November 2014 Surgeries

[Su2ie]

I'm still here lurking but if I'm not sure what I'm feeling. I got summoned to gp as I'd requested liquid meds but had to see a different gp for an on-the-day appointment. Oh he was horrible. I explained that I'd sent in my hospital letters and prescription request and he said they were wrong; I don't need liquids as he had another patient who's had the op and they were always on tablets. Anyway, he agreed to do some (reluctantly) but chemist had to order them in. So I'm without at the moment. I had my bypass 2.5 weeks ago and I'm disappointed that I'm 'only' 13lbs down. How?! Out of 18 days, I've had extreme diarrhoea for 14 of those days. That alone would lose more than that in others. I started on slop a day late (thurs) and had 1/4 of a microwave lasagne mashed up (only couple of tbsps). Oh that was so nice. I've spread that out over last few days. Today I had 1 weetabix with hot milk for breakfast, half glass of yoghurt drink for lunch and trusty lasagne for dinner. What worries me most though is that I'm not sure I'm feeling full. I'm only eating what is suggested as I'm not feeling hunger (only head hunger) but I'm not feeling amazing or that I'm losing much. Just now I made a large glass of NAS squash (photo of glass) and within minutes, I'd finished it. How does that fit in an egg sized pouch? Have I broken myself already? Have I gone through all this for nothing?! I'm reading others who are struggling to drink or move from liquids. In a weird way, I envy them. I'm sorry to sound off, whinge and sound ungrateful but I'm proper fed up and sad :-(

So sorry you're feeling so bad. If it's any consolation I felt miserable and stressed for the first few weeks but now (6weeks post op) I feel great!

Such a shame your gp wasn't supportive, they really can be horrid sometimes - I have a rare connective tissue disorder that most gps have never heard of and some of them are so horrible about it!! Unfortunately most of my meds aren't available as liquids so I've had to take them as whole tablets from day 1! If it's pain meds and you're without at the mo could you take calpol? There is a sugar free one and it might be better than nothing.

Now ICAWM - listen to me - 13lb weight loss in 2.5 weeks is perfectly normal and respectable after surgery!! I know when you're taking in so little it feels like it should be more but you are recovering from major surgery and it's not good too lose it too fast. I had lost 13lb in 2 weeks and when I spoke to the bariatric nurse she told me that was great but I should be aware that the weight loss will soon slow down!! The weight will come off but it's not going to happen overnight, or even in a few weeks (or months). I was about 2 or 3 weeks out when I read somewhere to expect a weekly weight loss of around 2lb a week after surgery. Man did I freak out! I thought well what was the point of putting myself through all this, that's the kind of weight loss you'd expect from a slimming club! But, at that point I was a bit of an emotional wreck and now I realise it's not just about the weight loss, it's also about my relationship with food. Now I'm back on solid food and introducing normal things I've realised I can eat small amounts of most things and feel satisfied - I never thought I'd be happy with such small portions but I no longer feel controlled by food and as a result I'm a much happier person. My weight loss now is roughly 3lb a week and of course I want the weight off quickly and be a nice slim size 12 or even 10 but that's ok because I know I'll get there, it just takes time and I already feel much better than I did pre-op.
I too had quite severe diarrhoea and still do sometimes, I can also drink a glass of squash pretty quickly, I've also never felt hungry and eat by the clock because I have to - you haven't broken yourself, we just all heal at different rates and all have different struggles.

Sorry if this has turned into a lecture but I guess the short version is - you're doing fine and it does get better

I hope you feel better soon x

 

[vixter101]

Not sure I can add anything to those responses or say anything better than keep plugging away at it. As you move through the stages you will feel more restriction for sure. Try and stay strong and know that we're all here for support x

 

[tranquil_butterfly]

Hello all. I hope you are all well today. I am on the last leg of my packing. Trying to do better with my fluid intake today but not succeeding. I am wondering if it is all the stress I am under? I had my actimel with my meds this morning and had a cup of tea which I finished drinking about half an hour ago and it still feels like it is going down. I was hoping to try and have a protein shake now but I know it will be too much of a struggle, so will try in about 1 hour.

