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

A light bulb went off



Recommended Posts

Jz0917 if someone took what I said as sarcastic I am sorry, it was not meant to be sarcastic. I have had a very loonnnggggg and very horrible seven days! And I cerTainly can relate to those who are having issues. I certainly have had my share I the last 7 days. I wonder what I did to myself and why I did it. I am praying for al of us having a rough time right now.????????????????????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@, it sounds like you are having a really rough time. I think it's easy for things to get misconstrued online like this. I didn't find anything you said offensive or sarcastic at all.

Btw, I really appreciate all of you taking the time to reach out and share. I'm one of those people who've done a great deal of research, not just about preparing for surgery, but moreso afterwards - which I think is really what matters most. It is eye-opening to know that even the best preparation pales in comparison to reality. I really needed to hear that.

Better days are coming girls. One day at a time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jz0917 if someone took what I said as sarcastic I am sorry, it was not meant to be sarcastic. I have had a very loonnnggggg and very horrible seven days! And I cerTainly can relate to those who are having issues. I certainly have had my share I the last 7 days. I wonder what I did to myself and why I did it. I am praying for al of us having a rough time right now.????????????????????

Oh, I didn't take offense to anything. I was just as confused as you. Lol. I just merely commented on the post. Trust me, I feel your pain. Literally, as I post this response. I'm just ready to feel better. Praying for you! Feel better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey y'all. ..I was reading ur thread. I just wanted to say..my first few wks..was very difficult also. I had the hernia repair when I was sleeved. The spasms from my esophagus was. .well..bad! Every freaking sip I took it felt like a heart attack. .my surgeon came in an when I told him he said it does happen to some. Everyone's experience is different. I told him I needed another day hooked up for fluids so I stayed 2 days. My incisions bothered some. He developed a topical script that he gave me which has lidocaine an tramadol an 4 other ingredients to rub on tummy. An I had hydromorphine at home. I felt by thinking the same when I got home..even with all the preop classes over the months an testing on my knowledge of before an after..he warned me before If you can make it thru the first month ull b fine...BOY HE WASN'T JOKING!! I'm 8 wks out..my first few wks were brutal. .after 7 days that was my turning point..spasms started calming down, by wk 2 got better...by wk 3 I was buying an trying all kinds of brands of unflavored protein! I was gagging! I literally was crabby I wanted real food! My psych forwarned us that the brain would kick in full throttle an would b tuff! Yes I had a few crying days..my mood changed from not hungry then hungry..by my 4th wk it just really changed an I felt different. Yes my first 2 wks I was thinking wat have I done?? But I knew deep inside I wanted a life back! With all my diseases I had to do this. I refused to live fat any longer. This was an is my journey. I don't regret at all...I was determined to do this. An I think you will also be glad u did a lil later. Just concentrate on healing. .don't beat yourself up bc u can't get it all down..take a drink every 10 to 15 min. ..at least try n stay hydrated. Yes it's a lot of wrk for a few wks. It will become a habit soon. Its a learning process I'm still learning. I'm down 57 pds an have cleaned out my closet last wk..I gave my friend 8 big garbage bags full! That's the result you get! It wrks! Trust it! An questions. .that's how u learn. I do things around the house I havnt really started truly exercising per say but I go up n down stairs..listen to ur body. Rest when u need to. If u feel good take advantage walk around. What calories ur getting is goin to body for healing. Hang in there! You can do this..youv done the biggest one by having it done! Congrats..major surgery is a big deal. Don't expect to feel normal for awhile. I still pace myself. ..u can do this! :)...If I sound anything but kindly honest believe me..it's not my intention. ..:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have had a horrible 7 days I am only 7 days post op also. I have had burning incision pain, just plain pain, I was allergic to the hydrocodone and had vivid dreams/nightmares and it gave me Migraine headaches. I have cried everyday since I have had my surgery. Doing my best to walk and sleep. I don't know who said anything sarcastic it certainly was not me! I can't get in enough Protein or Water. The Calcium and Vitamins I am taking upset my stomach. I cannot stomach crushing my meds and have had to discontinue some of them. I thought I had the beginning of a UTI yesterday which made me even more miserable. So anyone that thought I was being smart by putting lol has a huge misconception. I am miserable and I feel for anyone going through this process it is VERY difficult. You are all in my prayers and I pray that God keep you in the palm of His hands and heal quickly.

Wow! You are having a really rough time. You remind me of me 4months ago. I can't suggest what you should do but I can tell you what I did...I concentrated on staying hydrated I drank diluted reg. Gatorade all day I didn't start my supplements until 1month out and that's about when I could finally tolerate the Protein Shakes (finding one that was palatable is another story) its really overwhelming at first with no complications...you are struggling. Be kind to yourself, cry if you need, sleep when you can and most of all try to take it one minute one hour one day at a time. Im rooting for you xoxo

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh the applesauce idea sounds like it may work. Yes it has been rough and you used regular Gatorade? I may have to do that just to get by. I certainly do not want to end up back in the hospital dehydrated. I don't wish any of this on anyone, I am looking forward to being out a little further in the process so i won't dwell so much on all the negatives that have been going on for me in the last seven days. Oh and the other thing is I got on the scale 4 days post op and gained 6 pounds. Lol that was really depressing and didn't help matters any. I refuse to get on the scale until I go to the doctor on Wendesday. And I pray there is some kind of weight loss. Because I was so embarrassed of my measurements I didn't take them before I started losing weight back at the end of May and I wish I would have. :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had an issue with vomiting. Gross! So to try and swallow the pills in liquid they came right back up! At my one month appt I told him I couldn't tolerate the Vitamins they came right back up he encouraged me to try a pill cut im threes. That pill slicer was a god-send! I feel for you because I know how trapped you feel but trust me when I say, it gets so much better!! xo

