up4challenge

All the very best. Everything is going to be alright. May God give you lots and lots of strength during and after the surgery. Do keep us posted.

I was back to work after a week. However, that is just me. Each person's body reacts differently. So see how you feel before you rush to work. There is no harm in taking some extra time to heal yourself completely as 'your health is the most important thing' and work can wait. All the best with your surgery. May God give you lots and lots of strength before, during and after the surgery.

My doctor had advised me not to call it as 'my last supper' before the surgery. The reason being the more you say it out loud, the more you get tempted to stuff yourself with unwanted things. In my case I was too tensed about the surgery, so I ate a banana (I couldn't eat anything more) .

@@Mrsmcdaniel55 I am not a social media person. I am available on WhatsApp though .

I would love to join your buddy list. Don't worry about second guessing. I had my surgery on the 17th of Dec, 2016 and even on the OT table while waiting for the doctor I was not too sure if I wanted to go ahead with the surgery or just get up and run away. I guess we all go through that because this is a lifestyle altering decision. The two top players that play with your mind are worry and anxiety. Don't let fear in. Keeping telling yourself why you are doing this surgery. Be strong! I pray to God that he gives you lots and lots of strength before, during and after the surgery. All the very best .

@@Mandybb I've tried drinking cold Water, it is much better (I can drink it without any problems) compared to room temperature water. But I think cold water is not that good especially when I have to take tablets, so water is still a tough challenge. I've started with 3 spoons of Protein powder from today onwards. All the very best with your blood test and doc's appointment .

1st week after the surgery when I tried chicken broth I hated it. I preferred eating mashed food. 2nd week when I was ready to go with soft foods, I did not like fish (which is my favorite), instead I ended up eating mashed baby carrots, which in a million years I would not have eaten other wise. I am a coffee addict and the last coffee I consumed was one day before the surgery and one day during the 2nd week after the surgery. I hate it and since 3 weeks after the surgery I have not gone back to drinking it (except one day during my 2nd week). I crave for vegetables and hate meat. I don't like eating egg as well. For now I am working on 2 spoons of GNC Protein shake that is about 50 gms per day. I hate drinking Water or consuming the multi-Vitamin tablet as well.

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year ahead with great success, new heights and good health .

I am happy to join the friend train too . I had my surgery on the 17th of Dec 2016. I had it because of overweight which was caused by PCOS (that I've had for about 15 years now). I am an emotional eater too. I do not eat much when I am normal, except when I am stressing/worrying about something. Coming to the surgery, it took me a year to make the decision because I was fit except everytime I go to the doctor for a stomach bug or flu, they would point at my weight and say 'oh your immunity is weak, you need to be healthy (slim is the word they were hinting at) to have better immunity' . However, last year when I went through prolonged periods that went on and on for 9 months, I took the decision saying I need to lose weight to get this thing under control. I had two major concerns to go with the surgery. My husband was totally against it and second, I did not have the money. After a lot of thinking, changing my mind many times 'to do the surgery' or 'not to do the surgery', I took a call saying 'I am doing it for my health' and finally go it done. I have my good days and bad days. Good days where I do not have any issues in sipping Water and eating soft foods. Bad days where I have severe constipation (and bad bleeding because of constipation), vomiting every now and then (where I cannot even keep a sip of water in my stomach), but I am kinda getting through this. I've had days when my husband still says 'I don't know why you got the surgery done', I try to ignore it (at times I do break down). I have lost only 10 pounds since the surgery which is another thing that I worry. Many people lose close to 20 pounds during the first two weeks after the surgery. Hoping things will settle down eventually and I will feel better. So, I completely get what you are going through and would love to be your friend .

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year ahead with great success, new heights and good health .

Hi All, Wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous New Year ahead with great success, new heights and good health .

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year ahead with great success, new heights and good health .

All the very best Wishing you a very happy and prosperous New Year ahead with great success, new heights and good health .

Hi All, Wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous New Year ahead with great success, new heights and good health .

@@HealthierMe2017 All the very best . Hope the discussion with your surgeon and dietitian goes well. Keep us posted on your progress!

I was completely unaware of the 'catheter' concept when I went into the OT. I had my surgery on the 17th of December, 2016. When the nurse spoke about catheter, 'I freaked out' totally. The nurse was very gentle, so it did not hurt much during the insertion and removal. I am glad I had it. I was a little too weak and nauseated after the surgery, so every time I puked, I was glad I did not wet the bed. So I am kind of glad that I had it .

