Vertical Sleeve Week One Update

So today I am one week out and I currently weigh 309.3, that's a loss of about 6 pounds the first week which I have to say was kind of disappointing.   I've lost a total of 19.2 pounds since I started the liquid diet. 

 

I have already learned a lot and I am already confused.  Now that I am on day 7, I can eat more stuff but the problem is like every time I make food I eat like 3 bites and I'm full.  I've learned it's very hard to get all the water and protein in that you are supposed to get.  I have also learned that you have to figure out to keep your stomach from getting not only too full but also from getting too empty.  I also learned after awhile protein shakes taste like crap.  So I would rather get my protein from food which is almost impossible. 

 

I'm going to try a scrambled egg today and maybe some tuna.  It's the weirdest thing because sometimes you feel so hungry and then sometimes the thought of food just makes you sick.  Figuring out this new stomach will be an interesting journey. 

 

I still have moments when I mourn my old stomach, especially family dinners. 

 

Day 6 So What Am I Eating?

I'm really not eating much at all.  I'm on the full liquid stage two, which means like creamy liquids.  Until today I haven't really worried about meeting my protein goals.

 

In the hospital they bring you clear liquids the first day, Jello, Popsicle, broth and decaf tea.  The first thing I tried after surgery was the Jello and I almost threw it right up.  So after that I didn't try food again for awhile.  I think they keep you in the hospital for two days so you don't get dehydrated, you get IV fluids.  I did eat a lot of ice chips because your throat hurts from the tubes and you are so dry and thirsty.  

 

Here's the breakdown

 

Wednesday, day of surgery, nothing but ice chips.

 

Thursday, popsicle, one bite of pudding, a few bites of  Cream of Wheat and ice chips.

 

Friday, I came home from the hospital and I had some sugar free pudding and sugar free popsicles. 

 

Saturday, I had Cream of Wheat about 10 bites, sugar free pudding  and popsicles.

 

Sunday, I tried to focus more getting my vitamins today and protein.  I did manage to get two vitamins down and I manage to eat a little bit of cream of chicken soup, pudding and Jello. 

 

So today Monday, I decided to mix vanilla Greek yogurt with orange cream protein powder.  It actually tasted good, contained 28 g of protein and I did manage to eat it all in about an hour.  However, I think I definitely ate too much. 

 

I'm going to really try to focus on getting my vitamins and protein intake for the day.

 

 

 

Gross picture of incisions. 

I am Officially Sleeved

So I did it, I actually did it.  I kept thinking I would back out. I was very nervous but everything still kept pointing me in this direction. It just felt like I was doing the right thing. I had my surgery here in Buffalo, NY at ECMC.  They were wonderful.  I spent two nights in the hospital which I actually liked because I needed a break from the kids. If I was home I would of had to take care of them and that just wouldn't be possible. I barely saw my doctor at all which I though was kind of weird but I guess they do their job and leave you alone. I feel very blessed to have had no complications yet. I haven't been able to eat too much but today I got two vitamins in and I am going to try some soup.  I am four days out and I beginning to feel like myself again. I actually feel hungry. I'm not sure if it's head hunger or real but I feel it.  

This was my view from my nice private room.  

This is me finally home and full of gas pain which is quiet better today. I'm grateful to of had two days in the hospital to just concentrate on healing.

I keep having this fear that I won't lose any weight.  I will be this fool who had weight loss surgery but can't lose weight.  That would suck so bad, I wonder if that happens to anyone??

In Less Then 24 Hours I Will Be Sleeved

 

Tomorrow is MY day.  My surgery is at 7:30 in the morning which is good because waiting all day would be so much harder.  I just want them to whisk me back before I know what is happening. 

 

Yesterday was a really bad day for me.  I was tired because I could not sleep the night before, having surgery coming up makes it hard to calm your mind. I was starving, it was day 9 and I'm not sure why I was so, so hungry.  I think all the artificial sugar in Jello, Popsicles and sugar free Gaterade makes it harder and makes you way more hungry.  I was just an emotional mess, tired, hungry and scared.  I have this fear that I will fail to lose weight or that I will gain it back, which scares the hell out of me.  Then I ate some chicken broth and things got a little better. 

 

However, something happened today, I woke up feeling great.  I felt like my world was moving in the right direction.  It was the weirdest thing.  I was calm and at peace.  Hopefully I will feel that way tomorrow too.  I know this is the right decision for not only me but for my children too. I just have to have faith that this is my time to take care of me and that everything will workout great.   

Day 8 Pre-op liquid Diet

It's day 8 and it's so hard. I wake up happy and excited, ready to take on the day.  Then as the day goes on I get hungry, weak and can't stop thinking about food. The hardest part is cooking for the kids. I made chocolate chip waffles Saturday and Sunday, that was so hard, I really wanted one. Tonight I made pizza it looked and smelled so good I couldn't even sit with them while they ate. However, everyday I make it through feels pretty empowering. Honestly, I think they do this to you so you are so ready to have surgery you forget how scary it is. 

Also, so far I lost 11 pounds I'm happy about it but I thought it would be more. I think I will be a slow loser which may get frustrating. 

Trying to distract myself with thoughts of better outfits. 

Peter Attia's Very Interesting Ted Talk on Obesity

 I found this Ted Talk very informative. I don't always make the best food choices but I do not consume a lot of calories so it just doesn't make sense to me why I have such a hard time losing weight.   

   

Morning of Day 5

I'm down 9.8 pounds in 4 days, YIPPIE!! 

I often wonder if I could just do this diet until I lose the amount of weight I want to lose (about 150 pounds total).  I'm sure every weight loss surgery patient thinks about this, no one wants to have surgery.  I know for me I could not maintain a this liquid diet.  I am hungry.  I want to use my teeth again. 

I think the liquid diet is good for getting you in that mind frame you need for surgery.  It is an extreme beginning to making lasting changes.  Giving up Diet Coke has been easier then I thought it would be but giving up food has been harder than I thought it would be.  I bought some Crystal Light with caffeine just to the transition easier and I drink a lot of unsweetened ice tea. 

I am getting so nervous but I think you are so ready to get off this liquid diet that you are hoping the surgery gets here quickly.