Mews

It's definitely ketosis. Mine faded after I started on mushies. I was so thankful 'cause that taste was nasty!

Ya, the first month was hell for me (2 weeks clear liquids, then 2 weeks full liquids). It shall pass though.

I had my surgery on March 15 and for a good while afterwards I seriously regretted the surgery. Then again, I developed some complications (blood clot, infected incision, etc.). Now, I wouldn't use the word regret. Just frustrated. I just wish I had gone into it more informed. While I had done a LOT of research on the surgery, there were plenty of things I didn't find out until afterwards. I'm incredibly mad at my doctor for not warning me about these things like an increase in depression in some patients, low energy levels, stalls, draining wounds, problems associated with no/low carb diets, etc. I understand that they don't want to scare off patients but I get really pissed off when they act like this sort of stuff never happens. You read enough of these forums and see what problems people go through and you would think that the medical professionals would at least be honest when you ask about post-surgery issues. Please don't get me wrong. I'm NOT trying to scare you off. I just think that everybody should be as informed as possible going into major surgery. You'll probably be like most and have no issues whatsoever. At the same time you need to know just in case you are in the minority.

My students said I looked like "death washed over" until about a month after surgery (around the time I started mushies). I think it's normal due to the low amount of calories we intake immediately after surgery.

There are different forms of carbs. Mr. Worm has a point but there are plenty of ways to get good carbs: fruits, veggies, multigrain breads, etc. I think it all depends on what your NUT tells you. Mine doesn't push the low carb diet and instead wants me to eat a balanced one with the above foods in it. For the first month post-op I was miserable because I had no energy. Let's just say that ketosis was not nice to me. My NUT said that I was too focused on protein and that each meal should be a balance of 2:1 ratio of protein to carbs. I switched it up and I'm feeling so much better. Mind you, I'm probably losing weight at a much slower pace than others but I'm no longer dragging along, feeling like poop. I'll take the former over the latter any day.

Tell them to give you more pain meds. You shouldn't be in this much pain. As for regret, that shall pass. You are miserable right now but things will get better.

I wouldn't try traveling that soon after surgery. I was wiped out for about two weeks afterwards. Just reschedule the surgery for after trip.

I get the hunger too and it's definitely not head hunger. I'm on prescription Prilosec too but that doesn't help. I asked my doc about it and he said it was plain old physical hunger. I will just have a small healthy snack to stave it off but because of it I eat about six times a day.

1) is it preferred to sleep in a recliner or the bed post op? I slept in bed with no problems but I didn't really have any discomfort I know some people prefer sleeping in recliners because they cannot get comfortable in bed. 2) did anyone have improved bladder issues? I definitely don't pee nearly as much, maybe two or three times a day. What is nice is that I no longer have any accidents from things like sneezing or heavy coughing any more.

I enjoy the premade Lean Shakes that have, I think 21g of protein in it but is also low carbs. It's one of the very few protein drinks I can tolerate. And yes, they do have a good return policy.

My doc gave me the clearance once I was off the meds completely.

How long before driving? As soon as I was off the pain meds I was allowed to drive. However, I felt very foggy the first few weeks of surgery so my husband drove me everywhere. How long before being able to swim in a pool or a lake or the ocean? Six weeks is what my surgeon required. Same for a bath where I would submerge myself. Supposedly as the incision is still soft it is prone to infection. What are the lifting restrictions and for how long? Nothing heavier than 20 lbs for the first six weeks. He said that this was to prevent a hernia from erupting at the incision site. Any others? Besides the food restrictions, nothing that I can think of.

I wouldn't worry about veggies for a while. I can only eat soft cooked ones right now at seven weeks out. Raw ones will take a little while longer. And yes, your taste buds do change. Ironically I can no longer tolerate any sugar substitutes (e.g., Splenda, NutraSweet, etc). I know I don't tolerate fried foods very well both in taste and in digestion.

My big one right above my belly button is hard as well. As long as it's not red and hot to the touch (signs of infection), you should be fine.

Think of it this way: what would your life span be if you didn't have the surgery? Considering that most of us here are either quite obese or morbidly obese our chances of living a long life are very slim. At least this surgery will help us get that long life. Also, from what I have read, and what Lissa had mentioned, is that other people have had this surgery for things like cancer and ulcers and have lived a very long life. Things to keep in mind.

I really like the Atkins Bars but I haven't really tried anything else. The meal replacement ones have somewhere around 17g of protein with little carbs. I can only eat about 1/2 a one at a time but it gives me that nice full feeling (the good one) that lasts a couple of hours.

More solid Proteins are more difficult to go down. I know with cold cuts I can only eat about two pieces before I feel very full. In terms of being full, I'm having a hard time figuring out when I actually am full. The only way I know is when I'm hit with a sudden wave of nausea and by then it's too late. I'm trying to undereat my sleeve but it has been difficult finding that "sweet spot" where I am full enough that I won't be hungry in an hour but not too full.

I told everybody (with the exception of one of my bosses...long story), including my students, as I had the surgery mid semester. Everybody was incredibly supportive and my students really showed some serious concern for me when I had problems. I think it's up to the individual person. Some people might feel uncomfortable in telling the world that they had WLS. In that case, just say that you've changed your eating habits. It's not a lie and usually people will leave you alone after that.

When in doubt, call your doc. They usually have someone on call to answer your questions. It's better to be safe than sorry IMHO.

I was able to take all my meds in pill form within a few days after surgery. My doc's only restriction was that the pills be no larger than an M&M. As for taking them, one at a time with a small sip of Water. It takes a while as I'm on quite a few meds. Now that I'm 7 weeks out I can take the small ones in one handful and just leave the smaller ones to one at a time. I would recommend talking to your surgeon about this.

Just an FYI, your tastes will change post-op so what tastes good now may not after surgery. This happened to me and I'm glad I didn't invest in a ton of Protein drinks beforehand.

I have chronic insomnia so I've been taking Ambien for many years. I also have sleep apnea and have been able to take it without any issues. In the two weeks right after surgery I had some wicked insomnia that Ambien couldn't even help. When I asked my doc he said that my body was dealing with major surgery and extreme diet changes and that could lead to insomnia. Thankfully it passes after two weeks.

It took me about a month to lose the weakness. I'm still suffering from fatigue but I'm more or less functional now.

I agree with you on that plus the fact that low fat products tend to replace all the fat with junk and usually more sugar. Also, I've stopped doing SF products. In my situation, I've had serious energy issues so the little bit of sugar helps. Plus, for some strange reason since surgery I cannot stand any artificial sweeteners. They all just taste wrong to me.

It seems that depression is very common post-op. If your symptoms last longer than what you are comfortable with have a talk with your doc. For me I was suffering from chronic depression pre-op so I was already on meds but even I started gaining symptoms post-op. I know it's rough but hang in there as it should pass.