Debbiebydesign

Well, working in a hospital, I can tell you that it is the LAST place you should think you will get rest. It's always noisy and they have to do their jobs, around the clock. As much as we try to be quiet, if we tip toed around nothing would get done. The first few days post op are the roughest. It gets easier. My first day in the hospital, an intern told me that I would feel like myself again in a week. Although that was a slight exaggeration, it was not that far off. I got to a point where I had to remind myself I had surgery just days ago, and I was often reminded with a pain here and there. Now 10 weeks out, still have had a few MINOR glitches, not chewing enough, stalls, and picking a wrong food, but I don't regret it. I'm averaging just under 5 1/2 lbs lost weekly. Things are continually changing and now people are NOTICING! I'm also finding distaste for a lot of fattening foods that I enjoyed before. Don't focus on the bad! Better days will come, try to enjoy the ride.

I think anytime you stay the same or gain slightly it is discouraging. My weight has been creeping down, I have even tried a few "Tricks" like more protein, more water, more calories, less salt, less carbs, more movement. :wub: I think the body retaliates by holding on. It needs time to adjust. I have to remember, "When was the last time you lost weight this fast?" (Emoticons added by my almost 6 year old.)

That's dedication! I only had an hour drive.

My bills just came in...the doctor alone was $16,000! The hospital was $83,000. It was way more than I thought. I owe much less. Thank God for my insurance!

ok

My doc required only five days of clear liquids. Five horrible days...lol...with just that I did fine. Buckle down, stop cheating,realize it's rough, but temporary.

You love ME!? Aw....

Thank you, Lou for understanding the point of this post. You can't see me but I am applauding. I have to admit, and I probably going to catch hell from one of the above posters for being brutally honest myself, but I am now EXTREMELY angry about my positive post being highjacked. (Abby, I do appreciate the apology above.) Please re-read my original text. I was NOT referring to other bariatric patient's telling their story, whether it was good or bad- I was referring to other people who are more than willing to tell a horrible RNY/WLS story to someone facing the decision of whether to do this. Please understand that, because now I am referring to other bariatric patients. RNY can and does save lives. Just like a heart bypass, there are successes and failures. Why is it, when someone is trying to be supportive to a newbie, that someone whose surgery was less than successful or had complications has to piss in the cheerios? WHY? I realize that it is painful, and I will pray give, words of support, to those people too, but damn, if you want to warn others, start your own post and title it "BEWARE! This surgery can ruin your life." THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT SCARES PEOPLE. I found these people here, even in my hospital support groups- tales of hernias, dumping, pain, complications. It's not a judgement, it just is. I have spent hours listening to both sides, and quite frankly, I am tired of it! Can't you just let happy people be happy? I also take issue with the implication that I am sugar coating it. Surgery is risky, painful, and costly. The prep for it is long and difficult. I wouldn't wish this on ANYONE. But if you are thinking about it, then you need to know the good that can come, not just the bad. I'm sorry it ruined your life, but if it helps someone improve their life, then let them enjoy it. I know this is a support group, but I cannot support discouraging others for your own agenda.

My husband and I both went through the "what if the worst happened?" mode when I decided to do this. I never realized he was needing support, too. Took talking to a co-worker whose wife had the same surgery, by the same doc that he relaxed. I was relieved to wake up from the surgery and surprised that, even in pain, I did not feel all that weird. I was worried I'd feel like I could feel the "alterations." Truth is, I only noticed the difference when I drank water. It was way easier than my c-section was for me.

I think everyone I have talked to has had pain on the left. I was terribly fatigued. Some doctors call it "hibernation syndrome." The body shuts down to conserve energy. You need to rest when you can. Also, avoid sick people if you can! My daughter had walking pneumonia and then I got a respiratory thing while I was recovering from surgery. My energy is still rebounding a month later from that! I am getting better. I feel good, but I'm wiped out after work. I took 6 weeks off work though, because I had the time to take. Jackie- I went in to my first appointment and was disappointed by "just a 6 lb loss." The bari coordinator told me that at that point ANY loss is win because most patients gain fluid weight at that point. In a few weeks, you will feel like you are melting!

