What surprised you most after your surgery

[bex986]

Was just thinking to myself about things that surprised me after the surgery and about the surgery, even though I spent 3 years preparing for this in groups and with dieticians some things still surprised me.

Mine
was the pain of the wind they pump you with

for some strange reason its not important but I was expecting the lap cuts to be in a similar pattern as when I had my gallbladder out but there are 5 of them in a straight line accross my whole abdomin

I'm not missing food at all

And How tired I am!

What are the things that surprised you?

 

[Yvessa]

Actually losing all the weight that I have. Never in a million years did I dare to dream and yet here I am.

 

[adrienne]

Lack of pain 'initially'
And the tiredness? it's really debilitating

 

[fjsinc]

Well initially it was not feeling the kind of restriction I expected, then it was feeling restriction, and not even being able to drink enough. Then it was the sudden drops in energy.

But after the 1st 12 weeks that all went away.

Then it was that i actually lost a shed load of weight.

 

[carrieb]

For me, the worst thing was that horrible taste in your mouth that endless tooth brushing does nothing to help with, and the puree'd stage was so, so hard. T

BUT - 9 stone gone, new me, new life, so much to look forward to now, rather than dread any social events and make excuses not to do things/see people, which was where I was at pre-surgery.

 

[Salliebeth]

I had my sleeve 3 months ago, and have been surprised by quite a few things!!!!
Firstly that I woke up after the op!!! That was my biggest fear - one reason why I put the surgery off for SO long!!!
The feeling of extreme tiredness following the GA.
I was surprised and relieved that I hardly had any pain post op!! And no 'wind pain'
How awful my mouth felt post op being on fluids / purée for what seemed like forever!! And really wanting a piece of meat to chew!!! Nearly chewed on hubby's arm one evening!!!!
Surprised how well I can tolerate food - although seem to have a problem with baked beans post op???!!!!! But that's the only food I have found difficult, they gave me awful wind and needing the loo a few times!!! ( good to know for constipation!!!)
Surprised at how little I eat now and feel full - a great feeling to leave food on my plate - portion size still an issue at times!!!!
Surprised that I have lost weight for the first time in my life!!!! Although surprised I'm not loosing it faster, but it didn't go on overnight, so it won't come off overnight!!
Surprised that people have noticed that I have lost weight - even some male friends have commented!!!
Surprised and chuffed that I have gone from a size 26-28 to a size 22 so far, and that I can pick up clothes from ASDA at a fraction of the price of EVANS ect.
Surprised and over the moon at how 'well' I feel, even hubby says I 'move' differently!!! I am feeling healthier and happier and can't wait to progress along this journey I am on!!!!
Xxxx

 

[A.Positive]

Today, I am wearing a size 12 bodycon dress with no lumps or bumps. THAT SURPRISED ME THE MOST. Hahaha!

 

[bex986]

Size 12! I can only dream of size 12, I can't imagine myself as a size 12 lol

 

[bex986]

I can't wait to be able to shop in 'normal' clothes shops

 

[Tiggerific]

That I was hungry!!! I have been hungry since day 4 post op.....I have still lost nearly 11 stone but I have always been hungry..I was so shocked by this!

 

[A.Positive]

You will get there my love. I never thought i could make it either but here I am and loving every single minute of it! The dress was so cheap that I bought two of them. Just £5 from Ebay. You have that to look forward to also. Cheap clothes!

 

[adrienne]

I cannot wait!!!
I buy a lot of my stuff from planet and marks n spencer not cheap at all!!!
Cannot wait yo just walk into top shop with my girls snd buy a leather jacket snd skinny jeans !!!! That is my aim

 

[Banana19]

I'm due to have my sleeve procedure on 6th May and I'm so glad I read this thread, I cannot wait!!

If you have any tips for me as to what I should pack in my hospital bag? I was thinking dry mouth spray and some throat numbing spray? I had such a sore throat after gallbladder removal surgery so I'm imagining that I'll have that again with the sleeve surgery?

I cannot wait to go clothes shopping, I'm also picturing myself back horse riding when I've shed enough weight!

Thanks lovelies! Xx

 

[bex986]

Dry mouth spray was a must am so glad I read about it on a thread on here, and some strong minty toothpaste. i took some cheap toothpaste in that wasnt very minty but had to send my husband to get some colgate oxygen (the blue one with the crystal bits lol) I was shocked at how dry my mouth was as you can't gulp drinks to quench your thirst so I was brushing my teeth and spraying dry mouth spray to moisten my mouth and take the horrible taste away. If your dietician allows you take something in for the wind pain such as infacol or gripe water although check with your providor as they may not allow you to take it in the firat few days after surgery but get some for when your home definitely, I got some and it helped a lot woth the wind pain from where they fill you up in theatre Then just the normal stuff pjs/nightdress Toiletries Book Phone Phonecharger Socks Slippers Towel Good luck for your surgery xx

 

[joanne7271]

I am loving my bypass and the things that have surprised me most are.........

Cannot quench my thirst but cant get enough liquid in during the day too! Even when i have had a drink as soon as I have swallowed my mouth is so dry........ wish it would go, its frustrating

I am not hungry at all but i am dreaming of meaty things to eat lol. I dreamt of a cheeseburger with onion rings and salad the other night..... was gorgeous lol. I dont even like burgers though, so strange.......

didnt think the puree stage would be so hard after milk diet, just running out of things to have, and what i like one day turns my stomach the next

how fit i feel and no pain at all

how quick i have lost weight, all clothes are hanging off me now, look like a rag tag!
need to invest in some drawstring trousers or elasticated waists lol

Cant think if any more at the moment xxxxxxxx

 

[trish418]

What a brilliant thread, so inspiring to those of us waiting for our surgery. Cant wait to read some more.

 

[MrsDuck]

Agreed Trish, it is a good thread to read for us pre opers. Gives a good insight into unexpected changes. Keep um coming! X

 

[bex986]

Another thing that has surprised me is that although I am only just over a week out of surgery people are noticing I have lost weight and my clothes especially my trousers are hanging off me already.

I'm not missing solid food at all

I am struggling though to swallow all my meds as I have to to 8 tablets at night so taking one at a time with a sip of water really fills me up where as before I used to neck the lot at once

 

[adrienne]

I don't really miss solid food too much,but I have odd cravings like when I wanted weetabix, I don't eat weetabix normally but I really fancied it for some reason.

I'm never sure if I'm hungry or not! I actually can't tell, also I'm
So tired I feel lazy, I'm normally really active, but I'm not at the mo, really lethargic can't be bothered to eat! If it wasn't for my oh I think I'd starve !!!! Ridiculous! All I thought about pre op was food and now I can't be bothered with it x