Anyone have regrets?

[crissylynn82 24]

I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and I am not entirely sure I made the right decision. It has just been a rough road. Tomorrow is my birthday and all I want to do is stay in bed. This has been so hard.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

It gets so much easier, I promise. At 2.5 weeks, I was miserable and tired and had so much trouble even just drinking my Water. I wondered if I would ever feel "normal" again. I was feeling pretty normal by maybe 1.5 months post op. Now I'm almost 5 months post-op and definitely back to normal. Hang in there!

[Babbs 14,680]

What you are going through is totally and completely normal. You just had major surgery, you can't eat and you feel like crap. I think someone who didn't think to themselves "What the hell did I do to myself!?" even for a split second wouldn't be normal. It gets better, I promise. Once you find your way, establish your new "normal", and see the weight coming off, you will feel much better. You will be probably be giving the same advice to a newbie in 5 months or so Hang in there and welcome to the losers bench!

[Tauruslady5 154]

Well, first I would love to wish you a Happy Birthday....

Secondly, we all went through this feeling. You will get over it. I cried on day 3-5 thinking I made the wrong decision. I had my surgery on 11/21/14 and today I feel terrific. I love the compliments and I have more energy.

You will be fine and this is just a step we all go through, but no one said anything about it before the surgery.

Good luck and enjoy your birthday.

Annamarie

[Sugar free 15]

I agree, it's normal. I felt the same way after surgery and at eight weeks post op now, I am just to the point where I DO NOT regret it! You'll be just fine. Time time time! Remember why you wanted it? Hold on and you to will say ....boy I'm so glad I had it done!!!

[Browneyedgirl818 3]

I feel you. Im about three weeks into my new journey and said more often then not, what did I do to myself. Keep your head up, you know you made this decision for a very good reason. For a better you! Happy "rebirth" Day!

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

I had buyers remorse also. So hard completely changing your life, when you have been living a certain way for so long. It's all about finding what works for you. Even if it means eating the same thing over and over because it's the only thing that doesn't make you sick. I remember being tired, in PAIN (because of the drain), hungry (and not at the same time lol), trying to get in my fluids and protein....so frustrated! I got tired of hearing "it will get better", because I was sure it wasn't. I was beyond frustrated. So I won't say those 4 little words, but just know it does.

Edited January 25, 2015 by FitnFabfor2014

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

The only regret I had is that I didn't do this 20 years ago. I'd do this again in a heartbeat.

[bigbang52 21]

The biggest regret that I have is that I didn't do it much sooner than I did. The quality of my life is immeasurably better than it was. As you start to feel more normal you will start to see the changes to both your body and your mind. Good luck and happy birthday.

[Iowa_summergirl 46]

I am 3.5 months out and still have buyers remorse. I love the progress I have made and the compliments are great too. I just struggle with some of the foods I miss, and I guess that is the food addiction I will always have. It definitely gets much much better and as others said, you are dealing with a major post op period. Give it some time and you will come around! Find some of the great things that go with your new lifestyle and embrace it!

[Lindemrat 1]

why are you regretting your surgery? I 'm not sure what is going on. Do you hurt? are you wanting ice cream and can't have it ( that would be me). Please help me understand.

[SusinMichigan 76]

I am almost 7 months out and down 106 pounds since surgery, 180 pounds from my highest weight. I still regret having the sleeve done. There are so many foods I can't eat, my stomach hates everything except a couple bites of steak (then I'm really full) or king crab leg. I can't eat ground beef, ground veal, chicken of any kind, eggs, Pasta, gosh I can't tell you what all it doesn't like, but I know within two bites. The things it hates it really hates and occasionally I can have something that I know is "off" but the next time it's fine. I would love to be able to eat a real meal. More than two bites of meat, one bite of a vegetable and then set my timer and wait for my half hour to pass so I can drink something or have a popsicle. I still can't eat anymore than somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of food at a sitting. When I was told I'd be able to eat 1/2 a sandwich ... I don't know when that will ever happen cause it sure isn't today.

I still have to carry something to drink in the vehicle, and things to snack on. It's not as bad as early on, but just last night hubby and I went shopping and I had to stop at a gas station to get unsweetened tea and sweet and low to be able to drink something. That was poor planning on my part though. Hubby misses going out for dinner or lunch. I'm having lunch with my sister on Monday and I know it will be 5 spoons of some kind of Soup at a local restaurant and then I'll be taking the rest home.

I hate taking +20 different OTC Vitamins and supplements as well as some regular prescription drugs. I hate the constant Constipation. I have had a regular "poop" less than I have fingers on one hand. Everything else has been done with lots of blood in the toilet (hemorrhoids) and laxatives. The span can be anywhere from 5 days to 13 days and when the day comes that I have to go ... I can't leave the house, just wait for the laxative to take effect.