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Starspring it just seems like it's something new everyday. It is defeating sometimes. This evening the pain is a little better so I am hoping this is a turn around for me, at least with the pain. When I go to the doctor Wednesday I will go over all my other issues with him also. :). Thanks for the encouragement. It is so much appreciated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in Michigan too. Muskegon area. I am struggling. Now, day 7, I am feeling sick from the Protein drinks. I have my doc appt tomorrow but I don't want to be a whiner. I am scared to shower again because I had some bleeding yesterday. I don't feel well. So tired and weak. I wonder how all these people are up and walking around the grocery store but I am struggling just to walk around my house because if the stabbing /burning incision pain. I read a lot, prayed a lot, and felt that I was educated enough to make this decision, but going through is totally different than reading a blog. I'm just praying the painful days will pass quickly so can get on with the buisness of getting healthy again. Thank you all for sharing your stories. They are God send and are helping me get through this time.

Hey there - love the west side of the state - so beautiful over there! I'm from the Monroe area. Our lake is not so beautiful ;)

Anyway, I forgot to mention that, about how miserable I felt at a week out! I also read how other people went back to work, blah blah blah. I could barely take a shower because it wore me out! I did have a mild post op infection, which probably slowed my healing, but I do know what you are talking about. I was totally not prepared for feeling that bad. I was also not prepared that the shakes would be so hard to get down - never had that problem in my whole life, lol! I did eventually switch to premier Protein Shakes (ready to drink, from costco) and they were a life saver. Still drink one every day for Breakfast.

Sorry you are feeling so bad, but this is normal, and every day you will find you get a little better. I never had a day where I just was miraculously better - it took months to totally get my stamina back, but every day did improve. By about 4 weeks, I could go through the day pretty good. I think for me, the reason I felt so bad was because I was only taking in about 400-600 calories, and that's a big switch from 3-4 thousand!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Michigan chic. It will get better. Whew. It's been a long seven days. Lol. I am also from Michigan. Bay city but I had my surgery in Saignaw. Best wishes I cannot wait until it gets better.

Hey, I was just passing through that area this past weekend - went "up north" to Cadillac for the holiday weekend. I'm on the Michigan/Ohio border, so I had my surgery in Toledo.

Anyway, you will find that every day, you get a little better, a little stronger. I can just remember feeling so bad at a week out! Just keep hydrated, moving around best you can, and follow your program. Soon it will be just a faint memory, and you'll be feeling better than you have in a long time!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Michiganchic, yes I will give it time. Even though I was heavy at 289 and 5'9 inches I still had energy. I was at the Y everyday walking 5-7 miles and lost 60 pounds since May 31st. I have resumed my walking and I am up to about 2 miles a day it just wears me out. I am sure things will get better. Post op appt with doctor is tomorrow. I am hoping the scale is lower than my pre surgery of 229. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also did a bunch of research and talked to several people about their surgeries. And still... I had no real idea what was coming. How is that possible? Maybe people just block the unpleasantness, or don't want to scare you, so they don't tell you how hard the first night, and the first week or so are going to be. Whatever it is, everybody in my surgeon's support group seemed surprised at how much it hurts when you wake up, and how hard it is to start taking in food and drink at first. So now, whenever I'm asked, I try to give people the real scoop.

At 7 days I was still a little roughed-up. The surgery pain had abated, but I thought the Constipation was going to kill me. I even called my surgeon's office a couple of times to ask if what I was feeling in my stomach and chest was normal. The first time it felt like everything was getting caught trying to turn the corner into my stomach. The second time, everything seemed to be getting stuck in my chest. And each time they reassured my that it was perfectly normal. They reminded me that my insides are very swollen in response to the trauma. As the swelling goes down, things will begin to feel more like your "new normal". Which is quite different from your "old normal".

For the first week or so, focus on getting your liquid in - even over the Protein if necessary. Staying hydrated will really help you heal. Try to walk as much as you can. Take Fiber to avoid constipation. And try swallowing your pills with your Protein shake. I find that coats them nicely and makes them go down more easily.

But if anyone is experiencing a severe pain or discomfort, please call your surgeon's office immediately! They need and want to hear from you! Even if you just have questions -- call them. That's part of what you paid for.

And since there are several new post-ops following this thread, I will again mention "The Dreaded Week-3 Stall". About 3 weeks after surgery, you may stop losing weight. This could last for two weeks or even longer. It's a perfectly normal biological adjustment to your new situation that involves renewed Fluid retention. Don't fret. After a few weeks you'll start losing again. If anyone's interested, here's the reason.

And as everyone else has said, it gets better every day! Honest.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Rogofulm....well said. And when my psycological eval came back for my surgery the first sentence said.......Ms. Bahm is a highly intelligent, intellectual person.......I didn't feel so much like that after I had my surgery and the issues that went on. I actually felt like a big dummy like I didn't try to educate myself. When in all actuality I did educate myself or so I thought!

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

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 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

    ×