Scylla

Haha! Thanks! I've been on 4 Protein shakes a day since 3/25. The first two days were super rough! After that, it got a lot easier.

If I didn’t have a sense of humor, I could never have survived 60 years of living, including 2+ decades of morbid obesity and the 6+ years of my WLS journey. Don’t get me wrong – I took my band (and later, my sleeve) surgery very seriously because I felt that this was my very last chance to get healthy – but laughter is part of what makes my life happy, and makes it much easier to bear my ridiculous fear of starving to death.


Today’s episode is: I’M GONNA STARVE! That title is exactly what I thought in the beginning about my post-op life – Deprivation! Suffering! Starvation! I know I’m not alone in this because through the years I’ve seen so many posts on the “When will this get easier?” theme.
To reach the easier part of my WLS journey, I had to do some mental, emotional and spiritual fine-tuning. The idea of a middle-class woman living in a rich and obese country like the USA actually starving to death was and is absurd. Absurdity is ideal material for a comic strip. I hope you’ll get a laugh or two from I’M GONNA STARVE.

I'd suggest avoiding going off the diet if at all possible. Since we're supposed to cut carbs, if you are going to cheat you'd probably best go low carb. Veggie Soup might be pretty high in carbs.

Haha! Thanks! I've been on 4 Protein shakes a day since 3/25. The first two days were super rough! After that, it got a lot easier.

I Know this is not supportive and will make a few people upset. But it's My Rant & Rave.

This is not aimed at those experiencing complications from surgery. It's about people that REGRET surgery after a few days or weeks of the going getting tough. Did they research WLS?! Or how how read the many stories on this site about others experiences after surgery? No one said it was going to be easy. Feeling nauseous, vomiting, no energy, not being able to get in all your liquids and Proteins is pretty common. That is no true reason to REGRET this life saving procedure!

Yes I do understand the emotional effects surgery can have on you with your hormones being out of whack. Still not a excuse. I was prepared for all these things. In the hospital I had a few issues with the nursing staff where my pain medication was withheld from me. I was in pain for hours crying, had to call my sister to come to the hospital in the middle of the night. Not ONCE did I wish I didn't have the surgery. I knew soon or later my pain would be managed! And that's the whole point. It will get better. You can't whine and regret things because your experiencing a rough time. Life is like that too.

So UNLESS your have a serious life altering complication SUCK IT UP!!! You knew the possible side effects...

Rant Over

That's the mindset I have right now... I just want to be able to say... I did it... and each day I complete the liquid diet the more I feel encourage within that I can get through this...

Yes... I too have been struggling. I started my Pre-op diet on April 3rd and surgery is set for April 17th. I keep thinking if I break my discipline it's a sign that I am not ready mentally for this procedure... I guess that is my way of getting through this difficult time. This is it! We can do this!!!!

Thank you all for your comments! I love this forum (and its' members) and would not give it up no matter what she said! Plus, she knows I'm smart enough to do my own research and draw my own conclusions.
But as PdxMan said, there are quite a few threads (like the DQ one that we both saw ) where people seem hell-bent on doing their own thing, not following "the rules" and expecting validation. I'm sure it's that kind of patient that my bariatric nurse has had issues with.

I'm on day 15 of a 30 day sentence. It gets easier. Are you allowed to have anything besides the Protein drinks? I am allowed 4 Protein shakes per day, plus raw vegetables (no dips, dressings, etc.) Having the raw vegetables definitely makes it easier for me. I would totally miss chewing!
I am surprised to hear that you had watery poops. Completely opposite effect with me! I've never had problems with Constipation before and it's pretty horrible! I am having to take Pericolace, which is a stool softener and a mild intestinal stimulant.

Sounds like you are having "food funerals" for foods you think you won't ever get to have again. A lot of people do this!
You WILL get to have your favorite foods again--although it will take time and you will get to eat them in MUCH smaller portions. It helped me a lot to know this! Best of luck to you!

