onmywaytoonederland

I am 55 years old. It took me years to get to the fabulous weight of 250 (60 gained in the last year due to quitting smoking....yes I said 60 pounds). I tried every diet out there and even ordered strange concoctions over the internet. Today I am 10 days out of surgery and have already lost 15 pounds (lost 24 on my own before surgery) I can honestly tell you that I know that my life in the next few months, my activity level, my physical health, my hip, knee, back, feet pain are going to dramatically decrease. I am so excited about the future! I was so afraid to have the surgery. I told myself that I lost 24 I could get the rest off, and I probably could have....but it would just return with a vengeance and bring a few pounds of friends. I finally had enough and decided to live this next chapter of my life for ME. I talked myself into looking at the surgery as a gift to myself. I can already tell it is one of the best gifts I have ever gotten. Educate yourself, sweetie. Read all that you can on morbid obesity and the effects on the body's organs. It is not pretty. I sure wish I would have had the means to do this surgery years ago, but I didn't, taking care of 3 kids and putting them through college and an invalid mother took all of my time and resources. Be kind to yourself, educate yourself, ponder and come to your own decision. Everyone has tried to get you to "see the light", but only you can open the blinds. Good luck on your journey, may it be a happy and healthy one. I wish you only the best.

Mine was Dec. 3rd. I am 10 days out and finally feeling like myself! There were a couple of really rough days, but I don't remember much about them now, kinda like childbirth. To those about to go for their surgery....just remember, sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk. That is all you have to do (and take your meds). It is kinda hard to get fluids in, and I haven't met my goal yet...but I will! I'm so excited to see what the new year will bring to everyone! Good luck!!!!

Mine was Dec. 3rd as well. Are you getting your Protein shakes and Water in? Are you walking? What is your daily intake like?

Have not had one in months, then got one Dec 4th., the day I got home from the hospital. Still have it, 6 days later! What the heck?!?!?!?

Does anyone else feel like their new tummy is fused to their abdominal wall. I mean, all of my other organs move freely and I don't feel them, but my stomach feels like it is glued to the wall of my abdomen. When I try to sleep on my side I am propping it up with a pillow but I still feel a tugging. What is that all about? Am I alone in this or maybe someone else feels it too?

I did have a hiatal hernia repaired. It could very well be referred pain from that. It is such a strange tugging pain when I lay on my left side or even if I stretch my back. Thanks for your suggestions, you two. I appreciate you taking the time.

I have learned that hiccups are incredibly painful after WLS. They came out of the blue, was not drinking anything. Man, do they ever hurt.

Didn't the dr. give you spasm pills? If not, call and ask them to prescribe hyoscyamine. It has saved my sanity!

Shari, Today is day 5 and I can tell you that I actually feel like I am gonna make it! The first day home was a piece of cake and I thought I was just going to sail through. Then the **** hit the fan and I don't think I consciously saw daylight for more than a few minutes at a time....and trust me, I just wanted to sleep. I don't believe there is much more pain with the hernia than without. I was/am still a little tender at the middle of my rib cage, but nothing I can't handle. Just make sure to take your meds on time and don't try to be a hero and not take them. Trust the process.....take the meds. I think the hyoscyamine saved my sanity as the spasms got pretty wild for a bit. I have learned that drinking too much makes me sit up straight and wish I had taken one less sip. I am not physically hungry, but head hunger is a whole different animal. I rarely ate pizza before but would kill for a glop of cheese with sauce and a slice of pepperoni right now....so weird. Good luck to all. It is really not all that bad, but some (like me) may have a couple of days that just need to disappear!

Okay, this is it! I have to be at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. for a 9:30 surgery. I am absolutely beside myself. Had a bowl of Soup for dinner and am having a cup of tea now. Water till 10:00 then nothing after that. So many emotions right now. Sad that I let myself get to this point. Excited about the future me. Nervous that I won't wake up from the surgery. Anxious and nauseous. OMGI think I should just go to bed and get this ball rolling. Just don't think I can sleep. Hopefully I can update this post tomorrow afternoon and be alive and as upbeat as you all have been. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences. You have no idea how much it has helped me. Goodnight all. "See" you tomorrow!

