Mokamami

I thank you all for the support! Makes me feel a lot better about this struggle. I know it will all be worth it and I will follow through with suggestions.

I am 3 weeks post op and I don't regret my decision to have my surgery, however I find this transition continually difficult. I just don't understand my sleeve and it's cues to me! Sometimes I drink Water and I'm fine, the next time I drink water and I get some pain in my chest from unknowingly drinking too fast (I guess). Eating too fast is another problem...I don't realize I'm full like I see that other people do...I recognize hunger, but I usually get so tired of sitting there and eating so slowly that I just stop eating. I can definitely eat more than 3 bites of cottage cheese, it just becomes so frustrating to eat so slow that I really don't enjoy food at all. I guess another thing that bothers me is that I have had to really be my own advocate and adjust my diet and medications on my own and that has been hard. My program dictates that I have only Clear liquids for 2 weeks post op and ONLY Protein shakes and clear liquids for an additional 6 weeks. That was not working for me and I tried to get assistance numerous times from my program (NUT, Program Director RN, surgeon), but my frustrations fell on deaf ears. Plus, I was taken off almost all my hypertension meds immediately after surgery, then my blood pressure shot through the roof (201/123) and it was taken as seriously as it needed to be. I went back on my old medication regimen and I'm doing better now, but it's been a rocky road. I'm still tired a lot and can sleep 12 hours a day (with a nap). Other than walking a couple of blocks to and from work a few days a week, I'm not exercising yet. I guess my question are, when do things start getting back to normal? When do I start enjoying this journey instead of enduring it? Should I start forcing myself to exercise since it has been 3 weeks since surgery? Any advice is welcomed...I just feel like I need to hear from people who are supportive and really understand how I feel!

Thank you all for the support. I contacted my nurse program director about my hunger and was told to drink Water. I also tried to bring up my frustration with the nutritionist and was told to talk to my doctor, which I attempted to. I told him of my mental dullness as well (I'm a therapist and I was finding myself searching for words at times during session... I don't know if that has anything to do with my diet). My Dr. was more concerned with my blood pressure, which is at an all time high! I was shocked and worried about how high it is and I take my meds. I was so worried about it, and my doctor told me just to keep taking the meds and ignored my other concerns. I was really frustrated and scared. When I bumped into my nurse program director he told me that it is very difficult to get an accurate blood pressure because of your size". He told me I was probably suffering from "white coat syndrome' which elevated my blood pressure. I have never experienced that in the past. Basically, no one I contacted took much heed to how I was feeling. Don't get me wrong, I think my team is fantastic and awesome, but the one size fits all dietary regimen wasn't working for me and now I was cared and worried about my blood pressure. Well, I did the worst thing I could possibly do. I snuck 4 or 5 Hershey kisses. I felt horrible mentally and physically. Mentally, I felt like a failure and physically I felt a sugar rush that made my head hurt, but tummy was fine. I was shocked that I didn't get physically ill just didn't like all that sugar. So instead of beating myself up, binging, or crying about it (like I always did before surgery) I decided to get proactive. I researched 10 different programs dietary guidelines for the gastric sleeve and decided to follow the most common dietary guidelines, which was full liquids for the next two weeks. (I'm supposed to still be on clear liquids...not even Protein shakes until next week). I had a fat free yogurt and now I feel, dare I say it, normal? I know my choice may not be one that people agree with, and that's ok. I know I cheated on the diet and that may be a sign that I will not reach my goal or be noncompliant in a way that will undermine my efforts, I will deal with that and work to better myself and attain my goal. But I'm just trying to break my old patterns and own up to my struggles. This has been so hard, but I'm hoping I can make it.

I see the NUT on Tuesday and the Dr. on Thursday. I will be sure to mention it. Thanks.

