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Congrats, excellent news!!!!

@@Anxious2beme No, I did not have a drain. The left incision is where all of the "magic happened", so to speak, so its going to be a lot more tender and sore than the other incisions. My Bariatric nurse told me some people don't deal with severe pain and some people do. I am the latter, unfortunately. The past couple of days it has been lightening up a bit, but I'm still having a hard time moving, getting up or down, etc. I know it'll pass, I just need it to pass quickly so I can move forward. I'm in the soft/very mush phase and am holding down everything I've tried. Refried Beans, cheese, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, etc. Tonight I'm going to try a small dollup of instant mashed potatoes and some chicken salad. Last night I tried pintos & cheese from Taco Bell and they were HEAVEN and full of protein! @@Ashlegal Hey girl! I am so glad to hear that your left side pain is subsiding! I wish I could say the same I am going to see my surgeon today though and I'm going to talk to him about it. Maybe ask for a mild pain killer that isn't as strong as Tylenol w/ Codeine but works better than just plain ole Tylenol. Like I said above, I am on the soft/very mush diet and am eating pretty much anything that is soft and mushy! I have yet to vomit and am holding everything down. I am getting nauseous here and there when I eat a bit too much, but once I hiccup like 4 or 5 times, it passes. How're you doing? Feel free to send me a private message and we can continue to talk Sorry to hijack your post @@Anxious2beme!! Keep us posted on your P2P!

@@Anxious2beme I'm not really feeling any better. The left side pain is excruciating and agonizing. I called and spoke to my Bariatric RN who told me this was completely normal and suggested I use OTC Tylenol until I see my surgeon for a refill for a strong pain med (which is tomorrow). OTC Tylenol is a joke though so I don't even bother. LOL I know it'll pass and I will just continue to rest and relax until it starts to subside so I can start excercising and working out and getting on with my journey! Thank you for asking!! I'm wishing you the best of luck with the P2P review! Please keep us all posted as I know we're all on your side!

@@Anxious2beme So sorry for the hoops you're having to jump through but please try not to let it stress you out! Give yourself some relaxation time and think positive thoughts! We're all rooting for you and for good things to come. Keep your head up! xo

This is a great question that I'd like to know the answer to as well. I'm not in this phase yet, but have been wondering if turkey items (meatballs, sausage, hot dogs, etc.) were ok to eat when I do get there. Thanks for posting the topic! I'll be following closely

@@fairee Hi there =) For me, there were only a small number of psychiatrists in my area who were certified to do Bariatric evaluations, so I really didn't have much of a choice. Is your personal psych certified to do the Bariatric evaluation? You might want to find this out first; it could make your decision a lot easier. =) Good Luck!

@@Karlnjax Congratulations!! I hope you do find a way to celebrate, you deserve it! Keep up the good work!! xo

Try occupying yourself with something else when you get those cravings/hunger pains, like taking a walk or something similar. I add Crystal Light to my Water to give it some flavor, so when I was craving something sweet I'd just drink some water with my CL and move on! You're doing great, keep up the good work!! =)

@@anasnana Congrats on your journey thus far! I too had my surgery on September 2nd and while I am still dealing with some left side post op pain (at times severe!), I am doing well. I lost 30 lbs on the pre-op diet but have yet to weight myself post op. I will save that excitement until my post-op visit with my surgeon on Thursday! Keep up the good work and I wish you nothing but the best for your future!! =

Good Morning BP Friends! Tomorrow is my BIG day and I am full of more emotions than I think I've ever been! I am excited and nervous and scared all at the same time! I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of you who have shared your stories, both good and bad, on this website or your personal blogs. I have learned a lot from all of you. Some of you have scared the living crap out of me, some of you have made me laugh and smile and some of you have given me some amazing recipe ideas (especially with how to change up the protein) but most of all...ALL OF YOU have inspired me! I am so thankful to have found this website and be around other people who GET IT. I am also thankful to those of you who have asked the questions I didn't think to ask or was afraid to ask. You have been my voice more times than you could know. This road has been long and bumpy, but I know in the end every frustration or tear shed out of hunger (I've been on the pre-op diet for a month straight now..there have been a lot of tears! LOL) will be worth every minute of my new life. I know it won't be easy. I know it will take some getting used to. But I've been determined for the past 6-7 months to get to this point, I refuse to give up now. Thanks again everyone and I can't wait to be on the loser's bench! =) xo, Niki

