Wendy,
Executive Suites are nice, but you should have a penthouse! Now,
there's a place to recieve visitors!
I'll be standing in line.....
Hugs and congrats on your "new" position as co moderator
Bev
Surgery date
9-9
Kathy, I am sorry to hear you are having problems. I would try taking
Gas-X and Prilosec. We have a lot of stomach acid after surgery, so I
think this will help you.
Becca
I feel very well. I had no problems going back to work or doing
housework; laundry, floors, dishes. I feel just fine.
You can bend and squat but you can not lift heavy weights, for fear of
getting a hernia. I have lifted a few heavy weights because I get tired
of asking for help.
I packed a couple of cans of cream of chicken soup, sugar-free jello and
protein drinks. If you buy large cans of soup, you will have leftovers,
but you can refrigerate the leftover soup. Lori ate applesauce and
plenty of people eat pudding after surgery. You can also have apple
juice or peach nectar.
I bought bottles of water at the store next door to the hotel. You can
ask "no gas?" to the clerk because some of their bottled water is
carbonated and I can not figure out which is which. It says "sem gas",
which means what? I dunno! Everyone at the stores and the pharmacies
know we are Marchesini patients, chances are they will take carbonated
water away from you and replace it with bottle that is not carbonated.
This happened to me.
The store had 1.5 liter bottles of water, which works out if you want to
make instant tea or Kool-Aid. You just add it to the bottle and shake
it up. These bottles fit in the door of your fridge. The American Box
has 3 pitchers, but they do not fit in the fridge very well.
You can go to the buffet breakfast at the hotel in the mornings. You
can drink coffee and eat yogurt (take a yogurt back to your room with
you, I did). Some people will eat a little scrambled eggs after
surgery. We did and we were fine.
You have to avoid anything citrus; orange juice, tomato juice, pineapple
juice, tomato soup for a few weeks. Milk should probably be avoided
since many people are lactose intolerant right after surgery. I was
not, so I drank milk out of the little juice-box cartons (Parmalat).
You may want to buy Omeprazole (Prilosec) at the pharmacy on the corner.
We tend to build a lot of stomach acid after surgery, causing us to
feel nauseous. Also, take Gas-X with you. It helps get rid of the gas,
when you first begin eating.
Becca
Hey those are really good questions...her answer willhelp me also.
Jeannie
How does it feel to be 2 1/2 weeks out, Becca? Do you feel pretty comfortable at this point? What ARE the actual restrictions for post op? No lifting, bending, squatting or WHAT? And what do you eat while you are still in Brazil while still in the hotel? He mentioned going to Walmart for food to eat in the hotel? What might that consist of?
I have not felt completely well since having the surgery. I feel
great when I wake up in the morning and then after I take a bite of
anything I start to get the feeling that it is going to come right
back up and cannot take another bite. I feel this way all day long.
I never associated it with nausea. When telling my RN daughter about
it last night, she says mom, it sounds like you are nauseous all the
time. I think that is right. If I didn't have this constant feeling
I would be feeling wonderful right now.
I have an appointment with my PCP today and am going to ask for
something for nausea. In looking in my folder from Dr. M. it doesn't
say anything we should take for this. Do any of you know what would
be the best for us or does it matter? A friend of mine who had the
surgery said she felt this way for about 3-4 months. I can't take it
that long.
Also, still having very watery stools. I am not eating any fats or
very, very little. Is it too soon at almost 4 weeks out to expect
more firm BM's or should I ask for something for that too?
Help, please!
Kathy B in KC
Darlene,
I am a Nurse and wipe MANY peoples butts for many different reasons.
Currently I am a Labor and Delivery nurse and see nothing but BUTTS
(both mom's of all sizes and babies). It is really no big deal! I
don't think most nurses (at least the good ones) have any problem
with it especially with those who truely need the help.
It is nice to hear the strange details of this surgery. That way we
all know what to look forward to. HEHEHEHE
Robin
(Sorry, I sent my reply to the moderators. My apologies to those who
will get this twice.)
Best of luck on your tests today, Jeannie. Go ahead and knock on their
doors, I am sure they would be tickled to see you. I bothered Kathy and
Lori the whole time I was there.
It has been 2 1/2 weeks since my surgery. I was surprised that I
urinated so much after surgery, since I do not urinate that often at
home. I also had diarrhea for about 4 days, then that went away. I did
not have diarrhea after that. My bowels are working fine now. Not that
you wanted to hear about all that! LOL I just wanted you to be prepared
for what might happen to you.
Best of luck with your surgery, Jeannie, and please keep in touch.
Becca
Just about 90% of what you said describes me. I do use food for all emotional
issues.
I have decided to start journalling everything I do and all my feelings and try
to access why I do what I do. I am prepared to have a lot of stress over this,
but at the same time I am intelligent enough to know I have to channel my
emotions elsewhere. I won't use this tool to lose weight and then throw it away
to gain again.
