Ruth1ess

@@CrazyHeart14 Both, I think. If you have a belly at all, they'll probably want you to do the pre-op. I did two weeks of nothing but Opti-fast shakes. It can be more or less at their choosing.

@@CrazyHeart14 Yes, that is part of the work up! I had surgery 10 days ago at Mayo with Dr. Elli.

Yes, I'll send a pm

@@jaxmom I just got sleeved a week ago in Jacksonville

Measurement changes 8 days post op: Bust: 48 46.5 Natural waist: 44 42.5 Belly button/waist: 50.5 49.5 Arm: 17.5 17.0 Mid thigh: 29 27 Calves: 19.5 19 Hips/widest: 53.5 51 Foot length (standing) 9.0 same Ankle 9.25 same Foot width: 3.5 same

I'm four days post op, sleeved on 4/14 I've tried to keep a positive attitude throughout, but today it's been difficult to do so. I'm an over-prepper. I've read hundreds of forum threads and watched dozens of youtube videos. I came into this knowing exactly what to expect, that there were a lot of different possible things that could happen and pains I might feel, but that my journey would be my own. I knew about Water nausea, gas pains, walking, throwing up, lightheadedness, Protein, the works, What I wasn't prepared for was the abdominal pain. The 'big stitch'. This is the pain in my lower abdomen, right side, from the biggest incision, where the stomach is pulled through. There's a figure 8 stitch underneath the surface keeping my tissue and muscles together so I won't get a hernia in this spot. And it's some of the worst pain I've ever felt. You don't really realize how much you use your core/abdominal muscles until you suddenly can't. Lifting my right leg is nearly impossible because of the pain. So is pulling with my right arm. In the hospital, the techs had to lift my right leg for me when I got in and out of bed. Everything has to be done with my left side.. pulling myself into bed, off the toilet, or getting out of a vehicle. My legs dangled off the edge of the seat in my roommate's truck when I tried getting out on day 2, and it was the most excruciating 30 seconds or so of my life until he came and helped lower me down to the ground. I was nauseous from it and nearly threw up. Because of that, I haven't dared leave the house in a vehicle in fear of repeating it. I can't put on socks or pants by myself. I feel like an invalid. I am discouraged this morning. I've been trying to take myself off the tramadol so I can be somewhat coherent. I don't like feeling drugged up, because it makes me lethargic and I spend the day dozing in and out of sleep. I want to be walking and active (and have been. I walk around the house several times a day and have gone on two long walks around the neighborhood). I want to start healing. But the abdominal pain is nearly constant, shooting to a 10 on the pain scale when I use those muscles. So, I took a dose of meds this morning. I'm really surprised this pain hasn't been really talked about in this forum and others. Is it because it's rare to have? Does it resolve quickly for most people? I'm feeling pretty alone in this. My gas pain has been so minimal, and drinking water has been so easy, I feel like if i didn't have this stitch pain, I'd have a very easy ride right now. But this has been almost all I can focus on due to the intensity. I could use some support.. words of encouragement.. advice.. anything. I know this will be worth it in the end. I'm not falling into the trap of buyer's remorse. But this is still very difficult to handle physically and mentally here in the moment.

Ruth1ess, you have to not be so hard on yourself. You are only days out from a major surgery. Yes you will be in pain, yes will have to take pain meds and you will sleep more than normal. You body is in a state of repairing itself. I completely understand wanting to be better right away and completely underestimating the process and how long it would take me to bounce back. You will feel better but it takes longer than 6 days hun. Hang tight ???????? Sent from my SM-G925P using the BariatricPal App I'm not sure why you think I'm being hard on myself... But I appreciate your support. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

@@Ruth1ess Pain is different for everyone. It is really important that immediately after surgery you take your prescribed pain medication - regardless if you think you need it. Once the effects wear off - and you experience pain - it is nearly impossible to get caught up and meet your pain needs again. Take the Tramadol as prescribed and take it easy. Take walks - but be sure not to lift anything or overexert yourself. If you're not better in the next day or so - get an appointment with your surgeon or ask them to try a different pain med. Many people sleep upright in a recliner for the first few days post-op from abdominal surgery - it's easier to get up. Hope you feel better soon! Indeed, pain is different for everyone. I was looking for support on this post from people who had experienced the same type of pain that I had, since it isn't discussed here or on other forums. Thank you though for the education lesson!

@ Thank you, it's good to know I'm not alone in this! I'm having similar problems. I've learned to adapt to a lot of them, though. Pivoting my right foot across the floor to move into pants or to move my foot behind me so I can stand from a chair.. "scooping" my foot up with my pants, or learning how to lift my leg as a dead weight so I'm not actually straining myself. Yes, even problems with the wiping has been difficult. Hence why I feel like an invalid.

