Surgery is Monday and I'm getting worried

[DebiC 181]

I felt that I had thoroughly researched this before committing. I can't back out now-my life depends on it (I have to lose 200+ lbs) but it seems like I overlooked all the posts about how awful the post-op period can be! Someone just told me that chronic diarrhea is a problem. I have never heard this. If it's true is this a long term, meaning permanent, problem? That is scaring me.

[Mary Kay 0]

I had a little discomfort for a few days, then was fine. No diarrhea, except for a few weeks after surgery when I had something with mayo before I was ready for it- too much fat. No other problems and certainly no chronic diarrhea.

Post op was not bad at all and it was all worth it. I am off all meds for diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. Best decision I have ever made and could not have lost this weight without it.

It is normal to be nervous before the surgery. Your research was done and you can trust it.

MK

[mnbsleeve 87]

Right before my surgery I started to notice, what seemed like a rash of complications posts! I suddenly panicked and wasn't sure what to do. I learned from people here that this is normal. Having fear and panic. For me it lasted all the way to the day of. I was freaking out inside as they were putting in my IV. But I was prepared because I had read about everyone's experiences and understood it was normal. If you've made your decision with caution and looked at everything you needed to, then just revisit the reasons you are doing this and remind yourself why you're doing it. I think it's completely normal to have these feelings.

Regarding chronic diarrhea: I have not read of anyone having this with the sleeve. I did struggle with some diarrhea in the beginning, NOT chronic however, but it was because I developed a lactose intolerance. Many of Protein shakes have milk. My NUT figured it out right away and once I ony used soy based and those for lactose intolerance I was fine. Also, at 5 + months out, this has gone away! I can also now eat cottage cheese, yogurt etc. Something I could not do in the begining.

This is a process and our body has to adjust. Everyone is different. But the nerves and fear seem to be pretty universal here! :-) I think it is only natural! Best of luck on your journey. Sending lost of positive thougths your way!!!!!!

[sweetness2005 18]

Well i must be one of the odd ones then because i have had diarrhea ever since my surgery on 10-31. I was just hoping that is was because of only being on liquids and baby food. But now i am thinking that maybe i should talk to my doctor about this. HMMMMMM?

[PdxMan 4,292]

When you have nothing but liquids going in, what should you expect going out? Until I got on the thicker of the mushy foods, it was liquid out, but that is normal. Now on solid foods, I actually have to eat prunes daily to keep everything moving along, but I like prunes, so that works for me. You will find what works for you, too.

Chronic diarrhea ... no, but set realistic expectations for what is going on in your body ...

[ILKrista 36]

LOL- I had the complete opposite problem since surgery. I'm lucky to have a bm every 7-10 days unless I take milk of magnesium or a laxative. It varies from person to person & I'm still hoping that once I'm in maintenance & can increase the level of grains, it will balance out. Even if it never does, I would much rather deal with this issue than the multitude of physical & emotional problems that went with being morbidly obese.

[lml32937 65]

I also have been "worried" all the what if's are coming to the frontal brain more rapidly than the thoughts of what life will be like "after"... I assume this is normal- I'm not worrying about after side effects becasue I think everyone's case is different and the post op instructions are all different and we never know how exactly someone does their instructions- I just pray, take comfort in my choosing the physician that I did and believe that I am in amazing hands and beyond that it will all play out as it does... Good luck-

[Lissa 2,631]

LML, You ARE in amazing hands!! You're going to Dr D, right? You'll do great and I can't wait to see how fast the pounds drop off of you!!

As for the diarrhea issue, I do not have chronic diarrhea. I did have very loose stools right after surgery, but I was still drinking milk. I dropped the milk and things got "better". I have not had problems with Constipation, either. Mine are regular and seem normal. I don't think my WLS affected that issue much.