LoggedOutForGood

LOL, isn't everything chewed very very well??? Thanks girl! xoxo

@@Cervidae So Protein Bars are part of your soft foods diet? I can't start that diet until Week 4 and bars are nowhere in the menu plan. I'm just starting Week 3 this week. Thanks for the heads up, its something to ask my NUT about when/if she calls back! I don't want to start too early

@@kradtke5 I think you and I have talked about these pains and aches before and even at almost three weeks post op, I'm still in a lot of pain and discomfort. My left side pain went from tugging and pulling to burning and aching and of course I freaked out! New feeling, new worry. I called my Bariatric RN and just like I knew she would, she told me it was normal and to keep moving as much as possible (which is barely possible ) I personally think that it's absolutely normal to have these fears and worries that we do; some of us have NEVER done this before and had no idea what to expect! I also agree with @@esskay77 that just the sheer worry and anxiety of ensuring I get enough Protein, Vitamins, liquid, etc. is enough to knock me down for an hour or two with tears! This is a whole new lifestyle change for us newbies and we're getting used to it. It can be overwhelming, for sure. When I find myself about to freak out about pain or forgetting a dose of my vitamins, I literally just close my eyes and take a few deep breaths and tell myself "I Got This. I'm learning one day at a time" and I get myself together and move forward. It works nine times out of ten! I know it's easier said than done but try to relax..it will help your body, it will help your mind and it will help your spirits. You're only 9 days out - it's going to take some time, so be good to you! I think Winnie the Pooh (or Christopher Robin?) said it best: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. xoxo

@@kayjay14 Congratulations!!! So proud of you for taking this step!! Going to the grocery store and gathering up your pre-op and post-op items is a great idea! Make sure you follow all of your pre-op guidelines to be that much more successful after surgery! Ask your surgeon any questions you may have, Remember that it is normal to feel worried, scared or anxious....I think most of us can say that we felt the same way, regardless of how excited we were! I also made sure my bills were in order, laundry was done, house was clean, etc. Those things really helped me post-op, as I wasn't having to worry about them. What I wasn't able to finish, my husband and boys gladly finished for me. For the hospital stay, you don't have to bring too much! I brought a pillow from home for comfort, some chapstick, some hand lotion and my cell phone/charger. I also brought some adult coloring books and magazines, none of which I touched for my stay there because I was forever asleep or knocked out from pain meds! I was lucky enough to get to take a shower while there, but it was very short, yet oh so relaxing. i just let the hot Water run on my back as I sat in the shower trying to stay awake! LOL So, if you can get a shower in, I would recommend it! After surgery, your job is to heal and recover! Walk when you can as often as you can ( I should practice what I preach because I'm still too sore to move much), get your Protein, fluids and Vitamins in and try to eat every 3-4 hours. It will be hard but you gotta push through it! Let others help you when they can and allow yourself the luxury of relaxing and starting your new life! =D So happy for you!

@@Knitchic Good Luck sweetie! You will do GREAT! Please keep us posted on how you're doing as soon as you can!!

@@larac05 What you're feeling is TOTALLY normal! I had all of those same fears and worries and here I am, almost three weeks out, with one of the hardest parts behind me! I'm alive, I am complication free and I'm getting happier (and smaller!) with every day! I won't lie to you and tell you that it has been easy, because I have been in a lot of pain and discomfort since the day I got out of the hospital, but this is my journey and not anyone else's! You just have to go into this with the mindset that no matter what happens, no matter how bad it hurts - IT WILL BE WORTH IT. For me, the reward far outweighed the risks. I was slowly dying and I took this opportunity and saved my life! You will not be sorry Keep your head up, look forward to the future and you'll be just fine! YOU GOT THIS!

I honestly don't recall how quickly after surgery I woke up, I just remember waking up in the recovery room with a bunch of voices saying "Wake up sweetie, you did fantastic!" and "You're in recovery honey, wake up!" I don't think it was very long after though, because I was still being rolled into the room as I was waking up. As far as walking, they had me up and moving that night. Granted, it wasn't long distances (like they'd have me walk to the hallway and back, or to the bathroom) for the first night, but the next day they had me taking laps around the floor which wasn't easy. It's really hard to say if you'll have time to walk with your friend or not, it really depends on how quickly they get you up and moving. I was pretty exhausted and drugged up, so I really didn't open my eyes and speak or move for hours. I hope you do get to spend some time with your friend before she leaves, though! And I wish you all the luck in the world

Hi there! I had surgery on 9/2! Feel free to send me a message if you'd like to chat. The left side pain is no joke - I'm almost three weeks out and still dealing with it! Congrats on taking this step

I use the BariActiv brand! I take the Calcium +D3 & Magnesium, the Multivitamin and Iron. All of the pills are dissolvable/chewable! I also use a B12 Nasal Spray called Nascobal. I will probably be adding more Biotin to my Vitamin intake, as the Multivitamin only has 600 mcg and that doesn't seem like a lot to me.

