Wendy P.

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Wendy P. 24 years, 5 months ago

Well I'm feeling a little better now. I've been surfing this board every day to learn more and more about how to take care of my new tummy and I've learned alot of very helpful things. I've also gotten some wonderful and encouraging emails from the people on this site and I want to thank you so much :) I'm starting to feel a little more like myself again. Although I still have pretty bad diarrhea and alot of dizzyness at times, the stomach pain has really subsided alot and I still haven't thrown up at all. (Thank God) I had an iffy moment this morning after I ate some chopped up egg whites, but I just relaxed and made it through ok. Eggs always made me a little queazy anyway, even before surgery, so that's understandable. I'm being very careful to eat and drink the right things and to eat slowly and really chew my food. I've been babying myself and my new stomach. I saw my therapist yesterday. I had been seeing her before the surgery for depression/anxiety and now I can also talk to her about the food and surgery. I'm glad that I already had a therapist that I could trust before the surgery. I've also been checking into support groups to fill in in between therapy sessions. I've found one weight loss surgery group which is semi far from my house but I'm going to go anyway. And I've also found a bunch of Overeater's Anonymous groups nearby that I think I'm going to check out. I went out for my first restaurant visit two days ago. It was hard! I was sooo hungry and I wanted to order a big meal of turkey and mashed potatoes with all the trimmings, but all that I could find on the menu that I could eat was either applesauce or mashed potatoes. (I'm only eleven days post-op) So at least I got my mashed potatoes. I ordered them a la carte with just a touch of gravy and they did taste every good. I couldn't help pouting and drooling as I watched my kids eat all sorts of tasty things though, then when my daughter got the chocolate peanut butter cake I literally felt like crying. (that was my favorite before the surgery) I sort of pouted and whined a little as I ate my now cold potatoes, but I think I did ok for my first time out. I brought a piece of the cake home for my boyfriend and when he ate it last night I ~almost~ took a bite just so I could chew it and spit it out. I asked if I could just lick his tongue but he wouldn't let me. (I did that after he ate some Doritos a few days ago Lol) Then I just asked if I could smell the cake and when I did, it actually didn't even smell very good. I wrinkled my nose and said that I didn't want any of that stinky old cake anyway and I marched upstairs with a nice low fat, low sugar yogurt, which tasted very good btw *grins* I went in to see my doctor two days ago because the nurse was a little concerned about the diarrhea and the fact that I've had this strange odor in my mouth. The doctor and his assistant looked me over and talked to me then they said that everything was coming along fine. He ordered some lab tests for the diarrhea, but said that most likely it's just my body getting used to having less intestine there to process the food. They removed my staples, which was such a relief!! I was really scared to have them taken out, since I had such a hard time in the hospital I've become sort of a baby when it comes to pain. But having the staples out really didn't hurt at all and it was over very quickly. The incision area itches alot, but I know that means that it's healing *stops to scratch a little and looks around innocently* I would never scratch it or anything though *grins* The trick is to scratch around the area instead of right on it so you don't disturb anything ) So that's mainly what I've been up to. Reading this web site, scratching and figuring out what to eat and drink.) In between taking care of my kids who are 7 and 10 and slowly starting to take care of my household duties again. I've been doing things little by little to see what I can handle. It's alot easier as the pain seems to be getting less and less every day. Well take care and God bless you! *Hugs and love* Wendy P.S. I've lost 16 pounds already! From 260 to 244! *dances*

RODEO CLOWNS S. 24 years, 5 months ago

CALM DOWN!!!!! It does get better. I had a lot of medical problems after my surgery too. I got an infection in my incision and had to have it re-opened 5 times to drain. I eventually healed, but it takes time. I took me 2 to 3 mos to get my energy back. I had my surgery on 6-28-01 and have lost 70 lbs and a ton of inches. The longer you go, the better you feel. I thing the anesthetic and pain meds have a lot to do with your depression. I was in a fog for about 2 weeks after surgery, and so was my husband. Talk to your surgeon about it. He/she may know what is wrong or may be able to direct you in the right direction. Baby yourself, take it easy but get in your walking. It helps so much. I hope everything will go well for you soon. Bless you!!

