53 & and lightweight... am i crazy
The naglene bottle I have is a 24 oz, with a flip top cap - no straw. It's a small enough opening that while driving if I hit a bump it won't splash out on me.
I have started using a straw lately. I've found I drink more when using the straw. Most surgeons suggest not using a straw for 6-9 months. Some prefer never using a straw. Part of the reason for not using a straw is getting extra air into the pouch. I am able to drink a lot of water with out feeling too full even with the straw so since I drink more using a straw and I'm 14 days away from my 1 year anniversary, I use it. My hubby is 5 years out and still cannot stand using a straw, so just the difference in our systems. We had our surgeries with the same practice but different surgeons.
How far out are you?
Wow Australia - I've always loved Australia, would love to travel there someday.....
Have a great day...
Ida
I have started using a straw lately. I've found I drink more when using the straw. Most surgeons suggest not using a straw for 6-9 months. Some prefer never using a straw. Part of the reason for not using a straw is getting extra air into the pouch. I am able to drink a lot of water with out feeling too full even with the straw so since I drink more using a straw and I'm 14 days away from my 1 year anniversary, I use it. My hubby is 5 years out and still cannot stand using a straw, so just the difference in our systems. We had our surgeries with the same practice but different surgeons.
How far out are you?
Wow Australia - I've always loved Australia, would love to travel there someday.....
Have a great day...
Ida
IdaMae
I was the same way. Take it a step at a time. I measure up my water for the day and try to get it in early. The liquids after surgery are no problem because you are not hungry, I promise. Get yourself a timer to time your liquids before and after meals it really helps at first. The benefits are so amazing that you will be so glad you did this. I'm two years out now and never felt better in my life since I was a child. Go for it. We are here for you 24/7. Good luck.
(deactivated member)
on 8/30/10 9:56 pm
on 8/30/10 9:56 pm
It's hard to drink enough fluids at first, but it is essential to do the best you can. Here's a motivational tip:
The hair loss most people experience post-op is highly influenced by the degree of ketosis. The more you drink, the more ketones you wash out of your system, and the less hair you lose! So sip, sip, sip, all day long. Get in 60 oz a day during the first two weeks home, and build up to 100 oz a day as soon as you can.
The hair loss most people experience post-op is highly influenced by the degree of ketosis. The more you drink, the more ketones you wash out of your system, and the less hair you lose! So sip, sip, sip, all day long. Get in 60 oz a day during the first two weeks home, and build up to 100 oz a day as soon as you can.
Hi Clare,
Welcome to the wild and wacky world of WLS and the Over Fifty Forum. . .
being scared is a part of this journey going into it, but I'm guessing your surgeon has the proper credentials and has performed this procedure quite a number of times, so you need only have faith that his skills will get you to the Loser's Bench and that from that point forward you will be doing all the work.
If the procedure you are having is laproscopic, than the first week post-op is not bad, the first couple of days, you will likely have a hard time getting in fluids and protein, but that is normal, you need only follow your surgeons instructions and as has been suggested, keep a water bottle with you at all times, take small sips as often as possible. I use either a 20 oz bottle or 32 oz bottle and that helps me keep track of the amount of fluids I take in daily. I was not able to handle really cold stuff post-op and that lasted for most of the past almost 3 years, only recently I can handle cold water/drinks in limited supply and that is depending on how hot it is. Your body will send you signals, but I must warn you those signals are not good ones, so best to begin the process of learning to drink the requisite amount of fluids from now. The signs of being dehyrated are dizziness, further out, it can feel like an anxiety, panic attack, so while we all stray from the drinking enough fluids from time to time, it does have serious consequences.
Back to the first week, you may find yourself feeling wonderful by day 4 or 5 post-op, but don't be fooled, you need to remind yourself that while your surgery was less invasive, it was still a major surgical procedure, so try not to overdo, or you will suddenly feel like you did too much. Your taste buds may be off, so everything might have a funny taste, that is your body going into ketosis (feeding off the fat) and also related to anesthia (spelling). You may have no real appetite for a long time, but you MUST eat in order to have the best results, follow your surgeons plans for that, as each one has their own way of getting you back to solid food and while it is slow going in the beginning, you will get there. For me the worst part of the first week, was the getting rid of the gas, as they pump air into your belly so they can have easier access to your organs. Moving around takes care of that, so as much as possible and as quickly as possible get out of bed and walk. Another thing that many of the people I know experienced (I did too, but not as bad as some) was an annoying pain at one of the incision sites, the surgeon explained to them that it was normal and would disappear by 6 weeks post-op, I believe it did for most and as I said, it was annoying, not severe pain.
You stated you are a lightweight, well, I, too, was considered a lightweight with about 110 lbs. to lose, I am still about 19 lbs from goal, but it is mostly because I've gotten in my own way with that. If you are like the majority of us, you've tried many different ways to lose the weight with the results always being the same, I believe most of us thought of this as a way to achieve a measure of success that we previously were unable to do and it can be, but the results are and will be up to you and your desire to change what made you obese in the first place. This surgery works miracles for many of us, but if we don't change our relationship with food, as comfort, friendship and so on, then we can and will get obese again.
I strongly suggest, if you have not done so already, find a good support group, one where people are doing what is necessary to change the habits that were created over a lifetime and attend it regularly. This journey is wonderful and wacky, but as time passes, we often revert back to that lifetime of what was prior to surgery and that is where support helps so much, it keeps us accountable and on track, we find we are not alone in the struggles we have and so we maintain and stay the course. This forum is great for support, however, my life is busier now than ever and I don't always have time to be on the computer, so, I, personally, need the kind of support that involves being in a group and so I attend support groups at least monthly, sometimes, as my life permits more often.