Thanks to all of you for the well wishes! I'm struggling again with a different kind of left side pain; now it feels like it's burning and muscle aches instead of pulling and tugging. It is radiating to my back BIG TIME. I am pushing through it though because I know this will go away eventually! All of you are my inspirations, keep up the good work everyone! xoxo

Hi Everyone! Over the course of the last two weeks, some of you may know that I have been struggling with the most horrific left side pain known to mankind. The incision area, that my surgeon playfully likes to refer to as the place where "the magic happens", has been troublesome and pulling and nagging and even gave me a friendly little muscle spasm earlier this week. I have been immobile, I have been crying harder than I've ever cried and I have endured all of this pain without pain meds. I'm pretty sure my husband and children are afraid of me. LOL Because of the pain and lack of mobility, I have been having buyer's remorse. With every day that has passed, I have continually asked myself "What did I get myself into?" "What have I done to myself?" "Was this worth it?" Today I got all of my questions answered. Today I went to my two week post-op appointments with my surgeon and nutritionist. I stepped on the scale and closed my eyes and told the MA to tell me when to open. I heard her say "wow!" and I couldn't help but open my eyes. I had lost 20 pounds since surgery! TWENTY POUNDS!!! With the 30 I lost pre-op, I have lost a grand total of 50 pounds!!! I AM ON THE LOSER'S BENCH! I started to cry. My husband teared up a little too I think, because he knows how hard I've struggled with my weight over the course of my life and our relationship and with the insurance and all of the pain. Two weeks, 20 pounds..what an amazing feeling! I won't go into details on the appointment itself, because it was normal post-op appointment, but I will share the fact that my blood pressure was the best it has been since I was in my 20s, possibly my teens. When I was in the hospital after surgery, my blood pressure was a major issue, so to see that my numbers were normal was astounding. The meeting with my nutritionist was just as expected. She told me I wasn't getting enough Protein in, but I knew that already. It is something I'm struggling with and she told me to go ahead and move onto the RTD shakes (Premier Protein, specifically, because of their high protein content), which I was thrilled about because I hate the Protein powder they have me currently on. She noted that my liquid intake was good, but could be better (I knew that too!) and gave me some food/snack tips for my trip to Disneyland next month, which was incredibly helpful. After I left this appointment I stopped and cried some more because I was so overwhelmed by the progress I have made thus far. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that only two weeks out, I would've lost 20 pounds, nevertheless 50 pounds in a month. Those brief moments of tears were freeing and exciting and it made me realize that everything I have gone through to get to this point has been worth every agonizing, frustrating, tiring and painful minute. My questions then became "What took me so long to do this?" "Why did I doubt my choice?" I knew going into this that it wasn't going to be easy, and it took me a while to get here, but now I know it has most definitely been worth it. Here's to the next 20 pounds!!! xoxo, Niki

Way to go!! You look amazing and it is definitely showing! Keep up the good work my friend!! xo

Congratulations!!!!!!

@@mishi That is the BEST explanation..that's exactly how I feel when I try to lay on my sides!

@@chasingchloee hey girl! I'm sure you've read this somewhere on this site before, but one of the key things that I did to prepare was to get my bag ready for my short hospital stay. I brought with me to the hospital, to be comfortable, were my own pillow, soe chapstick, hand lotion, a hair brush and my phone & charger. The chapstick to me was the biggest lifesaver! If possible, try to do something relaxing for yourself the night before the surgery to calm your nerves..long bath, pedicure, etc. Good luck and keep us posted!

