greenwitch17

It's normal not to be able to fart (you're constipated!) and it will go away. As GradyCat said, walk. Walk a ton. It will go away. The first few days post-op are the hardest.

I didn’t have any gas post surgery but everyone says that the walking is supposed to help you pass gas. It sounds like you are already doing that though. Maybe gas X?

Walking is the best way to pass the gas, whether it's burping or farting, either way it'll come out.

Hi there! I totally get it, as I just got my surgery date earlier this week. I had so many requirements from the insurance company so the process has taken me 5 months. I wavered while making the decision, but while I am convinced it's the right one, it suddenly feels real. My biggest fear is not being able to maintain the lifestyle changes needed to get and stay healthy, but this just has to happen. Nothing else has worked, and the weight keeps piling on. So while I can't speak to the pain aspect, I can tell you that I am scared, too. We'll get through it though, and I'm willing to bet it will all be worth it.

Congratulations! So exciting that you will soon be getting a tool that will help you lose weight.
Yes, upcoming surgery is scary. What helped me is writing down all my questions (and the responses from doctors, billing, etc.), getting anything possible ready ahead of time for the hospital and recovery, tying all loose ends with work/home/family ahead of time, and trusting in the experts.
I don’t mean to scare you, but hospitals are short-staffed due to COVID. My requests for pain relief regularly took 30-90 minutes, and I wasn’t allowed to have my husband stay overnight to be my advocate. If I had to do it again, I would have gone ahead and woken him up at 1am to call the nurse station himself. I also would have involved the charge nurse or patient advocate much sooner. And when I could walk the next day, I should have walked myself over to the nurse’s station to insist on meds.
Yes, I also worried that I wouldn’t be successful. So, I only told my husband. And I am private so did not join support groups, but found this forum such a blessing!! The wonderful people here have provided all the support, ideas, encouragement needed. GL!

I have a distinct memory of looking at myself in the mirror the week before surgery and saying “ what the heck are you doing?” Just suddenly hitting me that after all the work I was going to remove a healthy organ. But I just kept on trucking ahead and before I knew it the surgery was over.

One of my friends asked me recently if I wish I could be “back to normal” now that I lost the excess weight. Not in a million years! I still love my sleeve, and over a year later the novelty of being able to be “full” so easy hasn’t worn off.

Change is hard and scary, but it becomes normal over time. This surgery is pretty darn low risk comparatively. And staying morbidly obese is a high risk activity every day!

It’s very common to start to feel anxious when you get a surgery date or a few days before surgery. Just means you are aware that this is a major surgery and you are not taking it lightly which is a good thing.

I’m sorry but this negativity is so off putting to your success. You need to do the work and surgery is only ever a TOOL. You should not be assuming it’ll magically work for you but also this should have been explicitly told to you by your care team prior to surgery. I haven’t gotten my surgery yet but I’ve already had every care practitioner emphasize that it’s a tool and I have to actually work for results. The way it’s different than just calorie restriction/exercise is that the surgery limits the amount you can eat and it also removes the part of the stomach that has the hunger hormones. This makes it actually possible to calorie restrict and exercise without the ability to binge or feel super hungry. If someone tried to do 800 calories a day without surgery they would feel like they are completely starving. Listen to your doctor. Seek a therapist. This is a safe space but also the negativity in your comments has been awful. You need to work on yourself and how you treat others too. Healing and weight loss are best friends, it takes a LOT of work.

I’m sorry but this negativity is so off putting to your success. You need to do the work and surgery is only ever a TOOL. You should not be assuming it’ll magically work for you but also this should have been explicitly told to you by your care team prior to surgery. I haven’t gotten my surgery yet but I’ve already had every care practitioner emphasize that it’s a tool and I have to actually work for results. The way it’s different than just calorie restriction/exercise is that the surgery limits the amount you can eat and it also removes the part of the stomach that has the hunger hormones. This makes it actually possible to calorie restrict and exercise without the ability to binge or feel super hungry. If someone tried to do 800 calories a day without surgery they would feel like they are completely starving. Listen to your doctor. Seek a therapist. This is a safe space but also the negativity in your comments has been awful. You need to work on yourself and how you treat others too. Healing and weight loss are best friends, it takes a LOT of work.

