CoffeeAndMagazines

Hi everyone, I'm 2 years out and I'm still annoyed by a pesky problem. When I have even just one bite of certain foods that are fatty or oily (examples: steak, vegetables sauteed in oil, hamburger, fried food, walnuts, high-fat cheese) I get instant uncomfortable stomach bubbles. It doesn't happen with all fatty foods -- for example, I can eat chocolate with no problem. I still have my gallbladder, but I know it has stones (at least it did at a pre-surgery ultrasound in 2011). Obviously it's not the end of the world, and it does help me avoid fatty foods for the most part, but still I'd like a bit of steak once in a while without discomfort, or sauteed veggies without having pain. I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this, and if so, do you know if it's gallbladder-dysfunction related? OR is it just the stomach's regular response to fatty foods and since my stomach is so teeny I can feel it much more and it causes discomfort because the bubbles get so trapped? I'm wondering whether having my gallbladder removed will make this problem go away, make it worse, or make no difference. Many thanks for your thoughts!!

I'm 7.5 weeks out and have a 32 sleeve by Dr. Cirangle. I feel like everyone is eating more than me, and with less discomfort! I'm drinking two Protein drinks a day and eating (barely) two 2 oz food meals (cheese, cold cuts, chili, Greek yogurt, etc) a day. I chew for ages and eat slooowly (40-50 minutes generally). But afterwards it feels like the food is just stuck there at the bottom of my esophagus for an hour or two. I HATE IT! :-( Will it always be like this? I feel like my sleeve is too small. It freaks me out. I'm fine with eating small amounts, but I don't want eating discomfort for the rest of my life! :-(

This is so helpful -- thank you!!! You have a great attitude and that inspires me, too. I look forward to being able to eat veggies again... oh man. I guess I need to learn to be patient and tiptoe into trying different things over time. Thank you Meg! :-)

Thank you so much, MegInNOLA and lulublu!! That is REALLY helpful to hear. I've been a bit despondent and haunted by this. I'm going to plow on and assume it will improve down the road. I really appreciate your feedback and insights!!

Thank you Shell -- you're very sweet. Relaxing about my stomach and esophagus is definitely something I'm having a hard time doing. I hope I can look back in a few months and feel relieved that it's gotten better. My nervous disposition is trying to convince me otherwise. :-/ I literally have felt at times like I made a big mistake. I've been so stressed about how uncomfortable it feels to eat and feeling like I've condemned myself to a lifetime of discomfort.

Yep, a 32 bougie

Is this the "bad breath" everyone is talking about, I hope? I literally just woke up in the middle of the night and it tasted like I'd been licking a zoo. And my tongue has some blackish stuff on it. Is this ketosis?? I need to get more carbs in, if so. I know that ketosis is bad for your kidneys. Yikes!! :-( Or am I the only one who has this zoo taste?

Oh yeah, I bought Ketostix today and I'm hardcore in ketosis -- the darkest color on the spectrum. I guess it's time for some carbs... maybe apple juice in the protein drinks or something.

Oh good, glad to know I'm not alone in this crazy feral-animal taste in my mouth!! The dark stuff on my tongue might be the grape-flavored Flintstones Vitamins, in retrospect... LOL. I'll keep an eye on that just in case. I've only ever gotten a black tongue from Pepto Bismol, which is gross-looking but at least I know what that is and it's normal.

Hello peeps, I'm on Day 12 post-op. I got my first esophageal spasm 2 days ago, and now they come and go constantly. My doctor's office prescribes Ativan, up to 2mg, as it can help with muscle spasms. I've also been doing acupressure on the nausea wrist points with Sea Bands. These do help a bit. But the spasms linger and come back. And they're uncomfortable and scare me. Do these die down at some point??? Yet again I find myself wondering what I've just signed up for... :-( Worriedly yours, Brooke

I'm a week out from sleeving and having some weird symptoms. It started with red welts on my torso where the surgical tape was. Then a couple days later I noticed my torso front was covered in red speckles. They started getting itchy a day or two later. I also noticed some itching in the, er, feminine area. Now last night my cheeks (face) turned bright red from nose to hairline and eyes to a bit down my neck, and are swollen. I've contacted my doctor at each of these symptoms (of course) and been told so far it's dermatitis. But I'm worried I have a fungal infection -- I need to go in today and get some attention from someone about all this. Has anyone else experienced anything like this???

T This is so scary. And good to keep in mind since I need my GB out in a few months. WOW -- I hope your dad is okay now!! Why on earth don't surgeons TEST these materials on a patient before using them, since the consequences can be so serious??? I may insist on that in the future! I mean, cripes!!

Ah, good to know -- thanks!!

