Getting sleeved in October!!

penkon
penkon Posts: 16 Member
Hi guys! :smile:
Would love to hear anyones story about their sleeve weight loss journey!
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Replies

  • gin3104
    gin3104 Posts: 3 Member
    I had my surgery August 18, 2015 in tijuana, Mexico. Surgery went very well. I am on the soft food stage and it's going really good so far.
  • cbuckland663
    cbuckland663 Posts: 3 Member
    Congratulations! You've made it to the other side. I just joined the group this morning and I am excited to make some new friends.
    How are things going today? How was your experience in MX? I'm having my surgery in Cleveland, OH in late November/early December so right now I am just concentrating on losing as much weight as I can before then and making all my pre-op Dr appts. I have 7 appointments in September and praying that I get clearance from everyone.

    Again, congratulations and I hope you are doing better with each day. Cindy
  • heathergshea
    heathergshea Posts: 38 Member
    I had VSG on 4/27/15 and I am down 80lbs (well almost! Lol) loving my decision to have wls!!
  • dsaidydaffeh
    dsaidydaffeh Posts: 5 Member
    I just got my surgery date of October 19th. I am both scared and excited and would love to hear any advice you can give!
  • heathergshea
    heathergshea Posts: 38 Member
    The hardest part for me right after surgery was the gas pain in my shoulder. Walk alot and as soon as you can. I also got very sick of drinking protein shakes and broth to the point of tears. That being said...looking back it was such a small amount of time in the grand scheme of things that I would do it all again a million times over. I have about 40 or so pounds to goal. To be in striking distance of a "normal" weight is something I never thought possible. I DO NOW!
  • ronni61983
    ronni61983 Posts: 1 Member
    I just got my surgery date of October 19th. I am both scared and excited and would love to hear any advice you can give!

    I'm having surgery the same day!!!!

  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    @dsaidydaffeh - I'm scheduled for the 14th. I saw someone else in the group is on the 15th. Looking forward to hearing about everyone's experiences as we go through this together.
  • NicoleL874
    NicoleL874 Posts: 675 Member
    That would be me on the 15th! Official day 2 of my pre-diet, unofficial day 4.

    I quasi started over the weekend, but had some things I needed to get rid of because I didn't want to throw them out. ;) Unfortunately, this is my bloated time of the month, so it will take about a week to see how much I'm really losing on the mostly liquid diet. My pre-diet is five Carnation Essential, No Sugar Added shakes with skim milk, plus a limited list of other foods that can equal 250 calories. Yay! Tons of food! So far, the worst part has been the headache I've had since Sunday afternoon. If that goes away, I'll be golden!

    Tomorrow is my final pre-op appointment with the surgeon, nurse, and nutritionist. Not sure what we could possibly be going over that hasn't been covered already! (I know I could use a lot of review on the post diet...)

    Good luck to all, so glad there seems to be a group all going together, that way we can really support each other with, "No, it's not just you...same exact here." :wink:
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    In pre-op diet and I'm not eating enough. It's 12:30 now and all I have had is a meal replacement shake and sunflower seeds. (Ok, the seeds are probably not on the diet, but I eat them to keep me awake at my boring job). But now I feel nauseous, which can be a symptom of under eating. I know I need to go to the cafeteria and pick up some chicken & veggies, but it doesn't even sound good. I'm almost afraid to stand up! :wink:
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    Well, there you go. Three small bites of chicken and I puked it all up. I think I will have another Premier shake. Maybe just a few ounces at a time. I also have some "Sonic ice" which is somewhat soothing.

    So that is a question about regions of the continent (I've seen some Canadians here!) - do you know what "Sonic ice" is? :smiley:
  • NicoleL874
    NicoleL874 Posts: 675 Member
    I'm near Chicago, no clue what Sonic Ice is.
    What is the format of your pre-op diet? Did they give you atrict instructions?
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    LOL - Sonic Ice! You know Sonic Drive-In? At least here they all use pebble ice, the little pellets that are easy to chew. Sonic was founded/HQ in Oklahoma so here we call that Sonic Ice. The cafeteria at my office uses it. And I found out not too long ago that the kitchen/breakroom in the floor above mine also has it in their new icemaker!

    Pre-op for 11 days is somewhat strict:
    Breakfast - meal replacement shake
    Snack - high protein snack
    Lunch - 1/2 meal replacement shake, 2-4 oz lean protein, 1 cup raw or 1/2 cup steamed veg
    Snack - high protein snack
    Dinner - 1/2 meal replacement shake, 2-4 oz lean protein, 1 cup raw or 1/2 cup steamed veg

    Last 3 days:
    Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner - meal replacement shake
    Snack - Clear liquid, can include Nectar protein with Crystal Light

    Basically the first 11 days is to reduce the size of your liver. The last three days is to "clean you out", to put it nicely.

    I will not know until Tuesday afternoon what time my surgery is on Wednesday. It is about a 2 hour drive to the hospital. I have plans Tuesday night - NBA preseason game! - so depending on what time we may or may not drive down the night before. They did say they would try not to put me down for the earliest time.

