neon07734

I have a hard time seeing the weight loss too. But I'm wearing clothes in my closet that I couldn't wear before. And today, i noticed that I have more room in my recliner and I can bring up one of my legs comfortably. I know that's a weird thing to notice but it's very noticeable that my hips aren't scrunched in this chair.

This is a good thread. The games my mind has played on me is substantial. Remember, we can be our own worst enemy sometimes, and I'm betting that the life you've led prior to this has allowed you to beat yourself up on a regular basis. I'm 7 weeks out of full bypass and it's been much more difficult than I anticipated. First, I have had complications that only added to the stress but I can say that Ive had serious regrets over the last 7 weeks. Some of us out here seem to breeze through the surgery and have very few problems. Others have significant problems. The weakness, the nausea, the inability to eat, drink, swallow, taste, the mood swings, the headaches, sleeping in recliners... on an on. This has been terribly difficult but now, 7 weeks out I can finally say that it's getting better. Sure i've lost 38 pounds, but during the really rough times, that's so far down the list of things I cared about. This process isn't easy, it's definitely not the easy way out. It's life altering and we have to take it slow and make it a personal journey that we must work through without the negativity the world can sometimes throw at us. One day at a time!

I gained 13 pounds from the surgery. Within the first month I lost that plus 16 pounds. I was losing about a pound a day. I had a lot of complications that made it terribly difficult to exercise, drink my fluids and get my protein in. So I stalled a few times. I'm down 38 pounds now, in 7 weeks. Funny, I've been thinking in my head that I'm not losing as fast as others, but when I put it down to paper here that's a really good number. I know some of us get tired of hearing that we all heal and lose differently, but the truth of the matter is that is a very accurate statement. Congratulations to us all!!!

Before the surgery I had no issues getting my water requirement in. i've never been a fan of water, but using the dansani drops really made a big difference. After surgery is a different story. I am really struggling to get it all in, and drops and plain water make me feel ill every sip. So... I brewed up a pot of decaffeinated tea with a bag of red zinger herbal tea and threw in some sweet and low and it's incredible!!!!!! I hope this hits my water requirement, it should right. If a protein drink hits my quota then so should this, right?

April 24th

Congratulations. For some of us getting our food and liquid requirement in initially is tough. So don't beat yourself up if you just can't do it. It gets easier as you go along.

I see this word often out here but I'm not clear exactly what it is? Can someone please tell me exactly what Dumping is? My imagination tells me it's diarrhea but I would guess there is more to it for people that have had bariatric surgery. Sorry if this is too graphic.

Everyone is correct. We are all different. You'll hear that every time you post a question like this. But here is my story. I am four weeks out from my surgery. spent 8 days in the hospital with complications. Developed a blood clot in my lung. I also have myasthenia gravis which is an auto immune disease that attacks the signals my brain sends my muscles, making exercise very difficult. So 8 out of my 29 days in the hospital and weakness from my disease and a painful blood clot and in all reality a sedentary 29 days. I've lost 30 pounds. I imagine I'd be much better off if I could get more cardio in and as I get stronger I will. so that's my story.

Great post. I was wondering myself if I'd every drink normally again. I don't mind sipping my drinks but look forward to being able to quench the heat or the thirst by taking a normal drink.

Great post. I have the same exact problem and I had it prior to my surgery as well. Back in 2014 I was diagnosed with Achalasia which means my espahagus is nothing more than a dead tube. Because of this condition I had horrible heartburn but didn't know it because I couldn't feel it. I developed a hernia and my (bariatric) surgeon repaired the hernia and cut my lower esophagus sphincter to allow food to simply drop from my "dead tube" into my stomach. But.... without the reflux medicine I would get the foamies and I would have food kinda get stuck and have to bring it back up often. And when I'd bring it up it felt like a mucus ball.. I know it's gross but it's annoying too. So now, after a second hernia repair and bariatric surgery last month I am noticing that that problem is still here if I stop taking the reflux medicine. Which if I understood things correctly I thought the full surgery would eliminate my need to take the medicine and suffer any gerd. I'm sorry you're having this issue but I'm kinda relieved I'm not crazy.

see, and your surgery wasn't too far behind mine. I struggle with everything, especially protein shakes and water. But I will say that I'm not having any issue feeling full. That is a constant really but maybe in the next few weeks that will change and I won't have that sensation anymore. we are all so different out here it's super hard to gauge things.