@@Anxious2beme It was actually suggested by my NUT and Surgeon to not bother weighing myself until my first post-op appointment because more than likely, I've gained weight due to the amount of fluids they pumped me with in the hospital and the gas they use to inflate your stomach is still lingering, making you feel distended and bloated and they wouldn't want me to be discouraged. So, I am avoiding the scale like the plague. I am not sure when the weight starts to drop to be perfectly honest with you. I think everyone is different in this regard. I have read that some people have lost 10-15 lbs in their first few weeks post-op and then I've read stories where more weight was lost or none at all. I really think it just depends on the person, their progress and their plan in general. Here's to hoping I go to my first Post Op next week and have lost something more than the pre-op loss! *crosses fingers*

@@Anxious2beme Yes! Luckily enough for me, I didn't have to be cut open Now i have 5 little "Holes" in my stomach that are slowly but surely healing up! The steri-strips haven't fell off yet, but I'm curious to see what they look like underneath! lol

@@Knitchic Hello! Congrats on your surgery! My surgeon and I went into my surgery anticipating that it was going to be laparoscopic. I made sure, on my last visit with him and even the morning of my surgery, that I asked him what the reasons would be that he'd need to open me up instead of doing it laparoscopically, and he gave me his reasons (too much scar tissue, not enough room, etc.). I also asked when I could expect to have my first BM after surgery and if I'd need a laxative or stool softener of some sort. I didn't ask a lot of questions outside of those, because the process for me took 6 months and I got almost every questioned answered in that amount of time. If anything scares you or worries you or you're wondering about something, ask! Even if it seems off the wall or silly, ask it anyways! Good Luck!

@@hungry4health Hello My two week pre-op diet allowed for FULL liquids, not just clear, and SF pudding saved my life! I also ate a lot of unsweetened applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon and SF popsicles! 24 hours before surgery and until the Friday after my surgery, I was on Clear Liquids only and I lived on SF Jell-O, diluted fruit juices (apple, white grape, cranberry) and again, SF popsicles. I got so tired of the broth!! I also drank a lot of Water with Crystal Light and Vitamin Water Zero. You'll do fine! Best of luck to you =)

@@Lynn Blue I also had surgery on Wednesday, 9/2! Congratulations! I'm so glad that I read this topic, thank you for asking this question! My Diet booklet, which was given to me by my NUT at the surgeon's office, has me eating 1/2 c of Soup AND 1/4 cup of applesauce or SF pudding as a meal for lunch or dinner. This is 6 oz! I did it the first night I was able to be on Full Liquids and didn't feel full and thought nothing of it initially. Then when the time came for the next meal, I kept asking myself, if my stomach pouch was only able to hold 2-4 oz, why I was able to take in 6oz at a meal?? I thought..OMG, did my Surgeon do something wrong?? After that first meal of 6 oz, I have been limiting my meals to 1/2 c of soup OR 1/4 c of applesauce or pudding, but not both. I do not want to stretch anything out and hate life later. I appreciate the feedback that everyone has given and this makes me feel a lot more confident about my choice to cut back. Now if I could just get my Protein shakes in, I'd feel better!

