Beni

Slow is fine. Take a Tylenol if you have to. I had one incision that bothered me a little on the left side but I think it was because I had to turn to that side to get out of bed. The first week all I did was walk around the house, to and from kitchen or bathroom. I did get out of bed often as I didn't want to get a blood clot for laying down so much, even though that's all I wanted to do. I did go to the mailbox on day 7. I could not do much because I was so exhausted but I wasn't in any big pain. Perhaps a 2 on a 1 to 10 scale, with 10 being the most pain. In other words mild. But oh so tired. By the end of the 2nd week, I felt better. By 6 weeks (I am almost 7 now) I felt better then before surgery. Hang in there. In my opinion, the first 4 weeks are the hardest and then it gets better everyday. Also at 4 weeks it's when you usually get cleared for all types of exercise which to me means the first 4 weeks are "healing time" to allow incisions to heal.

On the feeling not so energetic and down. I just wanted to point out I had that last winter and thought I was depressed and it turns out my Vitamin D levels were very low as well as my Iron. It's winter, we don't get much sunlight and our bodies have been through a lot. I know our vitamin supplements have some, besides we will get blood tests at 3 months. I am very curious as to what those will show. We should share the gist of it and compare with how we feel overall. I bet we will be able to figure out a lot of things then. Keep remembering to take those supplements. This is the only way we will be able to figure out if we need to make changes at the 3 month mark. My doctor told me a lot of patients forget to take their supplements and get in trouble. Low red blood cell count and low iron take a while to recoup from, believe me. Let's not get there in the first place, right?

Hurray, @Bronxymerci is back. Oh my gosh, I was so worried. I was trying not to let on but I had dreams of you sprawled on the bathroom floor in a pool of blood. I can joke now and say I probably have watched too many crime shows for my own good. I have had experience with anemia after childbirth. I can tell you it does take a while to bounce back. But you are young and you will recover. Iron shots are a great idea, you will need them to make more red blood cells. Watch out for any new symptoms and keep posting. We are not medical doctors but there's a lot of common wisdom on this thread. Keep eating those 3 meals a day, even if if it is a shake or something with Protein supplement. You have to eat to live even if you don't feel like it. You will get weak if you don't. I noticed I didn't get to have lunch until 2:00 PM yesterday and I was not hungry at all but started to feel a little dizzy. I think my blood sugar level had dropped too low. We'll watch out for you! Welcome back to the world. So happy about your new job. @ wildGoose is completely right, watch out for black poop. This too is my favorite part of Bariatric Pal. You all are amazing and as I have said countless times, I couldn't have done this without you. And, I might add, research actually shows that WLS patients in a support group do better then those on their own. So there, we are amazing and smart to support each other. We are in it together. Like little blades of grass on an emerald field, we hold each other up towards the sun!

So, today I lost 2 lbs in one day after a 4 day stall. I guess I was reloading for the loss. It reminds of when kids start to have growth spurts. Just before they put on a little weight and then have a slingshot like growth. I have never lost 2 pounds in one day except for that first week and that's because most of it was fluids from IV. Not complaining but I wonder if my workouts are helping. I makes me want to go workout some more. Anyone else experienced rapid weight loss?

Congrats. Keep those fluids up. Isn't it amazing how you are not hungry anymore. I am at 6 weeks and I can tell you eating will be challenging for a little while but by week 6 you will be able everything your little heart desires within the size limitations. Of course healthy stuff but I must say this is when I have felt normal. I can tell you I feel way better then before surgery. I don't understand how that is given my puny little meals. I would have thought I would be in a very low productivity mode kind of starving to death. But hello, NO, I feel amazing. Welcome to the other side, the better side! Wait until you see your own pictures and compare to older ones. Don't forget to take pictures. You will love it later.

