Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

When Are We Out Of The Woods?



Recommended Posts

OK - probably just freaked myself out reading the thread about would you do it again? and several of the responses that are a NO because of complications.

I am 17 days post op and I feel like I am doing great. I have been able to tolerate everything I have tried to eat or drink. I have felt a little nausia when I have eaten a little too fast because I went brain dead for a sec and forgot, but that passes quickly. I am able to get all of my liquids in most days (not gonna say every single day) and I can actually take a "drink" now, not a sip. Granted, I can only take 1 without it making my stomach cramp a bit...but this is a huge improvement from right after surgery when I could barely let the liquid touch my lips before it would hurt.

My incisions on the outside are almost completely healed, they have scabed and most of the scabs have already come off. I have more energy every day although I cant say I am ready for heavy duty exercise being as I just started pureed's yesterday....not enough cals to do that yet in my opinion.

Those that have had complications say Listen to your body, dont ignore complications, etc. So, Q is....how far out do we have to be to stop worrying about a leak, stricture or infection? At this point I have told myself.....Yea, no infection because I am almost healed. No stricture because I am able to eat all I have tried and can "drink" a good size gulp with no problems. No leak because I do not throw up, again can tolerate anything I eat, etc. But,am I being naive? Is there still a chance after Ive felt good and had my experience that one of these things will hit me like a ton of bricks and I will miss it?

Those that ended up in the ER at 4-5 wks post-op with infections....how could this be? Is it an infection on the inside that you can not see, or was this incisions? Those that did not have a leak the day after surgery but at 3 wks ended up in the ER to find out they had one....did you ever have a time when you felt things were going welll or did you always know something wasnt right?

I guess my main Q here is....when is it that we can finally say, we had a successful surgery without complications (not talking about getting to goal with weight) just the surgery aspect. I dont want to sit around thinking I am ok and then one day boom....something comes up. If I am extra tired one day or what if I do happen to get sick after I eat something I cant tolerate....should I be worried something has happened, leak, etc?

Yes, just freaking a bit......responses will help (maybe) lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Doctor told me 6 weeks out. Most people are good. I am sure that some have problems but that is part of the risk we all take. I am 3 1/2 months out and its the best decision I could have made. I have no regrets!! Good Luck Girl!! Dont let anyone make you nervous. We are all different. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Didn't find my leak until about 2 months out. I think I'm kinda a rarity so don't get freaked out by my story (: notto mention I didn't originally have one. We still haven't quite pinned why one of my staples came out and I leaked, we thing I either pushed myself too much or it was from a coughing spell thing I had (right after I was doubled over in a lot of pain)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good advice 803Misty. I feel the same way. Dont compare yourself to anyone else because you have no idea what happened on their end. Whether is was complications from the surgery itself or if it was something they did to may have caused the problem. Just listen to your body and follow the rules. If you feel something isnt right, go to the ER at once, otherwise, enjoy your procedure and make it work for you! Good Luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your doing well. You feel good. Don't worry about problems that aren't there. Enjoy, and work that sleeve!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OK - probably just freaked myself out reading the thread about would you do it again? and several of the responses that are a NO because of complications.

I am 17 days post op and I feel like I am doing great. I have been able to tolerate everything I have tried to eat or drink. I have felt a little nausia when I have eaten a little too fast because I went brain dead for a sec and forgot' date=' but that passes quickly. I am able to get all of my liquids in most days (not gonna say every single day) and I can actually take a "drink" now, not a sip. Granted, I can only take 1 without it making my stomach cramp a bit...but this is a huge improvement from right after surgery when I could barely let the liquid touch my lips before it would hurt.

My incisions on the outside are almost completely healed, they have scabed and most of the scabs have already come off. I have more energy every day although I cant say I am ready for heavy duty exercise being as I just started pureed's yesterday....not enough cals to do that yet in my opinion.

Those that have had complications say Listen to your body, dont ignore complications, etc. So, Q is....how far out do we have to be to stop worrying about a leak, stricture or infection? At this point I have told myself.....Yea, no infection because I am almost healed. No stricture because I am able to eat all I have tried and can "drink" a good size gulp with no problems. No leak because I do not throw up, again can tolerate anything I eat, etc. But,am I being naive? Is there still a chance after Ive felt good and had my experience that one of these things will hit me like a ton of bricks and I will miss it?

Those that ended up in the ER at 4-5 wks post-op with infections....how could this be? Is it an infection on the inside that you can not see, or was this incisions? Those that did not have a leak the day after surgery but at 3 wks ended up in the ER to find out they had one....did you ever have a time when you felt things were going welll or did you always know something wasnt right?

I guess my main Q here is....when is it that we can finally say, we had a successful surgery without complications (not talking about getting to goal with weight) just the surgery aspect. I dont want to sit around thinking I am ok and then one day boom....something comes up. If I am extra tired one day or what if I do happen to get sick after I eat something I cant tolerate....should I be worried something has happened, leak, etc?

Yes, just freaking a bit......responses will help (maybe) lol[/quote']

I am so glad you brought this up, as I have been reading the "would you do this again" thread, and am amazed at the number of people that would not :-(. I am 4 weeks post-op and these stories freak the crap out of me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×