Question:
Have any long term Post-ops ever questioned why?
I am only 4 weeks post op and right now I am not sure this was the best idea in the world for me. I have lost a little over 40 pounds already, which is good. I just have no energy, I hate the thought of eating, I don't like to cook anymore. I have been weighing the good parts of this surgery against the bad parts and so far the bad out weigh the good. Are there any Long Term Post-Ops that have felt like this and now are happy they had the surgery and heck even feel good? I'm hoping there is a silver lining somewhere! — Rachel W. (posted on October 25, 2002)
October 25, 2002
uhhh...yea...almost everyone!! Realax, the first 8-10 weeks are hell, then
it get much better. Your body is adusting. In the first 6 weks, if my doc
had offered me a reversal date, I would have jumped on it. You will do
great.
— Vicki L.
October 25, 2002
Let me tell you, I know how you were feeling. You can even read my
profile. But 1-2 months from now you will be feeling so much thinner,
healthy and back to normal you will be praising the surgery. Just hang in
there.
— Jennifer Y.
October 25, 2002
It is human nature to question this! I did...and still do some days. Even
though I am happy and thrilled with the results so far, I do get depressed
and feel sorry for myself sometimes that I cannot eat like a normal person.
But the further out I get from surgery, the happier I am. It takes a long
time to relearn an entirely new way of living and eating! It is not an
overnight process. It is getting better slowly but surely though. Good
Luck! (open RNY 7/23/02 -73 lbs)
— Shawnie S.
October 25, 2002
Everyone feels like that in the beginning. It gets a lot better, I would
forget I ever even had the surgery if people didn't always comment about
how much weight I have lost. Read my profile it should make you feel a lot
better.
— Linda A.
October 25, 2002
I am so sorry that you don't feel better. I want to reassure you that this
will pass. I think most of us felt this way. My doctor says that it can
take as long as 3 months to really feel back to normal. You will become
interested in food again, but in a good way. I have always hated cooking
and I would make whatever could be done the fastest so I can hurry up and
shovel it in my face. Now I love cooking. I enjoy making different kinds
of dishes and I don't worry about the time it takes. I think I have
switched my enjoyment of eating foods to the experience of creating with
foods. I've even started selling Pampered Chef! Life can become so
different and so wonderful. Please cheer up and think ahead to the future.
You will look and feel beautiful, inside and out.
— cjabates
October 25, 2002
Relax! It is very normal to feel that way. I wondered exactly what the heck
I was thinking when I first had my surgery. For about the two months or so
anyway. Once I healed up and started to feel better, I was amazed. I am 22
months post-op and feel wonderful. As far as eating goes, I feel I do eat
like a "normal" person. I think those huge portions that we've
become used to make us feel that if we don't eat that much that we are
"abnormal." I honestly think that most normal people can't eat so
much. I can go to restaurants, parties, etc. It's just not a big deal
anymore. Most days I forget about the surgery. It'll happen, just focus on
recovering and you'll soon find you've got plenty of energy and will not
regret having the surgery. In fact, I would do it again in a heartbeat!
(That was if I needed it, which I don't now!) Maria Lap RNY 12/11/2000
— Maria H.
October 25, 2002
I am so sorry you are so miserable. I can honestlysay that I never, for
one moment, regretted having the surgery. I had open RNY and went back to
work two weeks after surgery and each and every day has been better than
the day before. I am sure that you will start feeling much better soon and
your weight loss is terrific. A lot of people seem to have problems the
first month or two -I am so thankful than I didn't.
Open RNY 11/29/01 -151+ pounds
— Patty_Butler
October 25, 2002
Didn't someone warn you that the first month or two could be rough? And
for some even longer? I had a rough first 6 weeks where I had no energy
and a good 2 months before I felt like getting out and about again-others
recoup much faster. We are all different but by far the huge majority of
us that are many months and years out say that they would do it all
again.You'll look back a few months from now and say the same thing. Hang
in there-it does get better. But you gotta eat-where do you think energy
comes from??
— Cindy R.
October 25, 2002
Not sure if 2+ years is considered LONG Term- but I tend to think any one
under 6 months is in a learning situation wit htheir new stomach and rules.
Believe me I have probably read probably 3.4 zillion posts regarding what
you're feeling... Soon it fades, new habits a reborn, old habits are lost-
it is just inconceivable in the state you're in; You're probably weak from
surgery and the little amount of food you can eat, but IT ALL CHANGES! You
exercise more, you heal more, you expirience more- you get more energy from
all the protein. BTW- I feel great. I never made it to goal either! and
I STILL feel like this surgery changed my life- 100% for the GOOD! You
could go to the Doctor for a B12 shot?! Perhaps get you over this funk?
— Karen R.
October 25, 2002
Rachel, I am not long term, I had surgery on 8/15 but, I will tell you,
some time in the next few days, you will all of a sudden feel AMAZING! I
did right around 1 month, it was like a light switch. Good luck. Maybe
you should check with you dietician to see if you are eating enough protein
and getting enough calories in.
