Observations from a VERY Experienced Person Two Weeks On The Other Side of Surgery

[Pam924 84]

So yep -- compared to many on here, I have next to no experience ... but just wanted to share observations from 2 weeks past surgery for others in my shoes -- or others that will be there soon.

1. I sure picked the easy way out of this! The answer to that is no. This process has completely changed my life, my thinking, my approach, each and every day and each an every hour. But in order to get control over this weight problem that is puling down so much else it needs to happen. I don't think I was aware of the level of change -- but it's significant -- and it's important.

2. Thank God I am not hungry anymore! I wish. I am. Not in the same gnawing going to eat a live animal hungry -- but it's still a part of me. But this tool call WLS is helping get control and manage through it. Besides -- at this point the thought of busting a stitch scares me, and I am sure consumption of a wild animal would cause problems.

3. Momma always said: You leave with the one who brung you. My surgeon and the entire team is pretty strict -- 4 weeks of liquid diet in advance (and I mean shakes only), two weeks moving to full liquids the second week after surgery. I see a lot of different instructions on the site -- and it is interesting -- but I am staying with what my team knows and wants. I figure their experience with this protocol is what works for them, so I'm sticking with it. After all, I selected them. There are different ways to do things in my profession -- and they still have good results -- it can be that was in the medical profession as well.

4. Weight is not dropping off me with every step I take. i just went for my two week post-op today and was down only three pounds since my weight on surgery day. Yes on the fluids. Yes on the Protein. But this is just the way it is. I know I will get there. Plus, I have lost 44 pounds since my journey began in late July, which isn't nuthin' ... today my BP was 107 over 71 ... blood sugar has been hovering around 92 -- there are lots of measures of success and indicators I am doing the work needed.

5. I value the information and feedback and openness and sometimes the raw emotions people express on this site. I use it for comfort, for context, for smiles and even sometimes to say "Are you flipping nuts to do that ...." ... internally anyway. Oh the righteousness of such incredible experience (did I mention two weeks out of surgery?).

I look forward to continuing the gather all I can from all of you -- most of whom are so much more expert than I ... and appreciate a forum to express my observations.