GinaCampbell

How far post-op are you? It's very common to experience "buyer's remorse" in the early days/weeks. But typically, within a month or two, once people are recovered and adapted to their new way of eating, there are few regrets. I am 5 weeks post op. Surgical complications, near fatal reaction to cyclizine, lost circulation below the waist, multiple phlebitis sites, and now I have food revulsion. I have been nearly bedbound since May and there is no sign of improvement. I can live without food, that I have come to terms with, but not being able to rest, sleep, walk. At least when I was fat I could see my family, sleep at night, manage my fibro pain. I have developed abdominal spasm which leaves my body in full contraction from standing up. Can't straighten my torso to walk upright. My bariatric team now have me down as "anxious" so they pay no attention to my pain. As long as my bloods show no infection and my stomach isn't leaking, they don't care. I am isolated, exhausted, only getting about 100 calories a day and am totally depressed as I can see no end to my suffering. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Totally and absolutely regret having done this to myself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have both. My recovery has been non existent due to an abdominal abscess. I am very angry. At myself for having an elective surgery that has had me feeling like I might die for over 5 weeks now. And angry at the bariatric team who advised me for over 2 years. Every complication I have now, they tell me "We've never had this happen before!". I have now developed "food revulsion". Unable to face eating or drinking anything other than Water and a few ounces of clear Soup, Jello etc. I was given an IV anti emetic called Cyclizine that nearly gave me a stroke on the ward. I have no faith in the surgical team now. I have painful hard abdominal contractions whenever I stand up and no blood circulation when I lie down. I developed phlebitis in every cannula site, my wounds won't heal. I am frightened that I will never recover and just lay here day after day, praying. I have dropped 50lbs in 5 weeks through literal starvation. I am so very sad and scared. I don't care about eating food, I just want my life back. I am so angry at myself for doing this to myself. But I have no choice, no help and no clue if and when it might get better. I am in counselling over the phone as I am currently housebound. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had surgery May 31st. I developed an abcess in my abdomen which left me in hospital most of June on IV antibiotics. I can only tolerate Water and small amounts of yoghurt, slimfast if I push 200 ml in. I have lost over 50lbs in four weeks and my recovery is scheduled to be a slow one. I have now developed food revulsion which apparently is a mental block to eating that can develop post surgery. I did alot of research, 2 years in the pre op bariatric program, yet I was still unprepared for things like my senses of smell and taste changing, the absolute food revulsion, etc. My problem was food quantity ingestion. I wanted big plates of food. So in theory, this should have been the perfect solution. I don't think it is a bad thing to thoroughly investigate the negatives that you might read here. Had I truly known what I would go through, what my family would go through, I certainly would not have had this done. I still have to think about food and nutrition 24/7. People say all the time, "a year from now, blah blah blah". I do think that I will be healthier than today. I will certainly be thinner. I now only have 40lbs left to lose at less than 6 weeks out. Sometimes these surgeries just aren't the right answer. I haven't had more than 200 calories a day for 6 weeks. I feel that I could have followed an 800 cal plan myself had I known. I didn't sign up to starve to death nor to become technically anorexic facing therapy to learn how to accept food again. All I am saying is, really think it through, do your research, ask your surgeon's surgical complication stats, your hospital's post op infection stats etc. Really listen to your family, how they feel, what their thoughts are. Can you afford to give up months of your life in recovery if something unplanned occurs? This is no quick fix. It is not an easy road. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 4 weeks out now and can't eat more than an ounce of smooth yoghurt or sips of lacto free milk. Other than that, I can only drink Water. I was re admitted to the hospital for another week after developing an abscess in my abdomen. I have been on IV then oral antibiotics since June 12th. I have lost 40lbs and quite honestly feel that I am starving to death. To hear other people eating anything astounds me. At this point, I will feel lucky to survive. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you. No. I have a bowel condition and now can't keep anything in and I hardly get 200 calories a day as it is. I am weak and exhausted. My disabilities make simple tasks exhausting anyway. I never estimated the amount of time and effort just staying alive would take. I am cold and shaky too. Yesterday was better because I got some yoghurt in but overnight that just caused massive issues. So can't take in anything with milk in, no yoghurt, no Protein. Just black tea, Water, and oxo. I can use imodium to stop it but then I can't even drink water, too full. But my wounds are healing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No. My daughter works fulltime and has a severely disabled child plus a 4 year old. I won't see them again until I can drive and my immune system can handle it. There aren't any fences to mend. She and her husband do not believe this surgery was right for me because of my own disabilities. They were right. I wish I had listened. My neighbour had a gastric bypass which she also regrets. I didn't listen to her either. I was determined to do this seduced by the idea of weightloss. 11 days post op, I still regret it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had a good day yesterday, first one 10 days post op. Today I am exhausted. I'm not in pain except gout and a headache. Wounds healing. And managing 3 ounces of Soup or yoghurt 3 times a day and Water the rest of the time. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes it felt wonderful! I have an open drain wound and six other stitched wounds that have to stay dry so it was not a conventional shower but I feel so good now! Thanks for your support! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Got some greek yoghurt in for breakfast! Got two doses of allopurinol in too. I will never ever miss a dose again! Most painful thing ever! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Finally! Got some greek yoghurt down and it made such a difference! And got a shower, washed my hair! Cleaned the bathroom and did the dishes. Drain wound healing lovely. Phew! Once the gout stops hurting so bad, life might go on! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am not getting anything in yet but Water, black tea and thin Soup. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Spoke to my bariatric nurse earlier today. As I said, they have no concerns. Just suggested I try lactose free milk. You can crush allopurinol so I got a dose in and put on my bioflow bracelet. Both take awhile to work but I did also get some liquid painkillers in. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 9 days post op and have been honest that I feel horrible and definitely regret this surgery. I am growing weaker everyday. I have become majorly lactose intolerant and am dancing between immodium or the runs. My bariatric nurse is not concerned about me feeling weak. I am only worried because I can drink less Fluid today than a week ago. Maybe too much immodium? I now have gout that is agony. It hurts so bad. Throbbing worse every hour. But I am supposed to keep mobile to prevent dvt. So no elevating it. I normally take allopurinol for gout. Anyone know how long taking crushed allopurinol will take to get this attack under control? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For all of your support, thank you. Tomorrow is one week post op. I regret having it done as I have said. I don't miss the food or eating but I miss the simplicity of life before. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

