Having a hard time

[TWJ 13]

I had my sleeve on Thursday, April 9th. The major problems I have had are trapped gas (of course), and when I swallow a drink it hurts across my chest (like a spasm maybe?). I have also been going through the "what have I done to myself" phase as well. Can anyone help me through this? I really need some encouragement.

[Elizabeth21 176]

You've just had major surgery and your body needs time to heal. You WILL feel better!! Be really kind to yourself right now. Sip, sip, sip, and walk, walk, walk. Then rest, rest, rest!! It took me about 3 weeks to feel back up to speed after surgery and another 5 before I felt closer to normal. Read the success stories! It will be worth it. I just got to 4 months out and already I am enjoying so many benefits! You will get there. Meanwhile, be gentle with yourself and your body. It's working hard!

Good luck!

[TWJ 13]

It is getting a little better each day but I can't shake this dreaded feeling that I've messed up. Before surgery I did all the research: talked to people who have had it done, went to a seminar by the surgeon, reached online, and most importantly, prayed about it. Going in I was 100% on board and so ready to have it done but since the surgery I have been really depressed, crying a lot and thinking I've messed up. Did you go through this?

[sharonintx 1,275]

Elizabeth21 is exactly right. There were a few weeks that i hated this whole thing. I'm sure my family wishes i had been more the crying type because I just got angry. Stayed mad quite some time lol. But I got past it and you will too. The depression takes a little longer to conquer but look at it this way - you are depressed now because of what you've done to yourself an how it's making you feel. Before weren't you just as depressed to be fat and upset that nothing ever changed?

You can do this! You can be happy, you can eat normal food ( not much of it but at least some), and you are going to shrink in size and become just as beautiful on the outside as you undoubtedly are on the inside:)

[glitter eyes 1,398]

@TWJ. I had that pain in my chest too when I was early post op. I had to sip really really slow. As a matter of fact, the first two weeks I poured my liquids into a medicine cup and made two or three sips from that. It slowed me down and made my sips smaller. That helped with the pain in the chest.

Also, I experimented with different temperatures and for me cold did better, some people do better with warm or hot. In addition, plain Water hurt more than flavored water.

It does get better as time passes. I can now drink four gulps at a time. I am nine months post op.

Hang in there- it gets so much easier as time passes. You can do it

[JamieLogical 8,727]

@TWJ. I had that pain in my chest too when I was early post op. I had to sip really really slow. As a matter of fact, the first two weeks I poured my liquids into a medicine cup and made two or three sips from that. It slowed me down and made my sips smaller. That helped with the pain in the chest.

Also, I experimented with different temperatures and for me cold did better, some people do better with warm or hot. In addition, plain Water hurt more than flavored water.

It does get better as time passes. I can now drink four gulps at a time. I am nine months post op.

Hang in there- it gets so much easier as time passes. You can do it

This is pretty much exactly what I was going to say, word-for-word! For the constriction in my esophagus when I sipped, I found it a little easier to sip while marching in place. Give that a try. I would say that lasted for a solid 2 weeks post-op, but got better and better.

[TWJ 13]

Thanks everyone! It helps to hear this from people who have already been through it. I've just been so down these past few days. I'm so ready to feel normal again.

[Casey235 83]

It is getting a little better each day but I can't shake this dreaded feeling that I've messed up. Before surgery I did all the research: talked to people who have had it done, went to a seminar by the surgeon, reached online, and most importantly, prayed about it. Going in I was 100% on board and so ready to have it done but since the surgery I have been really depressed, crying a lot and thinking I've messed up. Did you go through this?

Did I write this? Wow I am in the same boat.... From the first day of hearing about this surgery I asked The Lord that if it was for me, and this was the right path to take, to please let it happen! And well, I was self pay, no sleep tests, no restrictions of any kind! Got my approval letter very quickly, surgery scheduled quickly... It all happened in about a months time!!!!

After all the research I did, which was a lot.... I don't think I came across a post that had regret!!! It's like I am just now seeing posts from people who are regretting the surgery!! It is very ironic, but how I sum it up is... The Lord must not have wanted me to see those posts, maybe I would have backed out or postponed the surgery? And I do believe the surgery was what I should have done, I just didn't know it was this hard to recover from it

My surgery was 4/8 and i definitely am not getting enough Protein in, which I am working on, and maybe I'll have more energy then!!! Good luck to you! Your not alone, I feel the same way.

[Nikkidoodlebug 120]

@@TWJ I had mine march 11th so it's still fresh for me also!! I felt the same way you do, I can only tell you to take one day at a time. Every night I went to sleep I would think to myself " one more day down" so the next day would get a little better, and everyday still gets better. I promise it does get better, I hated everyone around me and really hated that I had to be fat that I would even have to have surgery. Now I am getting back to normal, still a little sore only because I had a hernia repair also. We will be ok and very Happy in the end!! Good luck!

[alwaysvegas 702]

You're on the 'other side' and recovering...every day will get better! Probably faster than you think!

[PMJ 55]

Every one that has responded is right on the money. After surgery it's one day at a time but each of these days gets us closer to the goal line. For myself I have a horrible habit of TOO MUCH in my mouth so not only sip sip sip but until you can handle more SMALL SIPS… cause I do not have to tell you…it hurts.

Hope your already feeling the excitement of a new day for yourself.

[missyfrisk@shaw.ca 0]

Hi there... I had my surgery on the 9th as well so we are six days in! I, like you, was thinking on my gosh what have I done! I have been feeling like I am more of a slave to food now than ever! My stomach was constantly feeling like it's hungry...I did realize that the painkillers (Tylenol with Codeine) really exacerbated that so I stopped taking those, now feeling much better. I also realized that because I hadn't been taking my anti-anxiety meds (couldn't swallow them crushed, kept throwing them up) I was suffering from withdrawal which included nausea, lightheadedness and insomnia. Are you still taking all medications that you were on previously?

I do feel that pain In my shoulders like gas or something as well. Hopefully that passes soon, I know how you're feeling. Nice to know I'm not alone

[missyfrisk@shaw.ca 0]

Oops! I had mine on April 7th. Still not as smart as I usually am

[janicecap36 0]

I also had my surgery on April 8th. I felt great the first few days, but then I ended up with severe Constipation. I was hospitalized for three days. I have been home since Tuesday, my regime is Miralax and colace in the morning, and again at night. My problem is now I have little to no energy. I do something then I have to rest and so forth. I thought I would be back at work by now, but I really don't see it happening. At my job I am on my feet for 8 hours. Am I being unrealistic?

Edited April 24, 2015 by janicecap36

[JamieLogical 8,727]

I also had my surgery on April 8th. I felt great the first few days, but then I ended up with severe Constipation. I was hospitalized for three days. I have been home since Tuesday, my regime is miralax and colace in the morning, and again at night. My problem is now I have little to no energy. I do something then I have to rest and so forth. I thought I would be back at work by now, but I really don't see it happening. At my job I am on my feet for 8 hours. Am I being unrealistic?

The fatigue is completely normal. You are getting so few calories and expending so much energy just healing... it's tough. If your surgery was over 2 weeks ago, are you onto purees or soft foods yet? I definitely noticed boosts to my energy levels once I was moving through the food stages and able to get in more calories.