Need some encouragement... :/

Hi, everyone! I was the model patient... I had my LAP RNY on 11/18, went home two days later, off pain meds the same day I went home from the hospital, got my drain out 6 days after surgery. Followed the clear liquid, full liquid, pureed food progression almost exactly. Even survived Thanksgiving without too much envy. But somehow... Friday the 5th I had abdominal pain most of the afternoon, went to the ER and was admitted for a bowel obstruction. Back on clear liquids, the obstruction cleared up without surgery (thank God!) discharged on Sunday, and I haven't been able to get back in the swing of things yet. On Sunday and today I'm scared to eat because even the pureed food was causing twinges in my belly, but I know I'm not obstructed. I'm nauseous a lot, and have so little energy! I'm about 20 lbs down, but I can't see it anywhere, neither can my husband, and I'm second guessing this whole thing. I just want to EAT! A steak, burger and fries, even what I'm serving the rest of the family for dinner... I know that I'm just in that weird place right now where I'm going through some of the down parts but haven't yet experienced the rewards of this procedure. And in 2 more months I'll be able to eat regularly again. It just seems really hard right now. (Probably doesn't help that my Paxil makes me nauseous and I haven't been taking it as regularly as I could.) Anyway, your success stories make me smile, and I would appreciate any empathy I could get. I promise I'll repay the favor!

Karen, I understand where you are coming from. For me the first 2 weeks were horrible. Oh, I was physically doing wonderful, but the head hunger I had was akin to drug withdrawal, swear! I was so miserable because I just wanted to eat REAL food. Even mac and cheese which I make for my kids and never ate pre op was looking like a juicy steak. Once I got to soft foods life got better. That and a combo of my tummy and head finally getting almost in line with each other. I rarely get head hunger any more and I am finally getting used to the changes I have made. I wish I was losing more weight. Tomorrow is 5 weeks for me and I've lost 27 lb. I know so many people that are way ahead of me. And I can't see a damn change in me. But I know they are happening. I returned to work last week and I didn't tell anyone about the surgery (said it was gallbladder) and I have had several people tell me that I look like I am losing weight, especially in the face. Yet I stare at the mirror and just don't see it. My husband told me that I see myself everyday and don't notice the changes, but someone that only sees me once and a while can see it because I look different than the last time they saw me. So go visit a friend that you haven't seen since surgery, I bet they will see a difference in you. Don't know if this is encouraging in any way, but I wanted to let you know that others have gone through it too, and it does get better!

Karen I am so sorry for what happened to you, but I am glad it was fixed with out having to go through another surgery. I am sure now your nerves are playing an affect how how you feel in terms of naueousness. (sp?). Just take it slow for a couple days. Slowly try things again. I understand how you feel about eating everything in site. This too shall pass. I didn't think it would for me but it has. Even when last week when all I lost was one flippin pound.....I just kept going. Now, as far as being able to tell. Did you take before pictures? If so, wait till your 30 day mark and take pictures again. I did this, and we put them up on the computer and boy can you tell! I saw it my face for sure. My side profile was unbelievable! My big fat a** is going away. Oh, it's still there, but it's slowy going away. Another place in the pictures I could see the weight loss was my hands. So, even though I can't see it looking in the mirror, it's working. I will admit my weight loss may be slower then others who had their surger at the same time as myself, but I just worry about me. So, after all this rambling...just hang in there. One little step at at time! You can come and whine, cry, laugh, cheer...what have you, anytime you want! We will be here!

Thank you both for your messages. They made me smile, and reminded me that this too shall pass... I did take before pics, and next week I'll do my one month ones. Hopefully I'll be able to see something. One thing I DID do today, out of sheer desperation to tell some sort of difference, was try on some clothes that I hadn't been able to wear in a while. I crossed my fingers, and I could DEFINITELY tell the difference! Hurrah! Thanks for listening!

HI Karen; I know what your going through.. hang in there sister, it will bet better, i am sorry you had such a rough time. I had my open RNY Nov 10th.. and had thrush in my mouth and that made me sick all the time.. didn't want to eat or drink.. and all i felt was this was a mistake.. but it is not... it's just the blender stage.. it will not last.. that is what i am telling myself.. you know what helps me alot?.. get a snow cone maker, shaved ice with some juice.. is great and that is sometimes the only way i drink my water.. eat the ice.. and it feels normal.. also the fruit smoothys are great.. it made life worth living when i found out i could make those.. i will be praying for you.. let me know how your doing.. we will get through this together.. we can do thing.. we will be the one who have been there , done that, and lived to tell others they can do this also.. Mary