Recovery Time & Women Questions. Winston Salem, NC

The longer you are able to take off of work, the better for your recovery. If you don't have a physical job, then 3 weeks should be fine. Maybe plan for more if you can. I have lost 94# in total. Bra size went from 44 DDD minimizer to 34 DD minimizer. I will need a lift eventually. My stomach shrunk, with very little sag. I am still losing weight, maybe another 20# or so to go. I just hope I can control and maintain what I feel is perfect for me. Where are you in the process?

Hi there, my experience is 3 weeks is sufficient enough time to be away. However, take your time. Don't minimize this very serious surgery. Your energy level and mental capacity is important so remember to rest before returning to work. My boobs began to shrink in the preop stage of losing weight before the surgery and yes, they're sagging a little. Nothing a good push up bra can't handle:) your stomach will go down and ultimately sag if you had children and depending how big your mid section is. My son noticed my stomach had went down before i did, I'm literally shrinking away:) I hope this helps, and doesn't detour you away. Exercise will help with the tightening of some errors can't wait to hit the gym!

I think 3-4 weeks is the best. After you start feeling better physically, then getting you daily food together can be a challenge. That's why I say 3-4 wks.

I was off of work for only a week with no issues. But I do have a desk job.

I'm 3 days out from surgery this.past Monday morning. I can tell you that without a doubt the first day of surgery is the absolute worst. I had back pain over my kidneys (rubbing there gently helps), I had under breast pain ( sitting up, lying down, and walking upright all while maintaining good straight posture helped me, as well as using Salonpass cold pain relieving spray brought some relief), and of course you're going to contend with some dry heaving/gagging nausea type feelings (the worst of which for me we're when I took meds that dissolved too quickly in my mouth that weren't meant to be chewed or dissolved), the tip there being swallow pills one at a time with small sips of whatever you are able to keep down, wait a bit in between each pill, but keep sipping. I have been lucky enough that I haven't thrown up yet. But the gagging, hiccups, an dry heaves are still there if I go too fast, sometimes getting up from a lying down position is enough to cause these for me. I have.already noticed some weight loss in my legs especially it's noticeable because I still have a leg brace on my left leg from a now 2 weeks past knee surgery, I have.had to tighten the brace at least 4 times to keep it from slipping down my leg, this was a non-issue before my sleeping on Monday, and I view this as major progress considering that my legs and butt are the majority of where my excess weight likes to reside. Now I will say that the major change for me that has been surprising is the flavor enhancement of sweet and salty becoming intolerably sweeter and saltier than normal, as a result my gag reflex has gone on high alert. I haven't yet been able to do a real protein shake, but I was able to take all of my vitamins and medications yesterday and so far today. I was advised to drink more clear broth as tolerated and try out Propel fitness water for electrolytes and Isopure for protein (I had to do a 1:1 dilution in this one because of the thick sweetness of it), so far so good but I'm not a fan of the Isopure so far, first flavor I tried of it was Mango Peach which normally I would have enjoyed but blech right now. Gonna try the grape flavor of Isopure today, hopefully it works out better. I was told that a minimum of three weeks was recovery time for me because I'm a floor nurse with having to constantly lift heavy patients and there's no such thing as light duty where I work, so there's that. But from what I understand if you work a more sedentary job than me then you could potentially return to work within 3 to 7 days of surgery as long as you're feeling up to it, this is not something that I would rush though. You're still going to be dealing with some well-earned pain at this point, so go for full recovery if you can.

As for the body change I can't yet fully speak to that, but when I was at my skinnier over a decade ago, I still had C or D cup breasts and child-bearing hips although bonier for sure, so for me I don't believe I'm going to lose my special chesticles. I'm hoping that I'm young enough that with the proper vitamin and topical support that I will not have saggy skin, if you want to know what I'm taking and doing to support my skin, I'd be happy to tell you, but I want to start seeing some results on my own before spreading the wealth because supplements are not cheap and since I don't yet know the safety of this for everyone I'd rather use myself as a guinea pig before I subject others to it. I'll keep you posted or you can always PM me. I'll respond as quick as I'm able. I wish you luck and blessings.

Good to hear. You are doing fabulous with the lifestyle changes. Great advice to the new sleevers!
You look 20 years younger, and you are glowing.

Hi , this is my 3rd week and I am worried about quantity of food I am able to take, I think I am eating more than others are and I am worried, am I not listening to my tummy or what can be the problem. I was able to eat 2 toast when I hoped I would stop at one. Help somebody

Puppy's Mom is so right - If I didn't know you'd had the surgery I would say that before picture was your older sister, aunt, or even mom - you look that much younger and more vibrant! You have made me wish September 10th would get here even more quickly! I'm curious about all the exercise you're doing. It sounds wonderful, but I can't imagine having the energy to keep up with life plus that amount of working out and still feel good. Yesterday I was calculating the approximate number of calories I'd be taking in for the first several weeks and was surprised how low it can be. My doctor doesn't move you to full 'regular' foods until day 40, but still - I'm wondering where I'm going to get the fuel for so much exercise. Your thoughts please? Puppy's Mom, if you see this could you also share your wisdom? You are so full of great information and advice. I'm also trying to figure out how in the heck I will keep hydrated when I am doing heavy exercise (like lawn mowing, running, etc.).

You look amazing!!!! You look younger and you are glowing. Most importantly you look happy!

Hi Beatrice: I am 3 weeks out from my WLS. Thank you for talking about hunger pain and eating every 2 to 3 hours. I too have it. I hate having it. I drink a lot of water and have finally said to hell with it I can't deal with most real food and so I am sticking to your suggestion of protein shakes. Thanks for your share. Leslie

Great job! What dress size were you and what size are u now. I was sleeved on the 6th Aug at 236.99 pounds or 107.5kg, I am ashamed to say I haven't done such a good job , I am 205 . I am motivated to get back on track , I think all the compliments derailed me