bleelawry

Hi - I'm 12 weeks post-op and have had no issues and am losing weight slow and steady. I couldn't be more pleased. Anyway, just a couple of days ago, I started experiencing an occasional sharp pain on my left side right around my waist level. It comes and goes. Last night it woke me up and this morning I had an episode while driving to work. Like I said, it is intermittent and doesn't last long but since I've never felt this kind of pain before, it has started to worry me. Anyone have anything like that?

Hi All. I'm two weeks out from surgery and have switched from thin to thick liquids, not quite to mushy yet, although I have tried refried Beans. The problem I'm having now is I can't tell when I am satisfied. I know you will understand that before surgery, and for most of my life, I ate until full, not satisfied. Now I'm trying to determine when I get that 'satisfied' feeling. Perhaps I will notice more when I get to more solid foods but I was wondering what you all experienced. Thanks for your help as always. Bridget

This is a great topic. I've also struggled with depression for the last 20 years +. I believe I've always been depressed even as a child, but was only diagnosed as an adult. Anyway, over the years I've been off and on the anti-depressants and have finally accepted that I will probably need to take meds the rest of my life. It took a while, but after several failed attempts at coming off, I was convinced. There is no shame in this disease, it is like having diabetes and if you are sick, you take the medicine right? Well, the same goes for depression. You may have situational depression which will come and go over a normal lifetime and you may need to take the meds temporarily or you could be like me and have a more chronic form of the disease. In either case, acceptance is the key. One of the things that I did before surgery is to discuss it and my current mental health state with my PCP as well as my psychiatrist. A lot of my depression lately has been added to because of the excess weight and not being able to be as active as I like to be and I went into this surgery with eyes wide open. Losing weight will not cure my depression but it may allow me to adjust my meds down. That is a win for me. In addition, adding pain meds to depression can and most always will make it worse. The pain meds are depressants after all. I don't think I was affected as much because I was still on my anti-depressants and I tried not to overdo the pain meds because I knew what they did to my mental health state. The key here is to educate yourself about how depression, meds, situations affect you. Everyone is different. Hoping things get better for you. One day at a time and reach out to whatever resources you need to help. You do not have to do this alone. Bridget

Hi, My surgery was on Monday, June 27. I know everyone is different and I didn't know what to expect but really, I think I could go back to work on Tuesday. Each day it seemed like I was 100% better than the day before. The only thing that bothered me was the gas and it has finally subsided. The first day it was hard to get in and out of the bed and the chair, but the second, no problem. I would just play it by ear. If you're ok, go back the first week, otherwise don't. I took 3 weeks off but I think I'll go back that third week. Take care all! This is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I haven't had any "buyers remorse" that I've read about on here either. Just good stuff. Its ALL GOOD!

Hey Renee - Thanks for the response. I have been trying, but there is no way I can get in all that I need to. I have a large glass of ice water with me at all times and I sip, sip, sip. I've been able to get down about 10 ouncs of protein drink today. I find my self belching a lot and I don't know what that's about. I don't use a straw so I'm not swallowing air, at least I don't think so. Anyway, I'm feeling much better, easier to get up and down and I just keep the liquids nearby and keep sipping on!

Hi all - Well, I'm 2 days out from my surgery. I came home from the hospital today and am still moving a little slow around the house. I am moving though. I have to say the hardest part is getting up out of the chair or bed. The pain really is not that bad. Actually, about 3 days before my surgery, I pulled a muscle in my neck and that hurts more than the surgery did. I'm on my way now. Haven't been able to eat much and drinking a Protein shake is taking me forever. I'm having a hard time with 'sipping' but when I do take those larger gulps I remember why I'm not supposed to. I'd like to hear from any of you who've had surgery in the past week and compare notes. Thanks,

:DENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY!!!! I'm looking forward to that too some day. I have my VSG surgery on Monday! Woo Hoo!

Thanks all for your kind and encouraging words. I'll let you know how it goes! Ciao!

Hi All - My surgery is scheduled for Monday and I'm really ready for this. I've been pretty good with the 2 week pre-op diet. I did fudge a little bit but in the scheme of things, that cheat was nothing. Guess what? I ate some plain greek yogurt in place of a shake a couple of times and I had some tomato Soup just for a change - These items were not on the sheet. Even so, I've lost 15 pounds in 11 days. Not bad for someone who usually takes 2 months to lose 5 pounds! Anyway, any advice on how to prepare for Monday, what should I take with me to the hospital? what should I have ready at home? Will I need much help and for how long? I live alone and have a little dog. Anything will be appreciated, prayers too. B.

I'm on the 27th too! Getting very excited. After this first week of my pre-op diet, I've already dropped 12 pounds! It has been a little challenging, but very doable. I get hungry once in a while, but it passes if I don't dwell on it or if I just grab a little sf jello. Good Luck to you!

Hi - My name is Bridget, I live in the Nashville area. My date is next Monday, June 27! I'm supposed to be at the hospital at 5:30 am sharp! I'd love to keep in touch with folks on here who can support me and who I can support. One more week until my new life begins.

I've been on my pre-op liquid diet since Monday and I haven't had too much trouble. My doc says I can have any kind of Protein drink as long as it has < 200 calories and >15 g of Protein. There are some out there that are not too bad. The problem is the artificial sweeteners that leave the aftertaste. Maybe I'll get used to them eventually, but I've never liked them. I can also have sf Jello, sf popsicles and beef, chicken, or vegetable broth to supplement the shakes. I've found that a cup of beef broth will sometimes make me feel full for quite a while. I haven't cheated once and have noticed a 9 pound loss already. I try to eat /drink about every 2 hours and that helps too. Good Luck!

I'm in the same situation. I've been at my job for 6 months and I've finally got everything worked out and I'm scheduled for 6/27. I have told a few choice people whom I know I can trust and no one else. My boss has been prying but it really is none of her business and really is illegal to ask. Do what you feel is right for YOU. People are going to think what they want to regardless. Good Luck! Bridget

My date is June 27. I'm starting to get my stuff all lined up for my pre-op diet which starts on the 13th. Any suggestions for good protein powders I could try?

I may be interested in some of the items you have. I'm trying to prepare for my pre-op diet and don't know where to start. May I ask, why are getting rid of this stuff? Did you not like it? Are you eating all regular foods now? Thanks, Bridget