Re: 1st Post Op Ques/Digestion/Emotions

[Guest guest]

Jodie,

While I am pre-op for my BPD/DS I had similar experiences for months

after I had my gallbladder removed (many years ago way before it was a

one or two day experience). After my surgery I often felt what I

consumed traveling through the digestion process. As a joke I used to

track it with verbal commentary (ie: Mr. Roast Beef has now moved

into the intestines where he is gaining considerable momentum and just

might pass the meal before him...meanwhile...Ms. Enchilada, having run

out of steam, pulls over to " gas up " for the rest of the race....lol).

I briefly mentioned it to my doctor at the time and was told my body

was adjusting to the absence of my gallbladder. I assumed that meant

all my other organs were settling in, possibly stretching out a little

with the newly acquired real estate and getting comfy now that the

gallbladder was no longer an annoying roommate.

This brings me to a more serious note. Call me whacky (many do), but

I personally felt extremely violated by the entire surgical

experience. Immediately after waking up from surgery I was distressed

at the idea of a group of relative strangers having just dipped into

my body and removed a very carefully grown organ (albeit posioned and

in need of being purged). I went through an emotional period feeling

very exposed and angry at those who " violated " me. I was young

(19) and thankfully didn't think much of it. I was also pretty

resilient physically so I moved on pretty quickly (went back to work

way too soon with a pillow strapped across my belly {can we say

" stomach binder " ???} as if a week at home would have caused my

employer financial ruin [ahhh the blissful ignorance of youth]).

Being much older and hopefully somewhat wiser I recently reflected on

the emotional aspects of that surgical experience. While I have a

better perspective on the reality of surgery since I am voluntarily

seeking WLS as opposed to resisting the procedure, as was the case

many moons ago, I realize I have a emotional sensitivity to

" outsiders " inside my body. Thus, I am fully prepared to address the

feelings of violation during my first visit to my therapist after

surgery (I may even keep her # handy/bedside in case anything else

comes up..lol).

Btw...I started therapy again after my decision to have WLS knowing

change is not my friend Thank goodness for insight as the

struggles of waiting for surgical clearance, quitting smoking and job

stress have proven to be more than adequate reasons to get " back on

the couch " . Thank goodness for my therapist and my sense of humor

(warped as it is). I am really looking forward to the other side and

dealing with post-op issues rather than pre-op preparations, worries,

tests, etc. etc.!

Sondra

Pre-Op BPD/DS

w/Dr. Herron, Mt. Sinai/NYC

3/01 canceled, tentatively re-scheduled 6/18/01

BMI 56

>

> Here it is, the first post op question..... While swallowing

liquids

> (especially thicker ones) are we supposed to feel it go allllll the

way down

> the throat and feel it in the belly like it " spreads out " ? Its like

I can

> feel it every step of the way. Am I crazy? I've had no solids yet,

just

> water, tea, Boost, jello and popsicles. And I didn't even start

them until

> last night! I would honestly feel fine if I wasn't eating anything

but I

> still keep drinking. It doesn't feel bad or anything, just funny!

: )

> Thanks! Jodie W.

> Age 28

> BMI 49.9

> Dr. Hess

> March 28, 01

> Paid By Coresource and Aetna

> Down 7 pounds in one week!

>

>

>

> Jodie....I not only felt it going down...I felt it when it LEFT MY

STOMACH!

> :-) I could literally feel my stomach empty out the last bit of

food in

> it for months....it's finally back to normal now....but Like you

said...it's

> not bad...just WEIRD. :-) lol I still feel it once in a great

while....but

> not often.

>

> hugs,

> Beth

> --

> Post-Op BPD/DS---->Tuesday, October 17, 2000

> Dr. D. S. Hess, Bowling Green, Ohio

> http://www.obesityhelp.com/p.phtml?N=Wilkins965886995

> Pre-op Stats: Height 6'0 " Weight 448lbs BMI 60.8

> 10-31-00 416lbs BMI 56.4 -32lbs

> 11-14-00 409lbs BMI 55.5 -39lbs

> 11-27-00 399lbs BMI 54.1 -49lbs

> 12-12-00 392lbs BMI 53.2 -56lbs

> 12-28-00 387lbs BMI 52.5 -61lbs

> 01-07-01 377lbs BMI 51.1 -71lbs

> 01-27-01 367lbs BMI 49.8 -81lbs

> 02-26-01 353lbs BMI 47.9 -95lbs

> 03-17-01 343lbs BMI 46.5 -105 lbs in 5 months!! :::HAPPY WIGGLE:::