wwboy

I just got called yesterday with my official approval - and surgery date for December. I'm completely confused. I'm at 39 Bmi and 34 years old. I just have this nagging fear about regrets in the long term. I'm scared of not losing much weight -- of not keeping it off... I'm part of a church tradition that advocates a vegetarian or vegan diet. I've never done it. But I know that there's lots of research indicating that plant based diets are the most healthy -- disease fighting even. I'm afraid of ending up not getting healthy through this surgery and then finding that the plant based diet thing was my real solution. I'd hate that regret. I'm worried about where I'll be in 15 or 20 years. I'm scared of complications or regrets. I'm scared the research will turn and that this decision will eventually come to be known as a foolish one. My wife is super supportive and is crystal clear that I should go through with it. I'm fully conflicted. Did anyone have these kinds of mixed emotions? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You know, a big piece of the puzzle for me was listening to the responses of people on this thread...one person remarked: "it's risk vs. reward". That really stuck with me. The more I thought about it and prayed about it, the more I came to accept that NOT getting surgery was not a zero-risk proposition...which I think is our tendency as people. Staying put had its own risks. And as I weighed my options, it became clear that the risk of surgery (while precipitous) was actually smaller than the risk of not getting surgery -- and of course the potential rewards of surgery completely dwarf the "reward" (if you could call it that) of continuing my old path. Another thing I thought about was all the conversations I had with trusted friends and mentors before I even got to this place in the process. About 8 months ago is when I started thinking about getting surgery. I didn't entertain the thought until I had long conversations with my most important allies in life. Each and every one of them concluded that they thought it was right for me. While I don't just automatically do what other people think I should, I'm not dumb enough to imagine that I can't benefit from the advice of those I trust. It didn't make sense to question all of their advice and support just before it was 'go time' because I got cold feet. I wrote another related thread to this one...an update after my first surgery (I ended up having 2...read the post to see the details (http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/356802-updated-approved-but-should-i-go-through-with-it-a-second-time/). What I can say now, is that I'm 4 weeks post-op today. And so far very happy with my decision. The negative side-effects are present. But I can deal with them. I've lost almost 60lbs overall since last April and I'm down 22 or so since surgery. I weigh less than I did as a senior in high school, my clothes are falling off, and I feel so much more physically active and 'able'... It's glorious. I'm off of my BP meds, metformin, etc. And I'm sure I'll get to quit using my CPAP within the next year. One month out, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I'm with you. I was sleeved on the same day and I still fade every afternoon beginning around 2pm. I'm just done at that point. Totally worthless in terms of productivity - it's best if I just quit and nap. The fact that it's so cold outside where I live doesn't help at all in terms of physical activity right now...so I don't feel like I'm able to work on the other side of things to build my endurance back up. It's a drag. But it's worth it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Where does he make available his post surgery approach? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

some truth right here ^^^. I know for me, I went into this thinking that surgery would both help me lose weight now - but also buy me time to re learn how to eat and live more healthfully. As many have said, in the first year, everyone loses -- even eating cheeseburgers. It's the years that follow that decide our long term fate. We've got to learn permanent changes. The surgery gives a second chance at that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have experienced some of that but I'm only about 3 weeks out. As long as I'm well hydrated it's minimized though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No they are all thin. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've had some coworkers recently warn me "don't lose too much weight! I mean, you're a big guy. You need some weight on your frame." It's nice. Kind of. But it also made me feel a little angry. I mean, they obviously didn't care much when I was so heavy I had multiple medical conditions - but now, they want me to stay heavy? Why? So they can continue to feel superior to me for being in better health? So they don't have to change their mental picture of me if I'm thin? It's amazing how one person making a positive change can draw out dysfunction in everyone else. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm 3 weeks out and had to get fluids a week ago. Not admitted though. I am having no trouble keeping things down though. Not at all even from the beginning. My surgeon told me that they want to hear from me if I'm vomiting AT ALL. I agree with the others, talk with your doc. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have felt some of this transient stinging pain too. It usually occurs when I get into certain positions or stretch weird. I haven't been afraid because it always goes away when I shift or after a short time. I'm sure it's just scar tissue or whatever. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm happy this thread got resurrected because now I get to see it. I feel so inspired! Running a marathon is on my bucket list as well. Thanks for sharing your story! I'm only 3 weeks out now but looking forward to years of better health and fun. