lessstomachmoreme

My surgeon doesn't allow any caffeine for a year! He says because of potential for ulcers along the staple line. (But he is really conservative, even with the diet progression.) I've been off caffeine for 2 months now and I miss it a LOT, especially on days I work. I guess better safe than sorry, but I think it's overkill when I was only drinking a regular cup of coffee a day. I am being a good girl, though and I've been following instructions to a T. I try to keep in mind that attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure.

I am 4 weeks out now, but remember the early days vividly. Once you are on mushy foods, the diarrhea gets better. Now I eat activated greek yogurt, which helps put all the good bacteria back in your colon that were probably killed off by the IV antibiotics. My APRN said I could use the gas x strips early on that dissolve in your mouth and that helped a lot with abdominal gas pain. I didn't have the shoulder and chest pain that other people talk about, but I had a lot of incisional pain and deep abdominal pain. Like I got stabbed in the gut five times - which I did! I did get a refill on liquid lortab, but did not use all of the 2nd refill. I was able to switch out to liquid Tylenol. CVS carries an adult strength liquid, so you don't have to drink so much of the kid's Tylenol. I found if I stayed ahead of the pain, I walked more and the gas went away quickly. Good luck with your recovery!

I am an open book and have told everybody and anybody that I was having weight loss surgery and have asked for support.
I feel like honesty is the best policy - everyone who knows me knows what you see is what you get. I do have a few pat answers when anyone says something negative. I say: "I really need support, not negativity" and that shuts them up every time.
One bright spot of being open - as a get well gift, lots of my coworkers got me a gift card bouquet with gift cards for me to use when I am losing weight and need to buy new clothes! Ended up being over $300 worth of cards to places like Kohl's and Maurice's. So sweet!
I guess I would say that you would be surprised at the support you can get when you reach out for it. This surgery can be difficult at times. I need all the encouragement I can get. (I'm also surprised at how many people at work have had weight loss surgery and did not share it with anyone until I opened up about it.)
If you're hesitant to share with people around you, think about attending a post op support group. It's a great way to feel comfortable and normal and you can be around other people who truly understand what you are going through. At my group, we trade recipes, offer suggestions when others are struggling, and even have a clothes swap once a month. It's made a big difference for me to be prepared for the surgery, ask questions about my concerns, and get some solutions to common struggles.

I'm 3 weeks out and I feel good. I took 3 weeks off, but I feel like I could go back tomorrow if I had to. Some fatigue, but nothing overwhelming. I get out and walk regularly, run errands every day, do my usual housework. I do have to stay on top of my Water intake and Protein. I can drink about 4 ounces without a problem. I know I'm full when I get the hiccups! I burp more than I used to, loudly and suddenly (think, Homer Simpson kind of burps,) so you might not want to drink too much while you're standing in front of the class!
I hope your surgery goes as well as mine did. I feel like a hunger switch has been turned off in me and now I treat food as fuel.

5 days out from surgery. Doing better at getting fluids in. Popsicles have helped a lot. Feel like I'm able to take in more Fluid last 24 hours without feeling uncomfortable. What helped for me was to get a small glass and mark where 2 oz. is and just try to drink that over 15 minutes and refill with my hospital pitcher so I know how many ml I have in so far. Walking helps the feeling of fullness go away. My big problem has been diarrhea that comes on so fast I have to sprint to the bathroom to keep from crapping my pants. Trying to compensate for that Fluid loss. But we can do it! We'll look back in a month and think how good we feel when we aren't carrying around the excess weight. Overall wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

This is a hard one. I am a mental health professional and an open book.
I've been honest with coworkers who asked me why I am going on surgical leave and I was amused -- and then annoyed -- that so many people think that I was asking for their input. I've learned that when they start, I put up my hand and say, "Oh I was just informing you, I wasn't asking for your opinion or permission." Or I have said: "I don't really want anyone's opinion, I just want support." Or when they are mean, I say, "I just make my haters my motivators." (And it worries me that these are mental health professionals! Get some tact, please!)
I've had some unexpected responses - some of the people who I have felt close to have been somewhat critical, and other people who have just been acquaintances have been very encouraging and supportive - you never know what people are reacting to, but I think most of the time it is really their own issues about weight or food that are getting in the way.
The bottom line: I choose to listen to people who uplift me and avoid people who diminish me. (And ultimately worry most about pleasing myself.) I'm excited to start this journey and the people who care about me are happy for me.
One thing I have found very helpful and empowering is a weekly bariatric support group that I have been going to preop. There are lots of nice people who really want to help others and have lots of great advice and give you lots of support who have gone through exactly what you have and don't judge.