10 days bariatric post-op: What should I be working on?

Hi @bernadettel, good for you for being pro-active and reaching out to your care team to get their guidance tailored specifically for you. As you wait for their response, I'm tagging fellow members so that they can share their post-op experiences and what they focused on, like @roch @liver2007 @sharonrider @sarahfaris @grandmar @aprilarlady @nova1976 and many others.

@cora2022 started a few discussions that you may also be interested in:
- Weight restrictions after surgery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weight-restrictions-after-surgery/
- List for POST op diet https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/list-for-post-op-diet/
- New to Mayo Bariatric Group: What are your tips for success? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-mayo-bariatric-group/

How are you feeling, Bernadette?

Glad you reached out to care team especially seeing you had complications from surgery. Especially on diet restrictions.

I would work on increasing walking over adding new exercises at this time. Ten day after any surgery, your body is still recovering.

Laurie

Hello , I hope your feeling good and staying excited and positive about your awesome choice for bariatric surgery. My sleeve surgery was completed march 2022 at Cosmed/ Vida clinic in Tijuana Mexico. Get doctors!! I didnt follow the “recommended” diet plan from the doctors and just started eating what ever i wanted after a couple weeks to see what my stomach tolerated. Sometimes i would throw up if i ate too much which, was literally 3-4 spoonfuls of anything. Protein shakes were good with alot of bottled water everyday. My goal was to loose 50 lbs. which I have reached and now feel good and am much happier especially looking in the mirror . Im not a doctor but an actual person who had the sleeve surgery. I did want to complicate things and simply eat what my body could tolerate. Keep going. Im happy for you.

Hi @bernadettel, congrats on making it through such a challenging period with surgery and complications. When I was at this stage, (RNY 9/2019) I focused on nutrition, rest, regular movement, and understanding my limits (with energy in particular-- I was intermittently light-headed for a good ~8 months). Post surgery hanging by my fingers from a door frame felt GREAT! The reason I mention it is that your body will continue to change and move around for a few years now-- listening to what it needs is a skill set I am still refining every day. Your care team will help with details, but having an approximated plan will do wonders for feeling safe and guided through the healing process. For me I started new phases around their approximate timeline when I felt ready and brave (and had a little time carved out for any negative effects). Detailed suggestions: continue using an aspiration spirometer if you were given one, keep up with any blood thinner injections or medications you were prescribed, journal your nutrition and movement, write for your own journaling/mental health, prep food, take your vitamins, and cultivate joy along the way. Developing good ways of positive reinforcement that aren't food will be an ongoing challenge, but a worthy one. Sending you the very best! Happy healing!

Hi @bernadettel, I also wanted to point you in the direction of the Weight Management page, which includes posts about managing nutrition post-op!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/tab/newsfeed/#ch-tab-navigation