Hi Everybody! Posting again!

Hi NJ board!!! Hope all are well. I haven't posted in a couple weeks since my surgery on 8/29, and am going through posting withdrawal, so figured I'd come on here and say hi to everyone! As of last Friday, 9/9, I had my staples removed (thank goodness, those things were more painful than the cut and paste job inside!), and the scale showed that I lost 17 lbs! I couldn't believe it, since my abdomen was still so swollen. I go back next Friday for my new diet, and to get weighed...before this surgery, I never would have thought that I'd look forward to getting weighed! I just wish I could sleep on my stomach or side...my left side is still killing me when I sit up from a resting position, or stand up, or drive over bumps, etc! Doc said that it's normal since that incision is the one where he did the most work, cutting through skin, tissue, muscle, fat and nerve endings...ugh! Hopefully it'll go away soon. So far, I've been able to keep my foods down...albeit, it's a modified liquid diet, which allows me to eat oatmeal, moist tuna, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, along with the usual soup, pudding, jello, etc.! I just can't believe that I would have ever felt this way, not hungry AT ALL...went to the store yesterday, passed by the candy bars at the register, and it was as if they weren't even there...the old me would have scoped out for the Smores or Butterfingers candy bars, but it didn't even phase me! My abdomen is still swollen and bruised...anyone else experience this too? Jeans that fit me a day before my surgery, I'm not able to button yet, which is strange, especially since I lost 17 lbs! Maybe it's from the Heparin shots that they gave me there in the hospital to prevent blood clots, along with what was done inside? All in all, I'm feeling better as the days progress, and am so thankful that there is such a thing as WLS, along with the surgeons that perform it. Much love to all! Take care! Wendy

Hi Wendy, Welcome back! It is so nice to hear that everything went wonderfully with your surgery. The pain and suffering is all worth it in the end. It's like giving birth, you always forget the pain because the reward is so great. I also had an umbilical hernia repaired and my stomach was 3 times the size (well it seemed like it) for about 6 weeks after surgery. I couldn't even wear sweatpants that were comfy on me before surgery. Hang in there, you'll be back to normal before you know it! Congratulations and enjoy the ride!

Hi Jean! It's good to be back, believe me!!! I see Brolin again this Friday to get weighed, new updated diet (solid foods I gather), and he's going to put me on some medication for 6 months to prevent gallstones, since I still have my gallbladder...did you have to do that too? I feel like I've lost more weight, but since this is so new to me, I just don't know if I did. My legs look like I've lost. at least that's what hubby says! Just wish the pain would go away already, but after reading several other people's profiles, I can see that it's normal. Thanks for your well wishes! Talk to you soon! Wendy

Wendy, Can't help you on the gallbladder thing, He took that from me too that day. I had some small stones I guess. So with the gallbladder removal, the hernia repair and the RNY it seemed to take me much longer to recoup then most but maybe it's just because Doc Brolin ties everything so tight . The pain in my upper left side was bad and still on ocassion hurts if I use those muscles alot. According to him that is where he ties something to the muscle. A little while longer and I am sure you'll be 100%+. On Friday, you will definitly find out you lost more weight. It's inevitable! Jean

Lucky you on the gallbladder! It probably hurt to have all that done at once, but at least you don't have to worry about gallstones in the future! Whatever he's prescribing me, his surgical assistant, Gloria, said that it's a fairly big pill, which makes me nervous, because I hope it doesn't get stuck anywhere, or I hope I don't throw it up...just a mental thing I guess because I know they wouldn't give me anything that my pouch couldn't already handle! I'll have to talk to him on Friday about the whole pain thing and see what he says he did over there, besides the obvious! What you said about him tying something to the muscle sounds accurate...seems like every move I make, I feel a burning pain from there. I'll tell you one thing...no matter what, I'm willing to live with this temporary pain if the end result means that I'm going to be a thinner person than I am today!!! Take care Jean! I'll let you know what happens on Friday's visit! Wendy

Hi Wendy! I'm so happy to see that you're back on the boards! My surgery was on 8/31 - remember, we e-mailed each other prior to our dates. I didn't realize that your surgery was open; happy to hear that you're back on the road to recovery. My LAP was great; I went back to work today. I think our bellies are swollen from all the maneuvering inside - they really do a job, rearranging our intestines. We're bound to be swollen. I lost 18 pounds the first two weeks post op - nothing since. i don't care. i feel great. Like you, i have no desire for candy, cakes, etc. - is this me? lol....take care and keep in touch....robin

Robin! How are you! So good to hear from you again! My surgery was lap, not open. 18 lbs, that's great! I don't know if I've lost anything further yet, I'm not weighing myself at home...don't want to drive myself crazy! The next time I get weighed is on Friday when I go back to my doctor for my new diet, solid foods I gather. Hubby said he thinks I've lost weight, but I can't tell. I'm just happy that I can get my protein in everyday...water is still a little tough though! And I have to remember to eat...what a concept! I'm so happy to hear that you're doing well...best wishes to you for further success! Keep in touch! I plan on going to the next support group meeting in Toms River in October, which will be my first...will you be attending any support groups? Let me know, maybe we'll see each other! Take care! Wendy

Hey Wendy Wendy Its great to see you up and at em : ) Welcome back !! I am excited to see you doing so well. Things will be slow at first then suddenly you will wake up one day and be **amazed**. I have been out of commission for a while , but will be back in force over the coming days. UPDATE us. How are you doing **today**? Details.. details please? : ) As far as soreness and bloating, I had a lot for the first couple of months. Can you make it for the Walk this Saturday? I am a possible, I am hoping that you can make the walk or maybe the next support group at Toms River? Either way post and TELL US HOW YOU ARE by golly : ) Hang in there.. see you on the boards !! Timmy Ray

Timmy to the second power!!! How are you!!! Missed your posts lately, happy to see you're back! Thanks again for caring enough to call the hospital and post my status on the boards...you are truly a wonderful and blessed man! I'll post a new post to the board soon, as I feel a speech coming on! I'll give you a preview...I'm feeling pretty good! Pain in my side still, but other than that, I'm feeling great! Sometimes I feel as if I got drop-kicked in the gut, and then stabbed, so yes, I'm desperately waiting for that pain to go away! Hubby and mom say slow down, realize you had major surgery, and take it easy, so I guess I'll take their advice! I go back to my doctor this Friday to get weighed, get a new diet (back to solids maybe?), and he's going to put me on a medication for the next 6 months to prevent gallstones since I still have my gallbladder. Hopefully the scale will give me good news! I'm sorry I won't be able to make the walk on Saturday...hubby and I are going to a Yankees game! I bought him tix for his birthday in June, and the day is finally coming! Hopefully with the weight that I've lost so far, I'll feel a lot more comfortable sitting in my seat at the game...when we went to a game last year, I left with bruised hips! I will definitely be going to the next TR support group...just remind me when and where it is! Directions would be wonderful too...I'll be coming from Belmar, Exit 98 on the GSP! Can't wait to finally meet the man that keeps the NJ boards going! Take care! See you soon! Wendy

Hi Wendy, Congrats on your WLS and good luck with the recovery. I can't wait to be where you are now. (initial consult 9/29/05). It's funny, whenever I read about not being able to sleep on your side, that frightens me more than the surgery.I'm a side sleeper from way back. I think I would sleep standing on my head to finally get a WLS date. I look forward to hearing about your progress. Take care, Laurel