Tired_of_being_Tired

Sleeved in October at age 43 - best decision ever!!

Sleeved in October at age 43 - best decision ever!!

Sleeved in October at age 43 - best decision ever!!

Sleeved in October at age 43 - best decision ever!!

Hi everyone -
I am three weeks post op and live in Ontario, CA. I have been looking for support groups around my area, but haven't been able to find one. I feel a little alone - other than people online of course. I keep thinking it would be great to meet others who have just started their journey, who are already into their journey, or who have marked their paths for us to learn from. I have no idea how to even go about this, so I thought I would just post something here and see if anyone else is near me. Its better than posting on Craigslist - haha! For me, it's hard to explain to my significant other what I am going through, because he does not fully get it. He wants to understand and be involved so that he can help, but on the other hand I know all the research I am doing online, and me being on the computer bother's him as well. The friends I currently have either live really far, or I haven't seen in quite a while. I think it's time for me to make some new friends, and if that can be someone who is going through, or has already gone through what I am going through how perfect would that be.

Wow! This was a long one...
I could only give my opinion so here it is. Unless you have had WLS, you will never truly understand exactly what your fiance` is going through - no matter how supportive you try to be. I have a very supportive loving boyfriend and although he is wonderful, there are somethings he will never understand because it's something I am going through. With that said, you really need to get pass the whole (he didn't bother taking into consideration the way you felt about the surgery) because his mind was made up and it was decision he alone could make for himself.
I agree with everyone when they say there is a bigger issue here with you and your finance` and I believe it's probably deeper then you even know. If you feel unappreciated or taken for granted only you can change that. I would say let him enjoy this journey of his, but stay on track with your own journey and don't lose yourself because of what he is going through. You have to be happy with "you" first before you can be happy with anything or anyone else in your life.
Consider this a blessing in disguise that this is all happening before you got married. Hopefully you understand getting married will not fix any of these problems because marriage brings in it's own new set of problems. Sometimes we need to take a step back, take some time apart to really see the "big picture" See if this is still what you really want. Time will tell if this is something he still wants as well.
We are all outsiders looking in and listening to only your side of the story. He may have a different story entirely and probably does. There's always two sides to every story. You need to do what you feel is right for you. He took a step and had the surgery because he felt that was right for him. Whatever decision you make, I wish you the best and will pray that the Lord help you both through this.

It amazes me that so many get their panties in a wad when they post their opinion on a public discussion board and someone else disagrees or posts a counter opinion.

Seriously! It's OK. In most cases, that counter opinion is just that -- opinion. While I do take issue with those who take themselves very seriously and post their opinion as fact, I am happy to say they are few and far between.

We, for the most part, have different surgeons, different NUTs, different metabolisms, different builds, different backgrounds, different thought processes, different psychosis... (JOKING! Kind of.)
There are very few doctors or therapists here. There are NO experts on YOU here, with the exception of yourself. No one is qualified to give you *absolute do or die* advice. No one is in a position to tell you that you are !!!WRONG!!! or that everyone else is.

Relax. Breathe. Discuss. Share. Vent. Listen. Learn.

We all have our hot buttons, we are human. We all have topics we are passionate about. Debate is fun! It's healthy. It's how we learn and grow. It's a positive form of interaction until someone takes it personally. (I'm guilty at times -- I know it!) As long as it's respectful, there is no name calling involved, and there are no personal attacks, there is nothing wrong with it.

I'll tell you a few things about me that are "wrong" and I don't give a rat's patoot if you want to tell me so:
I drink soda. GASP! Even worse, I drink it through a straw! I would never tell anyone else to do the same. That's between you and your doctor.
I graze all day. My sleeve is small, my restriction is fierce. I graze to keep myself from getting too hungry, eating too fast and then vomiting it all back up.
I eat while I work, when I drive, when I watch TV. I find that when I do this, I get distracted and I eat slower. Weird, I know.
I weigh myself 2-4 times a day. First thing in the morning (usually fully dressed in my PJs as I get up at a ridiculously early time of day to get my kids out of the door.) I weigh myself buck naked after kissing them goodbye when it's time to get myself dressed. I weigh myself before and after a poo (giggle) because I have a middle school boy sense of humor. I weigh myself at night, again buck nekky, just before I get in the shower. I call it my step aerobics. It works for me. I don't get frustrated or upset. I never have, even at my fattest.
I eat real chocolate every day. Just a few Hershey Kisses or a Dove Promise (dark!). It quiets the sweet tooth I didn't have pre-op and keeps me from thinking about sweets all day. It's better to feed the beast a nibble and shut it up. FOR ME.
I eat full fat everything except the things I don't.

