UPDATE: I created a community site about gastric bypass, come check it out!

Hi folks,

Just wanted to give yall an update on my progress since having the surgery about 3 and a half weeks ago. I also wanted to thank all the new people that have come to the site that have had the surgery or are about to and share their experiences. It makes the whole experience a lot easier for others and myself. Keep chatting it up yall!

Post-Op

Alright, so I guess the last that you heard from me I was about 5 days out from surgery. I was still hurting pretty good, still had my staples in and was on clear liquids. Fun stuff, eh? Actually it is not as bad as it seems. For one, for the first few days after the surgery I didn’t feel like eating period. I was taking broth’s and water mainly. Making sure to take my vitamins and such of course. Oh, as annoying as it was, the more I walked (even if it was up and down the hallway) the better I felt.

Now I’m 3.5 weeks out and feeling MUCH better. At one week I saw the doc and he pulled half of my staples out and then a week later, the rest came out. The staples for me were a big deal, not because they hurt, but because I sleep on my stomach naturally and I couldn’t with those staples. I also had trouble bending over because the staples would dig in sometimes. So I’m glad those suckers are out and btw, the 25 staples coming out didn’t hurt at all.

Food

Beginning on my third week, I’m now officially on ’soft foods’. I can eat chicken noodle soup, shredded deli meat, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, etc. And MAN, it’s funny how good little stuff like that makes a difference over broth. Now, I can only eat so much, obviously, I might can get down one egg before feeling full (at least I think it’s full). And I try to remember to not drink with my meals but sometimes I sip on something not thinking. Our nutritionist said the main thing at this point is 3 meals a day and getting your protein in. We need at least 60 grams a day or better. Which is tougher than I expected it would be. I have a protein shake in the morning but it sometimes takes me until 11:30a in the morning to finish it. So I’m not generally hungry for lunch although I need to get something.

The food thing I’m still trying to figure out. For example, last night I had some creamy tomato soup and was able to finish it and I wondered if I should’ve been able to or not. I also had a smoothie with protein additive as well. I haven’t ever gotten that ‘full’ feeling quite yet so I’m still learning how this thing works. Any insight out there on this?

Supplements

My family and I went to the Vitamin Shoppe last night to get some tasteless (very important) protein so I can throw it in soups and Cream of wheat and such. Tried some last night and should help increase my protein intake. Also, got some chewable vitamins since the liquid vitamins I’m taking aren’t that great tasting. It was fine at first but after taking them everyday, yuck, I needed some variety.

Weight

Now the cool stuff, the weight. I finally decided to accept the weight I was at the doctor’s as the highest weight, which was 299. I now get on my scale at home every morning and as of this morning I am at 263 pounds = 36 pounds. Nuts, eh? I’ll tell you, it’s been great. Before the surgery, all my clothes were either too small or real tight on me but now with this weight loss I’m fitting back into those and some are already loose on me. It’s a great feeling. I’m ready to start working out and start getting some muscle along with it! Below are two shots of me. 1) From night before the surgery. 2) Two weeks post-op. I’ve decided to take pictures every two weeks (and in the same clothes) to watch the transformation.

I definitely wish everybody luck that is about to have surgery soon. Prepare for it to be rough for a few days but also think about greater goal. I’d love to hear food suggestions for things we post-op’ers can eat outside of soups. I’m always looking for new ideas. Thanks again everybody!

Here is the full set of gastric bypass pictures.

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