Hi Everyone!!!

Well I'm 20 days out now and let me say, this has been the fight of my life!! I was 7 days in the hospital, and 7 days in the hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. I have lost 27 lbs. I am getting in about 64.oz of fluids on a good day and about 1/2 of the food I'm supposed to be eating. plus 2 protein shakes a day. Vitamins are tearing up my stomach, at least I ordered liquid calcium from Susan Maria, and some Fuzzy Navel Protein Powder, for a variety. My lap incisions are much bigger on the left side than the right. My insides feel crampy like someone punched me in the abdomen. I'm' feeling sore on the inside, not pain, but uncomfortable to sit upright in this chair. The depression is real bad the first couple of hours after I wake up then it seems to fade. Anyway, so far so good, everyday is another step closer to recovery!! Love you all and thanks to everyone for the well wishes. margaret

Hello Margaret, so glad you are doing better. Soon you will be up and "running" again. Only better this time. Congrats on the 27 lbs. Marla

Hi Margaret, I'm so sorry to hear that you've had such a rough time. I hope the depression will fade when you start to feel better and it really sinks in that you are losing a lot of weight! Congratulations and best wishes. Joy

It's definitely not easy, is it?? According to the wisdom of the boards, though, it WILL get better and you're doing so well so far, even if you still feel sore and sad a little!! Soon I hope you'll be bouncing again!

Margaret, I'm sorry you had such a hard time, but it only gets better from here on out. Good luck.

Margaret, I promise you it DOES get easier! It isn't an easy road to travel at times, but you will do just fine. Just think, when was the last time you lost 27lbs in two weeks? Not too shabby As far as getting your food and water in, I still struggle with that too at almost 8 weeks out, some days are much better than others. And thank goodness we have Susan Maria's site and others to turn to for products to help us out. Hang in there and keep us posted on your progress. We've missed you. Amy

Margaret, I had Lap done and it was rough on me too. The left side is worse because that is where the liver is and they had to do a lot of work in that area. I thought it would be easier having Lap done but for me it wasn't. But I'm glad I had it done and would do it over again. Remember, they pumped you up w/gas so that takes awhile to get out of the system and can be painful and uncomfortable to say the least. But it will pass eventually. You are doing all the right things. Time is what you need to heal and each day it does get better and better. Hang in there and keep reaching out! Your Gastric Buddy, Jeannie Lap/RNY 7-8-03 290/160/? PS in Oct.