I am choosing not to be a WLS advocate. I don't care HOW people think I am losing weight, I don't care who supports me. I don't tell my business to everyone and it's not up to me to save the world from obesity one fatty at a time. I'm not embarrassed, ashamed or a liar.



Your personal experience, your advice from your NUT/surgeon/NP may differ completely. You may be of the opinion that I will be the size of a small whale in 5 year's time. You may think that I am failing myself and my surgery. You may think I am a hypocrite. It's OK.

You do you, I'll do me. We can talk and share and be opinionated together, even when our opinions don't match.

This is a public DISCUSSION board. It's ok to discuss, it's ok to be opinionated. Just expect the same in return.

I had a hernia repair with my surgery as well. Prior to my surgery I ALWAYS had major acid reflux, it was awful to the point where I didn't sleep well at all. I am sure my weight and sleep apnea had everything to do with it. Immediately after surgery my acid reflux went away. I am 13 weeks out in two days, and just recently I have started to feel a little acid coming on, but very little. I sit up, and maybe a small burp passes and then I am fine. It's so weird, but I pray everyday that this part of my pre-surgery health does not return. What I have heard, is sometimes patients get major acid reflux right after surgery, especially if they had a hernia repair as well, but eventually as time passes it goes away or gets much, much better.
I hope you start feeling better soon!

It's good to hear I wasn't the only one who had slips during the Holidays. Something funny that happened to me over Christmas was, I didn't even realize it, but I had served myself a plate of a little of everything and when I sat down to eat, I was like Holy Moly what did I do? Needless to say, I was full after a few bites and thought to myself, wow before I would have finished this plate and gotten up for seconds. It is definitely a whole mindset change. I keep having to remind myself!

Hi, all -
I'm at the midpoint of my pre-op adventure. I've attended the informational session, met with the dietician and psychologist, am scheduled for my sleep test...but have not been approved by my insurance company yet. From my discussions with them, it shouldn't be a big step to get approved as long as I'm over 40 BMI. I'm right on the bubble at 5'5 and 239 lbs.
All I want to say is this. For years I've lain awake at night planning how tomorrow will be different. I'll hold back on my eating. I'll walk the stairs for 45 minutes. I'll be a good little dieter. I'll loose weight and keep it off this time. Nothing worked. I felt stuck. Trapped in my own fat body.
When I finally discovered that my insurance would cover bariatric surgery after years of specifically excluding it, I was elated. Now, I look at myself in the mirror and say, "By next year, if I follow the rules and do my part, I will look very different." I'm hopeful, excited, and maybe a bit obsessed with the idea that I've been thrown a life raft, if I can only climb aboard.

I'm following your stories with great interest and attention. With a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, I hope to add mine to yours so that others may learn from the paths we have taken.
All the best to you and you press on. Fight the good fight...

You will be fine alone. I was alone during the day and actually was happy about it because the gas gods were not good to me. It sounded like a shooting range in my house, but since I was alone, I didn't worry about it. (and I am happy to report no animals were hurt by the cross fire) Sorry if that was TMI! I had my surgery on a Thursday, was released from the hospital on Saturday, was off 1 full week and back to work on the following Monday, with no problems, and most importantly, no gas heehee! Good luck! You will be just fine

You will be fine alone. I was alone during the day and actually was happy about it because the gas gods were not good to me. It sounded like a shooting range in my house, but since I was alone, I didn't worry about it. (and I am happy to report no animals were hurt by the cross fire) Sorry if that was TMI! I had my surgery on a Thursday, was released from the hospital on Saturday, was off 1 full week and back to work on the following Monday, with no problems, and most importantly, no gas heehee! Good luck! You will be just fine

I should clarify, I am NOT gulping Water and eating at the same time. There is absolutely no way I could do that, and wouldn't even attempt. But I have sipped a little bit of Water when eating a few times. I am trying to stop and have actually been pretty good at waiting the 30 minutes after I eat to drink water. I'm definitely learning as I go. Everyone is different, so what works for someone, might not work for you.
Another thing I didn't mention in my last post was how much healthier I feel now. I use to never have energy, I was always sluggish and was borderline diabetic. All that has completely changed now. I have lots of energy, my sugar is fine, and I don't feel sluggish, sometimes a little tired, but not that ugh, I have to drag myself somewhere feeling. Feeling this way put me in a deep depression for the last 5 years and that is why I truly got the surgery. Sure fitting into a size 7 would be a wonderful achievement, but my health and the way I am feeling now, has been priceless!!

