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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!!

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

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! :-(

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.

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?

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

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!!