dsdunne

Yep cold. I'm enjoying it since I was getting tired of the menopausal hoy flashes.

Lots of gurgles and pain from gas. As Shrek says "better out than in."

My sister had the sleeve done a year ago and was off less than a week (5 days?). I had mine done a week ago and I plan on returning to work tomorrow. Our different jobs are more or less office jobs, not lifting stuff or chasing kids all day. I am planning on returning to work tomorrow but leaving myself the option to work just 1/2 day. I also have some additional days I can take off if I think I need them. I have been off the narcotic pain killer for 48 hrs and am only taking Tylenol tonight while sleeping. Today I didn't take a nap and I made a test run to the grocery store. I wouldn't try going to work tomorrow if I couldn't do these things. I have not coughed or sneezed yet. I know from previous abdominal surgeries, hold your muscles tightly (pillow, hands or carefully brace against something). If I sneeze uncontrolled, I'll be back on pain meds in a heartbeat.

My goal is to lose 38% of my total starting body weight. I state it that way because people (those who I've confided in) tell me "you don't need that surgery." Even my bariatric surgeon (who I think is great) looked at me as they were prepping me for surgery and said "no one would believe you are a bariatric patient." These statements bother me because this is not an easy decision for anyone who makes it. I am 4' 11". I have never been 5' and will never be. My BMI is 35.3. I am 57 yrs old. I have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, have joint pains... I can go on. At my highest I weighed 175 lbs. My body knows I'm obese. I have lost a lot of weight, several times and in-between I was either losing or gaining. I always gained more back. My sister (5' 4") and I lost a lot together a few years and then we both gained it all back and then some. Last year my sister confided in me that she was 4 weeks post surgery for the sleeve. I was shocked. I wasn't in the mindset to start another diet again yet but surgery seemed extreme. I read her brochures and listened to her process and still doubted. I saw her again this last summer (lives a couple of states away) and after 8 months, she lost 65 lbs and looks great! I watched her and she behaved "normally". She didn't dwell on food and she didn't require a special diet. She was enjoying her new life with her new body. I was tired of failed diets. I went to the next information session on bariatric surgery. Three months later I had sleeve surgery. I don't want to review my status right now because I know I am healing and changing and any issues are temporary. I can tell you that I am down 15 lbs (10 day pre-surgery diet and first days of clear liquids). Kudos to my sister who is my support group.