Yes, they covered each with glue. I can't peel it off because it's stuck on good and tight.

Thanks so much for your concern! I'm still waiting for that call -- the doc got in at 5am from his Hawaii clinic. 4 out of 5 of my incision sites are infected -- this I do now know. I haven't done anything to them, but somehow they're all inflamed, warm, and red. It's looking like I'll be getting antibiotics today. I thought they were healing great, but this just happened in the last couple days. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit freaked out right now...

The tape reaction showed up in the first few days, but since the speckled stuff showed up later the PA thinks it's not related to the surgical supplies. ?? I just took some Benedryl and they're calling me back soon. Thank you guys!!

Hello fellow sleevies, I was sleeved 5 days ago. Definitely had a few "What the hell did I do to myself" little weepy moments so far. I feel like I have stomach claustrophobia, it's so small in there. I was wondering what your experiences were in terms of: * Stomach air when you drink? Even tho I'm taking tiny-to-small sips, I almost always seem to feel an air bubble under my breastbone afterwards. Does that get better? Can you take kinda normal-size swallows of liquid after 6 months, a year, more? Or do you always feel some stomach air bubble thing when drinking? * Trying to get all the Protein and fluids in? I'm only hitting about 40 grams of protein a day so far, and only about 32-35oz of fluids. How on earth am I going to get up to 70g and 64oz?? Did any of you fall short of this the whole time and were okay anyway? * Low energy -- does it get better or does the thin liquid phase just feel like this? (I'm not on any pain meds, so it's not narcotic snooze) Thanks everyone!! I really appreciate your thoughts!!

SO MUCH good info here that makes me feel better -- I feel like I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. It's been hard the last few days, feeling hungry and watching my family eat real food. I didn't think I'd *be* hungry, because of the surgery factoids about removing the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin. Well, I'm definitely hungry. I can't wait to eat real food again and get my energy back. Thank you so much, you guys!!!

BTW did anyone else get post-op dermatitis? I have red welts where the surgical tape was on my torso, and speckled red all over the front of my torso. I sent photos to the surgeon's office and they said it was dermatitis (I, of course, being a panicking sort worried it was MRSA or a fungal infection).

Thank you guys for your info and comments!! I really appreciate it!! I have to admit, my worst fear is that air in my stomach will cause my staple line to pull and leak. :-( I don't think I'll have a day of peace of mind until a couple months out, when it's all healed up...

I just had a really ugly panic attack and need some positive post-op stories otherwise I think I may explode. Also, if someone wants to call me, that would be welcome. I'm at 415-439-3879. Please help -- thank you!!!

I'm glad to hear you're 8 days out and doing well!! Everything you said is RIGHT!! Thank you!!

Thanks for this!! I really appreciate your help and words of encouragement!! I am glad I have Dr. Cirangle -- I feel I gave myself the best odds of success by choosing him. thank you again!! :-)

I still sorta can't believe this, but I just rescheduled my surgery from January 12, 2012 to November 28 -- the Monday after Thanksgiving. I begged for a new date because 10 days ago I started experiencing HORRIBLE panic, fear, anxiety, whatever other words there are for terror. I'm so grateful to not have to panic for 2 whole months, but I'm still panicking. I'm crying as I write this. I fantasize about just canceling the whole thing. I've taken an Ativan here and there, but I can't take too many of those. My old cognitive-behavioral therapist has zero availability in such a short period of time. She said, "I'm sorry I can't help you right now." I feel like I'm blowing in the wind, and just in mortal terror. My big fear is "anesthesia awareness" -- waking up during surgery. I'm afraid of feeling the pain of surgery. I'm afraid of having this raw, cut-up, painful stomach afterwards. I'm just in terror!! Help!! Does anyone have words of comfort, experience, cheerleading, whatever you've got?? THANK YOU!!!! :-(

You guys are unspeakably awesome. I am so grateful and touched by all your cheerleading, advice, and words of comfort!! Thank you all!!!! I'm going to do the surgery -- it would take a lot for me to really cancel it. Ativan is helping, to be honest. So is talking with my family. The doctor's office staff isn't the most patient/compassionate bunch -- which is making it harder -- but I'm going to try to get them to hook me up with the anesthesiologist to have a chat. And it helps to talk to you guys! Meanwhile, I'm doing a pre-op liquid Protein fast, and it's actually not too bad (knock on wood). It's a bit of a bummer to miss Thanksgiving, but I've already lost 5 lbs, which makes me feel like, "Hey! The ball is rolling and this is already working for me!" AND I get to have my Christmas back, because by then this will be all over with and I can actually enjoy it instead of freaking out!! Thank you again for your really super-helpful words. I'm going to print this out and keep it with me!