lauraellen80
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Everything posted by lauraellen80
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Unbearable pain -- advice?
lauraellen80 replied to cuchas's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had surgery on the 15th, too. Try using a heating pad for the gas pain. I used mine in the hospital and it really helped, just keep it on low or medium so you don't accidentally burn yourself! -
HW 235lb 12-20-2014.jpg
lauraellen80 posted a gallery image in Before and After Gastric Sleeve Photos
From the album: lauraellen80
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June 15th, anyone?
lauraellen80 replied to kareichle's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I decided that I'm not going to weigh myself until my post-op appointment next week because I don't think it will be very accurate right now... remember that they pumped you full of IV fluids in the hospital, and your body is recovering from the shock of surgery. A lot of people on these boards said that they actually gained weight temporarily, then it dropped when the fluids and gas and everything settled down. I wouldn't worry about it! -
June 15th, anyone?
lauraellen80 replied to kareichle's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yep, most of my pain is on the right. They said that that incision is deeper in the muscle than the others. It's the biggest incision too.... I think it's where they pull out the part of your stomach that they removed. -
June 15th, anyone?
lauraellen80 replied to kareichle's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I puked this morning, but I think it was a combination of taking my antidepressant for the first time in a couple of days without much in my stomach and not having taken the Pepcid I was prescribed. It hurt like hell! -
I'm 2 days post-op and just went a little while ago. Hopefully it continues! I had problems with an anal fissure a couple years ago and NEVER want to go through that again... "like giving birth to a bouquet of razor blades" is how I describe it. I'm going to ask the surgeon at my follow-up next week of I will be allowed to mix in some psyllium fiber with my protein shakes to keep things moving.
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I'm not even planning to weigh myself until my follow up visit with my surgeon next week. I figure that with my body recovering from surgery and all the IV fluids they pumped into me, my weight is going to be all over the place.
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I'm taking pills now, my surgery was on Monday. I tried to take a oxycodone pill when I was still in he hospital yesterday, but i gagged on it. Today I was able to take my antidepressant and Pepcid without problems swallowing. I do recommend taking pills while standing up rather than sitting or lying down, and raising your arms over your head if the pill feels stuck.
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I got some zofran in the hospital right after surgery, and it worked well. I didn't have anymore nausea until a little bit ago after I took my effexor (antidepressant) for the first time since surgery, hadn't taken any of my prescribed Pepcid yet, and definitely didn't have enough in my stomach! I ralphed all over my foyer but felt a lot better after taking a Pepcid. I just got down a 1/3 cup of a protein shake.
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June 15th, anyone?
lauraellen80 replied to kareichle's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My first night at home went... okay. I didn't take any of my pain medicine (liquid Tylenol with codeine) before I went to bed, and I should have. I also wish I'd just slept in the recliner in the living room instead of in bed. Our bed isn't very conducive to propping yourself up, and once I was lying down, I couldn't move. I tried shifting to my side (how I usually sleep), but that pulled on my deep incision. So I woke up sore and grumpy. Took some of my pain meds and am now in the recliner with my feet up. -
June 15th, anyone?
lauraellen80 replied to kareichle's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I just got home from the hospital a little while ago. Feeling pretty good. I woke up from surgery pretty nauseated and out of it, but once I got up to my room, I was doing better. Got to have ice chips last night, then water, broth, jello today. I was up and down a lot last night to pee. I have burped a lot as well. I walked the halls some yesterday, and more this morning. Hope my other June 15th sleeve buddies are doing well, too! -
Checked into the hospital, waiting for surgery!
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My day is June 17th
lauraellen80 replied to DreamsComeTrue15's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm going in for surgery tomorrow morning. I also haven't lost much weight on pre-op, but my PA said not to worry about it. My nerves haven't fully kicked in yet, but I don't think I'll be able to sleep much tonight! -
Pre-Op and major anxiety hitting - Is it all really worth it?
lauraellen80 replied to AngelJoyD's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
It must be something about those first few days of the pre-op diet. I had a meltdown on Day 4 and had to lock myself in the bathroom at work to sob uncontrollably and hyperventilate. "What the hell am I doing?! Why am I doing this?!" I'm having surgery on Monday, and I'm probably going to have an anxiety attack when they start to prep me that morning... but I've come this far, and I've got to go through with it! But, I have to say... while the pre-op diet continues to suck, it does get easier. And it has helped me a lot to come on these boards and read posts by people who are 6 months, 1 year, several years, etc. out of surgery. When you're on the liquid diet, you do start to think, "Oh, my god. This is my life now. I'll never be able to eat real food again." But reading posts from people leading healthy, happy, normal lives, it does reassure you that this part of the journey isn't forever. Good luck! -
Waiting for my surgery approval/date
lauraellen80 replied to smrogg's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
My hospital check-in time is 6:00am Monday morning. Not looking forward to getting up at 5:00am, but glad that my surgery will be early enough that the surgeon and his staff will be fresh, and I won't have to sit around all day waiting and freaking out. I still have some things to do around the house tomorrow morning (wash towels & sheets, clean the bathroom, etc.), then I work in the afternoon, then I pick my mom up at the airport in the evening, so hopefully I'll keep busy enough tomorrow to not think about it too much! -
Got my check-in time for Monday's surgery--6am! I'm sooooo not a morning person, but glad I don't have to wait around all day, being nervous.
