Katcloudshepherd

Thanks for sharing that hillarious link. I needed a good laugh today.

Eating slowly. Taking my Vitamins. Every shake is sweet. I've actually gotten tired of sweet stuff! If you had told me that BEFORE surgery--I'd never have believed it. I want something other than sweet in my mouth. Guess it's time for some "alone" time with my dear husband 'wink'---Sorry I'd use smileys and such but the firewall at work stops me from being able to do so. Speaking of which--I'd better get back to work.

Mythbuster1304, Thank you for your service. I was in the Army for 7 years during the cold war. I feel a great deal of empathy for you. I too gained my weight after I left the military--ESPECIALLY after I quit smoking. I exchanged one unhealthy habit for another. I had my surgery on 12/11/13 and I think you'll do great. Because you are a Marine, you have a a higher amount of discipline to do what the doctors tell you to do. That to me is KEY. Do exactly what the doc's say, when they tell you to do it. I pushed myself BIG TIME to walk, walk, walk and walk as much as I could after the surgery--cause the pain from the CO2 was something I had never experienced before. Sending positive thoughts to you and hoping you have a smooth surgery and EASY recovery.

"BrantS1976" You will feel too full, almost to the point where it feels like the food is backing up in the end of your esophagus. It's unpleasant. Eat slow like they tell you, and I know it is hard, and you will get a feel for your capacity in a short amount of time. Thank you. I have had that feeling at times. My primary concern is I had hiatel hernia repair and I don't want to undo the hiatel hernia repair. I've never had anything come back up or haven't experienced dumping with anything I've tried BUT I had some food that was a little spicy and I don't think my new stomach liked it. I'll avoid any spicy food for a few more months.

Kathy, Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes---you are an incredible inspiration to a newbie like me. It gives me hope that I too will be enjoying my life post op as much as you are a couple of years from now.

Thank you so much for sharing that article. It answered all the questions I had about "slider" foods. I'll guess I'll have to put them on the list of "things I just cannot have again". I'm an all or nothing type of person who KNOWS--like an alcoholic cannot have a sip of alcohol ever again---I CANNOT have just a tiny bite of some foods. Oh well. Life is good. I'm enjoying being able to move with less pain--so I can forgo certain things in order to be able to move with less pain.

RJ'S/Beginning, Thank you for your comment. I come to this site because the people here understand. I have not physically attended a support group meeting but I plan on attending one the last Thursday of the month. I'll see my counselor on the 18th of January. This is something I will need to discuss with her. It never ceases to amaze me how just a few years of a rough childhood can have such a lasting and deep impact on a person's life and how much effort it takes to overcome it. Take Care, Kathleen

Today I am just tired. Physicall tired, emotionally tired, spiritually tired. I felt so good after my stomach had healed in 3 weeks. Today---I don't know. I don't have regrets--I KNOW I wouldn't be walking around as easily if I hadn't done this but I guess it just took me longer to reach the point where I feel like--I've got to do this every day--THE REST OF MY FRIGGIN' LIFE.

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME AFTER ALL THIS?????????????????? My BODY is still wanting to weigh 338 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF???????????????? I am more than dismayed, disappointed and disgusted. For Gods Sake. I knew this was going to be a mental thing long term BUT DAMN. I just had my surgery on 12/11/13. I'm getting to the point where the same taste of the same Vitamins, supplements and same types of food is REALLY getting on my nerves. I'm tired today because I didn't get 8 hours sleep last night and I know that wreeks havoc with my abilit to deal with this but you telling me this makes me cry.

toocheeky, I have been in and out of therapy for over a decade trying to deal with the "head" issues which cause me to be a food addict/binge eater and thus morbidly obese. I am stilll in therapy after having WLS on 12/11/13. I'm a newbie and I'm grateful to you for having the courage to post what you did. I'm grateful because knowledge is power when you are a newbie like me. I truly hope you get the help you need. I know I wouldn't be where I am without the support of my husband, my first cousin and my therapist. I've still got a long way to go on my journey but again I'd like to thank you for having the courage to come to this site and post what you did. I wish you only the best in getting back on track. Take Care, Kathleen

Yahoo that pain is ridiculous. It's right under my ribs. They tried to take away my dilaudid and gave me something else that didn't work at all and made me sick. So now I'm on Dilaudid every hours and an into inflamitory that has worked wonders. The dilaudid has only been working for 2 hours at a time. I'm not leaving until my pain is bearable. FitnFabfor2014, I hope your doc and insurance will allow you to stay as long as you need to. I agree with you staying until your pain is bearable. I know everyone is different and I've read on this site some people leaving the hospital after 1 night!!! This is MAJOR surgery. It's not like you're getting a hang nail removed for goodness sake. Sending a prayer you are able to stay as long as you need and you are able to alleviate the pain.

Thank you Kathy. I find it all consuming to space liquids and food, take vitiamins, take Fiber in the morning, figure out what I'm going to eat, work out, WORK my full time job, take care of my hubby, take care of my "furr-babies" etc., etc., etc. I'm sure I'll adjust like I say I can only "do" one day at a time.

