vikingbeast

I was on two blood pressure medications. One contained a Water pill, and my PCP decided that since I'll be struggling to hydrate, I don't need to take the one with the water pill.

In two days—TWO DAYS—my uncontrolled (pre-meds) blood pressure dropped from 155/95 to 134/75.

I really don't understand how that would work physically, but I'm not going to argue with it!

It's totally gas from the surgery. I'm two days out and the pain is awful from the gas—feels like a heart attack. But as others have said, walking helps a lot.

I gained 6 lbs overnight from the fluids they put into me. But I've also been peeing like a racehorse.

Just stick to the plan.

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.)

So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle."

Day before surgery

Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon Jello. Got about 830 calories in.

Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery".

Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses.

Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia).

Day of surgery

Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way.

A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV.

My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up.

My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours.

I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep.

Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me Water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée Soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something.

I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything).

Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived.

When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of Protein Shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable.

Day 1 post-op

My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower Protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided.

Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters!

Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of Fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra Protein Powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me.

I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise.

I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

1 hour ago, Kenda0928 said:

Y'all...... Surgery is next Tuesday (9/21) and I'm starting to question it alllllllll. What if I fail? What if this is just another thing I screw up and end up NOT losing weight, or worse, gaining weight? What if it doesn't work for me? What if I'm one of those people who loses 20lbs and then stops (not to negate a 20lb loss, that is GREAT, but its only a drop in the bucket for me)? I will never be able to forgive myself if I spend all this time and money and put my family through the stress of surgery, just to fail again. I'm not scared of the surgery of the rest of the pre-op diet or the work required post-op. But I am TERRIFIED of failing again and I'm not sure how to get out of my own head. Anyone else spiraling? How do we break the shame cycle?

ETA: Yes, I've done therapy and it was very helpful. Not currently attending, but am working through a self-paced program specific to binge eating/ food addition and shame. I know this is in my head and I'm taking steps to work on it, just crowd sourcing some encouragement.

I just had it and while I felt hungry yesterday, today I can't even look at food. If it stays this way I'm gonna be a thin as a rake in no time at all.

If you are male, I urge you to stay away from Rogaine. It will screw up your hormone levels (testosterone). Not sure what its effect is on women.

Every I know who's had this happen says it grows back within a few months. What happens is the stress from the change in eating patterns and from the surgery has your existing hair reach senescence (end of life), and it grows back normal, but because there's enough reaching senescence at one time it looks like hair thinning.

I am very glad I keep my hair cut very close, it won't take as long when this happens to me for me to look "normal".

On 9/14/2021 at 5:36 AM, Leslie F said:

Like right this very second?? Oh mercy! I'm asking that a flock of angels be surrounding you, as close to you as the air you breathe. Let us know how it went please?! 7 more days for me

Sent from my SM-G977U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you very much for the prayers. I am doing okay but the gas is crazy and making it hard to get liquids down—I take a sip and then have to walk around burping for 5 minutes. My incisions don't really hurt at all, I'm able to get up and down and lie on my back or (carefully) on my side. What little pain there is can be handled by Extra Strength Tylenol.

I'm sure it'll get better but I just want all this bloody gas out!

Could be inflammation, or you're retaining water... hope you feel better soon!

10 hours ago, Jinxavier said:

So my surgery was supposed to be in August but got postponed because of a spike in COVID cases. So now it’s tomorrow. And suddenly I am second guessing myself. I’ve gone too far to back out now, but I am so worried I am making a mistake. I’m self pay and I keep worrying about complications. I guess this is probably normal but I am freaking out a bit.

My VSG was yesterday. The worst parts are not being about right drunk enough Water (get some Biotene spray, it’ll hep with dry mouth), the gas bubbles from all the gas they inflated me with, and just how easily I get tired.

I barely feel anything from the incisions, can get up and down without issues, and can sleep on my side if I’m careful about turning.

5 hours ago, Pookie2012 said:

I am 5 weeks post op and have had zero side effects other than pain if I eat too much or too fast. I also have not lost a single pound in 2 weeks. I'm feeling very discouraged and wish I had never put my body through this because I'm having no results.

This sounds like the infamous "three week stall"—there are thousands and thousands and thousands of posts here about it. Just stay the course and the weight loss will resume!

I was hospitalized for three weeks for a bout of cellulitis and had to go through a long course of "nuke it from orbit, it's the only way to be sure" antibiotics. If it is hot and swollen, go to the ER.

1 hour ago, Leslie F said:

Just got your message! Tomorrow or Wednesday? I'm really enjoying being open with my emotions, rather than the standard, "Me? Oh, I'm fine."

Tomorrow! In just 10 hours, actually...