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Waiting for my surgery approval/date
lauraellen80 replied to smrogg's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
@smrogg--Yay! So happy for you! I am a total bundle of nerves today--I'm supposed to be getting a call today from my surgeon's office with my surgery time for Monday. Ack! -
Not losing enough on pre-op diet
lauraellen80 posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm on day 7 of my 2-week pre-op diet (3-5 Protein shakes, plus broth, SF Jello, SF popsicles, and non-starchy veggies). I've been getting about 650-800 calories a day, about 100 g of protein, and getting all my Water in. But I've only lost 3 or 4 pounds so far. I see on these boards that most people lose 1-2 pounds a day on the pre-op diet, and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I have not cheated at all, but I will admit that I skipped water aerobics twice this past week because I've felt tired, weak, and dizzy with activity. I'm worried that this doesn't bode well for my weight loss post-surgery. Is a negligible pre-op weight loss indicative that surgery won't work for me, either? Or is there something that I'm screwing up? -
Anyone else aggravated?
lauraellen80 replied to ShrinkingPeach's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I'm worried that this is directed toward me and my post the other day about being concerned that I wasn't losing enough weight on my pre-op diet. I can assure you that I wasn't looking for permission to cheat on my plan, and I was not lying about not having cheated on my plan. I was just looking for honest advice on whether I was doing something wrong that was affecting my pre-op loss. And I did end up calling my surgeon's office and speaking to the PA about my concerns. I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm still new to this, and it's overwhelming and scary, and I'm just grateful to have a place to see how other people deal with weight loss surgery. -
2 days post op and feel great(pic inside)
lauraellen80 replied to Drzstephy's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Glad you're doing so well! And those incisions don't look scary at all! A comfort to someone who is having surgery in a few days! -
Oh, maybe the Luigi's are strawberry, not cherry. I dunno, they're red. My problem is that I can't handle aspartame (it's a migraine trigger for me), so I have to hunt out the sugar-free stuff that is made with Splenda or stevia or something. Jello brand Gelatin is out, but Hunt's Snack Packs are OK. And most of the sugar-free popsicles have aspartame. I just bought a popsicle mold and tried making some of my own with Mio flavoring in Water. Unfortunately, all the flavoring must have sunk to the bottom, because only the outside of the popsicles have any flavor! I'm going to try making popsicles with some of my fruity-flavored Protein powder samples. My pre-op is two weeks. I'm on day 10 now, surgery is on Monday.
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I'm still on my pre-op liquid diet, but I've been having Luigi's sugar-free Italian ice. I just wish it came in more flavors than just cherry and lemon.
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Today starts my preop diet..exactly 14 days before surgery
lauraellen80 replied to LadyinBlue's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm on day 10 of my two-week pre-op diet, and it's been crazy. I've definitely cried a few times. On day 4, I had to lock myself in the bathroom at work to sob and hyperventilate, just overwhelmed by this huge life change. I've had a few thoughts of, "Oh my god... why are you doing this?! Can't you just control your eating like a normal person?!" But the answer is, no, I can't. I've been struggling with my weight and eating since I was about 8. Another round of Weight Watchers is just not going to do it. And I can't keep going like I have been the past few years, gaining weight and having health issues, because I'm only 34 and I can't do half the things that my 61-year-old mother can. I definitely recommend avoiding the grocery store and gatherings with focus on food during the pre-op diet, especially if yours is liquids only. I made the mistake of stopping at the grocery store for a few things last night and almost lost it in the bakery section. I'm finding that I have to keep reminding myself that I will not be on a liquid diet forever! It also helps if you do not have to cook meals for others right now. It's just my husband and me, and thankfully he is very sensitive to my needs and is doing Herbalife shakes while I'm on liquids, eating his "real food" for lunch and having a shake with me at suppertime. -
Not losing enough on pre-op diet
lauraellen80 replied to lauraellen80's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Okay, so despite the encouraging words here, I've continued to worry and obsess over my minimal weight loss on my pre-op diet (still only about 4 pounds so far). So I called my surgeon's office and talked to the PA. She said that they don't have any specific amount they want me to lose before surgery, it's just to shrink my liver. She also said that if I weighed 500 pounds, I would be more likely to see a bigger drop, but with a lower starting weight, it's not going to be as much. And she said that some people retain Water or their bodies hang on to the weight when there is a big shift (i.e., going from solid foods to all liquids). Also, she said that a small loss on the pre-op diet in no way indicates that you won't lose a lot after surgery. I probably will still have some anxiety, because being a worry-wort is in my DNA, but I do feel a bit better.