Pac-woman

@QueenieB Calm down. Trust me, I know what you mean. I am 7 days post op. I was in regret mode the minute I got wheeled into my room in the hospital after surgery. I felt like I did something terribly to hurt myself as punishment for being fat. How can I do this to myself, blah blah blah. It will subside, I promise. I am okay now...everyday it gets a little better. Do I wish I can have a nice big plate of food like by boyfriend does? You bet! But then I remember how miserable and shameful I was before and you know....you get over it. You really do. With time, your belly will heal and you will be able to increase your food intake a little more. Think of your stomach as being a newborn baby tummy. Brand new and you have to nurse it, teach it, and take care of it. Keep in touch.

Day 7! Today is the first day I am by myself. Finally! I have been surrounded by people since the day of the surgery. Sometimes a girl needs some "me" time you know? Just time to yourself to think and even if it is just slouching in the couch watching hideous programs. Today is just me and my protein shake finally. I enjoy the quiet, nothing but my dogs snoring, small chattering from the tv in the background, and just trying to quietly take what has happened in the past week slowly in. It has been overwhelming. It has been an emotional rollercoaster ride, feeling depressed, in pain, in doubt, fear?, regret?, and happy to be slimming down even if it means eating like a chipmunk for the rest of my life. UGH. BUT, it has to be done.. There was no other way out. I tried everything, and I consider myself pretty active compared to others. But the eating habits, the carb, the fast food, the fried stuff was out of my control. Do I miss certain foods? For sure! My head does. I practically eat with my eyes now, while this surgery has put a muzzle on my mouth practically (virtually). I would kill for a chicken nugget right now. But if I can't even down my protein shake, what in heavens makes me think I can swallow a nugget? I think as of today, I am parting with boiled eggs. Something I liked before, I just can't stomach the texture now. It is amazing how things change. The deviled ham (a.k.a. cat food) is out the door too. THat was a desperate attempt to eat something other than shakes, well, it turned out to be nasty to me. Can't stomach that either. Do I fantasize a hamburger from Red Robin? HELL YEAH, can I have it? The reality is even if I wanted it and grabbed it, my stomach will have no part of it. So, I will just be more active in "Food porn" what can I say? lol I broke out the wii today and did some aerobics. I was really feeling it in my legs. Then I sat down to finish the shake I have been working on for the past hour and half. I guess I took this day just to have my mind settle. Tomorrow will be a more active day I am sure. I still sleep in a fort of pillows.....but pain is subsiding and boredom increasing. I have no idea when I return to work. Hopefully soon, cause the money and the activity is needed. I have no idea how I am going to handle the gawking from people when I return. double ugh.

I am still new at this as I am only 7 days post op. But the hair loss thing is a worry for me. I am taking 7500mg of Biotin (1 pill daily) hoping it will help prevent a large portion of it. They did tell me that 3-4 months down the line, I may see hair loss because of the shock to the body, yadda yadda yadda. What I don't understand is 3-4 months later from the surgery shouldn't be such a "shock" anymore.!?! Then I remember hearing my NUT saying that hair is Protein, to just make sure my protein intake is up to par. So there are so many directions to this and no one knows for sure how to prevent it. I hope it doesn't get to bad.

I was give the following regimen: Daily Multivitamin BComplex with Thiamine (B-1) 50-100 mg B12 = either 1000mcg monthly injection, or 500mcg daily or B-12 intranasal. Elemental Iron 45-60mg a day with 500mg vitamin c Elemental Calcium with Vitamin D 1200-1500mg *Do not take Iron and Calcium together, it cancels each other out chemically. Take separate The only added thing was Pepcid after surgery. You can buy a pill grinder. Simple, cheap, grind, dump in your protein shake and keep going!

My surgery was 1/12 and i have lost 9 pounds. Mind you, i barely eat, nothing fits and trouble drinking. Takes me 45 min to drink a cup of protein shake. The RN at the bariatric unit said NOT to weigh yourself until the day of follow up. Of course i did out of curiosity. I will not weigh myself anymore till my follow up on the 28th with the surgeon.

Ketosis for sure. sugar free mints? Ketosis is temp, it will go away. Then you get to deal with Protein powder shake breath. Lol. Joy.

Good luck! Keep in touch

I only have 3 supporting people in my life. My boyfriend, my concerned sister and my boss (she had bypass 15yrs ago). Everyone else? Can kiss it. The few "friends" that know hasn't even checked on me. I am 7 days post surgery today.

Don't be sorry, this is good stuff to know! Thanks.

