kranky813

Yay! Now as a warning you will start freaking out about it, lol. At least I did. It's completely normal to have doubts and second guess yourself. You are going to be so happy you did this. Congratulations!

1. Yes you will be able to drink like normal again. I am almost 6 weeks out and I just gulped 4 huge swallows of water with no problem what so ever. Everyone is a little different but It will get easier and better every day. 2. I bought some chewable calcium from Walgreens. They aren't the best but they aren't the worst either. Maybe ask the pharmacist what they recommend? 3. My doctor said only walking until I reach at least 6 weeks out. Then I can start with weight lifting. Start slow and work your way up. If you start too heavy you can be really sore and not want to do it anymore. He was very strict on not doing anything besides walking for the first 6 weeks because of the injuries inside your body. The outside may look healed but the inside takes longer. 4. Aaahhh, crying. I cried for 8 days straight after surgery. I regretted my decision and hated myself for what I did to my body. LOL What my doc told me is that we carry a lot of hormones in our fat and when we lose that weight we go through this HUGE hormone surge. It makes us a total wreck for a while. I sometimes still get a little teary eyed from time to time but I don't feel like I am going crazy anymore and I DON'T REGRET MY DECISION AT ALL!!!! It will get so much better. I was in a dark dark place for the first 2 weeks. It passes, I promise. You will feel better and get better. It got amazing yesterday when I could start eating real food again. In the grand scheme of things it's such a short time of misery but when you are in it if feels like it will never end. The turning point is between one month and 6 weeks out. You will get there, I promise! Let us know if you have any more questions, that is what this place is for.

So I have a very close friend who has never really supported my surgery decision. My therapist warned me about friends who would be jealous of the weight loss and the success I would see but I really don't understand her. She is 5'7, 130 pounds, long blond hair, smokin body and implants She always has something negative to say about surgery. She tells me all of these stories about people she knows who gained all the weight back or had complications or what ever. She is honestly my best friend and I finally broke tonight and told her that she doesn't have to agree with my decision but as my friend she has to support me. Why is she doing this? Why is she being so snarky or negative? Has this happened with other people? I am finding myself distancing myself from her more and more because of her negativity. I haven't told a lot of people about my surgery but she is suppose to be my friend. I am 5 weeks out from surgery and she couldn't even support me during the hardest part but then got mad when my hubby didn't tell her I was re-hospitalized for dehydration the week after surgery. what gives?

OMG I love it! One of my goals is to wear a dress I bought for my 14 year old for Christmas last year. It's super cute and I really want to wear it. When I get to goal I told her it's all mine!! LMAO she didn't like that too much!

I get nauseated in the morning and the last thing I want to do is drink Water. Granted I am only 5 weeks out. I talked to my surgeon about it and he told me to eat something right away when I get up. Have something ready or something sitting by my bed. I tried that and it worked wonders. My blood sugar was low. If I don't eat a bite when I first wake up I get nauseated. Try it and see if it works. Even just a drink of OJ helps.

No the Triamino is only 7 grams of Protein but it gives the body something when you are on all liquids. It helped me so much by just getting a few grams of protein in every day. My body didn't hate me as much.

I had tried everything and anything to lose weight. Some with success but gained it all back and then some. I think the turning point for me was seeing a friend have surgery and seeing all of her success and how great she looks/feels. I got to the point where I didn't even want to leave the house because I was so self conscious and felt like everyone was staring at me all the time. I didn't do things with my husband or kids I became the hermit who sat at home and ready or watched TV while they enjoyed their lives. NO MORE!! I am only down 33lbs but I am ready to get out there and do all of the things they are doing and love life again. Heaviest Weight was 240. I'm 5'7. Pre Surgery weight was 236 and I am at 204 now. Yes, I will tell you that the first week was hell on earth for me. I cried and cried and regretted my decision, the first month was hard but bearable and I am at 6 weeks on Thursday and tell you that I would do it again in a heartbeat. Knowing the misery I went through and the re-hospitalization for dehydration and everything I would do it again. I am so excited to see what 3 months brings, and 6 months and 1 year and so on. BEST DECISION EVER!!!

People have already said this but a pillow for the ride home, comfy clothes/pjs - I didn't wear any of the gowns they had after surgery (I changed right away), your phone and a brush. They provided everything else but I guess I did bring my own shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste as well. My surgery was at 7am and I slept the rest of the day after surgery and most of the night. The 2nd day I did my walks, took my sips, took a shower and went home. I had no desire in TV, Electronic games, music, etc... I just wanted to sleep and get out of there.

I'm from MN... not WI. But close

It is my first day back to work today. I was off for 5 weeks. I had the time available with my Short Term Disability and was able to swing it. I highly recommend taking as much time off as you can. The more time you have to recover the better.

I was nauseated for about 8 days post op and I still am occasionally in the mornings. It will get better and go away. One of the things I did was drink Triamino to get some Protein in. It's a flavored Juice/water that my doctor recommended because of my difficulty drinking. I would recommend trying that - you can get it at Holiday Gas Station Stores and it comes in many different flavors. I will tell you to drink drink drink! I was re-hospitalized for dehydration and it was miserable. One of the symptoms of dehydration is nausea and not being able to drink. So watch that very closely. If your urine is not light yellow/clear I would talk to your surgeon, you are dehydrated and they need to get some hydration in you ASAP.

This happened to me but I was a few more days out and still on a liquid diet. My doc said they move a lot of things around in there when they do surgery and sometimes if we bend or turn weird it can cause horrible pain. My doc said to lay down and ice it for 20 minutes then off for 20 minutes repeat. This helped and the next day I was fine again.