Hello -
My HW on October 2, 2014 was 225 lbs. I had to be on a 7 day pre-op liquid diet and had my surgery on October 9th. During surgery they discovered a hiatal hernia (a complicated one at that) and repaired no extra charge. I was up and out of bed as soon as I woke up. A requirement was that we walk up and down the hospital corridor at least 3 times a day. I was doing that within 25 minutes after waking up from the anesthesia. I had no complications from the anesthesia, which I am grateful for, because I have heard many people get nausea the first few days or so. My hospital stay was two days. I had my surgery in Piedras Negras, Mexico, about 2 hours from San Antonio, TX, so I had to fly home to Southern California the day after I was released from the hospital. Other than my flight being delayed for 8 hours, and having to wait at the airport terminal, I was doing great. Lucky I had my laptop and watched movies, so the time went by no problem. When I got home I had some discomfort more on my left side close to the larger incision where they removed my tummy for about a week. The pain medication worked great and allowed me to sleep with no problem. I realized right away that the heartburn I had consecutive for the last 6 years had completely gone away. I couldn't believe it. It was literally from one day to the next. I was on a liquid diet for 1 week after surgery and then on a full liquid diet for 2 weeks after that. On week 3 I was able to move on to soft foods and then on week 5, I graduated to full solids. I was off work for 1 full week after I had my surgery and then returned to work with absolutely no problems. I was dancing 2 1/2 weeks after surgery and if you would have seen me dancing, you would have never thought I had surgery 2 1/2 weeks priors. I had to keep reminding myself I can't do the worm, I can't do the worm, haha just kidding. My incisions itched as well for the first 2-3 weeks but after that I was fine. I still can't sleep on my left side for that long, I don't want to say that it's uncomfortable, but I will say after a while I am not as comfortable as I am sleeping on my right side. Maybe it's all in my head. On my 7 day pre-op diet I lost 13 lbs and since surgery I have lost 26 lbs to date. Total loss since October 2nd is 39 lbs. Prior to surgery I was in a very tight size 16 jeans (really should have been wearing a size 18) but I refused to go buy a larger size pair of pants. I am a comfortable size 12 today. My goal is to fit into a size 7 and I will be happy. I will be honest I haven't gone to the gym yet, but I plan to start going next week.
I believe I had a short stall 2 weeks ago, but it only lasted about 6 days and then I lost 2 lbs. I didn't let it depress me though, I stood positive because I have read so much about stalls that I just let it ride. If I can lose 2 lbs a week, I will reach my goal in May of next year and will so happy to finally be able to wear shorts in the summer! I haven't worn shorts in the summer (in public) for almost 6 years! The truth, I use to dread the summer. It just made me so depressed to think of all the cute clothes I could be wearing if I could only lose the weight and most importantly keep it off. But boy oh boy, am I looking forward to this summer!! I even see a bathing suit in my future and believe me, it's been more than 5 years since I have come close to wearing any type of swimwear.
Since surgery, my depression has almost completely gone away. At times I am a little and believe me it's only a "little" depressed about food, only because the things I use to like (sushi most importantly) do not agree with me right now. Yesterday, I went to a casino with a fabulous buffet and I still lost a pound this morning - too awesome!! I had no desire to get any dessert, but then ate a little bit of ice cream and a little bit of tapioca pudding. So the fact that I lost a pound this morning surprised the heck out of me. Oh and I also ate a little bit of nachos! I know it's not the best food at all to be eating, but I can tell you, I no longer have a craving for ice cream or nachos, it's like I had it and I don't need to have it again for months. I can't explain the feeling, but it's out of my system now.
My only struggle to date is eating and drinking at the same time. Oh, and still eating too fast. I definitely do not chew and eat my food in 25 -30 minutes like I am supposed too, but I am trying my hardest to eat slower. Now I can take full gulps of Water with no problem, and have been doing so since 4 weeks post surgery. I don't take more than 3 gulps, although they are not like my "old" 3 FULL gulps prior to surgery, they are gulps nonetheless. I love ice cold Water, it just goes down that much faster. I am absolutely terrified of anything carbonated so I really only drink water, fresh fruit juice (on occasion cause it has lots of natural sugar) and crystal light. On occasion, I have had an iced tea - but not too much.
I eat things like eggs, boiled or over medium suit me best, smoked salmon, rotisserie chicken, tuna, cottage cheese, string cheese, yogurt, Soups, sugar free popsicles (seldom) hummus, Wendy's chili, refried Beans, avocado, shrimp, and just started eating a couple of almonds. I tried sushi twice and - no bueno - so I will wait to try again later. I do find that certain foods just turn me off now. (i.e. Jack in the Box, McDonalds, Taco Bell) just to name a few. I tried a meaty egg Breakfast burrito from Jack in the Box maybe 3 weeks ago and it got me sick to my stomach and since then I have absolutely no desire to go back. Maybe my taste buds will change after I am in maintenance, but if they never do for these places that's fine by me too. Those places got me to my highest weight.
if you are contemplating this surgery, I would say, GO FOR IT!! The only thing you will regret (in my opinion) is not doing it sooner! I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery if you do chose to move forward.
Sorry my post was sooo long...I can type for days...

