groovykg

I'm on the flip side now, about 15 hous post op. pain, pain, pain. I allowed to have morphine in my Iv every 2 hours, but I have to buzz and ask for it. Super tired, but not terribly easy to sleep because of pain and overall discomfort. Around 11pm, I had the nursing assistant help me take a tiny walk. I feel gas, but nothing is happening.

I have been on liquid diet for a week and haven't had a bm since Saturday. No one mentioned anything about magnesium citrate, but I'm wondering if I should run to Walgreens and get some. I'm feeling a little constipated, so I guess I should take care of that before the morning, eh? Do you know how it affects the post-op gas?

Protein shakes do not agree with me. I feel like a smelly fart cloud follows me wherever I go.

My liquid diet starts today. Made the mistake of attempting to browse Pinterest.

I'm pre-op. Can anyone tell me honestly and frankly how their lower GI tract function differed post-op? I'm reading a lot about gas and constipation. Is this forever? Just initally? Does anyone have "normal" BMs? Does anyone not have this horrible gas? Do papaya enzymes and probiotics take care of this?

Amanda- can you tell us more about juicing? Any particular kind of juicer? What are you juicing? How many times are you drinking juice?

Until this moment, I had been planning to keep my rny a complete secret, and being vague to those who knew I was having surgery, saying I was having a procedure to help my esophagus. The more that I think about being vague, I'm starting to stress about those who are going to press me for details: FIL, who is going to stay with us for 4 weeks post op to help me with my 3 children, and SIL, who is an MD. Then when I see the relatives that I only see every 3 years or so, a sudden change of my weight will undoubtedly be a source of discussion. They continue to ask me about my 3 c sections, the last of which was 2 years ago, so I doubt I will get off so easily. I wish I had a thick skin to just tell the world and be able to deal with remarks, sneers, judgements. As a lightweight, I'm afraid people will try to say, "what made you think you needed it in the first place? Don't you know you're beautiful no matter what size you are?" Or some BS like that. I so do not want to have to justify it to absolutely everyone who feels the need to ask about it and I know I'm not supposed to, but I totally care about what others think about me. Maybe this will change as my self esteem changes post op, but at this moment, I just want to curl up in a ball and avoid it altogether. I wish I had some cajones and could stand up to the world and own my decision, particularly as a lightweight. The only friend I've told about my surgery is also MO and said to me when I told her, "Do you even qualify?? Are you 100 lbs overweight?" I said, " yes, I am. I'm morbidly obese. Thanks for asking." Why am I so ashamed of this surgery? Please tell me I'm not alone.

I had an ablation in Nov. For 6 solid weeks, I had a heavy water-like discharge. I even had to use Poise pads, like, for incontinence, because regular pads weren't absorbing. Got a period in January and it was just as heavy as before, so I thought it hadn't worked, but this cycle was super light and super short. Only 3 days. I can definitely live with that.

I'm Feb 27!

I also had to delay a month to get child care figured out.

I'm glad to hear this. I think I will keep it quiet for now, and then consider sharing with anyone who inquires afterward, once it's already done. I'm just so skeptical that this won't become a BIG DEAL. My 6 year old was diagnosed with autism last year, and seriously, everyone and their mother has something to say about it, and it's like they expect me to detail every symptom and behavior. These people aren't TRYING to be negative, but when they hear about this diagnosis, after inquiring about one of his quirks, they are incredulous and want to know every detail, and try to explain away all of his behaviors. "What do you mean, 'he does xyz??!! My son does that too and he's FINE!" or "So what if he does xyz! That doesn't mean anything!" It gets really exhausting and I get pretty pissy even with good friends and end up saying, "I don't need to justify his diagnosis to you." That usually shuts them up, but then everyone is awkward after that. But their doubt about the whole thing feels a little judgmental. I guess that's a better example of my concern, people feeling like I should be justifying my decision, particularly after the fact. The best part is, I will be going back to work in August (as a teacher) after 5 years of being a SAHM. No one will know me as fat (let's hope all goes well in the first 6 months). Hey Debbie- your avatar looks familiar. Were you on a SugarBusters forum?

Springfield, va

Yes! That's what I need! I want some of that attitude, BustedBeauty. How do I get that? I don't want to hide the surgery from people who know me and are going to notice something is different. I want to be able to just blow off the nonsense, negativity, and notyourbusiness remarks.

oops- wrong forum.

I've been doubling up on dinner and making extra god the freezer do I won't have to cook during my 2 week Pre-op liquid diet and 4 weeks post op.

That's my date too!

I would get a 12 and have it altered.

I wouldn't be comfortable with one in. What if something (God forbid) should happen during surgery and you are like, in a coma or something, or at least heavily sedated for a few days. Would anyone think to check for a tampon?