I Had Sleeve Surgery!

 Hello! 

My last post was almost 2 years ago and right now I'm about a week out from VSG aka Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. It took me a while to get here, but I'm here.

Surgery went fine and well after a 2 week liquid diet.  I was in the hospital for 1 day and then home.  The goal is to have 64 oz. of liquids each day and it took me 5 days to get there (this includes broth, jello, popsicles, protein).  I haven't had too much protein because it sits really heavy in my stomach right now.  Bone broth and half water half Propel (or other electrolyte drink) has been my go-to so far.  And, now I can finish a whole popsicle, as long as I'm not loaded up with water or other before.

It's a lot of trial and error and diligence.  I made a chart for myself so I can make sure I'm accurately accounting for my movement, my vitamins (there's SO MANY), and my intake.

I feel pretty decent, getting out most days for either a walk around the neighborhood or around a store.  I'm not up to pushing a cart, so I carry my food or whatever I'm looking for.  

I pooped, once.  On day 4 I believe -- I had gas on day 1, which is a good sign apparently.  My poop was not anything remarkable, more of a small explosion.  But it's something.  I suspect there will be more.  I just want to make sure to document some of this.

I've been hovering around 289-293 for quite some time.  There are some points where I've gotten up to 304 (from my records), but for the most part held in at 289ish.  

Here's a few stats.

Start of liquid diet: 294

End of liquid diet: 283 (day of surgery)

Day after surgery: 285 

(Almost) 1 week later: 276

So, since starting the liquid diet I'm down close to 20 pounds.  I haven't been at this weight in years (see sidebar).  I can definitely feel it when sitting criss-cross-applesauce and when wiping my butt already.  I'm still sore in my tummy, but I'm able to move better each day, which is nice.  I've been cooking and trying to clean here in there.  I do still enjoy cooking -- it's almost kind of freeing when I'm not eating it.  I just cook to enjoy cooking and there's no worry about should I or shouldn't I or whatever.  I've been freezing little bits here and there in 2oz containers for later.  I did lick some food off my finger (a very tiny amount of sauce) and even that felt like it sat heavy.

So there's all that in a nutshell.