So glad I saw this—because this is the route I intend to take. (I already CrossFit, so have a whole bucket list of CF-related things I want to do once my weight isn't the limiting factor.) My coach does also program "functional bodybuilding" which I will be following to try and shore up the (inevitable) loose skin.

You both look AH MAY ZING.

20 minutes ago, Smanky said:

Mine's in 8 days too, Leslie, and likewise, my nerves are starting to kick in. I'm also not afraid of the surgery, I think it's the life change after. A big life change and a big change being made to my body itself. It's no small thing! The food-addict bit of my brain is having a little last-gasp flail knowing things won't be the same ever again, but it's thankfully being drowned out by the rest of mind that's so very ready for this.

I'm picking triumphant, upbeat songs on spotify and playing them on repeat. Along with keeping busy, it helps!

Same, same. I have "Tarantella Nova" on full blast so I can dance around to it and shake off the doubt. (Yes, my musical taste is eclectic, but I love Mimmo Cavallaro.)

Best of luck!! I'm on Tuesday and the anxiety is real!

I love me some OWYN ("Only What You Need") but be aware they are VERY thick, so maybe not so good for immediately post-op unless you thin them down with something (non-dairy milk if you're allowed it...)

I have had to purée meat before when taking care of someone with eating issues, and the Magic Bullet (which sounds like something very different but really is a blender) is top notch.

Hi Leslie, welcome to BP. I have been on the emotional rollercoaster (my surgery is in... uh... 36 hours) and it is totally normal. But honestly, finding this site has been a lifeline for me, I would almost certainly have chickened out otherwise.

My surgeon warned me about this—they pump you full of gas (CO2) to be able to operate and it has to come out... walking helps (he insists that his patients walk 1 minute for every 15 minutes they're awake) and also if you can get simethicone—here in the US it's branded as Gas-X, not sure about the UK.

It really depends how much you like what your current therapist is doing outside of the weight topic. If you feel like you want her to be in your life, then just don't talk to her about weight loss and use bariatric support groups for that.

If she's turning into one of these preachy, teetering-on-the-edge-of-anti-science types, maybe now's a good time to thank her for what she's done for you and find someone who aligns better with your goals. It is YOUR life and not open to anyone's—not even your therapist's—judgment.

On 9/8/2021 at 3:26 AM, FrankSC said:

go to the trichologist. or to an endocrinologist, unexpected Hair loss is a cry for help from your body. there may be thyroid problems or anemia. also hormonal problems ..
in short a lot of things
so visit the doctor

you can take Biotin supplements in parallel, for example, and use hair products with Biotin curtin, etc., but I'm not sure if they will help without treatment
maybe the doctor will tell you to take a closer look at the Multivitamin complex for hair (where there is Iron, B Vitamins, collagen, keratin)

Hair loss is a common side effect of WLS. As long as the OP is in contact with their doctors, etc., no need for a specialist.

I lost 30 pounds and four inches off my waist in 4 months (before even thinking about WLS) doing CrossFit, which is basically HIIT plus strength training. I can't speak for post-op progress since my surgery is this coming Tuesday, but honestly, I love the strength I feel from HIIT and strength training. And it will speed your body recomp.

Make sure you're taking measurements and not just using the scale as a guide—muscle does weigh more than fat and so the weight loss might "stall" but the fat loss is still going.

It's that the stress of surgery, caloric restriction, and emotions accelerates the natural cycle by which your hair "dies", but the rate of replacement is normal... so basically it all falls out faster than normal but takes a few months to regrow.

14 hours ago, Smanky said:

FutureSylph, I'm so sorry. I hope they can reschedule you somewhere else. That's what my surgeon did when the hospital I was initially going to had to cancel all non-emergency electives. Crossing my fingers for you.

I'm on the 22nd. Ten days away. Starting to feel the anxiety knocking, so I'm distracting myself. It's not the surgery itself, I've had two surgeries so far in my life, so I'm not a "nervous flyer". Until now, my WLS has been a bit abstract, and as I head into the final week of pre-op, it's getting super real. Never done anything so life-altering as this, so I've got that "holy crap I'm really doing this" feeling, like I'm getting strapped into the roller-coaster and only just noticed how high it is.

This. SO MUCH THIS. My surgery is 48 hours from now and I am going through ALL of the emotions REAL fast. I calmed myself down a bit by sitting and typing out my meds list (my doctors colluded to make this super complex for the first week) and what I'm allowed to eat for each of the phases, even though I have a perfectly cromulent pre-typed list from my centre.

The first few days when you start replacing meals with shakes are pretty rough. Just tough it out. But it's funny how quickly your stomach will get used to less food... I had to go to a Breakfast meeting and had to order something to not look weird, ate three bites of scrambled egg, and was full—and this is pre-op.