Keep your chin up and tell yourself that you are having a second chance and that
this is what you want out of life.
Hugs
Jeannie
Lisa
My husband did not understand, he felt like I could diet is I was really serious
about losing weight. I just kept talking about joining this group and would
read to him the ones that would explain how they felt about themselves and then
how the others felt after they had the surgery.
There were several that said so many things that I felt about myself that I
finally think he started listening. He doesn't completely understand, but we
are in the hotel room in Brazil and I have my surgery tomorrow.
It has helped him to have others tell him how safe the surgery really is,
meeting the doctor, meeting the other gal Kate that is here for her surgery.
Last night at dinner with Durval and Kate he shared that he was afraid he would
lose me when I lost weight. I assured him that is NOT going to happen. He is
being extremely supportive since we got here.
I just hope that somehow this group can help your husband understand all the
risks you face as you get heavier or stay as heavy as you are. It should not be
about money, it should be about using a tool to get back down to a healthy
weight and using that tool to stay that way.
'
Good luck Lisa
Jeannie
Darlene........I'll never tell you to hush. I remember when I first was here and I told my big deep dark secret that absolutely no one knew...........I had trouble reaching my bottom to clean it.......and I discovered there were very many others like me. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. Well, I no longer have trouble reaching it but I learned that there is nothing people won't share.......plus I am not alone in the world. It is absolutely wonderful to have found people who have had my experiences and will be open to answer all questions. So...........my father told me when I was young I had diarrhea of the fountain pen. Well, now I use fingers and a keyboard but there are many of us like that. Glad you and Val connected. W
Cute preop signature, ya need to start using that! :)
MB
Well.....the last few days have consisted of a lot of arguing and a
lot of tears. My husband says that I need to go to Jenny Craig and
diet the "RIGHT WAY". I knew he would be a hurdle because he is the
most conservative, don't take a chance person I have ever known! I
didn't get fat until about 8 or 9 years ago. I used to diet, starve,
do aerobics and run to keep my shape, and then I hit 30 and had more
kids so all the working out slowly came to a stop and the kids took
over my life completely. (I adore my kids beyond words and don't
regret one second, giving my all to them....but I feel that now it's
MY turn to do something for me...which will also greatly benefit
them).I KNOW what it feels like to be skinny and wear the cutest
clothes and walk with your head high KNOWING that you look good! I
KNOW what an aerobic high feels like from getting a good workout in.
I think that might even make it harder...KNOWING what the other side
feels like! I've put on about 120 pounds since then and I've dieted
the entire time and as you all know, I've gained weight with EACH
diet! I am also quite conservative as far as putting myself in harms
way....because of my kids. I ordinarily don't like to fly, because I
always think that if something happened....my kids would be without a
mom. I have done so much research on the DS and on Dr. M that I just
know in my heart that it's the right thing to do. The first time I
heard that I would have to go to Brazil, I thought, well, that's
OUT. I could NEVER go to Brazil! But it just feels so right and I'm
so comfortable about it. I'm confident that leaving my kids for such
a short time (over the whole scheme of things) and missing them and
missing my husband so much is so temporary and for SOOOO much good,
that I'm SURE it's the right thing to do! How in the world do you
convince your reluctant spouse to give you his blessing? To him,
it's just BERZERK!! And I understand that, because my first reaction
was just that, too. But he will never understand how I'm feeling and
how miserable I am in my own skin and how embarassed I am to leave
the house and how I constantly fear running into someone I know. I
will never go to a high school reunion because I was cute and skinny
in school. I would DIE for those people to see what a "slob" I am.
Sorry, that's how I feel. Like I have no class and I'm a slob! I'm
sorry this is so long......what did you all do to get the blessing of
the people that you love, so that you could make this trip? Help!!!
PS.....My husband doesn't even think I'm FAT! He loves me so much
just the way I am. He still even thinks my butt is as hot as it was
in highschool and he tells me often how much he loves me and my body.
(and I'm 5'5 and 260lbs!!!) He always has...no matter what I looked
like or how much I weighed. I'm so lucky in that respect. That is
ALSO why he doesn't understand why I feel so strongly about having
the surgery. He doesn't see anything "wrong" so he doesn't
understand why I am so agonized about my weight. Thank you, again
for your help.
Lisa
Lisa -
Copy the posting that you sent to us and give it to him. It speaks
your heart and sometimes the written word can be more powerful than
words. Good Luck!!
Tracy
Hi,
I am still waiting to hear from my insurance company and am still
doing tons of research on DS and the other WLS proceedures. Anyhow,
I am wondering how DS effects your eating patterns/appatite etc...
I am and have always been an emotional eater. I am overweight
because I eat way too much! I eat when I am
upset,happy,scared,tired, excited etc.... for just about every reason
and sometimes for no reason at all.
