I am an addict, my name is Roni. Clean date 3/5/05. Band date 4/18/12. Glad to meet you all here!
I considered this surgery for a few years even before I got clean. My sponsor who has food issues wanted me to at least do 6th and 7th step before I considered the surgery. After 7, I began to lose weight. I lost 70# (most of my 'recovery weight') but stalled and yo-yoedhovered around a 50-60# loss. That took a few years. I am grateful that I did that, it helped me take a good look at my addictive eating patterns and the exact nature of them. Then I had the surgery. I told my closest support group what I was considering (during the pre op stuff) and then when I decided to go through with it. I didnt want random people to think I was looking for 'instant gratification' or judge me. (yes people pleasing is a defect I still struggle with) I did talk about an upcoming surgery and the pain meds.
What I did for the pain meds (as an ICU nurse I also believe that I deserve to be pain free post op and that being pain free minimizes the risks of complications), was have the pharmacy hold them and dispense no more than a days worth at a time to me or my designated family member. I evaluated my motives and pain level and why I had it (ie gas pain is not relieved by roxicet) each time I took a dose, and ya know what- I guess having 7 years clean helped in this area- Tylenol actually worked! I only used it maybe for 6 doses.
As far as back to work, I had also had a gastric plication where they fold up and suture your stomach into a sleeve (without removing tissue) so I took the ideal 4 weeks off work. They would have allowed 2, but given my job and that I lift people in comas and many that are dying from morbid obesity (therefore many > 300#) or the disease of addiction, I would need to be on light duty for 2 weeks. They stated the 4 would guarantee the healing and reduce the risk of hernias. I actually asked if I could return around the 2 week marker because I felt pretty good, and the APN said no. And just for today, I take suggestions, lol.
It is awesome to meet you all on here and look forward to participating in this forum!!