Excited...at hospital for my Sleeve!!! Prayers please!!

Hello. I had my surgery yesterday @ 9:00am. Have been in quite a bit of pain since I woke up. They have been giving me diludad about every 2 hours. Seems to help pretty quickly but starts wearing off after about an hour & 30 min. I got up & started walking about 2 hours after I got in my room. Try to walk right after each pain shot b4 falling back asleep. I'll update u all soon. Going to try resting a lil bit xoxo

Had my surgery today at about 1230pm eastern time. So far so good just sore and going in and out of sleep so far. Feelin like I need to burp lol

I'm on day 15 of a 30 day sentence. It gets easier. Are you allowed to have anything besides the Protein drinks? I am allowed 4 Protein shakes per day, plus raw vegetables (no dips, dressings, etc.) Having the raw vegetables definitely makes it easier for me. I would totally miss chewing!
I am surprised to hear that you had watery poops. Completely opposite effect with me! I've never had problems with Constipation before and it's pretty horrible! I am having to take Pericolace, which is a stool softener and a mild intestinal stimulant.

I agree! I like this forum for support and basic understanding and commiserate or Celebrate
I call it the "FB of WLS"...
while we can get some good information and feel supported here, we do have to be aware of what our doctors tell us to do is what we should do (as stated above)... some doctors want 2 week pre/post op diet, some want a few days, and some not at all... right there is shows the inconsistancies that can happen....
"do as you're told. not as I (we) say"

Well, I see you joined the forum in August, 2013, so you surely have seen what your office has been saying. There are many, many toxic threads on here patting each other on the back laughing about how this person or that has been doing their own thing and haven't suffered any consequences. People will substitute this forum for their doctor's guidelines, yet still expect their doctor to support them. Does that make any sense?
Take this scenario into your own life. What if you were working in the garden department at your local nursery and someone comes in needing help with planting their vegetables. You give them all the plants they need and directions on how to prepare the soil, space the plants, fertilize and Water them. Then, they come back a month later telling you the tomatoes are laying flat on the ground. You ask them if they followed your directions and they tell you the went to a gardening forum and followed their advice.
What would you say next? Would you be frustrated? Is it fair to say that you have a gardening god complex?
While I agree, there are doctors who do have a god complex and they are not my doctors for long. I always ask questions of my doctors and the ones who have a dialog with me stay.
IMO, internet forums are a place to research and share our experiences. If you discover something here which is different from your understanding, you should ask your medical team first before implementing. As has been mentioned, they know your medical history and are vested in your success.
*** EDIT ***
I also wanted to add that as I am sure you have read, a lot of people will post threads on here seeking validation to do something which they know is against the guidelines. Again, a very dangerous, toxic thing as it undermines the fundamental philosophy of change. It reminds me of the thread from someone who wanted to know what they could order from Dairy Queen 3 weeks post op. Dangerous thread, IMO. "Oh, look, this person said I could have a Dilly bar," and well ... play the rest of the tape.

@@Scylla
I think i saw your nurse in the movie "One Flew Over the Cukoos Nest"!!!
i talked to my NUT and family dr and they both thought the boards are a great place to visit
this board is very helpful
listening to stories/tales about other sleevers experiences pre and post op situations IS great
certain questions regarding coffee/caffein/drinking from a straw/soda.........
people will answer questions by telling what THEIR nut told them and pass that info along
but its usually pointed out to newbies like you that you should always listen to your surgeon or NUT or nurse (even if THEY are alittle NUTS!!)
sometimes you need to go to your doc about medical issues that we're not that knowledgable about (again except me!!! )
we are here to give each other support/advice/info
we all LOVE to talk about our bowel movements/or lack of -head hunger, stallls, sex....many other good stuff!!!
you'll hear the great things that happens to "us" as we succeed through our voyage
NSV's like being able to fit into smaller clothes, crossing your legs, going on an amusement park ride
i can tell you are a smart "cookie" because you decided to change your life by having the sleeve
good luck with pending surgery
kathy

