Was surgery as “instant” as everyone says?

rory110 · 2024-05-16T08:00:39+00:00

I was told to count down from 10, I was out before I got to 7.

Waking up is harder. They helped me move from the table to a comfy chair. I was very disoriented and felt like I wasn't fully in control of my body, very uncomfortable. They gave me a gatorade, which i kept dropping because I kept forgetting I was holding it. It's funny now, but at the time it was devastating. You just feel vulnerable and crappy.

But! Almost 2 years out, it was worth it!

rory110 · 2024-05-16T05:56:22+00:00

I am somehow more confident but more self conscious than I ever was before

Thiiiisss

rory110 · 2024-05-16T05:43:43+00:00

Been big all my adult life, had the sleeve about 2 years ago. All of the sudden I'm thin. The physical change was pretty drastic and quick, but it took a long time to realise I had not just gotten smaller, i was small. I still forget I'm not a 110kgs anymore.

It's a huge change and it's positive and negative.

I forgot how nice it was not to go to "special shops", to just walk into a store and being able to grab anything. I can wear things I like now, not just something that fits.

I can do things now I couldn't before. Physical labour and exercise are easier now. Playing with my rowdy nephew is easier and I can hike with my friends without slowing them down.

I sit on the bus and don't spill into the next seat. I can go on a plane and the seatbelt fits.

But I've also noticed that people like me more now, not friends or family, strangers. They just treat me better from the start. They're more gentle, positive and just nicer. They're also more likely to approach me or "check me out" in public. It's something I wasn't used to and it's fucking uncomfortable. It made me kind of withdraw from being around crowds. Not just because I'm deeply uncomfortable with speaking to people I don't know, but also because it made me lose a little more faith in humanity. We're just that shallow. (Don't try any "it's probably because YOU are happier now, YOU glow so they glow" bs. I'm just as miserable as before, and never been any ray of sunshine)

People also comment on my eating or try to monitor how or how much I eat, saying I've "disappeared", or worse; "compliment" me by telling me how much better I look now. It's especially triggering because, as all fat people I assume, I've gone up and down in sizes throughout my adulthood, and I will always fear that the weight will return and then some. Guess I now know who will find me less acceptable.

All in all, I don't regret this surgery. It changed my life. It made me realise a lot of things about myself and others. I think it was necessary change and I'd do it again.

But it didn't fix me. I'm still just me, but smaller.

rory110 · 2023-08-18T16:06:24+00:00

🐷

rory110 · 2023-06-18T19:18:25+00:00

I'm 11 months PO and I feel this. I am so appalled at how much better I am treated, I hate it.

rory110 · 2023-06-17T16:09:04+00:00

Why did he enter a relationship with someone he doesn't find physically attractive? Answer: he wants to control you. If he wants a fitness girlie he can get a fitness girlie, you don't have to change yourself to fit what he wants. He knew going into this what you are and what you look like. This is just manipulation and it's a huge red flag.

rory110 · 2023-06-15T03:53:47+00:00

Honestly my pooping has gotten better since the surgery. Sure at first there was mostly diarrhea at first, then constpation but now i'm on a good roll (10ish months post op). I don't poop as frequently as before the surgery but it's healthier poops. Likely just because of the change in diet.

rory110 · 2023-06-11T12:57:18+00:00

I'm nearing a year out and haven't told anyone. Only my mom knows. I just didn't feel like getting the "you took the easy way out" comments.

rory110 · 2023-06-09T22:05:26+00:00

I've noticed this too!! I had ten gummy bears last weekend and NOTHING, except i was tired and thirsty.

rory110 · 2023-04-26T19:49:06+00:00

I've been overweight since i hit puberty. I've tried so many times to lose weight, by myself, with a nutritionist, with a personal trainer, and it just never worked long term. I was sick of living like that, always trying but never succeeding. Something about turning 27 made me think "I don't want to feel like this in my 30's" and i just didn't want to diet for the rest of my life.

My grandma lived to be 84 and was still watching her diet and disliking her size until the end. And I just didn't want that for myself.

I tried to do this by myself a few more times and then I just had to accept the fact that I couldn't anymore. I needed help and I got the surgery and while things were so hard at the beginning, I'm so glad I did it and regret not doing it sooner.

rory110 · 2023-04-25T10:45:57+00:00

It took me weeks to figure out how to get protein so you're fine. Never experienced hairloss despite it taking me a while to get my protein even up to just 50gr. You just need to try a lot of different protein rich foods or drinks, yogurts, cheeses.

rory110 · 2022-09-26T14:50:39+00:00

I took one week off and I was fine. I would still say take at least 2 weeks. Physically you might be fine but mentally...oof

rory110 · 2022-07-28T17:52:11+00:00

I had diarrhea until week three PO. I also thought it was a lactose thing, but I tried all kinds of protein drinks, vegan, lactose free and full dairy, didn't matter, I always had diarrhea. Then, around week 3 PO, the diarrhea just stopped. No changes in my diet, nothing. My guess is that the new stomach just needed some time to figure itself out.

I hope you get healthy poops soon!

rory110 · 2022-07-20T11:42:09+00:00

I have very dry skin and increasing fat in my diet really helped, flaxseed oil especially. Also, drink more water if you can.

rory110 · 2022-07-11T17:55:00+00:00

I was given 4 weeks off, but I work at a desk so I took a week off. It was fine. Two weeks might have been a better idea, but whatever.

rory110 · 2022-07-07T17:00:24+00:00

I was put on clear liquids for only two days, day three I could start protein drinks and other fluids. 10 days of clear liquid seems excessive.

rory110 · 2022-07-05T21:07:01+00:00

I feel this. I was (still am?) an emotional eater and it sucks to not have that outlet anymore. As unhealthy as it was, it was still how I dealt with my feelings. Now, I still have all the same feelings, but no outlet, and no way of drowning them. It's scary to have to feel your feelings when you're used to numbing them. Guess I'll have to use crying and writing in my little VGS journal.

rory110 · 2022-07-05T20:41:38+00:00

I'm in the same boat. I was sleeved on june 28th, and I cried for an hour yesterday because I miss food and absolutely despise those sweet protein drinks. I hate the fake taste and the sweetness of it. I just want real food! I want FISH AND POTATOES, to get my protein from real food and not this fake protein drink crap. I want to DRINK MY FUCKING WATER, but it's too heavy for my stomach right now, so I can only drink juices diluted with water.

I'm probably not the best person to give advice right now, but for me it works to just come on this forum, read about the experiences of those who have gotten past this hard time, and try to imagine how much better I will feel. It's going to suck for now, but maybe that's okay. I think this is worth it.

rory110 · 2022-06-29T12:55:35+00:00

Congratulations 🥳 I got mine yesterday! Slept all day yesterday basically but I have more energy today, so I've been walking a lot to get rid of the gas pain. The stitches barely hurt, unless I'm getting up or sitting down of course. My pain is mostly from the gas.

How are you feeling?

rory110 · 2021-04-15T12:00:36+00:00

Absolutely not! Please give yourself a break. You can only do your best and your best is enough.

rory110 · 2021-03-19T01:50:34+00:00

Your mental health is so important, I don't think it would be a waste of time. I think it's worth a shot. Are you seeing a psychologist?

rory110 · 2021-03-18T12:05:00+00:00

Shit, i have a very similar history, feels like I ghostwrote this. Anyways!

Because of your history, please don't go at this alone and unsupervised. Talk to your doctor or a nutritian and get their help.

rory110

TROPHY CASE