Hi Shela -

I was sleeved on 9/10/14 so I'm still pretty new to the game. It has been an experience so far. My first few days after surgery were a bit tough with regards to pain and just being uncomfortable in general. I thought I knew what to expect, but everyone's experience is a little different. While my first few days were rough, things did improve with each passing day. For the first ten days I was on clear and full liquids following the procedure. Was then moved to pureed foods, which I will do until the end of this month. My surgeon said I could puree just about anything I wanted, but to focus on proteins in order to fulfill my daily protein requirements. I lost 20 lbs prior to surgery and another 14 since the procedure. I think my loss is a bit slower than others but I'm ok with that, as long as I'm moving in the right direction.

Today my tummy isn't so happy so I'm sticking with liquids until I feel a little better.

Please feel free to email me if you'd like..

Congratulations on your decision and I wish you much success!

Tee

Thank you Tee!

You are right about it being an individual experience... yet I'm sure there are issues that ring true for many. The goal for me is to regain my health and rid my body the stress of carrying around 150 lbs of excess that keeps me from doing many things I aspire to do! I am excited to begin this new phase... it is certainly going to be different! Your words of encouragement and candid explanation of your post surgery experience let's me know that I am not alone in this life changing decision. I would love to stay in touch as we both take this journey. You being slightly ahead of me gives me the courage to follow. You're spot on with your statement about being okay with your weight loss as long as you're moving in the right direction.... it's not a race or a contest.... it's about YOU!!!

I look forward to hearing from you again!

Kind regards,
Shela

Hi Shela!
Congrats on making what is, by all accounts, going to be one of the best decisions of your life! I also am having my sleeve done around April next year, so we possibly be on this journey together from the start!
Feel free to add me as a friend or drop me a line. I'd love to keep in touch with you along the way for support or encouragement!
Have a lovely day :).
Cheerio,
Mon

I had the sleeve done on 7/22/14, I've lost a total of 75lbs now. I had a really rough first week after. I had what my doc called a "extreme nausea" reaction where I was constantly nauseated and could not keep anything down. Doc said only a very small percentage of patients have this happen, so lucky me! But it did go away and I was able to move on through the phases of recovery. One thing I will advise you is if you are taking off of work and your doc signs paperwork for that, get the most amount of time off you can. Just in case you need it. You can always have the doc write you a note to go back early if you want to. Not every one is the same but for me and many people I have talked to who have had this done, the physical exhaustion after surgery was pretty bad. I went back to work after two weeks and I couldn't make it through the whole day for another week and a half. And I don't have a physical job, I just sit at a computer all day. But it was too much for me to get through the whole day at first.
So congratulations on making this amazing step in your life! Remember to take it easy and let your body heal. Remember to keep sipping, start walking when they tell you that you can and always call your doc if you think something is wrong. Best of luck to you!!

I am getting the bariatric sleeve in February. My insurance requires 6 months of diet and/or nutrition visits. I am so excited. I want the surgery tomorrow.

Hello Shelia,

I had my sleeve 8/25 i'm down 36 pounds. I will say I have a high tolerance for pain, so after surgery I just felt sore, not pain per say. I did feel sore in my stitches for quite some time. The stitch where the camera was and my belly button hurt the most. I'm just now starting to not feel any sort of soreness from my stitches as of this week. I took off work for 2 weeks. I felt fine going back I try to walk as much as I can.

Every so often I randomly go through spurts of no energy this caught me off guard it started about 2 weeks ago. Prior I was fine on energy just my body would get light headed after walking for too long on the treadmill. But I feel better each day. I just remember the bigger picture, I will have good and bad days. And as long as the numbers are going down on the scale and my clothes are getting bigger its all good here! :o)

Lu

I forgot to add about plateaus, I find they happen when I changed a food phase. Like liquids to pureed, pureed to soft etc. Or even trying a new food can do that as well, your body has to get adjusted to what you are giving it.