You are a true inspiration .

First of all, stop worrying. Worrying makes things worst. Second of all, start by planning what you can eat and would prefer to eat (as each person's likes and dislikes towards certain food changes after the surgery. 1. Create a diet chart. 2. Start cooking for yourself. Start with small salads and Soups. They are easy, healthy and delicious. 3. If you do not have time during weekdays, cook during weekends and store it in the fridge, so that you can heat and eat during weekdays. 4. Stay positive. 5. Do not bring in any negativity between your spouse and yourself. She cooks fried food, smile and say 'it is okay', 'I can cook something or eat something that is already there in the fridge'. In my opinion, it is not the surgery that makes you 100% healthy, it is 'you', 'your positive thinking towards a better lifestyle' that helps you in the long run. So instead of feeling bad or worried, cook for yourself. Trust me it is one of the best things to do for oneself. If you are cooking for the first time, try with simple soups and salads. Take responsibility for your life and well-being .

Stop worrying. Stay positive and think of how healthy your life will be after the surgery. Stay strong! All the best .

Hi Aly, My main reason for the VSG was PCOS. A year ago I was bleeding for 9 straight months. I did try several gynecologists and different types of treatments, nothing helped. Finally I met my current doctor who suggested the VSG to get the extra weight off and lead a better life. Thanks to PCOS apart from my weight, my blood pressure had reached 160. Deciding to go ahead with the VSG for me was a very hard decision as I had to pay for the surgery from my pocket. I am a freelancer and I don't make much. So the thoughts of using my credit card and paying them back was very scary. However, I could not take the thought of having any more prolonged periods and buying new clothes (feeling embarrassed when they don't fit), jumping from store to store to find my size of clothing, feeling tired all the time, etc., hence took the bold decision of going ahead with the surgery. My doctor did not put me on any diet but I still followed the liquid diet for 2 weeks and 1 week clear diet before the surgery. I was very tensed on the surgery day. Woke up at 5 am and had bath using the anti-bacterial cleanse and was anxiously waiting to be moved into the OT, which was at 7 am and there I lay waiting for my doctor for 1 hour (who got delayed due to some other patient). Trust me the one hour was crazy, had multiple thoughts of getting up and running away from the OT . Once I saw my doctor, I felt relieved. He introduced me to the team who were to assist him during the surgery and I felt only a little relieved. All I know is when the anesthesiologist told me to inhale and relax and then next minute when I opened my eyes I was in the ICU with severe nausea feeling. They had kept me there for observation purposes) and shifted me to my ward after about 3 hours of under ICU observation. I woke up about 6 hours after the surgery, but was heavily sedated, did not feel much pain after the surgery except I had severe nausea and vomiting. The nausea, vomiting continued on the second day too and as Carrie had suggested I tried my best to start walking since the second day onwards. 50 steps every 2 hours. Pain was not much compared to the pain induced due to nausea and vomiting. My mom was there all the while to assist me, so things were smoother. Day 3 : 2 days after the surgery, I did 100 steps every 2 hours and felt less pain, and continued being on clear liquid diet. Day 4: 3 days after the surgery, feels good to be back home. Still on liquid diet. The only de-motivating factor was that I reached home 2 days after surgery and my period started. So my daily walk had reduced from 100 steps to 50 steps every 2 hours, since I have severe abdominal pain as well. One of my friend's (whom I met here on this site) had suggested that I walk, walk and walk and it really helped me. Today, I am 11 days out of surgery and doing well in terms of being active and I do have very little pain in my stomach. I have started working on the elliptical since Monday for about a minute and half a day. I've not started exercising yet. If I sleep I tend to sleep a lot, real sound sleep but most of the times I try to stay up. I am very happy that this time my periods stopped at the 6th day, probably because I did take the hormone table given by my gynecologist a week before the surgery. At times I stress out thinking what course my next period will take. In terms of diet, I am off liquids since this Monday and have started eating soft foods (most of which I prepare at home). I dislike eating chicken after the surgery (strange). I tried some fish yesterday but threw up. I take in two spoons of GNC Protein (lean shake) everyday morning with milk apart from that I kind of dislike drinking Water. I don't know why. My surgery weight was 238 pounds and last week (4 days after surgery) I was 229 pounds and oddly this week I am between 228 and 229 pounds. I am not losing weight. I checked with my physician and he says it is good to lose weight slowly that at one shot. But I am stressing out. Coming to the surgery incisions, last Friday my doctor removed the sutures and I've been bathing every alternate day. I have 4 incisions out of which all 3 look good (they are healing), except the one in my belly button, it kinda freaks me. Please stay positive and keep telling yourself why you have chosen to opt for this surgery. Things will be better when you feel better. I pray to God that he gives you lots and lots of strength before, during and after the surgery. Regards, TJ

