FutureRN19

I absolutely agree with everything the others have said. I will say that I am 8 weeks post-op at age 22 and I'm doing amazing. But then again I was ready. I most definitely felt the need to mourn a few things like the ability to just pig out. Or gulp Water when thirsty. Or any number of weird food habits I had before. But it's a good thing to break them. I've discovered a multitude of positive things that I didn't expect. The actual serving amount of many foods doesn't look ridiculously small to me. I now have the energy and genuine drive to exercise so I take full advantage. I'm completely satisfied with my 5 cajun shrimp. I've discovered new favorite foods (boiled cajun shrimp is to die for) and gotten to play around with cooking for one and having leftovers.

And just because I had surgery doesn't mean I have to give up absolutely everything forever that is on my avoid list. Because both my surgeon and my dietician want me to be able to enjoy what I eat, just far less and modified. My point is this, I knew before I had the surgery that this was a life change for the better. And sometimes the things you need don't feel good. Like a shot in the ass, sometimes it's what you need. And although I could have spent another decade trying and failing to lose on my own. Because I'd been trying since I was 12 (quick weight loss, Curves, Weight Watchers, the list goes on) and done nothing but continue to gain. But again I felt that I was ready. And so far, it's been the best thing I've done in my life. My advice would be to talk to your surgical team and maybe make a therapy appointment if you don't already see someone. You may not be ready and that's okay. Ultimately this isn't something you can take back so I would make doubly sure that you are ready.

Personally, I didn't experience any extra offensive BM smells after surgery. However, as a CNA I have personally cleaned people who have been on nothing but liquids for a while and it can have a very.....distinct smell/consistency. I'm sure it's likely just a reaction of your body being on only liquids. As long as you aren't hurting I wouldn't be too terribly concerned.

And Poo-Pourri is a game changer for real.

What kind of pain? Soreness, sharp burning etc? Does anything make it worse or better?

I'd for sure call your surgeon asap

I haven't been shopping in a store but my roommate was going through her closet since we're moving and I got a bunch of stuff from her lol. Highly recommend taking your skinny friend's clothes! Easy on the wallet and you already have an idea what it looks like.

Looking at your start weight, it is entirely possible that you managed to avoid the dreaded 3 week stall until now. Divided up that is still almost 4lbs a week which is double what I've ever lost in one week. Be kind to yourself and trust the process. It is physically impossible to not lose weight after surgery if you're being compliant.

That being said, are you getting your Water and Protein? Exercising at all? If you changed any of those habits it might be why your weight slowed some but that's a huge difference to be explained. Whatever the cause if you are doing what your doc recommended you literally will lose the weight. It just might come in more "stops and starts" than you want.

Hi! I am scheduled for surgery on this coming Monday August 27th. I keep waiting to be terrified or super nervous but I have been cool as a cucumber during the majority of this journey. I started the process for my approval in October of last year and was originally scheduled for July 27th. I ended up having to reschedule due to financial issues but it's worked out for the best.

I will say that I was the most nervous at my initial doctors appointment because I wasn't sure if it would be something I could do. Am I too young? (just turned 22) Too light? (250 at 5'5'') Can I deal with the radical lifestyle changes including no alcohol for 1 year+? To help with this, I made a list of questions that were most important to me and had my surgeon and nutritionist answer them all. I also came here and to Obesity Help and just started going through all of the forums. Good, bad and ugly I wanted to know EVERYTHING. I think that looking up horror stories and worst case scenarios helped calm me since they were the exceptions and not the rule. I also took stock of my own personal situation and realized that I am in pretty good shape so the odds that I will have a major complication are slim. I don't know your health history but it might help to compare yourself to some of the "worse off" people on these forums. Some started at well over 500 lbs and have been able to successfully lose and keep the weight off so the odds are definitely in your favor. Further, I fully intend on being 100% compliant and happily tell my surgeon that if I die its because he killed me (ER life has given me a morbid sense of humor).