Okay, 1. Stalls do happen. 2. I too have stopped taking Protein supplements. I get my protein from what I eat. 3 tiny meals per day and one snack mid afternoon, usually Yoplait Greek 100 Apple pie - my fave. Each meal is a tablespoon over 1/4 cup. 3. I exercise everyday even if it's only 1/2 mile. In fact, I refuse to eat dinner if I didn't do it. Don't do what you wish you could do. do what you can and build up from that. I wish I could do a Zumba class but if all I can do is 1/2 mile, I let that be my success. 4. I have no calorie filled drinks of any sort. I can have herbal tea with a tiny dash of Lactaid (lactose intolerance) and any non-calorie drink my heart desires. 5. I have 48 to 64 oz of fluids everyday. More towards the 48 but I'm working on it 6. I also make sure I take my Peri-Colace to stay regular. For me a BM is every 3 to 4 days. Take another look at what you are eating and doing and make a few little changes. See if that will rattle things up a bit. Good Luck!

Girls, you all look amazing every single photo posted shows how your face no longer looks like a ballon that was overfilled. Your natural features are popping out. Your cheeks show the bones. Fantastic transformation and we are only 1 to 2 months post surgery. Imagine the difference at 6 months. Let's not forget to start a exercise program. It will makes feel and look even better. This is just so exciting. I cannot believe I didn't do this sooner. I was paralyzed with hypothetical fears that really were completely unwarranted. Yes, like any surgery it has risks but hello, look at us girls. We are improving as we age. We have found the "Fountain of youth." You all rock my world. Cheers to the best WLS group ever.

Congrats, you will do great. I am 6 weeks post and 44 lbs down. I feel like a new woman. Oh my gosh why didn't I do this earlier.

If it's the easy way out why are they so stupid and don't do the same? Dimwitted I suppose.

I am 6 weeks post Gastric Bypass and I can tell you the pre-op diet was the hardest because you feel hunger and the first two days are the worst because your body is screaming for food but you adapt. I survived by distracting myself. Pedicure, window shopping. At one point I even spent an hour at Home Depot because it was the only store open late near my home. Warm broth saved me because i could eat it with a spoon like Soup and the warm tummy was happy. I made my own with chicken and with beef. It tasted amazing. After the surgery you don't feel hunger so it's much easier. Some people do develop hunger later on. The trick is getting the Fluid intake. The first few weeks also are not terribly happy regarding food but now at week 7 I am feeling normal again. However my meals are 1/4 cup and a tablespoon worth of what my little heart desires and I try to have the best I can have.

You go and shine in California. Leave them all to their despicable little lives. I have a hard time relating to people who can hate this much. Wow! You are so right, you never know who is your friend until the getting gets though. Obviously seeing your success is too much for them to handle. You are on the path to better and greater things, shine on!

OMG I am shaking right now, you guys look amazing. I cannot believe my eyes when I see your pictures. This is real. I am not dreaming. This is really happening to us. I am crying like a baby right now. I know the pounds are going and I know I look thinner but it wasn't until I saw your pictures that I can see how it is changing you and me. I am in awe. Thank you so much for posting those pictures. You made my day, my week, my month.

I had the exact same problem and I think it was 11 days with no BM. It was horrible. I ended up having to take tons of stuff. 2 Miralax packets in two separate days and a dose of Milk of magnesia. They didn't work. Then I had a full bottle of Magnesium citrate and that still didn't do the trick. I had to have a second bottle the following day and then all was well. I had another episode a week later even though I was taking a stool softener. I now take Peri-Colace. It works for me, but it has to be taken before going to bed and I forget sometimes. Like the past two nights. Guess who is in trouble again today. I go about every 3 days now but I cannot forget the Peri-Colace. Do not ignore your constipation. For me the whole thing was much worse then the surgery and I developed roids as a result. I was in agony for at least the last 5 days of that first episode. Not good at all. It was explained to me this is caused by the painkillers in the hospital. Morphine is legendary for causing severe constipation.

I had a cup of coffee by mistake. I ordered decaff but they gave me a regular. Oops! Since I had not had any for over 3 months, I was not able to tell right away. After about 3 or 4 small sips over the course of 20 minutes, I noticed I was getting a strong effect. It was like caffeine on steroids. I would say those 3 or 4 sips had the same effect as 2 cups of coffee. Wow! I was very awake. I think it was absorbed so quickly. If I were to drink coffee a couple sips would do the job. I won't anytime soon but perhaps a few years down the road.

