I’m home. I got the boot from the hospital around 11:15 this morning. As soon as we got home, I went to sleep for 4.5 hours. It was bliss. Last night, they had someone come into my room every hour. LITERALLY EVERY HOUR. As soon as I’d drift of to sleep, there was someone jabbing a needle into me. Not at all pleasant, let me assure you.
I’m in a lot of pain and super tired. I didn’t hurt this bad when I had a baby, for goodness sake! This is insane. Anyhow, I’m taking my pain meds regularly and trying to do as little as possible.
I do have a bone to pick with the veterans of this surgery who told me I wouldn’t be hungry at all afterwards. LIARS! I’ve been hungry since dinner time last night. Not “head hungry,” but stomach-growling hungry. And that scares the crap out of me, because I’m afraid to eat. They beat it into your head that you can cause terrible damage by overeating and hurting your pouch. I had a little bit of soup for dinner and tried to only eat until the hunger pangs stopped.
This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. But, I’m clinging to all the words of encouragement I’ve received from people who have been in this situation themselves. It gets better. I just have to take it easy and let my poor body heal.
Thank you all for your support, prayers and kind words. It meant the world to me to know that you were out there rooting for me.
((((Hugs))))
I’m so happy to hear that you are home. I bet it’s way more relaxing there.
It sounds like you’re doing pretty well. How long do you have to take it easy? What restrictions do you have?
You’re right this is a learning experience, but you can do it. I believe in you. *hugs*
I don’t remember how I found your site, and I haven’t yet read your archives, but I just wanted to wish you well. Bariatric surgery is never the “easy way” out of obesity and I know you’ve thought long and hard about this. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Honest, the fact that you feel hunger surprises me. If that keeps up, talk to your surgeon when you see him at your two week check. The fact that you feel hit by a truck, however, does not surprise me. It’s a major surgery. You’ll feel like crap but not for long. You’re on a full liquid diet, yes? Are you allowed yogurt or sugar free pudding? That might help with the hunger feelings. Hang in there. You’re gonna feel better each day!
Hugs~
Eva
Oh no, I’m sorry about that truck! Also, about the hunger: that would scare me too!
I’m sorry to hear that you’re in so much pain, but at least you’re in your own bed now. Hope you get to feeling better (and fuller) soon….
Erica,
I started reading you recently, via Swistle. I haven’t known quite what to say to you about all this. I haven’t been able to find quite the right words of support and encouragement for you during this time. It must be scary and exciting for you all at once. While I haven’t had any experience with this kind of surgery, I have my own body issues, and can totally identify with the concerns you have voiced over losing your identity to a new skinny person that you’re not sure you quite know or recognize. But I think you will find that with any dedication to weight loss – whether it be 20 pounds or 200 – you will transform in ways you never imagined, and become a new person both inside and out. And all for the better. It will be strange, at times, but what you will find is that the person you knew was in there all along is finally able to come out: You will be pieces of the old, AND pieces of the new. In other words, Erica v. 2.0.
Your body will match your spirit, and you, your life, and your family (now and in the future) will be all the better for it.
I’m thinking of you all during this time, and am cheering you on!
I’m so glad to hear from you! I’m sure that this road won’t be easy, but it’s all about one tiny step at a time. You’ll get there, and we’ll all be at the finish line to see you!
Glad to see you are home and feeling as OK as possible under the circumstances (yes, feeling like you are hit by a truck is OK right now).
I also felt “hungry” after my surgery. It was the oddest thing and it really freaked me out too. But, I just kept plugging away at drinking enough water, which was really tough at first, then would eat a bite or two of anything that I could find (which was always enough to make me full for at least a little while) and the “hunger” feelings went away after a month or so. I also used my daughters old baby spoons to eat anything I wanted so that I was putting less in my mouth at first. Of course, that didn’t stop me from eating too much once or twice – because it’s amazing how little you’ll be able to eat at first and how hard it will be to know to stop in time – and laying on the floor in pure agony while my two year old jumped up and down around me.
Don’t stress too much about all of the things that people tell you that you “should” be going through or doing right now. Everyone is different. I had to wait a month or two before I could take vitamins consistently or drink protein shakes – the smell of those things make me GAG no matter how hard I tried at first. I’m no worse for the wear and have lost 100 pounds (surgery in December). Just keep yourself hydrated (so you don’t have to go back to the hospital) and get up and move around when you re able so you don’t get blood clots.
Every day will feel a little better until you’ll wonder what you were ever in pain from!
Jenn
I am new to your site (I think I found it yesterday), but I have enjoyed what I’ve read so far. I am glad to hear you are doing well after surgery. A co-worker of mine just had Gastric Bypass in January and he has lost over 125 pounds already… He looks terrific and he says all the time that he feels like a new man. I wish you much success with your journey!
I’m really happy to hear you’re doing well, despite all the pain. Take good care of yourself, and keep up the damn good work, girl!
We’re still out here rooting for you! Best wishes!
So glad to read Gerald’s message from yesterday and happy to read an update from you today.
You will only get stronger and better from here on out, remember that. Everything goes up from here.
{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}
Yay! You are home! I am sure you will be feeling better soon. You will have had some rest and your body will adjust to the new you.
Hang in there!
I see that ticker going down!
Hang in there!
It’s a major, major thing that you’ve been through.
Major, major.
Hang in there.