On the other side FINALLY
have been out here…researching this
topic….got approval and had my surgery on 4-5-99. Today is
my first day at work….a little tough but hanging
in there. I had my surgery at the BTC in Belvidere,
Illinois. I see this site has been busy and that is a good
thing for all the pre ops. It really helps to prepare
yourself for as much as you can before the surgery. But,
no way is it easy! I went in on Monday 4-5 at waited
and waited…that was not the hard part…the hard
part was when you were in the holding area. Be
prepared that is all I have to say. That was the worst
part of the surgery for me. The first two days is also
pretty bad like everyone says…the pain does go away. I
had gas and the pain in the shoulders was too much
but it subsided. The first few days out of the
hospital ( I was in Mon and out by Thursday) I spent a lot
of time in the bathroom but I am two weeks out and
everything is ok. Everyone has a different story to tell
remember that. This surgery works differently for
everyone! I kept that in mind the whole time. The first
week I lost 15 lbs…I ate popsicles, and more
popsicles. Dont go overboard at the store buying clear
liquids….I bought chicken broth and really never drank it.
The thought of it…uggg. Popsicles and a little
sugar free koolaid. But I ate nothing really. Last
week, it was much better. Each day is better but I can
honestly say, one day you will feel fine and the next
icky. I have found that I can tolerate pretty much
everything. I recovered fast! I was driving in a week (I was
pushing it) but new when I had enough. I almost passed
out in the mall 7 days postop. I think b/c I am young
and and I am pretty much healthy, nothing was going
to keep me from getting up and getting around. TAKE
IT EASY! I do the vitamins everyday, the pepcid rpg
or whatever that stuff is to control the acid that
is recommended by the doctor, I get my water in,
which goes down a lot quicker than anything else. I
think it just goes through the pouch in no time. I have
been bad though eating soft foods before I should. BTC
has a very conservative diet after surgery. Tomorrow
I go in for my check up and see what I have lost in
the last week. My eyes are still bigger than my
stomach. I still grab portions like before but then I have
to put them back. You know when you eat too much or
something does not go down right. Chew chew
chew.<br>ps…thanks helen for all the advice. You have been very
helpful to everyone. I pray and hope this surgery will
aid in my weight loss. It is not easy….You will
still have cravings but for me they are diminishing.
Good luck to all!!!! I will keep watching.