In the end Clare, it is all about you and what choices you make for yourself. You can do this and we are here to offer your suggestions and support. This is a wonderful life, one that before surgery I was more of a spectator in, than a participant and now I can run, play and be and live an active life. If you asked people on this board would they do it again, I know the resounding answer would be, YES!
I wish you a very wonderful journey post-operatively and look forward to your coming and sharing all the wonderful experiences you will have as you go through your first year and beyond and even some of the more frustrating ones ;)
Laureen
Welcome to the wild and wacky world of WLS and the Over Fifty Forum. . .
being scared is a part of this journey going into it, but I'm guessing your surgeon has the proper credentials and has performed this procedure quite a number of times, so you need only have faith that his skills will get you to the Loser's Bench and that from that point forward you will be doing all the work.
If the procedure you are having is laproscopic, than the first week post-op is not bad, the first couple of days, you will likely have a hard time getting in fluids and protein, but that is normal, you need only follow your surgeons instructions and as has been suggested, keep a water bottle with you at all times, take small sips as often as possible. I use either a 20 oz bottle or 32 oz bottle and that helps me keep track of the amount of fluids I take in daily. I was not able to handle really cold stuff post-op and that lasted for most of the past almost 3 years, only recently I can handle cold water/drinks in limited supply and that is depending on how hot it is. Your body will send you signals, but I must warn you those signals are not good ones, so best to begin the process of learning to drink the requisite amount of fluids from now. The signs of being dehyrated are dizziness, further out, it can feel like an anxiety, panic attack, so while we all stray from the drinking enough fluids from time to time, it does have serious consequences.
Back to the first week, you may find yourself feeling wonderful by day 4 or 5 post-op, but don't be fooled, you need to remind yourself that while your surgery was less invasive, it was still a major surgical procedure, so try not to overdo, or you will suddenly feel like you did too much. Your taste buds may be off, so everything might have a funny taste, that is your body going into ketosis (feeding off the fat) and also related to anesthia (spelling). You may have no real appetite for a long time, but you MUST eat in order to have the best results, follow your surgeons plans for that, as each one has their own way of getting you back to solid food and while it is slow going in the beginning, you will get there. For me the worst part of the first week, was the getting rid of the gas, as they pump air into your belly so they can have easier access to your organs. Moving around takes care of that, so as much as possible and as quickly as possible get out of bed and walk. Another thing that many of the people I know experienced (I did too, but not as bad as some) was an annoying pain at one of the incision sites, the surgeon explained to them that it was normal and would disappear by 6 weeks post-op, I believe it did for most and as I said, it was annoying, not severe pain.
You stated you are a lightweight, well, I, too, was considered a lightweight with about 110 lbs. to lose, I am still about 19 lbs from goal, but it is mostly because I've gotten in my own way with that. If you are like the majority of us, you've tried many different ways to lose the weight with the results always being the same, I believe most of us thought of this as a way to achieve a measure of success that we previously were unable to do and it can be, but the results are and will be up to you and your desire to change what made you obese in the first place. This surgery works miracles for many of us, but if we don't change our relationship with food, as comfort, friendship and so on, then we can and will get obese again.
I strongly suggest, if you have not done so already, find a good support group, one where people are doing what is necessary to change the habits that were created over a lifetime and attend it regularly. This journey is wonderful and wacky, but as time passes, we often revert back to that lifetime of what was prior to surgery and that is where support helps so much, it keeps us accountable and on track, we find we are not alone in the struggles we have and so we maintain and stay the course. This forum is great for support, however, my life is busier now than ever and I don't always have time to be on the computer, so, I, personally, need the kind of support that involves being in a group and so I attend support groups at least monthly, sometimes, as my life permits more often.
In the end Clare, it is all about you and what choices you make for yourself. You can do this and we are here to offer your suggestions and support. This is a wonderful life, one that before surgery I was more of a spectator in, than a participant and now I can run, play and be and live an active life. If you asked people on this board would they do it again, I know the resounding answer would be, YES!
I wish you a very wonderful journey post-operatively and look forward to your coming and sharing all the wonderful experiences you will have as you go through your first year and beyond and even some of the more frustrating ones ;)
Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
You'll only do liquids for a short time. I had to do a what was called a supplemented fast (their products ... high protein, shakes, bars, meals, etc.) for two weeks pre-op, then liquids for two weeks post-op. The hardest thing for me was giving up caffeine ... I was a caffeine junkie, I worked really early-morning hours and I'm a night-owl. I was really nasty that first week without caffeine.
As far as getting in enough fluids, that was never a problem for me until recently, since I started my new job ... sometimes I just get too busy to drink. I always drank a lot of water anyway, and some of my meds dry out my mouth, so I'm drinking to counteract that, even at night (I have a water bottle at my bed, too).
My feeling always has been that I wanted this surgery enough, I would make the changes I needed to make. Four weeks of liquids isn't that much.
As far as getting in enough fluids, that was never a problem for me until recently, since I started my new job ... sometimes I just get too busy to drink. I always drank a lot of water anyway, and some of my meds dry out my mouth, so I'm drinking to counteract that, even at night (I have a water bottle at my bed, too).
My feeling always has been that I wanted this surgery enough, I would make the changes I needed to make. Four weeks of liquids isn't that much.
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