Yesterday was a bit embarrassing. Some of my family came to do the packing - they were fantastic but exposed what a hoarder I have been. We used those vaccum packs for the clothes and there are at least 14 jumbo ones now piled up in the bedroom. As we were going through there was not time to sort it but they pulled out stuff with the labels still on. The good thing is that they are in varying sizes so I really will not have to buy anything as I hopefully lose weight. I did not recognise a lot of the stuff. Some of it was a pleasant surprise - stuff for work I can get into. When we finally move I am going to have to make sorting it a prriority as there is not room for it all. I should be feeling excited but it is just such a lot of worry. With losing my job we might have to sell. I cannot afford to think like that - have to fight to keep it. This is for Mr TB and the quality of his life.

Enjoy the rest of Sunday.

TB x

 

[ICAWM]

In re to weight loss that's great! How much do you weigh if you don't mind me asking?i keep having to remind myself of two things. 1) I've just had major surgery! My body is still recovering and probably panicking about what's happened to it so will more than like be holding on to every calorie to enable my body to heal. 2) I didn't put this weight on overnight - it's going to take a while to come off! I started my pre op at 29st 4lbs - today I weighed 24st 13lbs I lost 4 stone on 7 wks pre op. The less you have to lose the slower it will come off. Big hugs xxxx

Thank you.
I started at 24'2 and on Thurs I was 21'10 so I know it's going I. The right direction.

I should celebrate the successes rather than focus on the negatives; I guess I should prioritise my self esteem issues!

Big hugs back, thank you xx

 

[ICAWM]

Now ICAWM - listen to me - 13lb weight loss in 2.5 weeks is perfectly normal and respectable after surgery!! I know when you're taking in so little it feels like it should be more but you are recovering from major surgery ...

Sorry if this has turned into a lecture but I guess the short version is - you're doing fine and it does get better I hope you feel better soon x

Thank you. Didn't feel lectured, but really appreciated your words.

I know we're all different. It's hard seeing the bigger picture when everything is so intense day by day.

I hope you're doing ok. Thank you for your continued support

 

[ICAWM]

Not sure I can add anything to those responses or say anything better than keep plugging away at it. As you move through the stages you will feel more restriction for sure. Try and stay strong and know that we're all here for support x

Thank you. I hope things are going ok for you too

 

[ICAWM]

Hello. I am sorry you are having a rough time. I think the first few weeks after the op are so hard. Your body has been through major trauma and we are all going to react in different ways. I am struggling with liquids in that I am full on 250 ml and I then do not feel like anything for hours. My provider has a regime of drinking something every hour - I have tried and just end up feeling sick so I do not force it. Today has been terrible mainly because I have been running around trying to sort things ready for the move and packing up. I had an actimel to take my meds. A cup of team at about 6 pm and then forced myself to have some soup which was about an hour ago and I am feeling sick. I have taken my night meds with a bit of water. I thought about having a protein shake before bed but I think that will just be asking for trouble. Just not getting in enough protein and that is worrying me. I envy you being able to get liquids in. I do not know what to suggest about the volume you are able to take in - perhaps have a word with your team and see what they advise? Sorry you have had a bad encounter with a crap GP. I do not think they train them in bedside manner these days! stay strong - it will get better. TBx

TB, you are going through so much, yet you still provide support and help to others.

Things that I envy others for are their anxieties and vice versa.

I hope things even out for you soon, TB. If I can do anything to help, I will xx

 

[Su2ie]

Thank you. Didn't feel lectured, but really appreciated your words. I know we're all different. It's hard seeing the bigger picture when everything is so intense day by day. I hope you're doing ok. Thank you for your continued support

It really is so hard seeing the bigger picture and it is really intense, not to mention a massive emotional rollercoaster!!

Hang in there you're doing great and the results will come x

 

[purplepippa9]

Hi everybody!
I recently read a great explanation for the immediate post op stall (or even gain). It's because of the pre-op diet. This diet is high protein low carb in order to shrink our livers. This means that the liver uses up all the glycogen in it and one of the side effects is that we get rid of lots of fluid - remember peeing like a horse in the first days of the pre-op. This is also why many of us lose such good amounts of weight. When we start to introduce more carbs into our diet again the liver regains some of the glycogen (we need it for quick energy release) and with it comes fluid - hence slower weight loss or heaven forbid even a gain! Not only that we are swollen and hopefully resting - sorry TB that your circumstances are not allowing this right now - so we are using fewer calories. Once you get to eating more solid food and getting more fluids in the weight will come off but it takes time and we are all different.

