Hello,
I am new here also. I just stumbled on this site yesterday actually. I had my surgery on November 5th and I cannot tell you how different it is. I dont know if I just had a weird abnormally unhealthy relationship with food or if its normal but its been difficult for me. I was in the hospital for 5 days because of swelling issues but after that Im healing great. They tell you to walk when you can and that is so true because first the air needs to get out of your abd and now that Im home I get really stiff if I sit to long. Let me know if you have any questions. Oh by the way I just turned 24 the other day so Im kinda in the same range as you!

Thanks for responding. I am so glad to know that I am not out there alone. What were the greatest challenges for you leading up to surgery and immediately after? I don't want to pry, but I am thankful for anything you can offer. I am scared since I am single that coming home alone will be very depressing..did you find this to be true?

I just had my surgery on the 20th and if I were to dish advice from my experience, it is definitely to walk. They kid you not when they say walking will help. It is painful. Or rather, for me, it was and still is, painful. I've had a Duragesic patch and Loretab Elixer for pain but if I don't move for over an hour and a half, my abdomen gets so sore. I got super sore on both sides of my back cuz of gas being trapped, so try to walk as much as you can. Allow the hospital staff to assist you in all that you need help with. I never dreamed I'd need help or accept help with the things I had accepted and needed help with! But when it came down to it, I accepted it. I requested to leave yesterday morning from the PA and she said it was fine since I was recovering well. They were having trouble keeping my oxygen up so I had to be hooked to oxygen frequently and on a monitor for it which was annoying, but the movement gets easier. Come Friday morning, I was able to almost lay down and get up with next to no pain. Still the stiffness, but not near the pain I started with. There was so much I never expected pain wise going in, but I think that's because everyone's body reacts differently to surgery. If you ever want to talk personally, please message me. I'm trying to get on here now and again just so I'm up and moving here and there as it's cold outside so I can't really sit outside and do much as of yet. We all do the best we can. I told my husband and many others that despite this pain I'm in, I'd do it all over again because I'm focused on the end goal, and that's simply health and feeling good. If that means holding off on eating mass amounts, then so be it. I prefer health and a long life and I know you're going to do well as well! Again, feel free to message if you wish! Good luck!

Yeah I had it Nov 1st and this is an awesome site for information, support, and even true friendship. I hope you stick around, join discussions and keep a journal, because it is good to be able to reflect on the journey.

Thank you so much for reaching out, I almost cried when I got my first post here because finally, finally someone understands. I have family and friends that try to be supportive, but I don't think they grasp how difficult it is. I have been active the last 8 months and I am glad that I started my workout program so it is not a new thing and I hope to continue it forever. How long before you can actually work out or drive or do normal activities?

Well first of all coming home and being alone is very depressing, for me at least. I can call my husband, but he can only talk when the army allows him to it seems. I live in AZ and all my family is in NY and they are all skinny! This is actually what prompted me into finding this website. I was so excited to read that other people were going through the same thing I was. I actually cant even talk to anyone at my doctors office, patients I mean, because they have all had the lap band done and I feel like its just different. The hardest challenges for me up to surgery were just sticking to a protein diet in the middle of finals! Before surgery I was nervous but its after surgery that is weighing me down now. I feel lonely and havent been able to go back to work yet and have been very tired almost every day. I go walking with my dog and then come home and take a nap. I know it will be worth it in the end but its still sinking in for me. THe weight loss is great though. I have lost 40lbs since October 23rd when I started the pre op diet and everything. I have dropped one size already so its nice to feel better. My biggest problem was blood pressure and breathing. I have asthma and sleep apnea. Post surgery my blood pressure has already improved and Ive only used my inhaler twice. Looking from a health aspect I feel better, but its that depression and the mental need to eat that I still have to make peace with. Hope this helps!

Hi,
the biggest challenge before the surgery was trying to start eating a healthy diet and sticking with an exercise regiment. In the past I would be able to stick with it for a while but would gradually fall off and gain the weight back. My blood pressure was extremely high and my cholesterol was very high. What really did it for me was when the surgery was approved I knew I had to be as healthy as I possibly could be when the date arrived. Knowing this is major surgery completely changed my mindset. I set a goal of losing as much as possible before my surgery. I also found that sticking with a diet of six small meals a day pre-op helped me out post-op because I had gotten used to the small meals which I will pretty much be eating for the rest of my life. It is all right to be scared and nervous. Most of us here have been there so we know how you feel. After you have your surgery you just have to grab the new life you have been given and make the best of it you can. You are having this surgery for a reason and that reason is the same reason most of us in this community had for having the surgery: to improve our quality of life. In the long run it is going to but it might be hard at the beginning. You just have to fight through it and know it will pay off. Just follow you DR. orders pre-op and post-op and everything will work out for you. Have a happy and safe holiday season.

Well...you definately came to the right place, I love that there are people of all phases, so if I have questions for right here and now, there is always someone, and of course if I am looking out to the future...there are some of them as well...perfect place!
I just want to add my experience I am 6 months post op now, and down 115 lbs....and it has been the best experience ever...there have been hard days, but when I look at the big picture....they are small issues in comparison.
My experience from start to finish has been fabulous, the insurance process, all the way through medical work-ups, and then down to the surgery. I was in and out in 24 hours, and really doing fine, really didnt much in the way of meds after I got home, bout once a day...and yes walk all that you can stand, and that is also what the pain meds are there for, if you are comfortable then you can walk...so take them!
I am a single Mom and came home alone, and I was worried I would be depressed, but my Mom stopped by everyday and brought my kids over, and I had a ton of calls, some visitors, but everyone was afraid to come over and bug me, even though I tried to reassure them i was fine, and needed the company, I was driving 7 days post op, had to get myself to the Dr so then I decided to go by my office and see them...they couldnt believe I was up and around, but I really was doing well. I have experienced most of the normal things one can expect, I ate too much once, and got sick, my hair was falling out at a faster rate than i expected (now growing back) had a hard time getting all my requirements in (protein, vitamins, water) but now 6 months later it all seems like a million years ago...just another phase in life. I think it is important to have a positive attitude when going in for surgery, while I was scared as well....I still was in a good frame of mind, and I think that is really important to have. Feel free to chat anytime.

PS wish I was in Nebraska....my boyfriend is there and has been for 3 months....miss him a ton :(

Hi! I am going for my last visits with the doctor and nutritionist on 12/4. After that they will send for final approval for surgery. I am lookin at having the surgery sometime in January. My step dad had the surgery in March and is doing great! Good luck and we are here for you!

Hello, Im quite new here as well but I find the site to be a great sense of release to me, there is always someone to understand and to encourage. I am now 5 days post-op and I really have to say truthfully that I expected to deal with alot more pain, Im really delighted. Went into theatre at 5.30 pm and was back in my room at 9.20pm. Was feeling out of it due to the anisthetic (excuse spelling), all I wanted to do was sleep. I was supplied with a morphin pump which I didn't feel I really needed but the nurses encouraged me to use some as a 'just in case; when the pain relieve from theatre wore off. Was up and about from about 2am and have been great since just a little stiff and stingy. Am not taking any pain relieve at the moment. The one minor thing which did affect me the first few days was nausea but I find if I have something to eat/drink regularly it keeps it away. I feel so elated and happy that I think that it is one of the best decisions I have made. If you would like to know anything please ask.