Today is day 6 after my sleeve surgery and it seems like my emotions are on a rollercoaster. Yesterday I felt better, but last night had a terrible time sleeping on my back,,,  the largest incision hurts when I moved in bed.  This morning I feel like someone has beat me up,,, I just want to sit down and cry,   I have no energy.   I didnt think this was going to be this hard, I sure hope it gets better.

It does get better. Honest.

I think in the excitement of moving forward with this life change, we tend to not let the fact that this is major surgery sink in. Until, of course, we find ourselves recuperating from major surgery!

I found things got better quickly after the first week, but it was a full month before my energy levels were completely normal.

Hang in there - you'll turn the corner soon

3 weeks and I felt like a champ....just hang in there each day gets better.  Do you take pain meds before you sleep?  That really helped me.

It does get better! The first few weeks your in pain, tired, weepy, frustrated, "hungry" but nothing is satisfying. I couldn't sleep anywhere but flat on my back and mainly on the coach for at least a month. I had this deep pain in my right side that I didn't think would ever go away but it did.  Now I'm almost 4 months out 40-43 pounds down and feel better than I have in 10yrs. Just make sure you get as much protein and fluids in as you can and take your vitamins.  One day soon you will look in the mirror and be amazed.  You'll see a thinner face, your clothes will be loose and aches and pains you had because of the extra weight will start to fade.  Be patient...and Good Luck!

My surgery was pretty easy physically, but the first 6 weeks were very hard on me emotionally. I thought I was, but I really wasn't fully prepared for how my new relationship with food would effect me. However once I hit 6 weeks and could start eating more variety I really settled in and felt great. It truly is the greatest thing I've ever done for myself and I wouldn't ever change a single thing. It just took a while for my brain to get on board.

 Oh susan...the first week is a tough one as far as recovery.  YES it does get better guarandangteed!!  Buyer's remorse, hunger off the hook initially....but YOU yerself can make for a better, quicker recovery!  Yeah ...yer alot more powerful than ya think! 

Dehydration is the #1 reason for a post op ER visit ...yet totally avoidable. Ya see post opers have ^^ "orthostatic hypotension"  gettin dizzy when getting up from a sitting position or bending then rising ...too fast. Low energy...fatigue, chapped/dry lips and mouth, dark yellow urine.

ALL because of an electrolyte/mineral imbalance-deficiency...and lack of water intake! 

1. Take your required post VSG vits/minerals EVERYDAY!!

2. Drink! ICE/SLUSHIES!! ....and not jus****er, w/ SF flavorers-like crystal light either!  or that bogus vitamin water! nor SF popscicles!  They do LITTLE for dehydration once there is an imbalance in electrolytes/minerals! ...why they hook us up to sodium chloride magnesium sugar (glucose) in the hospital when treated for dehydration....they don't give us IV plain water! lol 

the following: ALL DAY LONG...as much as many as you can tolerate:

gatorade, sports drinks  ....semi-freeze spoon em in, make ice cubes n suck on em!
Pedilyte or Electrolyte (generic at Walgreens) popscicles ...in the baby food section
broths....chicken, vegetable, beef

do not worry about sodium content in broths...at this stage of recovery
do not worry about sugar content in electrolyte containing sports drinks/pedilyte pops at this stage of recovery.
Don't worry you'll still lose weight...lol

Semi freeze your protein RTDs/shakes. 

Use a shot glass size for measure/1oz measuring cup... every 15 minutes...get one of  ^^^ items in you!! 

The ice/slushies....help w/ nausea and also reduces incisional line swelling/inflammation

3.  WALK!  every chance...get up and moving! Even if you don't "feel like it" ...don't think about it...DO IT! 

Increase a little more each day!!... promotes healing, builds stamina...prevents blood clots and pneumonia, .....complications of any surgery...not just VSG!

also reduces gas ...not only GI gas (pain meds, surgery, liquid diet)... but trapped CO2 from surgery itself.

SO MOVIN IT...does a body good! In YOUR CONTROL!!

4.   STAY UPRIGHT...1 hour after drinking/eating anything during recovery!  Do not lay down!  Sleeping in a recliner best post op sleeping position.....putting pillows/heavy blankets under your side of the mattress....head shouldera elevated with pillows.  Sleep on your back or LEFT side only....all help! 

5.  Soon...measure yerself if you have not done so before surg...one week following surgery is ok...less IV / surgery bloat.  Head to toe..(may need some help!) seriously!!  foot width, head width...RECORD EM!!  Then remeasure every month...pic yer surgery day!   Those numbers will be VITAL to your sanity come the infamous...3 week stall, the 3,6,and 9 month stall your first year. 

6. JOURNAL like Ted Kazinski!!  put it on paper! computer whatever. Everyday if you wanna.. All your thoughts, feelings...document yer journey!  Note changes in YOU!  
Note highs n lows....when, why!  

As you gathered........our thoughts, feelings LIE!!  re: our obesity .....pre-op even at ..180 pounds I didn't feel that obese ... to OMG how could I have let it get sooo out of my control! to have to cut off my stomach to get healthier!  .....
then post op when the weight is coming off...and yer def. thinner.........Josephine Blow..lost x more amount of pounds more than me and she had surgery the same day! Im a slow loser  (maybe Josephine Blow is petite! maybe Josephine blow is a shortie! maybe Josephine Blow is young, had soo much more to lose,  maybe maybe maybe...but our thoughts tell us..."Im a slow loser" lol....or how bout... I can't let go of my fat clothes, I "feel fat" even tho I haven't been in this size since high school!.....BTDT!  lmao!!

Sooo....realize that thoughts/feelings aren't always reliable. The TRUTH is not always so apparent!

BE POSITIVE!! it makes this journey a helluva lot more enjoyable...when ya embrace the changes instead of lament about em...and figure out...you got lots more control in this process.... than even YOU think you do!  ,-)

This is by far the best motivation I have seen since I have been on here. Don't get me wrong there are a lot of positive reading these topics. I have my consultation appt. today so excited, missed my appt last week and had to have it changed but glory to God I didn't have to wait do long for another one. I'm so ready for thus life changing process that I will go through, with all this reading different post everyday are helpful.

Thank you for posting this,  I will do everything you posted,   This has really been a rough 6 days for me.  I know this will help others also, thank you so much!!

 thanks Carmelita for your post! all great advice and stuff I want to remember 

Let me second Carmelita on the positive attitude part!  So much of this is beyond our control - but NOT our attitude.  And that drives everything else.  It gets SO MUCH better.  Fear not!  You will do great.  *Expect* to do great!!

 It's okay.  Have that pity party!

I had it too.  I felt bad, I was useless around the house, I couldn't exercise or eat.  It's natural to be frustrated, depressed, angry, etc.

Just remember, this will pass.  I'm at 7 weeks now and I'm just now learning to appreciate my sleeve.  I still miss the foods I cannot eat, but I know I don't miss my potential for diabetes.  Try to remember whatever your main motivating factor for the surgery was and keep it in your mind during the bad times.