Question:
Do you ever forget you have had WLS?
I'm a PRE-op.. Today I've had a normal stomach ache. I hate it. I expect the 1st year after this surgery I will be VERY aware of my stomach. I was wondering is there a time after that that I won't be so "AWARE" of stomach aches, pains, etc. I don't like having them now.. does everything tend to adjust after a given time? — cheri123 (posted on October 18, 2002)
October 18, 2002
I forget all the time. I will be reading a post on the message boards about
some insurance or another not covering the surgery anymore, and I feel al
flicker of fear. THEN I realize I already HAD the surgery. Is that nutty,
or what??
Gina :o) Open RNY 7/29/02 down 42 lbs and counting!
— LanikaiGirl
October 18, 2002
I too thought that I would be very aware of my pouch after surgery, but I
am really not. I ALWAYS forget that I've had surgery, until I eat something
I shouldn't. Like if I eat bread or something and I get that "I have a
rock in my pouch" feeling. But other then that, I pretty much stopped
thinking about it about one month out. The only time I do think about it is
if I get a stomachache, but the only time I get one is when I eat something
that doesn't agree with me. Lap RNY 8/7/02 -58 lbs.
— fropunka
October 18, 2002
Once you are healed, the only time you think about it is when you eat
toommuch or too fast.
— faybay
October 18, 2002
I am aproxiamately 3 1/2 months out and have never had a "pouch
ache". It's a little funny that you asked this question. A friend
and I were talking last night, she is having her surgery on Nov. 7th, and
she asked me sort of the same question. I eat so normal that you wouldn't
even believe it. I don't obsess over fats, carbs or calories. For me I
feel as if I never had surgery other than the very small portions which I
thought would be hard to get used to but was extremely easy to get used to.
The only thing I limit is SUGAR. Now you have to understand I don't run
out and order a big greasy cheeseburger either. I do make sensible
choices, but occasionally indulge in something I wouldn't normally eat,
like maybe pasta or pizza, something with less protein. I do try to make
protein my number one choice, which for me isn't hard at all since I love
protein items. As for your question on stomach aches I really don't think
there are huge numbers of WLS patients that have trouble with stomach
aches. Well at least the people I know from my support group have never
ever complained about it. GOOD LUCK!!
— DRutherford
October 18, 2002
I am now 22 months postop and from about two months post, I constantly
forget that I've had the surgery. My scars are almost totally invisible. In
fact, I have to look for them. As far as the feeling in my stomach, unless
I eat too much or too fast, I never feel anything different. Even when I go
out to eat, the only time I remember about the surgery is when I realize
that I will have to take at least half of my dinner home, sometimes more,
sometimes less. I am willing to be that after a couple of months, you will
often "forget" that you had the surgery. Good luck. Maria Lap RNY
12/11/00 -105 pounds
— Maria H.
October 18, 2002
I forget all the time. The first couple of weeks my stomach was tender but
after that I always felt normal. It's like having a baby. You remember
what labor was but you don't think about it all the time. Read my profile.
— Linda A.
October 18, 2002
I am a little over 4 months post-op, and I already forget. I am reminded
only when I shower and am sometimes caught off guard by the scars, and also
when I go out to eat and my eyes are much too big for my new pouch. It is
amazing that I can order a cup of soup, and that will fill me up to
stuffed! I still always think I can get a half sandwich or a salad with the
soup, when the soup is always plenty. I take a lot of food home these
days. =}
— Jennifer Y.
October 18, 2002
On my job, I work outside so I need to drink alot. My thirst returned to
me like before surgery. Once I took a big gulp of water and most of it
came back up into my mouth. Then I remembered that I can only sip water
and not gulp it even if I am verrrry thirsty.
— Lawrence R.
October 20, 2002
I am also over 4 months post and practically forget except to think how
happy I am. My theory is that since shortly after you have WLS, it is a
little hard and takes patience. But I look at it as "pain with a
purpose" much like being pregnant. But, this gets better much faster!
Soon, everything becomes routine and you have nothing to worry about.
— emilyfink
October 20, 2002
I never forget, but it isn't food that is the reminder. It's size, body
imagine. Every time I drop my arms & they go "down" and not
"out", I remember how/why. It's a miracle. I eat fairly
normally, except for portions, of course. I drink protein drinks, but so
do normal people. I avoid milk & sugar, but again, so do normal
people. People do not "know" I am "one of them" unless
I tell them. Which, of course, I am only too happy to do. My stomach
doesn't hurt more often than pre-op, and in fact, much less, because of my
perpetual incoming or outgoing ulcers as a pre-op. The staples themselves
don't hurt, nor do you feel them. I think you're wondering as you do your
laundry, pay bills, scrub the tub--will you be constantly aware of your
stomach? No, no, no. Will you be aware of more energy, more agility now
that you can bend, yes!
— vitalady
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