— heathercross
October 25, 2002
Jen my wife was a miserable early post op. Dehydrated, missed her buddy
food, it was tough being around her. That was december, and christmas was a
downer. Hey now down over 100 pounds she feels great. Walked home from work
the other day, about 1.5 miles. Never would of done that pre op. Right now
she is putting on her makeup, were going to a halloween dance cruise
tonight on the clipper with Bill Cardille chilly billy as the hoast. Jen is
able to breathe and get around. She is taking a interest in her appearance
wearing dresses and even some high heels. I am really enjoying us both
getting our lives back...
— bob-haller
October 25, 2002
Rachel, I can tell you that I don't regret for one minute my discision for
this surgery. I have started on my new image with reconstructive surgery
and I feel good about myself. Something I never thought I would say. Know
that what you are doing is a GOOD thing thing. Do what is right for YOU.
Take care.
— Molly W.
October 25, 2002
Rachel I am about 2 and 2 thirds months post-op and I still do not feel
completely okay yet...though I am MUCH MUCH stronger and better than I was
at your stage! I think that this surgery can be real brutal for some and
not everyone feels great within 4-6 weeks. Me for instance!I would not have
guessed before my surgery that I would likely be the one who had a longer
than average time recuperating but there you go! Exercise is important but
hey listen to your body and do not do more than you feel you can. I did not
return to exercise (swimming/aqua-fit) untill I was nearly 6 weeks out and
it took awhile for me to build my strength back up. This surgery can be a
tough road to follow...but we will make it friend....chin up....it DOES get
better but for some, like me, very slowly.
~HUGS~
Chealsea
— chealsea L.
October 25, 2002
Rachel. Remember, you are on a journey; one that will get better and
better every day. You're just beginning. I know how you are feeling.
I'll be one year post op next week and I feel absolutely great. I'd do it
again, yes I would. Believe me when I tell you that you're going to get
over this hump, slump, but you have to help a bit too. Try getting up and
walking a little bit more each day. But the feeling you are experiencing
WILL pass. It's all gonna be okay, it's all gonna be worth it. You'll
see. Right now I can eat a little bit of anything and a whole lot of
nothing. It was a wonderful trade-off. If someone has donuts, for
example, I can break a little piece off, taste it, then lay it down. I
don't wolf down 3-4-5 at a time like before. This way, I'm not denying
myself. Also, the things I couldn't eat early on, I try them now and they
go down just fine. It's all a journey. Best wishes to your success.
— Annie H.
October 26, 2002
HI
WELL THE FIRST MO IS NOT SO GRREAT I HAD BAD INCESION PAIN FOR ABOUT 3
WEEKS SOME DUMPING AND GAGING IT WAS NOT GOOD BUT IT DOES GET BETTER I AM
ALMOST 6 MOS OUT LOST ALMOST 90LBS AND I FEEL GREAT HAVE ABOUT 50 MORE TO
GO AND WILL GET RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY THEN AND MY CLOTHES ARE LOOKING
GREAT. I AM STILL NOT COMPLETLY RECOVER AS I HAD A LOT OF MEDICAL
PROMBLEMS AND THEY ARE ALL JUST ABOUT CURED EXCEPT MY LEGS HURT AND THEY
SEEM TO THINK THAT I AM USING MUSCLES THAT HAVENT BEEN USED IN A LONG TIME
BUT THEY DONT HURT AS MUCH AS THEY USE TO . SO HANG IN THERE AND DO CHECK
YOUR PROTEIN AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE TAKING YOUR VITAMINS ROSEMARY
— ROSEMARY A.
October 26, 2002
I, too,thought I had made the biggest mistake the first month. I had 2
sections of my incision that had to be opened up due to infection and I had
no energy, no appetite. Getting in enough protein was an ordeal. Today, I
am just 3 months postop and have been out cleaning the garage and working
in the yard! All the energy is back, my body does fine as long as I watch
what I eat. I log in everything I eat on a daily basis on DietWatch which
really helps me monitor my protein and fats. You will start to feel like
your old self in just a few weeks, just hang in there. At 3 months, I am
down 55 pounds and now no regrets.
— Virginia B.
October 26, 2002
I am not a long-termer, only being a little over 3 months out, but I have
to say last night I took my kids to a haunter house. First time in years
that I could stand in the line, truck back and forth across the fairgrounds
(where it's at) and all thru the house without being winded, limping cause
my feet or hips hurt so bad or just in general feeling miserable. We had a
great time! I am so thankful for this procedure, even if I never lose
another pound!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 28, 2002
Rachel, I DID! I kicked myself about 20 times a day for that first month
or two. I guess it was about my 3 month I started to be glad I done it. I
was just so sickly those first 6-8 weeks, I could think of putting
something in my mouth and I'd be sick. I threw up every day, I had no
energy, I was MISERABLE, but then as I started losing, I started feeling
better and then one day I was better.
By month 4 I was very glad I had the surgery, and now at 11 months and -135
lbs I am so thankful to the good lord above that I did it. I can basicly
eat whatever I choose and I feel GREAT! I am actually working 1 full and 2
partime jobs and still have the energy to care for my family. If within 6
months I can almost GUARANTEE you you will be so Thankful.
— Lynda T.
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