byjenna

I am 7 months out from my sleeve surgery. It's been a crazy road but I have no regrets. I started my journey with an infection in my liver which left me hospitalized for several weeks. I've overcome those issues and my liver functions are coming back. I'm down from 280 lbs. to 151 lbs. Gym everyday. 80 grams of protein. Healthy solid eating. Water water water... yet, I still wake up several days a week with liquid bowels which causes me great weakness and nausea... like I have to lay on the floor kinda weak. I'm taking in 'enough' fluid but I seem to dehydrate in a matter of minutes. I can't live like this- it's killing my positive vibe. I need suggestions on what to do to combat this issue. Thanks all!

I had my gallbladder out years ago. In terms of the infection iny liver, it came as a result of the surgery. I ended ip with abscesses on the liver as well. I was weeks in the hospital on many antibiotics. My doctor said he had never seen it happen before... lucky me. I am taking a probiotic, so thanks for the tip. Also, I do eat protein bars. Perhaps I will make some adjustments based on the suggestions you all gave me and hope for the best. Thank you!!!

I had my surgery 3 weeks ago. It's been rough. Not able to eat anything but jello, popsicles and the occasional bit of yogurt. Protein is tough too but I am trying. I've lost 47 pounds (surgery weight was 264) which seems fast. I'm taking all of my vitamins and actually went back to work on Monday. I worked at my desk, took it slow, no big flights of stairs on both Monday and Tuesday. I even left a bit early. Tuesday night I began having excruciating pain in my upper right side. I couldn't sleep and getting up was near impossible. The pain moved into my legs for a few hours as well which was very scary. Weird thing is that I could have sworn on Tuesday at my desk I felt a popping in that same area, almost like a snap or an electric shock. I stayed home today but the pain is even worse. No fever. No vomiting. I don't want to be a wuss but it seems odd that 3 weeks out I would develop the worst pain yet. Am I overreacting? Any recommendations?

When I was still it was not bad. Movement was unbearable.

I never got a fever even though my staph had spread throughout both upper quadrants.

Probably just a fluke. The staph infection was the most serious and painful. If it spread, I could have died.. You know your body...even in it's new condition. If you feel like there is something wrong, get help. I learned my lesson.

Get to the doctor. I had a very serious staph infection, as well as kidney stones.

I think calling the doctor is a good recommendatiom. Thank you!

I had my gallbladder out several years ago. Tyler, what you have described is pretty much spot on.

I'm 10 days pot- op. I've lost 15 lbs since surgery (early on...slow now)... 32 since pre-op diet. I am eating when I feel a need but really don't know if I'm getting enough or too much. I feel good (very sore) but I can tolerate everything without issue. Today I ate a sugar free hello, a fat free tapioca pudding, a cup of tea, water, a tiny bowl of egg drop soup, 1/2 an avocado and a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt. I'm every other day with protein shakes because I hate them. Is this too much food, not enough... I'm not someone who is going to measure and track and calculate- I know that so why fool myself? I start to feel hungry so I eat a bit... am I going about this the wrong way?

You are all absolutely right... I did all of this prep work (for 6 solid months)...why take my eye off the ball now? I have to get organized and start eating to live, not living to eat.

I'm 5 days out from my surgery. Everything went perfect during surgery. After surgery I struggled with severe pain, and continue to do so. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days and then begged to go home... I now regret that. I am weak, exhausted and in pain. The painkillers give me moments of peace but barely. I am struggling through drinking fluids, protein, and cream of wheat. Every swallow results in a sharp, almost unbearable pain that shoots through my chest. I walk a tiny bit and need to sit down. My headache is going on 3 straight days. I thought this entire process would be smooth and easy for me. I'm healthy with no co-morbidities, young, and not extremely overweight. This is something I thought about and committed to for 6 months, and it feels so disappointing now. I'm losing weight...12 pounds in the past 5 days, but I feel like complete crap. Please tell me it gets better! Am I doing something wrong? Suggestions?

My surgery is on Tuesday morning. I've done little else but dream of this day for the past 6 months. I've done my research and I'm proud of myself for commiting to the prep program. But now as the day hangs near I am terri fied. I think about neing put under and sliced up and my heart begins racing. I'm a single mom and my 15 year old needs me in his life (ironically that is one of the reasons I chose the surgery- so that I can live a long healthy life.) I am not having second thoughts but the fear is overwhelming.

I am 20 days away from my surgery and decided to start my pre-op diet a bit early. I have had a terrible addiction to Coca-Cola for years- stopping cold-turkey was not easy, but definately necessary. I'm struggling, trying to adapt to high proteins, vitamins, more water, etc.- it's a shock to the system to all of a sudden eat healthy! I think the biggest discovery for me has been the realization that I am addicted to eating. Food has been the biggest part of my life for so long that I almost mourn the loss at this point. Rather than thinking about what I am going to eat incessantly, now I am obsessing about what I can't eat. I have all of these wonderful things in my life; family, career, friends- and food has been the thing that takes up most of my time. It's sad. My concern (and fear) with having the sleeve surgery is that my addiction will continue. Even though I won't physically be able to eat, will I still obsess over food? Will I think about it all of the time? Will I sink into some sort of depression (I've never been depressed in my life) because I can't eat? How can I combat this? I am so excited for my surgery. I've remained committed for the past 6 months to my appointments. I've done my homework, and I am as mentally as prepared as I can be. Any experiences or input anyone can provide would be very helpful at this point.