I had my surgery on October 19th. I am doing fantastic! I have had absolutely no problem. I had a minimum amount of pain the first week but definitely tolerable. I was cleared this past Monday to move beyond the liquid stage. I have found no food intolerances at all but I do chew chew chew chew. I was also cleared on Monday to return to the swimming pool so I have been swimming my laps again. Love it. I have lost over 50 pounds since my diet and exercise routine in February. Life is good!!!!
My rant, my opinion, right? Before you get started on how unsupportive and not nice I am, and how I should just dodge the posts I don't want to read, I'll kindly tell you to educate yourself on how I typically post and on my contributions to VST. (That's my nice way of saying I don't care what you think and that you shouldn't waste my time or yours telling me how mean I am.)
Because I cannot possibly be the only person so incredibly sick of these posts! Anyone else tired of the whining? I don't mind an occasional vent, but the outright whiny, childish and incredibly annoying posts just make me thankful I'm on VST (and on the other side of the computer) and not in an in-person support group. Because, really, people, this is getting stupid. I am not talking about actual complications or asking a valid question, either. I'm talking about the same cycle of wah-wah-wah about simple things that should have come up with only a few attempts at research.
Let's address a few of these annoyances that keep cropping up:
1) Oh my gosh, it's a travesty but guess what? You are NOT going to lose the weight faster than you put it on. I know - it's heartbreaking. I mean, surgery is supposed to be magical, isn't it? I, for one, got a free unicorn AND a leprechaun with my surgery. I get that you don't want to work at this. Really, I mean, taking advantage of a fraction of the stomach capacity and learning how to eat wisely so you can develop a healthy relationship with food and gosh, to live the rest of your ENTIRE LIFE not obese, not overeating and to have a chance to ditch the bad habits and emotional baggage...that's just way too much to wait for. You should probably just be angry at the world and vent on a public forum about how the surgery has ruined your life because you've only lost 20 pounds in three weeks. I mean, really! Those are some completely shoddy results, if you ask me. Because really, who thinks that a one to two year period of focusing on weight loss to lose the weight for good (especially after fifteen years or more of trying to lose the weight on various failed diets) is worth the time or effort?
2) Surgery hurts. I know, I know. You probably didn't realize that having anesthesia and being flopped around, pumped full of gas, sliced open, having an organ removed, having staples and stitches put in and having drains in your body would actually hurt. But it does, imagine that! I know, in most cases it lasts five to ten days before you're feeling better, but surely your world is ending, your pain is the worst ever and you definitely need to post about it here so we can all give you pats on the head and you can scare the people researching the sleeve away. Be thankful you're not one of the people with a REAL complication causing ACTUAL serious pain. Or maybe you are. We can't tell or guide people to their doctors because there are just so many suffering people posting that it's a challenge to weed out the ones with real issues and the ones who forgot to take their pain pills. I know, we all handle pain differently. But really, a teeny bit of research would help with expectations, wouldn't it? And let's not forget how tired you are post op. Who knew that eating less than 300 calories a day after major surgery and having to really work at staying hydrated would wear you out and make you tired? Ugh, it's completely unreasonable!
3) It's hard to eat when you only have 15% of your stomach. Who knew? I mean, sure, that's why we had surgery, but I know you figured you'd just have a smaller stomach made of cast Iron that could easily tolerate at least half a bacon cheeseburger within a week of your operation. All that sipping (of warm or room temp liquids!), all of that discomfort when you try to shovel in a cup of oatmeal in week three, the challenge of finding Protein you can eat easily, the challenge of finding a shake you actually like - I mean, who knew that was going to be part of the game? Oh wait, what do you mean everyone that actually researched their surgery knew about this stuff? Well, never mind that. Post about it so we can all hear how different and more difficult it is for you, because I'm sure it was a walk in the park for everyone else.
4) I'm sure your heartburn and acid reflux are terribly uncomfortable. It is for all of us. I'm sure the gurgling and healing stomach sounds are annoying and hard to get used to. They were for the rest of us, too. Which is why you should be on a PPI. If you did even a cursory bit of research on the sleeve, I am certain the fact that acid is an issue post op for almost everyone came up. So if you aren't on a PPI (think Prilosec or Nexium - Tums and Pepcid aren't PPIs) you should probably be on one. Even if your surgeon didn't suggest one. And if he/she didn't prescribe one or suggest one, I'd question that surgeon, because this is a known issue post op for nearly every patient. But it's your body and your suffering, so hey, why not be a tiny bit proactive and ASK FOR ONE if one isn't offered? While we're here, you should have done enough research to realize you'd need sublingual B-12, an Iron supplement and Calcium citrate as well as a multi until your doctor does bloodwork and tells you your levels are fine without supplements. I know, it's HARD to take all those pills...it's so annoying, too. But if you don't take them you'll be tired and sluggish and forgetful and won't feel up to par. But you knew that from all your research, I'm sure.