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm two weeks post op now. As many do, I struggled taking anything by mouth especially for the first few days...no vomiting but just felt super super full after about 1oz. Anyways, after going home, I worked really hard on drinking - but shoot - as you know it was difficult. I think at first I was able to get maybe 30-40 oz per day of Water plus Protein shakes etc. but I'm a 6'1" man and accustomed to drinking at least 100oz of water per day normally. Since being home I've been dizzy and hazy whenever up on my feet - just generally terrible. Awful. My blood pressure was running low and my pulse was running high. I thought maybe I was getting dehydrated or maybe wasn't getting enough salts in - but I couldn't seem to get to feeling normal. Well this week at my first post op appointment, my blood pressure was very low (at least for me) again my pulse was over 100. They sent me down to the infusion center almost immediately for IV fluids. I felt a little embarrassed about it at first - but dang, as soon as they started putting it in me, I began feeling better. They did 2 liters in 2 hours and ever since then, I've felt great. They were super nice and just encouraged me to try to keep up going forward. I feel like it was just a really good bump for me; like a boost up to stay ahead. Since then, I've been getting 60-80oz per day and feeling much much better. I'm really not dizzy anymore at all - and thinking much more clearly. Beginning the pureed stage today so that makes me feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel. Overall I'm down 50lbs since May 2015 which is when I decided to pursue WLS. About 15 of that is post surgery loss. Hooray! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In my limited experience, I'd say getting enough liquid in is more important than protein in the early days...but really it seems like almost one and the same thing since it's all liquids at first anyways. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm only a little over a week after surgery (12/17) and I relate with what you're going through. Most of the time I feel very fatigued and dizzy. It's not good or fun. My blood pressure is no doubt part of it - it has dropped a lot even since surgery and I am now off my med. I'm sure the low calorie intake has something to do with it as well... And then just the fact that surgery is a form of trauma which naturally requires recovery. All in all, I'm not surprised that it takes a few weeks to get over the hump. Not fun in the meantime though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Same symptoms for me just 1 week out. I just assume it's a combo of low blood sugar, blood pressure, and just general fatigue from this huge traumatic surgery I went through. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi I'm 6 days post op and a little confused on the difference between liquid and purée. As an example of "ok" foods on my liquid stage for the next week, my surgeons instructions includes things like baby food, tomato or cream Soup, yogurt, etc. How are these different from purée? How do I differentiate as I'm choosing foods? Does it mean that liquid has to be pourable while purée allows for smooth texture while being more thick? It sounds like in my instructions, both stages can't include any chunks or soft bits....everything has to be completely smooth. I know everyone's requirements are a little different. I'm just a little confused. Thanks for any input. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was done on 12:17. My incisions are glued shut. A couple of them have their glue strips starting to peel up on a couple sides. Each of them are pretty tender to the touch and very sensitive to stretching, pulling, twisting etc. The one on my right is the largest and most painful. I believe this is where the stomach was removed. It hurts more when I over exert myself. At least that's my perception. But each of them still hurt pretty regularly regardless. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks that's helpful. What do you use to strain them? I'm using a Vitamin to make tomato soup and the resulting liquid is very very smooth...like Campbell's canned soup. And they served this to me in the hospital on day 2. But while yogurt is on my list for the liquid stage, there's no way it would go through a strainer...or be poured. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm 6 days out and am on essentially full liquids: Protein shakes, tomato Soup, broth, smooth yogurt, Water, are my staples. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've been taking my tiny pills. But I'm now off of everything but depression meds and Vitamins as per doc orders. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm 6 days post op and I felt similarly day 1 and 2. It's improved for me daily since then. I'm now pretty easily getting in 60+oz. But I pretty much have to be taking a sip every 10 minutes all day to accomplish that. I can't tell you it will pass because we're on about the same timeline. But if the nurse said to come in, you should go - thunderstorm or no. There's a point at which its near impossible to catch up on dehydration - because the skeeve limits intake so much Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not female but had lots of unexpected issues like this before leaving the hospital. My bladder would fill up - way way up - and then wouldn't empty at all. They had to catheterize me three times. Finally the nurses had me up and going every hour or so - I was able to squeeze some out but it was always very little and with like no pressure. Super odd for me. I'm a 34 year old man... This lack of flow has continued since being home the past couple days. Hoping it just has to do with anesthesia wearing off - and will resolve itself here soon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm on my way home now. Still on some serious drugs but they are helping me everything seems to be working ok Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Sal! To you too!! I just got released from the hospital today. Surgery #2 is done and everything went swell I'm I more pain this time and eating/drinking is a very strange sensation. But I'm on the mend Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey I just wanted to say thanks to you all who worked with me a bit. I'm in the hospital now - surgery was yesterday and this time it went perfect. In lots of pain but I'm doing alright. Excited about the future! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk