Just wanted to fill people in on what my experience has been like thus far since surgery. If you want to know something I forgot to mention, please don't hesitate to ask.

HOSPITAL STAY:
So I had my surgery May 19th around 10:30 am. I was in recovery and waking up by 11:45 am. All that went smoothly.

The first day I was so dang tired that I drifted off and on while sitting in the chair in-between walking around and drinking. I felt bad for my husband who stay with me all day. He was totally content and happy to be there but I knew he too was tired so about 7pm I made him go home (visiting hours ended at 8 anyway). LOL

When I first got to my room I was like, OMG I have HORRIBLE burning like heartburn and even complained about it. They gave me some sort of Gas chew and it didn't do jack. It wasn't until I got up and walking around that I figured out it was NOT heartburn but related to that gas inside and the walking helped that feeling subside.

They gave me nothing but water or Gatorade Zero while there and I was totally fine and content with that. They mentioned medicine if I was nauseous but I never was. I felt totally fine and normal but for the one incision site that's to the right and up from my belly button. Doc said that's the typical complaint spot and where he pulls the extra stomach through so that's to be expected. But it hurt like hell when first standing from sitting and also wiping after peeing. Uggghhh. I slept in a chair sitting up that night when I could sleep which really only amounted to 3 hours total.

I was given Tylenol for pain and an Oxycodone once on that first night. They sent me home with the Oxycodone too for pain and so far I have only taken it once at night to help with that pain while sleeping.

The next morning they took more blood work and everything came back good and they allowed me to go home by early noon. Mostly because my pain was managed by meds and because I was easily able to get enough water down and I was not sick.

Also, I did not pack much but I did pack my cell phone, charger, kindle, Biotene, Chapstick, brush, toothpaste and toothbrush, extra underwear and that was it. I did not use ANYTHING but for my brush and, right after surgery, put on my own undies and a pad since I got my period the day before surgery. I did not even use my cell phone (maybe once to post here) cause I was just so dang tired (plus trying to get my liquids in and walking) and hubby did all the updating to others for me. I mostly watched TV as it was on for background noise more than anything.

MOVING AROUND:
Every day is getting better but this dang incision spot is a ******!!! Can't wait for it to stop hurting cause I'm really tired of sleeping sitting up. I tried every way possible to lay down and it's just not possible! The dang area feels like it's burning and tearing apart when I do. Otherwise I'm following orders and walking around. I do not feel I still have a lot of gas issues but I most definitely feel like I am swollen about my stomach area for sure.

APPEARANCE:
I was actually surprised at how weird my stomach looked after surgery. Normally my stomach is smooth/one size all over and flat/round-ish (except for my little fat pouch right under my left breast that's been there forever). But upon looking at my stomach after surgery, I feel like some spots are like poofed out and others dented in, if that makes sense. Especially the bad incision spot. Strange. Not sure how else to explain it. Today is day 4 and it looks like I'm starting to bruise around most, if not all, incisions. Just slightly.

FOOD/WATER:
So my after diet consists of 2 weeks FULL LIQUIDS, followed by 1 week PUREE, and 2 weeks SOFT FOODS, then finally normal foods. Strange enough, I have had NO problem getting in 64 oz of liquid at all. I've had no chest pain, full feeling or sickness. A few times I had what feels like if you drink too much how it creates a sorta air bubble that hurts for a split second but then it passes. Otherwise, no issues. In fact, a few times after trying to drink/gulp like I normally would, I had to stop and remind myself that I no longer could do that. So weird cause I feel, aside from the incision pain, I would never know I even had surgery. So right now since all I've been able to ingest is liquids, I'm not sure if this is gonna be a blessing or an issue. On one hand I'm glad I can seem to "eat" and drink normal and also have had no aversions to taste. But on the other hand, I worry that will not help me in the long run to lose weight. This remains to be seen but I am scared I won't lose for this reason.

So far I've had protein shakes, water, Gatorade Zero, the broths from creamed soups, sugar free popsicles and that's it.

MEDICINE:
I was told I wouldn't be able to swallow anything bigger than a tictac. That was a lie. I have been able to swallow all my pills, even the big ol Metformin, with no issue.

POTTY:
Had my first BM on my second day home. Had several a day since. No problems there either.

WEIGHT:
Not that I expected anything yet but, I have gotten on the scale and it's the same as it was the day of surgery.

I think that's it. Can't think of anything else right now but if you have any questions please ask.

Edited May 23, 20215 yr by SummerTimeGirl

11 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

I'm sorry you haven't met your goal yet. But you're not "the odd one". It's actually more common NOT to get to a normal weight after weight loss surgery. People just tend to not talk about it. Losing as much weight as you have is really great and really important for your health.

Congratulations on your success!

Thanks. Yeah, my husband asked me the other day if I thought having the surgery was still worth it. In a sulk I told him I wasn't sure and maybe not. At the time he asked me (I was already in a rant about not losing) I was just feeling so tired of always having to log every bite I take (in hopes of figuring out what the hell is wrong with me), constantly thinking about stuff I'm about to eat.......even when it's good healthy foods and healthy carbs, worrying what it will or won't do to me/how my body will react, going out on a date with him and not being able to eat and drink normally......having to either eat first or drink first and then having to sit there for so long to do the other either way, etc.

