Bethson
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Everything posted by Bethson
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Turned 60 years old today!! Can't believe it. Don't feel it! Down 70 lbs since May 26 sleeve. What a birthday to celebrate.
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Embarrassing Question - Managing Enuresis in the Hospital?
Bethson replied to wwboy's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had a spinal cord injury about 8 years ago and as a result have a bladder that doesn't empty completely and I have to straight catheterize myself 5 times a day. In addition, my bladder will leak at times, especially at night, so had to wear incontinence products. Managing this stuff was embarrassing at first but now it is old hat for me and I don't hesitate to tell medical people about the issue. I don't see it any different than letting them know you need to wear your glasses, put your hearing aid in, etc. It's part of a bodily function. That said, about a year ago I found out that botox to the bladder had been approved for my condition so that I don't have leakage anymore. My first round lasted three months before leakage began, the next round longer. My quality of life improved tremendously. Yes, I still have to cath and always will but the leakage was more of an issue for me. And bonus, after the sleeve and weight loss, the stress incontinence is significantly improved, even when the botox is wearing off! -
When I started the approval process over a year ago I had no idea that my son would be getting engaged. In one week I will be going to his wedding. I am down to 178 lbs today, a total weight loss of 60+ . Sleeved May 26. I still look in the mirror and see an obese person and still feel obese.
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Noticeable change in appearance
Bethson replied to onesleevedmamma's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I'm having real difficulty with the perception change too. I have avoided full length mirrors and being photographed for years. I was sleeved May 26 and now down almost 65# and still avoid mirrors. When I do look, I don't recognize myself. It's a very weird feeling, almost like dissociating. I am getting ready for my son's wedding on October 17 and have had to shop for a dress. Found one that I think is flattering. Don't want to look "frumpy" but still very uncomfortable with what I see. I am obsessing about the wedding photos I will have to be in and wondering if I should "practice" posing. Didn't plan on the sleeve success and wedding coinciding as started the process before engagement even happened. -
I am four weeks out from being sleeved. For the past few days have been able to get in maybe 300 calories mostly fish, cheese, turkey. Have to force myself to eat even though hungry. Is this a typical experience?
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I am four weeks out from surgery and 59 years old. Waited a long time to make the decision but so far am glad I did. Have had no significant issues related to my age through the process. A bonus is my son got engaged and has the wedding set for October 17. I am hoping to look pretty good for the wedding photos! I am down 33 lbs.
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Chronic Pain anyone?
Bethson replied to Risa Sloane's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My chronic pain is related to a spinal cord injury so I have neurogenic pain in both legs and feet. I think that what has helped is the weight loss reducing some of the pressure on my legs, but I can't say my pain has improved tremendously yet. It hasn't gotten worse either. I'm only 3 weeks post surgery. I truly hope the surgery does reduce your chronic pain. -
I'm a grandma whose grandson, aged 2, lives with us. I struggle with the being old issue on top of the post surgery issue. I took two weeks off from work. My husband was home the first week to help. The second week I took my grandson to his usual daycare. I still had to get him ready and take him there, then was exhausted just from that little bit of exertion. Now back at work I still have to get him ready and get him there and still exhausted as I head off to work. You ladies who are caring for your kids full time after surgery take care of yourselves. Just like after giving birth, nap when they nap and don't push yourself to try to be supermom. You'll get your strength back and more, but take advantage of offers from friends and family to help these first few weeks.
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My program also says crush everything until six weeks out.
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I was told to keep intake to 200 calories first two weeks. Then can go up to 300-400 next two weeks. But different programs have different criteria. What does our program say?
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I showered next day in the hospital. Got ok for tub bath at 2 weeks after surgeon looked at healing. Told me to wait one more week before swimming.
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Only 12 days out since my sleeve and so much has changed (pic inside)
Bethson replied to EnglishDan's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Looking great! Brave man to do the pics…I can't even face a camera yet. -
Down 29#. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since surgery. Still on 200 calories a day. Have gone off all my meds and hoping this is going to be okay. Had been crushing them and mixing with yogurt or applesauce, but then started vomiting them. Really awful. Not taking blood pressure meds but monitoring twice a day and numbers are excellent. Stopped antidepressant and PPI. Don't have heartburn or acid issues. The antidepressant is what I'm most worried about.
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I know I should be titrating but the thought of even attempting to get them down right now makes me gag. The antidepressant in particular is a bad one to come off of so I'm afraid I'm playing with fire with that and need to figure something out. Thanks for the feedback! It is so nice to know someone else is out there!
