Silly Question

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

@otrsleever. I don't think she meant "normal" like being able to consume large amounts of food anymore. Im thinking she means like not having pain' date=' or getting headaches, or having nausea, etc. You probably read ino her question more than she was asking.[/quote']

I can appreciate that surgery, & recovery are a definately concern. But wha I saw was this

I'm more scared of how I'm going to feel after I heal.

This tells me that she is concerned about life after surgery, the social implications that come along with it, living lifestyle that is foreign to her.

The brutal reality is..... This is a huge change for most of us. Going out to a restaurant will no longer be the #1 choice for us for socialazition.

Coming from a life that has revolved around food, it's hard to imagine life being fun without food playing a major part.

But the reality is, life can be so much better. Normal is just a state of mind.

Really, we are all kinda peculiar, it just depends on who's eyes you are looking through.

[jennlhp 39]

I meant more physical like feeling nauseous or dizzy all of the time. Normal meaning not feeling like that.

However, thank you for describing the other "Normal". That was never a thought to me other than now. I'm know it's going to be a strange change. When did u have the sleeve?

[Izuri 428]

I am almost three weeks out and I still have pain/discomfort on and off but it's not bad. I am able to walk twice a day and I feel pretty good. I can actually walk longer and quicker than I could before I had surgery. I gave myself extra time off work just to make sure I'd be up to school in the fall, but if I had been pressed to go back, I probably could have. It's really been a fairly fast recovery.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I meant more physical like feeling nauseous or dizzy all of the time. Normal meaning not feeling like that.

However' date=' thank you for describing the other "Normal". That was never a thought to me other than now. I'm know it's going to be a strange change. When did u have the sleeve?[/quote']

I had my sleeve on may 23rd. Sorry it's taken so long for this response. I was looking for a thread that I wanted to link for you. It asks if anyone has gone through this issue free. The response was huge. Keep in mind that while you are looking around here, this where many people come for support and advice, and they get it. Unfortunately those of us that really sail through this pretty easily probably don't say that enough. I know I don't, I kinda feel like it would be a slap to those that do experience some problems. But I can tell you, my first post on this forum was because I was scared that this was too easy. I never had ny pain, I wasn't hungry, haven't had any meds since leaving the hospital (except stool softener). For most of us here this is a pretty problem free, or very minimal problem journey.

The biggest problem we have to deal with is in our own heads. Sorry I haven't found that thread yet, but if/when I do I'll link it here.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I found it!!!!!

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/47767-anyone-have-a-relatively-easy-recovery-story/

[jennlhp 39]

Thank you for that!! That's exactly what I am looking for. I want to see the great stories, and it's all the problem stories that are scaring me. I would love to hear the no issue stories. People seem to only post the bad stuff. I want to see all the good stuff. I don't think it's a slap in the face to anyone by you posting you sailed through with out issues. By u sharing the positives it helps people like me who are terrified. I wish more people told the good news.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

Glad to help.

[Sheree 10]

This all depends on how you define "normal". If "normal" means being able to shove 1500 down your throat in one sitting or always getting the biggest size popcorn at he theater. Or maybe "normal" is being winded after climbing 1 flight of stairs. Then NO, Thank God, I will never feel "normal" again

I'm gonna be like my weirdo friends that actually climb mountains for recreation. You know, those crazy people that don't need to grab a candy bar & a soda every time the put gas in their car. Those oddballs that can walk by a box of donuts and not grab one(or 2 or 3 or 4). What about those nut jobs out there on Seadoos jumping waves and having fun.

Nah, in a country where 65% of the population are overweight, and over 1/2 of those are obese(38% of the population), I for one do NOT want to be normal.

Put me with the 35% minority, because that is where I'm heading. Excuse me for putting it so bluntly, but "normal" sucks.

wow! well said. I want to frame it as a remindrer!!! thanks!

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Totally off topic BUT

O.T.R how did you get your awesome new title? Hehe *sarcasm specialist*

Do we eventually get to write in our own titles?

Wow if so I have no idea what mine will be ..

Anyways love it!!!

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

Totally off topic BUT

O.T.R how did you get your awesome new title? Hehe *sarcasm specialist*

Do we eventually get to write in our own titles?

Wow if so I have no idea what mine will be ..

Anyways love it!!!

Thanks, there is a spot where you edit your profile to change it to whatever you want.

[jennlhp 39]

Well, I have my tentative date of Sept 11. Now I'm freaking out!!

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Jenn, that's great, you are that much closer to a new life. Think positive and use this time to buy what you will need after surgery. It's so much better to have it all there when you need it. Buy some great reading material and never forget that the healing period after surgery is temporary and for that period of time devote yourself to giving yourself and your body what it needs. Best of luck to you

[Kalimomof3 613]

This all depends on how you define "normal". If "normal" means being able to shove 1500 down your throat in one sitting or always getting the biggest size popcorn at he theater. Or maybe "normal" is being winded after climbing 1 flight of stairs. Then NO' date=' Thank God, I will never feel "normal" again

I'm gonna be like my weirdo friends that actually climb mountains for recreation. You know, those crazy people that don't need to grab a candy bar & a soda every time the put gas in their car. Those oddballs that can walk by a box of donuts and not grab one(or 2 or 3 or 4). What about those nut jobs out there on Seadoos jumping waves and having fun.

Nah, in a country where 65% of the population are overweight, and over 1/2 of those are obese(38% of the population), I for one do NOT want to be normal.

Put me with the 35% minority, because that is where I'm heading. Excuse me for putting it so bluntly, but "normal" sucks.[/quote']

Keepin it real OTR

[CelticHarpist 26]

• I was expecting the worst and actually had a fairly easy recovery. I was back to work in two weeks and a few days. I had a little pain the first day after surgery as I would make myself wait to use the morphine machine they attached, so finally they gave up thinking I would actually use that and put me on percocet pills instead. No pain after that. On the third day, I didn't need anything for pain without pills. I had some discomfort only in the bellybutton incision for a couple of weeks following. If I had known about belly bands available post surgery from medical supply houses or walgreens I would have bought one presurgery to use post because holding the belly area or placing a pillow against it helped.
  
• My odd feeling after surgery came from the gases they used to blow up or extend the belly during surgery. I had none of the gas pain the medical professionals predicted to me. The odd feeling was that my waist had been distended and might never come back. I found it does return though - whew.
  
• I would do this again in a heart beat, and I was very apprehensive presurgery. Good luck to you!