Kay P

So sorry that you are experiencing some anxiety. I had gastric gypass in late 2013. I've never felt like I was hit by a train. One thing you must remember is to be kind to yourself, accept help and let the hospital staff help you whenever you feel the need. I'm sure that your doctor wants you to be comfortable during the entire recovery process and should prescribe you some pain medication to be taken as needed. I would strongly advise that regardless of the procedure you have chosen, try to obtain an abdominal wrap before you have surgery or ask if one will be provided for you by the hospital. The abdominal wrap will help you keep mild pressure on your incision areas, will help you climb in and out of bed and help with walking, which is SO VERY IMPORTANT! I am almost 60 years old and don't know how I would have done as well as I did without my abdominal wrap, prescribed liquid pain medication and muscle relaxers. When you get home be easy on yourself, you are recovering from major surgery. If you take care of yourself and don't try to do too much too soon you will be fine.

I'm sorry you are having a tough time. First of all, be assured that everything gets better with a little bit of time, hang in there, its worth what you are experiencing now. I am four months post-op. When I came out of surgery I was very uncorfortable, I couldn't sit up, lay on my side or walk without pain. The most important thing that got me through it was an abdominal wrap. I wore it 24 hours a day for three full weeks. liquid pain meds are what helpedme sleep and definitely took the edge off the severe sharp pains at the incision areas but the abdominal wrap kept everything snug and was the only way I was able to walk and sleep. If the hospital did not send you home with one I would highly recommend that you invest in one of these from a local medical supply business. My surgeon reminded me after seven says that I had major surgery, my abdominal muscles had been disrupted by the tools, tubes, etc. and that everything needed to heal. I continued with my pain meds and my beloved abdominal wrap and after three weeks the pain was completely gone. It would have been gone earlier but I am not good at taking it easy and did too much the first two weeks, a mistake I would not make again. Bottom line, give your body time to heal, take it easy, use your pain medication and invest in an abdonimal wrap. Congratulations on your big decision, the best is yet to come.

I am three months post-op and take fusion Vitamins. These come highly recommended by my surgeon. My sister had WLS by another surgeon several years ago and had a lot of difficulty with Iron causing severe nausea. She is now taking Fusion and feels great. I appreciate the simplicity, flavor and reasonable price, especially since I will be taking Fusion for a long, long time. I also take a 5,000 mcg Biotin chewable (available for a reasonable price at Costco) as well as a chewable probiotic. I have had no problems with any of these supplements.

I'm sorry to hear that you have developed an infection. The incision area(s) can be difficult without an infection, I can't imagine having to deal with the pain of an abscess too. The first few weeks are difficult, especially if you did not have any physical discomfort due to being overweight. I had sharp pain at my incision areas for a full three weeks. Although I was given liquid pain medication, which took the edge off, every time I moved I was miserable. In addition,I couldn't drink the amount of water I was instructed to drink and getting in the recommended daily protein grams was impossible. Trust me when I tell you that it gets better each day. Take it easy and allow your body to heal, you just had major surgery and your body is adjusting to many changes. I am three months post-op and have felt great after I crossed the first three week hurdle. As soon as you get some strength back and see the results on the scale and the advantage of carrying around less weight you will discover that the surgery was worth it. Physical pain and discomfort can play with your emotions in a very negative way, rise above it and invision yourself healthier, thinner and living your new life to its fulllest. Your decision was the best thing you have done for yourself, your family and your friends. Congratulations on a healthier, happier you.

Thank you so much for sharing your Costco finds, great information. You look amazing and by the smile on your face I'll bet you feel pretty amazing too. Congratulations on your success.

Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies has some good information that I found helpful.

It is very early in the process to worry about the numbers on the scale. I would recommend that if the scale dictates whether you are succeeding or not, don't weigh yourself. When I was on Weight Watchers, many different times, the scale ruled my life. If I stayed on program faithfully and the scale showed a gain, I quit! I had gastric bypass surgery in early December and did not step on a scale until yesterday at my two month appointment with my surgeon. Friends and family asked how I stayed off the scale all this time...easy, I said. If I stay focused on the proper diet, drink my fluids, excercise and take my Vitamins the numbers will be in my favor. My next appointment with the surgeon is in mid June, I will get on the scale again when I see him then. I'm not suggesting that you stay completely off of your scale but maybe limit it to once a week, the number game can be very discouraging. Congratulations on your surgery and weight loss to date, great job.

Betsy, I've been thinking of you and wondering how you're doing today, I hope you are feeling better.

Betsy, I too had the abdominal nerve pain you are experiencing. I had bypass surgery in early December and it took a full three weeks before I felt comfortable. My pain medication didn't help much but I was sure to time my doses so that I could take the pain medication just before going to bed or I didn't get any sleep. I feel, personally, that I may have overdone my physical activities following surgery. My husband kept reminding me to take it easy, I'd just had major surgery. In my mind, because the surgery was done laparoscopically, I didn't consider it major surgery, very foolish thinking on my part. After two weeks of this burning pain I decided to listen to my husband and give my body the time it needed to heal. By the end of the third week the pain was completely gone and has not returned. Another thing that helped a great deal was to wear the abdominal binder that was given to me at the hospital after surgery. The binder keeps everything snug and secure and makes getting up and down much less painful. Hang in there, the pain will go away, just be sure to take it easy.

Congratulations on your surgery On December 2nd I had laparoscopic roux en y surgery. I have followed all of the instructions and have not had any problems with the food I am able to have at each post-op stage. Unfortunately there are some negative posts about patients with problems, however, I think you will find that the pros far outweigh the cons. I have two close friends who were sleeved around the same date as my surgery and we are enjoying sharing ideas and "recipes", again without problems. I too had a fear of eating beyond the liquid stage because of the chance of dumping but, if we eat what is allowed and remember to eat SLOWLY and not too much I think you will find that the outcome will be good. The three of us are excited to reach each new stage and none of us are afraid of dumping or getting sick because we are eating small and slow. Best wishes for your success with one of the most important decisions you'll make in your life.

Gran, I'm 56, had gastric bypass surgery on December 2nd. Monday will be the four week mark for us. I too had pain at the incision and muscle area, from the beginning. I did a lot of walking while in the hospital, as directed, I rested when I got home and have been taking it easy since surgery. I still had pain which required that I take pain medication prescribed by my surgeon. When I met with him ten days post-op I explained the pain and he said it was not abnormal, everyone heals at their own pace. Finally at the three week post-op point the pain subsided. I followed doctors orders and still had issues. It could be our "mature" age or just that our bodies do not heal like a 30 year old body. Your body may just be telling you to allow it to heal before resuming your normal lifestyle. I had to be reminded several times that the procedure was major surgery and our body takes time to heal properly. Take advantage of laying low until you feel better, one morning you'll wake up to discover that the pain is gone and be glad you pampered yourself a bit.

My surgeon recommended thinned Greek yogurt, smooth or blended variety with no chunks of fruit. I thinned the Greek yogurt with a few tablespoons of skim milk as instructed. As an added bonus for bariatric patients, Greek yogurt typically has twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt.

My doctor had me continue the full liquid diet for 10 days post surgery. Today was my first day ofmy phase 2 diet which is pureed foods, pureed soups, etc., anything that is blended thin enough to eat with a spoon and cannot be eaten with a fork. Phase 2 continues for two weeks and then I move onto phase 3, tiny, tiny chopped or diced chicken and vegetables. My doctor said that all three of these phases need to be supplemented with protein shakes for the first year in addition to bariatric vitamins. I am thankful for the wide variety of protein supplements available.