Amazing! I am 6 weeks post surgery can't wait to get there. But I too look much better already with my 42 lbs gone. Keep up the good work. Wishing you the best!

I on the other hand, never had any pain at all. I kid you not. I was on morphine drugs in the hospital as everyone and was allowed additional IV added stuff but I ended up not needing then as often as the doctor allowed. The only thing I felt was the top incision on my left side because to get out of bed I had to twist to that side. But if you feel any pain all you have to do is call the nurse and they take care of it. I stayed in the hospital 2 nights because my surgery was late in the day and my doctor couldn't release me first thing next morning. I had to stay an extra night and ended up staying until the afternoon of that last day. It was my choice to stay because I was on IV fluids and I knew drinking was going to be hard. It costs the same to leave at 9:00 Am or 5:00 Pm. I did the later. Two nights but they count it as 3 days. I have had 3 children and two miscarriages. One at 20 weeks and one of the births was a c-section. I know pain very well and it wasn't even close to any childbirth and so much easier then a c-section. After surgery the two most challenging things was drinking enough to prevent having to go back to hospital for IV fluids and getting out of bed. Once I was home all I had was 3 single Tylenol pills. One the first night home because I couldn't sleep and thought perhaps my level 2 pain (about the same as monthly cramps) was causing it. I think the car ride caused it. The other two were for headaches. Not drinking enough. I found I could do 32 ounces the first two days but not the 48 needed. My tummy did not want drinks.

@@Tori Loukas Fantastic statement. Loved it! It's a process, but one where I feel I have a fighting chance. Before surgery I did not. I failed so many times it was amazing I was even willing to try. I wish I could tell everyone with a BMI of 40 (like me) that there is a way out and you are not alone.

Nothing really. Everything went super smooth. Yeh, right! But I am sure glad that phase is over. Looking back it was all so silly. I did have a BMI above 40 and medical history showed it for the past two years. I had high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, issues with my joints requiring medical attention and sleep apnea. Six weeks post op and the first two are gone, my joints are 80% better due to the 42 lbs weight loss and tomorrow I will have a sleep study to remove the cpap or reduce the pressure. Things are looking up! Jump through all the hoops and you too will be successful.

When I am in a hurry (always, it seems) I place a spritz of olive oil on a tiny non-stick frying pan. I add the Tilapia filet with seasonings and place a lid on it. It cooks quickly and the lid keeps the moisture in. About 3 minutes per side and it's all cooked. I will add a dash of white wine next time and let it evaporate for a taste twist. I will try that for lunch with steamed broccoli. I was supposed to start more solid foods Thursday (week 7) but things have been going well all week and I will attempt today. In other words, I won't place my meal in the food processor before I eat it. Wish me luck! The only problem is a small fillet of Tilapia is huge for my tiny stomach. Yet more tiny leftovers for my refrigerator, lol. You should see my refrigerator, I have a collection of very small containers with leftovers in there. I am going to have to do labels because it's getting ridiculous.

I think before surgery eating was in part due to control. You may not be able to control the world around you but you sure can control what you eat even if it seems that's out of control. Even if we think we can't control our eating the truth is we do. And let's just be honest we liked eating. We liked it so much it became our drug of choice to the point our bio feedback mechanism was to set eat more. It was killing us but we couldn't stop. The live to eat syndrome. How different is that from anorexia, drugs or alcohol. I would argue there is very little difference. But I do think some of us are more predisposed to overeating and some of us are more predisposed to alcoholism. All part of the human condition. For me, and this is a journey by no means over, it has been about relinquishing control. Coming to an understanding that I don't have control. Throwing up because I was eating too much after surgery, in a way, was the best thing that happened to me. Mind you eating too much is eating 1/2 cup instead of 1/4 cup and two tablespoons. Not a binge but I certainly was looking for that full feeling that relaxes you. Guess what, it's not there anymore. It's, I am eating and then I fall of the cliff. A all is well goes to I have to throw up in a second flat. I have no choice regarding that. I am bound by the physical reality. My surgery is calling the shots, not me. I have very little control. Then, it became all about I don't know how to do this. I have to follow this plan very closely because I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to eat. Imagine how devastating and enlightening this can be at the same time. Once I realized this I was much happier because my choices are more sensible and I don't fight the reality. I back of from this need to eat what I want. Does this mean I won't try to push the envelop? Probably not, but I have to start somewhere. I am relearning how to eat. With 42 pounds lost I feel 100% better and this alone keeps me going. I am over the moon!

