Smooth Recovery? Anyone?

[Arts137 1,811]

Smo Smo Sooper Smooth. 5 month out. Little post op discomfort. Only one episode of the "slimies" and a little lingering fatigue, but all in all physically AOK.

[LynRN 294]

Just read a sad story so

I need to resurrect this thread. Surgery in six days. More reassurance please!

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

Lyn, it's a calculated risk. And so far, based on my experience it is totally worth it.

I could get hit by a bus tomorrow. I probably won't. But I know that continuing in my pre-op state was bound to cause me complications and possibly death.

There are no words powerful enough to comfort someone who has a tragedy strike. But I believe it is a tragedy and not the norm.

[swizzly 901]

Oh no! What happened? :-(

[notime 340]

If you don't get any more responses, start reading at the beginning again. There are a lot of positive experiences documented here.

[dkandsm 48]

I will be 8 weeks out tomorrow and I'm still doing perfectly well. I've lost 45 lbs. and I've gone down 3 sizes in jeans. My total cholesterol has gone from 236 to 148!! It's unbelievable to me how easy this surgery and recovery has been for me. I'm never hungry anymore, so eating really is quite the chore. There are times I have a treat, that I figure into my daily carb allotment, and I have had no issues whatsoever. I never feel deprived, either. This surgery is probably the best decision I have ever made for myself! I was originally supposed to have surgery in early May, but I chickened out. I had read a lot of "complication stories," or just negativity in general, and I got too scared to go forward with surgery because I was so hung up on the "what ifs." Now, I majorly regret not following through as originally planned. I am very happy that I worked up the courage and had this surgery in the end, for sure!

I hope that helps reassure you.

[skikyd 165]

Hang in there Lyn. This was the best thing I ever did for my self.

[BerryChic 26]

I am almost 4 weeks out and have had a relatively smooth recovery. I am ahead of schedule for weight loss and BMI tracking, which is great! I did have to deal with a yeast infection (probably from the antibiotics or catheter) and some expected post-op discomfort for the first week. But, no vomiting, very little nausea, no foamy burps or spitting up. I will say the first 7-10 days were a little rockier than I thought they would be. I have always rebounded and healed quickly after surgeries but I am 10 years older now than when I had my last surgery so I think my expectations were a little unrealistic in that regard. The biggest thing I struggled with was/is the energy swings. One day I'd feel great and the next I was exhausted. As you probably know, this is a by-product of the healing process and I have learned we just have to be patient with ourselves. Interestingly, I have not had any of the aches and pains I used to get all the time (headaches, joint/muscle aches) which is awesome. Honestly though, there have been some moments that I would never like to repeat in my life, but that's just what they were: moments in time, relatively speaking, but the benefits and results will last a lifetime. I can't wait to meet the new Me when I reach my goal!

[ElginChris 87]

Lyn,

Just about 3 weeks out here and nothing out of the ordinary!!! I think recovery is about attitude, not all of it but a good part of it is. This process isnt painless , it isnt easy but it is worth it!!!

[skikyd 165]

I'm 7 weeks out. Learning what I can & cannot eat, ... Mostly how fast / slow I can / should eat.

It's been pretty easy.

Last week I had an other unrelated surgery. Was constipated afterwards. That was the worst of it.

[nancym90 5]

So I am 10 days post op and I have to say that this is not by any means easy for me. I some how read these threads pre op and was expecting things to go smoother. It is not awful by any means and I have no regrets and am down 18 lbs. I have to keep reminding myself everyone is different. I was starting to feel like a failure for not having as good a recovery as everyone else. Saw my Dr for my post op apt yesterday and he said everything was fine. Be prepared for pain, nausea, diarrhea, I had awful headaches, fear of food, missing food, feeling lonely, having second thoughts. You may or may not have these feelings but I think if you are prepared for the possibility of them your recovery will go easier. That was one of the harder things for me to deal with because I really didn't think it was going to be this difficult. All of the things I mention are transient and can be dealt with. I hope you have a great recovery but if you don't i don't want you to feel like a failure as I did. Best of luck to you.

[DirtyHarriett 94]

I am ten days out as well...I am doing well. Tht said, I have only lost a few lbs. worst thing for me is

[DirtyHarriett 94]

Hate this new app!

[unbesleevable1 420]

I had a pretty easy time of it, overall. The farther I get from the surgery, the easier it seemed. But I remember very clearly that the first day I was in pretty rough shape. I had a gnarly headache (caffeine withdrawl, I think), and just wanted a motrin! The morphine made me sick so I never pushed the button. I remember thinking, wow, this is rough! But I never thought, 'what have I done?' I was thinking, 'heck yes, I got through the surgery!!"

I never had the gas pain you hear so much about. I had no trouble sleeping on my side. I took the pain medication once a day before bed for the first 5 days and then dumped it out. Nothing made me nauseated as far as fluids. I just had my first episode of nausea and vomiting at almost 3 weeks post op from drinking cold Water first thing in the morning (too much, too cold, too fast?). I went back to work at 2 weeks and survived. I don't feel bad, but just that I should be taking it easy.

I think I was really really lucky. I agree with Chris E above, a lot of it is attitude. Focus on the positive. Get lots of rest. Have someone helping you at home if possible the first couple days. Hope for the best and leave the rest to your higher power.

[hnigro 1]

I had surgery on October 18th. I also followed the pre-op diet about 99% to the letter (I did sneak a piece of pizza somewhere in there). My surgery and recovery were exceptional. Minimal pain, completely gone in two days - have had no adverse reaction to any food I've eaten so far. My energy level is sky high! Best decision I've ever made!!!! Good luck, you'll do great.