Penny1966

I am scheduled for July 20.

I am scheduled for July 20.

I am scheduled for July 20.

I am scheduled for July 20.

I am scheduled for July 20.

I am scheduled for July 20.

Congratulations!!!

I spent 2 years working out but due to overeating/poor food choices the scale didn’t move. I went on a weekend away hiking with a friend and although I was fit enough to do the hikes we chose they were far harder than they should have been given I was carrying 130lbs extra!! Until that point I’d hidden behind “I’m fat but fit” but now my weight was seriously stopping me do things I wanted to do! After almost 30 years of dieting I decided it was time to get serious.

My tipping point was being a diabetic and placed on insulin. Im 65 years young and I watched my husband suffer from being overweight and having diabetes before he died and he was only 59. I decided I needed to get healthy because there is a lot more life left in me.

I had originally gone to my surgeon to repair a symptomatic ventral hernia. I had not even considered surgery for weight loss before I spoke to him. I just did not realize it was an option for me.
Over the last year I had a number of things go wrong, aside from losing my job due to covid, my husband died of alcoholism. He was a cruel drunk and I spent the last two years with him wearing a headset to block out his raging and hiding in video games from his cruelty. I gained a lot of weight quickly. My labs were growing increasingly bad, my liver enzymes elevated, and then I was diagnosed with parathyroid disorder and prediabetic.
Finally it dawned on me after I was given the option for weight loss surgery, it was time to reclaim my life and move forward and find my happiness. I was told the surgery would likely correct the things that had been popping up as long as I follow the program and lose the weight.
That is what I am doing and my life is slowly being reshaped as I take each step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Over half way there. Great job!

I have moderately severe arthritis in both my knees and was in pain all day, every day before surgery. I’m down 50lbs in 11 weeks and it has made a huge difference in my knee pain and arthritis. I noticed today that I I was able to squat down to pick something up off the floor, which would normally be completely out of the question prior. I can’t imagine how much better I’ll feel once I get to closer to my goal weight! So yes, it makes a difference!

It will depend upon what damage if any you may have to your knees. But certainly reducing the amount of weight you’re carrying will take pressure off them. The balls of my feet used to ache & burn & occasionally my feet would cramp even in flat shoes but now I can dance for hours in heels pain free.

I had to loose 17 pounds for surgery. Was 350 now im 323 . im trying to get to under 300 before surgery
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Just another onederland post. 198.4 this morning on the seven month anniversary of my surgery date. 140 down total. Feeling great, no longer obese, and 33.4 lbs from goal!

I had the sleeve as well, and also had hiatal hernia repair. I’m 21 months post op. I’m maintaining at below my initial goal weight. I have occasional (once a month, if that) heartburn easily treated with a Tums. You’ll successful people who had either surgery. Work with your team to determine which will be best for you.

I just had my surgery on June 3, 2021. I am 4 days post op.
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Yes. the homestretch. I can't believe were I am. I haven't been this small since my early teens. Oh yes, because of the quick weight loss and my age, I definitely have loose skin. But I am working out and trying my hardest to fix this. I know it won't completely tighten up but I'm ok with that. I find it has been easy, mind you I also work to lose weight. I don't leave it up to the surgery. I work out 5 times per week, drink lots of Water and really watch my intake. If you use the surgery as a helpful tool, you'll be successful.

How are you making out? Are you feeling better?

Sorry, for the late reply. I am now 4.5 months after surgery and everything has fallen into place. Tons of energy, still losing weight. I'm 11 lbs from my goal weight. I have started back at the gym a couple of months ago, and now that we are on COVID lockdown, I am working out at home. I have so much energy that I can't help but exercise. Things are great! I hope things will as smooth for you as they did for me.

It just happened organically. No therapy, no self help books, it just happened naturally , and I think it happens to most of us over time...it just takes time.
I'm a year ahead of you in the process (my surgery was 12/18/19), and it probably took about a year...maybe 13 months...to get to place I am now mentally. I also think that being thin helps me maintain that place in social situations. When I was heavy, not only did I want to eat the food, but then I also felt like people were judging me if I ate too much, too little, made healthy choices, made unhealthy choices, etc. Now that I'm tiny, I feel like nobody cares what I eat, and I can just do my own thing. I think that will happen to you too! At some point we just get out of our own head!!

I don't regret it overall but I do have moments of regret. I was having a dinner with friends recently and the food was amazing, probably the best thing I've ever tasted. I could only eat a few bites and for a time I really regretted it. Then I remembered all the reasons I did it and it's worth the momentary slight suffering.
Also, this is different for different people but I haven't given up any foods. You can enjoy what you want, just in small quantities.

UPDATE:
First day of Puree, YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!! Already tried the ricotta bake (4 oz as per my program) and just now sitting down with some refried Beans (4 oz) mixed with a lil taco sauce, lil shredded cheddar, lil sour cream and a lil spicy guacamole and OMGGGGGGGG, I'm in heaven!!!!!! Soooooooo goooood!! LOL So far everything is going down good and easy. Haven't felt overly full or restriction with the amounts I'm able to have thus far at each meal. But that's ok. I feel content after eating and not still hungry.
Otherwise everything is going well for me, as it's been, and nothing new is going on. Stomach/incision pain slightly better. Three of the six incisions have finally shed their glue coating. The big incision is NOT one of them.