I was just sleeved on Monday and I'm wondering if I can do this...yesterday I started to have hunger pains and I just drank Water and broth, but I thought I wouldn't feel hungry for weeks or months! So today I was alone and feeling a bit better (stopped taking pain meds!) so I went to the grocery store to pick up some items for my son. It's just me and my 15 year old, who is very supportive but relies on mom for everything food related. Anyway, I picked up broth for me and some of his favorite items he can prepare himself. It was so hard! I was really hungry and my stomach was grumbling despite the fact that I had just had broth and water! I put everything away but I am just overwhelmed by how difficult managing my hunger is. My program dictates that I stay on Clear liquids for 2 weeks post op, then 4 weeks of Protein shakes, then 2 weeks full liquids, then on to soft foods. I just can't see myself adhering to this plan. I guess my questions are...have any of you had difficulty early on with hunger? How did you manage? What advice could you give me about being successful at following this plan until I'm on solids? Thanks

Just got home from the hospital today! I was sleeved April 14th! For those of you that are having your surgeries done at Little Company Of Mary with Dr. Cahill, you made a GREAT choice! The staff was wonderful! Tony is excellent and checked on me every day! The best thing I could say is keep a positive attitude and do EVERYTHING Tony tell you to do. I must admit that the first night was rough...I had a lot of pain in the belly and shoulder. But the support I had at the hospital was superb and family visits the second day were much appreciated. I'm so excited about the future!

Just got sleeved April 14th and all went very well! Tolerating my liquids nicely and feeling stronger everyday!

I was just sleeved 3 days ago and I can't believe how professional and kind the staff at Little Company of Mary in Evergreen Park, IL was! I was treated with respect, kindness, and sensitivity. The first night was hard...a lot of pain in the belly and shoulder. The staff were attentive while I moaned and groaned, I was really uncomfortable! But I knew what I had signed up for and I kept myself in a positive mood mostly. By the next morning, I was able to tolerate broths and my leak test came back negative! I was very weak and my nurses and caregivers were awesome! They just went over and beyond what was reasonable care by sitting with me, coming quickly when I called, and giving me encouragement! I was able to walk 3 times around the floor but still had to figure out how to manage break through pain. I found out that waiting too long for pain meds actually triggered my nausea. My family came to visit and I became so exhausted from talking! I did feel very loved and supported, which I worried about before the surgery. I didn't think I would get so much support, but I was wrong! Today I was able to do 2 lapse at a time around the floor, energy was up, mood still positive. The most important things for me were to keep my spirits high and follow ALL directives given to me by the staff. I know I have just started this journey but I am so convinced that I made the right choice! I shutter to think of the life I would be living had I not made this choice to have bariatric surgery. The possibilities are endless to me know! Well, I just wanted to post the beginning of my story. I love this forum and I look forward to being successful with all of you!

I'm having my sleeve on April 14th as well! Good luck to you!

Amen to that one April! I'm a psychologist and I have dealt with weight issues all my life. I can help people in their darkest times, but now I'm the one that needs the help and support of all you wonderful people to get me through...education is irrelevant, we are all fighting a good fight against obesity together!

I think that what you are feeling is totally normal and healthy! This is a tough road we have chosen to take and a healthy fear is necessary, in my opinion! It reminds us that we have had dark days in which the weight has caused depression, insecurities, health problems, etc. Keep focused and you WILL succeed! I will have my sleeve done on April 14th and I recently watch a show that depicted a 530 lb. woman actually gain weight after surgery! It scared me to death! But what that taught me is that I have to be diligent and realistic about my diet and embrace this new healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life. I am worth it and you are too!

My nurse coordinator let us eat an apple, banana, or an orange during the first two days and that helped me with the sugar withdrawals (which caused my headaches). I'm on day 3 and no headaches.

I understand that it is difficult for some people to be supportive of a struggle they don't understand...it's not just a matter of willpower! I'm just going to celebrate our collective choice to become healthier and live longer and ignore the negativity!

I can't believe it's only 5 more days to the surgery and my new life! Sunday evening I had a mini anxiety attack thinking about all the changes I was in store for and old friends that struggled with weight related issues and unfortunately did not succeed. I am so glad I have this forum for support! I can't really talk to my family about my decision because they cannot relate/ don't agree. No one is giving me grief, but I can tell they can't get the toll morbid obesity has on me since they see me as perfectly fine in all other areas of my life. If they only knew how food was my coping tool and has led me to this point! (I have hypertension, high cholesterol, and absolutely no energy!). Anyway, I started my liquids on Monday and had an IVC filter placement early Monday morning (that kinda sucked! I opted for no sedation!) and today I am feeling way more positive! I have a little more energy and I am more focused at work. I'm feeling motivated again and I have most of my preparations in order. Thank goodness for this forum so that I have a place to air my thoughts! You ladies are the best!!