mcipanda

Wow this truly sucks… I would be incredibly frustrated, and I’m sure you are. I always wonder why these things take so long (June!?), but hang in there. Being cancer free is the first step! Wishing you a smooth removal surgery and quick recovery so you can keep going!

My surgery went well, but now anesthesia is nearly worn off and the “real” pain is setting in. Tough getting my liquids with the nausea, so I’m trying peppermint tea. Figured out warm liquid is much easier for me. Now just trying to play catch up.
can only have clear liquids through tomorrow, then I start full liquids for 10 days.

Wow this truly sucks… I would be incredibly frustrated, and I’m sure you are. I always wonder why these things take so long (June!?), but hang in there. Being cancer free is the first step! Wishing you a smooth removal surgery and quick recovery so you can keep going!

UPDATE:
I just got the call. The nodules also came back pre-cancerous, and it's going to take 2 more surgeries to get them all removed from my duodenum. I'll be having them in April and May. I also have to have a colonoscopy because when I go #2, there's horrible pain at my belly button and along the sides of my stomach, to the point where I can't catch my breath, stand up straight, or walk. Given the polyps and nodules all through my stomach and duodenum, my GI specialist is concerned there will be polyps or something else that needs to be removed.
So I have no idea at this point when I'll be cleared to have my revision. But he was saying the colonoscopy will probably be in June and then we'll go from there deciding what needs to be done. once everything with my colon is finished, I'll have to have another endoscopy to see if any new polyps have come back in my stomach and duodenum. If so, they will have to be removed again. If not, I'll be cleared for my revision.
This is absolutely ridiculous. I'm so over all of it.

Thank you OP for this post and everyone for your input. My surgery is 3/13, and your advice has helped so much! Good luck to you OP 😊

Literally made me lol 😂

Thanks so much for your response, Guru. I needed to hear that someone else has had these thoughts. I really only have my mom to talk to at the moment (she had WLS in 2005), but she remembers what it was like to be an adult woman in her mid-20's at 115-125lbs (5'2") even after having a baby. I worry sometimes about self-sabotage, unable to believe I could be below a size 14 and subconsciously making sure I'm right. Reminds me of a line from "It's a Wonderful Life" when Mr. Potter says to Jimmy Stuart's character, "My God, man, are you afraid of success?!"

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forums and WLS with VSG scheduled for 3/13. I’m currently 41, 5’3” and 213lbs. I’ve always been one to envision my goals for success. It works for me, but I’m genuinely struggling with picturing myself at the suggested goal weight of 125-135. I can’t recall a time where I was ever that small. Even at 13, I was 177lbs. The lightest I’ve ever been in my adult life was 181 at size 14. I can picture myself there, but trying to picture myself at a size 12 or lower feels like imagining myself getting accepted into the NASA space program. Not impossible but seriously (seriously) unlikely.
When my bariatric team asked about a personal goal weight, I said 170. I didn’t want them to look at me like, “uh, you need to be realistic here.” Beyond that, I can only recall 177 in my mind from middle school so 170 sounds possible.
I tried making a goal board with images of the clothes I’d like to wear and things I want to do, but it feels.. unrealistic? Ugh. I’m actually annoyed with myself if you can believe it.
Did (or have) you ever felt this way? I want to succeed but I know I need to believe I can do it before I can make it happen. Thoughts welcome!

Oh yes… I was the first girl born in a family where all of the men are built like linebackers. I was told I was big boned my whole life because my mother was comparing me to my dad and uncles. She was 5’7” 120lbs most of my life. I didn’t get all of my genes from my dad and I’M A GIRL!

OMG yes… growing up my family used to say “you can’t really help it, you’re big boned” and my Dad would apologize “I’m sorry honey, I gave you my stalky frame and big bones”
”you’re a bull in a glass shop”
my mom would say “yes honey you’re overweight, but you have such a beautiful face!”
the pity, the excuses on my behalf… the consolation prize. The silver lining. I’m so done with it and the years of internalized self hate.
thank goodness for therapists.

It's understandable that you may be feeling frustrated and confused by the response you received from your friends regarding your decision to have gastric sleeve surgery. It's important to remember that everyone has their own beliefs and opinions, and not everyone may understand or agree with your decision.
It's important to make decisions about your health that are best for you and that you feel comfortable with, regardless of what others may think or say. It's also important to remember that gastric sleeve surgery is a medically accepted and effective treatment for obesity and can have a positive impact on one's overall health and well-being.
It's also important to keep in mind that some people may have strong beliefs about health and wellness that may not align with your own, and that's okay. It's important to respect others’ opinions, and to surround yourself with people who support and understand you.

I realize this post is older, but just wanted to say thank you for taking time to write it. As a Christian, I have also struggled with the notion that my body is a temple but that somehow I'm forsaking what He intended for me to be. I always try to hand over my battles to God. Now I feel tremendous relief knowing that He understands our struggles, so much so that He endorsed what many would call "drastic measures" to avoid sin and despair. Wow...this WLS journey is deeper than anyone can fathom!

Just to update everyone...I don't speak to them anymore. I have lost almost 70 pounds in 3 1/2 months. I work out, watch my diet, I'm strict about doing everything I'm supposed to. I take my Vitamins and supplements. And the last straw was when they told me my weight loss didn't count because I took the easy way out and let the surgery do all the work for me. They said anyone who has most of their stomach removed can drop a ton of weight, so I shouldn't be acting like I accomplished anything. That was it for me. I was done. And I haven't looked back since!!

My dad would always tell me we're "built for comfort, not for speed" lol.

