My journey thus far--this is a long post but I hope it helps someone.

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

My journey started several years ago when I went through the entire process of approval for lap band surgery in 2009. I had reached the point where I was actually going to schedule the surgery. However, I went to one of the surgeon's "support group" meetings. At that meeting, the facilitator, asked 5 to 6 times: "If you know anyone who is interested in the surgery, PLEASE put them in contact with me." The people who were at the "support group" only talked about ways that they could get around their lap band. One person said she wanted a taco and would chew it and spit it out without swallowing it. I thought, this is more of a recruitment and this "support group" is doing nothing to help deal with the head issues that caused me to be morbidly obese.

Fast Forward to 2013 when my A1C went .1 over the allowed parameters. With a strict regimen of dieting and exercise, I got it right at the upper limit. I DIDN'T lose any weight. My knees have become bone on bone, I have a herniated disc and a slipped disc in my low back. I had reached the point where just walking and moving were increasingly painful.

In my job, I was in an investigator position for the FDA. It required me to have to stand and observe food manufacturers in operation. This could be for hours and my knees and back could not take it. THANK GOD a co-worker retired and because prior to becoming an investigator, I was in that type of position, my employer allowed me to transfer to that position. I also THANK GOD that my employer did that. If not for that, I may very well have lost my job.

So towards the middle of 2013 I was seriously researching WLS. I graduated from Wayland Baptist University with BS in business so I thoroughly researched each WLS option. I choose the VSG so my digestion would not be re-routed and I would not have the malabsorption issues that comes from the other forms of weight loss surgery.

I had my VSG on 12/11/13. The pain from the CO2 in the shoulders immediately following surgery was the worst pain I had ever experienced in my life. I have never had children, so I don't have that to compare it to. My children are of the 4 legged variety, two small dogs. My husband has been as supportive as he can be. He is a 100% disabled veteran. We met when we were both in the military. HIs disability started after we had been married for 8 years.

I followed all the recommendations on this website for after surgery. I walked, walked, walked every chance I could when I was on IV fluids. I sipped, sipped, sipped, walked, peed, walked, peed……..once I was able to drink Water. Yes, it hurt to walk and move BUT I knew I HAD to. The more I walked, the more the gas seemed to leave my body.

I lost 10.5 pounds on the pre-op diet, of course I started it as soon as I was approved and scheduled for surgery which was about 4 weeks out. I didn't stick to it strictly until I was in the two weeks prior to the surgery.

I had my 1st week post op appointment yesterday. I followed the liquid diet post op to a "T" and I got all my Water in and walked as much as I possibly could. I started to get knee and back pain and went round and round with my bariatric surgeon, my orthopedic doctors to try and get some relief. I didn't know, I NEEDED TO KEEP MY PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER, (PCP), in the loop as to what was going on. I'm so very BLESSED to have insurance where I don't have to go THROUGH my PCP. However, your PCP is supposed to be your hub for all your prescriptions in that situation. I was finally able to get Voltarin, a topical NSAID from my knee doc and so far it has helped. Still have to use Tylenol and Tylenol with a narcotic at night.

At my 1st week post op appointment----I lost a stagering 15 pounds. I have to give credit to my cousin who drove all the way to Texas from Michigan to stay and help care for me. She kept reminding me to sip, sip, sip. She heated my broth, made me Jello and kept at it. I cannot express my gratitude to her and I feel I can NEVER repay her for what she is doing for me.

That's where I am now. I hope in this long post, I have provided some information which may be valuable to someone.

[gmanbat 5,889]

Thanks for sharing!

Hope everything goes well for you in the future!

[Noor1969 150]

Thanks so much for posting this. You are doing great so far and I wish you continued success.

[joatsaint 2,814]

Thanks for posting your story.