Sara_Lee

You look amazing! Glowing and happy. Your before pic, you look beautiful and happy too.

Yes I too worry I'm losing weight to fast. I did this surgery because I had sever back pain and a herniated disc. I never want to be stick thin, and I want to be healthy, so I get your fear.

The tightness is the restriction, and don't worry it will get better. Two bites also made me full but now at 8 months in, I can manage eating half a sandwich (it takes time though). So it will get better, just hang in there. Some ppl even miss this period, I am not one of those people.

i'm so sorry to hear that. I myself had two endoscopy and found out I had a stricture both times. The first time I had to have a surgery as it was a large stricture. Second time I had a balloon to stretch my stomach. I also had acid reflux, mines have gotten better. I used to have to take 2 pills of panto, and that worked. Before that, I would wake up needing to vomit. It was horrible, so I feel your pain. But IT WILL get better, so hang in there.

I was in the hospital on and off for 3 months and it was a scary time, but I eventually got better, the first few months of VSG is horrendous.

I wish you all the best on your journey, soon you will be happy and content with this decision, its so worth it.

On 1/27/2021 at 12:11 AM, Gabriatric2020 said:

I really am sorry that you are going through this. Your feelings are definitely validated and it was such a traumatic experience for you, for us. You most definitely are not alone, I ended up going through a similar experience last month, ended up being hospitalized after being given 3 surgeries (within 72 hours) and than was told I too may need to have the bypass. It was just a horrible experience and I felt/feel so shamed and guilty to even share it with anyone.
fast forward to 6week post op got my crying down to about 3x a week...it was almost everyday. I still think about the risk I went through, and the tears rolling down my husbands face as he drove me to the ER and had to leave me there alone due to covid. It almost feels like grief, and I know this too shall pass. The surgery place I went to has no aftercare post op support other than a FB page, I have been very blessed to be able to follow up with my primary doctor, attend weekly support groups, and access to bariatric medical staff all through my provider. I would encourage you to try to get into a self care regime (things you did before) to help the “good feelings”.

I feel sorry for you as I know what you are dealing with. Having three surgeries back to back is so hard, I can only imagine. I had to do a endoscopy and had a 2 days rest and then went in for surgery.

I think you can get PTSD from all of this, and it hurts to know that this is a elective surgery. We all went into this with high hopes and dreams of changing our life for the better and instead we dealt with more trauma. I had a spinal surgery in 2019 and I developed a drop foot, which was a complication from the surgery, which I still deal with. I have struggled with depression prior to this and it just hurts.

I have went back to the ER and I get good support there but where I live it is overrun with covid patients, so it isn't the best place to go. My surgeon is very kind and I have his number. He comes to see me in the hospital every morning.

I am doing a bit better but I still stay in bed most of the days. Your advice is great and I agree that I need to get back to a routine. I am less emotional now, I also think the meds they us on make us more emotional.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

8 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

Was this your surgeon?

Yes, he wanted to switch me to gastric bypass. He made my stomach too small. I also have H pylori, which I don't understand was overlooked.

He is a kind man and his aftercare was great, but I still have depression from the whole thing.

19 hours ago, urbo said:

I am almost 6weeks out and still have nausea daily, sometimes all day. I am now on 8mg of anti nausea medication. I also dry heave mostly in the morning, and am eatimg a very minimal amount of food as it makes me feel over full. I have found liquid yogurt,, and cottage cheese are my best options.. and Water I don't really feel like drinking or it makes me gag.Just know you aren't alone in this, some of us are just unfortunate with the side affects. I do hope you get relief soon.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sorry to hear that. I drank a tall glass of Water yesterday and woke up feeling okay. I was terrified I would vomit. I think getting liquids in is more important than even food at this stage. What are you drinking?

I need to up my nausea meds because they are useless right now.

I really hope this is not the new normal. Did your surgeon tell you that a bypass is better?

10 minutes ago, Suzi_the_Q said:

If you’ve been nauseated for 3 days, I’d go back. What does your surgeon say? I’m sorry you’re suffering so much.

Thank you. I haven't spoken to him. I feel nauseous in the morning when I take the ppi. I just gag, not really vomit because its on a empty stomach.

I am going to wait until Monday and speak to him and my family doctor. I am keeping food down.

Is this abnormal? I thought nausea was normal the first weeks after the surgery. The ER are overrun with covid where I live.

Hi everyone,

I really need some advice from people with similar situations. I had my surgery on Nov. 17. At first I was doing well, and I went home. Then I could barely keep anything down, not even Water. I went back to ER for dehydration and then was again sent home. I still was feeling extreme nausea. Then a few days later I went right back. The doctors kept telling me I was not tolerating the VSG surgery and that I should consider a Bypass. I do not want a bypass and that got me depressed. They told me not everyone can tolerate a VSG. Which makes no sense because there are complications with the Bypass as well. Anyways then ended up doing a endoscopy and found a stricture. I was operated on again and this was resolved. Afterwards I still wasn't tolerating food, so they put me on picc line because I was malnourished. Then they told me if I don't start eating they would have to put a food tube in. I finally began eating (poorly, but I am managing). I was sent home.

