maryjane61

Oh yes! Sleeping on my back makes my lower back hurt really bad! It was a week post op before I could comfortably sleep on my sides. As far as the headache, I had a super duper horrible headache in hospital (I think due to the morphine) and convinced a nurse to give me liquid Tylenol with codeine (before my barium swallow). Whew! I am prone to headaches and I have had not a one since returning from hospital. I think it is all the liquids! I used to NEVER drink Water. I am now a believer as headaches are my greatest fear! Good luck!

Everyone is different. I was hungry within a couple of days so consider yourself lucky. I am almost 2 years out and I do feel hunger regularly, but it is not the same type of hunger I felt before surgery and it is satisfied with very little. Don't worry...it all comes together.

I assume this refers to my comments earlier. I did NOT chastise you. What I said is that people need not feel compelled to tell anyone about their surgery. If they choose to, great. If not, great. It is a very personal decision and needs to be made by each individual. People should not be made to feel as though they are failing someone by not talking about their surgeries. In my experience, many of the people who have chosen to be vocal about their surgeries are almost bullies. They constantly tell more private people that they are wrong or are not making the right decision in deciding not to disclose to people that they had surgery. That is not OK. Certainly, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but the very framing of some of these questions is off-putting. People are put in the positon of having to justify why they don't choose to broadcast their surgeries.
I have had various types of medical procedures during my life and at no point have I felt it necessary to tell everyone I know about it. This is no different. I am not going to make up elaborate excuses and I am not going to lie. But I am not going to volunteer any information. And if someone is bold enough to ask such a personal question, I won't feel bad about letting them know how rude and inappropriate I find them to be.

I still don't understand why this is such a controversial topic. Folks who want to talk about their medical procedures should do so and should leave folks who choose not to do so alone! Why is that so difficult? I think it is reprehensible to make people feel inferior for deciding to be private. Frankly, there is something obscene about such focus on the lives of other people.
I intend for this to be my last comment on this topic because it is silly and I have other things to do. I am saddened, however, that in what is supposed to be a safe place, people are assaulted that they aren't making the decisions other folks want them to make.
I would encourage folks to stop trying to justify their decisions to not share with folks about their surgery. Do what you think is best for you. In the words of Mary J. Blige, they can love it or hate it. But they don't have the power to change it. They also don't have a Heaven or Hell to give you, so you don't need to convince them that you are right.

I told just enough people at work that everyone found out about it, which was my intention. I've heard nothing negative. Many people have commented positively on my weight loss, and I have one coworker who had bypass years ago and he has been a great sounding board for me, since he was right where I am now.
I think most people who know me know I really don't care if they don't agree with my decision. I dont mind defending my decision to have surgery What's the worst they are gonna say? That I'm fat and I couldn't lose the weight on my own? That was true BEFORE the surgery so nothing has really changed.
I feel like the people who haven't said a word are either respecting my privacy or they have nothing positive to say and they are keeping their negativity to themselves. Either way I'm cool with it. My life has only gotten better since surgery.

Sigh! I don't think anyone has an obligation to do that. If it works for them and their life, they should do so. If that isn't in keeping with their personal priorities, they should not. Either way, there shouldn't be pressure or shame associated with the decision.

I only told people close to me everyone else I told I had my gallbladder removed.(which I did) I really feel like its my business only. I know some people MAY support you but I perfer them to support the weight loss not the reason. I am currently 12 days after and fighting to eat soft food trying to get enough Protein and Water. I really don't have time to listen to potenial Nay sayers....Nope sure dont

I told everyone! Friends, Family and Coworkers, now I know that was maybe a wrong choice. I had to defend myself as to why I was getting it done. Everyone had their opinion about what diet I should go on instead of going under the knife. Well for the last 25 years dieting hasent worked obviously! So this was a pretty private and personal Quest of mine that I really shouldnt have blurted out to the world. I learned my lesson

To me its not only what others think, I just think my health is none of there business! From preop to 3 weeks post op my hubby was in Saudi. Before surgery he tried to talk me into post;poning until he was home saying You will not be able to do this alone without help. You will need help etc. After a while he saw my point and relented. I have support from my mom, she had bypass 23 years ago and I knew my hubby (no matter how hard he tried) would not understand how I anticipated feeling after surgery (head hunger, etc) He is a 30 in the waste, same size as my teenage boys, and has never been overweight in his life. He eats only to survive, he doesn't sit down to eat to enjoy food, he eats when he is hungry and stops when he is full. He has never overeat to my knowledge and to him eating is something that is required to survive. His entire family is slender whereas my whole family is either very overweight or obese. I dont think he can REALLY understand why everyone is not like him. He doesn't get that people eat to be entertained, feel better emotionally, or just because it taste so durn good! Or whatever reason we all have for overeating for years. I am def not blasting him because he does try to understand, I just dont think he is really capable of COMPLETELY understanding because of our different backgrounds and habits. There are still times I have to catch myself from telling my kids, "clean your plate, dont waste that food"! Old habits die hard but I do not want my kids to grow up obese.
On the flip side, I knew I would have support from my parents and baby brother. my family has battled obesity my whole life! At the time of surgery my mom had just had total hip replacement 4 weeks previously, but still she followed me around the halls after surgery to do my required postop walking using a walker, when I would fall asleep walking she would pat my face and say wake up you gotta walk. Her and my dad stayed at the hosp the whole day until baby brother got off work to come stay with me. He took off for 3 days to stay the night at hospital and bring me home and stay with me at home for a couple days until I was sure I could get around alone.
My point is, we all really need some type of support, but it doesnt really matter where it comes from as long as they understand how hard this can be. I have never regretted the vsg, but it isn't always an easy journey. Sometimes you feel like an infant learning how to eat, what works, what doesn't, etc, finding your limitations, figthting head hunger, and realizing you CANNOT have a cheat meal anymore. its not like a diet when you could take a day off and go to the buffet and pig out. Its simply not possible unless you enjoy pain and vomiting.
I stand by my decision to keep my surgery to myself. This journey can be emotionally draining at times and I simply dont need negativity in my life from people who choose to sugarrcoat sarcasm. It is my journey and I choose to surround myself with people who are genuinly proud for me and say to heck with the others.

I've told two close friends (who are a couple). Aside from them, only my medical professionals will know. I have no worries about whether people will be supportive. I am quite confident. I simply don't want to engage folks in discussions about my health decisions. Do I think many people will figure it out? Of course they will. I actually am OK with them coming up with whatever theories they want. I think many will hint around but few will be bold enough to ask. If people want to hint, I simply will ignore them, just as I did when I got the band. They will get the point. And if people at work ask questions, I will be clear that they are in dangerous territory.

I only told people close to me everyone else I told I had my gallbladder removed.(which I did) I really feel like its my business only. I know some people MAY support you but I perfer them to support the weight loss not the reason. I am currently 12 days after and fighting to eat soft food trying to get enough Protein and Water. I really don't have time to listen to potenial Nay sayers....Nope sure dont

I am almost 3 weeks out and have something similar. I was told by dr that it is the deep stitched area healing where they took your stomach out. It should feel better as time goes by.