SkinnyDown

@@RNYGal I am sitting here in shock after reading your post. How is that even legal? How does someone not "believe" in helping his patients pain level? What happened to do no harm? You body needs to heal, and part of that is staying on top of that pain so your body can rest and relax. I am so sorry and send such positive healing thoughts your way. How brave you are. I don't know if it's feasible but is it too late to visit another Bariatric center? Did you know this going in? Is it written down somewhere, that he doesn't "believe" in using narcotics? I just feel so terrible, that you have had to go through this.

@@maureenm That's so scary! I hope all is well now.

Thanks all for the beautiful support and encouraging words I am reading. You are all so kind! I haven't been on much, since I got home Wednesday. I've been working hard on just keeping afloat. I'm actually starting to feel a bit better, everyday a little improvement, and I am thankful for all the improvements, no matter how small or big. I'm healing. Fighting dehydration ...the antibiotics are doing their usual number on my belly and colon. shakes fly right through me, but dang it, I'm going to make it. fight it, kick that infection out, and carry on with my life! I bought a treadmill, I'm so excited to get moving in serious ways. I am retaining a lot of Water in my legs and feet, from being on iv fluids so long, (but that is probably helping me stay hydrated)....I can tell from how my clothes fit I am losing already. Thanks again for all the positive encouraging words.

@@Heavy to Healthy Thank you so much for writing and letting me know I wasn't alone on this journey. I am still not quite out of the woods, still have this infection, but am on antibiotics, wound is packed, that comes out in the AM, and we wait to see if it will close on it's own. I know much of my nausea is being brought on by the antibiotics and still, so many pills I have to take. I just want a little relief...so I can get my nourishment in. I'm getting my Water in ok But the antibiotic gave me nausea and diarrhea, and I'm not sure why but the hospital didn't give me my Zyrtec for a week, so I get out into the world today and it's full of pollen and I'm choking every time I lay down. Blowing my nose, miserable.... I feel like a big old mess. LOL I could use some prayers and good thoughts. SO I thank all of you have been so kind, and sweet, and positive. It's made a difference. I just keep praying to wake up for another day.

Good luck everyone, with your surgeries! Prayers for you!

Well..,.a number of reasons, and I get to go home today, finally. One full week later! I had pretty bad gas pains as all people do, and nausea, no vomiting, but I couldn't take in anything but ice chips for the first 4 days or so. I still have a hard time getting 1 or 2 shakes in me per day. Water I am constantly sipping. Then I had issues with severe Fluid retention, and they just kept saying, no we can't let you go. Something was wrong and they were waiting for it. Little did I know. I did know that my surgery was particularly difficult and they had a mishap happen during surgery. The stapler, got stuck shut with two pieces of my stomach in between. They couldn't get it open. In fact they had to call the manufacturer and get some advice while I was on the table. The other option would be to rip it out, with my stomach that was stapled together. It turns out there was some tearing. They had to make another lapro hole, so I have 6, and use another stapler to pry open the other one. what they brought through once they got the stapler open was some of my stomach. I was on the table 4.5 hours. Adhesions, and scar tissue were tough issues too. I was in recovery for 2 hours with breathing problems too. It was just one thing after another. I finally got to my room at 11:30pm I started feeling better after a few days, and thought yeah I'll be going home... and then I started feeling sick again, and blood sugars were going up despite me not eating much, blood pressure was dropping, and I was having more nausea and night sweats and chills and bam infection. In one of the port holes lol I'm not sure what to call it, but it was big and hard and red and swollen overnight. and growing. So the surgeon came up to my room, took out stitches, no anesthetic at all...and he opened me up drained what was the most nasty pus ever to come out of a zombie (because that's what I felt like at that point) used big swabs to poke all around in me and release all that pus, and then slipped a few feet of strip gauze in me, put some 2x2's and tape on, and here I am today. They did a dressing change on it this morning, shoved more strip gauze in the hole and I'm to take out the strip gauze tomorrow and keep a clean dry dressing on it until it heals. Meanwhile I'm on antibiotics and keeping my fingers crossed. I've been down this road before, with wound care after surgery. Last time it took 3 months to heal. I'm hoping this time is just a few days like they say. It seemed everything that could happen did happen. And so....I'm maybe grateful for staff who knew there was a possibility I could get sick, and for those who just didn't like how I looked. LOL You know what I mean. They could sense something was wrong with me. I'm still having a great deal of nausea, unfortunately but I am SO glad I am going home. I feel that if I can just get a good nights sleep I might actually feel better.

