the best sleep due to the larger incision.

I just weighed my self as well… currently I’m weighing my self every other day just to stay motivated I guess.

I am now 251.6 for a total loss since process began being 19.3 pounds!

I’m starting to get a little worried tho- I swear I woke up hungry today. I’m really hoping it’s just my stomach gurgling and me mentally thinking it’s hunger. I can’t wait until I can move forward to a full liquid diet tho. Forcing my self to drink Protein Water is getting really hard. It’s super sweet even watered down.

I’m still having pain from the larger incision site. Ice packs and rest help a lot. But I’m moving around a lot better already so that’s what really matters to me.

I’m hoping my sleep quality improves. I’m getting roughly 4-5 hours a night. Something I’m seeing as a common trend.

[I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ 804]

It sounds like you're heading in the right direction. Congrats on the contiuned weight loss!

[jaymecaye 30]

Okay so yesterday I felt like I woke up hungry and nothing I was doing was fixing this. So I called my nurse for my program. Turns out since I’m younger- 27 my swelling and healing is going faster than normal and I’m not getting enough calories on Clear Liquids. Due to this she has recommended me to start drinking Protein Shakes a day early. I did my first one watered down just to be safe. This morning I have a mixture of a shake and fairlife milk just so I’m getting the most Protein I can. It’s going really well so far. I still start my day with a bottle of Water so I can take my meds without something thick.

Also out of curiosity I weighed my self again- it seems like I’m loosing just under 3 pounds a day! I hope this progress keeps up. I can’t wait until I can get into the gym. 3 more weeks until that can happen. I debated taking a walk but it’s so cold here and slippery I’d be afraid of hurting my self. So I settle with walking my house as much as possible- something my dog is entirely entertained by. :)

Last night I didn’t wake up to take my dose of Tylenol and I could definitely tell in the morning. All of my pain is focused around the larger incision to the point where I was starting to get nauseous. I sat in my bathroom on some cold tile- sipped some water until I felt confident I could take the Tylenol. Thank heavens it worked.

So far I haven’t thrown up since the procedure- I’ve been reading others stories about how they have been and I couldn’t imagine the pain that would cause. I’m being very cautious- when I first tried my Protein Drink with water I took a tiny sip and just waited about 15 minutes before trying another sip.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. It’s honestly really helpful writing it here and sharing it with people who understand. 💙

[jaymecaye 30]

OFFICIALLY ONE WEEK PAST SURGERY TODAY!!

Things are going ok today. However I’m noticing it’s easier to drink liquid in the morning than later in the day. Water is still the easiest thing to consume. I tried yoghurt today- not good. I got very nauseous and immediately stopped.

My larger incision is still painful- but getting better.

My energy levels are a lot lower than they have been- I’ve done less walking today. But reminding my self that I’m only a week out and healing still.

I’m focusing on getting Protein in and hitting my liquids. I’ve added unflavored protein to Soups, and mixing my protein drink with milk just to do what I can to boost it.

[huskymama 149]

When i was finally able to sleep in my own bed it was the best thing ever! My side hurt until a few days ago - vsg 12/22/21. Sounds like you are moving along great

[jaymecaye 30]

So I’m at the point where my hormones are definitely starting to change. I’m irritable and really seeing the fact that I have zero support from my mom or sister and that I’m in this alone. All I want to do today is chew on something- I think we all have this day. It has nearly been 3 weeks since I have had any sort of real food and I’m emotional about it. My mother does this thing where she takes all of her calls on speaker phone even when watching tv with someone else. This morning she was talking to her friend about the dinner her friend was making for some dinner party. This afternoon she and my sister were talking about what each of them was going to have for dinner- and it’s not even that I’m hungry- it’s just the thought of being able to chew real food sounds so good.

[TheWeightisOvr 74]

Thank you so much for sharing your first encounters post op. I sincerely appreciate it! I’m pre op until 2/28, so this is good stuff. So glad you are seeing the benefits already too. You sound like even if that weren’t the case mentally you’d work through it and still come out great. Keep updating us please we are reading! 🙏🏼🤗

[TheWeightisOvr 74]

8 minutes ago, jaymecaye said:

I’m irritable and really seeing the fact that I have zero support from my mom or sister and that I’m in this alone.

That’s ok and valid. I live alone with the exception of my son but I’ll also be by myself. This journey is for you, having the support is wonderful and naturally who wouldn’t want it but if you don’t have it, don’t let their lack of involvement derail all the wonderful things happening with you. Your success will be how you show them you don’t need their support. I know we’re not there with you but we’re here!

[huskymama 149]

It is tough I had to cook meals every day for my husband and two sons while i was on liquid and soft stage it was so so hard i just had to keep reminding myself i didnt want to injury my surgery line in my tummy. My son had his birthday and they got cheesecake during that time I did taste it about a pinkie nail amount and got really really ill. I sont know if you can get your hands on crushed ice but if you get some crystal light and put it over crushed ice and chew on that ice it does help woth cravings and the need to chew something. I was on liquids for a month before surgery so for two months i was fixing yummy stuff for my family while i couldnt touch it. Good news is pretty soon it just stopped bothering me. It will get better just stay strong. I feel, my husband agrees, I’m more happy and mellow since surgery. Ill be 6 weeks out Tuesday.

[jaymecaye 30]

Thank you all for the support.

I had my one week post op appointment today. It went very well. While I was only on semi full liquids at my one week mark I am now on full liquids. (Malt o meal, cream Soup, Greek yogurt- and removing fruit juices since those will now be empty calories)

Tonight I’m having a little creamy soup rather than broth to see how that sits. I’m supposed to be setting up for 3 meals a day- it just seems like so much! Today I’ve had 54 oz of liquid- 20 of those being a diluted Protein Shake. (Coffee and a fairlife coffee Protein shake) but I was also on the run all day!

My appointment was in the morning, followed by a little shopping before meeting a friend at the gym for a walk followed by a hair appointment. I made sure to keep a water bottle on me and keep drinking as much as possible!

But now I’m home and EXHAUSTED! Can’t wait to snuggle up with my pup and watch some tv! :)

[jaymecaye 30]

So today is the first day I woke up without a weight loss. I know this is super normal but emotionally I just feel like I’m doing something wrong. My clothes fit better- but nothing is too big for me in my closet yet. The second something is too big is going to be the best NSV ever.

I’m gonna let myself have a bit of a lazy morning- getting some laundry done then I’ll go walk at the gym and just keep moving forward.

One day at a time.