@@Dream4tc I appreciate you looking out for me and I completely understand where you're coming from! I thought the same thing, that managing the pain would allow for me to walk and move and heal, but there was nothing I could do to change his mind. But, I can't carry it with me! I'm trying to learn to let things go more and enjoy life with this second chance! Btw, I loved my nurses more than I love my surgeon! They were AMAZING! So thank you for all that you do

@@Dream4tc I actually really like my surgeon. I was not at all thrilled that he wouldn't prescribe me more pain medication but he had his reasons (a lot to do with patients abusing the pills, the pills slow down the healing process and wreak havoc on your system). I guess as a doctor I have to respect what he said, but at the time I wanted to shove his reasons down his throat! LOL I do like him though and will not hold this against him. My PCP did not help, he referred me back to my surgeon. I do not like my PCP at all. My pain is no longer as severe as it was during that time (or earlier this week even) and I can move and be more mobile. I am still in pain but it is not nearly as bad, so I feel like I probably am at a point now where walking it off might be an option. Before it wasn't, but now I think it's possible. I'm just going to move forward on this journey and know that it'll get better and easier as @@Amylou said earlier!

@@margin76 It's because the left incision where my pain is, is where all of the tools went in and all of the work was done. There's also sutures in that area as well. He did his sutures really tight to avoid bowel obstructions and things of that nature. He said it's completely normal (for me, at least) Congrats on your progress thus far, you're doing amazing! Thanks for the well wishes! @@camsmom08 The abdominal binder is a blessing and a curse for me. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it makes my pain worse! If it works for you, that is fantastic!! I hope your pain subsides as well, it is no fun!! Thanks for the well wishes!

I think it is ok to be "that" patient! This is something we've NEVER done before and our body is experiencing so many changes and pains, that we don't know what is normal and not normal. If it's not constant for you, that's definitely a plus. It has been constant with me (up until the last couple of days). If you can hold out until next week, then go for it! If it gets worse though, please don't hesitate to call!! That is what they are there for!! =)

@@kradtke5 I have been dealing with this pain since Day one and I am two weeks post op. The left incision is where all of the tools go in and there is a stitch on your insides (that will dissolve) and everytime I move or walk or cough or sneeze, it feels like it's pulling/tugging/burning. It hurts to get up, it hurts to sit down, stand up, etc. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he says this is completely normal for those who have laparoscopic bypass. For some, the pain is mild and tolerable and for others it can be worse. My surgeon told me that he does his stitch so tight to avoid bowel obstructions and things of that nature. He said the pain WILL go away and that you have to be sure that you're walking, even if it hurts. I'd definitely still ask your surgeon about the pain, though. Some folks on here have experienced the same pain, and have had other underlying issues. I think it's better to be safe than sorry, but try not to worry about it too much or get tense..it can just lead to more pain and muscle spasms (which I had and it isn't fun!). Take care of yourself and congrats on your journey!!! =)

@@Gullies I love refried Beans w/ Ricotta cheese, cottage cheese w/ blended pears, scrambled eggs with a sprinkle of cheese, sliced deli meat, applesauce w/ cinnamon, and my Soups. I still love my Stage 1 soups! Also, I tried a Pintos & Cheese from Taco Bell the other day and it was AMAZING! Good Protein, too!

@@red37 You look AMAZING! Keep up the good work! In my opinion, I look at the old you and see a woman that saved your life and while I understand wholeheartedly why you look at her with hurt and sadness, I look at her with gratitude and appreciation for you! Look how far you've come So happy for you! xo

I'm two weeks out and still can't sleep on my side and my back/tailbone hurt as well...you are not alone! I tried to side sleep last night with a pillow propped up under my belly and it seemed to make my stomach hurt worse, so I just went back on my back. @@red37 is right though, sleeping on your back isn't ideal if that's not what you're used to, but if you're sleepy enough it won't matter what position you're sleeping in! Good luck and I hope you get some comfortable rest soon!

Thank you everyone for the well wishes!! I really appreciate them @@Dream4tc When I was discharged from the hospital, they only gave me one week's worth of pain medication. My surgeon would not refill my prescription until he saw me in person (GRRR!) so I tried OTC Tylenol which really didn't do anything. So I just stopped taking the Tylenol. When I saw my surgeon yesterday, he still wouldn't prescribe me anymore pain meds and told me.in the most caring of ways, that I need to "walk it off" to keep the muscles strong. I was a little disappointed because I feel like I could use a mild pain killer because it still really hurts to walk longer than 5-10 minutes at a time, but he has a point. So today I'm going to try to take a lap around my apartment complex and see how I do.

Wooohoo!! Congratulations girl! You look adorable