windycitymom

Hello Vets, I've been having increased burping and I'm almost 5Yrs post op. Its been fairly smooth sailing so far in terms of complications (only limited ones not worth mentioning). Now I'm burping uncontrollably. I do not have any any heartburn "typical" symptoms. I'm taking Pantoprazole along with just starting on Carafate. I did not have any GERD prior to surgery however Dr. Aceves told me that I had a hiatal hernia that he fixed during sleeve surgery even though I had no idea I had it. I'm told I may possibly need a revision sleeve to bypass which I do NOT want to do but the new surgeon doctor (I was operated on by Dr. Aceves so I can't see him about this unfortunately, may he RIP... ) told me I may have a "kink in my sleeve". Apparently sometimes they put a stitch or two in to keep the sleeve from floating around. My sleeve was not stitched into place to keep it from flopping around so I guess it may have a kink. I'm supposed to get an endoscopy scheduled in the next few weeks with a GI and the (new) surgeon doc wants to be present to see what she's working with. Has anyone ever had this happen this far after surgery? Confused and concerned...

Is that normal to not be able to pee even though you have too. I was wheeled into srgery at 8:30 am and I haven't peed all day, I feel like I have go but when i get there. NADA I can't get anything out... I don't want a catheter so they gave me narcotics. Has anyone else had this experience?

Thanks Erp

Thanks James. I really appreciate the comprehensive list and the support! This is interesting and sounds as though it may be an ulcer and not a hiatal hernia. They want to give me a possible revision to gastric bypass however I'm thinking that maybe I should wait it out to see if the carafate takes care of the ulcer. I read it can take 4-8 for Carafate to heal an ulcer, does that sound right? I hate to rush into surgery if I don't need it and don't want to get a bypass unless it's my only choice.

I'm almost 5 yrs post op and having excessive burping that could be either an ulcer or a hernia, we're not sure. I'm about to start doing testing and currently starting on Carafate a couple days ago. Prior to now, I've had an incredibly easy complication free experience with easy weight loss and return to normal live. I'm happy with my choice to have this operation however if you continue to look on the site you will see folks with other complications late stage like addisons disease and thyroid issues so it isnt bullet proof :_ best of luck!

Has anyone had back pain post surgery? I am about 4.5 years post op and am having major back problems. Some of my do are wondering if it is due to scar tissue from my VSG. About 3 years ago, I had an L4/L5 microdiskectomy/Lamincectomy and I assumed it was unrelated to my VSG. I'm told the surgery was a success and cleaned up my herniated disk however I have had continued back pain, nerve problems (numbness/tingling/weakness in my right leg) that is progressively getting worse and so I continue to see new doctors but noone can clearly tell me what is going on and how to fix it. MRIs show the nerve channel is restricted however it's unclear how and why. Feel like I"ve been chasing this for 3 years and not sure where to turn. My thought was that they are totally unrelated however my PT specialist has been feeling around in my tummy and she's finding some tightness in there. Anyone have any thoughts about if this could be related to my VSG surgery?

Hi there Vets, I'm almost 4.5 years post op and loving my pouch. I am staying within 10 lbs of my goal and trying to stick to clean eating although find that I'm much more loose with the rules that I was once so committed to. Recently, I noticed that I burp alot more than i have in the past after i finish a meal and I burp for a longer amount of time. It used to be something I could "hide" but now it's more pronounced and I'm less in control of it. Should I be worried about this? has anyone else had this problem? Thanks in advance Vets!

Great to see everyone! I wish you a speedy recovery jane! I've been gaining and losing the same 10 lbs over and over again. I do feel like my cockiness has gotten me in trouble being too overconfident. Old habits are creeping back however I just can't do as much damage this time around and for that I am grateful. I don't feel that is a permanent situation though. Id love to hear what your favorite way to take off regain is?

Hi All, I'm almost 4 yrs post op and I swing within about 3-8 pounds above my goal for the last 3.5 years. In the last 6-12 months, I feel like my legs and back side have gained a tremendous amount of weight and are getting "bulky" again with fat and cellulite, however, my weight is consistent. I also simultaneously am (late 40s) having hormone issues while I flirt with menopause so lots of changes going on. New back, shoulder, neck and foot problems are kicking in too, so making exercise more challenging. Has anyone had this situation where their weight gets redistributed or they become "chunky" while the number on the scale is roughly the same? I'm trying to figure out if this is what happens after one has had the sleeve for a while and the body gets used this new weight or if this is a hormone thing or maybe all of the above. I've always been pear shaped but after sleeve most of my bottom heaviness evened out with the top cuz I was so thin but not so much anymore. Lisa

Yes, I'm working out. Not as much as I'd like to but I'm working out (6-7 days/ week - pilates) and get in 10,000 steps (roughly 3-4 days/week) Definately, I am not at where I'd like to be at. I"ve had some major back issue impacting my legs and mobility so I'm not doing what I'd like to do but certainly working up to it debating if it even matters....