Hi Novelist, I had my surgery on the 3rd. Feeling kinda crummy still. Very tired. Very slowly getting fluids in, definitely not the 64 that the dr. wants but hey, I am giving it my best shot here. No signs of dehydration so far, so good. Hope you are doing great! Please update when you have time.

@@Skywalker, some people just have a harder time waking from anesthesia, I don't know what causes it. As for the weight gain, my blood pressure got so low they had to double up on the IV bags to get more Fluid into me, thus the weight gain. The last two days have been hell for me. I slept an awful lot and have had quite a bit of pain in my guts. Just feeling very out of sorts. The good news is, I lost that pesky 9 pounds plus one so I am moving in the right direction! Looking forward to feeling a little better every day. Just keep walking and sipping....that is what I have been told to do. Wishing you all well!

I had mine on the 3rd. and feel absolutely awful. I have been walking and sipping and sleeping. My tummy looks like I should have given birth 5 months ago. It is uncomfortable and I cannot shake the pounding headache I have. Looks like this may be a normal thing. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Hope you feel better by then as well!

Hi! I made it thru the surgery! Had a rough time coming out of the anesthesia. I never did wake up in the recovery room. I came to finally at about 7:30 last night - surgery was at 9:30 yesterday morning. Hubby and kids were in the room waiting for me to wake up. I awoke to their laughter (which was a wonderful way to wake up), as I was apparently petting the pillow, thinking it was one of my pups! I was in and out for all of last night. Had a problem with my blood pressure bottoming out and they doubled up on the IV fluids. I have gained 9 pounds since yesterday. Today I was discharged home and have been wandering around the house, walking, walking walking. Drinking is no problem. I have had 4 oz of chicken broth, a sugar free popsicle, 1/2 of a cup of sugar free Jello and 1/3 of a Premier Protein shake. Also about 8oz of Water. I think I am doing great. I have some pain at the largest site and I have lots of pain in my shoulder and collar bone, but it is manageable....thank God for good drugs. I took a 7.5 hydrocodone at 4 o'clock and am getting ready to take another. I did not crush it, just took it whole with a few sips of water. I am amazed at how good I feel. I also had a hernia clipped - that spot is pretty tender too. But all in all, it seems too good to be true and I am waiting for the shoe to drop! I am an optimist by nature and am hoping that works in my favor....but I am a little leery as to how much easier this is than I thought it would be! Wishing you all the same on your journey!

Tomorrow I will understand what you are talking about. I am so afraid that I am going to be the one person who does not have their appetite curbed from this! Yikes!

Thanks everyone! I am nervous as a cat and just can't stop pacing. Going to finish up a little laundry and try to rest.....this is harder than I thought it was going to be! Antsy is not even close to what I am feeling!

Hope today goes great for you!!!! Good luck!

Novelist, Wanting to sleep the day away - I understand that feeling completely! You are gonna do great!!! I'll be thinking of you, keep us posted.

How are you today? Hope you find answers soon!

Oh my gosh! Three more days and I will be sleeved. I am so anxious. Last night was my last night at work till after the New Year. Everyone was giving me hugs and telling me they can't wait to see the "new me" and reassuring me that I will not die on the table! That is my big fear. I know I will be fine after the surgery, its just making it to that point! I cannot wait to get this over with. My mantra....patience grasshopper. Good luck everyone....hope to see you all on the other side of the process!! p.s. prayers are most certainly welcome

Hi All! I just got home from my pre op appointment. Boy, that was a lot of information in a few short hours! I am ready to do this and get on with things. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know that this year I am thankful for the gift of health that I am giving myself. Tomorrow will be filled with stuffing myself....not with food...but with positive thoughts and the joy of adding a few extra years of being able to Celebrate with my wonderful family. I hope you all find the health and happiness that you are searching for.

12/3......almost there!

YAY! Good luck!! You're gonna do great!

Love the excitement and happiness I felt from this post! Congratulations, sweetie, you earned it.

Thenewnic, your surgery is tomorrow?!?!?! What time? I am wishing you a quick healing, happy journey. Please update as soon as you can. I'll be looking for you!