Our worries and fears post-op are funny things aren't they. I for one am feeling a bit of a malingerer because I'm not going back to work next week as planned even though I'm 4 weeks post sleeve. I'm still in a lot of pain around one of my incisions and having dizzy spells in the afternoon and if I go back to work I'll be expected to just get on with it and I can't. I just hope my gp will give me another sick note. I worry that I'm eating too much even though my portions are tiny as most things seem to be going down fine but I finally lost 3lb last week (having stalled for 2!) so I guess I'm not. I also worry that I'm going to stretch my pouch and have felt the effects of one mouthful too many - ouch!

 

[ICAWM]

Thank you PurplePippa, that does help :-D

 

[jlb5686]

just thought id check in and see how everyone is doing. hope ur all doing well and looking forward to the future x

 

[Su2ie]

OMG!!! I've just had a severely painful reaction to some chicken, thought I'd done some serious damage!!!
Had some roast chicken leg, removed the skin and any fat eating tender meat only. After about 5 mins felt like I'd been stabbed in the stomach, the pain was so immense never felt anything like it. Got really hot and shaky and felt like i needed to be sick. I couldn't be sick but was very burpy.
20 mins later the pain and nausea has settled but my stomach still feels a bit sore and very gurgly. I'm sure it wasn't dumping but rather a case of eating too quickly and not chewing enough - lesson learnt!!!
Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing?? Hope I haven't done any damage

 

[Sephem]

OMG!!! I've just had a severely painful reaction to some chicken, thought I'd done some serious damage!!!
Had some roast chicken leg, removed the skin and any fat eating tender meat only. After about 5 mins felt like I'd been stabbed in the stomach, the pain was so immense never felt anything like it. Got really hot and shaky and felt like i needed to be sick. I couldn't be sick but was very burpy.
20 mins later the pain and nausea has settled but my stomach still feels a bit sore and very gurgly. I'm sure it wasn't dumping but rather a case of eating too quickly and not chewing enough - lesson learnt!!!
Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing?? Hope I haven't done any damage

I had exactly the same experience with Roast chicken thigh. The pain was really bad and I was nauseous, but all that came up was this thick slimy foam.

It took about 30 min to settle down and even then my stomach was sore for a few hours afterwards.

I now avoid chicken unless its shredded and with mayo.

 

[Su2ie]

It was awful feeling a bit more normal now but even dipping water hurts.

Strangely I've had chicken before with no trouble but I guess, like I said prob ate too fast! Been so busy at work and a bit distracted, was eating at my desk and trying to get back to work asap to get through everything!

Lesson learned

 

[maggy]

Hi all, just wanted to say thanks for your support and to tell you we've had some good news about my dad. He'll be with us for a few years yet! :0) all a bit of a relief. To say the least.

 

[jlb5686]

so glad uv had sime good news x

 

[Su2ie]

Hi all, just wanted to say thanks for your support and to tell you we've had some good news about my dad. He'll be with us for a few years yet! :0) all a bit of a relief. To say the least.

That must be a relief. So pleased for you

 

[vixter101]

Hi all, just wanted to say thanks for your support and to tell you we've had some good news about my dad. He'll be with us for a few years yet! :0) all a bit of a relief. To say the least.

That's brilliant news maggy so pleased for you xx

 

[vixter101]

It was awful feeling a bit more normal now but even dipping water hurts. Strangely I've had chicken before with no trouble but I guess, like I said prob ate too fast! Been so busy at work and a bit distracted, was eating at my desk and trying to get back to work asap to get through everything! Lesson learned

Yes I have to eat chicken very very carefully and slowly...chances are like you you are too fast which is an easy mistake to make when you aren't thinking about what you doing...I'm sure you haven't done any long lasting damage though, just take it easy next time

 

[SHARONA]

Hi all, just wanted to say thanks for your support and to tell you we've had some good news about my dad. He'll be with us for a few years yet! :0) all a bit of a relief. To say the least.

GREAT NEWS Maggy. Just the news I wanted to hear ! I bet you are def so relieved. So happy for your dad. Now you all have a great relaxed Christmas! X