TakingABreak

This post is such an accurate representation of why this surgery is only a tool. We can cheat and we can sabotage. Many people don't admit that they can just wait those 30 mins to eat more. Thank you for your honesty. I would have to agree with @Orchids&Dragons advice. The minute my food comes, I ask for a to-go box. I also clean up food right away after cooking. I've said this from the beginning, that its depressing to me to go out to eat because I get to enjoy 3-5 bites, and then I'm full. It's frustrating when you actually enjoy food, and perhaps like me, a foodie. I like to eat. I never ate because I was bored or because I was stressed. I actually LOVED eating. So for me, it's so much more mental than physical. I've had to overcome a lot of bad habits and mental struggles.

Yay! It is here! Good luck! You will do great. I’m here for you.

Thank you! You are such a sweet heart and you always make me smile

It was almost a week before I had a BM, and it was also AWFUL. I took MOM (milk of magnesium) to get one going. At first it was very hard and firm. But then once the first bit was done, it looked like a month's worth of poop came out in one visit to the bathroom. I swear, the pre op diet doesn't completely clear you out.... Once you get going, you'll tend to learn your new BM habits. I used to go everyday, sometimes 2-3 times a day. But that's because I was eating for 2-3 people. Now, I go usually every other day. I start to get concerned if its been 4 days. Remember, you eat less now, and our BM will change. Try to incorporate some fiber (so long as you aren't constipated) and listen to your body.

Oh, and if you are coherent in the operating room (unlike my loopy butt!) then be prepared that it is overwhelming. There are a lot of people in there. They will just start prepping you and moving your body parts. Strapping you onto the table, so forth. Hopefully, you have good ones who communicate, but I think they behave like robots sometimes. They won't undress you until you are already under, so don't worry about modesty. Also, it is like a ice box back there. It will be freezing, but they will cover you with heating blankets.

Congratulations! I arrived at the hospital and checked in. I was taken back to the room (by myself at first) to get dressed into a gown, give my urine sample, and get settled in. Then, once I was "ready" they brought back my husband and mother. They waited with me until it was time for them to get me. I wasn't cathed so they did ask me to go again prior to wheeling me back. I was given some oral medication that I had to take with a drop of water, and some medicine in my IV. Just remember, it's a lot of waiting. Usually they want you at the hospital 2 hours prior to when your surgery is scheduled. I was the first on the board for the day, so I actually went back earlier than anticipated. However, if you are mid morning, or mid day.... it could be a long wait. Right before they took me back, they gave me some anxiety medication which HELPED a ton, highly recommended. Honestly, it kicked in by the time I got to the operating room. I barley remember getting onto the table, so forth. It's not like the movies either, they don't tell you to count backwards... I don't remember falling asleep. I don't even remember them telling me that it was time to go to sleep. When I woke up, I was all by myself. I knew this going into it that no family was allowed into recovery. That was a bummer. Being as though I was being admitted, as soon as I was out of recovery they wheeled me upstairs to my room, where my family was waiting. The surgery itself was 2.5 hours (I had some bleeding issues) and I was in recovery for 2 hours.

My program discouraged both carbonation and straws during the healing process, which can be up to 3 months. I use a straw every day. No discomfort on my end from excess gas.

^^^ Also my situation.

I have PCOS, and struggle with excess hair on my face. I have not noticed any extra areas popping up, like I would prior to surgery. However, the existing hair has not changed. the only difference may be that it grows slower. I may only have to take care of it every 3-4 days vs. every other day. I have a friend who does laser treatments, and has said that she had good results. Not perfect though. She said it feels similar to getting a tattoo, but that it gets better. She said in the beginning, as the hair is longer/thicker it hurts worse. She told me the biggest draw back is that you have to let the hair grow out for them to laser it. What's WORSE is that....then it continues to "fall out" essentially after the treatments, so the hair gets super long and unsightly before its gone. She didn't seem to have much redness or irritation afterwards, but she always did it when she had the afternoon off work. Me too girl, I actually put this on my allergy list because it was so bad. And I never felt like it did anything for my PCOS.

Thank you, it does get very emotional looking back.

Agreed! It truly is wonderful. I haven't weighed under 200 since I was a freshman in high school. I don't even know what my "woman body" looks like at a low/normal weight. Excited to find out though

I've heard of people that are closely monitored and get completely off their insulin or diabetic medications within the first six weeks. It really truly depends on how bad your diabetes is. Have you been able to use diet to lower your insulin in the past? If this is the case, you stand a stronger chance to get off of it sooner. Just be very mindful to check your blood sugar, more often, than you would now. This includes during the pre op diet.

Thank you & Congratulations to you as well!

Almost all the supplement places have it, like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. Amazon, Walmart, local grocery stores should carry one or two brands as well. I like Protein2O

Plain water still bothers me to this day, 8 months post op. Try adding something to it, like caffeine free tea, crystal lite, a little lemon (if allowed by your plan). All these things could help the water go down better.

I was extreme about planning. I went to the soup isle at the grocery store and spent hours looking for options during my purred stage. Which is funny because I ended up making homemade soup instead. I bought protein shakes, protein water, SF jello, multiple broth types, about 10 different SF drink options.... and used about 5% of what I bought. I don't regret getting prepared though, because it helped me get into a really great mindset. Do what makes you feel best!

I can definitely say I hold my head higher now :) thank you

Thank you all again for the encouraging and kind words!

Thank you! I’m truly grateful you are a part of this community, and everyone who has been with me on this incredible journey. You guys inspire me!

Thank you for sharing that. Seriously, thank you.

Thank you, I’m not done yet! But I can’t wait to have an official “after” photo.

Thank you. You’ve been one of my biggest cheerleaders! I appreciate you :)

Thank you all!

I took shots, for 10 day post op, but not in my legs. My shots were strictly in my stomach.

Please don't stress about this. I stalled out after I got home from the hospital as well. In fact, I didn't lose much at all my first month and now I'm 7 months post op, down 132lbs. Your body essentially goes into starvation mode after your pre op diet and your first few weeks. I didn't find the loss picked up until I was back to eating a "normal" bariatric diet. This too shall pass, and this is NOT indicative of how your long term success will be.