gwbicster

Well I'm three days out (does the day of surgery count as day zero or day one?) They put me in intensive care after surgery because they said this is normal for someeone who needs a CPAP. Even though the nurses kept asking me, why I was there? lol Lost eight pounds in three days since surgery? That's bananas... Biggest struggle is getting all the water in. I can take only the tiniest sip and even so I feel the "bump" going through in my still swollen stomach. They say that will go away. For some people I guess it can go away as soon as the second day, for others up to two weeks. (Do you all concur?) They say once it does pass it feels like the Red Sea parting. I am looking very much forward to that day! Because of a mix-up with the pharmacy I tried last night without any pain meds. It was uncomfortable but not unbearable. So it's good to know I can do that if needed. It's a little more sore than I imagined, but of course, I've just had major surgery for the first time in my life, I guess this was all to be expected. Coughing is painful but it gets a little less so as time goes on. I think as a typical man I am a bit of a baby when it comes to pain. I theorize that women are much better at enduring pain due to the fact that they have to go through childbirth. How do they do that? Ouch! Any advice that anyone has would be appreciated. I think I'm doing all right but it's a bit hard to tell as I've never done anything like this before. Biggest thing I have to keep telling myself is that this is not forever, that the pain will reduce and I will be able to eat real food soon. Thanks to everyone on these boards they've been very helpful!

Testing one two three...

Also, can anyone tell me how to get the awesome graphic at the bottom of your posts like the one Apple has?

There is a psychological component as well. Part of me is afraid I will never be able to eat solid food ever again, since it is so difficult to even get water down there. This "hibernation effect" people speak of at least in my case is related to that- thinking in the back of my head "what have I done" to my body and finding it difficult to believe that it WILL get better and the swelling WILL eventually go down... I want it to happen TODAY! lol Even taking the couple of pills I need to take is such a major ordeal.... And I find myself hungry for real food. Not like hungry enough to eat the normal embarrassing quantities that made me fat, but the idea of an ounce of chicken or tuna salad or a couple of spoonfuls of ricotta cheese sounds SO awesome right now... I need to keep talking to the voice in my head and assure myself that I WILL get there eventually and just to hold on and be patient. I won't lie this is hard. And there's still some pain so I also worry that I did something to mess up the surgery and worry that it's just not going to work out. Did any of you have this internal battle with yourself before the healing?

I just posted this in the other thread, but it seems like when I drink warm green tea it doesn't hurt as much.

I seem to have figured out a way to get more liquids in. For some reason when I drink warm green tea it doesn't seem to hurt as much. Is that maybe because the warm water massages the swelling or something? I had read somewhere earlier that warm beverages are preferable, but mostly because of the reflux that comes up in the mornings. Anyone else had success with this? I think I may have gotten in the entire 64 ounces today! This feels like a victory somehow.

I am a carboholic. Not sweets so much but pasta, potatoes, bread, etc. One of the biggest things I pray for as a diabetic is that this surgery will reduce my addiction to these destructive foods. Your post is quite encouraging. Congratulations.

Thanks for the inspiration. I am having surgery Monday. I am hoping for a transformation close to yours.

The first day is the worst. It gets better.

June 12 baby! Dr. Shillingford in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

My diet allows Greek Yogurt (the 80 calorie ones with fruit, thank God), protein shakes, broths, and my nutritionist says that if I don't tell the doctor I can have a chicken breast if it gets too difficult. I misinterpreted her (or I chose to hear what I wanted) so during the first week I had a chicken breast nearly every day, but after talking to her and clarifying that it can't be every day, now it's every other day or less. I hope that isn't enough to mess up my surgery, but I don't think so. Because my plan seems reasonably lenient I haven't really been tempted to cheat other than the chicken breast, but that might be also because I'm eating SO MUCH soup I have it coming out of my ears... The first day was the worst as I was at work and was extremely light headed- I probably should not have driven home because I don't really remember how I got there. But after that it's gotten better. And I've lost 10 ponds in 10 days! A week until surgery and I can see the "finish line" (although I know in reality this is just the beginning of my long journey to a new me). I'm proud of me! And, anyone who is struggling, I feel you, I really do. Try to focus on what you've accomplished with gratitude and don't give in to the guilt that we all put on ourselves for being obese. This is part of the issue- between the ears- that we will need to work on once this new tool becomes part of our lives. Good luck and good thoughts!

Hi! This is the first topic I have started on this Site, although I have lurked here for awhile and gotten a lot of helpful suggestions. My surgery (sleeve) is in a week (June 12). I am excited, although a little bit nervous. Dr. Shillingford in Florida is doing it. I had considered going to Mexico but I'm happy with my choice, and as a self-pay he is very reasonable. My question is in regards to finding a new general practitioner. I am concerned that my current one doesn't really have much or any experience dealing with bariatric patients, and would like to find someone who has more knowledge. Are there resources for people like us to look for someone who knows how to deal with our special needs? I will be following up with Dr. S. but he lives 100 miles away and I won't be able to see him that often. If anyone has suggestions as to how to find someone I'd appreciate your insight.