5 days post op

[xoxo.25]

Well where I do begin, I got the gastric bypass on 4/20/26. The surgery was something I always wanted and yes I had a some doubt but it something I always wanted. I got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 20 ( 4 months before my 21st birthday), I’ve always been bigger kid and that transcends into adulthood. I tried to lose weight on my own and was successful for a lil bit but then gain all the weight back until one day my doctor recommended weight loss surgery. So I got referred to bariatric clinic and I need everything i was supposed to do. Surgery day came and to my surprise I was not as nervous. I woke up and was not much pain except being sore. My surgeon and all the nurses were surprised to see how well I was taking it. That first night was hard bring that i could not drink anything till following and then I the second day they gave me cream of wheat, Greek yogurt and protein shake and i did fine and then discharged that afternoon. I was fine when went home and then following day was feeling a lil anxious but pushed through it. Then the next day the food noise started and i was really struggling and now today I’m struggling with everything like did make the right decision and I know that in the end this was right decision but l can’t help but feel in some type of way defeated. I feel like I’m grieving the person I was in order to become this new person, I feel in selfish in way because has been helping and i didn’t even think how it was going to make her feel even though she has been supportive through this whole process. So all in all going through it and I know there is a light at the end of this but right now feeling the best

 

[StephT]

Congratulations on having bypass surgery! The gastric bypass is a great weight loss tool but it does not work on its own. Food noise will be there forever, probably even after reaching your goal weight, but for me, keeping to a very strict list of foods was key. High protein/low carb everything - yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, flavored protein waters, and a large variety of Premiere Protein shakes because they have every flavor imaginable and can be purchased online. I've added a larger variety of foods over time, but the above are my staples.

Now is the time to focus on what you have accomplished and the things you have to look forward to. When I started my journey at 375lbs, I kept a list of reasons on my phone for why I wanted to lose weight and would read through them when I was feeling down. It would give me something to look forward to and continue to work towards.

Hopefully sharing some on my reasons with you will help you realize that you have a lot to look forward to on your weight loss journey:

• Better self esteem
• Less self conscious
• Will have more energy
• Will look and feel better
• Won't worry about how to navigate through a crowded space
• Will fit and be more comfortable in chairs, won't worry that they will break
• Could reach my feet and wear shoes that are not slip ons
• Won't always have to adjust my clothes to cover up
• Would be less embarrassed about people looking at me
• I could reach things easier without my stomach being in the way
• Could be happier and more outgoing
• Would not need a seatbelt extender
• Sleep apnea and diabetes might go away
• Could choose clothes I like instead of just buying ones that fit
• Might not be as short tempered
• Would not worry about being too big for an airplane seat
• Could go back to the spa as at 375lbs their robe did not fit and I was mortified

Give yourself credit for what you have done and your accomplishments and look forward to all that is left to come!

 

[JustMe]

Thank you for this encouraging and motivational reply to xoxo.25! I hope it helps you, xoxo.25! I am getting closer to being done with my checklist from the bariatric doctor which means I'm hopefully getting closer to approval and a surgery date, but I keep wondering if I'm doing the right thing for myself because everyone in my life except my medical team seems to be against it, saying it's the easy way out...of I just try harder and care more. Thank you, StephT, for your words!

 

[StephT]

Thank you for this encouraging and motivational reply to xoxo.25! I hope it helps you, xoxo.25! I am getting closer to being done with my checklist from the bariatric doctor which means I'm hopefully getting closer to approval and a surgery date, but I keep wondering if I'm doing the right thing for myself because everyone in my life except my medical team seems to be against it, saying it's the easy way out...of I just try harder and care more. Thank you, StephT, for your words!

When I decided to have surgery I only told two people about my decision because of how judgmental people can be and I didn't want to deal with the negative opinions. I find it annoying how people feel they have the right to tell me that I took the easy way out, there was nothing easy about deciding to have major surgery and all the changes that I needed to make in order to have a successful outcome. And funny how those same people chose to never speak up while I ate my way to 375 lbs!

Surgery is just one weight loss tool and I'm happy I made the choice to do it. Now when the topic comes up I am very open about what I did and will answer any question asked. There is no shame, just pride and I would do it all over again. My only regret is having waited so long because I was embarrassed to start the process.

 

[dianeseattle]

I find it annoying how people feel they have the right to tell me that I took the easy way out

I just found this graphic I'd saved on my computer and now I lost it again, but it says something to the effect that it's amusing when people tell you you're taking the easy way out. She says, "If my house is on fire, you can bet I'm going to take the easy way out!" Ha! So much for the critics....

 

[dianeseattle]

I just found this graphic I'd saved on my computer and now I lost it again, but it says something to the effect that it's amusing when people tell you you're taking the easy way out. She says, "If my house is on fire, you can bet I'm going to take the easy way out!" Ha! So much for the critics....

 

[JustMe]

When I decided to have surgery I only told two people about my decision because of how judgmental people can be and I didn't want to deal with the negative opinions. I find it annoying how people feel they have the right to tell me that I took the easy way out, there was nothing easy about deciding to have major surgery and all the changes that I needed to make in order to have a successful outcome. And funny how those same people chose to never speak up while I ate my way to 375 lbs!

Surgery is just one weight loss tool and I'm happy I made the choice to do it. Now when the topic comes up I am very open about what I did and will answer any question asked. There is no shame, just pride and I would do it all over again. My only regret is having waited so long because I was embarrassed to start the process.

Thank you for speaking your truth! I wasn't going to tell anyone except my mom (who is worried but supportive), but since I live with my daughter and her family, I told them. My daughter is due with her 2nd baby in early July and she has a 3-year-old daughter. I got to be in the delivery room when Charli, my granddaughter, was born! It was one of the best moments of my life. This time, I'll be Charli's caregiver when Catrina, my daughter, goes into labor, whenever she needs to rest, and when she's recovering. I really wanted my surgery right after the last day of school (June 17), but that's not realistic that I'll be recovered enough to do my caretaking well or at all by the time the baby is due. Moreover, he (Benjamin) will be born when he's ready. So I had to talk to my daughter, so I could choose the best time to have my surgery. I want to be the best mom and nana I can be, but I also want to get my surgery done in the summer (now, hopefully in early August), so I'm recovered enough when the school year starts. Catrina's a bit judgmental about it, but she's also always been thin and fit, she's young, and she's a personal trainer. I may be her mom, but she has no idea about my efforts, struggles, and needs. It's my son-in-law who thinks he needs to give me health advice: just move more, eat better, stand more, eat this, eat that. So not okay. Thank you for empowering me, StephT and my other new "friends." It helps so much.