I really have to learn to eat slower. This is the first time I have felt the accelerated heartbeat and it freaked me out. So far nothing has come up, nor have I felt like throwing up, but the full feelings is NO BUENO!

Thanks everyone for the support. I tried to eat more calories today, but when I eat more food, I feel miserably stuffed. I'm thinking of adding a snack in around late afternoon. I eat lunch at 11:45 and then don't eat dinner until 6:00. I did need to go buy new pants today because my old ones were too large. I feel better now...

I definitely agree with Kindle. While I am only 3 weeks post op, I noticed when I raised my calories a bit I lost weight! It was weird but overnight (and I am not kidding) I lost 6 lbs. The skeptical me, picked up my scale and weighed myself in different areas of my home because I started thinking my bathroom floor must be slanted haha. I didn't understand it at first because I knew I had eaten a little more the night before (half of a medium avocado, an over medium egg, and some hummus - not at the same time, but throughout the day). Your body may be trying to hold on to your weight because like Kindle said, it thinks it's in starvation mode. My calories were between 400 - 600 and now they are between 600 - 800 and my Doctor said that was good. I know everyone is different, so I am just saying what worked for me. Please don't cry, after reading many veteran sleever's testimonials it will come off, our body is just freaking out at the moment. Wishing you the best!

Thank you everyone for your great responses and advice! I was able to talk to my Doctor and he told me not to worry my sleeve will let me know if I am over doing it (i.e it will get stuck, I will feel nauseated) everyone is different and can tolerate things differently. He also said what many of you said, a thigh looks bigger because of the bones, but chances are I didn't eat as much as I thought. The Water gulping is not a problem either. Apparently everyone gets this back at one point or another, it was just sooner for me. I have to say I really prayed on this one, because the sip, sip, sip was just not working, working, working. I feel so much better now and happy I posted this on here.



Approved by my Doctor, yesterday I tried eating sardines (mushing it up really good and added some lime juice) and after 1.5 ounces I was full. Just could not eat one more bite. So although I can tolerate soft chicken (dark meat) I may not be able to tolerate other things as quickly.



Oh, and although I have no problems eating an over medium egg, deviled egg, or hard boiled egg, scrambled eggs are just not my friend. So for those of you who cannot eat them scrambled, maybe try them another way, you may be surprised that you will be able to tolerate them better.



Hope everyone is having a great day so far!

I definitely agree with Kindle. While I am only 3 weeks post op, I noticed when I raised my calories a bit I lost weight! It was weird but overnight (and I am not kidding) I lost 6 lbs. The skeptical me, picked up my scale and weighed myself in different areas of my home because I started thinking my bathroom floor must be slanted haha. I didn't understand it at first because I knew I had eaten a little more the night before (half of a medium avocado, an over medium egg, and some hummus - not at the same time, but throughout the day). Your body may be trying to hold on to your weight because like Kindle said, it thinks it's in starvation mode. My calories were between 400 - 600 and now they are between 600 - 800 and my Doctor said that was good. I know everyone is different, so I am just saying what worked for me. Please don't cry, after reading many veteran sleever's testimonials it will come off, our body is just freaking out at the moment. Wishing you the best!

