Things I didn't expect my first month post-op

[joatsaint 2,814]

I guess the main things I didn't expect the 1st month was:

• I could not sleep flat or on my sides - I had to sleep propped up, like in the hospital bed
• My doctor said I would experience some mild discomfort - I hurt like HELL! for the 1st week.
• I didn't expect how difficult it would be to relearn to digest foods and sometimes it hurt.
• I didn't expect how supportive my best friend, mom and dad, and bariatricpal were going to be.
• I didn't expect to have my food cravings vanish and never return the day after surgery.
• I didn't realize how satisfying it would feel to eat a "normal" portion of food and be full.

Get my free eBook - The Top 10 WLS Fears and How to Kick Their Butt!

[Radar 204]

I guess the main things I didn't expect the 1st month was:

• I could not sleep flat or on my sides - I had to sleep propped up, like in the hospital bed
• My doctor said I would experience some mild discomfort - I hurt like HELL! for the 1st week.
• I didn't expect how difficult it would be to relearn to digest foods and sometimes it hurt.
• I didn't expect how supportive my best friend, mom and dad, and bariatricpal were going to be.
• I didn't expect to have my food cravings vanish and never return the day after surgery.
• I didn't realize how satisfying it would feel to eat a "normal" portion of food and be full.

Get my free eBook - The Top 10 WLS Fears and How to Kick Their Butt!

The sleeping thing really concerns me. I have slept on my side since I was a baby. Your post is so helpful. thanks for sharing.

[joatsaint 2,814]

Thanks Radar,

It makes me feel good, knowing I'm of help.

The sleeping thing was really a problem for me. I've been a side sleeper all my life.

sleeping propped up was difficult and I got very little rest because of it.

But I was able to go back to my normal way of sleeping within a few weeks.

AND I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat if I had to! WLS was sooooo worth it!

I guess the main things I didn't expect the 1st month was:

• I could not sleep flat or on my sides - I had to sleep propped up, like in the hospital bed
• My doctor said I would experience some mild discomfort - I hurt like HELL! for the 1st week.
• I didn't expect how difficult it would be to relearn to digest foods and sometimes it hurt.
• I didn't expect how supportive my best friend, mom and dad, and bariatricpal were going to be.
• I didn't expect to have my food cravings vanish and never return the day after surgery.
• I didn't realize how satisfying it would feel to eat a "normal" portion of food and be full.

Get my free eBook - The Top 10 WLS Fears and How to Kick Their Butt!

The sleeping thing really concerns me. I have slept on my side since I was a baby. Your post is so helpful. thanks for sharing.

[SleeveMe247 184]

- that my family would be pigging out so much! My mom baked a freaking cake the first day I came home! Stating it was for her bday because she was gonna stop pigging out as of this week, mind you her bday is 9/25! Then when that cake was gone, she bought a pound cake and ice cream from the store! She had el pollo loco (fast food) twice since I've been home, and purchased my fav vanilla Wafer Cookies from trader joe's! Then she asked me to pick up a dozen donuts for her this morning...yup, that really happened and I did it, just to prove to myself I can do it! But the freaking icing on the cake...she asked me or she can use MY CAR to go have Thai food at a restaurant tonight, and the whole fam went without me...I can't stand any of them right now lol its not even so much about the food, it's the lack of support. Then I realized my relationship with my mom and brother revolves around food...how are we gonna maintain this now??

I get this can be frustrating and irritating, but try not to perceive it as lack of support. Having a weight loss surgery is a huge step which changes your entire life, but your family didn't have the surgery - you did. It's great to have friends and family members who understand how hard this process is and who are willing to change their lifestyle with you, but I don't think that's the usual case.

Maybe you should just ask your family to be slightly more sensitive and understanding - explain them how you feel. Tell them you need your own kitchen cupboard and fridge shelf so you're not tempted by unhealthy meals they bring into the house. Tell them if they want to buy fast food or sweets, you would like them to pick it up themselves. When I used to diet (I was still living with my parents back then), I knew one way to make them eat healthier food was to cook it myself for all of us. That way I limited the number of temptations around me.

And most importantly, come up with some ideas for family activities that don't involve food, so you can all enjoy it and you don't feel left out. Unfortunately food is a huge part of social and family life, but it's not the only one - if you can't make them give up eating during your family time, meet them half way and get them do something where food is just one of the many things to enjoy. That way you can focus on other aspects and stiil have a great time.