I have issues from my childhood that I have been dealing with and I
am in counseling. I take antidepressants (zoloft and buspar). I
still have been unable to loose weight and keep it off. I actually
gain weight when I diet (or shortly after I quit) becuase when I
diet, I obsess about food. I obsess when I have to make menu plans
or constantly write down what I eat. When I just eat normally, than
I usally just maintain my weight. I am actually afraid of dieting
for that reason. I am afraid of food! When I find something I
really like (like chocolate, or other junk foods) I tend to eat them
constantly. I could eat a big bag of M&M's in a day! I can eat
probably a half dozen doughnuts in a sitting. I could eat a
suppersized meal at mcdonald's and sometimes even add an additional
sandwich. I could sit and eat 4-6 pieces of toast or 2-3 bagels for
breakfast. I just eat WAY too much!
How does the DS surgery effect these kinds of habbits? Does the
simple fact that you are loosing so much weight encourage you to eat
better? I need to exercise I know! I just can't comfortably
exercise at my current weight. My body just hurts. I can't run
becuase I get too out of breath. Just walking through the zoo with
my kids makes me soo tired. Of course with me being a Nurse this is
bad! I need to be able to stand and move fast and lift things. I do
those things, but usually that night or the next day I am very sore!
I usually go right home and go right to bed after work. I feel
sooooo old for someone who is only 40 years old.
Will this surgery make it easier to be free of my food
obsession/addiction? Have any of you had this type of issue and been
successful at WLS? I know that with DS the stomach is not as small
as with RNY and that I will not have the dumping. Sometimes I wonder
if maybe RNY would be better so I couldn't eat sweets or large
amounts of food? I worry that I will loose a little weight than stop
and not loose enough with DS. I have had such bad success with
weight loss attempts in the past, that I am very affraid of any kind
of weight loss proceedures or programs. I want this to be successful
so badly! I want to be able to play with my family, and work in my
yard. I want to feel comfortable in my body instead of embarrased
and afraid to do anything in front of people. I am tired of hating
what I look like.
I know I have good qualities. I am a nice person, I am generous and
I have a great sense of humor. I love to be with people. I hate to
see anyone in pain or unhappy. I can always find something good to
say about even the most difficult person. But being so overweight
makes me so unhappy and irritable. I avoid people and places. I
hide from my family physically and emotionally. I hate to eat in
front of anyone. I have no self confidance or esteem.
Sorry to be so long winded. I just need to make sure this is a smart
step and not just another failure waiting to happen. I have failed
so many times before, that I am "diet shy".
Thanks for listening
Robin G in St. Louis
I gotta take a few to tell ya....this group is the best!! I had the
pleasure of talkin with Val yesterday for quite some time. Shes such
a sweety! Nothin I asked was too much and she had an ready answer to
all my questions! I'm sure you all know from experience just how much
this helps. I guess its time I stop lurkin and get vocal!! lol yall
can tell me to HUSH if ya need to cause I tend to rattle ALOT!!! LOL
Darlene
ok....I just got moved into the new place.....looks nice but can you
please repaint my suite?....dont care for the color LOLOL I had my
preop blood drawn this am.....all thats left to do is chest xray,
abd.ultrasound and ENG. then I can make reservations and get our
visas. YEHAAAAAA....movin right along.....my bestest friend in the
whole world is goin with me (LeeAnn) so I am very comfy with that.
48 and fat....but gonna be
50 and fabulous!!!(healthy too) heehee
Darlene
I ALWAYS LOVE TO MOVE INTO A NEW PLACE... ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS SO FULL
OF SUPPORT AND INSPIRATION..U GUYS R GREAT AND HAVE ALREADY MADE OUR
NEW HOME SO COMFY....
Jeannie sent this to me and I think she meant it for the group so I'll
repost it here:
Tracy..........I loved it when George asked me to be one of 4 moderators because I immediately demanded an executive suite. You not only can have your own bathroom you can visit my fancy quarters whenever you want. Just remember I talk a lot and rarely keep quiet. W
Hi George.. Jackie here. I am glad to be a part of the new group. I
will be seeing the Bay Area Bunch in a couple of weeks and will let
them know if they have not switched yet. Hope everyone is doing
well! Jackie
Hey, I'm a charter member!!! Cool. Can I have my own bathroom? Hugs
and howdies to all.
Tracy (in TX)
George--Thanks for creating our new home. As a lurker before I
decided on the DS, I learned a lot by reading thru all the old posts
on the old site. All of you have a wealth of information that you
freely share with us newbies. Now as a pre-op, I continue to learn
and thank the stars for having somewhere to go to get answers from
people who truly understand.
Diane
Pre-Op 9/02
Well... once we get the place painted and the new furniture arrives
it will be a lot nicer.
Did you notice that our new home has 157 bathrooms and all have
industrial strength ventilators? As Durval would say....
"Is ver nice"
George in PA
so this is our new home.........
looks comfy.
welcome one and all.
joanne
thanks for creating this new, dynamic group. i look forward to
participating here.
diane