This ain't an easy fix!

[Cathrn 7]

I'm 5 weeks post sleeve and 26 pounds down. I have gotten clinically dehydrated, have trouble keeping my blood sugar high enough and most days I have dizzy spells. This is not a quick or easy fix for weight loss. While I don't regret my decision, anyone looking to do this needs to realize there is nothing easy about it!

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I don't think many people within this community would consider it an "easy fix" because we've done the research or been through the process ourselves and know how hard it really is. But I do think there is a misconception amongst society at large, especially here in the US, that WLS is the easy way out. I don't know why it is so misunderstood. I think if the majority of people knew about the hoops you have to jump through, the pre-op diet, the potential complications, the pain and discomfort, the post-op exercise requirements, and the post-op diet there is NO WAY anyone would consider this "easy".

[mentalistfan 189]

Cathryn, I appreciate you telling about what's going on. I have been gone for hours today getting Pre-registered, seeing the surgeon, another class, etc. and it's really a life changing thing and it makes most people nervous when making the decision to go through surgery. Hopefully, when you can eat more your sugar will be better stabilized and you will stop getting dizzy, God Bless!!!

[Cathrn 7]

I didn't mean to imply people here think this is an easy fix. I just wish my pre-op classes, doctor, etc could have been a bit more realistic. They say you get full fast. How about saying it doesnt feel like you're full but rather that you will be in pain and wishing you could vomit what you just ate. Or that you need to nearly constantly sip your Water in order to get all of it in every day. Or that you will feel completely overwhelmed for weeks.

[Kissifur 244]

I didn't mean to imply people here think this is an easy fix. I just wish my pre-op classes, doctor, etc could have been a bit more realistic. They say you get full fast. How about saying it doesnt feel like you're full but rather that you will be in pain and wishing you could vomit what you just ate. Or that you need to nearly constantly sip your Water in order to get all of it in every day. Or that you will feel completely overwhelmed for weeks.

Unfortunately most of the people preparing us have never been through it themselves making it almost impossible to give us a realistic idea of what to expect. For me I have been very lucky, outside of a bout with dehydration at week two this has been my easiest attempt a weight loss. I pray that it remains this way. Now I usually hate being cut open so this time was no different but much easier than my gallbladder removal (I regreted that everyday for a month)

Edited August 5, 2014 by Kissifur

[gomekast 559]

I was one of the lucky ones. Nearly everyone in my program have had one form of wls or another. Even the receptionist has. They told me what was up...I even walked out of my last dietician appt before my surgery in tears. She scared the crap out of me.

[Tamlyn 107]

You know what I wish I'd seen people talking about more beforehand? How in the beginning, it's recovering from an operation. Never mind about weight loss. You're tired, you don't always feel good, you have some sore spots, your whole body feels different... it's a lot to get used to. I'm pretty new, I've only been sleeved for eight days, but I'm trying to focus on taking care of my body. I'm not even really thinking about losing weight, although that's happening because I'm still on Clear Liquids until tomorrow (yippee!!!). I'm just staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, taking care of my incision sites and being kind to my body. I've spent 40 years abusing it, and I've ended up here. I want to spend the next forty taking care of it. And the next forty after that, I'd like to spend on the beach watching hot Brazilian guys play volleyball.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Tamlyn

[Forsythia 882]

You know what I wish I'd seen people talking about more beforehand? How in the beginning, it's recovering from an operation. Never mind about weight loss. You're tired, you don't always feel good, you have some sore spots, your whole body feels different... it's a lot to get used to. I'm pretty new, I've only been sleeved for eight days, but I'm trying to focus on taking care of my body. I'm not even really thinking about losing weight, although that's happening because I'm still on clear liquids until tomorrow (yippee!!!). I'm just staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, taking care of my incision sites and being kind to my body. I've spent 40 years abusing it, and I've ended up here. I want to spend the next forty taking care of it. And the next forty after that, I'd like to spend on the beach watching hot Brazilian guys play volleyball.

Girl there is no time like the present. Do that now!! LOL!

[Cathrn 7]

Good for you, Tamlyn! I agree that right now you need to take care of recovering and feeling better. I'll be 6 weeks out on Monday and I'm starting to feel better. The anesthesia and sugery are so hard on your body and now I know it takes this long to really get over that. Love yourself and take care. Best of luck!

[northern girl 1]

I agree w/ regard to taking care of yourself & your body post surgery. I felt relatively well & had lots of energy until a week post-op, I suddenly felt like my energy level was greatly diminished, and I began to run a fever. I began to experience subset renal pain as well as acute upper & lower left quadrant pain. My fever rose to 104. I ended up in the ED & transported to a larger hospital where I was placed in the ICUS for two nights. Long story short, I had contracted a bacterial infection probably in surgery from some residual blood in my abdominal cavity. It was a pretty scary ordeal. After a hardy two week antibiotic routine and loads of tests, I'm now 4 weeks post-op, -45#, and feeling back to normal again. Listen to your body!