amanda mills

This may be in the wrong place so if so please move it!

I just wanted to do this post as food for thought (oh yes picked that for a giggle lol)

I think a lot of us try to “run before we can walk” with this surgery.
I know I read for days about others both before and after my op what to expect at what stages how I should do things how I should eat etc etc
I did freak out on a few things puking pain etc
So what I want to really say is this STOP lol
Its great to see what others do and how their journey is going but it seems the second we are home it’s a worrying stress fuelled time.
Not drinking enough, not eating enough, pain, lbs not going fast enough, Protein, meds the list goes on and on.
And in the first few weeks worrying about what you will be able to eat in 4 months or 6 or a year.
For me when I stopped comparing myself to others and going by my own body I felt better.
I read a lot of posts about people weighing there self more than once a day every day.
This is not good for you it becomes a obsession- no joke people were stepping on the scales before and after Breakfast then later in the evening constantly watching the scale to see movement.
Me honestly I do not weigh myself at home only at the hospital or doctors I personally do not want to become obsessed with the scale it can be very disheartening when you don’t see movement.
If I have ever stalled I have never known about it because whenever I go I am always down from the last time so I never have experienced the feelings of that myself which suites me fine.
Pushing the Fluid intake even if it hurt or taking protein when not told too.
Follow your own medical teams advice on these things I wasn’t told to introduce Protein shakes for 1 month after my op I asked about the liquid ones he said I can if I want as its not milk but I am healing and not to worry just yet.
Being told the general food/drink capacity is another we are all told this much at this stage this at this but end of the day your sleeve may not be the same size as mine.
Mine is small more wasn’t taken away the same 80% as every other person having the op I just happen to start out with a smaller stomach to begin with so its smaller.
After the op we can have sleeved stomachs ranging from a 4oz-10oz holding little thing that’s a VERY big size difference and it all depends on the size of your stomach before the op.
The bigger sleeves are not even meant to test or push to see if its bigger and go by the recommended portion size regardless of it being bigger to actually lose weight.
I know I try to be careful with advice yes I still give it but I don’t say do this or that this is what you should do as I did, I say what I did say I have a smaller sleeve and do what your told or your body feels is right for you- just be a little responsible with the advice and not do as I do replies.
To sum up before I go off on a major what the hell she saying tangent don’t try to run before you can walk- don’t try to heal before your able to, drink more than your body allows be it food or Water, willing weight off wont help it will come.
This is a day to day process for at least 2 years it gets easier of course you listen to your body and know what you can and can’t do/tolerate.
To get to the end result you HAVE TO walk first and listen to your body and work out whats best and right to fit you.

Anyway thanks for reading if it helps anyone I am glad I stood on my soapbox!

I guess it's a totally personal decision to tell others or not, maybe it is also your way of dealing with the decision you have made to change your life! For me I wanted to get others opinions incase there was something I hadn't thought of before I had surgery. I had many ? For a parent of a child in my sons class at school who had the op 6 mths prior so I bugged her with many ? Also. She is great support now as I had a hard time after the op. My family do make remarks on how much I will be able to eat in the future but I tell them a lil of the good stuff is better than a lot of crap. It's my decision & I am happy & hoping to have a long happy life. They were also upset that I spent so much on the surgery $18 000 out of pocket as insurance classed the op as cosmetic ????. Best of luck with the choices u make ????

I guess it's a totally personal decision to tell others or not, maybe it is also your way of dealing with the decision you have made to change your life! For me I wanted to get others opinions incase there was something I hadn't thought of before I had surgery. I had many ? For a parent of a child in my sons class at school who had the op 6 mths prior so I bugged her with many ? Also. She is great support now as I had a hard time after the op. My family do make remarks on how much I will be able to eat in the future but I tell them a lil of the good stuff is better than a lot of crap. It's my decision & I am happy & hoping to have a long happy life. They were also upset that I spent so much on the surgery $18 000 out of pocket as insurance classed the op as cosmetic ????. Best of luck with the choices u make ????

My deepest condolences for your loss. Death of a loved one is hard enough to deal with let alone a death that is tragic.
I hope you don't mind but I work in psychiatry and I think you could really benefit from some grief counseling now to get you through this. Please consider making an appointment with a psychologist or clinician in your area who specializes in grief counseling. It may help your tremendously. I am praying for you.

I am now 4 days post surgery and I am feeling a lot better. I am starting full liquid diet today and am a little nervous so I will be taking very little steps today. Thank you to all of you for your advice it really helps a lot. For those of you that just had surgery as I did, we are going to be fine I just know it. Lets keep our heads up and find the positive in everyday!

finally after all that running around I got a date. Im scheduled for January 20th, 2014 with Dr Koshy at St Lukes Hospital. Thats in NY. I was expecting a sooner date but he will be on vacation on December.
I am so glad to finally have my date. what about you guys? anyone else has a date for January?
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