Yes, I'm sure it has to do with hormones too. I feel like a 200 lb person on the bottom again but I didn't feel this way in my body or two or three years ago so maybe it is the resettling of the fat past being at goal for 1 year...

Cheri, Congrats on your loss, your "skinny' frame of mind and your new survival skills. I am going on 4 yrs post op with Dr. Aceves. I remember when I first met him before my surgery, he told me "you know, I can operate on your stomach but I can't operate on your mind". I have never forgotten that conversation and of course, now when I think about how lucky I was to be one of the his patients, I remember that. My life has been a roller coaster as well, losing my father, mother and brother over the last few years, moving long distance and starting a new life coupled with many other challenges, i have been confronted by the memory of Dr. Aceves like an angel speaking to me reminding me of what he operated on. The interesting thing is when I was going through my most recent "roller coaster ride of life" dealing with a challenging relationship, i was doing the 5:2 diet. It was interesting to see how on my fast days, my mind had so much more clarity and strength. I continue to learn and teach myself new ways to survive when life gets "rough". I too haven't had plastics (yet) although I lurk on RealSelf until I have money and time to do something with I have my procedure and my doctors all picked out in my head at least I thank god for my gift (both my sleeve and for Dr. Aceves' comment). Congrats to you and please keep us all updated on your status!

@@Cowgirl You should know that i am nearly 4 yrs post op and though you don't know me from adam, you have been a big influence on my decision to get the surgery, my progress and now my veteran success. I don't always thank you but want you to know that if it wasn't for you, i wouldn't be were I am at today. I'd be willing to bet you that there are about a 100,000 other "people like me" out there that you have impacted who may not have posted, or may not have had surgery or who have posted and have had surgery. You've impacted us all, please don't question your relevance. If your input was not relevant, I would not have had surgery, I would not have known what to do after the surgery and lastly I would not have maintained or had direction. i agree with you on some things and disagree on a few but mostly appreciate the input which forces me to think about myself and what is right for me. I appreciate you and you are totally relevant to my success and obviously there are many more like me!

There used to be a vet forum and I can't find it. Help! They were discussing maintenance and new ideas and support for those that are 2+ years out.

I"m trying to figure out what people are doing to get rid of "regain". I've regained 10 pounds but it feels and looks like 20-30. I'm almost 4 yrs out and I feel like over the last year I've "gained" it all back in the sense that all the lumps bumps and disproportionate parts are here again. I'm considering Plastics but prefer to avoid that. Mostly, i want to feel in control again. I've done 5 Day pouch test and also 5:2 but haven't really found "my groove" to keep my weight under control. Dr. Aceves said it best when he told me that he could operate on my stomach but he couldn't operate on my head. Wow, was he right! Anyone else feel the same? Do you have any good resources out there that work?

I have had a similar experience with where I carry my weight and I'm out over 3.5 years and honestly it is getting worse. I've only gained a couple pounds since hitting goal but they are all turning into lumpy cottage cheese and same "shaping" as before surgery just smaller. I'm very curious to see what you find out and I'll do the same as I start exploring. Good luck and congrats on your success!

So well said @@CowgirlJane

Thanks MichiganChic! I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. I'll never forget what a great man once told me. "Ya know, i can operate on your stomach to make it smaller but I can't operate on your brain"....... Dr. Alberto Aceves February, 2012. I still think about this statement almost every day and I understand a little more every day as I "grow into" my new tummy (almost 3 yrs later). I find myself grateful for my new tummy that reminds me when I am grazing and reminds me when I've had enough or when I've made some unhealthy decisions. For me it's the mental/emotional hunger game that challenges me. For the first 1 - 1.5 years post op, I rarely thought about food as I really could do anything with the thought. In the last 1 - 1.5 years (yrs 2 and 3 post op), I can actually do stuff about it, I can chose to carb graze, I can chose to eat unhealthy foods, I can overindulge but the difference in my mental state is that if I have a rough day, the next day when I wake up in the morning my stomach has forgiven me. The question is will I let my brain's "sabotaging thoughts" overrule my tummy and make me have another bad day. Every day, i have a new choice and the great news is that I get another "new day" tomorrow. 3 years ago, if I had a tough day, it could last me for months or longer sometimes (mentally). I would beat myself up and make it too difficult to make healthy choices for myself. Post Surgery, I have some days with healthful choices and other days I do not. The key for me is to decrease the amount of tough days and try not to hold a grudge. The 5:2 plan allows me the opportunity to feel in control (when I do it) which also works my "self sabotage recordings" inversely so that I have the confidence to make good decisions for the rest of the day. I like where I'm at today (mentally) and I am learning how to use my strengths and challenges to help me get a healthier lifestyle. I weighed in at 138.9LBS this morning and hope to continue with the 5:2 lifestyle so that I can continue to work on my brain and feel in control while making healthful decisions.