@@Ashlegal I am on Pinterest and I follow that blog EVERYWHERE! Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram...I absolutely love it! I have been looking into getting the bento boxes that she uses to make meals, it seems so easy!! Thank you for the PB2 suggestion, too! I've heard that from a lot of people on how to spice up Protein shakes! Have you tried the PBThins? @@GBLady41 Thank you, I am trying! Yesterday I had a bad day. I felt completely defeated and kept saying "what the hell did I get myself into? I'm in over my head." I am having problems getting protein in (so I bought some nonfat dry milk powder) and I'm having problems moving around, so I felt incredibly overwhelmed. Plus, I am constantly moving around my house picking up after kids or making dinner or doing household chores and I can't do any of those things right now, and I feel useless. My husband and kids are amazing and being so incredibly supportive, and I know that I'm doing what I need to do to heal, but I hate that they're taking everything on right now. I almost felt selfish for doing this to them! Yesterday was just one pity party of a day! But you know what? Today is a new day and I am feeling better! I was able to use the bathroom this morning for the first time in a week (if you know what I mean!) and I was able to walk to the bathroom with mild discomfort! So I know that the rest and relaxation is working with recovery and it truly is getting better every single day! I just need to remind myself of that when I'm feeling defeated and I think I'll be ok xoxoxoxo everyone!

Thanks everyone for your responses, I feel much better about the situation!!!! @@ticker83 That's kind of where I was at yesterday. I really didn't want to finish the soup I was eating but forced myself to do it just because I knew if I didn't, I'd be robbing myself of the Protein and nutrients too. I feel like I'll be in this boat for a while.

@@Anxious2beme I have no problem sharing my particular situation with anyone, especially if it helps people be aware of the possibilities post surgery. I have read so many stories on here where people have had little to no pain and then others who are in pain like I am. Everyone is different, though, so it's really hard to gauge where your pain might be when all is said and done! I'm so so sorry that my pain is scaring you but try not to worry about it too much because you never know which hand of cards you'll get dealt. Yes, I'm on Tylenol w/ Codeine. I am just now starting to recognize when it is working and isn't. I take it every 4 hours to stay on top of the pain rather than chase it. And although the pain is awful, it is actually tolerable at most times. I'm still able to get up and move around my apartment and do a few things here and there, and my body has no problem in telling me to sit my booty down LOL. I listen, too!! I can tolerate the cinnamon with applesauce, no problemo! I was only able to down 4 oz of my Protein shake though. It no longer tastes tolerable after surgery, so I am going to have to buy some nonfat milk powder and unflavored protein and start getting creative!!

@@Spiceyfrog I don't feel hungry or full at all! If I didn't have to eat, I wouldn't. I'm actually doing ok with the Fluid intake, its the Protein I'm having a hard time getting in. Those shakes don't taste the same anymore... @@catwoman7 That's exactly what I've been doing, sticking to the program. Thank you both for your responses..I wasn't sure if it was normal or not but it sounds like it is. I appreciate the feedback

@@Dream4tc I am with @@choosehope on this one because the abdominal binder depends on the surgeon. My surgeon's office is definitely on board with it and I got fitted for it at my 2 week pre-op appointment. In the hospital, the binder was way more constricting and painful than I thought it would be, so I didn't wear it a lot. Now that I'm home, I usually put it on only when I'm laying down or sleeping because it makes me hurt more than I would without it. Basically, it's a blessing and a curse! LOL @@GBLady41 Thank you! I'm trying! Every day gets a little better. Once the pain subsides, I think I'll do even better! Pain is really the only thing keeping me down right now. Yesterday I felt so good that I was up and walking and moving around and doing meal prep and by 6:30 my body was like - SIT DOWN. I am still learning my limits!!!

Roller Skating, Going on Roller Coasters, flying without an extension on my seat belt, wearing smaller sized clothing, running, being more active with my boys, cute underwear, riding a bike.. My list goes on and on! LOL

So glad to hear that you're doing better!! I love how positive you're being about the situation and positivity will take you a long way in the recovery process. Keep up the good work and always keep your head up, because it will get better.

