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When Should I Expect To Feel Human Again?



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Hi all, I have never posted before just kind of hung out in the back of the class. I'm 38 and was sleeved on 3/23 at 243 lbs. I haven't had major surgery before so am wondering if I'm wimpy or if the weirdness is what everyone experiences? Weirdness as in you don't feel anything like yourself, you are just existing from hour-to-hour. I have horrible headaches which aren't helping me at all. Could some of you recently transformed people tell me how awesome I will feel and when I should start to expect to feel that way? Just need a boost right now. Oh, also had the gallbladder out same day so maybe that is contributing to my feeling like crappola??? IDK Thanks in advance!

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At six weeks after I was able to eat a bit more normally, i.e. something besides Soup and shakes, I realized I felt more normal. It just gets easier everyday. Hang in there.

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i'm 5 weeks out and i kind of feel like me again!

plus i only had one headache, so i think it is having the 2 surgeries together

try to walk and i hope you get better soon

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I was feeling pretty much normal after about 10 days. I think I was still on liquids and was pretty tired, but painwise, I was back to normal. I was tired up until I was able to start eating again. Not sure when you are able to start eating again but I think mine about 2 weeks out. At the time, it seemed like forever, but really, it's just a blip on the map. Your body just went through a lot so that is probably why you are having headaches. I am sure this will pass, but keep taking your pain meds. That should help.

Congrats on your surgery! You are going to see some great changes! I am happy and excited for you! :)

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I started feeling a whole lot better physically when I transitioned from the two-week, liquid post-op diet to "mushies," i.e. scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, etc.

I also didn't realize that my doc didn't want me to drink caffeinated beverages for several weeks after surgery, so I had a terrible caffeine withdrawal headache for a week or so after surgery. Heck, if I'd realized that, I would have dialed back my caffeine before the surgery so I wouldn't have to go cold-turkey. Yikes!!

I second the walking or bicycle riding. DH and I went for a long ride yesterday in the beautiful spring weather and it was just great.

Good luck!!

Carol

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Hi all, I have never posted before just kind of hung out in the back of the class. I'm 38 and was sleeved on 3/23 at 243 lbs. I haven't had major surgery before so am wondering if I'm wimpy or if the weirdness is what everyone experiences? Weirdness as in you don't feel anything like yourself, you are just existing from hour-to-hour. I have horrible headaches which aren't helping me at all. Could some of you recently transformed people tell me how awesome I will feel and when I should start to expect to feel that way? Just need a boost right now. Oh, also had the gallbladder out same day so maybe that is contributing to my feeling like crappola??? IDK Thanks in advance!

For myself I seriously didn't start feeling better until about 4 months post op. I was seriously bad up until about 6 weeks out. From 6 weeks to 4 months began a slow progression to wellness. Once that 4th month started I was feeling quite normal and that was when I started doing some type of daily physical activity. That's really when my moods and spirits lifted!

All the best from here forth. Be patient with yourself, you have put your body through a major shock. It's a really big deal, and it's going to take time to feel better. :) In the mean time, keep coming here for support - we're open 24/7.. ;)

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Somewhere right around 3 months I started feeling like me again. I could go through the day without dragging and found I started looking forward to things other than going to bed at night. I will be 4 months out 4/5... I'm down 75 pounds, and I feel alive and pretty again. Hang it there- it is totally worth it!

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I'm finally feeling like okay.. I'm adjusting to my new life.. at times, I forget and gulp or attempt to overeat and Sleevina (my sleeve) let's me know.. "Chick, chill out!!"....

I've had to learn patience and appreciation for each day of my journey.. good and bad alike!!

Congrats and best wishes..

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I'm 5 weeks out today, and I've been feeling normal for about 1 1/2 weeks now. I love my new life & I'm really excited by the changes happening in my body! Everyone is telling you the same thing because it's true: "Hang in there, it gets better everyday!"

Sent from my iPhone using VST

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I felt semi normal on day 14...really good at about 6 or 7 months out.

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Make sure you are getting your fluids in and if you drink caffeine, maybe a little caffeine. Could help with the headaches. Oh, and get your Protein in first.

I started feeling normal...well better than normal at about 6 weeks. I still get nauseous as I think I can eat more than I can, but...in turn, i makes me nauseaous. I have to continuously remind myself that I can't eat more than 4 to 6 to 8 ozs at a time. It is just such a change - a wonderful change. I've got a long way to go, but I'm transforming!!

Keep in mind, you have undergone a major surgery and in your case two of them. Let your doc or nurse know your concerns.

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I haven't had the surgery yet, however I do know from previous procedures that your headache could be due to the anesthesia.

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Hi, I am three weeks out today and I still do not feel 100%! I too had an additional surgery, hernia repair and a collapsed lung during my sleeve. I went back to work last Thursday and it takes most of my energy just to get to 5:00pm! I am a type A personality and it drives me nuts not being able to do everything! I am still quite sore on my left side too. I am looking forward to feeling better every day! I can walk for 45 minutes straight now at a pretty brisk pace and that is progress! Just allow yourself to feel how you feel and let your body heal at its own pace. I feel much better today than I did a week ago! We have so much to be greatful for! Good luck and God bless!

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Thanks everyone for your replies. I am off pain meds and surprise....no more headaches! I did need a little help today so took two Tylenol. I really think it was the liquid Vicodin or left over from the morphine. Thank you all again, there is no better advise to take than from those who have blazed a path before me.

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      1. Selina333

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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