Now that I am more than a year post-op from my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, I find myself frequently looking back at how far I have come in 12 short months. One of my friends is about to start the VSG journey and I thought it would be helpful to provide insight on things I wish I had known and/or done from the beginning. This letter will focus on a few things to remember during the first weeks post-op.
Dear 244 lb. me,
I know you are feeling pretty scared right now. "What did I do?" and "Will I ever be normal again?" are two questions that are constantly running through your head. Trust me.........it gets better......better than you could ever imagine. Hang in there, follow dr.'s instructions, and it will be worth it in the end.
Here are a few things you need to remember in the coming weeks:
1. Walk!
The dr. will tell you to start walking immediately after surgery. It may seem impossible but......just do it! Your body was filled with air during the surgery which leaves you pretty uncomfortable The best way to get rid of it is to get moving. The dr. likes it a lot if you are up and moving.......which means he is more likely to send you home quickly. :) Even once you get home.......keep walking. Get a Fitbit......it will help keep you motivated. Follow your friends on Fitbit and do daily or weekly challenges to help you meet your step goal. You know how much you like to win.........you will find yourself walking in place just to meet your daily step goal. Another thing to help get you moving is to find a good series to watch on Netflix and watch while you're on the treadmill. You can even walk in place while you're cooking. It doesn't matter........just keep moving!
2. Take SMALL sips.
You will read it in your VSG manual.......take small sips. They put it there for a reason........believe it or not, even a small sip of water will feel like you just finished a Thanksgiving feast. Don't drink too fast.......it hurts. It will be really tough to get all of your water in each day, try to drink 1 oz. every 15 minutes. You may want to resort to using a shot glass......with water! Adding Protein Shots or Isopure to your water will help you get both goals in at the same time. They taste pretty yucky by themselves but aren't too bad watered down and with some Crystal Light. It is tough to get your protein in during the first few weeks. You will be searching for anything to help you meet your daily protein and water goal. Try it but remember.........SMALL sips.
3. Liquid in = Liquid out
I'm not going to go into too much detail on this one because......... EEEEWWWW! But FYI: after a few days don't freak out. You're only food source at this point is liquids..........remember........what goes in must come out. That's all I have to say about that.
4. Measure and take pictures frequently.
You may feel silly or it may be time consuming, but you will be glad you did in the end. After a few weeks, your weight loss on the scale will probably stall for a few days......or even a few weeks. Don't worry! The measuring tape will help keep you motivated. You will be surprised at how many inches you can lose in a week. Pictures will also help you track your progress and it will make you smile to see how far you have come.
5. Save a pair of "fat" pants
Go ahead, admit it......you know you've always dreamed of losing so much weight that you could fit into the leg of your old pants. Hold onto your britches girl because it will happen! Continue to hold onto those pants.......even after you fit into one leg. Keep them hanging in your closet......near the front. This will be a constant reminder of how far you have come. (and also remind you that you don't want to go back.)
6. Learn how to express instead of feed your emotions
This will be your biggest battle. The first few days after surgery, you will feel great physically. Mentally you will be a basketcase. You have fed your emotions for years. Happy, sad, stressed, excited......regardless of the feeling....instead of expressing it....you ate! You will no longer have a stomach big enough to feed those emotions..........find an outlet. Running, journaling, talking to a friend......anything besides eating. Learn to cry, laugh, and smile.......your stomach and inner self will thank you for it.
7. If you have a question..........don't be afraid to ask.
You will have questions.........lots of them. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask someone. Chances are if you are dealing with it someone else likely wondered the same thing during their post-op phase. Your dr. set up a FB page for this very reason. Post on the board or even private message someone. If you are too embarrassed to actually ask someone, search VSG forums or VSG YouTube videos. You will be surprised at how many people were in the same boat as you.
Leah's VSG Journey helped me through all of the phases.
Changes will be constant during the coming months. Don't get overwhelmed, relax, and enjoy the ride. I am not going to lie, this is going to be the hardest thing you've ever done. It is so worth it. You will find your smile again. You will learn to love yourself like you never have before. There are so many exciting things in store for you. Stay strong, keep the faith, and remember........Everything 4:13!
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