5) I doubt you're starving. Very, very few people do not lose the hunger post op. I have seen a few that struggled with this but they are few and far between. I know, you probably didn't do enough research to realize that you still have ghrelin in your system for a few days post op, or to find that acid gurgling in your belly feels exactly the same way as a rumbling tummy. You probably thought you'd be immune to head hunger, because you thought obesity was only caused by eating too much, not by any type of emotional attachment to food. You probably didn't realize that two or three (or more) weeks on a liquid diet would be challenging, mentally, even if you don't really want food. I know, I know, we already covered that surgery is supposed to be magical and you wanted it to control your feelings about food and your desire to eat for the rest of your life.
6) Diets don't work. Isn't that why you finally opted for surgery? Then why do you insist on treating the way you eat post op like a diet? Why do you insist on carb counting yourself into misery and allowing yourself only enough calories to sustain a ten pound cat instead of an adult human? Why are you surprised, after years of failed dieting, that the desire to binge and graze and eat emotionally show up when you restrict yourself the way you've always done on past diets? Why do you insist on eliminating entire food groups for fear of gaining weight, only to post at one or two years post op that you can't understand why maintenance is so hard and you can't stop eating junk? Oh, that's right, you thought the sleeve was part B of your diet and treated it that way...and got the same success you got from all those diets you did prior to surgery as a result.
7) It's hard to break bad habits and be healthy. We've covered this! Surgery is supposed to be magical - and therefore any emotional eating problems, baggage from your childhood, poor eating habits you're reinforced for years, etc. should just be magically erased when the surgeon slices out 85% of your stomach. I know, you don't understand why this is so hard! I know, you're so frustrated and you regret your surgery because you want to eat and you can't. Why won't your sleeve stop you from eating those Cookies or that big bowl of ice cream? This is completely unfair. I suggest you post about how the surgery is a waste of time and/or money because it didn't do the head work for you, cause this isn't supposed to be hard. It's magic.
8) Some people lose hair and get loose skin? AH, say it isn't so! If losing the weight and being healthy isn't worth a temporary trade off, surgery isn't for you. I know you already have diabetes, high blood pressure and are slowly killing yourself with your obesity, but you have an irrational fear of loose skin and thinning hair and aren't sure if this surgery is for you. I get that. After all, I'd rather die slowly with beautiful hair than compromise my vanity for a few months and extend my life in the process. I mean, really, we have to have our priorities! So please, as soon as you notice some hair falling out, please panic and post about it and ask if anyone else has experienced it. I'm sure you're the very first person it's ever happened to before and you should frantically warn everyone and work yourself into a frenzy envisioning your bald dome if it continues.
9) If you post stupid, tiresome, uneducated or ridiculous things to strangers on the internet, sometimes you get snarky, short or even blunt and (borderline) rude answers. I know, I know. You live in a world where everyone sings kumbaya together with genuine feeling before they start their day on the communal farm. Well, lots of us don't live there or have an infinite amount of patience and tolerance for those that think we should all be the same. I might answer one way and many other someones will answer another way and between all of us, hopefully there will be enough of an answer that anyone with the same question (but who doesn't necessarily have the same expectation on how it will be answered) can put together a solution. And then, in a perfect world, they wouldn't post the same question two threads down less than 24 hours later.
I love VST. I love that I found this site and researched my surgery for ONE WHOLE YEAR before opting to slice out my stomach. I love that it is full of resources, full of true experiences, full of warnings, full of advice for those that bother to search it out. Even four year old threads can still be relevant today! I love being able to come back here and "give back" in a way, by helping people with genuine questions and genuine concerns. I want to cheer other people on their journey and I want to help people approach this surgery in a sane way that will help them not just lose the weight but keep it off forever.
But for goodness' sake I simply have to acknowledge that I am only human and only have a limited amount of GAF when it comes to some of these posts and lately, some of these members.
It shouldn't be exhausting and aggravating to be here! I've been around the military too long, I think - I'm about a step away from yelling at some of these jokers like they need, instead of being diplomatic and polite.
My vent, my opinion, remember? Remember: you can always just skip over my post and not respond if it really bothers you!
~Cheri
I had my surgery on October 19th. I am doing fantastic! I have had absolutely no problem. I had a minimum amount of pain the first week but definitely tolerable. I was cleared this past Monday to move beyond the liquid stage. I have found no food intolerances at all but I do chew chew chew chew. I was also cleared on Monday to return to the swimming pool so I have been swimming my laps again. Love it. I have lost over 50 pounds since my diet and exercise routine in February. Life is good!!!!
