What I wish I had known...

[justhere4theshow 462]

Aaaaahhhh, yes! I read that wrong the first time, haha!! Good for you!!

[GinaCampbell 434]

I am just so exhausted from the complications. After nine weeks of tumbling from crisis to crisis, I am becoming very depressed and so physically exhausted that I simply don't know how to carry on.

My GP, surgeon and bariatric team have all but given up as they say they just don't know how to help me.

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[Heather I 500]

@@GinaCampbell, there are still no answers after all the labs last week? I'm so sorry this nightmare hasn't resolved for you!

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@GinaCampbell - Young lady, I don't know what to say, but I think those idiots messed the lot of you up. I know it is mathematically possible for all of you to be the worst cases in one spot, just as it is mathematically possible that a bunch of chimps could randomly type out Romeo and Juliet, but the odds are really low.

[GinaCampbell 434]

No results back from the labs but my nurse specialist is on holiday so not around to chase up.

I am dreading the colonoscopy as my insides are so sore and inflamed. Plus, I am really frightened that the harsh enema prep will harm my new 9 week old stomach as well as further wreck my digestive system.

I know it sounds silly, but I am also really scared of complications from the actual procedure. I haven't had alot of luck lately.

So, I am sad and tearful, in alot of pain and frightened.

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[Heather I 500]

@@GinaCampbell, doesn't sound silly at all! Your insides are all inflamed and jumbled up. I'd be afraid to exhale too hard after all you've been through!

I have nothing to add helpful, but I'm thinking of you often.

[GinaCampbell 434]

Thank you x

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[Steph~L~16 168]

Love this

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[TracyBar 132]

But HELL YEAH it is a great tool and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I just wished I could have planned better for the hormone dump as a single guy (wink wink, wow that was fun).

thankfully reading about the hormone dump prepared me and allowed me to prepare my husband because boy have we had a lot of fun with that also!

How long does the hormone dump last generally speaking?

[TracyBar 132]

No results back from the labs but my nurse specialist is on holiday so not around to chase up.

I am dreading the colonoscopy as my insides are so sore and inflamed. Plus, I am really frightened that the harsh enema prep will harm my new 9 week old stomach as well as further wreck my digestive system.

I know it sounds silly, but I am also really scared of complications from the actual procedure. I haven't had alot of luck lately.

So, I am sad and tearful, in alot of pain and frightened.

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So sorry Gina - sounds like you've been through the wringer. Were you in good health prior to the surgery (apart from being overweight?). Did you have any pre-existing conditions that could have worsened with the stress your body went through with surgery?

[GinaCampbell 434]

I have fibromyalgia, CFS and IBS-D. My blood tests were coming back really bad and the pre op assessment unit weren't happy to go ahead but the anaesthetist overrode their decision and the surgery was done. Had I known my blood results and what they meant, I certainly wouldn't have gone ahead. Yes I think the change in my stomach has affected my bowel condition. Imodium and codeine don't work now and I don't know why. So I can't control the problem, so I have to stay home near my bathroom. Fibromyalgia is such a bizarre affliction, I can't tell you in which ways this has had an impact. I am certainly in alot of pain and the shock of all of this must be aggravating my fibro and CFS.

I discussed all of this at great length with my bariatric team. They just said, don't worry about it.

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[justhere4theshow 462]

@@GinaCampbell I am so sorry. I also have fibro/CFS and a good bit of arthritis in my low back from surgery to clean out a disc that was really messed up. The WLS was indeed a trigger for my fibro, but I still believe in my decision. I realize it may take me a bit longer to reach my goals because I can't even exercise most days. I do try to at least walk as much as I can on those days when my body just doesn't cooperate with anything more intense. Some days I can't get out of my recliner. Needless to say I don't lose much weight when that happens. I did see some research that indicates that losing excess weight can greatly improve fibromyalgia. I don't know that anything will ever help with the CFS. I figure it can't hurt to be as healthy as possible. The thing I hate most is the fact that everything just seems so much harder for us. It sometimes takes so much effort for us to accomplish such minor things. Hang in there...you are not alone.

[GinaCampbell 434]

Thank you! My fibro, CFS was why I did this.

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[readi2lose4 2]

The part about people watching, very true.

But other than that, follow the program. Keep the protien up, carbs low. Fats somewhat low due to the higher calories per gram when compared to carbs and protien. Carbs low because you want to try your best to keep your body burning fat and not carbs throughout the day.

Drink Water. Drink protien shakes with low carbs. Try your best to avoid any drinks other than the mentioned.

Lift weights. This applies to both women and men. Helps keep the skin tight, and the body from losing muscle during your extreme calorie deficit after surgery.

If you find yourself in a stall, drink your way out of it. This drink being Water. Also, have your carbs before 4pm in the day. Limit them to below 30g for the whole day, this way your stay in ketosis.

Myfitnesspal is your friend.

Good luck to anyone pursuing this huge positive change in their life! Find what works for you but follow A PLAN! Do not just wing this!

Weeks out: 15

SW: 365

CW: 287

WL: 78lbs

Awesome advice @@sanjumelts! Thanks for sharing!

[Christinamo7 4,042]

But HELL YEAH it is a great tool and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I just wished I could have planned better for the hormone dump as a single guy (wink wink, wow that was fun).

thankfully reading about the hormone dump prepared me and allowed me to prepare my husband because boy have we had a lot of fun with that also!

How long does the hormone dump last generally speaking?

I have no idea on the general duration - for me the real dump good and bad effects were about 3 1/2 months - but at more than 5 months out I can still tell a difference - so tapering down maybe now? perhaps some who are further out from surgery might have a better idea.