Question:
Just had surgery (GBP) and I am scared I have made a mistake.
I am scared that I should have tried to do it myself -again, instead of this. My surgery was 7/1. I feel sluggish and have some stomach upset and alot a diarhea and feel I have to think about the liquids I need to get in all the time. Is this the way it is always going to be?????? — bellehaven (posted on July 9, 2008)
July 9, 2008
No, you wont feel that way all the time. It takes time to adjust. Just do
your diet right. Sip and walk. Chew your food slow when you eat and take
your vitamins.
I had my surgery January 31 and i hated it at first because all the liquids
and then when I did start eating my food seemed to stick but im good now
and I have lost 63 lbs.
So remember to your liquid diet and stick to it.
— evemoonbeam
July 9, 2008
You have to remember you just had MAJOR surgery. Your body is going to need
time to adjust. You have to start over from an eating/drinking standpoint.
Yes, in the beginning, it's all you think about, true. BUT, once you do
things (the right way) for a while you will start to do things without even
thinking about it. I am one year and 5 months out and I barely think of
things - I have routine and know what I am putting in my body and how much
I am, etc. You will get there, too. It's early. I still have days my
stomach is upset - it's normal. I had diarrhea for a month or so after
surgery...it will stop and things will even out. If you are ever worried,
call your surgeon or PCP to be safe. Good luck and welcome to the loser's
bench.
— jammerz
July 9, 2008
I know just how you feel. I said the very same thing after I got home from
the hospital. Just do all the things you're suppose to do and everything
will be just perfect. I now know that surgery was one of the best things I
have ever done. BE BLESSED.
— datagirl2
July 9, 2008
I have had 7 major surgeries, four of them on my abdomen (to repair a cut
aortic artery that my back surgeons did and then subsequent problems
because of that) and I always feel a bit sluggish and out of sorts and
tired and so on for just about two weeks. I haven't had this surgery yet
but thought my past experience might help. I always recovered fast after
that. Good luck dear and be excited about how healthy you will be next
year! I have lost weight (again, as you said) (and again) (and again) ....
and I probably could do it ...again, but its silly to keep doing the same
thing that doesn't work over and over. Doctors admit that 95 to 96 percent
of people that lose weight gain it again without the bypass surgery. Good
luck sweetie.
— nofrogs29
July 9, 2008
Hi Laura
Things will get so much better very soon.
I think everyone has that panicy thought of OH!! Gosh!! what have I done
to myself!! but then you start to feel so much better. Take it easy.. be
kind to yourself... stay on this website for support and you will see this
is the best gift you could have ever given yourself!! Best of luck and if
you need me I am here to talk anytime!!
Peace..
Sky
— skywriter35
July 9, 2008
I am almost 5 months out and sometimes I still feel that maybe I should
should not have had WLS. I was really convinced that I made the biggest
mistake of my life and that now things are going to be horrible forever.
It took me a good 3 weeks to recuperate from my surgery. During this time
I did not feel very good. I still have some pain around my incision areas
once in awhile. What has helped is reading the posts from other people on
this website. Gaining knowledge from others and finding out that things
get better and better is very reassuring. This is actually my first post,
to you. I finally feel confident enough to talk about my journey, and that
is what this is. I have lost about 75 pounds and I feel GREAT! At times I
feel this is the best thing I could have done for myself. I am off HBP and
diabetes meds and am the most physically fit I have been in years.
The issue with the liquids also gets better, but I still struggle with that
too. I can't stand the protein drinks and have to forse myself to puke
when I eat something that gets "stuck." This happens frequently
to me, especially with meat. I can't eat any meat or anything
"hard." Only soft foods are tolerated so I eat a lot of soup.
When I read read posts from people 12 months or more past surgery I see
they are eating all kinds of things. So from that I can see that things
will get better and better. However, but with able to be eating more, also
come less weight gain or regain so it's all going to be a balance act.
