A light bulb went off

[alyce 61]

As I was sitting here 5 days post op.... I realized that I did all this leg work about the procedure.....made sure I educated myself... Sort of like when I gave birth to my first son.... So worried about the pregnancy and making sure I had everything I needed... Not thinking too much about when that baby arrives... And it all worked out raised three wonderful boys.... Now I am thinking I went through this whole journey and really never thought about how I would be when I got home... That drinking would hurt... All the gas ...spasms from the hiatal hernia............drinking that would hurt....frustration that I can't get all my Water and Protein in... -and so..... I did read these boards but again I didn't spend enough time thinking about afterwards....... Spent so much time thinking about the surgery . I guess I can help educate the next person. Thanks for listening. Alyce.

[reading mom 85]

Hang in there! I promise it gets better! Keep doing the best you can and in a few more weeks you will start feeling much more normal.

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

Alyce you are sooooooo right, either I didn't read the right posts pre op or I chose to not pay any attention to them....thinking oh that don't apply to me! Lol. I got a wake up call......it all applied. I am 7 days post op, having major problems getting Fluid in and I hate the Protein options I have.

[starspring 30]

Try not to be so hard on yourself. One day at a time concentrate on staying hydrated I promise every day you'll feel a little bit better and a little like yourself! Xo

[alyce 61]

Alyce you are sooooooo right, either I didn't read the right posts pre op or I chose to not pay any attention to them....thinking oh that don't apply to me! Lol. I got a wake up call......it all applied. I am 7 days post op, having major problems getting Fluid in and I hate the Protein options I have.

I didn't mean to be such a downer ... But I had to get it out. Thanks for responding!

[alyce 61]

Thank you to all of you... I am hanging in there and I trust all of you when you say it will get better. Alyce

[alyce 61]

Thank you Starspring...... I will hang in there!!!!

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

Today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today!

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Funny, I don't think I was fully prepared either. I'm a registered nurse, and I absolutely knew the facts. I knew what to expect during and after surgery, and in the months/years following surgery. However, knowing facts and living them are two very different things.

One thing for sure, it does get better with time. I think the thing I found to be most shocking was what a chore it was to eat. It almost didn't seem worth the effort. I didn't want what I could have, and it didn't taste good anyway, and it just was not appealing. It was easier to not eat than to go through the effort to prepare the 2-3 bites I could eat. And drinking felt funny, and I could only handle a little bit at a time. And taking the vitamins! It was a full time job getting them right. I remember taking some in the middle of the night to keep from taking them on top of each other.

Now, at 21 months out, I sort of miss those days. Eating and drinking is easy again, and I can eat anything (in reduced quantity) that I want. Now it take a lot of will power to stay the path - another thing I wasn't fully prepared for!

My point is that no matter how much we prepare, I don't think you can ever really get it until you live it, and we each have a unique perspective. Congrats on your recent sleeve, and best wishes!

Edited September 1, 2014 by MichiganChic

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

Thanks Michigan chic. It will get better. Whew. It's been a long seven days. Lol. I am also from Michigan. Bay city but I had my surgery in Saignaw. Best wishes I cannot wait until it gets better.

[Jz0917 21]

Thanks Michigan chic. It will get better. Whew. It's been a long seven days. Lol. I am also from Michigan. Bay city but I had my surgery in Saignaw. Best wishes I cannot wait until it gets better.

I am in Michigan too. Muskegon area. I am struggling. Now, day 7, I am feeling sick from the Protein Drinks. I have my doc appt tomorrow but I don't want to be a whiner. I am scared to shower again because I had some bleeding yesterday. I don't feel well. So tired and weak. I wonder how all these people are up and walking around the grocery store but I am struggling just to walk around my house because if the stabbing /burning incision pain. I read a lot, prayed a lot, and felt that I was educated enough to make this decision, but going through is totally different than reading a blog. I'm just praying the painful days will pass quickly so can get on with the buisness of getting healthy again. Thank you all for sharing your stories. They are God send and are helping me get through this time.

[alyce 61]

Please don't judge somebody because they said it's been 7 days... I am 6 days out... And we just don't know... That is why we are reaching out.. To say its a been a big seven days and then lol ... Is a little insulting. I am not trying to be sensitive we are just trying to figure out what to expect during these early days... This is why I started this thread... Many of us did the research... Stayed up late at night reading blogs... Going to support groups and so on... And like what was said earlier until you actually go through it one has no idea .

[Jz0917 21]

Please don't judge somebody because they said it's been 7 days... I am 6 days out... And we just don't know... That is why we are reaching out.. To say its a been a big seven days and then lol ... Is a little insulting. I am not trying to be sensitive we are just trying to figure out what to expect during these early days... This is why I started this thread... Many of us did the research... Stayed up late at night reading blogs... Going to support groups and so on... And like what was said earlier until you actually go through it one has no idea .

Did someone say something sarcastic? If they did, they don't understand our plight.

Edited September 1, 2014 by Jz0917

[starspring 30]

I am 4months out and it has not been easy or fun. Im still learning. Never be afraid to ask because odds are there is someone feeling or going through something similar. I know I felt very alone. Feel free to pm me anytime!

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

I have had a horrible 7 days I am only 7 days post op also. I have had burning incision pain, just plain pain, I was allergic to the hydrocodone and had vivid dreams/nightmares and it gave me Migraine headaches. I have cried everyday since I have had my surgery. Doing my best to walk and sleep. I don't know who said anything sarcastic it certainly was not me! I can't get in enough Protein or Water. The Calcium and Vitamins I am taking upset my stomach. I cannot stomach crushing my meds and have had to discontinue some of them. I thought I had the beginning of a UTI yesterday which made me even more miserable. So anyone that thought I was being smart by putting lol has a huge misconception. I am miserable and I feel for anyone going through this process it is VERY difficult. You are all in my prayers and I pray that God keep you in the palm of His hands and heal quickly.