One week Post OP and feeling sad....

Today is one week out and I can't help but feel regretfull, I know why I did it and the reasons still sound good to me but, I just want to feel normal again. I cry all the time, I'm sick of anything liquid and this drain is really bugging me. I'm so worried about the future of what I can eat and what if it doesn't satisfy me. what if I can't tolerate ANYTHING?? I felt prepared for the surgery and was soooo ready.....what happened to me I'm sorry to be so whiney but I could really use some extra support about now, please.......... P.S My surgery went PERFECT and Dr. Chae was GREAT, I'm thankfull for all that

Hi Heather! I know how you feel. When I first had my surgery, I was tired, depressed, hurting, and uncertain about the future as far as what I will be able to eat, etc. I am now almost 5 months out and I've lost 57 pounds and feel wonderful. Those first weeks are hard, both physically and emotionally. But this will pass, I promise you! I had actually gained about 10 pounds after my surgery due to water weight gain and it was painful to be carrying that extra water around. My skin was so tight!! Also, I had two drains. They both hurt and they can be very cumbersome! But just remember your drain will be coming out any day now! I know the liquid diet can be boring, but hang in there, soon you will be able to eat some different foods like yogurt, heavier soups, sugar free pudding, cottage cheese, applesauce, etc. Do you have any popcicles at home that you can suck on? Those always seemed to help me. I still enjoy them once in a while. I just want to encourage you to hang in there. This phase of the process will pass before you know it! Megan Smith

Hi Heather, It's okay to be whiney. We've all felt this way after WLS. And extra support is what we are here for. I am so sorry that you are feeling so sad, though. It's normal. I promise it will get better. Our hormones go so out of wack we just don't know what to do. We get used to homonal changes with monthly periods and how our bodies react to these changes, that when we go through something as big as this, we become confused, depressed and sad. You will definately feel a little better when that annoying drainage tube comes out. If you can, keep a journal. This really helped me to sort through some of my feelings too. It's always good to talk to a counselor too, if you feel like you want to. You are lucky to know about this website. I didn't know about this website until about I was about a month out from my surgery. Keep seeking help from us we will always be here! If you can make it to support groups, DO! They are wonderful and all the people attending are blessings. I am so glad that your surgery went so well. I had Chae too and he is a wonderful man and surgeon. I was pretty depressed after my surgery. It did go well but I had to have an open procedure due to my liver being enlarged and water and air in my bowel. I was severly sad and unprepared when I heard they had to open me up for the surgery to be successful. I was so sure I wouldn't be in the 3% of persons who had the procedure open. And I was in the hospital almost an entire week, and home for a week. I was only prepared to be out for a week and then back to work. I was regretfull at first too. I was wishing that I had told Chae that if he had to open me, to forget the surgery. I just couldn't believe that I had done something so drastic so that I could feel good about myself and look good to the outside world only to have an eight inch scar and TWO drainage hole scars in the middle of my stomach. OY! And just taking a shower was the most tiring thing. I had to take a nap afterwards!! This Friday is four months out for me and I feel great! I will do a weigh in tomorrow night but in the last weigh in I had lost 73lbs!! What an incentive to stick to a proper diet and on that treadmill. Never thought I would love the treadmill, but I do! I know you are tired of the liquid diet. Do you have good variety? (sf jello, broths, sf popsicles, fat free milk-I've been using organic ff milk and it tastes so much better than that grocery store stuff and its looks thick and white just like whole milk) Just think, in another week you can have pureed foods and it becomes the most exciting thing in your life, (sad to normal people - understanding and exciting to us losers who have been there, done that!). Then the soft food diet (I loved the lunchables). Before you know it, Trial and Error! This becomes so exciting. Hang in there! The sadness will subside and you will be feeling great and so excited about the changes in your body and mind. You will look good and feel amazing. Shopping will be fun and exercise will be invigorating instead of tiring!! You can do it and you will!! If you want to talk more, you are more than welcome to email me at [email protected] or call me at home at 303-639-4965. Staci

I can't thank you two ladies enough, those were some realllllly incouraging emails, it makes me almost cry....to see people like you say such nice words to a person you don't even know, so thank you, thank you, thank you....Do either of you attend Kelly elliots support group at skyridge?