OMG yes… growing up my family used to say “you can’t really help it, you’re big boned” and my Dad would apologize “I’m sorry honey, I gave you my stalky frame and big bones”
”you’re a bull in a glass shop”
my mom would say “yes honey you’re overweight, but you have such a beautiful face!”
the pity, the excuses on my behalf… the consolation prize. The silver lining. I’m so done with it and the years of internalized self hate.
thank goodness for therapists.

Thank you OP for this post and everyone for your input. My surgery is 3/13, and your advice has helped so much! Good luck to you OP 😊

Lol yes, picked my favorite Tequila bar, had amazing chicken fajitas and dessert (I’ll keep the details shy on that one for the sake of others hah) and enjoyed every bite. I ended ready for the pre op diet and have no regrets.

How are you feeling?
I just had some won ton broth….whoo boy that tastes good.

I am on day 2 post op as well however I am still in the hospital. My bladder has decided to become quite lazy after the anesthesia and is refusing to begin work again quite yet so am having to be straight cathed every few hours u til it begins to respond to its own signals to empty when I am ready.
Other than that, water and my shakes (Orgain plant protein) is going down fairly easy without too much difficulty in 2oz medicine cups every 15 minutes that I am awake. I do still have considerable bloating due to the CO² in my abdomen/torso and have not been able to pass any but my body is absorbing it slowly. I am walking the unit almost every hour while awake however at times I really do feel exhausted but I still feel it is worth it not to lie in the hospital bed.
I still have a very sore throat and am very hoarse from the tubes down my throat during surgery but I have been gargling with warm salt water which feels good and should speed up the healing of this area. Regardingvpain after VGS, (laparoscopy) I can say that I am uncomfortable but not in pain. It is tolerable knowing day to day is is going to ease and all be worth all of the struggles when I reach my goal. It will only be a memory. I am thinking of all of the others who have had surgery this week and those who have their's coming up rapidly and offer encouragement to not be anxious. It is not horrible, nothing to fear. Just ve diligent about working your program and following all of the recommendations put to you from your surgeon and / or your WL clinic to stay disciplined wirh your diet, walk, walk, walk, and use your support systems. Do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Allow your body to heal.
Bless you all. 🙏
20230311_002443.heic

I think I’m ready…
check back on Wednesday, I will be eating paint chips off the window sills. LOL

Stick to your pre-op diet best possible. It might be hard, but after surgery all those cravings go away really quickly. Weight loss feels controlled, stable, and predictable.

The first week I was tired and had discomfort from gas in my body cavity that felt intense but was gone at the end of week. I spent much on the first week in bed resting.

The second week post surgery was my stomach acid week I’d wake up at 5am and feel like I had a belly full of acid. Not super painful, just annoying and that symptom went away at the end of week two. I was back to work and up and about week 2 but sleep early or naps in the afternoon.

Week 3 is when my progress allowed me to move on the soft Proteins. What was most noticeable this week is that occasionally I would get extremely dizzy with the room spinning. I realized this was due to seasonings or Condiments with minimal sugars but the first sugars I had experienced since surgery. Those first 2-3 grams of sugar /food iwould cause my my insulin to over compensate and my blood sugar would drop real low. That happened for about a week and a half 1-2 times a day and then my body adjusted and I haven’t experienced it since.   I also experienced a bit of nausea at this time as I tried new foods and learned to slow down eating but never have actually threwup.

I’m two months out now. Only remaining symptom is light fatigue and occasional nausea as a reaction to eating something new or eating to fast. But it’s super tolerable and not as bad as it might sound.

ALL OF THIS TO SAY: some of the initial symptoms may seem miserable or annoying in the moment while your body is adjusting to your surgery, but understand most of them will pass in a week or so they aren’t there for the long term.

Be kind to yourself, allow yourself to rest, and focus on your Protein and hydration above all else. You got this!

Good luck March surgeries and congrats on taking this step. I was sleeved 12/5. The two biggest comforts to my recovery were an electric heated blanket and sugar free popsicles.

The heated blanket really helped soothe the gas discomfort that can be expected in the first week and any soreness.

Best of luck.

Hi everyone im new to this group

Sent from my SM-A516U using BariatricPal mobile app

Like who’s family ever made excuses when you were heavy? Like, girl you just big boned?!🤣🤣🤣🤣 Or but, you have a pretty face though!! 🤦🏾‍♀️🙄💀

I am also a guy. I was about 43 when I had surgery, about 64 now. I needed to lose a few more pounds than you, but it's not a competition. I'm honestly shocked that you are allowed surgery with 40 pounds to lose. Generally it's a minimum of 100 (give or take) pounds to qualify for surgery. I'm not sure if your lucky or un, but I guess time will tell.
The current paradigm is 2 weeks of liquid diet pre-op, then 2 to 6 weeks post-op, then about 2 to 6 weeks of puree, then on to solid foods. Difficulty at any of the steps is very individual, but you will find a way to manage it. My plan was 6 weeks of pureed from day of surgery. I never had to do a liquid diet.
Not being a quitter are fighten' words around here. You are apparently at 40 excess pounds. If this is the worst case situation then if you think you can lose weight via diet and exercise it may be worthwhile for you to try. Surgery is a harsh solution. If you are down to 40 pounds overweight after having been 100 or more overweight then surgery may be your best long term solution. You know your situation better than us.
Most people do manage to eat what would be considered a normal meal size after a few months. Your current view of 'normal' may not measure up. Further, most post-ops can eat just about anything eventually, which can bring with it the hazard of falling into old habits that caused you to gain weight in the first place. With a little bit of restraint most people will be fine.
Personally, since you asked, I eat more than a few bites more often than not. My typical meal size is still 4oz Protein, 1 or so ounces of veggies. I can finish this meal 4 of 7 times, the other times my stomach says to take a break. I enjoy good food.
You must have considered all these things previously. Just review why you made your decision in the first place and you will be solid.
Good luck,
Tek