The thing is, I have my own place! I stayed here because my mom insisted I stay here, because I live up two flights of stairs and my daughter's school is closer to my mom's house. I just assumed by her offering for me to stay here for my recovery that she would try to make this environment as conducive to my needs as possible, but I know you are right! That was unfair for me to expect that, but at the very least I didn't expect her to be asking me to pick things up or use my brand new car to go places to eat when she has a car of her own. It's like they are actually benefitting from me being down, so they can use my car to run around town and eat, and with me being off work I can pick up more crap for her! Maybe I'm being too sensitive lol, I know I'm a brat at times. Also, I'm very independent so being away from mg own home is already hard as it is, I think this just means I need to get better ASAP so I can go to my own comfort zone.

[SleeveMe247 184]

And most importantly, come up with some ideas for family activities that don't involve food, so you can all enjoy it and you don't feel left out. Unfortunately food is a huge part of social and family life, but it's not the only one - if you can't make them give up eating during your family time, meet them half way and get them do something where food is just one of the many things to enjoy. That way you can focus on other aspects and stiil have a great time.

This is much easier said than done in my household. Literally everything revolves around food and nobody is willing to make accommodations or changes to suit you. In fact they will actively try to get you to cheat by saying "One piece won't matter" or "Just have a little bit", or "It's only a light beer".

Also, when you don't do a lot of physical activities, it's hard to plan family things around them. Hopefully once I start shedding pounds and feel like I can do exercises without hurting myself, I can arrange to do family outings where we are doing things rather than sitting around making each other laugh around food and drinks. Until then, I'm on my own. If I asked my wife to keep cooking oil in a different cupboard, she would refuse.

When we talked about this @@Radar I was in denial that I'm in the same situation as you. Except I don't live here, so when I leave I can run my own program, but you clearly live with your wife. I know you say she's not willing, let's hope this changes over time...but this surgery helps you see how people around you really are...who's supportive? Who's judgemental? Who's secretly hoping you fail? I had a friend who seemed so suprised when I told her my surgery went well, not sure why when I mentioned several times I was having my procedure done by one of the best surgeons in the country! Clearly she was banking on having an "I told you so" moment, because she didn't agree with my decision. So yea, it is lonely...which is why I'm so thankful for you guys ❤️

Edited September 14, 2015 by amberc425

[CynthiaAnn 59]

How little pain I had

How I miss drinking Water with my meals

How great I feel

How much I miss salads

How it doesn't bother me to see family members eat regular foods

How easy it is to forget to eat

[ssflbelle 829]

Well today has brought about more unexpected things...

- my back pain has been getting worse by the day. I think it's because I'm sleeping in my moms bed and not my own bed, so my body is not used to this, it's been a week and 2 days...shouldn't this be subsiding by now?

- that my family would be pigging out so much! My mom baked a freaking cake the first day I came home! Stating it was for her bday because she was gonna stop pigging out as of this week, mind you her bday is 9/25! Then when that cake was gone, she bought a pound cake and ice cream from the store! She had el pollo loco (fast food) twice since I've been home, and purchased my fav vanilla Wafer Cookies from trader joe's! Then she asked me to pick up a dozen donuts for her this morning...yup, that really happened and I did it, just to prove to myself I can do it! But the freaking icing on the cake...she asked me or she can use MY CAR to go have Thai food at a restaurant tonight, and the whole fam went without me...I can't stand any of them right now lol its not even so much about the food, it's the lack of support. Then I realized my relationship with my mom and brother revolves around food...how are we gonna maintain this now??

- that I would revert back to taking pain meds? The incision pain comes and goes, and the back pain is at a level 8!

- that I would definitely need at least two weeks off! I can't imagine going back to work tomorrow! And my surgery date was 9/4, I know I need at least another week off, and I'm gonna ask my doc to put me on modified duty for my first two weeks back (meaning no going out in the field for me...I'm a a children's social worker and my job requires me to make unannounced visits to people's homes to investigate allegations of child abuse...you have to be ready to run at any time basically! Not to mention the driving) but I can use this time to do paperwork (court reports, typing in my contacts, filing, etc)

- that I would have such a hard time taking my Vitamins...I'm doing the optisource Multivitamin and it requires you to take 4 a day. I'm lucky if I take 2-3 daily. I have never had all 4 since I've been home because I always fall asleep and they ask you to space out the doses

- that having all of you guys would mean so much to me!!! I mean that, every single one of you! If it weren't for this forum, I would be a frwaking nutcase for sure! You guys remind me I'm not crazy, this is normal, and I can do this!

- that I am losing about a pound a day! Down to 295!