I’m sorry but this negativity is so off putting to your success. You need to do the work and surgery is only ever a TOOL. You should not be assuming it’ll magically work for you but also this should have been explicitly told to you by your care team prior to surgery. I haven’t gotten my surgery yet but I’ve already had every care practitioner emphasize that it’s a tool and I have to actually work for results. The way it’s different than just calorie restriction/exercise is that the surgery limits the amount you can eat and it also removes the part of the stomach that has the hunger hormones. This makes it actually possible to calorie restrict and exercise without the ability to binge or feel super hungry. If someone tried to do 800 calories a day without surgery they would feel like they are completely starving. Listen to your doctor. Seek a therapist. This is a safe space but also the negativity in your comments has been awful. You need to work on yourself and how you treat others too. Healing and weight loss are best friends, it takes a LOT of work.

I’m sorry but this negativity is so off putting to your success. You need to do the work and surgery is only ever a TOOL. You should not be assuming it’ll magically work for you but also this should have been explicitly told to you by your care team prior to surgery. I haven’t gotten my surgery yet but I’ve already had every care practitioner emphasize that it’s a tool and I have to actually work for results. The way it’s different than just calorie restriction/exercise is that the surgery limits the amount you can eat and it also removes the part of the stomach that has the hunger hormones. This makes it actually possible to calorie restrict and exercise without the ability to binge or feel super hungry. If someone tried to do 800 calories a day without surgery they would feel like they are completely starving. Listen to your doctor. Seek a therapist. This is a safe space but also the negativity in your comments has been awful. You need to work on yourself and how you treat others too. Healing and weight loss are best friends, it takes a LOT of work.

I’m sorry but this negativity is so off putting to your success. You need to do the work and surgery is only ever a TOOL. You should not be assuming it’ll magically work for you but also this should have been explicitly told to you by your care team prior to surgery. I haven’t gotten my surgery yet but I’ve already had every care practitioner emphasize that it’s a tool and I have to actually work for results. The way it’s different than just calorie restriction/exercise is that the surgery limits the amount you can eat and it also removes the part of the stomach that has the hunger hormones. This makes it actually possible to calorie restrict and exercise without the ability to binge or feel super hungry. If someone tried to do 800 calories a day without surgery they would feel like they are completely starving. Listen to your doctor. Seek a therapist. This is a safe space but also the negativity in your comments has been awful. You need to work on yourself and how you treat others too. Healing and weight loss are best friends, it takes a LOT of work.

I’m sorry but this negativity is so off putting to your success. You need to do the work and surgery is only ever a TOOL. You should not be assuming it’ll magically work for you but also this should have been explicitly told to you by your care team prior to surgery. I haven’t gotten my surgery yet but I’ve already had every care practitioner emphasize that it’s a tool and I have to actually work for results. The way it’s different than just calorie restriction/exercise is that the surgery limits the amount you can eat and it also removes the part of the stomach that has the hunger hormones. This makes it actually possible to calorie restrict and exercise without the ability to binge or feel super hungry. If someone tried to do 800 calories a day without surgery they would feel like they are completely starving. Listen to your doctor. Seek a therapist. This is a safe space but also the negativity in your comments has been awful. You need to work on yourself and how you treat others too. Healing and weight loss are best friends, it takes a LOT of work.

This! How this tool makes it much less painful to lose weight. Hard to ignore feeling hungry.

I’m sorry but this negativity is so off putting to your success. You need to do the work and surgery is only ever a TOOL. You should not be assuming it’ll magically work for you but also this should have been explicitly told to you by your care team prior to surgery. I haven’t gotten my surgery yet but I’ve already had every care practitioner emphasize that it’s a tool and I have to actually work for results. The way it’s different than just calorie restriction/exercise is that the surgery limits the amount you can eat and it also removes the part of the stomach that has the hunger hormones. This makes it actually possible to calorie restrict and exercise without the ability to binge or feel super hungry. If someone tried to do 800 calories a day without surgery they would feel like they are completely starving. Listen to your doctor. Seek a therapist. This is a safe space but also the negativity in your comments has been awful. You need to work on yourself and how you treat others too. Healing and weight loss are best friends, it takes a LOT of work.

AHHH! You guys I am so excited. The last time I posted on here I was so discouraged and upset after having to reschedule a million times but I have good news! I had my consult, the doctor thinks I am an amazing candidate for sleeve surgery. I already did my psych evaluation this morning and passed with flying colors! All I have left to do for my requirements is attend one support group meeting and one nutrition class (scheduled for Dec 1st!!!). My surgeon said it should take me about 2.5 months from our consult to the surgery day! So crazy fast and easy once I got it started. I am over the moon about this! SO excited to finally take back control of my life!!! Thank you all again for the awesome reassurance and support on my last post. These forums are seriously the best source of support and information I could ever ask for!