I'm really happy to see that hearing this is encouraging to pre op patients, and glad to hear from those doing well post op. Weight loss surgery is not a trip to the spa. It is a lot of dedication, commitment, and effort. I thought going into this I could do it all alone, but the truth is we need support, and the support of someone who's been through it is invaluable. I have made several wonderful friends in this process, and even though my current friends were cheering me on, hearing, "If I can do it, you can" held a certain weight (no pun intended.)

I forgot to add- no more bouts with IBS. I did not have horrible gas pains after surgery (I thought I would since i did after my c-section), my hair is not thinning.

While I'm feeling good now, it's definitely not an easy way out. The preoperative diet was the worst for me. I was hungry, irritable, and unable to focus. I had a bad withdrawal from caffeine and carbs. I also struggled getting everything in line- food, water, protein, vitamins. All those rules! Eating slowly was a bigger problem to tackle than I thought. My god, did I eat like a wildebeest before surgery?!? But I managed all of it.

I started this process on July 16, 2012. I'm a relative newbie, just having my surgery 56 days ago. My new pet peeve is people who readily offer what I like to call "RNY tales of terror"- you know, the stories about the one person everybody knows who had RNY, who either had debilitating complications or who lost half of their original body weight only to gain it all back and more. If you are pre op and have been discouraged by these stories, I want you to hear mine- so far. I had my surgery less than two months ago. I'm close to being off all my insulin. My blood pressure is even better than before. My joints feel better. I have not had a migraine since just before the surgery. I have had no heartburn. Although I was tired a lot a month ago, I'm slowly regaining energy and strength. I have had not horrible reactions to any food. I have to remind myself to eat. I have cravings, but they are easier to resist. There was some pain post op, but it was well managed, and improved quickly. I sleep better and my husband reported I am snoring less. I've lost 47 lbs, and 28 inches throughout my torso and upper limbs. Best of all...I don't regret it at all. I only wish I was ready to do this sooner.

I had RNY 2-7-13. I was tired a lot the first four weeks, but it's rebounding now. I feel good, mostly.

The night of my surgery was rough, but once I got the pain controlled, I would say it was achy, but less than I had imagined it being. My c section was worse. I had no gas pain with my RNY like I was expecting either (had it with the c section, it was excruciating then.) I had a few brief bouts of nausea, but never vomited (until I was on more solid foods and ate too fast.) I stopped pain meds after about a week, but there might have been an achy day or two when I did take them. Once or twice I forgot and did something that caused pain and got a prompt reminder I just had surgery.

That is the big question going in! Everyone has different tastes, so it's tough to recommend a brand. I hate those clear Proteins, but some love them. I like chocolate, vanilla, smoothie like shakes. Samples are the best route. Some tastes change, you get bored...some people buy the unflavored or vanilla and blend with extracts.

No longer on thinners. My surgeon required them for 10 days post op.

I did too. The largest one. It's gone.

I eat half of a low carb wrap with chicken and a little cheese. No problems.

I had dents at 3 of my 6 incisions. I had a couple lumps too. 6 weeks later they are pretty much gone. Normal, I guess.

I hear this panic about stalls a lot, just in the first few weeks post op. We need to keep it in perspective. When was the last time you lost 22 lbs in two weeks? If the answer is never, then you are probably doing just fine. My bariatric nurse told me in the first couple weeks many people gain due to fluids, and any loss is a triumph. I was mad I lost 6 lbs in the two weeks post op. I'm now just 6 weeks and my total is about 40.5 from the start. Twice on my own I was able to lose 15 lbs, and it took me 6 months one time. I gave up it was so slow. I'll take 40 in 6 weeks.

No, the group is open to pre and post ops, support people, etc.. Its free. Even though it's OSF's groups, we even had a few post ops from other bariatric programs there. Contact me if you have questions!