Jen2020MGB

Iced latte with a milk that also has protein, so cows or, as I have it, soya milk. That is my go to in the morning as I never want food until lunchtime, so I at least get in some fluids and protein. The coldness also soothed my stomach early on after surgery.

It didn't hurt as such, but just felt a bit sloshy and tight inside when I took too much fluid in and made me feel nauseous. Someone on this board gave me the idea of using a shot glass to measure water and fluids so you don't over consume, and setting an alarm on phone for every 10 minutes to drink. I don't really have to think about water now though, I can taken reasonable sized gulps and get enough in no problem. So at 8 weeks out I finally completed a qualification I'd been working on, and my friends threw me a surprise celebration with champagne and a beautiful homemade cake!! I held the glass, and sipped it very slowly. I had a sliver (2mm) of cake that I picked at over two hours. They know I'm watching my weight, so didn't say anything. It wasn't in my plan, and not ideal, but I went with it and was careful and I'm so glad I did because I hadn't seen them all since March and now we're in another lockdown. Like what catwoman7 said, my normal sized friends would have done similar sometimes. So after that I felt like having a social life and celebrating special occasions were things that i could do, even if I didn't consume as much as my old self, and that made me feel so much better. I was also very scared of dumping, but I haven't experienced it yet. You will be fine, and so glad you did it afterwards 😊

As I mentioned I was struggling to consume enough, fluids and food, didn't like the taste of anything, trying to work normally and felt pretty tired. Nothing disastrous, but my mind was full of "what if this is it for life" type thoughts, and I also had a stall (expected, but still) and just mentally wasn't in a good place. It did pass! I also scared myself reading the worst stories out there on Facebook and message boards, I'd have been better off just listening to my surgeon and dietician. Still, no regrets and really happy I had it done. You're going in this week aren't you? Is there anything you're particularly worried about?

100% happy that I had it done, weight loss as expected, I am average in most aspects of life including this apparently!! Don't get me wrong, I had serious buyers remorse between week 2 and 6/7, catastrophising and wondering if I'd ruined my life. But now I feel great - I have more energy, my joints don't hurt as much, I can bend down and tie my shoes without holding my breath, I can fit into my more normal sized clothes and I don't hate my image on camera. It's been worth the sacrifices and changes to life, which I wasn't really living before anyway. I even went swimming last week, which I haven't done in years. Another 6 stones to go before I can do the main non-health thing that's been motivating me, and go horse riding again.

A little update. All went smoothly with my surgery. I felt ok for the first week, just very tired and it was a huge effort to take in enough fluids, and I felt sick a lot of the time and did vomit on several occasions causing some panic but all settled down. Sleeping propped up was not the best, but I couldn't lie flat because I felt so nauseous when i did. Two weeks and i felt worse, blood pressure low, dizzy, and generally just not myself. Tired all the time. Vomited in my sleep and nearly choked, was pretty awful and scared me. There was no way I could've done a full days work, although I did do the odd hour at my desk doing emails etc.. I had to count the drops of water going in my mouth because I was so sensitive to over filling. By the end of week 3 i was feeling more myself, but still had a job getting in enough fluids and sustenance. Was sleeping lying on my side again which made all the difference. After 4 weeks I was back at work and just had to be careful and make sure I took time to drink and eat regularly, not super easy when teaching all day, on duty and wearing masks. The other slight issue i had was the length of time to eat, I would finish two spoons and my one break of the day was over, and then for half an hour my stomach made really loud noises! Iced lattes got me through for fluids protein and being able to sip it throughout the day. I also think the cold was soothing on my stomach. I noticed a shift after 6 weeks when I could go hours without remembering I'd had surgery, and now by 11 weeks ish it's all good and I'm eating lots of different things just small portions and my usual - if not higher - energy levels have returned. I was deliberately vague about the surgery, I wasn't ready to tell colleagues and they haven't asked. Only one has mentioned my weight loss. I'm still drinking iced coffee a lot (shot of coffee, ice and soya milk, no sweeteners). I think a few suspect but honestly I don't know them well and can't be bothered yet with explaining everything. I was prepared to dismiss any questions at the risk of sounding rude, rather than talk about it, but it's not been an issue. It is major surgery, and impossible to predict how your body will react. Healing takes time. In hindsight, I think I was convincing myself I'd be fine so quickly afterwards because I was actually really nervous about having the surgery, I just hadn't realised it. I hope it goes well for you TrueNorth1.

Pre surgery I liked almost everything, bar some fish and offal. Post surgery loads of foods just don't taste good, sometimes I think I want something but end up not liking it. Most of the protein powders I stocked up in will probably go to waste, I can't stand the sweetness now. I think this is probably a good thing in the long run!

Wow, that is fast! What work do you do? In a way I feel like if I need to be up and moving anyway, then if I'm at work I'll have that motivation.

Thank you, fortunately (?!) with the covid restrictions we are advised to stay 2m from students anyway, so I already have a reason to be at the front of class and can sit down, so hopefully it needn't be too difficult to start with. I am just about 300 lbs so think it will also be a while before people notice, but I carry an awful lot of weight on my stomach so I may start to look less than 25 months pregnant fairly quickly (hopefully!). Interesting what you say about sharing with fellow obese, I had thought about that, maybe when I have lost a reasonable amount and a bit more confident about the whole thing.

Thank you, I also have blood pressure on the low side and never fast to heal from anything, so am starting to think it might take me closer to the four weeks rather than the 1/2 I was initially thinking. Good idea about phased return, I hadn't considered that. I have so far relied on my bosses assumption of 'lady problems' too! Fortunately I have very supportive colleagues, but everyone is so busy I'm conscious of not being a burden. Hopefully all will work out.