AHHH! You guys I am so excited. The last time I posted on here I was so discouraged and upset after having to reschedule a million times but I have good news! I had my consult, the doctor thinks I am an amazing candidate for sleeve surgery. I already did my psych evaluation this morning and passed with flying colors! All I have left to do for my requirements is attend one support group meeting and one nutrition class (scheduled for Dec 1st!!!). My surgeon said it should take me about 2.5 months from our consult to the surgery day! So crazy fast and easy once I got it started. I am over the moon about this! SO excited to finally take back control of my life!!! Thank you all again for the awesome reassurance and support on my last post. These forums are seriously the best source of support and information I could ever ask for!

AHHH! You guys I am so excited. The last time I posted on here I was so discouraged and upset after having to reschedule a million times but I have good news! I had my consult, the doctor thinks I am an amazing candidate for sleeve surgery. I already did my psych evaluation this morning and passed with flying colors! All I have left to do for my requirements is attend one support group meeting and one nutrition class (scheduled for Dec 1st!!!). My surgeon said it should take me about 2.5 months from our consult to the surgery day! So crazy fast and easy once I got it started. I am over the moon about this! SO excited to finally take back control of my life!!! Thank you all again for the awesome reassurance and support on my last post. These forums are seriously the best source of support and information I could ever ask for!

Hi lovely friends!
It has been a while since I posted on here because It seems like everything has REALLY been not wanting me to have this surgery consult. I originally decided on surgery in June of 2021, got my referral, and was all set for my surgical eval for September 1st (long wait for appointments in CA right now). Great! I took the day off work and an hour before my appointment the receptionist calls me from the surgical office and says Dr. had to go due to an emergency - no problem! The only appointment they have now is for September 29th, okay I will take it! Two days before my new appointment I get a call from staff telling me my surgeon will be on medical leave indefinitely and to get a new referral for a new surgeon. SO, I get a new appointment with my PCP, make my new referral, call and they only have appointments in November. November 12th is now my appointment for my first surgical consult with a doctor and I am just feeling so discouraged. The fact that it has taken almost 6 months just to consult has me frustrated and upset. Also, I developed depression about two months ago (being treated, in therapy) so I put on more weight. I just feel like maybe surgery isn't meant for me, or maybe it will be a mistake.
I am just looking for some encouragement and maybe some similar stories to know I am not alone in this frustrating appointment hell! Thank you guys ❤️

Hey there, I just wanted to check in on you and also say how proud I am of you for seeking care in the form of therapy. I have not had my sleeve yet but I have TERRIBLE anxiety that I see my therapist for. You are staying on top of continuing care and I have no doubt you will pull through the rough time you're going through currently. Keep fighting the fight, proud of you! ❤️

Hey there, I just wanted to check in on you and also say how proud I am of you for seeking care in the form of therapy. I have not had my sleeve yet but I have TERRIBLE anxiety that I see my therapist for. You are staying on top of continuing care and I have no doubt you will pull through the rough time you're going through currently. Keep fighting the fight, proud of you! ❤️

Completely agree with what others have said. Depression does NOT preclude you from surgery; I have depression and GAD and am scheduled for VSG on 9/21. BUT, getting your mental health stable and making sure you have healthy coping measures in place before surgery will ensure your success post-op. If you aren't already, it may be worth getting into therapy and seeing a psychiatrist about medication. Depression can drive addiction and WLS is not a cure-all for food addiction or other disordered eating habits, so its super important you are actively taking steps to break those cycles before surgery. I know it can feel impossible to take those first steps, but you absolutely can do it and will be better for it!

Oh, and I had a catheter for my c section, but I not for my wls, but it was no big deal at all and I actually loved not having to constantly get up to pee. Iol

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I just turned 50 this month and my ONLY retreat is that I didn't do this sooner. I had my surgery right before my 49th birthday last year. If I had done this in my late 20s or early 30s when I weighed around what you do instead of waiting until I was almost 400 pounds, it would have prevented me from having the liver disease and other problems that led me to finally get surgery.
I am also a very anxious person and always think the worst. It doesn't help that I'm an RN, so I always imagine every scenario that could go wrong.
I just had to keep telling myself that statistics were in my favor and there was way more chance of things going right. There is always a risk of complications, but that risk is small. I'm so glad I took the risk and my life is a million times better now than it was last year.
You are smart for doing it while you are young. You will hopefully prevent so many problems!

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I agree with that analysis!!!