When you start losing significant weight it will all come together for you.
Best of luck. Hang in there!
— wayupNorth
July 9, 2008
Welcome to the club! I think you have just had your post op meltdown...I
had one about 7 days after my surgery. I am now almost 3 months post op and
loving it! Hang in there!
— smarshall1975
July 9, 2008
I can relate. I wrote a journal after surgery and on day 3 I wrote...
"what have I done... I actually paid cash to feel this crappy"!!!
(self pay). I was so weak and tired and did have some regret of not being
able to lose the weight myself.
Then, I remembered exactly why I finally made the decision to have WLS
after all those years. I could always lose the weight, but, I couldn't
keep it off. The reason I did this was to finally get the weight off and
keep it off for good. Long term success which I had never found before.
I also remembered that I needed to do something to save my life for myself
and for my family. I had diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea,
reflux and depression and had to take a hand full of pills everyday just to
stay alive. I was only surviving, I wasn't living and thriving. I was
eating myself to death and things had to change or I would only have a few
years left. That was unacceptable to me. I wanted to live to see my
children graduate high school, college, get married and have their own
children... my grandchildren.
Things will get better, what you're feeling is normal. You're in pain,
tired, weak from very few calories and the diarrhea, a little traumatized
from major surgery.... it's no surprise you feel badly. I wish we all
would have been a little better prepared for this part... at least I never
was.
It gets better, not by leaps and bounds, rather little by little every day.
Confide in your friends and family and rally as much support around you
as possible. Rent funny movies and try to have a laugh and smile... it is
so healing. Try to focus on the future and your shrinking frame fitting
into smaller and smaller clothes and the compliments you'll be getting
soon. Not to mention the health benefits you'll reap. Walk outside and
sit in the sun for a few minutes. When you feel a little better, go and
get a manicure and pedicure.
You can do this, it's hard to see it when you're deep in the muck, but
you'll crawl your way out. Keep writing and contact me if you'd like to
correspond. You're not alone.
I also highly recommend a book that I have read twice now... "The
Emotional First Aid Kit" a practical guide to life after bariatric
surgery by the psychologist who specializes in working with obese patients
Cynthia Alexander. Deals with the emotional aspects we deal with everyday.
LOVE IT!!!
Good luck to you and welcome to the loser's bench,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
July 9, 2008
it takes a while however it does get better. I felt the same way the first
few months. I am now 14 months out and feel better then I have in 20 years.
Hang in there
— Alvernlaw
July 9, 2008
I think a lot of us feel the way you do at first. I did. It's a hard
transition for certain...but it gets better daily. I felt awful for many
months...Not really awful, but enough to wonder if I made a mistake and if
I'd ever feel normal and good again...Or if eating would ever give me
pleasure instead of worry and pain and nausea...Well fast forward to 4
years...and it's all in the past darlin'! I LOVE FOOD again...and most of
it loves me back! All the bad stuff in moderation...All the good stuff
becomes an acquired and loved taste! I adore eating healthy...and once in
a while eating something chocolate, fluffy, sweet and naughty...But just a
taste! And it's okay! It's enough to take a sample and be completely
happy I can't and don't want the entire thing.
I feel awesome, inside and outside. I have become a confident, happy, no
pain....no meds (just vits and suppls and lots of them!) kinda small
person. I feel totally normal and sooooo very content after almost 5
years...You will too...Keep working the plan and it will pay off. Give
yourself a year...by then, most of the aches and pains, work themselves
out...
Day at a time...Soon the weight loss will make up for any doubt! Oh yes it
will!
— .Anita R.
July 9, 2008
I know how you feel. I felt the same way. I had my Band done on May 1st and
had some problems. Minor but still some problems. Don't see it as I'm stuck
with this, see it as just a bump in the road. I'm on my way for fill #2 and
I'm a little scared but excited. I feel so good sometimes I wonder if this
is to good to be true. I do work out an hour a day, but just the fact that
I have the energy makes all the difference. Look to the future and see
yourself one month from now, a year from now. Be patient the good days will
come.
