It has been a long journey for me thus far. I was always over weight as a kid, I was never teased though, which is a good thing. I had the LapBand in 2010 and well that didn't work for me. It slipped, I got a hernia, and needed surgery, so I decided to switch to the sleeve. Everyone I work with seems to have had it done and nothing but amazing things to say about it and they look amazing. I wanted that feeling.

So I had my sleeve done on April 29, 2013 and I gotta tell you I got the crappy end of the deal. I have had issues ever since i got home. I got a boil on the rear end, had to have that taken care of and tested, then I had severe cramping in my stomach and around to my back. This was the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life and I have tattoos, and being a woman having those wonderful monthy visits. These pains were like menstrual cramps and labor all in one. Like drop you to your knees, crawl in a fetal poisition and cry. I went to the ER and they did blood test and a CT scan, everything came back normal.

So i had traveled back to Irving to my surgeon and the nutritionist this past Wed. The nutritionist didn't like anything I was doing. She hated what I was drinking, she hated my Protein shake choices, she hated my Vitamin choices, nothing I did was right. Then I went to see the dr. They did a swallow test and everything is still very swollen. So they gave me a steroid shot to help with the inflamation and another week on full liquids.

This was suppose to be a great decision and I am suppose to be happy. As of right now Im feeling angry, sad, frustrated, irrataed, every feeling you can possibly feel except happiness. I am regretting this decision because it seems like I can't do anything right. Seeing everyone around me eat amazing food that I USED to be able to enjoy and I cant even get a Protein Shake, Soup, or crystal light to go down "normally". I am just lost right now, everyone tells me "it will get better", "give it time" and I just can't see it right now. Thats why I joined this support sight because I can't drive 300 miles every week to go to a support group and there are none in my town I live in.

I am so sorry you are having a difficult time. To my knowledge I have heard of things still being swollen. I know it is easier said than done when you hear that it take time and to be patient. I know you don't want to hear that but it's true. I truly believe you made the right decison. I felt the exact same way when I was in the hospital. I was in so much pain and discomfort. All I kept thinking was, What did I do to myself? But this is my 2nd week and the 3rd week is fastly approaching. I start back to work on Monday. Am I ready? Yes! I was so bored at home. I was forgetting to eat and I was having a difficult time getting the protein in. Well I still am. I have to keep searching to find one I can deal with where I don't get bored. But with that being said don't give in to the minor complications. You will be past this very soon. I will keep you in my prayers and please keep me updated on your progress.

Awww I am not sleeved yet but I hope you start to feel better soon. Thats my fear that I get this done and dont wind up happy ever after. Hang in there hopefully this too will pass for you and soon I will be reading about your great accomplishments

Well, it all just sucks right now. The third week is one of the hardest. Ok, so it sucks. You have two choices--do nothing, do something. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get determined. You got this. You can do it.

Remember, you still have all of those hormones running around....bound to make you feel discouraged.

I haven't been sleeved yet, so have no words of wisdom, but just want to wish you the best. I so feel for you right now & am not gonna lie, but I'm nervous about having it done. I do try to keep in mind that in the long run, it will only be this that buys me a few more years of life. I'd like to be around until my youngest is an adult. Sooo....with all that said, just deal with it one day at a time. Baby steps. Thankfully they really didn't find anything so maybe if the swelling goes down faster now due to the steriod shot, you may be making a quick turnaround! Sending you healing thoughts!

I really like what Melody2 said...you have made a life changing decision and you know it will be better in the long run for your health....You are having food mourning and that is normal....or at least that is what I have been told in the support group that I attend...My surgery is a week away....thing of it is you cant change it now...all you can do is find something else but foot to occupy your mind, and realize there is life after wls....you will be fine once you get past this milestone.

Oh hun, i'm so sorry things are being difficult for you right now. The first month is a b**ch! But you are doing a wonderful thing for yourself!! I know how hard it is to see the light at the end of the seemingly endless tunnel, but, speaking from experience, it is there, and you will reach it, and it really will get better. But, that doesn't do much to help you right now. Just try to take it one day at a time, or even one "meal" at a time. The head hunger will start to get better and everything will eventually settle down and you will remember again why you did this. Hang in there, we are all here for you and cheering you on!!

P.S could the pain be your gallbladder? I had mine removed prior to surgery, because i was having awful attacks, worst pain ever, manic kind of pain. It was my gallbladder. I was going to wait and have them take it out during the sleeve, but it was giving me to much trouble so i had it done earlier.

I have found the hardest for me is the "mental" aspect. I am only a week out, but I find myself automatically putting things in my mouth when I am cooking for my kids.

You can do this!!! I really hope you start to feel better because you sound so sad and depressed.

I hope that even three weeks from now as you settle into the routine of new sleever, your warrior spirit kicks in and you can say to yourself "I got this!"

Will be thinking of you

I am SO sorry that you are going through this! I wish there were words I could say to make it better, but I know I can't. But, know that you aren't in this alone, and I will be praying for you.

Thank you to each of you for encouragement. I admit I was in a self pity mode, poor me, and I whinned, and I did panic. This is a huge thing and while myself and my mom were talking, we both have used food as our comfort when no one else is around for support or we feel lonely. Now my stomach is like a baby stomach and I have to learn all over again basically to eat and to maintain a healthy positive attitude. So like Melody2 said, I can pity myself and do nothing, or I can pick myself up and start trying to start over. I am the only one who can do something about my mental status, so I have to start somewhere. After I posted this, I went for a walk around my apartment complex. I did 6 laps and I gave myself a talkin to and I prayed and I talked to my mom. I feel a lil better now, I just tried drinking a thin protein shake and Im having some cramps again. So I still have to figure out how to get my protein in. =/ Thanks again for all the responses!!

Thank you Bradycone, that means a lot to me. It is a mental battle right now, and its even tougher when you have physical pain to follow, but I am trying everything in my power, and praying power to get through this.

Surrender control! Re-read all of the info your surgeon and nut have given you. Do everything they tell you, and I think you'll be just fine! Good luck, I know you have it in you.