I can say it was the same thing so many people mention...and it is, but I hit an all time low. I guess my rock bottom. My mother died..I spent the next 6 months of my life buried up to my neck in food...in all her recipes, trying to recreate each one over, and over, and over. Eating my way through the grief until I gained 40 more lbs, and then my heart started to not work right. I am in Grade 1 heart failure, blood pressure sky high, working my heart too much, all this excess weight....I graduate from a cane to walker, and then my blood sugars are out of control, Dr. put me on 2 oral diabetes meds, then 2 different kinds of insulin. I was giving myself 4 injections minimum, and taking over 20 pills, every day. On an office visit to try to slap a band-aid on knees that need replacement, (which won't happen until I lose a considerable amount of weight), my Dr. looked me in the eyes, and told me if I didn't stop, I was going to die. I knew then....I had to make some major life changes, but not just a surgery to make my stomach tiny. I needed to work through all the many reasons why I used food, what it meant to me, what it had become to me and and why I was so addicted to it. Those were the demons that were/are harder to deal with than the 8 month program, and the 4.5 hours I spent on that operating table. I haven't had to take 3 of 4 diabetes medications in days...... They stopped 2 of my heart medications last night...... Already my health is improving. I did it for the right purposes, and I dug deeper than I thought I would, so I could also do it for the best purposes, because it was time for me to let go of my protection I had used for so many years. My fat. I am taking this day by day. I can't even predict what the results will be. I only know I am motivated, at 49, to change my life, and become the person I was meant to be.

Prayers for you both! You're going to be just fine.

@@Beauty+5 I am so sorry to hear this news. Don't give up. The surgeon might be able to advocate more for you. This makes absolutely no sense.

I get to go home tomorrow! Wednesday. Exactly one week later. lol I never planned for this kind of stay, but I was taken care of well, and I am hoping all the things that could go wrong, have gone wrong, and I'm due for some healing and better days ahead. No regrets. Even despite all the mishaps and stuff I've been through. I'm still very glad I had it done. I hope everyone who's just had surgery is doing well too!

That was exactly what I thought, I would have given up my room, no problem, at a reasonable hour. lol

@@SusanDavenporr2015 I loved your story of walking in the rain... I've always found that asking around is the best way to spread word of what you need in this world. I did just that, asked around....I wanted a treadmill and low and behold, my sister told me that my ex brother in law was actually selling one on FB, at first I asked him if I could make payments, as it was a bit pricey for me, but he not only reduced the price, he offered to bring it over and set it up. It's also exactly what I needed, a treadmill with shock absorbing features, since I have bad knees, this will be so much better for me than the concrete sidewalks, until I get my knee surgeries. And, he's hardly used it. Maybe 10 times he said! Now that's a blessing from the Universe that came almost immediately when my need arose. Ask around, you just never know who might have one to even give away! And will move it for you too! Best of luck in finding what you need.

@@rte837 Thanks

@ I'm going to keep my fingers and toes crossed for you! I wish insurance companies would recognize just how hard it is for people with PCOS. I have it too. Plus, you take metformin. Both strikes against you to lose. What worked best for me was really cutting back the carbs. Even more than the specified diet, because I know when I do, I will lose more weight. I can totally understand your nervousness. If you ever want to chat, friend me Sounds like we have some stuff in common.

@ are you on insulin or any diabetes meds? That can make a difference. It's very hard to lose on insulin especially. I'm sorry to hear about the gain, that's frustrating. Keep trying though. I know I really cut down even more carbs specifically which helped me reach my goal during that 6 month period. Best of luck to you! You can do it!!