OK, then I really have a silly question and maybe I just wasn't paying attention when i attended nut classes..... So I had fully bypass and the one thing that I did note in my paperwork was that my stomach would be reduced to a 2 ounce pouch. So in my pea brain mind, I guess I look at everything in front of me and think of it in the terms of "isn't that just about 2 ounces?" So when you say you have 8 ounces of soup, I wonder how that's possible? What part of this deal am I missing? Im scared that i'm going to stretch my tummy out....

I feel the same way, and I have the foamy stuff too. Had that pre and post surgery. I think the culprit is the reflux and you really have to be consistent with the omozprole or ranitidine that your doc might have suggested or prescribed. I notice when I take that constantly I don't have the issues. I know it doesn't hurt but it sure is uncomfortable. I'm having this same issue with just water to be honest. I'm ready for this to get a little more bearable when it comes to drinking and eating even soft foods. but we gotta hang in there. This too shall pass

OK. this post is meant for me to vent. I'm so tired all the time. OK. So I had my surgery April 24th. I'm down 28 pounds!!!!! Awesome. But... This has been significantly harder than I expected. Surgery had a complication (tore a hole in my stomach while repairing a hernia) that needed fixing and that cost me an extra day in the hospital for a total of 4 days. Went home, only to return with a pulmonary embolism in my right lung. Another 4 days in agony in the ICU. I have myasthenia gravis and that already has me in a constant state of weakness, but with the PE I seem to be in a super state of weakness all the time. I can't force down the food or the liquid or the protein, it gets stuck and it feels incredibly uncomfortable and often I have to bring it back up. Oh, yea, to top things off I have a dead esophagus (achalasia). It's a dead tube so swallowing is already a challenge between the hernia repairs, myasthenia and acheliisia. . I am too weak to fold clothes, get dressed, read my Facebook!!!! I have negative energy. And when I'm feeling sickly honestly all I want is a 7-up. Don't get me wrong, I know this will pass, but it's been this way for weeks and it's wearing me down. My husband is supportive but in the back of MY mind I wonder what he thinks of all of this. I feel like I'm failing him.

Catwoman7 is exactly right. You kind of spin your wheels comparing yourself to others. While reading all the posts on here I've noticed that some have lost twice as much as I have by this point after surgery, while others have lost less. I believe that our body goes into survival mode and it will let go when it's confident that doing so won't hurt us. Let your body do the talking!!! don't let your mind get hung up on other peoples loss or gains.

Because of the PE I developed I haven't been able to hit my protein goals. Starting tomorrow I'm going to force them in the best I can. It's difficult to hit your liquid and protein goals after surgery. You just have zero hunger and force feeding yourself is tough. I've lost 15 pounds 2 weeks 2 days out of surgery.

I spent three nights four days in the hospital (4/24) . During the hernia repair they accidentally tore a small hole in my stomach that had to be repaired. I did suffer some pain. Came home for 8 days and then had a pain in my side that I couldn't get relief of. thought initially it was gas and it turned out to be a blood clot in my right lung. Worst pain i've ever experienced and it got me another 4 days in the hospital and temp oxygen. But. each day is getting easier. if it wasn't for the clot i'm confident I'd be in zero pain.

I agree. Having been through the surgery (4/24) its easy to get worked up over every detail. You don't want this to fail!!!!! It takes too much out of us to get here! And so many conflicting reports. We are all so different.