Wendy P. 24 years, 5 months ago

Well I am home now and recovering from surgery. I did have to go back to the hospital the first time they released me due to some complications, but I am home for good now and am working on feeling better. The surgery and recovery has been harder than I thought it would be and I have been reading and studying this site for all of the information and positive ideas that I can find. This site is a wonderful tool for learning about WLS and so many of the people here have been an inspiration to me. Thank you to everyone that has posted here and also to everyone that has given such kind words of support and encouragement. I am wondering if anyone else here has had to deal with depression, anxiety, or Hepatitis C in addition to the WLS recovery? I am dealing with all of these things since pre-op and I think that the combination of these things in addition a few medical complications since the surgery (severe diarhea, chest pain, trouble breathing, dizzyness, etc.) has made this a little harder than usual for me. If anyone else has experienced any of these things, or just has any good ideas on recovery in general, I could use any advice that you can give on positive things that I can do to get myself through the recovery process. I do feel like I am getting better as each day goes by and as the pain is lessening and I am getting used to eating and drinking differently. I'm also wondering if anyone knows of a support group for WLS or for depression that is near the Lehigh Valley area? I am encouraged every time that I step on the scale (although I try not to check it ~too~ often) *smiles* I have lost 9 pounds so far and I can already feel the difference in the way I feel and look :) *Hugs and thanx* Wendy

Karen Renee 24 years, 6 months ago

Dear Wendy, All my best wishes, thoughts and prayers are coming your way for your surgery. I'll see you on the other side. Many regards and G-d Bless you!

Cindy P. 24 years, 6 months ago

Wendy. I'll be praying for you today along with hundreds of AMOS family members. I think I could have written you post..my surgery is Friday and my birthday is Thursday! I also love soda, Chinese Food and chocolate. Just think we'll be celebrating our birthdays next year...healthier, happier and defintely more sexy!

blank first name B. 24 years, 6 months ago

Well today is the big day. I'm scared, excited, nervous and hungry! Lol I really want to have a bowl (or two or three or four) of cereal, but I can't eat anything before the surgery *pouts* I did go out to eat last night though, for my "last meal" *grins* and it was really good. I just wish that I could go back one day, so I could eat just one more time. I'm mourning the loss of food already. I hope it isn't this bad after the surgery. I've read that most people aren't really hungry after the surgery, so I'm hoping this will be the case with me. Today is also my birthday, in addition to my surgery day, which is a little depressing, but kind of neat also. I'll be celebrating my birthday in the hospital and I can't eat today, but I also feel like I'm giving myself a present of weight loss and better health. My kids were fighting and argueing this morning as usual, but I just couldn't handle it today. I sort of blew up at my daughter, because it seems so inconsiderate of her to be acting so bad when it's my birthday and my big surgery today. I just feel like I'm on my last nerve and not being able to eat is not helping! *pokes tongue out* :P I'm taking a big breath and knowing that things will get alot better once this is over and done. Then I can get over the anxiety and worry, and then I can eat again, even if it is only in very small portions. Also, once the weight starts coming off, it's going to feel so wonderful to be losing weight for a change instead of gaining it :) I'll even be able to wear heels again, I hope. It will be nice to feel sexy again, and I think I'll also have alot more energy to do things. This could even be a big step to other things like going back to college or getting a part time job. I've heard that alot of people end up making positive changes in addition to losing weight, once the weight starts coming off. So I'm looking forward to that also. I'd also love to get back into exercising again. I used to exercise alot after I had my daughter, but then I quit when I started gaining weight again and I do miss it. Exercise gives you such a good feeling because you feel like you're really taking care of yourself, plus the endorphin high is really wonderful *grins* A legal and natural high! I may even go vegetarian again, since I've heard that some people can't tolerate meat after the surgery. This will be a good oppurtunity to go back to that lifestyle. I know there are going to be foods that I'm going to miss, and that is my main fear. I love chocolate, soda, ice cream, Chinese food, pizza etc etc. and I've read that alot of these things, and more might not be tolerated by my body, which makes me depressed that I might have to miss them. I guess I'll just wait and see what all I can eat, and go from there. I know that the pay off is going to be wonderful, and even though I'll have some food issues, I'll just deal with them as I go. Am just hoping that the cravings don't get too bad, because I don't want to mess this up! *growls* Well, as you can see, I have conflicting feelings right now. Lol I guess that is normal though, especially on the morning before surgery. The main thing is that I'm going to go through with it. Thanks to everyone that posted comments, suggestions, and encouragement for me. They were so beautiful and they really are helping me to see that I'm not alone in this thing, and that I am doing the right thing for myself. I will write an update after I get home from the surgery in a few days and let you know how it went. Maybe reading my account will help someone else who is going through the same thing, so they can know what to expect. Also, it helps alot to write this down and just get everything down on paper (or computer in this case) *smiles* Thanx again for your support and encouragement! Will write again soon ) *hugs* Love, Wendy

Wendy P. 24 years, 6 months ago

mamarose4two 24 years, 6 months ago

Congrats... Good luck on your surgery. I wish you all the best.

sharonbgood 24 years, 6 months ago

You are going to do just great!!! All the best to you as you begin your journey... TO LIFE!!!

Maryellen W. 24 years, 6 months ago

Wendy: Well, tomorrow's your big day! The wait is over! Soon you will be on your way to a happier, healthier life!