AniO

I knew I needed some drastic intervention. I had resisted bariatric surgery for years, though. I didn't like the idea of the dumping and the repositioning of the intestine with the Gastric Bypass and I didn't like the idea of a foreign object in my body with the Lap-Band. But finally last year I made the decision to go a head with the surgery. Thankfully, my insurance company required a 6 month medically supervised diet before they'd approve me. Although I was bummed out that I had to wait, I'm so happy. While on my diet, my insurance company started to approve the VSG. It was like a dream come true! I had read up about it in Dr. Davis' book, The Expert's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery. It seemed exactly like what I wanted, but I couldn't afford to self-pay. Having to wait for my surgery was the best thing ever. I love my sleeve. I like that I've got a great tool to help me loose weight and that one day I'll be able to partake in the occasional bite of dessert without having to worry about dumping syndrome. I like that I'll be able to absorb all of the Vitamins and minerals from the things I eat and not have to worry about getting Iron infusions every couple of weeks (like my friend and my cousin who both had gastric bypass). I also love that the part of my stomach that was left behind isn't stretchy like what they leave behind with the gastric bypass. Because of that, I don't have to worry as much about a pouch that can stretch in time. Of course, I still take my mult-Vitamin everyday and I will always watch my portions. Bariatric surgery is not a magic pill. I still have to do a lot on my part to be successful. I hope this helps. AniO

Great news Two! I'm so happy to hear you are feeling better. Isn't it amazing how all of a sudden you go from blah to wonderful! Have a great first day back at work! AniO

Welcome to the loser's bench! I'm glad everything went well for you. AniO

Same problem here. My doc told me to get 80 oz of water in a day. a colace (or it's generic) in the morning and in the evening. He also told me to take MIlk of Magnesia to get a "breakthough," but not regularly. I have to start the extra water and colace tomorrow. Concrete bowels is so right! Hope it's not TMI, but this morning I covered my finger with some Saran Wrap and used it to apply some A&D ointment to my behind to help it come out more comfortably. It was a relief.

I feel hunger. I get hungry several times a day. I don't know what to do. I thought I wasn't supposed to feel hunger. And I can't decide if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I've never minded hunger. It reminds me to eat. But at the same time I'm wondering if it's something else. I thought maybe it was acid reflux, but I don't feel it up in my esophagus. I feel it in my new tiny little stomach. Does anyone else have this problem? Did it eventually go away? How long did that take? I am 4 weeks post-op. AniO:confused1:

I slept on my side the second night home from the hospital with a pillow under my belly. Even better if you can do it with a full body pillow. AniO

This too shall pass. My doc told me it would happen in week three and it would last 1-2 weeks. It lasted 12 Looooonnnnngggg days, but then the stall broke. My doc says it's just the body's way of adjusting. AniO

Definitely an NSV! And funny one on top of that! AniO

TwoStepsBack, Just read this whole thread from the beginning to the end. I'm so glad that your spirits are up! I was really down for the first week. It was hard being around my family at mealtimes. My mom was here taking care of me and my children while my husband worked. She was cooking some really delicious meals for them. At dinner time I'd go upstairs and fold laundry or something. I'm 5 weeks post-op now. My blues are long gone and I'm feeling great. Seems like you're already there. I look forward to cheering you on as you continue to be successful! A few days after surgery, I remembered that as I was waking up from surgery my first words were, "What have I done to myself?" and "But I'm still hungry!" I can't help but laugh now when I think about it, everyone in recovery that day must've thought I was nuts.

Oh, the lovely 3 week stall. The majority of us go through it. I had been warned by this board and by my doctor that I would have that stall and it would last 1-2 weeks. So I was expecting it, but it still threw me for a loop. Up until my stall I had lost 14 pounds and right after my stall (which lasted 12 days), the pounds just began to drop again. Now I've lost a total of 21 pounds since surgery on August 18th. So chin up. This too shall pass very soon. AniO

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm going to go get a PPI today. Hopefully that sensation will be gone in a couple of days. AniO

I was also a week late. That was weird for me. Normally when I gain weight I miss periods and when I lose a lot of weight, I get it every two weeks for a couple of months. I'm not complaining, though.

I feel my stomach rumble and then a little acidy feeling in my stomach, but it doesn't come up, so i don't think it's reflux.

Thanks for the respons Chilo1. When you were going through that, did your stomach rumble or did you feel churning or an acidy feeling?

You go Girl!

Woo hoo! So happy everything has gone well so far. Congrats to both of you. AniO

C-sections are definitely worse. I hardly had any pain with VSG. The only time it hurt a little in the hospital was when I had to lift my body to move over or get up and even that was nothing compared to the c-sections. With the c-sections (I had three), my incision would burn every time I got up from the bed or the couch. It was nothing like that with the VSG. With my first two c-sections, I couldn't sleep flat on my back for two weeks. With the VSG, not only did I sleep flat on my back as soon as I got home, but I was able to sleep on my side just a couple of nights later.

That's great weight loss for two weeks. Keep in mind, after two weeks, most people go through a stall that lasts a week or two. I'm in the midst of mine. Do not get discouraged. It is your body's way of adjusting. Good luck with everything! AniO

Welcome Garv! I look forward to cheering you on and hearing about your successes. AniO