Got my response! I would indicate that this pain is normal, especially only a couple days out of surgery. I would suggest wearing an abdominal binder around your stomach when you are moving around to help with pain and stabilization. Make sure you are up moving around, even if you are sore as this will help with blood flow and healing. If you continue to have extreme pain while taking medication please call again or go to ER, but i believe this should subside soon. You can add in extra strength tylenol and alternate with your prescribed pain medication as well. Just do not exceed daily tylenol amount. Feel better soon. If they're not worried, I'm not worried. I'll stay medicated and try to relax.

Try Urban Outfitters. It was suggested to me when I asked the same question, wanting something similar to Anthropologie but cheaper. I have a boho style as well

@@Valentina @@Amelie2016 I've called my surgeon's office. Calls don't go straight through the nurse, but it's a 'we'll call you back' situation. My phone's sim has been acting up for the past couple of weeks, so it's not accepting inbound calls, so we're back to emailing.. I explained the situation and what I was feeling, including my displeasure with tramadol. I'll update when I get an answer. @@Amelie2016 I can't answer why I was given Tramadol, other than that's what they gave me. I do get quite nauseous from vicodin, so that could be why.

Feeling really discouraged this morning with the amount of pain I'm in due to the 'big stitch'. It's trumped everything else these past four days. Sleeved on 4/14 It's nearly unbearable. Right now it's painful without using my right side or right leg. My right leg has felt pretty useless because if I lift it to put on socks or pants, the pain in my abs is unbearable. I want to get off the tramadol so my system will get back to normal and I don't feel drugged, but I'm not coherent with all this pain, either.

I'm on day 4 and it's like that for me every swallow. Except, I have pain when it hits my stomach which is relieved by the gurgle. So, I consider the gurgle my friend Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

@@chavezmommy I have that dent too! Right where the burning/pulling pain is. I can't use my abdominal muscles on my right side at all

Tomorrow morning is surgery. I'm arriving at 5:30 AM Cannot wait..

You guys are going to do great, good luck today! Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Those chubby cheeks threw me off, too, when I first saw her. She's a gorgeous woman and far, far from plus size. I think she responded very well to the magazine that featured her as a plus size hero. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Why aren't we BFFs?! The surgery, has inspired me to change my life. I am about to go move into an RV and travel the country, and Mexico! I have this idea in my heart, that while I'm out there I will find a beautiful piece of land, to make a home on, maybe even a small farm! And you should definitely open up an Etsy store!That is so exciting!!! I'm thrilled for you! I would love to stay in contact through your journey. Will you be blogging it? Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I am so grateful for the wealth of knowledge on this site. I have learned so much! I feel like BP has been an important step in my future progress, before I even begin. My surgery is April 14. I'm ready. I'm more than ready! I've seen a lot of people talking about their post-op instructions and noticed how much they vary. Some doctors require 1, 2, or 4 weeks of liquid diets, in various stages of puree or Clear liquids. After that, they move to mushies and eventually solid foods. After getting used to other plans as the 'norm', I was surprised to find out my surgeon's standards: He wants me to be able to drink a full cup of Water in an hour the day after surgery, and tolerate a puree before I leave the hospital. like, woah. Purees are supposed to be like, week 2 or 3, right?! And now, he's saying I should be able to be on 'regular' food within two weeks. But, I trust my surgeon. He was chair of a bariatric center, and now works at Mayo Clinic, specializing in gastric sleeve surgeries. He's had two leaks in his career. I'm going to work hard to do as he says and follow the plan of care he's laid out for me in order to give myself the best chance of success. We're all going to have very different instructions. It's great to be able to talk about them, compare, and share our progress on this long journey back to health. Thank you, everyone, for your input over the past few months whether it was tough love, encouragement, or just sharing in my joy of being approved and ready to go. I can't wait to be on the losers bench!

Not bad at all for an occasional treat. Thanks for sharing! Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

That sounds great. What's the carb content? That would be my only hesitation bringing bread back in. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I was told I'd need to get off of all medications that couldn't be crushed or came in liquid form. I just got an IUD instead. I had a rough start with it, but I really enjoy the convenience of it and extra peace of mind to know I'm not screwing up my pills. This was about two weeks ago

Looking good Feeling good Living good!!

I GOT A SURGERY DATE!! WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! April 14th I'll be sleeved by Dr. Enrique Elli at Mayo Clinic! This seemed like the longest process ever.. started on January 4th, and now it's just two weeks away. I start my Optifast liquid diet tomorrow. I know it'll be miserable, but I'm going to hold onto the idea that I don't care because I HAVE A DATE!!