Hello!
My name is Elizabeth I will be 35 on the 13th of this month and I had the gastric sleeve done on Feb 23rd. ( about 6 days ago) I thought I would have an easy going, smooth, surgery and hospital stay. It didn't quite work out that way. After surgery I started having problems with my drain, My average output was I think 500-800 cc a shift. Needless to say, my hemoglobin went as low as 6 and I needed a blood transfusion, also, my kidneys started acting up. My labs were all over the place and had to have my labs drawn multiple times a day. I have one good vein that they kept the IV in and oh it was torture every time someone had to come in and draw them. So I did not end up going home right away, I ended up staying an extra day. Finally I got my strength back and have been doing just fine. The drain is still in and it is a source of added stress ( I am constantly measuring and inspecting the color) but other than that, I have been feeling rather good. I wasn't really able to walk around and be active in the hospital. They kinda let me slide since there was no strength in me and I looked like I was about to pass out all the time. I have been drinking my Clear liquids and shakes pretty well and am having no problems being active. I have lost 15 lbs since my surgery, I think that is pretty good.
I started my weight issues when I was 16 right after I had my son and I have been struggling with it ever since. The heaviest I have ever been was around the time I decided I wanted to have this surgery done at almost 300 lbs. Even looking at that makes me cringe. I tried dieting, portion control, I am pretty active already but I got a gym membership and was only able to maybe lose 20 lbs before I would give up. I am hoping this is the jump start I need to help me. I will be 35 in two weeks and my goal was to be finally ready to really start living at this age. I always said I needed to fix other things in my life and when I was ready, I would work on my body. To me, that was the lowest of priorities. Here I am already 33 lbs lighter. I decided to join this forum because finding a support group close to me was going to be a problem. Anyhow, I look forward to reading as many of your stories as I can!