— spicybarbzie
July 9, 2008
HI my first PCP appt to get referred is 7/23 and I am soo excited to have
been told about this site from my friend who is 8 mo post op.. Dawn V .. I
loved your repsonse and I sent it to my mom, who I am trying to have her
look into the surgery as well. Thank you all for your posts and you will be
hearing from me soon =)
— Rhonda13
July 9, 2008
Laura, they say this surgery is an easy surgery and its nothing. I is
actually Major surgery. You just had the surgery and as most of us say the
same thing. I could have done it myself..... NO YOU CANT. If I would not
have had this surgery I would not be here answering you. I am out of
surgery 17 months. I have lost 270 lbs so far. I went from 555 lbs to 290
now. I FEEL GREAT. When I drop 30 more lbs I will have lost 300. I had the
same thoughts you are having and believe me you did the right thing. you
will realize this later. I dont know how far you have to go but always
remember two things. EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT. and mostly remember
this, DON'T LOOK HOW FAR YOU HAVE TO GO, LOOK HOW FAR YOU HAVE COME.
E-Mail me antytime, [email protected]
— obx100
July 9, 2008
No you want feel that way all the time. Hopefully your doctor put you on
some form of pepcid which will alleviate the upset stomach. For the first
3 months I had to take one every morning (prescription strength) now I
take one whenever I need one -- which isn't often. The diarrhea maybe
caused by something you are drinking -- maybe too much sugar -- also check
for sugar alcohol -- that could pose a problem as well.
You will be fine -- if the diarrhea continues though -- contact your doctor
-- keep sipping because diarrhea will dehydrate you.
Take care
Peace and Light
— the7thdean
July 10, 2008
I had surgery on the 23rd of June. Any problems I had went away
when I stopped using milk. Some of the protein drinks are really
disgusting (sweet, sweet, sweet), so I switched to egg white protein, which
comes in a powdered form. Also, I found yogurt to be very helpful---plain
regular yogurt. I know yogurt is a dairy product, but it doesn't seem to
have the same effect on me as
milk. Kefir (which is essentially a liquid yogurt and available at
health food stores) is filled with acidopholis (sp?) as well. Acidopholis
is wonderful for your colon and can really help with diarhea and nausea.
I recovered pretty well. I am out 2 1/2 weeks and
feeling great except for some fatigue, which is to be expected.
I look forward to all the things I can do when I get down to a
reasonable weight. Looking forward helps me put things that
are going on right now in the right perspective. By the way,
before I went to surgery, I bought a nausea band that goes
around my wrist and it really helps. I must sound like some
kind of health fanatic; if I were I wouldn't have gotten up to 292 pounds.
HA! Good luck and keep in touch. Mikelanne
— Mikelanne
July 10, 2008
Hang in there...life does get better. Just keep drinking protein drinks
and eating whatever your dr allows to get the protein in...that'll help
with the sluggishnes. When I was about 2 weeks post op I took a day trip
to Germany (I lived in Belgium at the time...I'm in Indonesia now) with my
husband. I took my protein drinks w/me, but when we got to the town we
were going to, I left them in the car because we were going to be walking
around. I did fine until on the way back to the car, I literally ran out
of energy. I was ready to lay down on the sidewalk right where I was at, I
was that tired. We were about 2-3 blocks from the car, and I seriously was
considering calling a taxi for those few blocks. I finally dragged myself
to the car, stopping every 20-30 feet to rest, and plopped in the car while
my husband got my drink out. We sat there while I drank it, and it took
about a half hour to start feeling like I had the energy to move again. My
point is...the sluggishness could be that you're not getting enough protein
in. I know it's hard...but for now...you have to force yourself to get it
in...even if it means just a tiny sip of your protein drink at a time.
