Nsch1018

Hi Ladies, I had surgery at Blossom on June 1st. I’m happy to answer any questions you have. It was a great experience.

Hi Elizabeth, I’m 62 (I’ll be 63 in October). I had the sleeve on June 1st of this year. I too was concerned about additional risks since being “old”. My surgeon said that people our age actually do better and have less pain. It turned out to be so true. I only took three half doses of tramadol after surgery and then switched to Tylenol but I’m not sure I even needed that. I even had two flights (three hours and two hours) to go home after surgery. The gas pain didn’t bother me. I hardly noticed it. I also had a hiatal hernia repair so maybe I just felt better with it being fixed. I am short - only 5’ 2” and surgery weight was 205. I’m down to 181 so losing slower than many but I know I’ll get there someday. That is probably the biggest drawback of having surgery at our age. I feel so much better than I did before surgery and just got back from a week hiking trip at a National Park. Never would have been able to do that pre surgery. good luck! You’ve got this!

You look fantastic. If you don’t mind me asking, I’ve wondered how the recovery is compared to bariatric surgery? Please keep us updated and congratulations.

Probably should have made myself more clear. The program I’m on does full liquids for two weeks after surgery and then you can start with soft foods - whatever can be tolerated. I have started each day with one protein shake (can’t stand them but get it over with early in the day) and then add soft foods the rest of the day. I’ve been doing this for 12 days now. I was really tired, no energy - it suddenly yesterday I woke up feeling great! Not sure if it’s vitamins (started them at two weeks) or being able to actually eat. I had very little pain after surgery so I feel very lucky. I love drinking water and really pushed myself to be able to tolerate as much as possible after surgery so I feel like my intake is pretty good. I’m sort of at the lowish end of BMI for surgery so I know my weight loss will be slower than many but feeling good about where I am right now.

Hi Everyone, just checking in to see how y’all are doing. I had surgery on June 1st and fell like I’m doing pretty well. Really struggling with “head hunger” but trying to turn it around when it appears and telling myself how lucky I am now that I don’t have to give in to it. Including the pre-op diet, it really took my body awhile to get used to not eating very much (feeling weak, light headed, etc.). But, I think My body has adjusted and I’m feeling much better. In addition I started with vitamins a few days ago and that has helped as well. Starting to look at recipes I can tolerate, but that is just making me more hungry. How is everyone else doing?

Hi Mom of 3: im a mom of 3 and 5’ 2” so can sort of understand your frustrations. However I’m only about two weeks out from surgery. You have lost 40 to 45 pounds — that is amazing. I hope to lose that much in the next year as well. Others on this forum can probably give you some tips, I know there are bariatric coaches who will be able to help and give you ideas. who gives a d*** what your supposed “normal weight” is supposed to be. You are brave to have taken this step and with your experience you can probably help a lot of newbies like me. this is a great place to share your thoughts because everyone is so encouraging. hang in there - you’ve got this!

I’m feeling much better than I anticipated. For me, the pain was not bad at all. If I was laying perfectly still, I could not feel a thing. The strongest pain meds I took were Tramadol and I only took those for the first 12 hours and then just at night for the first two nights. For me, the key was getting up and walking. Also getting my back pounded on to get rid of gas pains. I had a companion traveling with me but the patient staying in the room next door to me took advantage of the companion care and it was a really great experience. Out of towners all stay on the third floor of the hotel and you’ll see several walking the halls at all hours. Also the hotel rooms all have a section separate from the bed area that has sofa, etc. so there is some space. The visit from Nurses the evening after surgery for IV of fluids and anti nausea drugs was the best thing ever. I don’t know how long your journey home is, but I had two flights — 4 1/2 and then 1 hour — and I believe the timing was about right. It was really good to shower in my own bathroom and sleep in my own bed. my BMI was not as low as yours I think it was at 38, and I’m only 5’ 2” so I wasn’t expecting to lose much. I lost about five pounds from the time I started two week pre-op diet and the day before surgery. I was happy with that and as of today have lost a total of 10 pounds. WARNING - Blossom will weigh you the day after surgery when you go in for IV and final visit. I gained a pound but totally expected that because of all the IVs I got from surgery. feel free to ask any other questions and I’ll be happy to share my experience. So far it’s been great!

