Jeanniebug

Yay! I'm thankful to report that my recovery has been relatively easy, too. I get to advance to purees in 5 days. I can't decide if I want refried beans or ricotta bake, first. I'll have to re-try the Syntrax Nectars. I tried them pre-op and didn't like them. Now that my tastes have changed a little bit, I might like them better. My hunger is returning, but I'm 11 days out, now.

I had my surgical consultation in January - and I probably started preparing in February. We have a stable income, but it isn't huge. So, I knew I wasn't going to be able to just plunk down a big chunk of change after surgery, getting all the things I needed. I have had to try to think ahead and buy a few things each month. I bought stuff for the hospital: a robe (was useful), abdominal binder (used for 2 days after getting home), long phone charging cable (never used, I just made sure my phone was charged before going in), and a heating pad (only tried to use after getting home). I bought stuff for post-op recovery at home: lots of different protein soups, some shakes, broths, unflavored protein powder. I made a couple of different flavors of Jell-O and bought some snack packs. Over the last few months I had made several batches of bone broth to put in the freezer. I bought liquid adult Tylenol. I bought stuff for use later on: long-handled, metal measuring scoops - 2, 4, 6 and 8 oz. Eight-oz bowls. Small-diameter plates. Little 2.5oz jars of baby food - I will try the food, but really only wanted the jars. Souper Cubes for freezing leftovers (I also used them for freezing my broth). Baby spoons. I got a 30-second and a 3-minute sand timer, for timing between bites. I got an electric mug warmer and I've really appreciated that one. I bought a couple of small Yeti tumblers, but there has been a delay in shipping so I haven't been able to use them yet. The hope is that they will be able to replace the mug warmer, when I'm in my office, or something. Thus far, I am happy with all of my purchases. Something that I am now buying is underwear - of all things. For the last several years I've been wearing the "granny panties" high waisted briefs. Well, the way my surgeon did my incisions, is in a line, all going across the top of my belly - right where the elastic of my underwear sits. So, I'm having to buy bikini style undies, because folding the top of my underwear down is annoying. In the days before my surgery, I tried to get as much gardening done as I could. I made sure that all the laundry was done and I did a little cleaning. I wasn't able to do as much as I wanted, because there were two sabbaths. I only had one day between my last day of work and the day of surgery that I could get stuff done. It was unfortunate timing.

You've already come such a long way. You'll make it. You're going to surpass your current goal. Buy yourself a size 8 or 10 pair of jeans, because you're going to be wearing them one day - if not a size 6.

Wow!!! Congratulations!!! If I hit my goal, it will be 95 pounds.

I'm only a week out from my surgery. I soooooo hope it doesn't change my relationship! I have a great guy, who loves me no matter what. And I love him with all my heart. A big reason why I got this surgery is because of the big plans that I have for US. If this changes our relationship for the worse, I would be so sad.

Welcome!

Time to get back to basics. Stop eating the junk food. Perhaps try counseling? Surgery changes our stomachs, not our brains.

I, too, was a low-BMI patient. But, my BMI was just high enough that with my comorbidities, my insurance would cover the surgery. Like me, you are one step away from metabolic syndrome: diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I have diabetes and high cholesterol. Only 5% of people who lose weight using "just diet and exercise" will have kept that weight off over a 5 year period. With bariatric surgery, the number jumps to 90%. I would set up the consultation with the surgeon and make your wife come with you to the appointment. The surgeon will explain to her the science of obesity and how it's not as simple as she thinks.

Yay!

Ah man, I hope I don't have that problem! One of the reasons why I got the surgery was to help with my hunger.

I felt hunger pangs, too. But, I actually wasn't sure if it was hunger, or just surgical pain. I'm 6 days out from my gastric bypass. Still feeling hungry sometimes - but not like I was in the hospital. From what I understand, for some of us, we won't stop feeling hungry until we start actually eating food. I have 1 more week until I start purees.

Keep it on the straight and narrow from now on and you should be fine.

Our digestive tracts are mucous membranes. When a mucous membrane is exposed to an irritant, it creates mucous - hence the foamies. So, your body thinks that whatever you're eating is an irritant - perhaps put that particular food away and try it again in a few days or a week. Two bites sounds about par for the course, when you first start eating. I could be wrong, but I'm thinking that the hiccups are because you're actually full.

I'm so glad to hear that you're doing better! But so sorry you haven't been able to take any pain meds. Have you tried liquid Tylenol? Maybe just take a little sip and see how it sits? I've heard that a heating pad helps with the pain. I tried one, but it was defective and kept shutting itself off after two minutes. I'm on the mend. Still having a good deal of pain, but it's definitely getting better. I hate taking narcotics, so the liquid Tylenol is saving me, right now. Thanks be to God, I haven't had any problems getting my fluids or protein in.

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that things have gotten worse for you! Perhaps you can call your surgeon's office? Mine has on-call staff who can help. Maybe they can order something else for you. I hate to say it, but you may need a nausea suppository. I would totally call them though. You need to get the vomiting under control. Hugs!

I'm glad things have gone well! for you I've found that - for me - surgical pain tends to steadily get worse for 3 days. After that, it starts getting better. I wish you a speedy recovery!

So exciting!!!

Welcome! Which surgery are you having?

I'm sorry that you're struggling, but I'm so glad you're getting help.

Thank you!

My surgery went well, yesterday. I'm home, but in a lot more pain than I was when I was in the hospital. I think the car ride home was too much. I got behind the 8 ball on pain control. I've taken an oxy and zofran. I have a heating pad on my tummy. Let the healing begin!

Yes! We'll both do great!

When I read the terms and conditions of my short-term disability, I decided not to use it (I had to grant them access to EVERYTHING about me - mental health records, employment records, everything. And they said they might share it with others who won't keep it confidential. No thank you). I'd only be getting 60% of one week's pay, anyway.

Thank you!

My surgery is tomorrow, too! (If that's what you mean by Tuesday). The things you're worried about, are temporary issues. Once our tummies settle down - by about a year out - we can pretty much eat anything we want. That's why some people regain all their lost weight - because they're able to go back to their old eating habits. Yes, things will be hard at first. But it will get better.