Small update.
FOOD:
So last night I has some sugar free pudding, since that's on my list, and did fine with it. Today I had some Light Greek, Nonfat vanilla Yogurt. Had about 4 ounces in about 3 minutes and felt fine. Again I worry about this because yeah, I understand not having restriction with liquids but this? I'd think since there was/is more substance to it it would be different. Hope I'm wrong.
CRAVINGS:
Strange enough, can't say that I've been too hungry or starving or anything, considering I've only had liquids for like 3 weeks straight now....lol, but at times I do feel hungry. And during those times I find myself craving lots of strange things. Some of it is stuff I don't even eat like steak and liverwurst. Most of my cravings have been about meats and salads. Can't wait to have both!!!
SLEEPING:
A lil progress. I was able to lay flat and sleep in bed without too much pain and today I woke up feeling even better. I have been icing my stomach regularly for the last two days. Wondering if that's been helping?

Just wanted to fill people in on what my experience has been like thus far since surgery. If you want to know something I forgot to mention, please don't hesitate to ask.
HOSPITAL STAY:
So I had my surgery May 19th around 10:30 am. I was in recovery and waking up by 11:45 am. All that went smoothly.
The first day I was so dang tired that I drifted off and on while sitting in the chair in-between walking around and drinking. I felt bad for my husband who stay with me all day. He was totally content and happy to be there but I knew he too was tired so about 7pm I made him go home (visiting hours ended at 8 anyway). LOL
When I first got to my room I was like, OMG I have HORRIBLE burning like heartburn and even complained about it. They gave me some sort of Gas chew and it didn't do jack. It wasn't until I got up and walking around that I figured out it was NOT heartburn but related to that gas inside and the walking helped that feeling subside.
They gave me nothing but Water or Gatorade Zero while there and I was totally fine and content with that. They mentioned medicine if I was nauseous but I never was. I felt totally fine and normal but for the one incision site that's to the right and up from my belly button. Doc said that's the typical complaint spot and where he pulls the extra stomach through so that's to be expected. But it hurt like hell when first standing from sitting and also wiping after peeing. Uggghhh. I slept in a chair sitting up that night when I could sleep which really only amounted to 3 hours total.
I was given Tylenol for pain and an Oxycodone once on that first night. They sent me home with the Oxycodone too for pain and so far I have only taken it once at night to help with that pain while sleeping.
The next morning they took more blood work and everything came back good and they allowed me to go home by early noon. Mostly because my pain was managed by meds and because I was easily able to get enough water down and I was not sick.
Also, I did not pack much but I did pack my cell phone, charger, kindle, Biotene, Chapstick, brush, toothpaste and toothbrush, extra underwear and that was it. I did not use ANYTHING but for my brush and, right after surgery, put on my own undies and a pad since I got my period the day before surgery. I did not even use my cell phone (maybe once to post here) cause I was just so dang tired (plus trying to get my liquids in and walking) and hubby did all the updating to others for me. I mostly watched TV as it was on for background noise more than anything.
MOVING AROUND:
Every day is getting better but this dang incision spot is a ******!!! Can't wait for it to stop hurting cause I'm really tired of sleeping sitting up. I tried every way possible to lay down and it's just not possible! The dang area feels like it's burning and tearing apart when I do. Otherwise I'm following orders and walking around. I do not feel I still have a lot of gas issues but I most definitely feel like I am swollen about my stomach area for sure.
APPEARANCE:
I was actually surprised at how weird my stomach looked after surgery. Normally my stomach is smooth/one size all over and flat/round-ish (except for my little fat pouch right under my left breast that's been there forever). But upon looking at my stomach after surgery, I feel like some spots are like poofed out and others dented in, if that makes sense. Especially the bad incision spot. Strange. Not sure how else to explain it. Today is day 4 and it looks like I'm starting to bruise around most, if not all, incisions. Just slightly.
FOOD/WATER:
So my after diet consists of 2 weeks FULL LIQUIDS, followed by 1 week PUREE, and 2 weeks SOFT FOODS, then finally normal foods. Strange enough, I have had NO problem getting in 64 oz of liquid at all. I've had no chest pain, full feeling or sickness. A few times I had what feels like if you drink too much how it creates a sorta air bubble that hurts for a split second but then it passes. Otherwise, no issues. In fact, a few times after trying to drink/gulp like I normally would, I had to stop and remind myself that I no longer could do that. So weird cause I feel, aside from the incision pain, I would never know I even had surgery. So right now since all I've been able to ingest is liquids, I'm not sure if this is gonna be a blessing or an issue. On one hand I'm glad I can seem to "eat" and drink normal and also have had no aversions to taste. But on the other hand, I worry that will not help me in the long run to lose weight. This remains to be seen but I am scared I won't lose for this reason.
So far I've had Protein Shakes, water, Gatorade Zero, the broths from creamed Soups, sugar free popsicles and that's it.
MEDICINE:
I was told I wouldn't be able to swallow anything bigger than a tictac. That was a lie. I have been able to swallow all my pills, even the big ol Metformin, with no issue.
POTTY:
Had my first BM on my second day home. Had several a day since. No problems there either.
WEIGHT:
Not that I expected anything yet but, I have gotten on the scale and it's the same as it was the day of surgery.

I think that's it. Can't think of anything else right now but if you have any questions please ask.

Some people thrive off of support. Some find their way best on their own. I am in the latter group. Only my husband knows and he is the only one who will ever know. It’s no ones business as far as I’m concerned. You do what is best for you! If you lose weight quickly and questions start, say “Thanks! I’m working hard at it”. And you know what? You will be telling the truth! You got this girl! Do it your way. However it works best for you is the “right” way.