Question:
How does the pain compare with C-Sections and other questions!
I had two C-sections and although the recovery was long, it really wasn't too bad. How is the pain in comparison? Also, I want to hear from anyone who has tried Xenical or Meridia. Here's anothr stupid question. Why are these protein shakes and bariatric diets useful with surgery? Is it becaus you are forced to comply with it because of the size of your stomach? I've been on 1100 calories for sixteen weeks at different times and have basically still gained weight during this time. I am terribly afraid that since I'm on an 1800 calorie diet now (which is filled with nutritious food and good food for energy) and gain approximately 2-3 pounds per month, with approximately a 30 per day fat intake. It's about 800 to 1000 calories less than it should take to maintain my current weight of 287. I have to be sure that I'm still a candidate for something like this, since I've not experienced any weight loss in twelve years, despite all of my efforts. We are all different, but has anybody else experienced this and did their metabolism cooperate. There would be nothing worse than one's metabolism adapting right away to a 700 calorie diet as there now would be no turning back and a reversal would most definitely mean incredible weight gain. Sorry to be such a nudge but these are qeustions that I'm looking into. Thank you soooooooooo much. Mi Robi. — Mi R. (posted on June 8, 2001)
June 8, 2001
I too have a slow metabolism, have since I was a kid. Common symptoms are
slow pulse (even for the MO), low body temp and blood pressure. BUT,
remember with most WLS there is a malabsorption feature, meaning if you eat
1100 calories you do not absorb them all. If your body adapts to a VLC
(very low calorie) diet then you MUST excersize. One cannot maintain their
weight forever on 700 calories a day if they get even moderate exercise.
Period. A calorie is defined as the amount of energy it takes to raise 1
gram of water (which is about 1 cubic centimeter -- about a thimble full) 1
degrees Celsius. Meaning your body burns a LOT of calories just keeping
it's water at 98.6.
— M. A. B.
June 8, 2001
How funny you should ask about the pain. I always tell people that this wls
is NOTHING compared to a csection. Gosh, for me,
the csection was a lot longer recovery and tons more painful! You dont have
a thing to worry about, I also had an Open rny with a small 3 inch
incision, but if you are having a lap then you will have even less
trouble.
The protein shake thing is also to aid your body with healing, it is
something you need . I am 7 months post op and have lost 142 pounds. I am
having slight hair loss and dry skin/eyes due to rapid weight loss and lack
of protein,
but I have healed wonderfully. I used my pain med in the hospital, for fear
of severe pain. When I got home I used it twice to sleep. And it wasnt
because I was having pain, I just couldnt fall asleep, it is like you are
in a cloud and cant believe that
the rest of your life is about to change-very exciting! Please email me
sometime. [email protected]
— LISA K.
June 8, 2001
Remember that after surgery, yes your stomach is small, but you have also
"bypassed" a significant portion of your intensines which absorbs
the calories. You may CONSUME 1800 calories, but you will definitely not
ABSORB 1800 calories.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 8, 2001
I tried Xenical, in fact it was my last hope before turning to WLS. I am
still preop. Next wednesday, June 13th is my surgery date. The Xenical was
probably the dumbest WL choice I ever made. I did not deter me from eating
fat at all. It gave me slight diarrhea, but not regular diarrhea. You know
when you take a piece of greasy pizza and tilt it and the yellow oil drips
off, well that is what comes out of you. The only bad side effect from
Xenical is that every time you go, you have to clean out your toilet. Its
like an oil spill. What a mess. No weight loss. In fact, none of my docs
push the pill at all. I actually had to beg em for it.
— Karla K.
June 8, 2001
First of all, I have to say it ... there are no dumb questions ... except
the ones you don't ask. In my opinion, information is your best friend and
you need to research, research and research some more to help you make a
good, informed decision. I have had 2 c-sections, removal of a ruptured
fallopian tube (like another c-section really) and open gall bladder
surgery. I had open RNY with an 8 3/4 inch incision ... and for me, it was
the hardest. The pain was the same as for the c-section, but the location
of the incision made it harder to breathe deeply and move around. Also, I
had 50+ staples closing my incision and they were kind of uncomfortable for
a few days. I had a PCA pump (morphine or demoral ... don't remember for
sure) which totally kept me comfortable ... I was weak, tired and slept
alot, but I was not in agonizing pain. I was discharged with a
prescription for oral pain meds ... I took 1 for the ride home and never
needed another one. I have a desk job and I took off 7 weeks. I could have
gone back at 6 weeks, but I really needed the 6 weeks to rest and heal. I
was very, very tired and it took me several weeks to really get my strength
back. As far as the post op diet ... the small pouch (RNY) definitely
helps you to control your intake. It is hard to explain, but many of us
experience a change in our tastes and cravings post op. I used to be a
huge sugar craver ... all the time, every day. If there wasn't anything
sweet around the house, I would either go get something or send someone
else to get it. I would eat pop-tarts or sweetened cereal if there was
nothing else around to satisfy my sweet tooth. Whether I was hungry or not
... I had to have my sugar fix. Now ... I just don't crave sugar anymore
and I hope I never do! Fatty foods also make me sick and even the smell of
something frying turns my stomach. Regarding the metabolism thing ... I
don't know about that. That would be an excellent question to ask your
surgeon, when you get to that stage. Good luck in your weight loss journey
and God bless you whatever you decide.