I had mine on 12/11 and my first few days were rough but I made it through and you will too. Congratultions on your surgery and I hope every day it gets a little better. I was lucky to have ice chips before my leak test. I also had the sponge-things to moisten my mouth. I got up, peed, walked, peed went back to bed, woke up, peed, walked, peed and went back to bed......... the first couple of days. I pushed myself to walk as much as possible to help with the gas pain--in the shoulders UGH. Hurt like a Mother-you-know-what. I've been back to work since 12/30 and so far so good.

I had my surgery 12/11/13. I'm doing well. Back at work on 12/30/13. I work in an office so it's not hard to go back to work. I lost 10.5 on my pre-op and 15 at my first week follow up appointment. I've recently recovered from a bad bout of constipation. Started doing fiber EVERY DAY. Along with Probiotics. I'm on solids and still trying to get the whole knowing when I'm full down. I'm wearing a size 24 instead of a 28. I haven't weighed myself because I don't have another follow-up appointment until 1/22/14. I don't want to get obsessed with the scale. I'm just happy my size 24's are loose on me. : )

My neighobor actually suggested I do this at a holiday party. I said NO! Fortunately for me, I knew it was a BAD IDEA. I have been overweight/obese since I was 12 years old. The only time I was at a "normal" weight was during my service in the Army. To do that, I had to smoke ciggarettes, drink heavily and starve myself. I quit smoking and drinking and was then morbidly obese. After undergoing this surgery, I feel I've worked too hard, mentally and physically and tolerated too much pain to even contemplate doing that to myself.

Thank you McButterpants, I too had my surgery on 12/11 and developed a yeast infection. I'm now able to take capsules and I just took one of my Probiotics I had on hand before surgery. And you are so correct--my symptoms seem to subside when I've had bowel movements--didn't make a correlation until you mentioned that. Have a good one!

My journey started several years ago when I went through the entire process of approval for lap band surgery in 2009. I had reached the point where I was actually going to schedule the surgery. However, I went to one of the surgeon's "support group" meetings. At that meeting, the facilitator, asked 5 to 6 times: "If you know anyone who is interested in the surgery, PLEASE put them in contact with me." The people who were at the "support group" only talked about ways that they could get around their lap band. One person said she wanted a taco and would chew it and spit it out without swallowing it. I thought, this is more of a recruitment and this "support group" is doing nothing to help deal with the head issues that caused me to be morbidly obese. Fast Forward to 2013 when my A1C went .1 over the allowed parameters. With a strict regimen of dieting and exercise, I got it right at the upper limit. I DIDN'T lose any weight. My knees have become bone on bone, I have a herniated disc and a slipped disc in my low back. I had reached the point where just walking and moving were increasingly painful. In my job, I was in an investigator position for the FDA. It required me to have to stand and observe food manufacturers in operation. This could be for hours and my knees and back could not take it. THANK GOD a co-worker retired and because prior to becoming an investigator, I was in that type of position, my employer allowed me to transfer to that position. I also THANK GOD that my employer did that. If not for that, I may very well have lost my job. So towards the middle of 2013 I was seriously researching WLS. I graduated from Wayland Baptist University with BS in business so I thoroughly researched each WLS option. I choose the VSG so my digestion would not be re-routed and I would not have the malabsorption issues that comes from the other forms of weight loss surgery. I had my VSG on 12/11/13. The pain from the CO2 in the shoulders immediately following surgery was the worst pain I had ever experienced in my life. I have never had children, so I don't have that to compare it to. My children are of the 4 legged variety, two small dogs. My husband has been as supportive as he can be. He is a 100% disabled veteran. We met when we were both in the military. HIs disability started after we had been married for 8 years. I followed all the recommendations on this website for after surgery. I walked, walked, walked every chance I could when I was on IV fluids. I sipped, sipped, sipped, walked, peed, walked, peed……..once I was able to drink Water. Yes, it hurt to walk and move BUT I knew I HAD to. The more I walked, the more the gas seemed to leave my body. I lost 10.5 pounds on the pre-op diet, of course I started it as soon as I was approved and scheduled for surgery which was about 4 weeks out. I didn't stick to it strictly until I was in the two weeks prior to the surgery. I had my 1st week post op appointment yesterday. I followed the liquid diet post op to a "T" and I got all my water in and walked as much as I possibly could. I started to get knee and back pain and went round and round with my bariatric surgeon, my orthopedic doctors to try and get some relief. I didn't know, I NEEDED TO KEEP MY PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER, (PCP), in the loop as to what was going on. I'm so very BLESSED to have insurance where I don't have to go THROUGH my PCP. However, your PCP is supposed to be your hub for all your prescriptions in that situation. I was finally able to get Voltarin, a topical NSAID from my knee doc and so far it has helped. Still have to use Tylenol and Tylenol with a narcotic at night. At my 1st week post op appointment----I lost a stagering 15 pounds. I have to give credit to my cousin who drove all the way to Texas from Michigan to stay and help care for me. She kept reminding me to sip, sip, sip. She heated my broth, made me Jello and kept at it. I cannot express my gratitude to her and I feel I can NEVER repay her for what she is doing for me. That's where I am now. I hope in this long post, I have provided some information which may be valuable to someone.

