I have no friends in real life. I was so embarrassed about my weight that I shut people out.

Now I find myself, hesitantly, seeking out others who might understand me.

I'm hoping this is the first step to feeling better about myself and loving myself.

To punish myself for being fat, I wear the same green dress every day, everywhere.

I call it my FAT UNIFORM. I hope to retire my uniform on the day of my bypass

surgery on 13 June 2018. My dietitian has offered to covert it into a blanket for her

dog's bed. She insisted that symbolically I needed to discard my uniform because

of what it represents/ed.

Edited June 4, 20188 yr by Missouri-Lee's Summit
wrong verb tense

Did you try putting the patch directly behind your ear? How about sticking that baby on with a band aid or surgical tape?

Sounds like your daughter has got you covered

Hey check your messages. I sent you a private message

@BajanSleeve Ha! I tried everything short of barbed wire to get those things to stay on. Transdermal patches just won't stay put even with an overlay patch on top.

This conversation reminds me of the childhood saying, "I'm rubber you're glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you!"

Better head for bed. Big day tomorrow.

Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery!

Good luck to you and your surgical team and recovery. Stay strong.

Thanks, everyone. I'm off to the hospital in about an hour.

You are in the "Show me State" show us how it can be done and done with class. Sending healing thoughts your way???!

Good luck with your surgery today. Sending prayers. We are your friends here

Cant wait to hear how you got through with your surgery. Saying prayers

Back home after one night's stay. Surgery was a success. I wish I could say the same about the "customized" and "nurturing" care I received at the hospital. It wasn't the nurses, but the hospitalist and my doctor who completely dropped the ball with my pain management. The pain from the gastric bypass wasn't the problem. Believe it or not, HOSPITAL PEOPLE, some patients have existing chronic pain that needs to be managed. When your body is dependent on 300mg of morphine a day for pain relief, 1 mg. every 3 hours doesn't cut it. And an increase of a hefty 1mg is the equivalent of a teaspoon of Jell-O. I was beside myself with unmanaged agony and withdrawal. I was ready to leave against medical advice, if necessary. I notified the charge nurse and went up the line trying to get my distress resolved. The hospital finally discharged me with no apology or concern. Even the discharge papers were inaccurate. This is an issue I brought up numerous times during the pre-surgery visits. The biggest breakdown in communication was with the hospitalist on-call at two in the morning who knew next to nothing about me. And it didn't help that the inexperienced nurse who was attending me (the one who brought me ice water with a straw and offered me a 7-UP earlier in the evening; I declined the straw and the carbonated beverage, btw) told the hospitalist that I was "demanding" more pain relief. Demanding?! More like begging and moaning. I felt as though I received one-size-fits-all post-op care. And they were probably glad to see me go. No one likes a self-advocate, not really. Be a good little patient and don't question your care.

I'm home now. Medicated properly and going through a normal recovery.

It's a struggle to get enough protein and I feel like I'm not meeting my liquid quota either, but I'm trying.

Even though my hospital experience was an unfortunate one, my surgery was a success -- and that's the important thing.

I wish I could be more positive in every detail, but I think honesty is more valuable, particularly for anyone with chronic pain who anticipated TOTAL pain management.

Edited June 16, 20188 yr by Missouri-Lee's Summit

@Missouri-Lee's Summit I am so happy to see you!!!!

After all the money you paid you should be blasting your surgeons head off for not communicating your special needs to the hospital. I tell ya boy, I cannot complain about my care in Mexicali because they were really compassionate and attentive. When I asked for more morphine the 1st night they gave it without hesitation. I am so sorry for the additional stress you went through

I am surprised that you are drinking protein only days after surgery? It seems that each doctor, location, gives different instructions. I was advised not to start protein until after the 10 days liquid only stage because they did not want any additional load on the sleeve. Only water based liquids and diluted juices, no dairy. I did not drink the 64 oz after surgery and STILL have not been able to reach that goal yet either so you are not the only one.

Did you buy rehydration tablets to put into your drinks? Those really help a week or so post surgery when you are not hitting your liquid intake and also helps stabilize blood pressure. Ask your daughter to get you some.

I would definitely put in writing your disappointment with the bad pain management with both your surgeon and the hospital. Did you pay for this or did insurance pay for it? Either way I don't blame you one bit for being upset. Who wants to deal with additional distress after surgery!!! Make noise!

Sending you a big hug and congratulations on successful surgery.

OMGosh, I am so sorry this happened to you. Especially since your doctor was aware of the pain management issues beforehand. This was dreadful. I'm glad you're home now and doing better.

Don't sweat your protein right now. Focus on fluid intake. That is more important by orders of magnitude.

((Hugs))

No one contacted my family after the surgery either (even though they had all of their cell numbers). My pharmacist daughter was even stopped by a security officer for looking suspicious and "meandering". When the time comes, I will complain aplenty, but right now it's probably better if I try to love on myself, heal, and not get myself in a tizzy about poor practice post-op protocols.

Edited June 17, 20188 yr by Missouri-Lee's Summit

I never thought I'd say this, but flatulence is my new best friend. I'm trying to come up with a
"If it doesn't fit, you must acquit" mantra for bloating and relief via flatulence, but my brain cells are on vacation and I'm honestly too weak to rhyme. Too weak to rhyme! Yes, I'm too weak to rhyme.

Hello All,

Sorry, I've been away for a while. I went back to work for a while. Ms. Summit, welcome to the group. I am so sorry to hear about your hospital experience, but glad to know you are trying to put it in a more healthy perspective for you. Your body will react differently to stress now than it did before. Thank you for sharing about the absorption issues. It looks like I may need a hip replacement, however, I will leave that in God's hands. I am too young for a knee replacement and again lifting that up to God. I would normally say you are not alone, however, I have not been consistent in reading or posting. To have a friend one must be a friend. Regardless of my inconsistencies, their are several other's here who will keep your spirits lifted if you let them. I have always gotten good information and uplifting responses. I have no doubt that you will too. Watch out for the hormonal changes, especially with such rapid weight loss that you are about to experience in the first year. My first dietitian said we dump a lot of stored estrogen. Just a head's up. The emotional roller coaster is not due just to the physical changes. Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery.

Mrs. Boss