Keep it handy and sip sip sip...and once you get it down...sip sip sip for
your water...then go back to the protein. You'll feel like you're drinking
all day...and you are...but it's a temporary thing while your body heals.
Someone else said to watch out for milk and they're right...try to drink
protein drinks that mix with water...if you don't like the chocolatey ones,
try the fruit flavored (Nectar is good)...go online to either vitalady.com
or bariatriceating.com and buy the 'sample' packs...or unjury.com and get
the chicken soup protein drink. You need to get the sample packs so that
you can find which ones you can tolerate. We're all different, and what I
like may gag you...what you like may gag me. You'll find you're extremely
sensitive to sweetness right now, and 'texture' will become a permanent
fixture in your life. I am 2 years post-op, and I do good with most
foods...but if it's too dense or dry...forget it. Eggs only go down if I
eat them immediately after they're cooked...if they get cold...forget it.
Immediately post op...I know this may be a little TMI...but my poo looked
(and smelled) like baby poo. This was because of eating just liquids
(think about it...babies also only eat liquids). I think as you progress,
your stools will get better...but do mention it to your dr just in case he
recommends something else.
The first few months, even after you 'graduate' to real food...soft food
then solid food...you will have days (sometimes several in a row) that you
will have to be forcing yourself to eat. When I was immediately post op,
my son would tell me that I didn't seem to 'enjoy' eating any more, that I
looked like it was a punishment to have to eat...and he's right...I
definitely had days I only ate because I needed the protein. Now two years
out...90% of the time I enjoy what I eat. I still have days that I may not
enjoy it (usually because whatever's on offer to eat is too dense or just
not appealing...I was never a picky eater before...but I'm picky
now!)...and on those days, if I haven't had enough protein, I supplement
w/a protein drink.
This surgery is literally a life saver for thousands of people...and I'm
sure in a few months, you'll be thankful you did put yourself through it.
My only regret for this surgery is that I didn't do it 15 years ago!
— Hollywog
July 10, 2008
Give your body time to heal. You have just had MAJOR surgery. You have
re-routed your insides. It needs to get used to the new system as well as
heal the trauma. Be patient with your journey. This is just part of the
process. In the meantime, take time to learn all that you can about
yourself. This will help you on your journey.
— bariatricdivalatina
July 10, 2008
I totally understand as I had surgery 6/6/08 and was so sick afterwards.
Anything that I tried to drink or eat later came up and I thought what in
the world did I do to myself. I am still in early recovery of the surgery
and learning that I have to keep it simple and drink... I have lost 22
pounds in 4 weeks and am so excited for my future. So coming from a real
newbie just keep your chin up, walk, drink and give me send me an
email....we can encourage each other as I am also new to the area.
[email protected] ....I don't know anyone here and would love to
connect.
— dlevans
July 10, 2008
Hi Laura, I think we all felt like you do, but after the first month I
started feeling better quickly, My year anniversary of my surgery will be
July 16th and I feel great and with no problems. Just keep remembering
why you had the surgery and as you lose the weight and get use to what you
can eat you'll be happy you had the surgery.
— sunshineal68
July 11, 2008
Hi Laura! It sounds like you are right where you should be at this point
in your recovery! It IS hard to get used to the water and all that but
like a prior poster said, it becomes second nature. My gosh, I worried
like crazy that I was doing things wrong, but I would just remind myself
that as long as I got my water/fluids in I was doing ok in the first two
weeks. Then when I could eat I was so surprised at how little I could eat.
Just a couple of very slow bites. But now I am about 5 1/2 months out,
have lost 60 lbs and I feel really, really good. I have my routine and as
long as I stick to it, things are good. One thing I do every day is try to
plan ahead about eating and if I'm going to be out and about I take
something with me, like some cheese or jerky or a protein bar. Just so I
don't get caught someplace. And I always, always have my bottle of water!
Keep coming back to the boards for support and you'll be fine! Hang in!
— Nanci H.
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