VSG Surgery October 19, 2010

My story is much the same as many others on this board. I had my surgery on October 19 and it's been a rocky road to recovery since. I spend my days muddling through, trying to follow Dr's guidelines and maintaining a clear perspective on where I've been until now. I still cannot eat any solid food. I keep a food diary, mostly so I can see how my tolerances and habits are changing over time. I try to maintain a healthy vitamin and protein balance, but it is difficult to do this and maintain hydration. Yesterday I tried a few spoonfuls of Black Bean soup and couldn't keep it down. I'm hoping this will change and I will be able to eat more normally as time goes on. I am lucky in that we have 2 dogs and we live close to areas where it is safe and comfortable to walk them. I try to walk at least 2 miles/day. My dogs and my loving wife have been of great comfort to me in maintaining a healthy perspective as I have a propensity for depression. For me, the surgery was a necessary evil as my risks were much greater being fat than dealing with the effects of the procedure; however, as I said earlier, it's been a rocky road to recovery. This is not an easy process - I have learned to eat and drink progressively smaller amounts, and to voluntarily purge when feeling uncomfortable. I find that I need Prilosec and Tums to avoid GERD every day, and certainly at bed time. I am also having to re-learn my bodily habits - I do not sleep as well as I used to, my daily regularity is a thing of the past, and I have a significantly depressed energy level. I am hoping as time goes by these things will change and I will feel more like my old self. In the meantime, I AM losing weight, and I have the strength necessary to get through the day as I need to.