Checking in to see how all the members of the 20th Club are doing! We should come up with a name for all of us. lol I hope everyone is healing well and getting their walks and fluids in! Remember, you're recovering, so don't push yourself too hard. I finally get to go home tomorrow! I am so blessed I made it through the surgery, and all the trials and tribulations. Just about everything that could go wrong, did, but I'm feeling lots better now. Check in and say hi! Tell us how you are doing.

@@bangbangbarbie No you aren't sorry, or you wouldn't have said it. Be mindful that you aren't mirroring. Your post brings even less value. The bariatric patients here are required to walk a specified amount 5 times a day. We are expected to rest at night, and even televisions are to be turned off after 11pm. Part of recovering from surgery is actually sleeping. Oh, and the admin that did that, I didn't even have to say a word, she got herself in trouble, word spread quickly.

Some people feel threatened by WLS ...and by that I mean, if you lose weight, you may be in the other person's mind, much more attractive, and they have that much more reason to fear losing you after you lose a lot of weight. I've been through this before with partners, after losing large amounts of weight, and that's an insecurity they have to fix, not you. But I would advise having some serious discussions on the topic, because it's pretty important stuff, and your husband might just need some reassurance, that you aren't going to become a supermodel and leave him. Seriously, that's just how funny some people think. I think it's adorable, personally. Our happiness should never have depended on how fat or skinny we are. If you're looking to outside sources for your happiness, you're looking in the wrong place. That's an inside job. Inside you. If you want happiness it's there, for the taking, inside you, all the time, every day.

No drinking 15 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating is what I was told.

I consulted my sister about this, she's a tattoo artist, and I have a few tattoos. She told me every tattoo is going to be different. Some are going to shrink and look new, like RammerJammer describes. More colorful, filled in. and some are going to sag with your skin depending on where they are at, and become misshapen or stretched out. My sister is already talking about the work she will have to do on me, and is advising me already to get one tattoo removed. We'll reassess once I've lost all the weight I am going to lose. I'm so thankful my sister specializes in coverups, because I am counting on that to help in some instances. I'm not done with the tattoos I want either, so I look forward to more tattoos on different size skin in future!

I was told....and mind you, this is only what I was told.... That I'd be lucky to get in 40 oz. per day the first 2 weeks and 2 shakes a day. (Which would be part of that 40 oz.) At least my NUT was realistic. I'm still in the hospital, and although yes, I have been getting iv fluids, I'm drinking 1 to 1 1/2 shakes per day sipping on Water, eating ice chips continuously,...but it's not adding up to 64 oz. at this point. My NUT said it would take time to work up to those kinds of numbers you may be doing too much....maybe you should consult your NUT again and ask if those numbers were realistic. I'm not sure about all this laxative enema stuff either. They are giving me stool softener in the hospital, yes, but no enemas. Are you lactose intolerant? That may be adding more gas, where it's not needed if you're mixing your shakes with milk. They don't have Lactaid at the hospital, so I know the suffrage. I'm lactose intolerant, and the gas is getting to me, as well. These nectar Fruit Protein powders....are they sugar free, too? I know some people have issues too with sweeteners. I hope you get it worked out. And also don't be SO hard on yourself. I really think they were unrealistic with what they expected from you, just my opinion. The people to talk to are at your Surgeon's office/ your team of bariatric nurses and nutritionists. They should be able to help.

