Naturelover

Seeing the new posts to this thread, thought I would add an update. Thanks to those who posted. ME/CFS & fibro are real. It’s so great when we can come together and share our experiences. As anyone with these diseases knows, we are dealing with illnesses of isolation. If you haven’t seen it, make sure to watch Jennifer Brea’s documentary UNREST about ME/CFS. She’s created a movement that is actually making some progress in getting adequate funding for ME/CFS research. I am now almost 10 months post op. Surgery date was 8/7/17 HW 223 SW 209 CW 140 i can only speak from my experience... my recovery was pretty easy. No complications. My doctor at Stanford is quite conservative and cautious (former head of American Bariatric Society), so I seemed to have more rules around surgery and food than other friends that I met online through this site who had surgery at the same time. I embraced the guidelines, understood they were there for a reason, and radically surrendered to the process. I was prepared for the worst, but expected the best. Felt pretty awesome (for me) even the week after surgery. I was prepared for a massive crash, so I was grateful when that didn’t happen. I felt pretty great for a couple of months. Then started to have serious issues due to a tumor on my adrenal gland that has likely been there for years. In fact, the bariatric surgery probably helped bring this to light, as I was getting frequent blood work and we noticed a concerning trend. So, I have been quite ill for months as other drs tried to figure what was going on with this adrenal issue. Will have surgery for that later in June. And it complicates the picture. That said, my surgery was a complete success. I feel like the obsession with food has been lifted completely (I’ve done a lot of work with this over the years). A year ago, due to bone on bone knee and excess weight, I was barely able to walk to the bathroom and was ready to get a walker at the ripe old age of 46. I now move around the house and can do errands with little to no pain in my knees. I can even took a 2 mile hike a few weeks ago. I paid for it after a bit, just with knees, but it was possible. My energy levels have been better. I still feel exhausted if I stop to think about it, but I have been able to get out of bed most days and get out of the house, which helps so much. My body feels like a friend now, rather than my foe. It has been amazing to have the experience of losing weight this easily. It’s always been a horrible struggle for me. Especially in the last 10 years. Couldn’t lose. Only lost 1.8 lbs on 2 week pre-op liquid protein diet. At that point, the dr even admitted that he couldn’t guarantee that this would work, but said “we hope that cutting out the stomach will change your hormone profile and your metabolism.” And it feels as if that is what happened. At my 6 month post op, when I told him I haven’t had any improvement with chronic pain (I also have a cluster headache syndrome and damage to neck and back from multiple accidents when young), he said that he is hopeful that around a year my inflammation levels should drop and, hopefully, I will start getting some pain relief at that point. I feel lighter not just in body, but in mind and spirit as well. And, even though my decision to have surgery was 100% based on improving my health and being able to walk and postpone knee replacement, there have been other benefits as well. I am smaller than I was at my wedding 25 years ago. I can put on clothes and basically everything I try fits. I’ve been doing a lot of shopping at the fancy local thrift shop since my sizes keep changing. The other day I bought a beautiful size 4 designer dress and it fit! That’s a number I never thought I’d see. This part is just one of the fun perks. But, something that is smooth and fun for me now, rather than a struggle to find something that would button over my 38G chest. I’m so grateful my knee replacement dr started me on this journey. I was at the point where I loved myself and embraced my curves. But, I can love myself thin as well. If anyone has specific questions or wants to connect, please PM me. I am happy to answer any questions, either on this thread or privately. Good luck to you all on your journey of healing! 💖

I am now a couple of weeks post op and my recovery has been going really well. I'm having my usual chronic pain, but my energy levels are remarkably good.

I am feeling remarkably well. I honestly couldn't get a straight answer from drs prior to surgery about how it might play out. Chronic fatigue dr said to be aware that surgery can always be a cfs episode trigger. My bariatric dr said in the patients he's seen, they have generally improved at least a little. Pain is an issue and can't take anti-inflammatories. But, dr also said the surgery can sometime knock down inflammation. Compared to my normal, I'm feeling great. And I'm hoping it lasts, but after 30 years of cfs, find it hard to not anticipate the downturn. But, doing my best, following all drs orders and getting all necessary nutrients, fluids, and movement for proper healing. And pacing myself. Plenty of rest both before and after surgery.

Oh! I see you asked if any shrink has coming up with a work around. The thought labeling comes from DBT - dialectical behavioral therapy, which is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. It's the gold standard treatment for depression, anxiety, fear. It's really amazing. I'm sure there are books and teachings out there. I was able to take a class at my local hospital.

What I'm doing that is helping is writing about my fears, sharing them with someone else, and giving them over to my higher power. This has helped a lot. Even if I have to keep processing the same fears over and over. And if I am having a really fearful moment (or even a random fearful thought), I label my fear as a thought or feeling: I am having a thought that I am afraid. I am having a feeling of fear. And then I sit with it. Knowing that thoughts and feelings are temporary, and they are not me. They will pass, and I don't have to take them on. They usually pass after a couple of minutes. Although, sometimes they come right back, and I need to do it again. [emoji178]

I completely relate to the fear of not having the fat around me. Being abused as a child really changed my relationship to my body. For so long it didn't feel like it was mine. And if I were thin, it felt like everyone could see through me, into me. It made me feel vulnerable and unsafe. And I didn't like not being able to pick and choose who I would get male attention from. I'm being sleeved tomorrow. And I have spent a lot of time the last several months trying to come to terms with this decision and trying to decide how I will handle losing my armor. Logically, I know it never really protected me, but the scared child inside isn't fully on board. And I'm starting out at a relatively low bmi (have co-morbidities), so truly thin isn't that far. And I completely relate to self-sabotage and self-soothing with food. So, I'm moving forward despite the fear. Trusting that I can do my best one day at a time. I finally learned to love my curves. Now I need to continue loving my body wherever it ends up. Your progress is amazing and inspirational. You've already zipped off that fat suit. Just feel the fear and do it anyway. [emoji178]

Thank you!

Thanks so much for responding! How did your recovery go?

You look gorgeous! Thanks for inspiring us!

I heard there may be limits on driving. Clearly, I need a ride to/from hospital. How soon after surgery were able to drive?

Hey! I'll text you later! You aren't alone!

I'm august 7!

Mine was denied at beginning of June (with orders to do 6 months of weight checks) and then approved 6 weeks later after I filed a grievance about something else, and the woman writing it up over the phone must have thrown this in there too when I mentioned it. It threw me for a loop, the whole back and forth. Don't give up. Our timing isn't always god's timing (or the insurance company's!).

Trial by fire! [emoji91] I'm also on week 2. Haven't been subject to what you are, but have gone out to meals with friends and just had a small plate of veggies (non-starchy vegs allowed by my dr). And it's fine. I find I'm not actually that hungry if I get all my protein shakes down and make sure not to go more than 3 hours without "eating." And, I keep reminding myself that I have had all these foods in the past, I can remember how they taste, and they just aren't worth it, because I have a chance at a new kind of life. And, if you can do this, you can do anything!!!

Go you! Amazing progress! Thank you so much for sharing. This is the inspiration those of us pre-op or just starting out really need. I'm going to take my before pictures today. Surgery Monday!