Yes, it gets better and you get used to it I was nervous too about remembering everything and I made note cards but I rarely use them. My diet stages go 2 weeks at a time so it's easy to get used to those. My supplements are easy too. My Lexapro, Prevacid and Multivitamin. In one week I will add my B Complex and Calcium. That's it. You will get used to it. The most important thing is to drink, drink, drink.

I am a month out and can drink fairly normally as long as I don't have food in my tummy. I can't gulp that puts some pressure in my tummy but I can take 3 fairly large mouthfulls right after one another. Everyone is different, just depends on you. Try different temps of Water. I can drink ice cold water easier than warm or room temperature. Good Luck!

I have 5 weeks off total. I am so glad I have the time! I have a desk job so no heavy lifting but lots of talking and lots of stress. I am 4 weeks out and took a 3.5 hour nap today because I felt like I was going to fall asleep standing up. Everyone is different, don't try to compare yourself to others.

I normally have anxiety and have a prescription for Xanax as needed. Honestly I haven't had to take it once since surgery and I am a month out. I do take lexapro for depression and that has an anxiety component to it as well. Make sure you talk to your doctor if you are having difficulties. Maybe if you identify what is causing the anxiety that would help? Is it due to surgery? Is it due to work? Try to identify the problem and solve it.

I hated all protein powders and pre-mixes and I had tried everything! I finally found one called Bariatric Fusion. You can buy it through NashuaNutrition.com The great part is that you can order samples to see which ones you like before ordering the big jug. Also, If you are like me you just order samples all the time so you get a combination of flavors and they are in little pouches that you can easily carry with you. 27g of Protein per serving, 150 calories and less than 1g of sugar. My favorites so far are Cappuccino, French Vanilla and Mint Cholocate Chip Ice Cream. YUM!!

I had some sever back pain last night and I have a prescription of Norco for it. I wasn't sure if I could take that size of pill 4 weeks out so I took some of my liquid pain meds from after surgery. I haven't taken them since the first time I got home from surgery and the pain that followed was horrific. It started as a small burning which I figured was normal. Then it kept getting worse and worse. It got to the point where it felt like a burning rusty knife was slicing my tummy apart. I drank Water and milk with no relief. I finally took a few tums and it helped. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I left a message for my doc's office.

This is completely normal. Your body is just taking time to catch up. Everyone goes through stalls. I have said this before but read the posts from people who are 1 year or more out you will not find one person who says, "I'm 1 year out and only lost 20 pounds" It will continue to happen. Just be patient and give it time.

I am having a very difficult time with Protein shakes. I have tried Premier Protein, muscle milk, slimfast protein, etc... I feel like I have tried everything under the sun and it just doesn't sit well. I did however come across Bariatric fusion and LOVE it! You can order it on Naushanutrition.com they even offer samples so you can try several kinds before ordering a big jug of it. It has 27g of protein per scoop and you mix it with 6oz of milk or Water. I use milk and add some ice to it. YUM! Also, I don't order the big jug, I just keep ordering the samples so I don't get tired of one flavor.

No, but that's not normal. I would call your surgeon and talk to them about it.

I know it sucks at first. Your tummy is still very swollen my recommendation would be to keep sipping and keep walking. Have you tried the gas ex strips or a gas reliever? That may really help. This will pass and you will be able to drink more pain free. Just keep with it.

I initially told everyone that I was taking a 2 week "staycation" at home. Honestly I felt really bad about lying to my team. The only person at the office who knew the truth was my boss. I ended up telling everyone before I went out which was a good thing because I needed some extra time off. I figured that these are the people that I work with every day and they have always been supportive in the past. Besides they are going to notice that I am not eating anymore and dropping weight like crazy. Honestly, everyone was AWESOME about it. They have been texting me and emailing and sending good wishes/thoughts the entire time I have been out. I also agree that it's 100% your decision and you are the one to make that call. It's no one else's business besides yours. I haen't

I'm nervous too! I has surgery on Aug 20th and Thanksgiving will be 3 months out and Christmas will be 4 months out. First of all, I am worried that I will not be able to eat at all. I know people say by 3 months you are able to eat almost anything as long as you chew it up really well. I am find making healthy choices but what if I still can eat... UGH! Also, I haven't told my family about surgery so will they judge or will they "know" by how much food I put on my plate. This makes me really nervous as well. I have been telling people that I am on a new high Protein, low carb diet and that is why I am losing weight but I am terrified that my family will be angry that I didn't tell them if they find out. (only my hubby and a few friends know about the surgery) On the bright side I have always been the "fat girl" in our family so I am SUPER PUMPED to see their faces when they see me now!

I am finding that I am a slow loser too. I was on one stall for 6 days and have been on another stall for a few days. I do find that if I increase my Protein or Water that helps nudge the scale a little. Also are you exercising? That can do one of 2 things. It can either push the numbers on the scale down or it can keep you the same depending on the exercise you are doing. Muscle weighs more than fat so remember that too. Also, for those 6 days I was at a weight stall I noticed that the inches were coming off even though the scale wasn't budging. Try measuring yourself and only doing that and/or weighing yourself EVERY OTHER week. I know it's hard, the scale is there and you want to step on it daily but if is making you feel bad you should hold off. As long as you are following the plan set forth by your surgeon the weight will come off. You haven't seen anyone on here that says, "I'm 1 year out and only lost 20lbs".