Post op

[KirstyBrii]

Hey everyone ! My gastric sleeve was 3-9-21

I just got home from the hospital last night.
My doctor said I’ll be on a liquid diet for another two weeks..... in total I haven’t had real food in weeks... I am so upset. I’m even begging for scrambled eggs and I hate eggs..... I’m sore from surgery. I have yet to be nauseated since the surgery. I’m keeping my fluids down.... I’m so tired of broth it’s unreal. I just need some dang support plus the day I started my two week liquid diet I weighed 311, then the day of my surgery I weighed 295, and now as of today I weigh 305lbs. I’m mad because I have not cheated on my diet... I’ve been faithful. Why would I gained so much weight in a few days of me being in the hospital. My doctor said it’s water weight.... but that’s a lot of weight to put on in less than 3 days after surgery

 

[Pink Julie]

I put on 10lbs in hospital too, it’s water weight

 

[JudyNY]

Hi Kirsty, congrats on getting the surgery. Eggs were the first thing I wanted too! Don't worry about your weight going up after surgery, it is true, it is the water weight and you will start to lose soon. If it makes you feel better I had to have two extra surgeries following my VSG and I wound up with 40 extra pounds of water weight and I was eating practically nothing. I am not kidding when I tell you my clothes were too tight three weeks after WLS. It took me a while to lose it because 40 lbs of water weight is huge. My hands were so swollen and I couldn't get in any of my shoes. I had to stop at the medical supply store and went in wearing slipper socks from the hospital! Anyway, I told you all this so that you could feel better about being 10 lbs heavier. Hang in there, I promise you will start to lose soon!

 

[KirstyBrii]

As of now my feet are swollen. Nothing makes sense to me. I’m going to try my hardest to not eat real food

 

[Kayleigh]

Congratulations Kirsty, That’s water weight and you’ll lose it very soon. Are you allowed to have jello and protein shakes?

 

[KirstyBrii]

Hey KayLeigh! Starting tomorrow I can have shakes and stuff. I can not do jello. Never could. And I also start my vitamins tomorrow as well. All I’ve done tonight is cry. Because I want solid foods like everyone else. They say it worth it but right now it’s not worth it.

 

[Matia]

Hang in there!! IV fluids given during surgery and after are why you gained weight. It will help you with dehydration. You have a bit of a boost while you are recovering and working on your fluid intake. You need to drink and move for your body to make the necessary fluid shifts to excrete the extra fluid. Follow your team’s instructions. I was a month on a liquid diet prior to surgery and a month after. It was by far the hardest part for me. I still cringe when I think about it. You are in this for the long run and this will pass. Please don’t deviate from the diet and risk complications. Trust me when I say it does get so much better and is worth it in the long run. You’ve got this!!

 

[3momchaos]

I’m sorry for the struggles you’re going through. Right now your brain and body seem to be fighting each other. Your weight gain is probably due to fluids from surgery, and will disappear once your body is hydrated from your intake. It’ll hold on to it if you don’t drink enough fluids or take in too much sodium. It’s extremely difficult, but try to stop thinking about solid foods right now. It’s going to take time for your new digestive tract to handle them anyways, and you’ll do harm to yourself if you cave into your desires. Our brains are programmed for different textures when we eat, and a lot of those things satisfy another need for sensory fulfillment. Start trying to find things that you can drink that you’ll appreciate. I was a month out before I sensed any hunger, but we had different surgeries and I had my gallbladder out at the same time which I believe stayed my hunger for longer than some. I hated when it was time for my protein shake, but I got through it because this is a short period in the overall experience of weight loss surgery. Find something to preoccupy your mind with. You want this surgery to be worth all your sacrifices, so stay strong and on the right path.

 

[KirstyBrii]

Thank y’all so much ! I know I’m a strong person and I can make it through. It’s just hard smelling food that your kids and spouse is eating. I can’t handle broth anymore so that sucks.’so today I’m doing water and shakes. Also I was wondering if I could drink sugar free tea. Substituted with Splenda from red diamond ?

 

[3momchaos]

Regular tea only if you got caffeine clearance from your doctor, then decaf if not. Remember though that sugar substitutes can cause cramping in your intestines and sometimes diarrhea. I’ve learned the hard way that even 2 sugar free Werthers caramels will send my intestines into a tizzy.

 

[missyinacage]

Kirsty, congrats on your surgery. It is frustrating as hell to come home weighing more than you did pre-surgery. As you can see from all the comments, we totally understand, as it happened to most of us. There is so much sodium in the IV fluid it causes you to hold onto water AND they really pump you full of it so, you didn't stand a chance. I also had a 2 week liquid pre-op, a week of clear liquid & 2 weeks full liquid diet post op. For a total of 5 weeks without an actual bite of actual food. It absolutely DOES suck!! However, please don't try to eat actual food yet. Your pouch is not even close to healed and cannot handle it. I've seen too many posts about people eating a week in and having vomiting/pain/bleeding issues. So, just stick to the program. You can get clear protein drinks in many flavors and you can also doctor up protein shakes and broths with different spice blends to make them more palatable. Your liquid diet is going to help give you the best chance of successful healing AND weight loss. Stay Strong!

 

[KirstyBrii]

Thank you so much. Your comment was very helpful ! I have finally dropped all of the water weight ! Woo hoo. I’m actually down 19lbs !!!! I absolutely hate jello and right now I’m not a fan of broth. So I’m only doing water and protein shakes and my vitamins. It’s actually hard drinking protein shakes too.... but I’m trying really hard to push myself. I should go and find some protein water. See if that works out better for me

 

[Tokash]

Can you have strained soup? You can add unflavored protein to it to reduce shakes if you can

 

[KirstyBrii]

Can you have strained soup? You can add unflavored protein to it to reduce shakes if you can

What is strained soup ? I know that sounds dumb....

 

[3momchaos]

Any soup that’s been through a strainer or colander to get the solid bits out so you are left with the liquid.

 

[KirstyBrii]

So I can have a can of chicken noodle soup or cream of chicken with it being strained first ?

 

[3momchaos]

If it’s ok with your dietary guidelines for the phase you’re in it would be ok. I think when I was on the liquid phase, but a weird week for me when I was transitioning from liquids to soft, I blended potato soup in the blender and had that.

 

[Tokash]

So I can have a can of chicken noodle soup or cream of chicken with it being strained first ?

Did your team not give you a food plan that outlines what you can eat and when you can transition? If not I would call them up and ask. Everybody has different guidelines to follow. For me the 2 week pre op and the 2 weeks after surgery were the same.