dlmacarthur

Hi all, I am 30 years old from the Pacific Northwest and was just sleeved on Wednesday. I don't have many people I feel comfortable discussing this all with so I'm hoping to make some support friends along the way? I'm new to this page so am not entirely sure how it all works but I'd love to chat with anyone going through a similar time process.

I was sleeved on the 29th. I'm down 31 pounds, but only 14 of those since the actual surgery date, most was from pre-op. I have been +/- 1lb for the last 2 weeks with 0 movement on the scale. One day I finally dropped 2.5 pounds but then gained it back the next day. I know a stall is normal but I have been getting very depressed about how long mine has been going on and the fact I only lost 14 after surgery when so many people have been losing significantly more. Again, I know everyone is different and stalls are normal, but that doesn't make it any less difficult emotionally & mentally.

Hello all, I'm new to this page and to this whole experience. I just had the sleeve performed on Wednesday morning. I have been morbidly obese since at least 7 years old. I remember earning the name "miss piggy" in my 1st grade weigh in at school when I weighed over 100 pounds. I have struggled with weight my entire life. I still remember going into junior high and asking my mother if I stayed a size 18w for the rest of my life if I would be normal some day. I think of these events and my heart breaks for my own kids. I love my parents but they held great responsibility for my weight issues at such a young age. Anyway, I have tried every diet and have even lost over 100 lbs on two separate occasions, but even at my lowest weights I was still morbidly obese. I turned to bulimia in my mid 20d and instead of losing weight caused severe physical problems. It took a lot to finally decide to proceed with this surgery and I still wake up some days terrified, hoping I made the right decision. I do not know many who have gone through this and honestly ashamed to talk openly with friends and family about it. I know this is a personal issue I will need to get over, but for now I am hoping a support group like this may help. If there's anyone along the same time frame as me, age (I'm 30 years old living in the Pacific Northwest and have two children, ages 9 & 5) I would love to make some friends with similar experiences.

Gas pains are much more likely than you experiencing actual physical hunger, either gas pains or head hunger. My head hunger came back pretty quickly but realistically I knew it wasn't physical hunger. Every doctor is different, but for the first two weeks I could have Protein shakes, smooth yogurts, broths and sugar free Popsicles. I just got approved for puréed foods, which with my doctor is something I'll be on for the next 3 weeks, then soft foods for 3 weeks and finally introducing normal foods at 8 weeks out. If your doctor has said no, it's not worth the risk in my opinion. I know it's hard but as much as I wish it was, this surgery is definitely not the easy way out, it's going to be a lot of hard work and going without the things you want most. Best of luck!

It doesn't work for most but I gotta tell you, my husband told me on our very first date that he was going to marry me someday. I rolled my eyes and blew him off. We just celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary in June. Love is unexpected. There is great advice here, but truth be told, loving yourself is the most important piece, the rest will come naturally. Focus on you. And while you may feel lonely, you have all of these people here rooting you on and here for you. Stay strong! ????

Good! I've had a few minor setbacks and have struggled more with mental and emotional issues rather than physical issues, but overall good. Today was my 2 week post op and I got the green light to move to puréed foods which my stomach (and mind) were oh so thankful for!! I'm down about 30 pounds so far and am just taking things one day at a time This app/support group has been amazing in terms of inspiration and guidance on things that I wasn't expecting or ready for.

I was certain the pain wouldn't end either but honestly, my nurse said it best, every 24 hours that passes is a new day and a new you. It sounds so cheesy but it's true. Every day you'll feel just a little bit better. I didn't feel even semi-normal until about 5 days post op. I'm now 11 days out and I'm still sore and tired but so much better. I was also told not to focus/worry so much about the food, it's most important to make sure you're getting your fluids in because that's what's going to make the big difference on pain level, fatigue, etc. Best of luck.

Before I committed to surgery, I spent 9 months researching, meeting with doctors, counsellors, etc. to make sure I was making the right decision for me (granted some of this was insurance requirement, but still...). Throughout the entire time I struggled with guilt including the feelings you're having now. In context, I am someone who struggles with guilt over everything (raised a catholic...that may explain a lot ????). Anyway, I think what you're feeling is incredibly normal for many people. I am nearing 2 weeks post op and I still am struggling once in awhile with those feelings. Even today I had a bit of a break down with some feelings of regret, but I know in the big scheme of things this was the right decision for me. You are the only one who knows you and what is best for you. I would personally recommend speaking to a counselor during your process who may be able to put some of your feelings into perspective for you.

I am one week post op and yesterday was the best I have felt. I set a timer and made sure to eat every two hours , I got my water in, was up and walking. Today I woke up with heartburn, dry heaves and pain. After doing some research I found that part of it may be I was eating a higher stage baby food than I should have and now I'm terrified I've got food stuck somewhere. Has anyone had this issue? What was the best way to make the pain go away? I'm trying to just relax and have backed down to clear liquid only but wondered if anyone else has experience with this or tips to help it ease more quickly.

