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New...36 hours to go...and I'm freaking out a little bit...lol

K

Kim n NC

Member
Hello everyone,
Joined the site because I'm having my surgery in about 36 hours and I'm starting to get a little nervous....okay a lot nervous! Would appreciate the good, bad and/or the ugly on the first week or so after surgery.
I'm having a gastric sleeve and have been on the 2 week liquid diet. I think it's getting to me as I have had a dream about steamed carrots! In reality, I'm getting all the protein I'm supposed to but not all the calories or liquids. I'm so sick of drinking I don't want anything. I'm starting to realize how much our social life revolves around food and I guess I'm going through a "mourning" phase...????
I started this process back in July but only recently began to tell people what I was having done. Even though I know it's the right decision, part of me was and I guess still is embarrassed about having/needing to have this done. (Anybody else feel that way?)
I guess the nerves are just making me ramble...sorry about that.
 
Hi Kim....So glad you have joined this group of very supportive non judgemental people. I have elected to have gastric sleeve too, but I will not know my surgery date until November 9th. You have taken a very important step to a healthy "YOU". There are people that I have not told either. I chose to tell only the positive supportive people in my life. This is the right place to ramble on, which I don't think you are. You are having all natural feelings, but be kind to "YOU". You are your own best friend. This is hard for me too. I am learning. Please keep us informed as to how you are doing and the best to you.
 
i know how u feel i have my surgery on the first of nov and i am nervous as well. thing's will be fine with ur's i just know it, and just think of how good will feel later. proud of u.
 
Kim- So glad you joined the forum, I am new here as well and have found this site to be a great place to get the good, the bad and the ugly. However everyone is very supportive thus far and full of lots of good information. I am due to have a gastric bypass on November 13th and have been going through this since March, so I totally understand where you are coming from. I would have to say not to be embarrassed because your decision is a courageous one and deciding to change to a healthy lifestyle is something to be proud of.

You will do just fine and remember to stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel, everyone here keeps telling me it will be SO worth it. Take care, many blessings to you and make sure you let us know how your doing.
 
Hi Kim,

I just had my surgery on the 17th, so I'm 5 days out. During the time I was deciding, I didn't tell my wife, I did speak to friends that have gone through the surgery. I was embarrassed about telling my wife, then one day out of the blue, she suggested I have the surgery. She's been my rock through the past week. I felt that it was an admission that i was a failure, then she said to me that "it is an admission that you care more about your health than your ego." Since then I haven't looked back, though I went through the pre-op nerves.

I noted that you are in NC, where are you having your surgery, I had mine at Wake Med Cary.

Good luck with the surgery and keep us informed.
 
Kim-Welcome to the forum and *LOL* about the carrots. Before I had surgery my biggest concern (fear) was pain control. I was made very comfortable in the hospital and was sent home with liquid hydrocodone which worked well. You will probably be on a pain pump for the first 24 hours. You will be able to push the button every 10 or 15 minutes to give yourself a small amount of narcotic pain meds. I had 2 episodes of nausea in the hospital because I smelled some food that was being transported to other people. I have a physical disability so I didn't walk the halls like the other WLS patients but had no overwhelming pain issues when the physical therapist came to my room to take me on short walks. Because of my disability the therapist had to wrap a band around me and hold on to steady me so I wouldn't wobble like a weeble *LOL* Plus, I was retaining fluids from the IV's so my feet and legs were swollen which made walking a little painful in the legs. I gained 24 pounds of fluids before I was discharged. It is common for almost everyone to go home weighing more than when they were admitted so don't be shocked by this. 24 pounds is a bit extreme but expect some weight gain. I was released 4 days after surgery and had no issues taking care of myself at home even though I live alone. My pain was minimal but increased when I stood up from a sitting position. I did sleep in a recliner for 4 days because I knew it would be difficult to get out of bed without assistance. I have nerve damage in both legs and I need a hip replacement so I can't use my right leg to help me out of bed so sleeping in a recliner was largely due to my disability.

Week 2 after surgery I started the full liquid meal phase and had no problems with the allowed "food". Any pain was very minor and I was able to get in and out of bed towards the middle of week 2 post surgery. It's normal to feel nervous along with a lot of other emotions all happening at once. You may even become a bit depressed after surgery so be prepared for that. It's partly from the anesthesia and partly from hormonal changes. We store hormones in out fat reserves and they are released as we lose weight. Because we lose weight rapidly there is a large amount of hormones released in a short time period and that can cause some depression. Mine didn't last very long but it caused me to cry over nothing.

Good luck with your surgery on the 24th. I'll be thinking about you and will also remember to keep you in my prayers. Make sure to come back to the forum to let us know how you are doing.
 
Hi Kim,

I have mine next week. I can feel your concerns. You'll be fine. My doctor reassured me how rare complications were. You'll be fine. As for the shame that comes with this, I feel it too. We are doing something about our problem. It takes guts! No pun intended. Good luck tomorrow. Will be looking for updates!
 
Hi Kim, I'm so glad that you have chosen our forum for support. I am also glad that you have made this hard decision of having WLS. It's surely not for everyone. I had my surgery on June 25 and haven't looked back. I have lost 61 lbs so far, and I will say that some days are a struggle getting in enough food but I never had any regrets. I had the duodenal switch, and was in the hospital for 3 days due to some minor bleeding from an incision site. Be glad to know I healed up very nicely. One incision, the bleeder, is till numb, but I think that is normal. I had no issues getting through the liquid phase and moving forward. My biggest issue was getting in liquid protein, still have issues with protein, but I try to get it all in with my food intake. I truly need to drink more water and that is hard to do as the weather gets cooler, as I don't like water when it's cooler outside. I have just started drinking coffee again, but only 1 cup and its not every day.