I had my surgery on October 19th. I am doing fantastic! I have had absolutely no problem. I had a minimum amount of pain the first week but definitely tolerable. I was cleared this past Monday to move beyond the liquid stage. I have found no food intolerances at all but I do chew chew chew chew. I was also cleared on Monday to return to the swimming pool so I have been swimming my laps again. Love it. I have lost over 50 pounds since my diet and exercise routine in February. Life is good!!!!
Hi Deb,
I am 14 days out from my surgery! I am exactly like you - I have found no intolerances at all. Taking everything slowly. I have been getting my Protein in since last Friday. I still struggle to get my 64 ounces of fluids in - usually 4- 6 glasses. No nausea either! I guess we have been blessed! I have been doing a lot of walking and riding my exercise bike.
It is funny how fixing food for others doesn't bother you or me either! Strange, I know!
I return to the surgeon on Monday, and I must say I am looking forward to moving on to the challenge of the next food stage!!
Good luck to you!
Ellamae
Well best of luck to you Ellamae, I'm so glad your surgery and recovery is going so well, I just can't believe I have just recovered so wonderfully myself with such a major surgery, I honestly have to remind myself to slow down Deb you just had surgery!!! My blood sugars have normalized, my joints have honestly stopped hurting, and my blood pressure isn't jumping all over the place. Even if I don't loose another pound, just having the above stay the way it is...it would be all worth it :wub:I can't wait for the next food stage, mine starts on Monday....MMMM...cottage cheese....eggs...yum! hahahah
Sometimes I think I'm just still on this HIGH/EUPHORIA still from the excitement of having the surgery? Whatever I like it and hope it never goes away
Deb
Hi Deb,
I am 14 days out from my surgery! I am exactly like you - I have found no intolerances at all. Taking everything slowly. I have been getting my Protein in since last Friday. I still struggle to get my 64 ounces of fluids in - usually 4- 6 glasses. No nausea either! I guess we have been blessed! I have been doing a lot of walking and riding my exercise bike.
It is funny how fixing food for others doesn't bother you or me either! Strange, I know!
I return to the surgeon on Monday, and I must say I am looking forward to moving on to the challenge of the next food stage!!
Good luck to you!
Ellamae
To all of the October 19th Sleevers - our day is all most here! My surgery is at 7:30. Can't wait to get it over with and get on with this next chapter of my life!!! Good luck! See you on the other side.
Surgery went fine yesterday. I was very tired yesterday afternoon, Got up and walked a little bit yesterday and am sitting in chair this morning. Feeling great,
Had my pre-op doctor's appointment today. It went super! My liquid diet is going good. Life is good. Now bring on the 19th for me!! Good luck sleevers!
Had my pre-op doctor's appointment today. It went super! My liquid diet is going good. Life is good. Now bring on the 19th for me!! Good luck sleevers!
Hello...i just got sleeved 10/08 wow,i actually thought i was,the,only one havingthis type of surgery lol..i am 25 yrs old mystarting weight was 430lbs,and i dropped down to 380 before surgery,in the pre op diet i lost 10lbs of Water weight,on the day of surgery i was 373,im 7 days post op and haventweighed myself since my discharge from hospital,although i did gain 5lbs i the hospital from fluids.... So wil see how imcoming along...congrats to u all and may god bless you in your wonderful life comitted journey...
Had my pre-op doctor's appointment today. It went super! My liquid diet is going good. Life is good. Now bring on the 19th for me!! Good luck sleevers!
I am up out if bed sitting in chair in room. Ready to walk but shifts just changed. I was able to urinate no problem at all. Pain is minimal more like discomfort. I have no had a drink and boy am I thirsty. I have leak test tomorrow.
Finally got a date of October 19th! yeah. I am a retired school teacher from Iowa. I am married and have two children, one grandson and another grandchild due in November. I will be sleeved in Omaha, Nebraska. I have lost 30 pounds so far and will start the pre op diet in about 2 weeks. So excited to get my new life started!!!
Good luck to all of us October sleevers!
I know of a great shake that has only one net carb and a lot of Protein. Tastes great and like two grams of sugar that won't impact your glucose for anyone who may have been diabetic pre surgery. It's called the Atkins Protein shakes. They taste great with no after taste and you can use as a snack or Meal Replacement ... I'm not sleeved yet but I been researching and preparing. Try it, you'll like it...its only 5.68 for six in a case and you can find it at local Wal-Mart or GNC, Vitamin Shoppe etc. What I love is that it won't impact my sugars... Let me know if you get them.
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