@@blondiebabs gotta laugh girl, this is a rollercoaster ride! I wish you nothing but awesomeness in your surgery and feel free to keep in touch. I am on My Fitness Pal under : pugboston and I started a low carb recipe page to keep track of goodies so when I get to the chomp chomp- SOLID!! stage. www.facebook.com/recipes4thenewyou If you need another chuckle, I get real on my blogs, started today! lol http://www.bariatricpal.com/blog/9886/entry-33668-diary-of-a-fat-girl-day-6-post-op/ ***This goes for anyone else too, we are all friendly here striving for the same thing***

I am 6 days post OP. Does anyone know when the swelling in the tummy area goes down? I put on a pair of work pants to see how they fit since I have lost 30lbs total (includes preop) and the leg and butt area was loose but I can't close the pants without squeezing the swollen area??!

Funny,I did a blog on here about that today, totally understand! I am divorcing Lane Bryant for good!

Today is day 6 of post op. I have managed to make it through another day and moving towards the light. Right now, I have only managed to put it about 300 calories for the entire day. (30 grams protein). I knew I needed to walk, and so we went to the mall. This helps me get out of the house since I am getting cabin fever, While I was at the mall, I walked slowly and carefully as my side still is sensitive and it hurts. As I walked, all I could see was all the pretty clothes that I knew I was going to sink my teeth into when this post op journey subsides. OMG! Those clearance racks. You know how much money I am going to save!!?? I looked at shoes, clothes, the PRICES, I was so happy as I dragged my @ss along. Then we were driving in a shopping center an guess what I saw? I saw Lane Bryant with a 70% off of clearance sign outside. As my boyfriend drove by it, I first saw it, smiled.....and then stuck my tongue out at it. Lane Bryant, I won't need you anymore real soon! Thank you for all those wonderful years that you saved my butt and made me look modern, cute and decent for work. But our time has come to part and I have to move on to other new store friends. Yes, Lane Bryant, I am breaking up with YOU and your credit card!!! WOOOHOOO. As I sit here, I feel full, satisfied. Yet I see all these commercials for pizza and hamburgers, chicken nuggets. My eyes and head are still hungry. My boyfriend must think I am nuts. I sit here and it seems I have food tourettes. All of a sudden, I look at him and say " I want a cheeseburger" or "I want pizza". Hell, I want beanie weenies!! lol All I hear from him is "get over it". (As he munches away on good delishes food and I sip on a protein shake) Can't wait till I can make a homemade hamburger so I can kill that head craving!

@@BLERDgirl I am impressed. You knew exactly what I was talking about! You sure did your homework!!

@@BLERDgirl Oh yeah, I definately requested help to get up from the bed. First they had to disconnect me from all these God aweful cords (IV, heartbeat monitor, the leg circulation pumping thing, etc)... Maybe if they would have boosted the hospital bed higher I could have wiggled my way out of it on my own. I had very shallow breathing (i usually do), I guess they had some concern. I had to inhale into this plastic cup looking thing to get my lungs stronger and keeping them from collapsing. Sounds more horrible than it was.

Seriously? You were up and running 15 mins after your surgery? I laid in bed like an upside down turtle for about a few days. I needed help to get up.

@@blondiebabs Funny, I have a Pug.... So yeah.....I know exactly what your talkling about......

@@blondiebabs @@purrfctangel It is hilarious, frustrating, and exhausting to be an upside down turtle. I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or feel sorry for myself. (all the above) I would wiggle to the left, right and got no where. Used legs and arms, and plop back down. (all this while trying to avoid pain). And finally, FINALLY when you give in, you are exhausted and yell for help. LOL So glad I am over that hump. Now I just get out of the chair and sit in one as if I am 90yrs old. I am in granny stage now.

@@thesuse2000 out of curiousity, how much can you eat after your workout? I am still knew at this and I can barely put down 1/4 of chicken broth. I would like to think I will be somewhat normal one day.

I had doubts too. On my pre-surgery diet I lost 14 pounds in 2 weeks! I was like...I can do this on my own??!! But no, if you have come to the point of considering the sleeve, most likely you are at your wits end with the weight and health issue. I had to deal with people totally against the surgery (so I decided to keep it quiet when I went for it).....Because at the end of the day, this is about you and your health. Not about other people's opinion and fears. People who are skinny and are exercise buffs don't understand our "fat world". No matter how much you explain, a fat person and a skinny person won't see eye to eye. Why? Because they do not know what it is like in our shoes AT ALL. If you need some time to think it over, then do so. This is something that you have to go into with 100% confidence. Yes, you will be nervous a few days before, but it is all for the better correct? Don't let others scare you. Find a support group that understands and base your decisions on facts not fears.

Ever heard of liquid in, liquid out? Yeah...that is what happens. If you are not eating anything with texture and are on a post liquid only diet, then just hang in there. Maybe add tasteless Fiber powder in your Protein shake? (Benefiber) I was like that the first 3 days, then it subsided slowly. But I was trying to find something to eat. I have tried refried Beans (not a fan), I have tried scrambled eggs, like really watery and soft. That went okay, but only able to eat half an egg. Take you all day to eat one stinking egg! lol Whatever you do, don't trust a fart right now.