@@vhude I am so excited for you!! Thank you for checking in and keep us updated on your surgery progress as well @@Cervidae I couldn't agree with you more! The pain is still there, but as each day passes I am finding myself to be a bit more mobile than the day before. My biggest struggle right now is standing up straight, but each day it gets better. So I know that there is a light at the end of this pain tunnel! Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, I really appreciate them!! @@Dream4tc I did enjoy some sugar free popsicles in the hospital instead of Jell-O more often than not LOL The Jell-O that they serve is not really Jell-o so to speak, it was more like a meltaway..so as soon as you put it in your mouth it sort of dissolved. It was strange, but I lived off of that, broth and diluted juice. I was able to move to a Full liquid diet last night, so I started off small with 1/4 cup of applesauce..and I can tolerate it! HOORAY! LOL Today I'm going to try to add a sprinkle of cinnamon and see what happens. The pain is ridiculous, but I am learning that day by day it does get better. For a while I was really regretful, but with all the rest I'm able to get and the short walks I am taking, I'm feeling better. Thank you for checking in! @@Anxious2beme Hey you! Thank you for checking in! No, I did not have high bp before the surgery at all. I was actually a pretty "healthy" fat girl, for all intents and purposes, which is why they believe the High BP was just my body responding to the pain/trauma that my body underwent and my anxiety. As far as hunger, I don't have any! And it sucks because if I had my way, I just wouldn't eat, so I have to learn to remind myself to eat a meal! My husband is constantly reminding me and I'm always sipping on Water. It has been a bit overwhelming trying to train yourself to "sip" your drinks instead of "gulp" or take a bite of food every 1-2 minutes or so, but I believe it will soon become normal. The hardest part for me so far is really just the pain (and not being able to sleep on my side). The pain was more than I ever imagined it would be! Slowly but surely though, it's getting better! Thank you so much for checking in and the kind words! @@heathmcw74 Thank you!!! @@DeLiGhTfUlLy DeTeRmInEd Thank you!! @@choosehope So happy for you! The 23rd is my 15th wedding anniversary so it's going to be a GREAT day! I wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing how you do Thank you for the kind words and encouragement!! So just for a quick update: I can tolerate applesauce, woot woot! I am keeping my water down, woot woot! I am going to start on my Protein shakes today and try some Soup & sugar free pudding. I am hoping that I can tolerate everything because the thought of throwing up scares me to death right now because of pain. I can't even sneeze or laugh right now without my stomach/abdomen screaming at me to STOP! LOL I use the abdominal binder a lot for support now that I'm home. In the hospital, I felt like it was more of a hindrance than it was a help. without the binder, I don't think I'd be able to get up out of bed. I just can't wait for the day that I can lay on my side comfortably, because my neck and back hurt like hell! I am so thankful for all of you xoxoxox

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in responding. I figured I would wait until I had my laptop rather than trying to post everything from my phone. Surgery went well. "piece of cake" according to my surgeon. Recovery has been a struggle. I don't think I realized just how painful this surgery was, because I was not ready for the pain I am in. I was told that a Gastric Bypass is the second most painful surgery to a Hysterectomy, so I'm so incredibly glad that the hardest part is over. I ended up having to stay an extra night because my blood pressure was high. My labs have been fantastic, my temperature was always good and so was my oxygen level, so we figured that the high BP was just my body responding to the trauma that it just endured on top of my anxiety (which was caused by the fact that my BP would not go down and nurses kept reminding me that im at risk for a stroke.) So they finally ended up giving me a low does of BP meds and things are now back to normal. I have had no problems whatsoever with nausea or vomiting and am tolerating liquids well, although I am so tired of Jell-O lol I finally got to go home today and while I'm still in a considerable amount of pain, it's tolerable. Since I'm allergic to Vicodin, they sent me home with Tylenol w/ COdeine that makes me so sleepy. I appreciate everyone checking in and making sure that I'm ok. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have the "what have I gotten myself into" thought, because i have, but I know it'll get better. I think once I get past the next few days, I'll feel a lot better. Thanks again for checking in everyone oxoxoxox