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Choose the path that fits today. We’ll take you to the most useful discussions.
- GLP-1 medication Zepbound, Wegovy, access, side effects, progress, and support.
- Before surgery Compare procedures, plan ahead, and get honest pre-op answers.
- Post-op Recovery, food stages, symptoms, and support.
- Long-term Regain, labs, habits, and life after the honeymoon.
- Revision Explore revision options, complications, and next steps.
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Surgery release question
My "care person" had to come to the pre-op day at the hospital. I couldn't have the surgery unless I had someone to take me home. Granted, there was no way I could have driven home.
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Lost my taste for plain water
Your taste buds will change a lot so don't be alarmed. Right now, I'm addicted to Wild Strawberry Crystal Light.
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Return to work?
I physically returned to work after two weeks. The first week after surgery I basically slept, took vitamins and drank protein shakes. The second week I worked from home. The third week I was back in the office but I was still pretty tired at the end of the day.
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How soon does one poop post-op?
I pooped maybe 24 hours after surgery. I haven't had a problem. Once of my prescriptions was for stool softeners but I didn't need it.
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New and Considering DS
Sorry for the delay in response! My pre-op appts took a while bc I had to have a sleep study. They were really booked up. I had my initial consultation in October 2017 and had surgery in March 2018. I scheduled all the pre-op stuff myself. I had to have a mammogram too. The surgeon basically gives you a honey do list depending on what they think you need and what your insurance requires. Some people have to have nutrition counseling too.
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New and Considering DS
You can ask whatever you want. I wasn't in a great deal of pain. I asked for pain medication while I was in the hospital but didn't need any once I was discharged. Everything felt more like muscle soreness rather than pain. It felt like I did too many sit ups. I was very sick from the anesthesia. My back also hurt from laying on a metal operating table for 4 hours. Let me know if you have any other questions.
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Lost over 130lbs, never dieted, crash coming soon?
Try not to freak out about the scale. Your body will lose a lot and then a very small amount or nothing at all. I use myfitnesspal to track everything but that's more so I can make sure I'm eating enough protein and watching my sodium, not so much for counting calories. It sounds like you are doing great so far. I agree with what others have said about blood work and vitamins. They are so important. Good luck!
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Post-Op Concerns
My gallbladder was removed too. I had the weird dent looking thing. It went back to normal after a little while (I don't remember how long sorry). Like another poster wrote, having one of the incisions larger than the others is normal. I didn't have any bruising but I don't really bruise anyways. The pain when swallowing is probably from the tube down your throat during the surgery. If you are taking pills for your vitamins get a pill cutter. It will help tremendously. Hope this helps. You will do great!
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New and Considering DS
They will obviously catch on but it is your decision who to tell and when. It is all about what you feel comfortable doing. I didn't tell many people... maybe 8. It became pretty obvious a few months after the surgery lol I had DS surgery about 14 months ago and I'm so glad I did. I was in the hospital for two nights (surgery on Friday very early a.m. and discharged Sunday afternoon). As far as the nerves, just prepare the best you can. It helped me knowing everything was set for after the surgery. Good luck!
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DS and stools
2-3 in the morning, one more at night. Unless I eat something that I shouldn't lol
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Make DS public or not?
Before my surgery, my immediate family, a few friends and a few people at work (including HR) knew. It's been almost 9 months and I haven't told a lot of people but I am an extremely private person. You need to do what's best for you. Don't stress about it.
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I need help
You are going to be just fine. Don't beat yourself up. Remember, no one is perfect and you are fabulous! Track everything you eat in MyFitnessPal or some other app, not matter what you eat. That way you will be able to tell if you are getting enough protein, water, etc. Follow the guidelines your surgeon and nutritionist gave you. You can do this!
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Nervous
Of course you are nervous honey. You are about to have major surgery. What you are feeling is completely normal. Just try to remain calm and remember that lots of people have weight loss surgery and are just fine. You are going to do great. Good luck!
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Advice. 10 weeks away
Chapstick for when you are in the hospital. It saved me. Also, I had a phone charger that had a light up cord. It was easy to find considering all the other wires and stuff I had going on (two IVs, a heart monitor and about 6 leads attached to my body). I also bought a water bottle with the fluid ounces on it so I could monitor how much I was drinking when I was home recovering. Lots of people get gasx strips for the hospital. I bought them but did not need them. For when you're home, comfortable clothing. You're basically going to be walking, drinking water/protein and sleeping lol If you buy protein shakes, get more than one flavor. I only bought caramel and now I won't even touch them bc that's all I drank for a week.
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Not as expected
Congratulations on your surgery! For the vitamins, try one of those vitamin holds that has different compartments. I have one that has four compartments per day and throw it in my purse so I never forget to take my vitamins. For the calcium, try the bariatric advantage calcium chewables. They taste like starburst. The calcium citrate pills are huge, no matter which brand. The liquids are very important the first few weeks bc it's easy to become dehydrated. No one likes the diet the first few weeks but you will be so happy once you can start eating soft foods and regular foods! Good luck!