edpsych78

Dumping triggers for me have been unpredictable. I’m walking a fine line between low blood sugar that makes me pass out and too much that causes dumping. I can eat pudding one day (not sugar free) and be fine, but have dumping eating exactly the same thing tomorrow. I have noticed that simple sugars in combination with simple carbs or full fat dairy almost always trigger me. But applesauce, fruits, and sugar paired with 1% dairy is different. I also can’t consume sugary things that are more liquid in consistency. For example, a handful of dry cereal is fine, but even with skim milk on it I’ll dump. I think it’s so individualized that you just have to see what works and learn through experience sometimes. I will say that I’m so glad not to have reflux any more.

I had a sleeve done just over 5 years ago. I lost a lot of weight very quickly and managed to keep it off. However, I had ongoing issues with gastritis, GERD, and GI motility. At the beginning of 2019 those issues got much worse. I ended up being hospitalized because I couldn’t eat or drink and was in terrible pain. I had a great bariatric surgeon who was persistent in figuring out what was happening. He determined that my sleeve was not functioning, everything I ate stayed in my stomach and esophagus for way too long. After trying several non-surgical interventions we ended up having to convert to a bypass 4 weeks ago. The conversion to bypass has been a completely different recovery than when I had my sleeve. I never had dumping with the sleeve, and I learned the signs of being full easily. After the bypass, I don’t have any sensation of fullness until I suddenly have terrible stabbing pain under my left collarbone. I also have experienced both the “slimeys” and dumping multiple times. Dumping syndrome is no joke. I’ll immediately start to feel flushed, weak, intense nausea, and within 10 minutes have diarrhea. The only relief is to lie down for a couple of hours until the weakness and nausea pass. I never vomited after my sleeve, but following the bypass my stomach will randomly reject something, even if I’ve eaten it successfully before, and I’ll vomit it all back up. The positive side of the conversion is that I have no reflux at all anymore. After living with terrible GERD for decades, even after my sleeve, that’s a huge relief. It has been a struggle to try to stop losing weight after this surgery, because I’m way under my target weight. The only advice I’d give to you is expect that this will be an entirely new journey, and some of the things that worked after your sleeve won’t work this time around. Be patient with yourself and follow your diet restrictions. With bypass it’s been even more important to get my protein and liquids in. Don’t worry about food for a while, that will come in time.

I am just over 2 years out from my vertical sleeve. I've lost a total of 140 pounds and have been maintaining for the past 12 months. I had a stricture at the top of my sleeve approximately 16 months ago and had an EGD with dilation that helped. I have started to have the same issues again - inability to eat or drink, severe pain, nausea, dehydration - and saw my surgeon again yesterday. She has scheduled another EGD and dilation but mentioned that I may need to have a revision to an RNY bypass due to the stricture. Basically, the stricture makes my sleeve the same size that the pouch would be if I had a bypass. I have also struggled with gastritis on an ongoing basis so I've been kept on 40 mg of omeprazole twice per day. I don't feel reflux but that's not to say it isn't silent. I'm wondering if there are any other members out there who have had to do the bypass revision from the sleeve due to stricture and not necessarily reflux? I'm just really concerned about the side effects of the bypass revision. I am wondering about your experience with additional weight loss after the revision. I would be okay losing maybe 15 pounds more, but would not want to go any further than that. I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences to help me know what to expect. Thank you!

You all look so amazing and have been incredibly inspiring along my journey. Here are a couple of my pics 8 months post-op and 108 pounds down. SW: 304 CW: 196

So I am now officially 8 months post-op and today I took my first "after" photo. I was very proud of the outfit and shoes I wore to work today - definitely something I've never worn in my life. I thought I would share with all of you. The first one was taken the day I came home from the hospital after having surgery. The second is 8 months post-op. I am so happy I made this decision and life change!

I'm 7 months out now and this started for me 2 months ago. It happens only if I eat just a bite or two too much. They're the most painful hiccups I've ever experienced!

I had similar requirements for my BCBS insurance. I had to do the six-month supervised physician diet over, even though I'd been on Weight Watchers prior and had documentation. My first appointment with my physician was on May 6, 2013, and I had surgery on November 19, 2013. As soon as I had my 6th physician appointment on October 6, they submitted the request to insurance and it was approved very quickly. Best of luck to you!!

I agree with AllisonKara - it's really up to your surgeon. I know that my surgeon did not want me traveling that far from home for a minimum of 6 weeks.

I'm 6 weeks post-op, and my nutritionist and surgeon really gave me an allowed amount of calories. They told me just to focus on getting the Protein and Water in. For the past 2-3 weeks I've consistently been in the 500-600 calorie range with 30g of carbs or less. I have another appointment with my surgeon next week, so we'll see if they make any adjustments. I've lost 40 pounds as of this morning. Hope that helps!

I'm 6 weeks post-op and transitioned to soft foods 3 weeks post-op. I've had very good luck with food, so I was cleared to eat what I could tolerate more quickly than other patients my surgeon has. Here's what I had yesterday, which is very typical for me: Breakfast: 2 ounces Cherry Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt and 1 light string cheese. Lunch: 2 oz. of a Ranch flavored Starkist Tuna Creations pouch; 1 light string cheese; 1 ounce pears in Water. PM Snack: One Premier Protein shake (30g) Dinner: 2 oz. grilled turkey breast tenderloin marinated in 2 Tbsp. Fat Free Zesty Italian dressing, 1 ounce peas. I also drank 64 ounces of water during the day. It worked out to 531 calories and 84 grams of protein for the day. I am usually between 550 and 600 calories. My nutritionist is very happy with my food journal since surgery. Down 40 pounds in 6 weeks as of today. Good luck to you in the new year!

I'm 6 weeks post-op today, and I still occasionally get stomach spasms. They're strong and very painful when they do happen. I've noticed drinking something cold causes them, but I also get them at other times for no apparent reason. My surgeon prescribed hyoscyamine before I left the hospital, and that helps very quickly. They've decreased in frequency, and I've read they'll eventually go away all together. Hang in there!!

I'm exactly 4 weeks post-op today, and overall I feel very good. I do agree with McButterpants - I get tired more easily than before and I have a lifting restriction. I'm doing well with eating (just in very small quantities) and getting my liquids and protein in. I know that others definitely notice my eating habits and comment on how little I eat. I haven't had any issues with nausea, but once in a while I still have problems with stomach cramping. Good luck tomorrow!

Today is 12 days post-op for me, and my recovery has been great so far - much better than I anticipated. 8 days post-op I shopped in a large grocery store for about 45 minutes. I was definitely worn out but better after resting. I'd say I would have been fine going to the theatre because it's a seated activity. By day 8 I was also walking 2 1/4 miles per day on a treadmill (in 15 minute increments). My doctor said that my recovery has been better than average, though. Given that you're in NYC, I'd consider how much walking would be required to get there. I think it's really your call - I'd hate for you to buy a ticket and then not feel like going. Based on only my personal experience, I could have gone. Best of luck to you!!

Yes, jncvt123, each day is different. Today I'm having a lot of cramping so I've had to cut back on the oatmeal, applesauce, yogurt, etc. and focus on the protein and liquids. The gas has been horrible today, too. Gas-x strips and lots of walking are helping. Last night watching TV with my family I was feeling hungry but realized it wasn't physical hunger...head hunger instead. That's a new thing for me so I'll be working on that for a while I'm sure. Hang in there -we've got this!!!!!