Weight Loss Journey: Episode 3 – The Day After Surgery

CHI Health Weight Management Program
https://www.chihealth.com/en/services/weight-management/bariatric-program.html

The first day of Tara Gustin’s new life was spent in a lot of pain.

“I was mentally prepared for it to a degree but I was surprised at how painful it was. They say I’m doing good; I’ve already been out walking,” Tara said.

Tara spent years getting up the courage to consider laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. The Alegent Creighton Health Weight Management Center at Immanuel Medical Center counseled her on weight loss options and expectations. Tara decided on surgery.

“I feel sore and tired – very tired. Today is better than yesterday. Yesterday was really rough. They extended my belly with gasses so they could move everything around,” Tara said.

Tara was not only uncomfortable, the day after surgery, she was also thirsty — very thirsty. But Tara will tell you for the first time in her life, she wasn’t thinking about food.

“Initially you come out of surgery and it’s 24 hours before you can have anything to drink. I can swab to wet my mouth but I can’t have anything to drink. I haven’t had anything since the night before last. I thought I would be starving but I’m not even hungry at all,” Tara said.

And as the clock ticks by, Tara knows she’s healing. Even though the pain is a little more than she expected, Tara has no regrets.

“Anytime you have surgery, you are going to have some pain. This is a little more intense than I thought it would be. It is what it is. You get past that and I would do it again in a heartbeat” Tara said.