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At 2 weeks post-op, my non VSG world shattered. I am trying to pick up the pieces...



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I am so sorry. That is just awful.

But you're right, you need to make sure you're taking care of yourself, too. About a month after my surgery, we found out that my dad was in heart failure and had to be immediately admitted to the heart hospital. I booked a one-way ticket and flew out to Indiana from Pennsylvania first thing the next day and ended up spending over two weeks there while he had all sorts of tests and eventually a triple bypass (he made it through and is doing fairly well now). Scrounging meals in airports and hospital cafeterias was not how I anticipated that my introduction back to solid foods would go, but I managed. I brought Protein powder and my shaker bottle with me (since I couldn't fly with RTD shakes)--I'm sure my seatmate on the plane was annoyed by my ordering a milk from the drink cart and proceeding to vigorously mix a Protein shake right then and there, but oh well! I picked up cheese sticks and other portable Protein Snacks, and packed a little cooler every day to take to the hospital. I walked the halls of the hospital a lot, and drug my mom outside to take laps around the building when I felt like she needed a break.

Bottom line is--you'll be better able to give your son the support he needs if you are as healthy as possible. Being readmitted to the hospital for dehydration is definitely not going to help! Keep plugging away at the Water and protein.

I'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

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As a mom of 4, my heart breaks for you. You and your family are in my prayers. Positive vibes all around.

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lauraellen is right. you can give better care and support if you are healthy. your son needs to see that you are ok. i know as a mom, that would be hard as hell. if he sees you falling apart he will think/know there is a reason to fall apart. let him see you for the strong woman you are. get in your mind that he is going to be ok, and start acting like he is going to be ok, because he is!! start thinking and talking very positively. there has been leaps and bounds in technology and research. your family will make it through this just fine!!! things seem to just work themselves out.

i cannot even imagine what you are going through. my nephew was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. he had a huge tumor removed last year. what should have killed him made him very much stronger and wiser. boy does he really enjoy his life now after feeling so much better for a year. it was hard enough seeing my sister go through what you are going through.

lots of people are praying for you. hang in there sister. you have lots of support. take care of yourself first. let us know if there is anything we can help you with, as much as we can do online :)

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Sometimes life seems so unfair. Keeping you in my thoughts. I have three sons around his age (and 2 daughters a bit younger). I can't even imagine what you are going through. Keep us updated on his progress.... and yes, keep yourself healthy!

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Thank you all for your kind words and support. I got my lunch down and 1/2 bottle of Water. Slowly but surely.....

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I'm so sorry! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son! May God comfort your family!

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I'm so sorry to hear about the devastating news. I know there's nothing I can really say to ease your burden. Just continue on as you've been, the best you can, and that's the limit of expectations you should pile on yourself right now. Be as cognizant of your health as you are of his, as he needs you as healthy as you can be to support him and your family through this difficult time.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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I can't say any more than what's already been said. But I still want you to know that you have many, many people here praying for you and your family. God bless!

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So sorry to hear this sad news. I'll keep your family in my prayers

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@@Mom26

Your post broke my heart :( I have an almost 26 year old son, and I just can't imagine what you're going through.

I will be thinking about you and your family.

Positive thoughts and hugs to you!

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I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. Take care of yourself and also make sure to be kind to yourself.

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My thoughts and prayers are with you ,your son and family. Illness is tough, but when it involves one of your children it feels devastating and out of control. Hang in there. I can imagine how hard it must be to try and take care of yourself right now. But like you said- you have to stay strong for your son and rest of your family. One day at a time.

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I just joined this forum a few minutes ago, and this was literally the first thread I clicked on.

I sometimes read things like this and say a little silent prayer as I'm scrolling, but this was the first time I actually stopped, shut my eyes, and prayed for someone I don't know.

Wishing you strength and focus, your son peace and resolve, and his doctors wisdom and guidance.

Jeff

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    • 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
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    • 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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.
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