31st of May. I now suspect that I may live. lol

I can't tolerate milk. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We must think alike. I also bought the 4 oz cups with lids. And the pill sorter. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I really do appreciate the support. I am not even allowed to shower yet so yes, I know it's early days. I didn't factor in the fibromyalgia enough, the having no help enough. I thought I would just make up diet shakes or milky drinks etc. I can't tolerate milk so that plan tanked. I am not body hungry so that's not a problem. I just feel so much more weak than I ever could have fathomed. I didn't realise how much of my days revolved around food either. I know that the meds are just for now. And even some of the Vitamins. I am sorry I am not all rainbows and unicorns. Other people seem to have sailed through this. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Getting some good sleep at night which I am grateful for. Open wound looks stable, changed bandage. I have no available care help but I do have phone friends who prayed with me for healing. I got more Water in but no calories to speak of. I will do an online order for some Soups and yoghurts tomorrow. Thanks for your support! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am in the UK and things are different here. My daughter currently has the flu so can't help. I have an open drain wound, bandaged. I have had some sleep now which I really needed but I am worried about being so shaky. I was much better yesterday than I am today. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I live alone and have no help so things are much harder I suppose. But right now, I wish I could turn back the clock x Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I wasn't prepared for the trauma to the body. I wasn't prepared for the feeling of fighting to get one ounce of Fluid in my body at a time. The amount of meds you need post op, and Vitamins etc. The fear of vomiting. The burps that just pop out when you open your mouth to speak. Being so cold. Being so light headed. Mouth ulcers. This is serious, life altering surgery. You have to think every hour about what's next meds, fluid, vitamins. And never ever rush through the stages of what you put in your mouth. The stomach is so swollen initially, while healing that you must not accidentally take a pill etc. My blood pressure has now dropped to too low from two high. Just saying, this certainly caught me off guard. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks all. I definitely had no idea what this would actually feel like. I thought I had done all my research, learned what happened after etc. Greatly shocked! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am a mess. Home from hospital now but struggling. So many meds to take. Such a struggle to get the fluids in. Tell me it gets better, please! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App