@@Beauty+5 Hi! Thanks for asking about me. I think I'm not typical. Most people go through this stuff and have no issues or very few at all, and go home 2 days later, fine. You'll all probably have to keep in mind just how sick I was to begin with. That helps to keep things in perspective. Tonight another big bummer possible setback .....I was so excited I'd get to go home I wanted a shower tonight so I could just get up and get the hell out of here tomorrow. Well, my nurse was helping me undress, and she was like...uh ohhh Now I know when a nurse says uh ohhh that's not a good sign. She showed me how red, hard and hot my skin is around two of my lapro sites. they are very close together. Then tonight I started running a low grade fever. It was lowered with vicodin w/ tylenol, so now we have this to deal with. That area started hurting bad after they shut off my pain pump. THey switched me from Morphine to Vicodin and that was the culprit I thought, of why I was in so much more pain. Nope. So I will report tomorrow, and see what they have to say. I already had my meltdown, and acceptance if it is something I have to stay longer for, I'm just going to have to stay longer. Maybe it's something I can take care of at home. In 2014 when I had that bowel perf, I had to have wound care for 3 months .....I just had very vivid flashbacks of that and 4.5 feet of guaze strip being shoved into my wounds, twice a day...for months. Well....sorry to gross anyone out, I'm a bit worn out from all of it. I'm a trooper though. I will get my head around this and deal with it. I still have absolutely NO regrets. I couldn't be more happy overall that I had this surgery. Pray for healing for me, please. I pray for all of you, to heal and be healthy and well. Ohhhhhh I bought a very slightly used 'Gold's Gym' treadmill! Someone I knew was selling one. Nearly new, and at a deep deep discount! It has a place to hook your iPod or MP3 Player, a holder for your tablet, and speakers, and it has special shock absorbing features. So it is so much better than concrete for my bad knees! Plus 16 different options for walks, inclines etc. I am SO excited about that! My first purchase towards real health and wellness. I'm a happy girl about this! Thank you, Universe, for providing. Saving so much on food made that possible! Keep well, everyone. I'll keep in touch! Carol

@@Daisee68 Hi, No, I didn't lower my metformin. My Dr. had me stop my Glipizide before I started the liquid diet, and I had low readings, but not too low that I got sick. Two days after surgery I stopped needing my short acting insulin (Humalog), Metformin and Glipizide. The only thing I take now, after surgery, is 50 units of Lantus. I suspect that will go down too, as I'm getting readings in the morning in the high 80's now!!! It's like I don't have diabetes anymore. Trust me, I came from having readings in the 400's and 300's often! I am amazed.

I was just woke out of a deep sleep, which I don't get much of these days, by my nurse, asking me if I will give up my single room for another patient in ER right now. I was like....are you out of your effin' mind! Then as I woke up I realized what just happened...she wasn't really asking me because she's up here on the surgical floor, someone else put her up to it. *this is a nurse I really like too. So I demand to see the admin asshat that would wake a hospital patient at 3:30 AM to change hospital rooms, most likely for someone with better insurance, I mean come on what other reason could there be? Of course the Admin-Supervisor won't come to my room to talk to me, (scaredy cat) and says she'll just have to work something else out. How about, coming up to the floor, and waking a patient, to move them....YOURSELF? Now the funny thing, is that I don't even mind that they asked me. I think that could have waited until the light of day hit my ass. I have been blessed during my whole hospital stay with my own room, happy for that, and I'd love to give that to someone else, as I know I have maybe a day or two left here, tops. But come on, in the middle of the night. I'm up now, which pisses me off greatly, It takes so much to get comfortable enough when you have 6 big holes punched in your belly...it hurts anytime you move. Then to ask someone to wake me up. I know my nurse felt bad, and did not want to do that. I felt badly for her. So....complaint to come against the Admin. That Admin was stupid to mess with me, because I'll be damned if she uses a nurse that works as hard as mine does, as her little scapegoat. That's not right, you want to mess with people who go out of their way to take good care of me? You got another thing coming. I even said to my nurse, (who has been a primary care giver, I have had her every night shift, since I was admitted) does Admin not know that the internet eats these stories up? Come on! Yes, let's move a patient recovering from surgery in the middle of the night, out of their room, and into another room, and hope that's good for their recovery. All it is good for, is lining the hospital's pockets. Now I can't sleep, I'm all worked up, I'm sick to my stomach, had to request more nausea meds, and about to request a xanax so I can try to go back to sleep. Thanks asshat admin!

@@Beauty+5 I already had my surgery on May 20th. I'm still in the hospital in fact. Not doing so great, but little improvements daily. Trying hard to get out of here, as soon as possible. Continued chest pains, and nausea, and keeping me here, although they have done some tests and ruled out any heart troubles. Glad of that. Since I do have a not so great heart. I'm trying to be a trooper! I want to go home so much!