teh ericka

It's been a week since mine (looks like we're a thread full of Mondays!) and I totally still have that restless feeling. I want to be more active but at the same time it's hard to have energy without being able to get much in my stomach. I've been working on a drinkable yogurt since this morning and have pretty much had a running headache for the last 3 days. Still, I've seen little improvements every day. Last night I enjoyed a little bit of sleep on my side which was amazing, and I haven't napped once today. I'm completely off pain medication too-- I only feel a little ouch when I move wrong and a suture line stretches. I think we'll all start feeling worlds better once we can get more nutrition in our bodies. We're kinda starving at this point. Definitely do your best to stay hydrated and get your protein, that's the only thing keeping me from feeling like a total zombie.

Tomorrow's the day, Fleur!!! I hope you're doing well and ready to get started! I'm a week out now and it's definitely much easier not to eat-- you're not hungry! We'll be rooting for ya!

So here I am, 7 days post-op and staring at the 1/8th cup of Soup that I couldn't even finish, and still full to the gills 2 hours later. I think I'm frustrated because I don't understand exactly how much I'm supposed to be able to eat right now, or later on. My boyfriend had bypass surgery 2 years ago and eats kid-sized portions- obviously I'm not expecting to do that within a week of my op, but how long does it take to get there? Can anyone give me a sort of breakdown or timeline of what you were eating and how much for the first month or two? Is a meal of 3 spoonfuls that keeps me stuffed for hours normal at this point? & how long will it be that way? Would really appreciate hearing other experiences on this!

Looks good! I was just eating a store bought cheddar broccoli Soup tonight and thinking I probably could've made a better version myself-- thanks! We have the same surgery date! What else are you eating at the moment? I feel like I'm just biding my time until I can get to solids, haha

ooo, bellydancing sounds like funnn!!! I think I'll try that once my stitches heal etc. I definitely want to do something to keep that part as tight as possible. Congrats girl, keep up the good work!

hang in there girl! I had mine on Monday and am already feeling much better. The first few days are the hardest!

yay emma! we're both in recovery mode now-- I hope you continue doing well! Hang in there girl, it only gets better from here!

are you allowed to have solids at all? I got through mine by drinking the shakes for breakfast lunch, and looking forward to my Lean Cuisine dinner. |Throw it over some steamed broccoli to make that tiny little dinner filling

Well ladies, like Diva said-- these first two days are ROUGH! The drain is definitely the worst part, I'm convinced I'd feel nearly normal without it. As of now though I can feel the tube all the way inside me and it's vastly uncomfortable, not to mention painful if I move wrong. I'm progressing fairly well though. I've already had my first few BMs (liquid of course) and my tummy is actually grumbling! The doc says that's because my "system is coming back online," so that's good. Getting my fluids in fairly steadily and have actually gained weight since surgery because I'm retaining, which I'm happy about. One girl down here had to be put back on her IV because she couldn't hold onto her fluids, poor thing. The only other thing that's been bad is nausea, but we narrowed that down the the super strong pain meds they were giving me. I'm now just talking children's liquid motrin instead of the gnarly stuff that works really well for pain but made me feel like I was going to throw up or pass out all night. I'd rather have a weaker pain med and deal with that kind of discomfort instead. The more I look around the more obvious it becomes how different everyone's body deals with this thing. Another girl had surgery the same day as me and is out shopping at the mall today with a friend. I can't even imagine. For anyone who is pre-op and scared-- I'll level with you and tell you it hurts and is uncomfortable, but it's nothing you can't handle! and really, I'm you as much as I'm telling myself!

hey everyone! Yep, all is well and I'm feeling good so far. No pain, just discomfort really. Most of my gas pain is happening in my left shoulder and neck, but my abdomen feels totally fine. I've been walking around to try to help as much of that as possible. When I was waking up from anesthesia I kept asking "when are you going to do the surgery" and had to be convinced it had already happened, hahaha. I was the 4th patient in surgery but the first up and walking around, they say. such the overachiever :cursing: So yeah, good so far. BTW-- Dr. Ortiz and everyone here are AMAZING, for anyone still looking for a doctor. My experience has been fantastic so far. I'd kill for an ice chip though!

congrats girl! Mine is tomorrow, I'm totally right there with you on the nerves! I hope you're doing well, please update us!

and of course, I'm finding it difficult to sleep. I'm a mix of nervous and excited that I know is totally normal, but yikes! What a bundle of emotions, it's really not conducive to a restful night, ugh. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone on this forum. I've made some really lovely connections with some of you and all of your stories/questions/comments have really inspired and reassured me throughout this whole process. Anyway, I'm a computer geek and will have my laptop with me, so I'll hopefully update soon from the other side! this is worse than christmas eve haha.

