Irene H.

Hi. I had my surgery on Thursday the 20th; it’s now Sunday the 23rd. I really don’t know what my pain threshold is, but I think it’s low-ish. ? Still, I hope what I have to say will help you. Its fresh, because I’m still going though it. I can’t believe how little pain I have. In the hospital, I took whatever they gave me, and I wasn’t uncomfortable at all. I came home Friday afternoon, and I took two Tylenol for a headache, and one Compazine (prescribed) for nausea. Yesterday I didn’t take anything out of the ordinary, and I haven’t needed it today either. I do have a Gabapentin prescription for nerve pain from a back injury, that might be helping, but that’s all. I have a bruise at each incision site, and two from Heparin shots they gave me. They itch more than anything. At its worst, the pain has felt like the soreness of a really good core workout. That’s it. I was afraid too, and everyone was really vague when I asked about pain. I hope this helps.

My surgery is tomorrow at 0600 hours. My sister asked me if I’m nervous, and I can honestly say I’m only excited and happy. I feel such relief! I went on my first diet at 10, so it’s been 30 years of one diet after another. I finally get to be done with that. I know surgery is not a magic bullet, that I have to make good choices, but now I’m hopeful that when I do the right things, I’ll get results. I can’t wait!

Really? I just assumed me eating less or differently would never escape her. If I can keep from telling her, though, my one reservation will be gone.

I’m 41, and afraid to tell my mom I’m having bariatric surgery. She won’t understand, and she’ll be unpleasant about it. She’s always been tiny, thinks being overweight is just a lack of willpower, that fat people are just weak. But I’m so tired of fighting by myself. She put me on my first diet when I was 10. For the better part of 30 years, it’s been one diet after another. I know it’s not just willpower, and I know that even for the willpower part of the equation, I’m not magically going to turn into someone I’ve never been. I had the idea that I just wouldn’t say anything, but having a better understanding of the changes ahead, that’s not going to be an option. So I know I have to tell her, and I’m dreading it.