I was sleeved on the 29th and I still have considerable pain and swelling myself. It seems to be a little bit better each day but It does seem the more I'm up, the more sore/tired I am that day but the next day I feel more energized and better if that makes sense. Today was the first day I finally hit the 300 cal mark with foods but I'm still having a hard time with that. I had to start setting a timer to remind me to eat.

I don't! I'm always a worry wart so I would not hesitate to call your doctor tomorrow. I think it's always better to be safe than sorry! And you're already dealing with enough just with general recovery, you don't want/need any added struggles! I hope you find your answer soon

I had that problem after my last laparoscopic surgery on my gallbladder. It turned out there was still has trapped in me from the surgery and because I was so constipated it was almost holding that extra gas in. It was extremely painful and radiated to my neck and shoulders as well. I don't know if that's anything like what you're experiencing but for me I had to resolve the constipation issues before that issue was resolved.

I was able to wear a bra again on the trip home without any issue although that was only for a few short hours. I imagine a sports bra would probably be the most comfortable to start with for long periods of time based on where my incisions are anyway.

The bra is definitely because of the surgery line and the underwear is because of the possibility of a catheter being necessary. Luckily I didn't need a catheter and as soon as I had recovered enough to get up a bit I was allowed to put my own underwear back on (whatever I was most comfortable with). And it's not a dumb question, I wondered too and that's what I was told by the hospital staff

Rosie - I hear you! It has been a daily struggle for as long as I can remember. I honestly really feel for people in your situation who maybe at one time knew what it was like to be "normal", at least in my case I never really knew, I just always had the "grass is always greener" mentality. I have heard a lot of negative regarding the lap band, but have also heard from people who had great success with it. After all the classes and research, I knew the sleeve was the right choice for me, now it's just a matter of making it through the after part of it. In fact, as we speak, my mother in law (who isn't very supportive about the whole endeavor and happens to live with me) just ordered a ton of pizza for my family without us knowing. I literally just started bawling when the pizza guy came to the door. It's one thing when I can choose to drive past the fast food place or avoid aisles in the store, but to have it brought to my home in my emotionally and physically confused state feels ridiculously cruel. I realize it's insane how emotional I am becoming over pizza but I just feel like this is the type of mental battle and attempted sabotage by others I will have to continue to fight for years to come. Sorry for the verbal vomit there, clearly I have some pent up thoughts!! I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming surgery!

Maregal - I wish I could say I'm off the pain meds but I actually am hurting more yesterday and today than the prior days. I assume it's just due to being up and moving more but man it makes me feel like a wuss! Still having a hard time drinking much other than Water but am trying. I figured today we would try to get some more variety of Soups to strain and maybe that would help. Ctsang - Welcome! My kids have been super sweet and curious about this whole thing. They wanted to see my scars right away and anytime I move they want to know if they can do anything to help. Every time I hurt I try to remember that a major reason I'm doing this is for them, to be alive and healthier longer for them and it makes it a little more tolerable.

Thank you all for the feedback. It's definitely helping me not panic so much.

Hi guys, I was sleeves on Wednesday AM and was feeling a whole ton better aside from some constipation pain. I took an enema to get over that but now the main surgery site is incredibly tender and painful tonite. I can't tell if it's normal to still be hurting this much since I was up and about far more today or if I did something wrong and screwed something up. I don't have a fever or anything but I am terrified of what the issue may be. Anyone else dealt with pain for several days after?

I have been diagnosed as being bulimic - I'm no doctor, but based off what I've been told, because it was a compulsion that I could not control and did it on a regular basis, it was bulimia. It does not make you a bad mother at all, please don't ever think that! More than likely all of us are on this page because we have issues with food, whether it's overeating, purging, emotional eating, etc. My surgeon even told me it was not uncommon for many of the patients he had seen to have dealt with bulimia in the past, however he was a big proponent of me continuing counseling throughout my transition after surgery to ensure that I don't gal back into bad habits. The amount of physical damage I did to myself when I was actually getting more than enough food in actually really concerns me if you're doing it after surgery where you probably aren't getting as much of the nutrients you should be anyway. Please take care of yourself. It is scary, but you have made it this far and I know you can overcome this too.

That sounds very similar to me! Are you still pretty reliant on your pain meds? I'm trying to wean off but I hurt quite a bit today

Quany - It's been rough but so far it seems to get a bit better each day. To be honest I've slept a LOT! I struggled getting in fluids yesterday but hopefully today will be better. How about you? Any tips or tricks making it easier for you?

RNmama - so I'm a little newer to the surgery ( I just had surgery Wednesday morning), however, bulimia is something I struggled with pre surgery. I still regularly see a counselor regarding it because I can only imagine how much damage it can do to our bodies post surgery. I know this may sound silly but I didn't use to think being obese and bulimic at the same time was possible so I always denied it was an issue. The truth is anyone can fight with it and if you continue the behavior, you are guaranteed to cause you at minimum emotional issues but very likely add physical problems. I strongly recommend you get some help and reach out to a doctor about this. I wish you the very best.