Hi Dani As mentioned earlier my periods started on the 2nd day after the surgery and luckily this time it lasted for only 6 days (I had taken a course of Mephrate, a week prior to surgery). I had to deal with dual pain after the surgery - my stomach had some pain, which I was able to deal with but it was my abdominal cramps that were killing me. I went through 5 days of torture only because of periods. Regarding surgery pain, thanks to my new pal Carrie who had advised that I walk, walk and walk as soon as possible to ease the pain and she was right. Walking did help a lot. I am doing well in terms of being active and I do very little pain in my stomach. I have started working on the elliptical since Monday for about a minute and half a day. I've not started exercising yet. If I sleep I tend to sleep a lot, real sound sleep but most of the times I try to stay up. Coming to the surgery incisions, last Friday my doctor removed the sutures and I've been bathing every alternate day. In terms of diet, I am off liquids since Monday and have started eating soft foods (most of which I prepare at home). As you had mentioned in one of your posts, I too started to dislike chicken after the surgery (strange). I tried some fish yesterday but threw up. I take in two spoons of GNC Protein (lean shake) everyday morning with milk apart from that I kind of dislike drinking Water. I don't know why. My surgery weight was 238 pounds and last week (4 days after surgery) I was 229 pounds and oddly this week I am between 228 and 229 pounds. We always wanted to be a child-free couple (had agreed to this before our wedding), so my biggest challenge is to work my way through PCOS. Although, we do have a 5.5 year old furbaby, who keeps me on my toes All the very best for your surgery. I pray to God that he gives you lot of strength before, during and after the surgery. Regards, TJ

Hi guys I am back from the hospital. The surgery went well on Saturday and finally yesterday morning I was discharged from the hospital. All I realize is being taken to the OT and then I go blank, I woke up after 1.5 hours in the ICU (they had kept me there for observation purposes) and shifted me to my ward after about 3 hours of under ICU observation. I woke up about 6 hours after the surgery, but was heavily sedated, did not feel much pain after the surgery except I had severe nausea and vomiting. The nausea, vomiting continued on the second day too and as Carrie had suggested I tried my best to start walking since the second day onwards. 50 steps every 2 hours. Pain was not much compared to the pain induced due to nausea and vomiting. My mom was there all the while to assist me, so things were smoother. Day 3 : 2 days after the surgery, I did 100 steps every 2 hours and felt less pain, and continued being on clear liquid diet. Day 4: 3 days after the surgery, feels good to be back home. Still on liquid diet. I have a consultation with the physician on 23rd Dec. Currently, I have been given 1 multi-Vitamin to be consumed per day along with 2 tabs per day for avoiding the gassy feeling. The only de-motivating factor here is I reached home yesterday (2 days after surgery) and my period started. So my daily walk has reduced to 50 steps every 2 hours, since I have severe abdominal pain as well. :(

Thank you Carrie I have made a note of the items listed by you and will make sure that I take a walk as much as possible. I will keep you guys posted. Thank you for the support and being there for me! Appreciate the same.

Hi guys! I met my doctor today and he said that he is traveling the next two week so asked if I was okay for postponing my surgery to the 1st week of January. Instead I asked him can we pre-pone it from the 20th to the 17th and he said 'yes'. I will have to get admitted in the hospital tomorrow night and 17th morning at 7 am I have my surgery. I am excited and anxious at the same time. Hope I have lot of strength and stamina for the surgery and next big step of my life.

@Carrie1122: Thank you Carrie. Your reply brings in peace of mind From which day onwards (pre-surgery) did you stop drinking coffee and resume drinking coffee post surgery?