I am finally home from surgery

I got gastric bypass surgery  february 12th and am finally home. I had to stay an extra day because of a scare on wednesday that turned out to be nothing. Recovery has been very tough. alot harder than i expected and i am having periods of regret but I hope to work through this and feel human again sometime soon. i can't get in all the food i am supposed to. how long does tht take? i really wanted to avoid hair loss but it looks like i won't be able to.  i really want to be healed so i can feel good enough to feel like i made the right choice. i wish people had told me how hard this would be so tha i would be more prepared but no one told me how hard this would be.  wish me luck nicole

Nicole- Sorry that it seems rough.  First let me say no matter how rough it is- keep a positive attitude, that will make ALL the difference in the world.  Second, I think it is 100% normal to question yourself right now. I thought the same thing what the hell did I do. BUT I can tell you that at this point I am so happy, and the good days are better than the bad days. I personally feel like I had a lot of food addictions that I wouldn't admit to - even to myself. Having this surgery really brought it to light. Now I am just the opposite, I have to force myself to eat. Those first few weeks I had head hunger so bad I couldn't stand it.  Third- What are you trying to eat?? I was on clear liguids for about 10 days. All you should be worried about at this point is drinking little sips ALL day long. Maybe some jello, popscicles, and broth, but no food yet.  Are you already loosing hair? What makes you think that you won't be able to avoid it?  Take it easy on yourself, you made a great decision, and the first month is difficult. You just had MAJOR surgery that completely altered your anatomy. Be patient, do your best, but most of all take it 1 day at a time, and relax. Just be sure to get your liquids and walk as much as possible. (((hugs))) 

Hello Nicole, I am so glad to read that you are home.  I am sorry you are having such a tough time.  To tell you the truth not everyone goes through the same.  I had a very rough time post op you can read my profile when you are feeling better.  I also had the thoughts of regrets and I think most of us go through that.  This is not an easy way out like many people out there think it is.  We have had a life long altering surgery and it is major surgery.  I totally agree with everything that Dianne posted to you.  Please take it easy and give yoursefl time to heal.   I don't know what foods you are trying to consume but when I had surgery my doctor had me on clear liquids for 1 week the full liquids for 2 weeks and then we eased on with soft foods.   I focused on sipping slowly all day long.  I had sugar free popsicles it really helped me a lot and I sipped on clear protein drinks.  It was really hard to get my requirements in but it is a goal that you strive to get to with time. As far of losing hair when your body loses so much weuight so quickly and is going through the mal absorption phase you will shed a lot of hair.  But the good thing is that it will not be forever. I started taking Biotin 1000 mcg like 3 months post op.  I was losing a lot of hair and it worried me. But the Biotin works to help with the regrowth.  My hair slowed down at about 7 months post op and it has been growing in nicely now.   Please do not worry about that right now. Focus on getting better, sipping and walking around everyday.    Just take it day by day and at about a month out you will be feeling great thanking the almighty the gift that you gave yourself. I am so glad that I did this for me.  (((((((hugs))))))))) If you need to talk please do not hesitate to contact me.  anytime!

Nicole, Welcome home, and congrats on becoming a loser. I'm sorry that you had complictions, but am relieved that it all turned out OK. Give yourself time, and take it easy. What is important now is remaining  hydrated, and moving as much as you feel able to do. Baby steps! In a few days, you'll feel more like yourself.  You have a hard road ahead, I'm not going to lie about it. You have to re-learn to eat. You'll have to figure out what your body wants, to meet it's needs. Little by little you'll add new foods. One day your pouch will like something, and the next it might not. But, as you lose, you'll realize it is worth the hard work. Things didn't get "rough" for me until I started on pureed food about 4 weeks out. Before that, I had very little pain, and healed very quickly. I had energy from the minute I got out of the hospital. I'm sorry it isn't the same for you. But, I assure you that it is coming. In regards to hair loss, I can only go by what I have read here and on the main board. Many people lose regardless of how much they prep. Some people never lose. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. I've heard this usually starts around the 3 month mark. I'm approaching that in a few weeks. I'm prepared to lose (I think), but will still be hoping not to. I'm really proud of you for getting to this point. I wish I could make it easier for you. But, please know that I'm here for you to vent to, and I will answer any questions that I am able to answer for you. ((((Nicole))) big healing hugs coming your way.

I'm sorry I can't offer any help cause I haven't had my surgery yet but I'm glad you made it through the surgery and glad you are home. Donna 

Thank you very much for answring me. I am going through food withdrawal right now. so emotionally i am going through a tough time. i think it has finally hit me how badly i've treated my body and that i had to reroute my intestines just so that i could see that. maybe that is what is upsetting me the most. and my best friend is gone. very gone. that sucks. and of course i am physically miserable right now. i can't wait to feel normal again!

Nicole, Sorry that I cannot give youy adive like the other pros here since I haven't had the surgery yet myself, but I hope you feel better in a couple of days and keep faith, we all go through this journey for our own reasons and I am sure your reasons are as immportant or more than mine or others, I just wish you a faster recovery. good luck and lkeep us posted when you feel up to it. Ellie

Welcome home Nicole!! Your going to do excellent. :) I'm so happy for you.

hello nicole, im glad to hear that u r home and sorry that u r having a hard time. i cant give any advice because i havent had surgery yet. i wish u the best.   sweetheart59