OK Sports fans, this is the skinny on my surgery and subsequent days. starting weight at first doctors appointment was 250. Whizzed through the appointments and requirements within 3 months. Surgery weight was 238. My doctor required a two week liquid diet before and after. That was a tough two weeks, prior to surgery. I can't say I got through it without cheating. My cheats consisted of a few pieces of bacon, 4 bites of chicken salad and a handful of potato chips. I was able to meet my water goals daily. That's important. Doc said my liver was just fine. My surgery was this past monday. Items I took with me. my phone and charger and my iPad mini (watched netflix on it) 2 pair of loose flannel pajama bottoms and two tank tops. tank tops give them access that a t-shirt might not. I also took my own slippers I have a security blanket that a friend of mine quilted for me. I've spent a lot of time in hospitals over the last 5 years and being semi dressed and having my own blanket seems to make the stay more bearable. I took gas x strips and I'm not certain if they made a difference. I didn't take any wipes (love having wipes) cause I knew the hospital would provide them for me. I am fortunate because the facility was private rooms only, or I would have taken headphones. I had just finished up my period prior to surgery. Day 4 at hospital It started again. Annoying. So women, take what you need, just in case. Day of surgery: Took about 2 hours. I had a full bypass and I had to have a hernia repaired again. in 2013 I had it repaired and it appears the stitches didn't hold. So this time he used a dissolvable mesh. This created a surgical complication. While removing my stomach from my esophagus a hole formed near or at the 2013 scar tissue. This got me an extra day and night in the hospital for recovery. And It gave me an extra day with zero food or water. The first 48 hours I only had an IV to hydrate. that was also hard. They gave me swabs but they got old quick. So for me, and all of us are different, the worst of the entire deal was the gas they used to blow up the cavity so they could work laparoscopically. I am sore throughout my torso, but the gas pain is awful. They ask you to walk that off and use this blowing tube thing. Strangely enough, the gas crept up to my shoulders. Terrible. They gave me all the morphine I wanted for the pain but that doesn't hit the gas at all. I am not sure I needed as much morphine as they gave me. They also tried to give me a liquid pain killer but that was too difficult to get down, took me 2 hours to get a single dose in, not sure it makes a difference at that rate. Due to the hole in my stomach they also installed a suction grenade looking thing at the side of torso that they pulled fluid and clots out with. They drained it twice daily and by day four it didn't have much in it. I didn't shower at the hospital, took sponge baths. Was looking forward to coming home and taking a shower but since I had that bag removed that will cost me an extra day with no shower. I was able to get myself to the bathroom by myself and walk the halls by myself. After they decided I could eat, they sent up, two 2 oz plastic containers of protein shake that was pretty good, a deal of sugar free jello that was decent and hot water and chicken broth packets 3 times a day. by this point, all of that is awesome. The protein shakes were really tasty but that little 2 oz size took me an hour to get in comfortably. I could feel the shake hit my stomach. It's pretty sore though that area. I had a tough time with water and swallowing pills. There is no way I can get down 64 ounces of liquid these first few days at the hospital or at home. but, the liquid diet should be a breeze this time cause you just don't feel like eating anything. I don't have a sleep apnea machine. But my oxygen was low as well as my blood pressure. So I had to wear an oxygen canula day and night. I slept decent but the gas made it tough. they had my bed set so it wouldn't lie flat. I had to lay at an angle with head above my heart and legs. so four days after surgery and my weight is 251 up from the 238 I was the day of surgery. 1 pound heavier than when I started. My assumption for this gain is all in the iv I was connected to day and night, so it should come down quickly. My entire torso, butt area is completely swollen where its tough to get my underwear on. Haven't had or needed a bowel movement since last Sunday. my surgeon and his partner are amazing as well as the staff at the hospital. I was well taken care of. I'm anxious to start this journey but I can tell this first week might be slower than I hoped for. I get around fine, I just need to take it easy. I know this is long and too much info but I would have really liked all this info prior to going in.

funny you should ask. First, I have a fantastic surgeon. I just couldn't come out of it. The breathing and weakness was not improving. So i got ahold of my surgeon and he asked me to come in. No pain in the surgery area, but under my right breast was intense. I thought it was gas. If felt EXACTLY like what I had before. Well, a cat scan and X-ray determined a pulmonary embolism in my right lung and another 4 day hospital stay in excruciating pain. I came home yesterday and had to come home on oxygen cause I still can't get the breathing well down yet. But at least it doesn't hurt when I breath. No, I haven't had the energy, strength or desire to get my water or protein in. Im fact I just haven't been able too. I'm a little nervous that I am dehydrating myself. I see my doc tomorrow so I'm hopeful. I'm super weak just getting to bed, or the bathroom. This has been super hard, but I know it will get better.

I am 8 days out of surgery and my story hasn't been easy in the least. I don't seem to have the energy to get up from the chair and walk to the bedroom. I am completely wiped out. I went for a ride with my husband to his parents and the walk from the car to the house took all I had. completed winded me. Showering winds me. I can't seem to muster the strength to fold laundry. I was pretty active prior to this surgery. I can't take in a deep breathe, or cough. I can't get in the required portien or water. I breathe heavy while siting in my chair, like an old man that smoked for 40 years. and I'm a non smoker. I am actually becoming concerned.

I totally agree. I feel worse in hospital gown. Feels good to be among your own things. I was in for four days and i put my pj bottoms and tank top after the first day. I did have some oozing but it won't ruin anything. I went commando and without a bra too. I did not have to have a catheter or was I attached to all the electrodes. I was only connected to an oxygen sensor on my middle finger and an IV.

Question: Did you put on weight. I put on 13 pounds in the hospital. I'm sure it's all Iv weight but I'm curious if you had that experience

I had my bypass that same day and I think the only real pain I had was the dang gas. I took Gas x but i didn't see much relief. funny how that moves up into your shoulders. annoying.

I am also 4 days post op and I agree. there is no way to get that fluid down the first few days. my doc says it'll be a bit but it's important to do as much as you can