I had my surgery at Blossom on June 1st. You will be in great hands. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I’m leaving to fly home in about three hours. Dreading the flight but anxious to shower in my own bathroom and sleep in my own bed. I had sleeve and hernia repair on Tuesday afternoon, and feeling really great. Others have mentioned nausea and so I’d like to share my tips since I get nauseas so easily. pre Surgery I was given zofran and Pepcid in IV. They also gave me a patch to wear behind my ear and sea bands for my wrists. After surgery I alternated between zofran and phenegrin by IV and then orally. I was discharged just a few hours after surgery so worried I wouldn’t be able to swallow pills ,but strangely that hasn’t been a problem for me. I was also given “queues ease clip on” to wear and that helped a lot. They can be purchased on Amazon and you just clip to shirt and the aromatherapy is mild but effective. I also find that rubbing Vicks baby rub under my nose helps as well and plan on using that on the plane. It’s invisible so you won’t feel like Claire’s from Silence of the Lambs. Since I get nauseas when laying down, I walked as much as I could and my companion did back percussions which helped a lot and felt good. I know this journey is not easy, and that I’m far from perfect, but I am going to try as hard as this 62 year old body will allow to take advantage of this tool I’ve been given. Good luck to everyone. I know we can all do this!

Hi Fellow Junies and of course anyone else. So, I thought I would share my very limited experience of about 42 hours ago. For me, the hardest part the day of was not being able to drink any water for so long the day of surgery. Also it was tough just sitting around waiting. after surgery pain and gas pain was not as terrible as I thought it would be. I have only taken five tramadol tablets and pretty quickly switched to Tylenol. Last tramadol was last night so that I could sleep comfortably. I tend to get nauseous very easily so I knew this would be the worst post surgery. Medical staff was quick to help and I really was only nauseous for about four hours. I had surgery - including hiatal hernia repair as an out patient and was able to tolerate the ride back to my hotel. I walked every hour the first six hours and then every two hours for the next eight hours. Of course I complained when my family member got me up because all I wanted to do was sleep. How3ver, I’m so glad I got up and walked and walked and walked. Family member also did back percussions and that helped with removing the gas. I haven’t felt hungry at all but really thirsty. I constantly am sipping water - just have to do that rather than gulping water. so far everything is going well and I’m excited use this tool so I can have a normal and active life. how is everyone else doing?

Hi Everyone and especially fellow June surgery folks, I had surgery around 5:30ET and I have to say I’m surprised with how well I’m feeling. I won’t lie; the nausea was pretty bad but nurses were spectacular in helping with that, so it’s about 80% better. Pain and gas levels are not that bad. I’ve been getting up every hour or so to walk but now go8ng to change tha5 to every two hours. hang in there and God speed to all!

Good luck to you as well, Samyn. I am headed to the hospital in about four hours and so ready to start a new active life. I had zoom happy hour with some old high school friends and we are planning a trip full of hiking, rafting, and zip lining. Thinking of doing this with my original besties without running out of energy or my joints hurting is the best motivation there is. good luck to everyone having surgery today. We’ve got this!

Hi Everyone! how wonderful to have found this forum! My surgery is scheduled for June 1st. Not nervous, just ready to have it and then be able to live! So glad to have found this forum to be able share with others. I may be a bit older than many of you — I’m 62. I just retired and have helping to take care of grandchildren. My main goals are to stop the beginnings of joint pain, high blood pressure, etc. I also want to be able to run and play with my grandkids for many years. I have a hiatal hernia that is going to b3 repaired at the same time. Anyone else with this issue?