B Autumn

I had hypothyroidism before surgery. You may want to get e referral to an endocrinologist. Your post mentioned that your a cancer survivor. Cancer can pkay havoc with your thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is very easily treated. The trick is getting a good endocrinologist that does a full series if tests. Look up a lady named Mary Shomon. She us a thyroid activists and has a lot of good information. You definitely want this taken care of because your thyroid controls metabolism. It can really mess up your bodies ability to lose weight. Good luck.

Our hospital had nice big non-slip socks. Thank goodness. There was no way I was bending in half to fix slippers. Wore the gown with one around my back for some modesty. Also took lose underwear. My spouse had surgery three weeks after me. First thing after recovery was putting on underwear. It really makes you feel less vulnerable. I took way too much stuff. Glad I had my book because it was Thanksgiving and there was nothing on tv. Keep it simple and comfy. Also don't be surprised if you put on fluid weight from the iv. I came out five pounds heavier. Really irritating but fluid us really important. Focus on hydration abd you will be fine.

Saw my surgeon yesterday. He says I am not losing quickly enough. I have to start calorie counting. When I qas done with surgery Nov. 25th I was 355. Down from 383 in June. Yesterday I weighed at 296. I thought about nineteen pounds a month was pretty good. Apparently not. This is the first time since I was a teenager that I weigh less than three hundred pounds. I guess I really am a gastric failure too.

Thank you all so much. Before we went into surgery I told him my biggest fear was that it wouldn't work. I started dieting at age five. So many times I have tried but couldn't stick to it. The last couple of years my life has changed drastically. We adopted three special needs children from foster care. Found out the oldest was sexually abusing the younger ones before thay came to us. Had that child removed for the safety of the others. We have continued to advocate for that child because they have a traumatic brain injury and grew up being abused. It is all they ever knew. We have both been working to become healthier better parents. Up to now the surgeon has been very supportive. I don't know if he forgot I had an earlier appointment than expected. I fell flat on a cement floor and came in to have him check. He was checking my weight against my last visit I think. I'm not sure if he was measuring from last visit or actual surgery. Just a big let down because I was worried I would still be over 300. Thanks again for being so supportive during my pity party. You all are great inspirations.

No drain either.

Same thing here. I figured I am just giving into my anxiety. Hope it's nothing serious for you.

I had blurry vision when I was dehydrated.

I have seen a recipe for a pizza crust made of cauliflower. Hoping to try it soon. Also tried cloud bread. It's pretty good after it's sat overnight. If you eat it right after it cools it is crunchy like a meringue.

Congratulations. Just stay hydrated. Biggest mistake I made was not get enough fluid.

This is a great question. I'm curious whhay other people are eating. Breakfast is usually egg whites, turkey sausage, or Greek yogurt. Lunch is sometime rolled lunch meat. Lots of times it's whatever is left from a meal I couldn't finish the night before. Dinner is shrimp, canned chicken, or ground turkey. A bit of mixed veg with soy beans, spap peas, and baby carrots. My surgical practice doesn't approve of hummus. No nuts, protein bars, or peanut butter. Also fruit is only supposed to be a morning snack.

I was okay until I fell about a week and a half ago. We had to walk my daughter into school to talk to the teacher. Dusty, slippery floor, and a four year old sort of under foot. Next thing I know my feet slid out from under me. Got my little one out of the way but ended up spread eagle on the floor. I actually debated if I had cracked my ribs. (I did that in a fall before) I have fibromyalgia so I knew it would hurt. A week later I still hurt. Saw my primary doctor on Wednesday. She felt around. Asked when I see the surgeon again because I am about two months out. I said another month. She said call his office she would like him to check. Now I am nervous. I had pain before and the surgeon said it was from the hernia repair. Unfortunately my daughter is having some major health issues. I had to take her three hours away to the children's hospital Thursday. Got back earlier than expected and tried to call the surgeon but never got a call back. Of course my surgeon doesn't see patients on Fridays. Now I am stuck until Monday when it's supposed to snow. In the meantime I am still in pain and it's worse when I eat. Ended up vomiting once today which didn't help. Sorry this is long I'm just a wee bit terrified. The only good news is that after I fell I was able to get up by myself. I'm still a big girl just over three hundred pounds. So has anyone else fallen a couple months out? Were you okay? Thanks

Thank you all. I had some issues about three weeks out. My spouse had surgery and I let myself get dehydrated while sitting at the hospital. A couple days later I had two ER trips. One for dehydration then back for a vestibular migraine with bilateral rotary nystygmus. In other words a migraine with vertigo and jumpy eyes. Not fun. Lasted about a week or so. My surgeon has been terrific. His staff okay. I'm probably fine but it concerned me when my PCP said to call after examining me. Right now I'm doing ok with liquid. Trying to eat slow and make sure to chew. I feel more pain if I twist or stretch a lot. That's why I think it's the stitches from the hernia. The stupid part is I don't hurt as much where the bruises are coming up. Taking it easy. Thank you for letting me vent. It's hard to whine at my better half because we both are experiencing this recovery. In a way it's good to have someone that knows. In a way it's bad because you don't get much sympathy.

Thanks. My spouse says if I puke again I'm going to the ER. Hard part is I have to go alone. We have two special needs kids and no babysitter. My Mom was helping but was diagnosed with cancer and heart failure at the end of May. I am a total baby about needles, hospitals, and being alone. I called the surgeon right after it happened. They told me not to worry unless I got pockets of visible fluid or swelling. I'm not sure how they expect me know if I have swelling. I'm fat. I do have bruises that are still showing up from under the fat. Not pretty.

I really appreciate your encouragement. My struggle with weight has been a lifelong problem. The first diet I was on started at age five. I have never been a "normal" size. So many people talk about getting back to a certain size. I have no comparison. I don't know what your story is but I feel like we're both in a similar situation at this moment. It's nice not to feel so alone. Thank you.

Wow! You should be so proud of yourself. I'm really looking forward to being able to say I've lost a hundred. You are doing great and that inspires me to keep at it. Thanks.

I am so used to people pointing out that I need to lose. I guess I am just hoping they would notice I am trying. Since surgery I also had some other health issues come up. I have developed a vestibular migraine and nystygmus in both eyes. It's hard to feel accomplished when you have vertigo and your eyes are jumping around giving you double vision. Thanks for trying to put perspective on the situation.

I wish most people I know wwre that polite. Thanks for the suggestion though.

No problem showering. My daughter actually had a neuro surgical procedure done about a month before my surgery. No problem washing, even though it was inher hair. That's what convinced me that I would be okay.

My potassium was a bit low the day of surgery. Unfortunately for me that meant two and a half days of a potassium iv. My poor veins are still burnt. The first thing everyone suggests is a banana which I am violently allergic to. I'm going to have to find a good potassium supplement that will work with my sleeve.

I talked to my primary doctor because I was having cramps before surgery. She was concerned about my B-6 and magnesium levels on top of the potassium. She told me to also watch my fluid intake. You can get leg cramps at night from dehydration.

Just got out of the hospital yesterday. I can barely stand the thought of protein shakes. Not a good time in hospital. Had to stay an extra day.

Congratulations