BitterSweet*

Sometimes we don't realize how big we are but if you started at 205 and have lost 50 lbs, surely you are almost at your goal weight. The bigger we are, the smaller we tend to feel in this world. When the weight falls off, so does our protective emotional shelter of fat. It will take some time (and maybe some therapy) before how you feel and what you see in the mirror will match each other. When you begin to embrace your amazing change, you'll carry yourself with more confidence, and it will show.

Seriously. Wait until you get old. Elderly people have constipation issues so badly that they are frequently admitted for fecal impactions that require surgery to resolve. They are routinely prescribed meds to combat the constipation, and meds containing senna is always on the list......and they have to use it daily, sometimes permanently. Abuse of anything is never a good thing, however, I don't see a problem here. Someone abusing laxative drugs / teas or whatever may end up with a bowel issue, but if that were to occur it would be temporary. The "dependency" would not be some life-long plaque that would permamantly affect the bowels. Peristalsis will resume on its own unless a brain or spinal injury is present - affecting neuronal pathways to the bowels. There is nothing wrong with occssionally using this product (unless your surgeon advised you not to), and twice per week would be considered occasional. Abuse would be doubling up the dose and using it several times per day, not per week.

What do they think is going on? So worried about you. =( Please hang in there.

Lol! Cute!

For me it was seeing a pic of my mother and then hear her talk about starting up her diet again (for the millionth time) in January. I realized that's me in 20 years, and that is just not what I want. Also, a hallway. I was walking down a hall (which is quite large enough for two people to easily pass each other in opposite directions), and someone turned their shoulder in to give me more room to pass. Totally mortiphied by that. I really don't see myself that big, but I guess I'm wrong.

Metabolism does naturally slow with age, but your defication and adherence to your post-op program will ultimately determine how successful you will be. I've seen a lot of members on here mention that they do not exercise post-op and I think that's a crucial component that shouldn't be ignored. It is necessary to help re-establish a higher functioning metabolism, decreases excess skin, and is healthy for your heart and bones.

Metabolism does naturally slow with age, but your defication and adherence to your post-op program will ultimately determine how successful you will be. I've seen a lot of members on here mention that they do not exercise post-op and I think that's a crucial component that shouldn't be ignored. It is necessary to help re-establish a higher functioning metabolism, decreases excess skin, and is healthy for your heart and bones.

The size that you were at a healthy / normal weight when you were 18ish is your body's natural inclination. The size of your bones do not change past that point (well until you get old!), especially for girls because we've quit growing by then. Females' growth plates have closed by 18, so whatever your bone structure was at that time in your life is what your frame size truly is. With weight gain, childbearing, health problems etc., it may seem as though our bone structure changes, but it does not and can not. The extra weight gives us bigger shoe, clothes, and ring sizes and makes it seem as though our bones have somehow grown in mass, but it just doesn't work that way. It's fat and nothing more. Btw, if anyone wants to see how much fat and tissue is really masking your bone structure, stick your hand (palm side down) underneath one of those high velocity bathroom hand dryers. It is crazy!

Your body has been traumatized and pumped with bags of IV fluids. Focus on following your post-op nutrition guidelines and begin taking short walks a couple of times per day. It will take many days for your body to dump all of that fluid. Don't torment yourself, stay off of that scale!

Muscle does not weigh more than fat, it just takes up less space. A pound is a pound. The drastic inch loss shows that you are doing what you're supposed to be doing and the scale will eventually catch up. I think you're doing great.

Aspirin causes stomach ulcers so I wouldn't take it. It goes without saying to check with your doctor, obviously. At best I'd maybe take a chance with Excedrin (which has aspirin blended into it instead of it being full strength), and maybe that would do the trick. I've found that 2 extra strength tylenol (1000mg), a good dose of some caffeine, and a nap fixes headaches really well. Also, dehydration can be the cause of the headache and it will persist until your body is rehydrated.

Please keep us posted and we are praying for you.

It is very common.

..........

When are you taking your PPI?

You need to contact your doctor straight away or head to the ER. That sounds like a blood clot. Your surgery was too long ago for ill effects of an infiltrated IV to still cause problems. My intent is certainly not to scare you, but you need to seek medical help. Blood clots can dislodge, travel, and cause all sorts of serious problems. Take care of yourself and let us know what happens.

#gallbladder

Experience is everything when it really comes down to it. A non-reversible surgery where the majority of the stomach is removed needs to be in the hands of someone very skilled with years of experience and literally thousands of surgeries. Under the circumstances I really feel uncomfortable with a surgeon practicing on me. @@laurenella82, Ikr that would be great.

Yes, the process is really not troublesome for most. The one issue (which is a biggie for me) is that the post where I am has only had their bariatric program for two years. The surgeon is well versed, has good bedside manner, and I trust him; however, he lacks experience. Two years of bariatric experience is not very much, and he gets sent on TDY a lot, so there are significant periods of time that he isn't here operating on patients; he's done less than 200 surgeries. So, that bothers me enough that I am considering another option. I've gone through the program, the surgery is completely free, and the hospital is less than 5 minutes from my house... but, I'm strongly considering doing self pay and going to a bariatric center of excellence in MX.

The sleeve will be covered if it is done at a military facility that has a bariatric program. If you don't live near a post that has one, you'll have to get a referral from your PCP to a bariatric center, where you will have to follow whatever their protocols are; Tricare will only cover gastric bypass. If there is a bariatric program at your post's hospital, you have to do the following to have a VSG: -Get a referral from your PCP to the bariatric program. -Attend the bariatric seminar, meet the surgeon and other members of the bariatric team (nutritionist, nurse, coordinating staff). You will be weighed and vitals taken which will be used to measure your progress and compliance. -Attend their nutrition / weight loss program. One class is required, but continued participation is suggested. -Maintain a food diary per the guidelines provided in the nutrition class (MyFitnessPal etc). -Maintain or lose weight. Weight loss is not required, but you CAN NOT gain weight. -Stop smoking. They will routinely check for cessastion via a urine test. -Attend one bariatric support group meeting. -Have a one-on-one session with the nutritionist who will check your food diary for compliance. Once cleared by the nutritionist, you'll be scheduled for a Psych appt. -Get cleared by the psychiatrist (usually one appt, but more than one session may be required). -After the psych clearance, an EGD will be scheduled to check for H. Pylori, hernias, and you may also have an ultrasound to check your gallbladder. -Bloodwork is redone and if you see any specialists (cardiologist, pulmonologist etc), they'll need to clear you for surgery. -Final meeting with surgeon. Surgery date scheduled. -Length of time from beginning the program to having surgery varies. Could be a couple of months or closer to 6. Hope this helps.

Good luck to you. You've sure had a rough couple of weeks. I hope whatever is going on is easily resolved.

@@LipstickLady, please elaborate on your no intubation after VSG comment. I've never heard that before. Thanks.

If nothing else, your honesty in this moment is admirable. My concern for you above what has already been said is, your ability to adhere to the post-op nutritional plan. Even with your lack of preparation it seems you've been lucky enough to have no complications. Others plan for a year or more, do everything right, and end up being in the unfortunate 1-2% with horrible, life-threatening complications. Be grateful about being complication free, and follow the guidelines to stay that way. I don't think there's an adult in this world who hasn't made a choice they regret. This is a doozy, but since there's no time machine capable of going back in time to undo this, make the best of it. Good luck to you.

Bufflehead pretty much covered it. I would also encourage you to go to the main / home page of this site and go the "Gastric Sleeve Complications Support Group"; there you will be able to read first-hand experiences of people with complications - the main one being leaks.

Lol!