LAN2k

My surgeon had said that after about 2 weeks one would be safe...but I have found out otherwise on this message board. There have been cases where leaks occured even a month out. I will hope that someone who has some concrete knowledge will reply to your question. You might want to start a new thread with your question as the title. I think it will get more attention as a new post.

I thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. I have never been on antidepressants or relied on antianxiety medication and here I find I am visiting with a psychiatrist and on a very low dose of Wellbutrin and Klonopin once in the morning and before I go to bed a Trazodone. My entire psyche has been distrupted since having this sugery and in hindsight I realize that the timing was off. I am just so depressed now but fighting my way back. Eating is still an unpleasant experience. So that every time I eat I feel like crying. I have applied to become a volunteer for a cat adoption center and tomorrow morning is my first day of training. I kind of a forcing myself since I have a sort of detached feeling from the rest of humanity. Thanksgiving was hard, big family lots of food and I hardly ate a thing. Everyone there was so compassionate and supportive but I just felt so isolated within my state of not being able to share in the enjoyment of all the wonderful preparations made by my sister. I found myself in tears at moments just feeling so sad. I do hope that soon I will feel like my happy self again. (I was a fairly content person). I see you too will be sleeved soon and I see that you have choosen one of the best surgeons out there. I am glad for that and will keep you in my heart and prayers for an easy experience and recovery. Thanks again for reaching out to me.

I fight for my sanity each and every day since my surgery. I have felt like a huge part of my identity was robbed from me. I am not your typical case however and the people on this forum are super perceptive and are excellent support. So keep expressing your feelings here and you will gain alot of knowlege, compassion, and support and that will pull you through. You can only move forward from here so you must be patient with yourself and take each day as it comes. Try not to project, (as I do) fears. You are not alone with your concerns.

If it's any consolation to you I was starving on the day of surgery! I found myself awake in my room and I thought I was being starved to death! The odd thing was I felt the hunger pangs in my esophagus and my surgeon looked at me like I was insane. I was not I could smell the food coming into the other side of the room where there was another patient, (unrelated to WLS) and the gurgling and hunger I felt was almost unbearable. I was not allowed even ice chips until the swallow/leak test the next day but I begged my doctor to allow me to just wet my mouth with the chips and not swallow. He permitted that and it helped me cope...the next day after the leak test I was allowed liquids and the only thing I could tolerate was ice chips and apple juice. The apple juice then really saved me although I can't tolerate it any more. Maybe try some apple juice, but let us know how things progress. At least your keeping your wits about you. Being pumped up with Reglan round the clock nearly drove me insane. Now I know.........thanks to you.

Thank you Carolyn for encouragement I just can't seem to get enough. I guess part of my upset is missing the former relationship I had with food which was not really too bad. I ate very healthy foods hardly any junk. My portions were just too much at night. So now it feels like I've been stripped the right to eat those healthy and well balanced food selections reduced to mainly protein (because I can't fit much more) so veggies, and fruits?? I really feel I'm jeopardizing my health just trying to get in enough protein and fluid. It just scares me. I'm really scared. Thanks again it means so much to me to hear from others who can relate and share their experiences.

Thank you for replying. I've not much choice but to hang in and keep trying. I just hope that I can feel normal again that when I eat something it is not such a worrisome event. I'm finding this whole thing so very hard but I will pray for the faith and the patience that in time things will get better. Thanks again and best of wishes to you on your journey. As you progress please let me know how it's going from time to time.

Please give newmom my regards and tell her I am keeping her in prayer that this discomfort will pass and be done with. Since I had suffered much discomfort right after surgery I have a soft spot in my heart for her. Both of you please be well and keep in touch. xx

Congratulations to you both. Your in the right place with the best of the best. Joon you sound great and I look forward to following your progress. May God's healing powers be in you every second of the way.

I told my mother early on since she was so concerned about how my weight was affecting my health as I am middle aged. She was mostly supportive but at moments humbly would ask me if I would consider just trying to steadfastly stick to a good diet and exercise instead of having this surgery. I felt her concern but insisted on the surgery. I waited until the week before to tell my dad and he didn't question my integrity feeling that I researched and all would be OK. Both my parents were with me on the morning of the surgery. For just a few moments that early morning whilst getting ready to leave for the hospital I had the thought to just not go ahead with it. I felt I might regret it and it would be irreversible. But I proceeded nevertheless and picked up both mom and dad on the way to the hospital. I woke from the surgery in a state of shock and had anxiety beyond belief. There was no peace within me and I was terrified at what I'd done. My parents could clearly see this and stood by my side every day and I was in the hospital 5 days. I suffered with severe anxiety for weeks so badly that I could hardly eat. My mother and father stood by my side. Many a time I would just physically cling to them and just say hold me and don't let go. I was so afraid of what I was feeling. I was no longer the happy confident me but a frightened child fearing for my life. I am still on medications for anxiety and depression and never once have either parent questioned why I had this surgery. They have been my pillars of strength and shown me nothing but unconditional love and concern. I am still regretting my decision because I am so not myself. I cry all the time, (grieving) and still worry that something may go drastically wrong. Two months out and food is still not going down with ease, nor is there any sense of normal satisfaction when I've eaten. I don't know when the discomfort ends or if I'll ever feel good about my decision to have had this surgery. But my parents never once questioned the integrity of my decision although I know they are terribly worried. Have compassion for what your parents feel and consider carefully what they have to say. Please don't take this the wrong way so many people who have had this surgery have been very happy right from the get go...I just suggest you regard your parents, for me they have been my best friends. I pray you make the right decision and if you go through with it you are very glad and things go smoothly for you.

