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Hello. I had the surgery last Monday. I was discharged Tues. I have not taken any narcotics since the recovery room. I had Tylenol IV and some Motrin IV; went home on just Tylenol. The 3rd day pre-op was the worst for me (Thurs.) I was having trouble getting the liquids in, and finally was told by the nutritionist to stop trying for protein and just hydrate, it made ALL the difference. Gas pain was relieved by walking, walking, walking. I am not taking anything for pain now, because I really have no pain. So I also have not had that post op dopiness from having to take pain medication. I have been working a bit. As long as you can take frequent breaks to walk around, and keep sipping, sipping sipping it is doable, and I actually found it helpfully distracting. TV shows and/or movies are ok, but they are only amusing for so long. I also found my stomach really rumbling, and it felt like hunger. It has dramatically abated, I am not hungry like that anymore. I am sure it was part head hunger, part gas, and part that you still have hunger hormones and a very empty stomach. Anyway, for me day 3 it was hard, and watching people on tv eat made it worse. Also, until I got rehydrated, I was nauseous. Good luck! For me, so far, it has been much less painful than I imagined.

Every time you fail there is a lesson to learn - new insights into behavior, figuring out ways to avoid temptation, learning how to redirect emotional eating, etc. Failure means there is still work to do and you can use this as an opportunity to grow and learn from the mistake. For example, the 2nd time I got sick after eating drive through french fries (after long bike rides), I figured out that I was craving salt and needed to rethink my hydration strategy. I found an electrolyte replacement that works well and I never crave salt anymore. Another example - sometimes I am sorely tempted by treats at work - especially when there is just a little bit of something left. I have "finished it off" more than a few times. Now, rather than eat "my share" I now throw it in the garbage bin (when no one is looking, of course). It is a strategy that I have pre-planned to change my thought pattern. Another example - Sometmes I am really hungry when I leave work, and can chow down on unhealthy choices the minute I get home. Now I always have a protein shake in the car to drink so I am not ravenous when I walk in the door. Mistakes and failures are the fertile soil in which success springs up! Never feel guilty for slipping - just turn it into a positive learning experience. Think about what triggered you to eat the chocolate. Were you emotional about something? Were you hungry or tired? Where did it happen and what was the circumstance? Is it something you had a home or were you elsewhere? Were you alone or with someone? Once you figure out what triggered the behavior, you can make a plan to ensure success next time. Remember that any one of us can fall into the pit, given a moment of weakness combined with temptation. We have to set up guard rails that either 1) keep us strong (like having a protein shake in the car) or 2) keep us back from the edge of temptation (not having chocolate in the house).

Hi there, I'm new to this....my Surgery is next Friday -- I am nervous for the pain during the recovery. How much pain are people in in the days following the surgery? I am planning on bringing my laptop and working from the hotel here and there the following week, 3 days after the surgery -- will that even be possible? Any insights on how days 1, 2, 3, and 4 were would be greatly appreciated. I am beyond excited for the new chapter afterwards, but am just trying to anticipate what to expect. Thanks for any experiences.

Others may also be picking up on the positive changes in you and responding in kind. I know that as the pounds came off, I felt better and better, gained more and more confidence. I stood up a little straighter, took better care of myself. I'm sure that was projected out into the world and people noticed.

just keep in mind that surgery is your last chance. No one goes into this without trying pretty everything else first. Don't blow your big chance - this is the best opportunity you'll ever have to lose weight. Now - forgive yourself and move on.

You will definitely enjoy the experience with this group. I’m 3 days post op so I’m not in a position to speak on results yet but I am happy that I went through with it.

Yeah strangers in the mall look at you like a real person and the staff in shops are definitely nicer. Girls actually smile at me sometimes..

I had my surgery this last Monday. I was nauseous overnight at the hospital but fortunately didn't need to receive any heavy pain medication there. I got sick Tuesday night after returning home as I drank to much too quickly (and gagged on the liquid pain medication they prescribed me). By Thursday, I was beginning to realize the burping after drinking was probably a sign that my new little pouch was full. On Friday, armed with that knowledge, I was able to get in almost all of my recommended fluid and had very little burping. Every day will get better as you start to get a feel for your new body. Just try to move as much as you can, and keep rest as you need it. I'm only 5 days post-OP, but I'm already starting to feel better. Just give it a few more days...YOU'VE GOT THIS!!

There is transient depression as we heal. For no reason, you might wake up depressed, or have it descend upon you. It's important to know it's temporary and has a physical derivation caused by fluctuating hormones released from your fat as you lose weight, or as a result of anesthesia and having someone inside you messing with your guts. (Your guts produce neurohormones that regulate mood.) Hang in there. Deep breathe, drink LOTS of water, do comedy therapy on Netflix, walk a LOT, get outside into sunshine and nature, hug someone hard for a long time! Smile to your reflection in the mirror, get enough sleep, eat your protein and veg and all will be well in your world soon.

I could give you the advice an elderly relative gave me years ago... "Do you know what a penis is? For god's sake, stay away from it!" ...but that probably wouldn't be particularly helpful! 😲