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Tomorrow I go back to work. Today I attended an event at work. It was the first they have seen me in a little over two weeks. One person who I consider a friend, but not real close, commented about my weight loss (about 30 pounds in the last month with the pre surgery diet) and noted that something must be wrong that I lost all that weight in such a short time. I had told coworkers I was off two weeks for medical purposes, but didn't want her to believe I had something dire wrong with me, so commented that I had the surgery. She said "oh", walked away, and didn't mention it again. Wow! That's why I don't want to tell people but I also don't want to lie or lead them to believe I am wasting away with cancer or something. This will be an interesting return to work as I will have to field questions or just know I am being gossiped about. The gossip I can handle. It's the rejection or whatever that bothers me.
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I am now 10 days post op. Today has been a difficult day. I've been very tired, low energy. Not looking forward to going back to work on Monday but must do it. I have a sedentary job so don't have to exert physical energy, just a lot of mental energy. I value the encouragement I read as people further out from me talk about improvements in these feelings and hang on to that hope.
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I am 9 days post gastric sleeve. Talked with my pharmacist about my Lotrel, which is a combination pill for high blood pressure. I have opened the capsule and there is another smaller capsule and a pellet. No problem opening the little capsule and taking the contents but the pharmacist thinks I should not crush the pellet (which I have been doing) but to swallow it whole. The pellet is tiny, perhaps half the size of a small garden pea. Am I at risk if I swallow it whole to have it get stuck in the staple areas of my stomach? I know I am not to have anything that has seeds like strawberries for some time. Any opinions or experiences will help.
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Thanks all, for your replies and opinions. What you say makes sense. It is indeed comforting to hear from folks who have experiences with this whole thing.
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Thanks, yes I am asking about size. I have to crush or sprinkle everything for six weeks according to the post op program
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Hi Liz, I was sleeved 5/26 also. I am 59 and hope to be a significantly smaller and healthier person when I turn 60 in December. Been having some rough spots and emotional valleys but it seems to be getting better. Good luck!
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Now on day 6 post surgery. What a roller coaster. My support person went back to work after being home with me for a week and I am kind of at a loss as to what to do. Feeling very depressed but haven't been able to take my normal antidepressant because of the capsule, though got tabs I can crush and mix with something. Need to get back stabilized on this. I think I do feel physically better, No pain, no reflux, just an emotional wreck. Don't feel that I can talk with anyone about this.
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Be gentle and kind to yourself, you have had major surgery which is going to change your life in a really positive way. It will take time...allow yourself that time because you are worth it and you deserve it. The worst it over, you will
have good days and some not so good days but before you know it the good days will outnumber the bad and you will look back on this time and know that it was so worth it.
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Listen to @ShrinkingPeach and @casey63! What they are saying is so true, I too must take an anti-depressant due to Post Traumatic Stree related incident. Think positive thoughts and know that it isn't always a great day, but you have made a positive change for you! Every day presents something new and the surgery will bring so many wonderful new days the bad times will get further and further apart from each other. It is your me time now and embrace the fact that you are taking care of you because you have earned everything good to yourself!
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Spent two nights in the hospital following sleeve and at home now. Mostly discomfort, not pain, but extremely difficult to get any water, broth or jello down. Had to mix crushed pills with jello to take them. Not taking pain meds right now due to not having that kind of pain and I am vomiting periodically. I ate part of a sugar free popsicle which is not on my list until next week, but needed to try something else to add fluids. Crystal light is not on my list till next week either, but that may be something else I need to try to increase the fluid intake. Water alone just seems to make the urge to vomit worse. I am taking zofran melts for nausea but doesn't seem to help much.
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Try different temperatures of water. Ice chips were great but when I moved to ice water, it actually made my tummy seize and made me not want to drink more. Then I tried room temp water and that worked great, also warm water or tea was very soothing. Just make sure tea is not caffeinated. Good luck! You will feel better soon.
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Surgery was Tuesday afternoon and went well. Couldn't sleep last night or tonight. Asking myself why did I do this. Crying for no apparent reason. Can anyone relate or give me ways to cope with these thoughts?
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Sleeve surgery is one week from tomorrow. I have been on liquid diet for a week and lost about 10#. Having all kinds of doubts and worries at this point.
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My first post. Been a guest viewer but now decided to sign up. Scheduled for sleeve on May 26. Enjoy all the information I am able to gather from these sites.
