Kirstyoz

Hey so I posted before just after my op on 28 February. I’m 4 days post op and 4kg lighter (8.8 lbs) already. It’s so tough guys. Really. I’m happy I’m doing it and no regrets but psych yourself up for a difficult first few days. And don’t worry because I’m a wuss so if I can get through this recovery you damn well can too!! Plus in the USA you have heaps of interesting protein options and bariatric food options for recovery that we don’t have here in Australia. I have another suggestion, once you’re able to start tracking your fluid intake so you know what you’re getting. I’ve got my favourite plastic Disney cups that have seen better days and marked ml on them with a sharpie, just 50ml and 100ml. Then I can note down in my (Disney) notebook for each date: time / fluid type/ fluid volume and also medications. It’s important to have a sense of how much fluid you’re managing to get overall. I’m borderline getting 1l a day so I can’t afford to go below that. Tracking helps.

Same here. I told one friend I hadn’t planned to because she was in the company of other friends who knew and she was horrible. Not in a rush to deal with the judgement again.

I’m sure this is all elsewhere but I’m in hospital post-op. My date was 28 Feb and I thought I’d share my tips. If you can learn to make yourself burp and pass gas before your date then do. The worse pain is from the gas that’s trapped (that they used to inflate your abdominal cavity). Other things that I’m told help (but haven’t worked for me) hot pack lying on the pain area as long as it isn’t your wound Being up and about walking and chair sitting instead of in bed When you vomit you’ll likely bring up blood so don’t freak out I’m told that’s normal. You likely won’t tolerate water orally the first couple of days (or maybe you will) but you’re on an IV so no biggie. I have to start oral fluids so my second full day after surgery. If you so try, take the tiniest sips imaginable and do it standing up. Dont forget your breathing exercises. And good luck!

Following - I’m in on Wednesday 😳😬

That’s not good. Keep us posted I hope you’re okay xxxx

Hi KatKat I’m having the surgery here in Western Australia in Perth with a local surgeon who is very well regarded, Jon Armstrong. My hubby works in a major hospital so he asked around for me for recommendations from other physicians which was great. Health insurance covers part and the government pays for a very small amount (we have national health care) but there’s out of pocket expenses as well. There’s a scheme here where you can get Government permission to apply to take the out of pocket money out of your Superannuation (401k) which you otherwise can’t access until you retire. So I’ve done that. My bmi is 36, I weigh 93kg and I’m 5’4”. Age 35. I have rheumatoid arthritis (diagnosed age 14) and have just also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia which I hadn’t even heard of before 2 weeks ago. I’ve got friends with rheumatoid and I’m seeing them getting joint replacements and they’re not much older than me so I’m trying to get on top of that. I love food and I comfort eat for stress. Probably like everyone else here I’ve tried all the latest diets and never sustain the weight loss. I was skinny as a young teen but my dad decided I was too skinny so he started forcing me to eat more which i suppose is where my unhealthy relationship with food came from. When the surgeon told me only about 1% of people with a BMI over 35 achieve and sustain their ideal weight that completely made the decision for me. I don’t want to keep trying and feeling like a failure for another 10 years before I get on top of this. My sister had it done 20 months ago and she’s gone from 109kg to 64kg (not sure in pounds but that’s a massive loss) and she’s been encouraging me. She looks amazing and said i’ll never regret it. She’s a chef and a foodie so if she can do it we all can too! So Carolyn is my inspiration. I partly grew up in the USA (florida) although I’m Scottish. I get so homesick for the States. My hubby is applying for a Disney job based in Melbourne 3500km away and I’m hoping he gets it so there’s a chance we can come back to the States! He’s Australian but loves he USA as much as I do since I took him the first time in 2010. I’ve lived in Australia for 13 years. I’m planning a big Australian family vacation to the USA in 2020 and now I’m doubly excited because all going well i’ll be a different me in the photos from the last trip OMG 😆

Good luck! I’m booked for Wednesday 28th Feb, I live in Western Australia. Super nervous 😬 but excited for the outcome.

That’s awesome advice thank you! I’m so anxious. Haven’t slept for days 😳

My procedure is in 2 days and I was wondering about this. Head hunger will definitely be an issue for me 😳