It's really too bad that you had to have gone through such a surgery, but it's done now and each day the pain will lesson. I had to have mine out when I was only 21 years old. I was jaundiced, my skin and eyes were yellow. The procedure was an emergency... At that time it was done as an open procedure and mine was so diseased that all ducts to the liver etc. had to be cut open and scraped because instead of stones I had gravel and sand everywhere. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks and in the beginning the pain was so intense I will not ever forget it. I hope you have some people at home with you who are able to give you lots of TLC. You'll be OK.

Initially, (the first 6 weeks out of surgery) I had emotional/anxiety/depression issues and was terrified of my 40lb weight loss, in such a short time. Now that my emotional issues are being managed, (more or less), through medical/medicine intervention...and food no longer is repulsive to me, I am eating/drinking approximately 600-800 cals a day. I'm weighing myself for the past two weeks and the scale fluctuates between 186-188lbs. I don't get it! I workout on the treadmill at the local Ballys and use some of the exercise equipment but the lbs are just not budging. At this rate, I can't even imagine myself even near goal...my hopes and dreams of a fit and lean body are becoming just that...wishful thinking. I just don't get how taking in less than half of the calories I used to pre-surgery isn't having an impact on my weight. Even some family members are questioning if this surgery was worth it. It's 2 weeks and I'm still weighing 187-188 lbs! This is some hell of a stall! I feel like I did pre surgery every time I tried to go on a diet. And, I may be put on an antidepressant next week so now I'm wondering if that will help or hinder my weight loss mission. Any insights will be appreciated very much. Thanks.

Your so right Norma. And I am one that needs professional intervention....I'll take all I can get because this change in my relationship with food effects change in most of the relationships of my life. I cry alot lately but that's a good thing I think it's grieving, much needed grieving. I've had to say goodbye to so many things at once and it hurts so bad. Thank you again for caring enough to reply again.

I have had some odd leg pain too, but it subsided. I suggest you routinely walk and if the pain persists than have your doctor do a test so that you know definitively either way. And please keep us informed.

I've since come to the conclusion that for whatever reason our bodies resist letting go of the pounds of fat, it is likely impossible to continue because we have so little caloric intake. I find that what Norma said, Have someone you trust measure you (neck, upper arm, chest, waist, mid thigh, mid calf, ankle) and record the date and your weight. then put this paper away for 1 month and then repeat. Record all your food,water, supplement in a notebook while trying to minimize any salt use. You need to trust that the surgery is going to do its job if you do yours. Quit obsessing over this on a daily basis. Plan activities that you enjoy besides going to the gym. Your focus should be to avoid the emotional overload of obsessive negative thoughts reagarding yourself, your weight, the surgery, the diet. Do this for 3 months. is applicable to most if not all sleeved individuals. Having the sleeve may be a fix but not as quick and easy as one may have thought pre surgery. In the beginning I was actually too afraid to look at the scale because the weight was dropping so fast that if it continued at that rate I'd be dead soon. I think we need to go on with our lives as we learn how to adjust to our new and very different stomachs and in time we will notice change. Hope that helps some.

Keep telling yourself that this will pass, because it will. In the meanwhile be grateful that your husband is there for you. My heart truly goes out to you and I will continue to pray for your swift and complete recovery. Have faith and try hard to keep things in the moment.

I will pray that your decision will be the right one. Hope to hear again from you soon.

Since moving out of my home and life as a full time mom, I'm at a loss of what to do with myself so going to the gym for an hour is at least something to do. There is only so much shopping I need, and I'm trying to figure out where I stand in the working world ( I would love to get back in the swing of...something?). In the meanwhile I'm looking at volunteering options as well. I've been hanging out with my 80 year young mother or my father and they have been very supportive but I realize that I need to be among peers and find my way back into society. My days are long and lonely with too much time to think. I will take measurements and follow through with your recommendations... Norma I needed some constructive instruction here. Thank you so much.

Can I eat sunflower seeds with the shells that i remove with my teeth? I used to love eating them.

Please try not to be scared. It was probably the ketchup. See how some gentle and mushie food over this weekend and if you have any signs of vomiting and/or blood than I would go to the ER. I am concerned. Please keep us updated.

Thank you Norma, I find this information very helpful as I am undergoing psychological treatment currently and have, out of necessity, been taking Klonopine and Trazadone to relieve the immobilizing anxiety I have encountered since the surgery. My primary care physician has been prescribing the meds and monitoring me closely. She and my psychologist have consulted with eachother and agree that I consult with a psychiatrist. I never dreamed I would sink so low but of course as you know there were other major changes that occurred in my life only a week before my surgery. Your knowledge is much appreciated. I hope you are faring well. Thanks again. -Lis

So sorry that you were feeling unwell but I am glad that you are feeling better! Stay well.

I so appreciate your expressing your feelings and my heart goes out to you. No matter your regret, you can only move forward. I will keep you in my prayers..one day at a time and it will get easier...you will heal.

Hi Daisy, I too am sorry that you are going through this ordeal. Having the gallbladder out will be a good thing, but going through it may be rough. I hope and pray the surgery goes smoothly for you and as far as the protein goes you can make up for it as soon as you are able. God be with you every step of the way.

I am really sorry you have such pain. I only want to mention that my surgeon told me that I can not take Ibuprofen ever again since being sleeved. Have you checked this with your surgeon. Ibuprofen 800 mg x 4 times per day is an awful lot and you may be risky.

I want to print this out. Can you please tell me what DBT or EMDR stand for. Thank you for this very important information.