New here & one week out

[NikkiCL 13]

Hey guys so this is my first post. I had my sleeve done one week ago on December 20th. It's been quite a journey. I'm 25 and I have been overweight my entire life. It really got bad when I got put on antidepressants when I was 12 (I have anxiety/depression & bipolar disorder.) I tried many different antidepressants and it seems like each and every one increased my appetite. But I was such an anxious and depressed wreck without medication that it just wasn't possible for me to function without it. When I was in middle and high school my mom and I would diet a lot. I was on nutri-system, weight watchers, and many others but I never lost much and I would become discouraged and quit. At times I was resentful of my mom because she was always encouraging me to eat healthy and nagged me when I didn't. My mom has dieted her entire life and struggled with weight issues herself. About 7 or so years ago they told me I was prediabetic and I was put on metformin. I was also put on Byetta and I lost about 30 pounds. I was getting ready to do the lap-band surgery and was doing everything I needed to do to get it when my insurance informed us that they had told us wrong and I wasn't approved for the surgery. I guess I became hopeless and gave up on dieting. In a way though I was also relieved because I don't think I was truly ready for such a big change. Since then I've basically been steadily gaining weight. I've been in college (just graduated) and until recently I haven't really restricted my eating at all. I would eat however much of whatever I wanted all the time and often to the point of being miserably full. I've definitely eaten an entire pizza to myself more than once. I ate when I was happy, when I was sad, when I was celebrating, when I was heartbroken, etc. I knew I was unhealthy and I was ashamed but I guess I tried not to think about it much. In October something just clicked and I knew I couldn't go on like this anymore. I knew I had to do something if I wanted to live a long life, have a healthy pregnancy & have kids someday, play with my kids someday, etc. Losing weight, dieting, and exercising just always seemed pointless because I knew I'd never lose enough to become healthy. I felt I was just too far gone. But I realized that having surgery could help me lose weight and get me to a more manageable weight so that I could exercise and diet and do all the things I always thought were pointless before. I had really good insurance this year, better than ever before and my out of picked price would only be $1000. The price of my insurance is going up at the end of the year and I have no idea what type of insurance I'll have after the new year so if I wanted to get the surgery it had to be before December 31. I attended a seminar and the lady in charge of insurance and the surgeon assured me they'd work with me and I'd be able to get it by the end of the year. I was so ecstatic I burst into tears. A lot of unforeseen complications came up however. My Iron was very low and I needed at least 2 iron infusions. My surgeon got fired. My EGD had irregular results and I had to see a specialist. It seemed like getting the surgery by the end of the year was going to be impossible. But everything fell into place. I was approved by my insurance and they scheduled my surgery for the 28th. Then they moved it up to the 20th. The surgery went well. Waking up was kind of brutal. I was very nauseous and miserable. I had been fasting since midnight the night before and I couldn't have anything to drink until the next day. I was in quite a bit of pain AND SO THIRSTY. Its funny because the most painful parts were things I didn't expect. For example, my incisions didn't hurt much but my back hurt like crazy from the hospital bed. And since I've been home from the hospital the most painful thing I've experienced was my severe Constipation (sorry for the TMI but it was the worst). I've been so happy that I was able to get the surgery in time that I haven't experienced much sadness or regret like I've read about most people experiencing for a period after surgery. Today has been the hardest day. I'm still on only liquids for another week until I move onto puréed foods. Today my dad made French fries and I started bawling. I wanted French fries soooooooooo badly. It's been tough watching as my family ate Christmas dinner while I eat Protein Shakes and broth. I know it's worth it but sometimes it's so hard. I'm so happy to be where I am and I'm so excited to see and feel my body changing but I know it will be a tough journey which is why I signed up for this website. Also I am off my metformin which I am beyond thrilled about! Anyways, that's been my journey so far. Thanks for reading and I can't wait to hear back from some people!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Numbergurl37 201]

Good luck to you! Yeah being sleeved around the holidays is the worst, I was sleeved Dec 6th.

