One Month Post-Op from Gastric Sleeve: My Honest Experience
Heyyyy besties! On May 22nd, I hit a monumental milestone – I’m officially one month post-op from gastric sleeve surgery (and bursting with excitement to share my journey with you!) Buckle up because it’s been a wild ride filled with laughter, tears, and some seriously joy-filled moments.
Some Back Story
Back in 2017 I hit my heaviest. My mental health was suffering, my marriage was in a rough spot, and overall, I was struggling to keep my head above water. I didn’t realize at the time how big I was… But I knew I wasn’t happy. I knew my clothes were fitting tighter and tighter until they didn’t fit anymore. I knew that when I saw myself in photos, I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I knew that doing basic everyday things was getting increasingly more difficult. I knew something needed to change, but I felt like I was so far gone that nothing could save me. To read more about my “why”, read this post here.
I tried a few different diets and supplement regimens that proved successful. I dropped about fifty pounds and was feeling so much better, but I stalled out after that and then began to yo-yo again, ultimately regaining 30 of the 50 I had lost.
Big Post-Op Milestone Wins
This first big win is something to celebrate! As of this morning, I am down a whopping 117 lbs! That’s right, 117 lbs have vanished into thin air, and I’m feeling great!
Since starting the surgical process in March 2024, I’ve shed 58 lbs, and let me tell you, it feels like I’ve been given a new lease on life. I can’t even begin to describe the joy and relief of watching those numbers drop and feeling my energy soar. I put together a tote several years ago filled with clothing I loved but couldn’t fit into anymore. I got to get all of those clothing items out of the box and place them into my closet/drawers to be used again! I also got to downsize my closet recently as I have so many clothes that are now too big! What a great non-scale victory!
Some other NSV’s:
- I am wearing clothes again that I wore in college!
- I don’t have to move my driver’s seat or adjust the steering wheel anymore after my husband has driven. I can just slip right in!
- The seatbelt in our van isn’t maxed out and cutting into me anymore. There is room to spare.
- I can walk further distances more easily.
- I have so much more energy.
- I feel so much better already!
- I can buy clothing in stores I couldn’t previously.
- I fit more easily and comfortably on the rides at Disney World!
Speaking of Disney World, back in Oct/November 2023, we went to Disney World to celebrate my sister’s Enchanted Engagement! We went the last week of October that overlapped with the first week of November, so we got to experience all of the lovely Fall decor, and then we also got to see the incredible Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The pics below are taken wearing the same outfit. The first was taken on that trip in 2023, the second was taken just last week.
1 Month Post-Op | What I Didn’t Know that I Didn’t Know
If you are on your own surgical journey, let me share with you a little thing called the dreaded “Week Three Stall”. For me, it was the “Week Three GAIN”. *GASP*
I had been feeling so great, people had been telling me they could see a difference, I was hitting my nutritional goals, so I was certain I was killing it. When I looked down at the scale and saw a 6-pound gain, felt so defeated. I felt like a total failure and thought “Oh no! Have I already blown it?!” But I was determined to not let my mindset defeat me. I started doing some research and even talking to other bariatric patients who were further along in their post-op journeys, and I found out that this is actually a super common experience among bari-patients.
Apparently, when you advance to any new stage of the post-op process, you can experience stalls/gains. There is a video on YouTube by Dr. Christopher McGowan called “The Early Weight Loss Stall Explained” and it puts everything into perspective. He talks about how in this post-op stage, you’re losing fat instead of water weight, so it goes slower, but it makes sense as to why. Check out that video- he can explain it far better than I can!
One bari-influencer I follow on TikTok (@kalynvsgjourney) gave me some good advice- she said “these stalls can last a bit longer than you would expect. Put the scale away so you don’t get distracted. Focus on meeting your goals and then track your measurements! You will see loss continue and stay encouraged. Let me just say, she was definitely right.
Post-Op Transition from Liquids to Solids (or Purées, really).
Now, let’s get to the fun part – my first real food experience post-surgery. Picture this: I’m fourteen days post-op. I have been on liquids only for the last 6 weeks. Now, I find myself at the happiest place on Earth, my home away from home, Walt Disney World. I am surrounded by magic, laughter, and a little bit of pixie dust. So what do I choose as my food? None other than the iconic Pineapple Dole Whip! 🍍 Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my first bite of solid food after surgery was a swirl of pineapple perfection. I felt like I was living a fairy tale, savoring each spoonful as if it were a kiss from Prince Charming himself. Who knew that something so simple could taste like a slice of heaven?
PS, peep this transformation. Jake and me at WDW in 2018 vs. 2024!
“If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It”- Walt Disney
As I continue this journey (that is just getting started), I’m reminded that every step, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. So here’s to more laughter, more milestones, and more magical moments ahead. If you’re considering a similar path, know that it’s not just about the weight loss; it’s about reclaiming your life, one Dole Whip at a time. Cheers to new beginnings and the delicious adventures that come with them! 🌟
PS, if you’re in need of a surgeon, check out my surgeon, Dr. Darrell Doucette, at Alabama Surgical Associates.
