Fear Of Failing My Sleeve

Hello everyone I am Tina im 41 and just had gastric sleeve surgery n Dec 19, 2014. It has not been an easy road, coming out of surgery had to spend an extra night in hospital because I couldn't urinate on my own, then dumped {threw up} at the hospital, got home dumped 2 more times, I feel like im not losing any weight my 1st doctor appt. he said I only lost 10pds, I should have lost more then that, I don't know what im doing wrong I get my exercise in, im {trying} to get my protein in as I can and water, but nothing is going well for me, I really need someone that can help me and we can help each other on this journey. Im really at a lost, last night was the worse ever, had very servre chess and stomach pains, and I thought I chewed my food up well enough, I guess I didn't cause it was bad. Is there anyone out there that live in the Conyers area that I may contact, that will go walking an join a zumba class with, I have no-one here but my husband but he really doesn't understand the pain and sleepless nights and the feeling of failure that im dealing with, plus i'd really like to talk with a woman about this stuff anyway, one that has been or going threw the struggles that I am at this time. please someone help me with this, im failing and I don't know what to do.

First if all, true dumping is far more than just throwing up and is a particular physiological process that happens to RNYers as a result of their bypass and unprocessed sugars getting into the lower intestine.  So it isn't accurate to refer to your vomiting as dumping.  It doesn't make the vomiting any less distressing, of course, but it isn't dumping.

The first two months after ANY weight loss surgery can be very turbulent and very variable as far as weight loss.  As long as you are doing what you need to be doing, and continue doing them, the weight will come off in time. Gettign enough protein sounds like it should be a priority.

Does your surgeon's office or the hospital offer a support group? That would be a good way to meet people in your own area.  You might also have better luck finding someone here if you post in your state forum.

Hang in there and remember that this is not a race and it is not a short term diet... It is a permanent new way of thinking and eating if you want to maintain the weight loss.  Focus on changing your habits rather than on the scale. That will serve you best in the long run and will keep from from getting too distressed in the short term.

Lora

thank you for your insight, its not easy at all, and I am lost in this journey, I have been looking for groups that can help me with understanding what is going on with my body. these changes are horrible, and Im scared.

Check with your surgeon's office for their support group.  Support groups are an important aspect of being a post-op.  You'll be able to meet other WLS'ers, obtain information and get support. 

Post this on the Georgia message board too so others in your area will see it too.

I'll offer some advice and pointers:  

1.  You aren't dumping when you vomit.  Vomiting as a sleever typically has to do with eating too much and too fast.  One tiny bite of an egg can make you vomit...but it's not dumping. 

2.  How much water are you getting per day?  At 1 month out you should be hitting 64 oz. a day (including your protein shakes).  If you're not getting that much then it's a large part of the reason you feel like crap.  

3.  "Severe" chest and stomach pains - you should be seeing your doc and going to the ER ASAP.  I classify "severe" pain as you feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest.  If it's truly severe it can be the sign of serious problems like a leak or blockage.  Pain that isn't so severe can simply be from eating too much and too fast again.  It will hurt like hell but it won't kill you.  

4.  My first dr. appt was at 2 weeks post-op.  Not sure when you went but if it was only a couple weeks out then 10 lbs. is nothing to be ashamed of.  Look at the stats of other people.  10 lbs. in the first couple weeks is pretty good.  Even for the first month it's not unusual.  

5.  I can hear that you're stressed and super worried.  But saying that you're "failing" is being over-dramatic.  Give yourself some time to adjust, follow your program guidelines and lean on the doctor's office that did your surgery.  They are there to soothe your nerves and answer your medical questions.  

Good luck on finding a surgery buddy in your area! 

10 pounds is fine. You are NOT failing! How much weight do you need/want to lose? It's better to focus on the per centage of your excess weight you've lost, rather than just the number of pounds. The more you have to lose, the faster you tend to lose a large number of pounds.

Right now, you need to focus on getting your fluids in. Being dehydrated will make you feel awful, and you should talk to your surgeon about the chest and stomach pains---you could have a stricture.

I think it is a common fear early out that 'this is not working for me' fear. Stick with your program and take it slow.