Sent from my SM-G920P using the BariatricPal App

[NikkiCL 13]

Thank you so much. It really means a lot to hear from someone going through the same thing. Good luck to you as well!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[sunschick13 14]

What a great story Nikkicl and good luck with your journey!!! I also cried after my family ate pizza last week! I started purée diet today and am sooooo happy for something other than broth and Protein shakes. Good luck to you and hang in there!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[infinitestrength 0]

Oh my I cried tonight because I could not eat like everyone else on our vacation. I had surgery on Dec. 21 and we left on Dec. 23rd for our first away from home get away. Gone to Knott's berry Farm, San Diego Zoo, Safari, Sea World, Whale watching, and Legoland. Great trip but smelling the food has been so awesome and horrible! I just could not take it anymore and cried. I am over it now but was really shocked I broke down. Good Luck!

Sent from my Moto G (4) using the BariatricPal App

[barbbbsss 36]

How is your recovery going while traveling ? My sleeve date is 1/11 and I'm starting preop wed. Are you able to partake in the vacation activities?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

[NikkiCL 13]

Thanks sunschick13! I definitely would've cried with pizza too! I have another week to go before the purée diet but I can't wait! Hopefully the week goes by fast. Thanks so much for your reply and good luck to as well!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[NikkiCL 13]

Infinitestrength oh my gosh I can't imagine being on vacation so soon after surgery! How did you do that?! I can imagine it'd be beyond difficult to be on vacation and not get to eat anything. I've always binged on vacation (obviously won't be able to do that anymore) so I can understand how tough that would be! You are one strong person! Good luck to you and thanks for sharing!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[SpiritedOne 35]

Good Luck on your journey NikkiCL! You know what it's like to have a tough journey, once you get through the liquid stage, you will be stronger and in better control. You will see the difference a few months will make! Keep it up, you can do it!!!!!!

[mylighthouse 782]

Thanks for sharing your story, Nikki.

I too am bipolar and on 4 different meds for that. Before I started my bipolar meds back in '06, I weighed around 160 pounds. After that, I steadily gained weight until earlier this year when I was at a high weight of 334 pounds. I know that my medication played a big part in my weight gain, but like you, I had to have it and couldn't stop taking it.

Congratulations on your surgery, and you are on your way to a healthier and happier you! Keep your head up and be strong and resist temptation. You will do great!

[Snoozy33 21]

Similar stories and feelings, glad you are getting this under control while you are young. I too had the complication of extreme Constipation. I just wanted to suggest that you get off any pain meds you might still be on as well as the antinausea drugs. They slow the bowels down. Keep drinking tons of Water. Good luck to you.

[NOLAgirl-inTN 31]

Wow, that was a journey for you, I'm glad you got approved for the surgery, I had mines a week ago as well and your son right about the back pain and even now I have to sleep on my back because of the incisions. I also have sweat spells, got hot than I get cold... and don't talk about the horrible taste and dry mouth. This is a life time change for everyone and I wish everyone all the luck and support... YAYYYYYY I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW ME!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

[NikkiCL 13]

SpiritedOne thanks so much for your support! I am counting the days till I'm done with the liquid stage!

Good luck to you as well!

Mylighthouse Thanks for sharing! It's nice to know there are other people who have gone through the same things regarding the antidepressants/bipolar meds. Thanks so much for your support it truly means a lot!

Snoozy33 thanks for your reply! Yesterday was the first day I was completely off of my pain meds and without being too graphic I definitely got rid of my constipation! I feel much better now! Good luck to you as well!

NOLAgirl-inTN thanks for your support! Congratulations to you as well on the surgery! We just have to remember that the back pain, dry mouth, etc are temporary and they are definitely worth it to get healthy. At least that's what I keep telling myself! Good luck on your journey!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[HealthierMe2017 22]

NikkiCL it's awesome to your journey! I'm new to the entire idea of surgery, I attend an information seminar a couple weeks ago and have my first meeting with a dietitian and surgeon in a week. I am so nervous, I don't know what to expect or what kind of time line I am looking at. I'd love to hear more about your success as time goes on! Congratulations

[NikkiCL 13]

HeatherMe2017 Thanks so much! Good luck to you. It's a big challenge but definitely worth it. Good luck and I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App