I had the sleeve on Sept 16, 2013. Everything went very well for me. I've lost 101 pounds. I would like to lose about 15 more. I am happy with where I'm at though. It has changed my life.

Thank you! Thank you everyone who responded to my post! Tee, Monbean, Quietfire, Kathy51, Lumorrow and Idajoy! It appears we have several phases covered here. Your words of encouragement and sharing your experiences help confirm that I've made the right decision! Had my endoscopy this past Monday 10/6 and was thrilled that I was down 8 lbs from the day of my consult on 9/29... I know it's too soon to get all giddy with myself... I'm in the honeymoon phase :) My past losses included 97lbs in the early 80's (gained it back and more) 113lbs in the early 90's... obviously gained it back and more! I accomplished the losses with diet and exercise.. no pills or magic potions LOL! We all know those options are dead end streets! I look to the sleeve as a tool... to help me control my appetite and portions... for a lifetime. I'm ready and happy I will be able to share my journey with all of you.... the newbies and the brave ones who are living the life! ((Hugs)) to all!
ShelaBug

Hey Shela! Welcome to the group. There are a bunch of sleevies in with our pouch-packin' friends. The sleeve group is very small and not very active, so I landed here too.
My sleeve was in February 2011, I lost 125 lbs the first year, and have kept it off ever since. Although I still have mobility issues, I'm stronger and moving faster and farther, and feel SO much better. Love my sleeve.
Love too that you've done your homework and have that great attitude. You're 100% right about it being a tool to help us make the changes we need to live healthier lives. It won't do it for us, but with that knowledge, and plenty of support, you are going to see amazing results from this decision.
Welcome, and so glad you're joining us!!

Thank you MNMama!
Congrats on your 125lb weightloss and your continued success in keeping it off! The freedom to move..... to be healthier..... to feel good..... these are the goals I am seeking. Last year I had some issues with plantar faciitis and found myself purchasing an electric scooter to get myself to the train and to work. One day it just hit me that if I continued on this path.....I would end up in a situation where I could not walk anymore....At first I was thrilled to have the assistance... to be able to get around without pain. And God bless all who really have no choice and the chair is their lifeline to mobility. In my case... I had a choice..... lose weight or the choice would be made for me. That said, I am so very happy for you! Sounds like you are continually getting stronger and certainly moving in the right direction. BRAVO MNMAMA!!!

Hi Shela. I had my sleeve 14 months ago and have lost 113 pounds. I still have 35-40 pounds to go, but I am determined to lose it.. In the past two months, my weight loss has slowed down quite a bit; but I haven't been following my program that closely (I've been drinking wine and eating junk food on Fridays).
But I don't regret having the surgery at all. I would definitely do it all over again.
Best of luck!

Thanks Soozque! You know.... that is one of the first things my surgeon said when I went in for my consult to get the process going. He was clear about really doing the "work" ahead of my surgery (scheduled for April) so that when I take that leap of faith making my life changing decision a reality.... I will be eating the way I should be eating for the rest of my life. I started a journal that will chronicle my 6 months pre surgery... the journal is different in that I am writing down every single uncomfortable moment, painful movement and loss of opportunity that being morbidly obese has caused me. A daily reminder of the true reason I want this excess off of my small 5'2" frame. Not that I don't love myself and live my best life.... I just know that it can be so much more! And those reminders in my journal will keep me strong when those weak moments occur.... and they will occur as I did not get to this point overnight. So onward and downward (giggle) with the pounds that is!!

Hi, I am new to this support group. How is everyone doing today?

Welcome RachelDavis :)

I too am new to this support group! I've been a member of DS since 2008... came here for support and that is exactly what I have received over the years. I have been away from the site at different times... yet when I return, the same wonderful people are there to support and encourage you on whatever you're dealing with. This support group has been amazing so far and I know they will continue to be.... through all stages of this process. Some are like me... pre surgery.... others just recently and many more are years out. It's comforting to know that I can come here to ask questions, report progress and give encouragement as well as receive.... You're in the right place.

Kind regards,
ShelaBug