But then on Sunday he took me kayaking for the first time in my life!!! I had always been afraid to do so due to my weight. I loved it so much. All the way there I worried and wondered if I looked small enough now to NOT be questioned about my weight before renting one. He asked if I was excited and I was like, not yet, then expressed those fears. But once we got there we rented them without me even getting a second glance from the guy renting them and we had a blast!

Then afterwards I noted how I was also dressed in all black (t-shirt and leggins) and how that day it was sunny and 83* and not once did I sweat, get hot, out of breath, flush, get tired, winded, NOTHING!!! So then I thought YES, YES it was still worth me getting the surgery even if I never lose another pound.

I have the same feelings. Every day eating is painful and frustrating, but I can fit in a size 10!!! So, I go back and forth with whether I'm happy I did it.

2 minutes ago, SummerTimeGirl said:

Thanks. Yeah, my husband asked me the other day if I thought having the surgery was still worth it. In a sulk I told him I wasn't sure and maybe not. At the time he asked me (I was already in a rant about not losing) I was just feeling so tired of always having to log every bite I take (in hopes of figuring out what the hell is wrong with me), constantly thinking about stuff I'm about to eat.......even when it's good healthy foods and healthy carbs, worrying what it will or won't do to me/how my body will react, going out on a date with him and not being able to eat and drink normally......having to either eat first or drink first and then having to sit there for so long to do the other either way, etc.

But then on Sunday he took me kayaking for the first time in my life!!! I had always been afraid to do so due to my weight. I loved it so much. All the way there I worried and wondered if I looked small enough now to NOT be questioned about my weight before renting one. He asked if I was excited and I was like, not yet, then expressed those fears. But once we got there we rented them without me even getting a second glance from the guy renting them and we had a blast!

Then afterwards I noted how I was also dressed in all black (t-shirt and leggins) and how that day it was sunny and 83* and not once did I sweat, get hot, out of breath, flush, get tired, winded, NOTHING!!! So then I thought YES, YES it was still worth me getting the surgery even if I never lose another pound.

YAY for you! You made me smile! WAY TO GO!!!

2 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

I have the same feelings. Every day eating is painful and frustrating, but I can fit in a size 10!!! So, I go back and forth with whether I'm happy I did it.

I have been lucky with the fact that I have NOT had issues eating at all. I also haven't had any sort of aversion to any foods. My frustration with it all comes with the fact that even way before surgery foods that normal dieting people would eat like brown rice, sweet potatoes, whole grains, fruits, stuff like that, would stall me or make me gain weight. I expressed those fears to the nutritionist before surgery and now after. But she keeps suggesting I add and have those things in my diet and that there is no reason why I shouldn't.

I guess I'm just trapped in my old bad ways of thinking and my bad habit of trying to omit them and it gets to my mind at times. I'm always like, it must be nice to be normal and not have to think of every morsel of food you're about to put into your mouth. Or worry over it and how it's gonna make you stall, not lose, gain, etc.

My long stall also has me wondering if my PCOS and IR may still be causing me issues when it comes to my hormones and inability to lose due to it. I've been looking into supplements for it but have yet to bite the bullet. The one that seems to come highly recommended by many docs is kind of expensive but I hear great things about it. I am wondering if that coupled with the Rybelsus will help get my hormones and stuff in check IF that is or may be what's stalling me?

UPDATE:

It's been a while since I've been on and posted so I figured I'd so so quick.

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING has changed for me!!! Still stuck at 235-ish (and have been since the end of last Oct) and can't seem to lose anymore no matter what the hell I do!! I did start Rybelsus a few months ago and made it through a month of the 3mg dose and a month through the 7mg does. Then, when my doc put me on the final dose of 14mg a few weeks ago, my insurance suddenly decided it was no longer gonna cover it!! Not sure why the allowed the other doses/months and not the new one. Doc and I are trying to appeal it (cause it costs about $1300 out of pocket a month without insurance and has no generic). Their one reason was that I was NOT a uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetic. They also said I needed to be in a weigh loss program or seeing a weight loss doctor in order to have it approved for weight loss reasons. I asked my family doc if my surgeon qualifies as that and so he sent him a messaged asking the same thing. Just wondering if it is a matter of the surgeon prescribing it vs. my family doc. Who knows.

Anyway, just waiting on hearing back about that. Not even sure that will help me either. Don't know what else to do and just trying to accept the fact that I most likely will be at this weight forever. Which SUCKS!!! I wanted to get down to at least 180.

I'm swimming damn near 4 hours every day or walking for at least an hour and of course depending on who, doc wise, I speak to they each have something different to say. Walk less, walk more, walk slow, walk fast, do weights, don't do weights......UUUUUgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh! I've tried it all. Upped water, lowered water, ate more protein, ate less protein, ate more food, ate less food, just don't know what else to do so pretty much just been living my life doing whatever.

Haven't been logging my food for months but not doing anything really different food wise than I was when I was logging. Just wondered if being so strict and regimented was maybe causing the stall so I stopped but I guess that wasn't the case either.

Anyway, that's that.