Help Old Timers

I need some encouragement from some of you old timers of gastric bypass surgery. Everyone talks about how happy they are after GBS. That they have all this energy and how they are getting in their fluids and protein. I'm at the point I'm not sure it was all worth it( I had complications and had 3 surgeries all together). I have very little energy. I can only get in about 48 oz. of fluids a day. I can't find a protein supplement that does not make me gag and throw-up. Just getting my regular meds down is a major task---not to count the iron, vitamin C, tums, B1 etc.that they want me to take. No one could have prepared me for how hard this has been. I had the first two surgeries laparascopic but the third one they had to cut me open and I have a huge scar running across my spare tire. Someone please tell me that things will get better and it will all be worth it one day. Please tell me that you had these feelings too and it all worked out. Don't mean to discourage anyone. Just needing someone to talk to. Sandra A.

Sandra((((((((((((BIG BIG HUG)))))))))))) I'm not an old-timer WLS-wise. But I am an old-timer age wise. I'm sorry to hear that youve hit a rough patch. And I cant give you any advice.........cuz if you look beside you I'm right here with you!!! Doesnt it seem like a full time job getting in all of the water, protein, vitamins, supplements and such? I'm not complaining(well..maybe a little) This is hard work........and it sure had better be worth it when we come out on the other side!! Take care and we have to stay strong(I guess) willby

Hi Sandra, I'm not exactly an "old timer" in GBS-land cause I'm only 12 weeks out..(wow, has it been 3 months already?) Anyway, I am right there with you. As you remember, I had a couple of complications..and it totally freaked me out. At the beginning, everything seemed like a daze...the little food I ate tasted discusting and there was no way I could get in the 64 oz. of water each day. Things really didn't start to come together for me till I was about 8 weeks along. It truly wasn't til then that I could see the light at the end of the tunnel..this was something I was NOT prepared for..It takes sooo long to feel human again. I could truly say at 8 weeks, that it was all worth it for me. It really helped me to come and vent here and find out that I'm NOT the only one who has these feelings..I'm usually a pretty obtimistic person..but boy, this thing threw me for a loop! Oh, the depression!!! Read some of my posts from around the beginning of December...I was a huge baby. Take care wls Sister..it does get better!!! Hugs, Virginia aka Ginger

You will get your energy back. You are recoverying from three surgeries, bless your heart. I am over ten months out and here are some things I have learned. 48 oz of fluid this early out is pretty darn good. Put a tiny cup in the bathroom and drink a little each time you go. I like the berry flavor of Profect protein. It is 2.7 oz. 100 calories, 0 carbs, 0 fat and 25 grams of protein. Yes, I said 2.7 ounces so even if you don't like the flavor it is only a few swallows. You can get it at WWW.Protica.com. It is expensive, but no more than junk food. As you lose weight you will feel better at given weight than you did at that weight going up. That means you will start to feel the benefits of your loss very soon. Everyone says exercise, even light walking increases energy. Naughty me, I don't know this first hand. Maybe that's why I am having a major stall. Wear clothes that fit, go thrift store shopping if needed. It really gives you a big boost. If people have to tell your clothes are too big, you have waited to long. Go to support group meetings. Avoid the carb monster like the plague. Eat slow! Start treating yoursef to manicures, pedicures, new make-up, new hair styles, or anything that makes you feel lovely now. Don't wait until you can reach your own toes, lose 75 pounds, get a gift card... Except that people are going to get in your business and come up with a stock answer to deal with it. I follow only my doctors advice, I am happy this way, I don't wish to discuss this... Remember everyone loses at their own pace! Remember you are a worthwhile person as an SMO. Get a therapist if you need one. And as the saying goes, life is not a destination, it is a journey. Many hugs, Loris

Sandra, Talk with them about putting you on the 1-drop-per-month B-12. That will at least deduct one supplement you've got to take daily. I too had a really rough 1st 2 months, re-hospitalized 3 times, and thought I'd done the most horrible thing I could have to myself, but finally got squared away (I've sent you an email and there is information on my profile about those weeks and what the problems were). Just have faith, and don't try to hurry your healing along. You've been through a lot physically, and your body needs to rebuild its strength. So ... yes, had these feelings too (OMG did I!) and it HAS all worked out. Please don't feel discouraged just look ahead to brighter days. Myra

greetings sandra! hang in there! YES, it will get better. i'm just over a year out now, and i'm feeling great! but in the beginning...well, i did feel pretty awful for a while. i had an open procedure, and about half of the scar opened up...anyway, it was rather horrible, but all is well now. as far as protein supps, i had a real hard time finding something i didn't hate, too. i finally found advantedge protein drinks at walmart in a flavor i didn't despise, but of course my walmart stopped carrying that flavor. so i'm now ordering them directly from the manufacturer, and they have more flavors than walmart ever had! here's the link: http://register.eas.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10820 the cookies and cream flavor is wonderful! (course, that could be cause i haven't had any REALLY good stuff for a year!) but anyhow, to me, this drink tastes like melted oreos! i'm still drinking one every day cause i LIKE them! i still have trouble getting in all tha****er! i've become a huge fan of the propel flavored water. i just can't do plain water in any big quantities. the propel peach is really tasty. i got one of those pill things with a section for each day of the week -- it's a big one to hold all the many pills that need to be taken each day. i take half of them in the morning and half in the evening. i still break the big ones in half. it'll get to be a routine for you eventually. and as for results: one year ago, i weighed 463 lbs and had a bmi of 66.4. today my bmi is 33.7, and my weight is 235! and i'm still losing...much slower, but still losing! so, in conclusion, don't give up! things are gonna get better, and you'll start feeling better soon. feel free to email me if you want to talk. take care. deb

OH Sandra Your story is identical to mine.... I'm having so much trouble getting the protien junk to stay down... Now my docs office said to lay off of it a little because my stomach my not be ready for it yet... (the nurse anyway) the doctor looked at me like i was some alien that landed from another planet and smart butted said "IF ITS 5 SIPS A HOUR I THINK YOU COULD TOLERATE CASTROL OIL" I don't know if me and him will get along! i'm taking vitamin B12 shots... But when i take my muti's man the turn my stomach! Guessing because i'm not use to shallowing something that big... my food is chewed until there is no taste lol... I have the huge scar thow i tried to where a white t-shirt the other day and couldnt because the monster scare showed threw lol...I had all the feelings you have now it is why hard then i ever thought it would be! I don't think anyone could prepare for the change you just have to try you best to get threw it. I wish you all the luck in the world and my SN is Charmed6378 on AOL.... you can IM when ever I'm online to vent about anything!