Zombie_tea

Wow congratulations on the massive weight loss! Sorry to hear that you’ve had such difficulties getting there though, my heart goes out to you. I haven’t had any complications from the procedure, but my poo situation did change dramatically. I used to eat a ton of veggies and fruit, and had bowel movements 2-3 times daily on average before the operation. Obviously afterwards my diet had to focus on protein, so I lost most of the fibre in my diet. As I was taking Metformin, my stool was very soft and I didn’t notice at all until my Dr said I didn’t have to take it anymore (which was great), but then I quickly realised that I was constipated all the time. I started experimenting with different fibre supplements, and I’ve found a regime that works with my body. Nowhere near the problems you’ve experienced, but boy was it awful! I've lost 25kg/55pounds so far, and I’m definitely plateauing. Not sure if I’ll lose more, but my Dr is very happy and so am I. I’m walking every day and not calorie counting anymore as I have a good routine going. Hope you solve all your problems! Always around if you need any support or help!

Hi there! Tomorrow I’m five weeks post op, and after an initial loss of 9kgs two weeks after the surgery, my weight loss became very slow. I worried too, but I spoke with my nutritionalist and my Dr & they both assured me that it was normal. I’m not a Dr, but I think it’s important to get your stomach used to foods at the rate you’re being advised on. I know the urge is to get to the weight loss NOW, but there’s more at stake here at this point. I urge you to just do exactly what your health care team have advised. It’s important for your body to acclimatise to foods again. You WILL lose weight, but don’t risk any complications by rushing. Apparently, it’s preferable to lose it more slowly rather than fast, for many reasons. I found it helpful to only weigh myself weekly, and to concentrate on walking and making the yummiest possible tablespoons of mush I possibly could! Get wild! 😉

I had my surgery on the 12th, and I agree with the getting out there! My first week post surgery was cold and wet out (I’m in Australia), and it didn’t really help with my mood. Everything felt dark, but as soon as I could, I got ours wide for short walks and it changed EVERYTHING! I hope your pain diminishes and you start to feel more like yourself soon! It’s just a matter of time!

I’m a few days post op, and I did feel tired and a bit sad before during the pre op diet. I think constantly being aware of what I was going through helped me. If I felt sad, I looked into what was making me sad, and had a good think about it all. Remembering the reasons I chose the surgery was very important, and going into this journey knowing that I would second guess and question my decisions was helpful because I was prepared for it. I anticipated these feelings and reminded myself that it was all going as expected, the good and the bad, but all in the direction that I had chosen myself for the ultimate goal of losing the weight for good.

Second day out of surgery. Sheesh! Had the surgery Wednesday about 11am. Woke up with terrible lower back pain in my bed in my own private room, so lucky! I’m in Australia btw, so it’s winter here and I had lots of nice blankets. The nurses were angels. I was quite zonked on the anaesthetic and they were so lovely & kind. I feel asleep and kept waking up as they did obs, and let my paracetamol topped up. My tummy as very tender, and it was a bit painful to get a comfortable position with my back being sore, but it calmed down and I was ok physically. Mentally I was having lots of daydreams and dreams about things and possibly hallucinating! I wish I could remember what they were about but I do remember laughing out loud a few times! At about 6pm I was with it enough to properly open my eyes and be conscious enough to go to the toilet with the help of the nurse. She had to unplug my arms and legs from the wrap around things that massaged them to encourage blood flow (I kept thinking that my dog had jumped up and was snuggling up against me!). I rolled up into a sitting position with a bit of pain and rolled the IV pole to the toilet and she left the room for some privacy. Managed to pee ok and make it back to bed. She came back and plugged me back into my machines. I went to pee a few more times and it was just pee. I managed to text my friends and family and start taking sips of water from a straw. I just dozed in and out of consciousness quite pleasantly. Wasn’t in much discomfort or anything. Was happy that it was over and I had a nice bed to be looked after in. My surgeon popped in around 6am to check in on me and tell me how wonderfully it all went. He also said that my liver was quite fatty, so we did this just in time, which was a bit scary but great to know that I’ve done the right thing! Around daybreak I had some endone for the tummy pain, and kept napping. At about 10am I had some clear chicken broth, some hot tea with rice milk and some chocolate protein milk for breakfast, not too much but I did my duty! The feeing of anything going down is very strange, and not too pleasant if it’s more than I sip, so that took a while. I got my final paperwork and directions and popped on my comfy clothes and went downstairs to get my Uber home at midday. I felt a bit woozy and a touch nauseous in the car but made it ok! Last night I was doing ok but then I woke up with the dreaded shoulder pain! So sad, I was hoping I’d skip that! Anyway, I’ve embraced the endone (was not wanting to take much, as I hate it, but it really is necessary for this pain) and keep swapping out ice packs. Keeping up the shakes and the protein powder water ok so far. Have absolutely no hunger but I’m a good patient and I don’t want to get dehydrated or lose my hair! I’ll just do the best I can. I did get quite grumpy and a bit sad for myself, but I reflected on my situation, and all the drugs my body is on, plus the stress it’s been subjected to and I talk myself to calmness. Managed to keep up my pooing which is great, but BOY OH BOY it’s not something I’ve ever smelt before! Prepare yourself! I’ll let you know how I go.

Ok, surgery in about 3 hours!!! I’m all packed, scrubbed with the pre op body wash and thirsty. I'm a bit nervous, but more excited. I hope the pain isn’t too bad afterwards, but whatever comes, I’m 100% certain of my decision and looking forward to my journey onwards. I’ll let you know what weird and wonderful things lie beyond…

Hello! Just joined this, and my surgery is on the same day as yours! July 12th!