frankenstein

Well this is my first post ever. let me just say I am married, I am the father to two young girls. I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, starting to be diabetic and I'm getting arthritis in my knees. I have been a lurker for months now. I have been on this forum reading and looking at pictures like crazy. I have gone through all the preop lab works doctors appointments etc. etc. Surgery is finally here I have been going back-and-forth in my head for the last two weeks. Last night I went to target to stock up on all the necessities I needed for post op and I had a major meltdown. I actually had tears in my eyes and had to put everything I was about to purchase back on the shelf and leave the store with my head doWn. I am a 43-year-old manly man, bearded biker type, and was practically in tears. Tomorrow is my clear liquid diet before surgery on Monday. I'm a complete wreck today. The permanence of the surgery, the not drinking an hour during dinner, major chewing of my food from now on (instead of just eating normal), never being able to guzzle water, (or anything for that matter), never drinking a beer again. These things and more are whizzing violently through my head. I'm on the fence, off the fence all day long....I know this is not well written and jumbled as this is how my head is today. I'm a wreck..... Anybody got anything?

Hey all... Been awhile! Actually about 3 months! Let me tell you this has been a game changer for me so far. I have gone from my heaviest weight of 336 at the end of last summer, to my surgery weight of 316. At 3 months post surgery, I am at 246!! I am almost 100 lbs lighter and healthier now!! I feel better than ever, and I have way more energy! People are constantly double taking me now, as they don't recognize me at first. Hell, my own mother walked right by me one day, as she didn't recognize me from the back... Lol. Only drawback so far, is my clothes are now officially gone and I have to buy a whole new wardrobe, but for the first time that I can remember, shopping is fun! I can now go into name brand stores and buy my size off the rack, and not have to go into wal-mart or the big and tall store! I am excited for my doctors 3 month appointment this Thursday as well, which I always dreaded! I have another 25 to 50 more pounds to go. It's definitely not easy by any means, but it is so worth it! I eat so healthy now, and so does my family. Plus losing weight rubs off onto others and they start trying to better themselves, so that's some good karma as well... If anyone is reading this and thinking twice about surgery, fear not! GO FOR IT! Like so many others on this forum have said before, my inly regret is that I just wish I would have done this years ago!

In case anyone is following this thread for help... Everyday gets better than the last, I had surgery Monday, and I'm feeling pretty damn good right now... Wounds ache a bit more, which means they are healing well, gas pains are pretty much minimal.... I've been walking at least a half mile a day, I can do more( I don't want to push it). A little tired at times, getting in fluids is challenging first week for sure, but everyday it seems I can get a little more in everyday! I'll be ready to go back to work I'm hoping after week two! I am so glad I had this done now! I'll keep adding to this post now and again... Cheers all! ~ Frank

FROZEN PROPEL IS WORKING FOR ME!

Hey all, I'm still here. I am not going to lie or sugar coat anything, yesterday was rough for me. The gas pains were brutal, unlike anything I've ever felt. They come on fast, peak, then dissipate quickly, over and over. Mine were mostly in my upper abdomen, but I know others who had there's in their back and shoulders too. So I guess I'm lucky in that part. The abdomen was enough!! I fought through it and I kept making myself get out of bed and walk, as my surgeon advised. I had immediate family visiting me yesterday, but I was basically useless, sleeping, and walking when possible. I was released from the hospital today, I asked my surgeon if I could stay another night and he said no problem. I don't know what I would have done if they told me to go home yesterday. I feel at least 50% better than yesterday now. I passed a lot of gas overnight and through the morning, which I'm sure was the cause. So that is a plus, and I'll take anything I can get at this point! Hopefully tomorrow is better still. Which I am trying to be positive that it will. I am definitely finding it a challenge to drink a lot of fluids. I've had half a water bottle of water, about 8 oz of protein shake, and 3 sugar free Popsicles. I'm hoping to get more in tomorrow as well. I know I need too. I'm thinking that this is just a stage from surgery being just two days ago. I'm down for any advice or tips going forward. Thank you all for your comments and concerns again!

Again I thank you! I made it! Got home of surgery it into my room room 11 o'clock, I think. I have been groggy as hell, and in and out of cat naps from the anesthesia and all the pain meds. ( I love you dulaudid!) (sp) so far it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I do feel like I have been kicked in the stomach by a horse or something, I'm not going to lie about that. It feels like a low dull annoying ache of a pain. This post will be short and sweet as I am about to have more pain meds. I just did my walk down the hall. More to come tomorrow hopefully. Peace out homies! ????????

Well, let me start by saying that I'm sitting in my driveway, and Faith No Mores "A Small Victory" just came on my stereo as I started writing this. The title is fitting for me right now. I'd just like to take a second to thank each and everyone of you for replying to my first ever "meltdown" post. This forum has been a wealth of knowledge for me and truly an inspiration. With all of your help, as well as other, I snapped out of my funk, and decided to move along as I originally intended to and get this mofo done! It's been almost 8 months since I started this journey and I need to follow through. I just got back from Walmart this time, picking up all my pre-op supplies (I didn't go back to Target this time, as I had a freak out the last time I was there, so I went a different route, plus the people there are some times great to take your mind off of things) LOL. I'm as ready as I think I ever will be and I'm going for it! My surgery is at 8:00 am tomorrow. First thing I'm asking for is a Valium or something of the sort though! I'll pop back on tomorrow after surgery when I feel up to it and let everyone know how it went... Thanks again! Frank