Super Aware of your "innards?" Is this "normal?"

Hey Old Posties! (Yes, that was quotation marks around "Normal.") (By Now, I don't use that word on my own, just as quoting slang.) Is it just Me? Or- Do you always remain completely aware Of the Inner Workings of your body? Because early on, I paid so much attention to The "Different" feelings coming from my Guts, I swear I could point out on an Anatomy diagram, exactly where food is In my system at all times. Like every little bite I eat has a tracking device in it. I'm Very Conscience of what is going on inside At all times. Does this eventually fade? Maybe it's just an extension of my previous surgery. I have an Artificial Aortic Valve, and can "take my pulse" Just by listening. So can my wife from across the room. I've got a very loud tick. Would Scare Captain Hook to Death. Perhaps being in the habit Of focusing inward on this, being in the habit, Has amplified my awareness of my Plumbing? What about you folks? Just Curious. Best Wishes- Dx

I, too, am hyper vigilante about my body now. I am very aware of my "innards" and the different "readings I get during each day. Grouchy, upset, gassy, constipated, happy and the list goes on. I guess I am just very aware of how much stess was on my body as a pre-op and the seriousness of this re-plumbing. I am getting better about monitoring my every little gas pain but it has been a struggle for me. And lucky me, I've had NO COMPLICATIONS. How would I be if I'd of had problems. I guess the Lord knows who can handle it - huh! LOL Lisa

Lisa, Congratulations on skipping any complications! I though maybe that was the reason for my Overactive Internal Monitoring. Yep, I can tell foods that are Going to cause Gas, about 20 minutes after I swallow them. It's like my foods have been fitted with a "Low-Jack" Tracking device. I can tell where they are in the system As if I was watching them on a Radar. Actually, Feeling them on a radar. Glad to know it's not just me being obsessed. I don't Focus on it, but I'm constantly Aware of it. Best Wishes- Dx

Hey Dx. Yup, am very aware of what's going on inside... Having an incision hernia now makes things even more interesting....like when I've eaten those lovely gas producing beans....my stomach looks like Ripley's stomach during her nightmare in Aliens, the second movie when it's trying to bust through..... seriously.....every twinge, every growl, every note that could be played....catches my attention... find myself apologizing for my musical gut.... well at least now I pay attention to my body where as before I ignored things that NEVER should have been ignored.....ahhhh what a wondrous surgery this was..... Have a great evening!! Andi B. in Ohio

Andi, Sorry you've got an "Alien" pooch poking out. I had one (14"x18") that was like the head on my "Unborn Conjoined Twin!" I used to say- "I got a Pouch and a Pooch from my surgery." On the plus side, the "repair" of mine, Was the easiest surgery by far. Quick in and out of the hospital, At least for "That" part of the process. Hoping you loose your "Alien" friend soon! Best Wishes- Dx

I thought I was the only one. I am so in tune with my body now. A few weeks ago, I noticed that my skin suddenly got too small for my body. I knew I was in trouble. For some reason I was bloating. Sure enough, a few hours later the major pain started. Although not in the normal ( but are we normal?) area, I was convinced it was my gallbladder. After an ultrasound the gastroenterologist said there were no stones so it couldn't be my gallbladder. I questioned that & was was somewhat ridiculed by him because I certainly didn't know as much as he did. After a scope & a CT scan to rule out other problems I went to my weightloss surgeon & his PA & told them what was happening. His first question was, "Did you have a HIDA scan to see if the gallbladder is working?" Of course not because it "couldn't be your gallbladder" to quote the gastro. Well, he ordered one & guess what? Yep, my gallbladder is only working at 21% & has to go. Since the really bad pain hasn't returned we aren't in a big hurry so plan to do it early in December so we can combine it with another surgery I was planning to have. This should be interesting. My surgeon working on one area & my gynecologist, who happens to be his ex-wife working on another area. I understand they get along better now than they did when they were married so I guess it will be safe to let them both hold scapels. Oh, before my surgery I walked around for years with a tumor the size of a quart jar in my abdomen & didn't even know it was there. I had so much fat hiding it, even my gynecologist ( a different one) couldn't feel it. Thank God for this surgery. Dixie

Dixie, Hope your Gallbladder problem "Lays Low." I had mine checked prior to WLS And sure enough, it was nearly non-functioning. They took it out during my RNY surgery. Yep, prior to WLS I walked around my whole life With a Congenital Mal-formed Heart Valve. (2 flaps instead of the normal 3) I always just wrote off my "easy exhaustion" as the result Of being Obese. But now? My "Internal Monitors" are working overtime. I self diagnosed my hernia, before the 3rd test that Finally found it. I told my Dr.- "You're just LOOKING at my insides, I'm holding/touching them 24/7. Trust me!" And sure enough, after a trip to the PCP, who found nothing, A trip to a Urologist, who found nothing, My Bariatric Surgeon had me do an MRI And there it was- Internal Hernia. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one Who seems to have "Super-Powers" when it comes to Pin pointing internal feelings after WLS. I sometimes feel that I'm still "Second - Guessing" My recovery. Sort of spooked And watching for the next shoe to drop. Have the smoothest of surgeries this December! Best Wishes- Dx

Oh yeah, nearly 3 years later, still aware, very aware, and also wondering if that ever changes. It's not just the anatomy changes I'm aware of but eating habits, drinking habits, personal care habits, exercise habits, etc. The fact is, I've never been so aware of my own EXISTENCE as I am now. I have to wonder, though, if we didn't have support groups (local and electronic) would this be so much in our minds? I just don't know. By the way, I'm also extremely aware of my surgically improved flat belly, but that's only been several months ago. Ann