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Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

Licia2210

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Licia2210    11

Licia2210
Posted

Anyone have anything they wish they knew before surgery or after? Anything they wish someone had told them? Give the gory, gross, uncomfortable or happy surprises. I want to know everything before my surgery.

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OutsideMatchInside    10,166

OutsideMatchInside
Posted

If I knew post-op life was going to be like this, I would have self paid, years ago.

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wantingabetterlife    364

wantingabetterlife
Posted

If I knew post-op life was going to be like this, I would have self paid, years ago.

I agree! I would have had this surgery a long time ago and enjoyed living life healthier!

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kranky813    477

kranky813
Posted

Honestly... I know it varies for everyone but I will tell you that the first week is complete hell. I don't really remember days 1-2 because Day 1 was surgery day, and day 2 I was drugged up in the hospital. Although my husband says I really didn't complain much and walked around a lot. :) Day 3 is where hell started for me. I was so nauseated and was unable to drink so on day 3 I was readmitted into the hospital for dehydration. I was so dehydrated that I was completely incoherent. Days 4 and 5 weren't too bad because I was in the hospital hooked up on pain meds, anti nausea meds and an IV bag. Day 6 and 7 were ok but day 8 (yesterday) was awful. I was so nauseated, shaky, light headed, and miserable. It required a trip to the ER where I was infused with fluids again (no over night this time though).

Day 9 - oh beautiful day 9!! I am having the best day!! it's the first time that I feel good, really good. I am tired and weak but I was able to go to the store today and concentrate and feel almost normal. I don't know what is going to come after today but today makes me forget all of the other days so far.

The other thing that I will mention is that I have been an emotional roller coaster. Up, down and sideways. I am not normally a person who cries but I have been crying and crying. Almost non-stop! I have said over and over I regret this decision and what did I do to myself. But honestly, I don't feel like that today and from what I have been told it's a normal reaction post - op.

Now, not everyone goes through this, some breeze right through recovery. I am only telling you this because I wish someone would have told me that this stuff "could" happen. I researched for a year and all I heard about were the happy stories, the ones that are successful. I really didn't hear anything horribly bad. If I would have known... I still would have had the surgery but I would have been more prepared for what I am going through now.

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Babbs    14,680

Babbs
Posted

That the weight doesn't just "fall off" for most people. Although it helps so much having the restriction and general lack of hunger, I've had to work just as hard or harder than any other "diet" I've been on. Oh, and also realizing that this isn't a diet, but a lifestyle change. I was also unprepared for the anxiety I feel the closer I get to goal about maintaining my loss and weight regain.

I wouldn't change a thing ;)

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IncredibleShrinkingMan    437

IncredibleShrinkingMan
Posted

I wish so many people hadn't scared me into thinking I wasn't going to be able to work for six weeks, or lift anything heavier than a paper clip, or have violent physiological responses to all but the simplest foods. I feel that three weeks out, I am still tippy-toeing around life and I need to rebuild my confidence. FWIW.

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CANDI254    31

CANDI254
Posted

I am 9 weeks out and I would have not have done the surgery if I knew that I would be going through so much after the surgery.(3 surgeries in 9 weeks) I am glad I didn't know cause I think I am glad I had the surgery but honestly I am not sure yet.

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Licia2210    11

Licia2210
Posted

I am 9 weeks out and I would have not have done the surgery if I knew that I would be going through so much after the surgery.(3 surgeries in 9 weeks) I am glad I didn't know cause I think I am glad I had the surgery but honestly I am not sure yet.

Can I ask why you have had so many other surgeries? Were they related to the sleeve?

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Restoration15    6

Restoration15
Posted

I have not lost much weight at all. I had my band removed in December 2013 and sleeved March 2014 and only lost 34 pds and gained back 13 pds. Now I've learned I'm battling hypoglycemia. I worked out hard over the past few years watched my fat intake and now I'm told I'm not getting enough fat in and to stop working out. Been battling dehydration for over year. I get headaches and acid feeling from my stomach which triggers headaches. I really regret this surgery. All of them

I have not lost much weight at all. I had my band removed in December 2013 and sleeved March 2014 and only lost 34 pds and gained back 13 pds. Now I've learned I'm battling hypoglycemia. I worked out hard over the past few years watched my fat intake and now I'm told I'm not getting enough fat in and to stop working out. Been battling dehydration for over year. I get headaches and acid feeling from my stomach which triggers headaches. I really regret this surgery. All of them

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Licia2210    11

Licia2210
Posted

I have not lost much weight at all. I had my band removed in December 2013 and sleeved March 2014 and only lost 34 pds and gained back 13 pds. Now I've learned I'm battling hypoglycemia. I worked out hard over the past few years watched my fat intake and now I'm told I'm not getting enough fat in and to stop working out. Been battling dehydration for over year. I get headaches and acid feeling from my stomach which triggers headaches. I really regret this surgery. All of them

Did your surgeon provide you with a nutritionist or dietician? Did anyone explain to you why you aren't losing any weight?

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • Aunty Mamo

      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
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    • BeanitoDiego

      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
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    • BeanitoDiego

      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

      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
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    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
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