That said, I love being in a size 18 jean and large top. I love the look on friends faces when they see the "new" me and know my voice but not the body. I'm even enjoying the exercise. I do hate the excess skin. I discovered today I won't be able to wear short sleeved clothing this spring/summer, it'll have to be elbow length blouses because all the skin fell and is hanging around my elbows, looking like elephant skin. The same this goes for my knees. I have a powder prescribed by my doctor for the lap that's hanging and suffocating my front bottom part, where the skin is infected all the time ... two showers a day.

I had surgery to save my life (literally) the cardiologist said I would be dead in 7 years (5 years now) and I wanted to live longer and not leave my husband ... in that regard, it is working. Sorry this is so long, just pouring out my heart.

Good luck and I hope you did this for the right reasons, it'll come back to you if you did and you'll be happy.

[Totoro 66]

Wow this is a very interesting thread to read BEFORE I've been sleeved! Yikes!

[alyce20 82]

I had regrets ... The day I came home from the hospital... I said "0h my gosh what did I do... That was August 27.... Now five months later ... Best thing I ever did! You will feel normal again. I have eaten everything... Just very very little! I don't know of that's good or bad ! I exercise everyday and I have lost 70 pounds. I went to New Orleans last week for girls weekend ! I was a little scared but I did well....I was off my normal foods and routine but I was okay and had a blast! I tasted things I would not normally taste and even had my first drink since surgery ! I'm not a drinker in fact it was probably last summer at girls weekend I had a glass of wine but I went for it!!! I had Kaula with non fat milk and lots of ice ... I drank that tiny glass for 3 hours!!! Lol I weigh my self on Sunday and that is today ! I

Got home Tuesday! I will let you know if I did any damage. We did have so much fun!!! No regrets!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Gosh let me go into detail about what my surgery was like. EASY.

I went in on Thursday. When I woke up in recovery I had to pee. I was given the option of bedpan or toilet. I choose toilet. I was able to sit up unassisted and get into the wheelchair. I was surprised at how little it hurt. My abs felt like I done a really vigorous workout the day before. When I got to the bathroom, I darn near ran inside! I really had to go from all the IV fluids. I spent quite a bit of time in recovery because the room I was assigned to wasn't ready. My mother was there and we chatted and watched tv. I went to the bathroom 2 more times in recovery. The nurses were impressed I could get out of the bed on my own and allowed me to walk to the bathroom instead of using the wheelchair. I was given a cup of ice chips to suck on.

After about 2 hours in recovery I was finally taken up to my room. Since I was walking they didn't use the compression things for my legs. They offered me the morphine pump and I explained I didn't really have any pain. I turned on the tv chilled. Later that evening my sister came by. She had my iPhone and iPad. I had her plug in the charger. The evening was spent talking on the phone to friends, playing candy crush on the iPad and watching tv. Later the nurse brought in colace (stool softener) and omeprazole (antacid). I was given Jello, broth, tea and Prosource no carb liquid Protein. I sipped on the Liquid Protein and ice chips. Meanwhile I was still peeing like crazy. I had an overactive bladder prior to surgery and since they were still running IV fluids it was coming out as fast as it came in. The nurse thought it was funny that I was in the bathroom every time she came in. They checked the drain and took my vitals. I was offered the morphine pump but I explained I didn't have any pain. (I also didn't have any nausea). I ate too large a piece of ice and vomited a little. The next day was more of the same. Since I was drinking well they disconnected the IV, but left the PICC line in. Friday afternoon I asked if I could go home early. They said probably not, they preferred to watch me for another day. Again with meds, broth, Liquid Protein, ice chips. I was careful to keep the ice piece small and take slow, sips of the liquid Protein and Water. The nurse asked who would be taking care of me and offered to arrange a visiting nurse. They finally took the morphine pump out since I wasn't using it.

Saturday I was told I could go home. I was happy to finally get that PICC line taken out. The drain being pulled felt odd, but didn't really hurt.

Home was easy. I was on all liquids to start and gradually added back in foods. I have tolerated everything I eat. I can and have eaten out many times. IHop, my favorite diner, a Japanese rest. I don't eat much. Everything ends up being a doggy bag, but I eat more than 5 bite. Probably a ¼ - ½ cup. I was allowed to drive after 2 weeks. I was back in the gym at 3 weeks. I had a bit of discomfort with acid and the doctor increased my omeprazole to 40 mgs a day and now its fine. I had my first BM on Monday, 2 days after discharge. I have been regular every since. I go at least once a day. Occasionally 2 -3 times a day depending on what I eat/drink.

Meanwhile I am losing steadily. I don't weigh more than monthly but as of 2 weeks ago, I am down 55lb since my surgery on 9/18/14. I tolerate every food I have tried so far. I have zero regrets.

Edited January 25, 2015 by BLERDgirl