Maybe it'd help to make a running list of pros and cons in a journal over the coming months. Anything good and bad related to having the surgery should be written down and compared. And if you make it to December and cons outweigh the pros, you can always reschedule. Surgeons and thus surgery will always be there as an option so don't rush into it if it isn't the right time for you.

Sorry for the long post but I'm at work and this is one of few unblocked sites lol.

WOW! You look AMAZING!! Looks like you've taken the bull by the horns and defeated the enemy. Congrats on your weight loss!

I'm still pre-op but from what I've read in other forums, excess stomach acid production can strongly mimic the feeling of being hungry. Are you on any kind of medication after surgery? I would call your docs office and describe what you're experiencing. They may want to put you on something to see if that helps.

2 hours ago, jess9395 said:

I’m gonna be the odd duck here; but while I am truly sorry you had to hear what they were saying.... what is the HIPPA violation here? They were in a closed office with the door locked, taking amongst themselves. It was not meant for anyone else to hear, they believed they were in a private, secure, locked, closed office. They did not mention a name or any confidential medical information. They were letting off steam and venting in the black humor those who deal with life or death medical and mental health scenarios do.

I may get stoned for this, but what did they violate?

HIPAA is pretty specific on when and how a person's information can be used. It wouldn't matter where they told each this or if it was meant for anyone but themselves. The issue is if there was no "need to know". If there was no pertinent medical reason for them to be sharing her health information then it would be a HIPAA violation. Locked door or otherwise. Further, the fact that the patient herself overheard the conversation is proof enough that they weren't being discreet. If she could overhear their conversation, who's to say they couldn't have shared tons of other health information? That's the issue HR is going to have when this complaint comes through.

If they had been talking without using ANY identifying information i.e. "she had her teenage son with her" it would be rude but likely wouldn't be an actual case. However, in my healthcare experience, I have seen people fired for much less tbh.

I'm still pre-op but I have heard of many people taking Flintstones after surgery. In fact, I am taking them preop because they're delicious and the only Vitamins that I have continued to take on a regular basis. From what my office said, they aren't the go to choice anymore since there are better/more complete options out there.

Still contact your NUT on Monday when you can but the flintstones shouldn't do any harm. I would rather take not enough vitamins than none at all. Might be a good idea to compare the flintstones to your liquid vitamins and see if you need to take 2 or 3 to make up the difference.

For a ready to eat option y'all should try Real Good pizza. They're 25g Protein per serving and only 4g of carbs. I think the crust is made of chicken and cheese. You can find them at Kroger or HEB. You can also order them online.

I am eating them preop because I like them. They taste awesome!

I am most definitely ready! I have my EGD on the 12th then my gallbladder US/pre op on the 17th. My surgery date is July 23rd which is 5 days after my 22nd birthday (😱😱). So it'll be interesting to have my birthday dinner be my "last meal". But I've cleared out my house and started seriously tracking for the past few weeks so I'm hoping to be as ready as can be.

I'm holding off until July before I buy anymore Protein Shakes. I'm planning on buying the Syntrax Nectar and Premier Protein to balance the unflavored stuff I plan to add to everything lol.

HW: 255
CW: 248.2
GW1:200

On 6/5/2018 at 3:45 PM, KristinOlivia said:

Mine is July 23rd and I’m anxiously looking at my countdown app on my phone everyday haha!

Hey surgery buddy! My surgery is on the 23rd as well. It actually falls 5 days after my 22nd birthday so I'm super stoked for my late birthday present. My birthday dinner will actually be my "last meal" before starting liquids so that'll be interesting. I plan to treat myself (to a healthy and filling meal lol).

Good luck in the next month everyone!

Mind you I am still Pre-Op but I work in the medical field and from what I have heard, acid in your stomach can mimic hunger pains. If that was the case for you immediately post-op it could be that it has settled down so you no longer are feeling "hungry".