In talking to the nurse/bariatric specialist who works in my surgeon's practice, I told her I was reading all I could about the sleeve, various types of Protein, what to eat after surgery, different people's experiences, etc. and generally getting good information on this forum and another bariatric surgery forum.
She kind of rolled her eyes and was quite negative about it. She said that in her experience people spread all kinds of misinformation and ways to "get around the rules" on forums like this. She said she didn't think it was a good idea, because she and the surgeons in the practice have had patients come back to them and say things like "Why do I have to quit caffeine? So many people on X forum don't have to!" or "Why do I only get to eat 3 meals a day and no snacking after surgery? All these other folks get to have 3 meals and 2 snacks!", etc.
I told her that I am going to follow my surgeon's directives and my main purpose for reading the forums is for ideas on what to bring to the hospital, the best tasting Protein shakes, Vitamin recommendations, etc. and to find out about other people's personal experiences and support others.
Did anyone else get a reaction like that if you mentioned your forum surfing to your surgeon's office?

In my opinion Dr.'s and their staff, still have somewhat of "The god complex".
They like educated patients but only on what that specific practice deems is their protocol. Pre-op and post-op instructions vary greatly. I'm a middle of the road person myself, and believe in reading everything I can get my hands on. Sorry your Dr.'s office is un supportive.

Just like Scylla I'm on 4 shakes a day plus non starchy vegatables with my surgery on April 21st.
But I do have a headache and I am sleepy but thats normal for me when I switch my eating habits. Hopefully like everyone says it will fade and get better.

When your husband tells you "Why can't you just not eat too much and exercise?" you should ask him if he'd say the same thing to an alcoholic! It's an addiction, just like alcohol, but it's even more insidious because we NEED to eat food to survive! You can't just NOT eat!
Re being selfish, maybe we are being a little selfish. But we NEED to be! If you're anything like me, you always put your husband/boyfriend and kids first! This time, for this little while, we need to put OURSELVES first!

I've been on 4 shakes plus raw veggies a day for 13 days so far and have 16 more, as my surgery is on the 23rd.
The first two days were kinda rough for me--I felt very hungry, tired and kinda foggy and out of it. I recall feeling similar during Atkins induction, so if you've ever done that you might know what I am talking about! Then when I woke up on the 3rd day I felt MUCH better, and not at all as hungry. And it has just gotten easier from there.
Good luck! You've got this!

My experience so far. The surgery took 1.5 hrs. The worst was waking up in recovery. The pain was excruciating but my nurse was quick in giving me pain meds . It lasted about 30 minutes. So far my comfort comes from my heating pad I'm moving up and down my back for pain, Chapstick , and an ice pack the nurse put behind my neck. I have a few hiccups and nausea spells. My mouth and tongue are dry so take a wet rag and wipe them with it and sucked a drop Water out of it to try to moisten tongue. I have walked a fe steps with no problem . I will update tomorrow

Hi,
I haven't been on here in ages, and started reading the comments on the top of this thread. So if the conversation has evolved from there, please forgive.
We are where we are because of the things we eat. And we eat the things we eat for very different reasons. I had my surgery well over a year ago, and have lost very little weight. The surgery was a success, and I don't regret it a bit. But my food issues are unresolved. It's just the last month that I have got professional help and feel optimistic about dealing with them. If your excess weight is due not only to bad choices, but because food is your crutch, please get help for that now. Let a pro help you figure that out now. You don't want to be a year out and feel like a failure. And I would appreciate any input from others dealing with this......

Sounds like you are having "food funerals" for foods you think you won't ever get to have again. A lot of people do this!
You WILL get to have your favorite foods again--although it will take time and you will get to eat them in MUCH smaller portions. It helped me a lot to know this! Best of luck to you!