I'm home.

I'm home today after three looonnnngggg nights in the hospital.  I ended up with a sleeve instead of the switch since my doc was afraid I'd lose to much weight.  I have a couple guy questions, regardless of the operation you chose.  When did the pain subside?  When did you stop questioning your decision? Thanks, Rodney

Hi Rodney,

Welcome back. Sorry to hear about the pain. I'm sure that will go away though in a few days, at most. Everyone says, "make use of meds if you need them." So might be a good idea to get more from your doc.

I guess the only other suggestions might be as much sleep as possible the first week, but following your docs recommendation for moving around and other activity.

There may be some differences according to the type of surgery. The sleeve might be more painful - don't they remove the old stomach completely? If so, that is one major procedure.

Answering the other questions would not be helpful, neither occurred to any great extent.

Best Regards,

Dave

First of all, welcome home!  As far as pain goes, everyone is different.  I had the gastric bypass and stopped all pain meds the 2nd evening after surgery.  As far as questioning the decision.  It's definitely something you go through (for me - multiple times).  It's very strange as you move away from the old relationship you had with food.  I just keep on focusing on why I did this in the first place and really celebrate all of the things I am doing now (or possibly still doing with less pain). I look back over the last 4 months and can hardly believe the changes. Focus on why you did this and allow your new tool too help you be as successful as so many others on this board can attest to. As they all say, sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk.  Take the time to heal and you'll be amazed at all that you accomplish. Best of luck, Brian

Rodney, I’m not a good source of "How long did the pain last" questions. But, as for the other? After reading the Boards for 5+years, I’d guess-timate that most people are in a full case of- "What The He11 Did I Do To Myself?!?!?!" For just around 2 weeks. I’ve seen it go 3, and some times under 2. IF, However, your pain increases, changes, etc… Keep the doc on Speed Dial. If you are feeling "Bummed" about doing this, It is very often due to ‘Post-Surgical-Depression." It is VERY Common with all surgeries that use general anesthesia. Call you doc and ask for a prescription to get you past the Depression. Feeling bad about feeling bad about feeling bad- SUKS! Don’t let it keep spiraling down… It’ll just slow your overall progress and healing in general. Is the plan to go back for the switch later in a separate procedure? That is done a lot. Many docs perform the DS as a two stage process, so don’t let that part of Your procedure bum you out. Also, many lose their weight on the sleeve without any mal-absorption. When you are feeling up to cruising the net a bit, Check out the VSG message Board, or get in touch with some Of our "Sleeve-Guys" here. Hope to hear you are feeling remarkably better soon. Best Wishes- Dx

Congrats on your successful WLS, Rodney and best of luck with the fun part of your WL journey. Pain stopped in the first week and I stopped asking myself whether I did the right thing once the weight started dripping off and I was able to get active.  Kick some ass, Rodney!! Boner

Rodney -

I must say - Welcome Home!! The pain will soon go away. Mine did in 5 days.

As far as the doubts, I had them for anout a wee****il the first time my shorts fell off of me!!! I cried myself to sleep a couple of nights; thinking I would never be able to eat a large pizza and drink a 2ltr of diet coke. After the shorts fell off, I realized that eating that way was the reason I was 422.

Now - absolutly NO regrets....

Welcome home!! My worst pain went away once the gas left my system. I questioned my decision at least once per day, but its usually fleeting. Everything will take some getting used to. Hang in there and Good Luck.

Hey Rod... Welcome to the locker room... on the questioning part....about 2 weeks to to get over the shock...but you become happy with your decison at about the 3 month marker....when you go for a three month check up....and you have the official weigh in russ

My pain was mainly from one of the incision site. They took my staples out after about eight days and that helped.  I wondered a few days about what I had done and then I just told my self, what is done is done, can't change it. I also thought back to what made me come to the point that I decided to have the surgery in the first place.  pan head