The problem now is that I can't tolerate Protein Shakes or any medication. I am going to ask my family doctor for Patches. I am eating and its staying down but I feel like crap. I am so nauseous in the morning that I gag when I take my ppi. I also sleeep 12 hours a day. I love sleeping because its my only escape.

I don't know what to do, should I go back to the ER? They told me if I feel nausea that I can go back. I have had nausea for the last 3 days in the morning.

Please help. Does it get better?

14 hours ago, Glowup Jess said:

Thank you. October 13

You are almost there, mine is Oct 26th, I haven't even started the preop yet. We have similar stats although you are 2 inches taller than me. Lets keep each other posted. Hope it all goes well for you.

21 hours ago, Glowup Jess said:

I understand your fears . My original date was in feb 2020 but that’s my birthday month so I postponed it to May 2020

then Covid happened so all surgeries were cancelled and they moved it to July

I panicked and they closed my case. I call them back and she scheduled me for October 2020

a lot is going on in my life. I work full time , am in school, family drama, my bf relocated across the country. It feels like a swarm

but my friend told me .. there is never a perfect time. She said I deserve to focus on my health

I told my job and school and am taking 2 weeks off .

I don’t know what will happen with the other aspects of my life but this is one thing that can benefit me and add to my life. No more running away

you got this

I know a few people in grad school and med school who got it done while in school. They just took a leave for a week or two

Yes I couldn't agree more, and if you focus and get it done now, it will be out of your way. You will be on track to a new you. My surgery is booked Oct. 26 and I start my pre-op in a week.

Also good news is I successfully defended my PhD and it is out of the way for now (revisions I will do after). I feel its time.

You will get through this. Do you have a date set?

Thank you all for your replies. i am booked on October! I wish you all good luck on this journey!

On 9/15/2020 at 7:50 AM, Lily66 said:

Ahhhh. Hugs and more hugs to you! Reading your thoughts above, you have a very full plate right now and “Ideally, want to finish your studies and then get the surgery”. Repeatedly you express this wish. You deserve to complete your studies uninterrupted, so then you can devote more focus to your next life milestone, WLS.

IMHO, I wholeheartedly agree on that strategy. I finished my master’s at age 40 while working full time and recall the dedication, focus and discipline required to keep it all rolling at a very high level. I also had L5, S1 microdiscectomy and laminectomy 18 months ago. To add in WLS and the preparation pre and post op would have stressed me to no end, and yours is a step more intense than mine, PhD and fusion.

You’ve put so much into your journey already, and we’re talking a short time frame in the big scheme of things to finish your studies. I would focus on keeping your spirits up right now in knowing and believing it WILL all be accomplished within a very near term time frame. I do recall the horror of the weight gain with spinal surgery, but again, I would strive to eat as healthy as possible but don’t stress over it. Focus on the things you CAN control, finishing your studies without losing your ever lovin’ mind is right there at the top of the list.

Throw off those chains of guilt that you’re not prioritizing your health! You ARE prioritizing it in being self loving and practical to not further overload.

Breathe.... You got this girll!

Aww thanks so much! You are too kind. i will take your advice, I think I am just nervous. This post and this forum overall has given me the confidence to tackle this. I got this! HUGS and good luck to you on your journey!

Sorry I should add that following the spinal surgery I went from 215 to now 240 in just a few months.

Hi everyone,

I am having a lot of anxiety regarding my decision to do this surgery. I had my surgery set in July and I chickened out, then September, now finally in October. Here is the thing, I am in my final year of my PhD studies and it is very stressful. I am not eating healthy and just the thought of all the work needed to do this surgery is stressing me out.

I had a spinal fusion surgery in February and I have been dealing with chronic back pain. I suffer from depression because of it. I feel like doing the surgery now is too overwhelming. But I feel a lot guilt for not prioritizing my health. What if I put of the VSG surgery and my back gets worse in a years time?

My worse fear is that if I get the surgery, I will blow this opportunity because of bad timing. Should I wait until my studies is over in a few weeks? Or should I just do the surgery?

Ideally I want to finish my studies and then get the surgery when I can commit to a healthy lifestyle, right now I can barely get out of bed in the morning. This has been going on for a year.

I would really appreciate any advice or people with similar situations. Please let me know what you think.

Hi everyone my surgery date is July 9th, 2020. My starting weight is 232. I am starting my preop on July 25th. I am excited but also not really thrilled about doing the preop shake diet.