Today I tried to do my first fast in about a month. I came in at 690 cal. I have been trying to for a few weeks to get a fast in and have been feeling defeated and overwhelmed as I have been unable to do it. This weekend, I moved my home office from the Family Room (off the kitchen) to the Living room and I think that may have been a contributing factor and exactly what the doctor ordered. My Water consumption was lower than i'd like to see but I'm going to work on that. My carb monster has been out recently something fierce lately with the holidays and feeling quite lazy to boot. I am hopeful that getting back into 5:2 will help me to control that "uncontrollable" feeling that I get when I have been having more challenging days and unable to eat clean. So, I ask myself, what is the difference? Well, it's no longer my TOM and also I am feeling really very grateful for everything (literally everything....) especially this gift of been given of my sleeve. I better get to bed soon. I have become a night time eater and a "eat when I'm tired" eater (bad combo) so I don't want to succumb. I'll let you know what the scale says tomorrow AM.

Thank you QOC and VSG for breaking it down and making it simple for us to see what you eat. Sometimes the idea of making it to 500 cal on a fast day seems daunting so your details of what you eat on fast days is very informative and honestly inspirational. Thank you!!! and congrats on your successes!!! Keep up the great work ladies, this is very motivating to see.

FYE, thanks for the feedback and I'll definitely rewatch the video and then pre entry to MFP on Monday's Fast Day. I think that is a great idea, thanks for sharing!!

Thanks Cowgirl!! Can't wait to snoop around realself.

I'm having a hard time getting my first fast day in. I work from home so I tried to get out of the house today and then came back to a house full of kids an lost my control . Monday, i tried to fast but couldn't make it through mid afternoon and crumbled. Today, i tried again and once i hit dinner and fed the rest of my family all of the things that they wanted (cuz none eats the same things), I was too overwhelmed to make myself something separate and gave in. After I added everything up, I thought I'd be up a couple hundred over but instead I was up to 1200. I usually hover around 1800 cal/day so I guess 1200 is not bad but I was feeling the best last time I was getting some momentum with the 5:2 when I stuck to 400-600 cal/day on fast days. I do generally tend to have a lot more calories than most on my non strict days. I am also a week away from my TOM but I hate to make excuses. I'm going to give it a break tomorrow and start up with 5:2 again on Thursday. I hope to have some more willpower then. Sorry to be the downer in the group but I did want to be honest about where I am at.

Alright ladies. It's a new year and a new us/me!!! I just found out about 5:2 on this thread and have done it successfully a couple times and was elated with the results but then came the holidays and I fell off. I'm looking forward to getting back on the wagon with all of you inspirational fine women! February will be my 3yr post op mark. Last year (2nd yr post op) I lived around 139-143lbs. Recently, after moving out west with my family, I have been hovering around 137-140 lbs and I'd like to live around 132-135lbs. My pre-surgery goal was 135 and i have been there a few times but haven't been successful at maintaining there. It sounds silly that it's so close but yet so far. I tell myself that it is so close so I don't really need to make any changes or do anything about it, but that is what keeps it so far! My goals this 2015 are about making healthy choices. I see myself turning to food when I'm bored, lonely or overwhelmed and I see myself revisiting old habits (cleaning kids plates via my mouth, carb grazing, staring at cabinets, choosing processed Snacks over fresh fruits and vegees, emotional eating habits all are scaring me). I'm also considering plastics in the next year or two. I lost about 65 lbs so the skin isn't as much of a problem as the sagging and lack of muscle tone. I've been working out with a trainer for about 7 months now and though I see improvement in my overall strength and fitness, I see little to no improvement in my cellulite (legs/tummy) and my saggy girl parts ;( If anyone has a good resource for investigating post-bariatric plastics where I can peruse photos, I'd gladly appreciate any pointers. Thank you ladies for your inspiration and your support, I love watching all of you and your success, it is contagious!!

Thanks FYE for rallying the troups, Monday check ins are a little harder after a gain during Thanksgiving week. And, I blew off one fast day (as it was my my husband and sons birthdays and then Thanksgiving) Thanks for the reminder that each day is a new day. I used to ride out when I don't follow my plan as a failure and have the "fuck it" attitude for weeks after that. Today is a fast day for me and so I'm steaming an artichoke and preparing a low fat Mayo/mustard/dill dip. 125 cal . My goal this week is to work on my 5 days and make sure that I track everything. Fasting on my 2 days seems to be easier as I appear to be eating (on my 5 days) roughly 1700-1800 cal. It sounds like that is too much from reading this string, but I'm not sure if maybe it is what my body needs and can handle. Lisa