Gundy

It seems like anyone with a drain tube has more pain. My surgeon never used them, and my pain was minimal.

1/10 and I’m 59 years old. Pain was minimal after leaving the hospital. A great deal of indigestion for the first two weeks, but I later determined that was due to taking the immediate release Wellbutrin vs Wellbutrin XL. Once I started the XL, much of the indigestion disappeared.

Just read your update Oceanlove!! So proud of you! You didn’t it and seem in a really good spot!

Hey Oceanlove! Hang in there! If you can’t follow the strict liquid diet, at least get into Ketosis with a strict Keto diet. It will shrink your liver and help you drop weight. Stop all carbs right now!

It does seem to be getting better! I actually started drinking my beloved decaf coffee again yesterday. It tasted great. I couldn’t stomach it for over two months after surgery, and it is such a wonderful morning ritual and great way to get fluids.

Hi Defincupark! A lot of docs put patients on a PPI prescription post surgery so stomach acid churning doesn’t get confused with hunger. It really improved my rumbly tummy syndrome. Day 8 is tough. Before you know it, months will fly by and a new normal will feel great. At to months, it is hard to remember how difficult those first weeks were. It gets so much easier and better!

You betcha! Twin Cities!

OMG, Sleeved! You look stunning!

Buzz...date, cargo shorts! Oh yeah, Baby! Happy for you!

Aaaaaahhhhh, Buzz! You sweet thing! Your change in weight sounds dramatic and powerful. No wonder you are a bit lost in your own skin, seeking a new identity. Although social eating situations are a bit awkward since I am quite accustomed to shoveling my food, I have noticed that slowing down quite a bit and taking small bites really helps extend my ability to enjoy the social eating! I hope your psyche soon catches up with the new bod!

Hi Taylor, You mentioned that diabetes runs in you family. Being pre-diabetic or glucose intolerant are considered a comorbidity by some insurance companies. Issues such as sleep apnea, heart disease, high cholesterol, etc are also comorbidities. Unfortunately, even with two comorbidities most insurance companies will only approve WLS with BMI of 35 or more. My comordities were described as mild on the insurance papers and my BMI was just over 35 at the start of the process. In my limited opinion, it would be difficult for insurance to cover WLS with a starting BMI of just 31.

Hi Connie. Whenever I hit a stall, it helps me to get the 64 ounces of fluids plus an extra cup. It doesn’t seem like you’re getting enough fluids to assist your weight loss. I know it is hard to do, and you may feel waterlogged, but it may help to get more fluids.,

Hi James! What a wonderful reading. Very thoughtful, honest and encouraging! Thank you!

Although I only told a few people about WLS, I did tell a dear friend who almost qualified for the surgery herself but couldn’t be bothered with all the Dietician visits. Numerous members of her family also had WLS so it was nice talking to her about their journeys. Immediately after surgery, she asked frequently how I was doing. She doesn’t ask any longer. Once I made it below 200, I told her excitedly. She then said she did the same thing when she was on weight watchers 20 years ago. Burn!! After that I just don’t mention anything about the surgery or weight loss. Unless she asks, I just decided not to mention anything since I know it is hard for her to hear. It is fine, however!

My surgery was May 2, 2018. Drinks and foods that I enjoyed prior to surgery just don’t taste the same. Drinks such as iced tea or Crystal Light would go down very easily before surgery, but now I struggle even drinking them or water. While trying to find something healthy, I’ll try a food one day and end up not liking it the next time I try it. Many leftovers or recipes are getting tossed! It just seems like nothing really tastes that great (which is a good thing), but makes it difficult to find foods and drinks that I enjoy. Honestly, this isn’t the end of the world so I feel like I’m whining about something unimportant. Just curious if anyone else experienced the same thing and does it get better over time?

Hi Connie. The first month is the hardest. Please try to hang in there. It will get better. That being said, at this stage in your recovery, please don’t be tempted to do things to stretch your pouch. The risk to you and your health is substantial so early after surgery. Unfortunately, people who aren’t interested in seeing a therapist are often the individuals who need to work with a therapist the most. Yes, it is painful to work through tough issues from childhood, but you will come out stronger in the long run. Please seek some psychological help.

The following chart really helped me feel better about my less than rapid weight loss! https://www.bariatricpal.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=61619

LMAO, Frustr8! Nice to see your balding head!

If diets and weight loss strategies worked as long term solutions, the diet industry would do out of business!

Okayestmom...you have every reason to be proud!

Here is what I’ve learned from everyone on this forum. People can be very judgmental, lacking in support and down right mean regarding wight loss surgery. Since we can’t predict who will act in this manner, my path forward was to tell only those who I knew would understand and have my back. Anyone else was told I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and had to make substantial changes in my diet. That is actually the truth. I just see no reason to let acquaintances know my medical history. It is not their business to approve or not. That is all it took! Not one person has been suspicious.

People didn’t see me or notice me before surgery because I didn’t want to be seen. I was humiliated by my size and hid within myself. That really isn’t their fault! If you don’t like the compliments or attention, please send it my way! I’m all ears.

Could it be that you have more confidence and wear things standing a bit taller? My weight made me shrink (not literally!) from others and just hide in black.

You’re an inspiration! Congrats!

New favorite recipe... KETO SOUP Brown 1lb of hamburger with one diced green pepper and one diced onion. Drain fat. Add one can of Rotel, 1 box of beef broth, and 8 ounces of cream cheese. Heat until cream cheese melts. If you want to make this higher protein, just use 1 and 1/2 lbs of hamburger and add unflavored protein. Also, if the soup is too rich, just use low fat cream cheese rather than full fat cream cheese. I enjoyed less than half a cup for lunch and feel satisfied with no tummy upset!