— Lynn T.
June 8, 2001
I am four weeks post-op. Four weeks ago I would have told you I thought my
WLS was more painful than my two c-sections. Truthfully, now I don't
remember why. I was open with about a 4 1/2 inch incision.
Maybe I felt I was in more pain because they kept me so out of it the first
and second day ... where with the c-section you HAD to be up and about
caring for a baby??
I really think I could have gone back to work after two weeks. The hardest
thing for me was not carrying my 9 month old.
Week one I CRAVED FOOD!! I looked at pictures. As soon as I was told I
could eat pureed foods, I lost that need for food. I haven't eaten much
the last few weeks. I am down 30 pounds. Someone ordered a hot fudge
sundae and I thought I would ring their neck ... then it came and I was
amazed that I didn't want it at all.
Good luck!!
— Lindsey G.
June 8, 2001
I saw that there weren't any answers about Meridia in the other posts, so
I'll just share my experience with you. I took Meridia for a year. I lost
a whopping 10 lbs. It didn't control my appetite at all. It made my heart
flutter quite a bit, so I went off it last July. I put the 10 lbs I lost
back on in about a day. I really wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Your
other questions, I'm not sure about. I'm pre-op (6-14-01, open RNY) so I
can't help you there. Good luck to you!
— Becky H.
August 17, 2001
Your story reminds me so much of myself. (I'm now 2 and a half weeks
post-op). I've always had a great deal of trouble taking off weight and
then, about 9 years ago, I went on this "program" that was very,
very limited in intake and that destroyed my metabolism altogether. I lost
104 pounds and, determined to keep it off, I was so careful in what I ate.
But, no matter what I did, I kept gaining weight. I saw M.D,'s,
accupuncturists, nutritionists, tried Atkins, Fit America, diet pills
(which I had sworn I'd never do again). Nothing helped......until I found
this incredible, brilliant clinical nutritionist. Working with him, with
diet and suppplements, I was finally able to, very slowly, take off weight.
And, perhaps even more important, I lost fat and gained muscle. The
dietary restrictions and the slow pace finally got to me, though, and I
decided to go for the surgery. However, I am still working with this
nutritionist (actually, he is the one who did the research for us on the
surgery and surgeons (my husband is going for the surgery on 8/21) and I
follow his recommendations over those of the dietician working with my
surgeon. For instance, he eliminates all artificial sweeteners and fruits
because he says biochemically (he has a Ph.D. in biochemistry)the body
responds to those sweeteners and sugars the way it does to white, processed
sugar, so that insulin is released and those calories are stored as fat.
There are other issues too. I just feel I want to put everything I can in
my corner to make this work for me. His supplements are, I believe, better
than those recommended by the surgeon (liquid vitamins and iron, for
example).
If you live in the NYC area and are interested in his name, I'd be happy to
give it to you. If not, I'd suggest you try to find someone like him where
you are so this person could guide you both in eating the most appropriate
foods to lose weight and maintain health as well as looking out for any
nutritional defeciencies that may occur as a result of the surgery.
As far as the pain, I found it difficult the first day and part of the
second. I stopped taking all pain meds 6 days post-op and was down at that
point to maybe once a day anyway.
I wish you luck and success on your journey,
Nancy - [email protected]
— Nancy Z.
September 11, 2002
I am always amazed at the diffences in pain, people experience. I have had
both a c-section and OPEN RNY. For me, my C-section was like a
"pin-prick" compared to WLS. My WLS was 1000 times more painful,
but WELL worth it! Don't judge yourself based on others experiences,
because everyone is different! Just remember, no matter if you have a
little pain, or a lot...it ALL passes, and the rewards far outweigh the
discomfort!
— RDSunshyne
May 14, 2003
I've experienced both procedures, c-section and a laprascopic gastric
bypass surgery. MY C-SECTION HURT ONE HUNDRED TIME MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was in pain for two weeks with my c-section and two days with my gbs. I
was driving four days after my gbs. I feel great and I am down thirty
pounds in one month. I believe that it all depends on each persons
tolerance for pain.
— Melissa T.
June 30, 2003
Oh my goodness the pain from the bariatric was 1000 times more painfull. I
had 3 c sections and maybe even with a c-section it is still the pain you
forget when you get to come home with the baby. I have never been in so
much pain in all my life. I pry it gets better i keep trying to excercise.
do a few things around the house. I am just miserable. some body offer me
some hop
— carolyn W.
January 11, 2004
I had a c-section with my last child and I thought that the sugery was a
breeze. It is very important to get up right away and take it slow, GOOD
LUCK!!
— PATRICIA A.
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