@@Luna222 Eating can be stressful but I think I only made real progress when I realized I couldn't eat the way I wanted to. I had to give up the control in order to move forward. I went back and pureed all my food in the food processor. Measured my 1/4 cup and did just that. Nothing fancy just what I was supposed to eat. I feel the big struggle is trying to do what we can't. We have to learn the hard way what we can and cannot eat. Best of luck to you. Stay the course and you will get there. But there is a learning curve for sure.

The original doctor's statement regarding you having sleep apnea is ridiculous beyond belief. Going to the bathroom twice per night has something to do with your bladder not lungs. The 6 week wait is a requirement your surgeon places not anyone else. But it is for your safety. Some people have severe apnea and don't even know it. Obesity makes it even worse. With anesthesia your throat gets so relaxed your airway collapses. I'm sure this is to ensure you can breath while under. The best way to deal with this is to think of it being one more hurdle to jump over. No big deal.

Even though I was 270 pounds I couldn't eat much in a siting. My largest meal was like a Chipotle Burrito or 3 slices of a large pizza. I never had more then 2 pieces of fried chicken. However. I could eat all day long. Every two hours or so. My danger foods were sweets. I could eat an entire home made apple pie. It would take the whole day but I would usually have the last slice before bed. Now my refrigerator is Tiny Leftovers Land. There are so many tiny containers in there, all with food I would not have not even saved before. Who saves two tablespoons of mashed potatoes. I bought 4 potatoes last week. Well, one potato makes enough for 4 meals as a side. I still have 3 potatoes left. Next time I'll have to buy 2. I don't even have pots small enough to make one mashed potato. A can of Beans will last and last. Jeez, I'll have to freeze leftover beans because all I need is 6 or 8 beans at a time. I made Pasta with tomato sauce last night. One jar of sauce will last until next century. I have not gone out to eat yet but but I fear the worst. An appetizer would still be huge for me. At this point costco tastings are my best bet. 99% of the restaurants would have ridiculous sized servings. I'll need to find some more upscale restaurants with the very small artsy servings. You know the ones with an entree comprised of a single scallop and a few bright and tasty sauces squiggled about. If that is not a first world problem I don't know what one is.

It will be a happy day. You will have underestimated how wonderful it feels to finally be in the process of claiming your life back. Any worries regarding surgery are just that "worries." Statistics are in your favor and you will do fine. On the practical side make sure you have some comfortable shoes to slide into to walk around the hospital. No flimsy slippers, you don't want to slip. Obviously shoe laces are not a good idea as bending will be difficult for a few days. Wear comfortable outfit to hospital with soft elastic pants to hospital and wear the same thing back home. I couldn't wear undies to my waist because of the incisions. A bikini size would have been better. Don't bring changes of clothes, you won't wear them and then you have to get all that back in the car. The one thing I did love was a short sleeve fuzzy robe I wore during my walks and most of the time. I cut it along the shoulder line all the way down the sleeve and placed velcro tabs along. I made a "hospital gown" out of it. I found the hospital a little cold and the hospital gown provided is only thin cotton. My shoulders were cold but you have to figure out how to wear stuff because you have an IV line on your arm. Maybe a wide scarf or lap blanket. All they have in the hospital is additional bed sized blankets. In a pinch you can drape them over your shoulders but they are scratchy cotton. Good luck! I brought books and magazines but did not touch them at all. I slept mostly because the pain meds make you so sleepy. I just rested.

I have lost 42 lbs and I have noticed my back hurts less. I can also stand for much longer. Just before surgery I noticed I could go grocery shopping but had to have a break after. My back and leg joints would hurt and Aleve was often my friend. Now, I can hit the grocery store and 3 others in the same trip without breaks in between. This is something most people take for granted. Well, I couldn't do that before and I am only 6 weeks post surgery. I can not wait for the 6 month mark after my exercise gets underway in a meaningful way.