    How did your appointment go yesterday?
  • NicoleL874
    NicoleL874 Posts: 675 Member
    Oh. Sonic can't seem to stay open around here...and I can't ingest corn, and those things are hfcs. I get so stinking sick from hfcs.

    Wow, I almost would have rather been on your diet pre-op! Mine is 10 days, 750 calories in protein shakes, 75 grams of protein, and up to 250 calories of fruits and vegetables. They want us to keep it as close to 750 as possible.

    My appointment this morning was ok. They went over all the same info...again. So, I sat and smiled, and did my time, paid them, and drove my 40 minutes home.

    Now, I keep doing what I'm doing for the next week. Next Thursday, arrival is 2:45pm, surgery is 4:45pm. I hate waiting. :wink:
  • lori7041
    lori7041 Posts: 7 Member
    Hi everyone. I had my sleeve done 6 weeks ago now and am down 3 sizes! Would be interested in adding friends here for support. Thanks
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    lori7041 wrote: »
    Hi everyone. I had my sleeve done 6 weeks ago now and am down 3 sizes! Would be interested in adding friends here for support. Thanks

    That is why I am waiting to look for something to wear to my niece's wedding - looking either in my closet or the store. I got the invitation this week and although there is dinner & dancing, the wedding is at 3:00. That changes what I might wear, not so much evening-wear.
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    NicoleL874 wrote: »
    Oh. Sonic can't seem to stay open around here...and I can't ingest corn, and those things are hfcs. I get so stinking sick from hfcs.:

    Totally, everything there is fried! I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich once. . . once. I took it off the bun as I was off bread that week. Nasty. And I had a bad McD salad experience. :(
  • penkon
    penkon Posts: 16 Member
    Oh i can't wait for post op!! Mines in 19 days now.. but this preop diet really sucks balls! But it is what it is :):)
  • NicoleL874
    NicoleL874 Posts: 675 Member
    How long is your pre-op diet? 10 days is long enough! lol
  • milaortiz30
    milaortiz30 Posts: 25 Member
    hey hey. i got sleeved oct 7th. im down 18lbs in 19 days. the post op diet sucks *kitten* but then it's not too bad. the gas pain is the worst part. i had no pre-op diet. you don't get hungry at all but you really have to learn to eat a different way. but not getting hungry helps a lot. best of luck to you!
  • milaortiz30
    milaortiz30 Posts: 25 Member
    ps my whole surgery experience is on bariatricpal - :)
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    October sleever here checking in.
    I went from 280 day of surgery to 266 the day I got home from the hospital. And I haven't lost a pound since. I know everyone's experience is a little different. I am 12 days out now and am a little frustrated.

    It is probably mostly my doing. I know I haven't walked as much as I should. I haven't had as much protein as I should. I have gas, so things are moving, but haven't had a real bm, although I don't feel constipated.

    I otherwise feel fine. I feel like I'm healing well. I'm tolerating everything I "eat", including a straight up glass of milk. Struggling with powder protein, it is the smell that gets me. And I tried PB2 in a chocolate premier protein and it was awesome!

    In the next day or two I'm going to put together a menu for the puree phase that starts this weekend. I need to get prepared with groceries, etc. I will be back to work by next Monday and need to be prepared with my what I take for lunch. I splurged and bought a NutriNinja. :wink:

    My post=op appointment is this Thursday.
  • NicoleL874
    NicoleL874 Posts: 675 Member
    Another October sleever! I had my surgery on 10/15. My surgeon seems way more conservative than most. I spent two nights in the hospital, was pumped so full of IV fluids that when I got home on Saturday, 10/17, I had GAINED 11 pounds!!! It took me the whole first week to lose that. Now, I'm 12 pounds down from my pre-op weight.

    Also, GoDasher, enjoy your diet, lol! I had one full week of only clear liquids. Now, I'm six days into my fourteen day ALL LIQUID diet. FOURTEEN DAYS! I'm so ready to move on, but I will absolutely follow their directions to a "T"!

    I only had gas issues in the hospital and over the weekend when I got home. I walked like you wouldn't believe! On Thursday, I left recovery and got into my room at 7:45pm, they had me up walking at 11:45pm, 4am, and every four hours thereafter. I got up in between a lot and walked myself as well. When I got home, my mom and I walked my neighborhood. We started with a few courts (townhouses), then moved on to longer paths. By this Sunday, 10/25, I had done about 3 miles throughout the day!

    Mila, not feeling hungry is great, isn't it? My nutritionist told us that will last up to about six months, depending on how your body heals the nerves that were severed during surgery. I'm hoping for the full six months! lol

    My struggle is "head hunger". Not feeling hungry is a good key to know that I'm not really hungry, I'm bored, or something is going on. Now, I have to find things to do to combat that.

