Starting Bariatric Surgery consult, Timeline questions

Hi, @jlair - great to hear from you whenever you were able to get to it. Happy to hear you've been great since your surgery.

I believe that @roch has talked about things like body retraining, too. I can imagine, with the changes to your digestive system.

I'm so sorry to hear about your corgi. When I was in high school and college, my family had a corgi. They are hard to pick up to hold in your lap, due to their unique shape, but they are just the sweetest dogs. We sure enjoyed our corgi. The thought of your dog being very ill is very sad. I know pets are also very important for many people for emotional support.

Congrats on getting back to the gym, even though you feel torn sometimes when doing so.

How have you been feeling about your body lately? Are you getting close or still a ways to go from your goal weight?

Hi Lisa,

Please forgive me for my late response. So far I’ve been doing great since my surgery. I’ve definitely have had to learn allot about my body and adjust and retrain myself how to eat and drink (slow down and not gulp water)
My starting weight was 238lbs and I’m down to 160 lbs.
I’m at 7 months post op the weight loss has slowed down and I’ve even struggled with being stuck in the 160s. I know that has had allot to do with the holidays and my beloved Corgi, Maiya was diagnosed with B cell lymphoma stage 4. That took me away from the gym. Mostly I felt guilty leaving her to go to the gym when I felt like I should be savoring every moment with her. It was even difficult to celebrate my weight loss successes.
I started back at the gym. The first week I went 2 times. This week I went 4 times. I strength train at the gym and then go for walks with Maiya (when it isn’t too cold) after work.
Maya, come here come here.
I’m glad the holidays are over and life can become more normal.

@jlair - just wondering how you are doing since your surgery?

@hkramer
Thanks for the update. If you continue to have gas pain, reach out to your care team for suggestions. Even though tired, my post-op nurse suggested walking to help keep everything moving.

Well, its all said and done! Surgery was on Dec 5th and the last month flew by as I am now back to work. My journey has been pretty smooth as of late. a was up and walking right after surgery and was discharged the following day. My program has me doing 1 week post op clear liquids, 2 weeks full liquid, 2 weeks pureed, and then 4-6 weeks soft, etc. I am currently winding down from the pureed diet and will be entering the soft food stage this coming weekend! Healing has been wonderful. First 2 weeks were rough with trying to get in liquids. That part is still a bit tough at times if I loose track of time especially with beginning to eat some foods now. Week 3 was when i started to feel back to myself-less tired, moving more, and picking up liquids. The only pain I had was the pull of the incisions and the nasty little anchor stitch on my right side. Week 4 was great and was able to finally lay on my side. Throughout the month, I had minimal pain, no nausea, no vomitting, and I am considered very lucky!

I did find 1 food that I can not handle as of this Monday...refried beans. It was listed as an ok puree but man do my guts hate me. Ate it Monday night and it went down perfect-no pain. Tuesday I started to feel the fullness and gas bubbling and thats when it started to build. Im assuming the added fiber was a system shock at this stage and since my system is slow to more, some fermentation has been happening. ( I know everyone is different). Currently staying hydrated and waiting for the gas pain to dispurse...but man...does it suck!! Will be doing full liquids until the pain has dispursed.

Otherwise, this journey has been great!

@hkramer
How exciting, I was looking back at your first post about starting the journey in July. And now you have surgery scheduled!

When I had surgery, it was in Oct, so I was still on limited diet over the holidays and did just fine. Kept busy. I still went to family get togethers, but spent more time visiting and helping. Knew missing few holiday meals was worth it to reach goal. In my situation, everyone knew I had surgery. The awkward part is if you're not eating, and people do not know why. But it is your decision on what you share.

If going to any holiday get togethers, come prepared with broth or whatever liquid you prefer.

Continue to update us on how it is going.

Update: My surgery has been scheduled for December 5th in Rochester, MN! My 2 week liquid diet starts Nov 21st and I'm fully stocked for that phase.

Any and all tips or tricks are welcomed! I'm excited to finally start this journey!! I've got no nerves as of right now since I know this something I've worked very hard towards! < 3

I'm hoping they have other options! La Crosse no longer does the surgery, so my next bet was Rochester. I don't want to have to travel to Eau Claire every week/month but it that is what needs to happen, I hope someone will tell me before I get too far into Rochester's Program and have to start over!

@hkramer
I participate in the post surgery support groups from Rochester Mayo and they are held virtually. I did have to have an evaluation prior to starting group that was in person. The therapy appointment you have scheduled might be your in person consultation. The only issue might be if person running group is only licensed in MN, if so all virtual attendees have to be physically located in MN during Zoom call. Maybe some of the other providers have licenses in multi states. I am sure there other patients not physically located in MN.

If virtual is not an option, maybe you can take class from MHS in Eau Claire but still have surgery in Rochester. Many years ago before virtual meeting, Mayo Rochester let me take classes in Wabasha which was not a Mayo location, but they used same class material.

You should know more after your Sept appointments.

I have my Endo, Therapy, and dietician appointments on September 19th in Rochester. Were you able to do the rest of the 12 week program virtual (therapy/dietician)?

Eager to start the journey!