It's really tough, girl! I mixed it up with fish, and lemons were my best friend (instant "sauce!") but otherwise it's truly all about the head hunger. Are you allowed to have Lean Cuisines? They have a few that are around 200 cals and if you throw it on top of a bed of broccoli or something it's pretty satisfying. That's the closest I got to feeling like I wasn't in food-jail, though. If I'm honest with myself, I don't feel I did so great on my pre-op diet. I mean, I did the Protein shakes every morning for Breakfast and lunch, but night time is the worst-- and I threw myself a few unnecessary "good bye" parties with my favorite foods. Still, I stuck to low-cal, and only slipped on the carbs like twice, but I don't know. I feel like I could've done better. Maybe I'm being too hard on myself. I guess we'll see on Monday-- if they delay my surgery I'll know I screwed up big time! One thing that I did find interesting is that even when I cheated, I found myself disappointed. Like I had built up whatever it was in my head so much that by the time I broke down and let myself have it, I wasn't nearly as pleased. If I had known that before I started all of this I don't think I'd have been so tempted. Hang in there, do better than I did at least!

I am loving these responses, thank you SO MUCH ladies! and, for the record-- there's no such thing as TMI in my book :scared0: I'm SO WORRIED about my boobs. I know I have to just suck it up and get over it but I'm 23-- saggy boobs are going to be a real downer for me, I just know it. Not that mine are super fab to begin with, but they at least have shape and size on their side. I'm lucky that the boyfriend had Bypass 2 years ago so it's not like I have to be super self conscious, but at the same time it makes it a little more difficult to talk about. He's a jokester and "couldn't care less if you're all saggy" which is nice albeit somewhat dismissive. I CARE! Anyone had any luck keeping the sags at bay with water/exercise? Obviously I'm trying to keep my expectations reasonable, but I'm really hoping to not totally hate myself naked after this. Even fat I at least dig my butt and boobs.

How long did ya'll abstain post-op? I fully expect to not feel into it for the first week or two, but what about the stitches etc? And for that matter, did you find your satisfaction level etc. changed? Was it difficult at all to get back into the swing of things, sortofspeak? What about body/intimacy issues? Did you have a hard time adjusting and feeling "normal" about that stuff? I guess I'm just curious about what to expect in this area, since few really talk about it. I know that for me, intimacy with my partner is really important, and I'm hoping to mentally prepare for any of those kinds of changes. Everyone's different of course, but I think it'd make me feel better to hear from others!

you know, we should totally start some kind of surgery clothing swap thing. I'm sure someone would love to be in your 18/20's just as much as you're loving your new 12/14's! I wonder if this is possible to orchestrate? Think there'd be enough interest?

I have that weird "scared to be skinny" thing too! I totally thought I was just being ridiculous, but it's nice to know I'm not alone. I've been overweight my entire life too-- in fact, I was just thinking today that I haven't been under 200lbs since I was 12 yrs. old. I have NO IDEA what it's like to... well... take up less space, lol. The weirdest thing is I don't even know where I'm going to shop. I've gotten SO GOOD at finding cute plus size resources, I have no idea where all the unique "skinny girl" stuff is. And then how will I know what size I am? It'll be a trip, for sure. I think overall I'm just afraid to be a different person somehow. I know there will be a ton of changes made, but being overweight has really become a part of who I am... and I have no idea how that'll change from this point on.

I'm in the same boat too-- never had any kind of surgery, and really worried about the particulars about it. I've stuck to my pre-op diet really well cause I'm super scared of complications. Only 3 more days! yikes!

I'm not a smoker, but good god would I murder for a margarita.

Congrats Janice! We have the same surgery b-day :thumbup: At this point I'm just wanting to get this thing over with, haha. Let's get it done!

What about pregnancy? Is it just a matter of being really careful with your nutrition? I know lap-band patients have their bands loosened when they get pregnant so they can get enough food in for mom & baby, but we don't really have that option. Definitely not something I'm worried about now, but I've thought about it when it comes to long term!

Check through your patient coordinator if there will be others traveling to have surgery at the same time as you. That way if you do end up going without a friend, you'll at least have other people around who will likely be more than happy to help you. A lot of times those groups turn out to be really great support systems.

omg thanks so much for this! I've never had any kind of surgery before so I was really nervous about this aspect. Doesn't look so bad though

yeah i've got a $15 Hamilton Beach blender that works just as well. I've also found that the Max Protein flavors taste really good, but like others said definitely taste for yourself! GNC and some healthfood stores will let you return powders you don't like, so I just did it that way instead of buying a million samples. Up to you! I'm definitely interested in what to pack too. I'm just about a week away now! What about underwear, ladies? Did you even bother with your regular underwire bra, or just wear a sports bra or what? What about panties? A lot of mine are the low-rise kind so I'm thinking they won't get in the way of the incisions? Or should I just plan on going commando hahah

I'm there too... Day 4 of hungryhungryhungry. I'm lucky because I get to do a combo diet the first week-- liquid breakfast/lunch and a solid lowcal dinner. Next week is going to be so tough though, since it'll be 100% liquid. Hang in there! I've lost 7lbs. so far, that's the only thing keeping me going. ugh.