Just remember to do everything your surgeon tells you, take things one day at a time, and make sure you walk. I haven't been able to do a lot of exercising, but that is due to lower back issues including facet and SI joints as well as issues with my sciatic nerves. Take things easy and please come back in and talk with us and let us know how you are doing.
 
Hi Kim I just had my surgery on the 15th of Oct. I felt like you. The first few days were pretty rough for me as far as feeling low & wondering if I made the right decision. I was in the hospital having dreams of food all kinda food not just carrots lol. I've done crying i've done have lots of feelings. Be prepared for lots of gas! I had gas pains in my chest that hurt so badly. I'm doing much better now that I can get out the house & have more than just clear liquids. Having pudding & applesauce & cream soups have really helped. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now & I'm hanging in there. Be prepared for a range of emotions through the first week. Have a strong support system. I thought this would be an easy route to take to loose weight quickly. I was soooo wrong like to many others. This takes more willpower than I could ever imagine, but I don't regret it. I was able to "shop" in my closet this week for clothes that I haven't worn in years that I keep holding so I can fit into :) made me feel better... even had 2 friends tell me I looked 5 years younger :) always a good thing. Best of luck to you
 
windiemarie tell us about the willpower issue early on in post op days! It would seem that the small pouch will limit what goes in in amounts but is it what you choose to put in? I had heard there is NO appetite for a while. This surgery is NOT THE EASY WAY OUT for sure but tell us about the willpower issue please!
 
Hi, wyndimarie,

Welcome to the Forum and Congratulations on your continuing wls journey! I'm glad you have found your way here. It's a good place to make new friends and to give and receive support. I'm happy to hear you're up and around and moving forward.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

wyndimarie said:
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now . . .
Click to expand...

Some food for thought about that "tunnel" and the light at the end of it.

A Pessimist sees only the upcoming tunnel.
An Optimist sees the tunnel and the light at the end of it.
A Realist sees the tunnel, the light at the end of it, and the next tunnel.
 
Hi, for me the willpower issue has been a non-issue. I was put on the liver diet two weeks before my surgery, so I haven't taken a bite of real food since Oct 2nd and strangely enough, I was never sorely tempted. There were occasions where I thought about eating something, but immediately dismissed the notion. When I was dieting, weight watchers, la weight loss, atkins, etc, the first time I thought about doing something I wasn't supposed to, it became an obsession. Not long after that I would give in.

Post surgery, I haven't had the desire to eat, haven't felt hungry, deprived or dissatisfied. I know others have reported not really being hungry for up to two or three weeks post-surgery. Just be sure to follow the Dr's orders and you'll be fine. Let us know how you're doing.
 
i will let u know how thing's come out the man in my life is looking at getting me a new wardrobe lol,i am looking forward to being able to tie my shoe's without sitting down to do it. i feel a lot better being able to talk to other's who have gone through wls or is going to have it done.
 
Thanks everyone for the support. Came home yesterday. Had to stay over because of dehydration/nausea and some pain with drinking. Posted a thread in the post-op forum if anybody can give some feedback on that issue that would be great. Did have a minor complication. I am a colon cancer survivor as well and the surgeon did find and remove 3 areas of tumors from my abdominal wall but all in all am doing well.
 
Kim,

Yay!!! Congratulations!!!

Good to see you.

What a bonus, to find and remove those tumors at this early stage. Kudos to your surgeon.

Are you tired of hearing it yet? Sip, sip, sip!
 
I had my surgery done on the 11th. Im so glad I did. Dont be embarrassed about the surgery. And I found out this is harder than a diet. But you see faster results. I was really nervous too. Just be prepared for when you get home. Good Luck!
 
Congrats Kim, glad to hear you're out of surgery. The next week or so is interesting, I'm still adapting to the internal change, everything still feels weird. You'll do great.
 
congrad's and i am also proud of ur surgen, glad ur doing good. i go in this next thurs. and looking forward to it, sound's crazy i'm sure but i have a good out look for this.
 
denise wyatt said:
i will let u know how thing's come out the man in my life is looking at getting me a new wardrobe lol,i am looking forward to being able to tie my shoe's without sitting down to do it. i feel a lot better being able to talk to other's who have gone through wls or is going to have it done.
Click to expand...

Denise, I'm looking forward to being able to paint my own toenails. :eek:
I haven't bought any new clothes this year in anticipation of the surgery. I've lost a few pounds on my own, and am thrilled to go through and bag up things that don't fit me (too big) anymore, and dig out some things that are the right size, but were on the small side. I've been told not to buy anything until closer to goal weight, but it's going to be hard because the wardrobe is looking pretty shabby.
 
In the past, most of us have rewarded ourselves with food in some way or another. How will you replace that reward? With what?

While I wouldn't recommend going out and purchasing a new wardrobe every ten pounds, I believe a trip to the thrift store might be in order. How can you feel your best when you're wearing pants that are so big, they threaten to fall off? Or pants that are so big, you must pull them up and roll them over at the waist?! Nor do you want to be wearing clothing that is so worn, you feel it is shabby.

Enter your friendly neighborhood thrift store! For a few dollars, you can pick up a new dress or two. Or a new pair of pants and a pretty blouse -- or a nice shirt -- that fits. That will go a long way toward lifting your spirits and confirming your success in this journey.

So, what are you waiting for?
 
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