I definitely agree with Kindle. While I am only 3 weeks post op, I noticed when I raised my calories a bit I lost weight! It was weird but overnight (and I am not kidding) I lost 6 lbs. The skeptical me, picked up my scale and weighed myself in different areas of my home because I started thinking my bathroom floor must be slanted haha. I didn't understand it at first because I knew I had eaten a little more the night before (half of a medium avocado, an over medium egg, and some hummus - not at the same time, but throughout the day). Your body may be trying to hold on to your weight because like Kindle said, it thinks it's in starvation mode. My calories were between 400 - 600 and now they are between 600 - 800 and my Doctor said that was good. I know everyone is different, so I am just saying what worked for me. Please don't cry, after reading many veteran sleever's testimonials it will come off, our body is just freaking out at the moment. Wishing you the best!

@ Kathy812, I feel the same way, like I can eat a little more. but the good thing is, I do stop once I start feeling full. my chicken was dark and soft and went down easy, thank goodness. I hope u have a good experience when you have yours

The ironic this is. When I opened the box to the chicken I looked at it and had a talk with it. I said...now chicken, don't you give me any trouble going down. I have been very patiently waiting to taste, chew, and fill my tummy with the Protein you provide. I was trying to be funny, but the darn thing listened!! Or maybe it was the prayer I said just before I started eating. lol. In any case, I was able to eat it and didn't get sick, and now here I am worried and writing about it. I didn't even think about the bones. The thigh was pretty boney
I am so happy to hear others are able to gulp too. I was really dreading having to possibly wait a year or longer without being able to gulp.

The ironic this is. When I opened the box to the chicken I looked at it and had a talk with it. I said...now chicken, don't you give me any trouble going down. I have been very patiently waiting to taste, chew, and fill my tummy with the Protein you provide. I was trying to be funny, but the darn thing listened!! Or maybe it was the prayer I said just before I started eating. lol. In any case, I was able to eat it and didn't get sick, and now here I am worried and writing about it. I didn't even think about the bones. The thigh was pretty boney
I am so happy to hear others are able to gulp too. I was really dreading having to possibly wait a year or longer without being able to gulp.

Hi kathy812! You know I didn't even think about that. That's a good idea. Thank goodness I get the A-OK on Saturday, so I can try something at home. For some weird reason I have been craving a Portobello mushroom pizza. I am not even a big fan of pizza - have to be in the mood. I will wait to make these of course, but that's what I really want. Oh, and refried Beans, but all I keep thinking is "oh boy" extra gas!! When I came home from surgery, at night I sounded like a Saving Private Ryan sequel. Probably TMI, but I just couldn't help it. I think my sleeve is settling down some, so I am a little nervous of giving it more Amo - haha pun intended!
How is your sleeve doing?

Hello October Sleevers! Had my WLS on Oct 9th. All in all I have to say my surgery went pretty well. I still experience some pain on my left side, under the incision where my tummy was pulled out. I am still on the Phase II full liquid diet, and so far had not had any trouble keeping any down. However, today I thought, well...since I am sooo close to Saturday and that's when I will be switched over to soft foods I wanted to try a little bit of egg salad. Wrong decision, I experienced the "dumping syndrome" I was at work, so needless to say, I was praying the good Lord would not make it a "noisy" trip to the ladies room - he heard my prayers! sorry if that was TMI. I didn't experience the chills, nausea, or accelerated heartbeat affects, but oh boy did I have some cramping fairly quickly after I ate my 3 spoons of egg salad. So...lesson learned and patient I will remain until Saturday. I'm sure you can guess what I am not going to try to eat on Saturday I am sooo looking forward to getting out of the full liquid diet, since I have been on liquids since one week pre op. I am looking forward to making friends on here and so excited to be able to talk to others who understand what I am going through. Oh one good thing is I have no problem drinking Water, but I do have problems remembering to drink it. I know for sure I am not getting my Protein in. I tried Isopure and OMG I nearly threw it up - scratched that from my list! I am taking the unjury chicken Soup and do have the Unjury unflavored Protein that I add to my Soups when I remember. My saving grace soup has been the Marketplace Tuscan Tomato Basil - sold at Vons. It is so creamy and taste like Pasta except without the Pasta. I can only have about 1/4 cup before I get full, but it's been great!