- that I would literally have to force myself to get poop out...I won't mention how, but i got that desperate!

Sorry for the long post, but I know this would help someone ❤

I am so sorry this is happening while your at your Mom' trying to recover. As soon as you feel better I am sure you will be back home where you have the comforts of your home and don't have to put up with all that is happening now. Heal quickly and keep posting because I know that helps keep you sane.

[Veronica_mm 87]

Ok I have another one...I'm suprised that at officially one week out, I'm still experiencing pain in my main incision from which my stomach and hernia were removed. It's at a level 8! I called my doctor and they just advised me to call the office tomorrow morning to see about getting a refill on my pain meds. I don't think it's infected or anything, but I know I made a couple wrong turns and may have pulled on it too much. I'm hoping it subsides in the next coming days, but it's pretty bad.

How long did it take for you guys' pain to completely go away and go no longer need pain meds?

I had bypass but did have horrible horrible pain. Week 3, it was gonnnnnneeee completly just gone!! Hang in there

[SleeveMe247 184]

I'm looking forward to no pain next week. If not I'm gonna have to request more time off work. And I get tired so quickly now! It's a darn shame, I hope that improves this week too ????

[emiko_oz 62]

@ did you have the sleeve ?

[smb1966 129]

Surgery on Thursday Sept. 10th home on Friday. Back again on Saturday do to a skin staph infection at the large incision site got antibiotics and alls good. Today is day 4 and here are my experiences so far

Not in unbearable pain at all like to use the pain meds for sleep because sleeping on my side is painful without them. I have honestly been sleeping too much but I am exhausted. I walk my waking hours and sip sip sip but im not able to get the full 48 ozs of liquid in and only about 66 of the required Protein. When I try to push the Protein Drink my stomach feels bloated and hurts like crazy. So I have been sticking to the 4-6 ozs per hour. My hubby says once I stay awake longer I will have the time to get them all in.

Only issue so far was this morning when I had my first BM. It was a normal soft BM and not the least bit painful or hard to go. As soon as I started to relax and just let it happen I kbow TMI but we all have to be honest here, I thought I was going to die. My blood pressure dropped, I started sweating bullets became hot as fire and so week I had to call for help because I couldn't even hold my head up. Within 5 min it had subsided and I felt fine again.

Pre surgery weight was 214.6 today I weigh 209.0.

I am so thankful that I have had zero nauseousness or vomiting and I haven't tried to go over the recommendation for 4-6 ozs in an hr so no complications yet from over indulging.

[emiko_oz 62]

A little scare ????. I'm sorry to hear. My surgery was the 11th. Great so far ... drinking enough is tough but I keep trying. N

[Veronica_mm 87]

Surgery on Thursday Sept. 10th home on Friday. Back again on Saturday do to a skin staph infection at the large incision site got antibiotics and alls good. Today is day 4 and here are my experiences so far

Not in unbearable pain at all like to use the pain meds for sleep because sleeping on my side is painful without them. I have honestly been sleeping too much but I am exhausted. I walk my waking hours and sip sip sip but im not able to get the full 48 ozs of liquid in and only about 66 of the required Protein. When I try to push the Protein Drink my stomach feels bloated and hurts like crazy. So I have been sticking to the 4-6 ozs per hour. My hubby says once I stay awake longer I will have the time to get them all in.

Only issue so far was this morning when I had my first BM. It was a normal soft BM and not the least bit painful or hard to go. As soon as I started to relax and just let it happen I kbow TMI but we all have to be honest here, I thought I was going to die. My blood pressure dropped, I started sweating bullets became hot as fire and so week I had to call for help because I couldn't even hold my head up. Within 5 min it had subsided and I felt fine again.

Pre surgery weight was 214.6 today I weigh 209.0.

I am so thankful that I have had zero nauseousness or vomiting and I haven't tried to go over the recommendation for 4-6 ozs in an hr so no complications yet from over indulging.

poor baby you've had a tough time. Beat wishes : )

[smb1966 129]

I mean I actually thought I was doing great. My biggest fear was that I would be nauseous everytime I attempted to drink but I haven't been. Do you think that I am having a rough time? I was thinking that so far it had been a breeze except for the bathroom thing.

Can you share exactly how you get all your fluids in. Do you just continue taking drinks non stop through the day or what. I sit my cup down and then I forget until someone reminds me to drink.

[SleeveMe247 184]

@ did you have the sleeve ?

Yes, I was sleeved 9/4 and had a hernia removed as well

Edited September 15, 2015 by amberc425