Andrew, Sending prayers to you. I hope this will be a very small bump in your journey.

I have been on Clear liquids since Thursday afternoon of last week. I'm so glad I bought some Isopure clear Protein drinks in the 8 oz. size because after the first few days I felt weak as if the broth and Jello weren't enough. After I drank the Isopure drink on Monday with the 15 grams of protein---I felt a lot better. I haven't had a trip to the bathroom yet---I hope the higher protein content doesn't constipate me. Broth only has a few grams of protein. I've been getting my 64 oz's of Water so I hope I'll be OK. I never thought I'd so look forward to cottage cheese and protein shakes!!!!! But man do I. I can mix some of my Protein powder with my fat free cottage cheese and my fat free, low sugar/carb yogurt. SO GLAD I bought some sample packs with all these kind of fruit flavors in the protein powder. They should taste good with the cottage cheese and yogurt.

Mel, You'll do great. Sounds like you're getting prepared and getting your family prepared as well. My surgery is tomorrow as well. I'm not looking forward to the magnesium citrate this afternoon but I'll get through it. I'm not as nervous as I thought I'd be. I've been researching the surgery and preparing for a long time. I just want to get the surgery over with and move on to the next step. I know I'll need to sip, walk, sip, walk, sip, walk............... It gets better day by day. I have to keep the long term goal in mind but take one day at a time. I hope and pray you have a successful surgery with an easy recovery.

Oh man, I'm right with you!!!!!!! I'm leaving work at 12:30 and will be drinking mine about 1:30. THEN I'll be in commode STAND BY mode! I ate my one chewable meal yesterday at lunch and had shakes for dinner and Breakfast this morning. I'm hoping my rear end doesn't turn into an exploding volcano with only liquid. I don't know. I'll get through it. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:00 am. I'm so ready to just get on with it and get it over so I can move on to the next step. I hope and pray you'll have an easy surgery and an easy recovery.

Hello y'all, My surgery is Wednesday. I had to go off my NSAIDs last Wednesday and OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By Saturday the only way I could manuever around was with crutches. My knees are both bone on bone but my right knee is worse. I have a herniated disc in my low spine and a slipped disc also. I'm pretty decrepid for a 48 year old. THANK GOD I have an appointment this morning at 11:30 AM CST with the orthopedic urgent care clinic. I hope to God they'll give me a steriod shot in my right knee. I MUST be ambulatory for my surgery. I have to walk every two hours when I'm awake and every four hours when I'm napping. Everyone keeps asking me if I'm nervous. I guess I've been contemplating this so long and have done so much research--I'm not as much nervous as I am ready to get on with it. Good luck to everyone having surgery today. I'll keep you in my prayers.

I actually picked up a postal scale for my office at Goodwill. I think I only paid 99 cents for it. I regularly shop there and was so lucky to find one. I use it to weigh my packages for UPS under 5 pounds. It breaks it down to tenths of an ounce. Good luck.

Hello everybody, I had my pre-op appointment yesterday. I had to have fasting blood work, an EKG and a chest X-ray. I've lost 10.5 pounds since I started my pre-op diet early on November 7th. My official start date for my pre-op was the day before Thanksgiving. My surgeon has said he thinks I'll do well with the surgery and I should be able to loose 100 pounds. He said if I loose 100 pounds that will take 500 pounds off my knees. They are both shot and need to be replaced. I have a herniated disc and slipped disc in my lumbar spine. This is due to structural issues. My back is literally as crooked as a politician. I am having a lot more pain since I had to discontinue my NSAIDS on 11/27. The prescription Tylenol plus 5 mg opiate ingredient I got from my orthopedic doc takes the edge off but doesn't eliminate the pain. I've been taking Bromelain on the recomendation of my chiropractor. He said it's an enzyme which has natural anti-inflamatory properties. It's also used to help digest high protein foods. I can't say with certainty if it's helping my knees and back, but I'm willing to try it while I can't take my NSAIDs. Good luck to everyone with your surgeries. I can't wait to join the "looser's bench".

Hello everyone, I had my pre-op class, labs and appointment with surgeon yesterday. In the class, led by a RN who had gastric bypass, she said we'll recieve an abdominal binder when we are discharged. She said some feel like their insides are different and they feel more comfortable using an abdominal binder. My husband is 100% disabled due to several abdominal surgeries that failed--NOT WLS related. He has a terrible abdominal hernia. He actually has to wear two abdominal binders because of his hernia. I've actually ordered replacement abdominal binders online through Amazon.com. He's a big guy so they do have larger sizes. Just wanted to put the information out there in case it's helpfull to anyone. My surgery is coming and I can't wait to be on the looser's bench!