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I just want to feel better



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I had gastric bypass surgery on Monday, October 31st. I did my two week pre-op diet without any cheating which amazed me. I didn't know I had that in me. Surgery went well and even though I had some urine retention due to the anesthesia and had to be catheriterized I think I handled it all fairly well. I was released late the next day. My Mom and husband were there to take care of me. I had an allergic reaction to the twice daily Lovanox injections and the doctor told me to cut them out and be sure to get up and walk and do my leg pumps. I don't remember much from that week other than that.

This week has been a whole heck of a lot different. Took my OnQ pump out late last Friday night. Had no clue how much it was helping. Today is my first day since without big pain meds. Had horrible Constipation Monday. Took milk of magnesia and finally had relief. Today I have diarrhea. Yesterday I moved too quickly and felt excruciating pain on my right side incision. Almost passed out from it. Called doctors office and they think I tore an internal suture. Not much to be done but ice it, hold it when moving about and take it easy. I can't find a comfortable temperature. I am either too hot or too cold. I also have to crush meds and have been taking them in SF Jello. I will never want Jello EVER again! I don't feel like talking to anyone, have been home alone this week and on top of all of this, I cry at the drop of a hat. Oh and I thought I would have been back to work already.

Not writing this to scare anyone thinking of having surgery or about to. Just looking for some reassurance that this is normal and it does get better. Feeling angry with myself and wondering what the heck I did.

Thank you in advance for reading this and any advice or reassurance you can pass along.

Kathy

HW 289 SW 266.5 CW 260.4

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First, Congratulations on your surgery!! WELCOME to the Loser's Bench!! When I had my RNY 3 years ago I couldn't go pee either but mine lasted for awhile. I had to be straight cathed 3 times and they removed an IV bag of urine each time. I had no sensation either. I have had surgeries before and never had that problem ever. I think mine is due to my age. LOL Since then I have had my skin removal surgery (PANNI) and the same happened, but I was able to take in more fluids so it only happened once. Now, hon everything you are experiencing is totally normal. You just had major Surgery and hormones are stored in our fat. So as you lose weight our hormones are all over the place IE: Constipation, never wanting Jello again, and wanting to be alone. These are all things that happen following our WLS. Being hot and cold yep been there done that too. You should take your time before going back to work. Again you just had MAJOR SURGERY!!! Stay home learn how different it is going to be. And last but not least IT WILL GET BETTER!! Everything happening right now is a learning time. Learn how to sip walk concentrate on yourself!! Good Luck if you need someone to chat with or have ?'s just let me know!!

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It does get better! Get moving, even if slowly. It helps with reduction of pain, and reduces the incidence of complications. Take pain relief regularly to allow you to move. Hydrate. Take care!

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It definately gets better. There are so many hormones at play after this surgery and it can make you emotional. You have to dust yourself off, get up and get moving.

Also, I would ask if you are getting all of your liquids. If not, that can make you feel like absolute crap and it wont go away until you take action and get hydrated.

Everyday it should get a little better for you but the first couple of weeks suck. Low energy.....and just all around yuckiness. Also, if you are still taking pain meds, they can cause that hot and cold until you stop taking them for a day or two.

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I am having sleavesurge on the 15. and am told it gets better. Hang in there ????

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Good luck on your journey and thank you for your kind words. Feeling loads better today. ????

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First, Congratulations on your surgery!! WELCOME to the Loser's Bench!! When I had my RNY 3 years ago I couldn't go pee either but mine lasted for awhile. I had to be straight cathed 3 times and they removed an IV bag of urine each time. I had no sensation either. I have had surgeries before and never had that problem ever. I think mine is due to my age. LOL Since then I have had my skin removal surgery (PANNI) and the same happened, but I was able to take in more fluids so it only happened once. Now, hon everything you are experiencing is totally normal. You just had major Surgery and hormones are stored in our fat. So as you lose weight our hormones are all over the place IE: Constipation, never wanting Jello again, and wanting to be alone. These are all things that happen following our WLS. Being hot and cold yep been there done that too. You should take your time before going back to work. Again you just had MAJOR SURGERY!!! Stay home learn how different it is going to be. And last but not least IT WILL GET BETTER!! Everything happening right now is a learning time. Learn how to sip walk concentrate on yourself!! Good Luck if you need someone to chat with or have ?'s just let me know!!

Thank you for such kind words. I have sent you a PM.

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It does get better! Get moving, even if slowly. It helps with reduction of pain, and reduces the incidence of complications. Take pain relief regularly to allow you to move. Hydrate. Take care!

Sent from my SM-G920I using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! I backed off the big pain meds and that seems to have helped a bit. I have been walking laps around my pool and really feel like the walking is helping tons!

Sent from my SM-T813 using the BariatricPal App

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It does get better! Get moving, even if slowly. It helps with reduction of pain, and reduces the incidence of complications. Take pain relief regularly to allow you to move. Hydrate. Take care!

Sent from my SM-G920I using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! I backed off the big pain meds and that seems to have helped a bit. I have been walking laps around my pool and really feel like the walking is helping tons!

Sent from my SM-T813 using the BariatricPal App

Good to hear :)

Sent from my SM-G920I using the BariatricPal App

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It definately gets better. There are so many hormones at play after this surgery and it can make you emotional. You have to dust yourself off, get up and get moving.

Also, I would ask if you are getting all of your liquids. If not, that can make you feel like absolute crap and it wont go away until you take action and get hydrated.

Everyday it should get a little better for you but the first couple of weeks suck. Low energy.....and just all around yuckiness. Also, if you are still taking pain meds, they can cause that hot and cold until you stop taking them for a day or two.

Thank you! After my post (which was rather cathartic to write btw) I did dust myself off and got up and got moving. I backed off the big drugs and decided that I have it in me to do this and just need to focus. I keep trying to remind myself that this part of this journey is just for a brief moment in my life and in a few weeks I will begin reaping the rewards of seeing this through.

I would also like to say I really admire how you always give such kind and thoughtful responses to others. I have seen your frequent posts and think we could all learn a lot from your valuable insight.

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@@lvmyrottnlab

I am so glad you are starting to feel better! Thank you for your kind words.

There are many times i have had to kick myself in the butt just to get going again so I understand where you were at.

Things will get a little better every day and yes, you definately will reap the benefits of surgery soon. Let me tell you, it is well worth it!

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I had mine Oct 27th and I some what went through what you went through but I was constipated for a week and I was in a lot of pain I dislike sneezing and coughing because it hurted but the only thing that worked for my Constipation was an enema, drinking SF prune juice didn't work nor did the milk of magnesium work but anywho I totally agree with you about SF Jello I use to love it but now I can't stand it I can't eat the whole thing I can only eat 3 small spoons of it n I'm done but it does get better in due time just hang in there I had to nurse myself back to where I am now NOBODY helped me I mean NOBODY so if I can do it you can too

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      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.

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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