    This is my first week back to work. I'm only here 7am - 12pm this week and next week, then one week of 7am - 1pm, then back to 7am - 2pm. I'm sore, really sore, I'm assuming it's from having to maintain an upright posture, my abs aren't healed, and the entire abdomen aches by the end of the shift. Even worse, I live an hour from work, so by the time I get home I'm ready for a nap with my heating pad!

    I'm so happy I did this. The healing is slow moving, but it's moving! I know once I'm back to feeling "normal" things will be much better!
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    Another check in here - 2 1/2 weeks post-op:

    I'm on to puree foods. I've basically just had soup so far. Last night a bowl of tomato soup at IHOP (ordered
    minestrone, tomato wasn't on the menu. Our waitress had issues and I really love tomato so I didn't complain). I purchased a bunch of soup and even some chili at the store yesterday. Some canned but also in the deli section they sell Panera soups! Today I pureed the broccoli cheese (it was chunky) with just a little bit of protein powder. Struggling with adding protein powder to things so just doing a little bit at a time. Still not having any stomach issues!

    So the TMI part. Constipation. It hasn't hurt until I try to go. Today was a bit of an adventure and kind of killed my energy and spirit. Took a nap through the Cowboys game, which wasn't exciting anyway.

    Weight - I still haven't lost anything since I have been home. I had a my post-op appointment and they didn't seem concerned about it. I'm not happy, but I'll just keep doing what I need to do! I know it will come off eventually.

    How are you doing @NicoleL874 ??
  • NicoleL874
    NicoleL874 Posts: 675 Member
    UGH! Still on full liquids until Thursday! I cannot wait to throw my marinara and homemade meatballs in my food processor! Yeah, the constipation has been a pain. HA! No pun intended. I've been drinking prune juice (majorly diluted) and resorted to a generic gentle laxative.

    I was losing, until the constipation and my period hit at the same time. So, I've stalled, and not worried. Our bodies are going through so much ups and downs are to be expected. I'm riding it out and will hopefully see something in the next few days.

    My next follow up is on the 9th, it's supposed to be my one month, but it's about a week early.
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    @NicoleL874 Let me know how the blended meatballs are! I was going to make some for my soft food stage. I still haven't blended any meat. Going to start with Chunky Soup.

    On the TMI/Lady Parts side - I have an IUD and haven't had a real period in years, just misc spotting. I started "heavy spotting" on my pre-op liquid diet and it finally stopped about a week after surgery. Just an annoyance. It will be interesting (?) to see what happens as the weight drops. No periods with an IUD is normal.

    Thank you everyone here - this is the only venue that I'm communicating, so I appreciate your tolerance! :wink:
  • penkon
    penkon Posts: 16 Member
    Hi guys! I'm now 1 week post op!! Surgery went well.. no complications at all! one thing I didn't even think about tho... who knew the heart burn would be so brutal! ouch!!
  • Kerria1024
    Kerria1024 Posts: 17 Member
    I had my surgery 9/28/15 and am down 31 pounds since that day. Zero complications, other than just getting tired really easy and my hormones going wacko ( I will cry for NO reason at all). Weight loss is slowing down, but I am thinking it is because I started excersising?? Anyone else hit a stall this early? Also, if anyone needs extra protein...Advocare has Pro20, they are protein shots (the size of a 5hr energy bottle) and they are 20g of protein each! Plus the pumpkin shakes are sooo good!
    http://www.advocare.com/15099189
  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    Congrats @penkon and @KCHRISTIAN! Welcome to the group!
  • NicoleL874
    NicoleL874 Posts: 675 Member
    @KCHRISTIAN, I've not lost an ounce in over a week and I'm only 3 weeks out yesterday. I see my surgeon on Monday, so I'll see what he says. It's completely frustrating knowing how little I'm eating that I'm not losing more. It took years to gain it, I know it will take time to lose it, but still...it's irritating.

    @GoDasher pureed meatballs were good! I modified "Shelly's Ricotta Bake" and used my meatballs with it. (Google it, you'll find it) I added more seasonings and garlic, made half a recipe and at a 1/4 of what I made. It was delicious! And it felt like the first real meal I've had since before the pre-op diet!

    @penkon my surgeon prescribes twice a day antacids for the first full month after surgery because of it. The part of the stomach that makes acid is left at the bottom of the sleeve. Right after surgery our stomach is still making acid for what our bodies are used to, in time it should slow. Some people end up on antacids for life. Talk to your surgeon and see if he'll prescribe you something to help!

    Glad everyone is doing well, and glad our quiet little group is growing!

  • GoDasher
    GoDasher Posts: 49 Member
    I've been home 3 weeks and I still haven't lost a pound. I lost 15 at the hospital! I don't get how that can be, but the PA at the surgeon's office didn't seem concerned. I've been good this past week about logging in my food here. If I don't lose of the weekend I'm going to call the nutritionist on Monday.

    I'm down 40 from the beginning of August, so my pants are big and I can see a few spots that have shrunk. I was down to 3 pairs of pants (I refused to buy any more size 30 with the surgery eminent), but now I can get in the last pair I grew out of. I haven't tried any smaller shirts yet.

    Have a good weekend everyone!