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I didn't need any pain meds until a few days out. Took some one evening to be able to sleep. Next day found out it was acid reflux (more omeprazol was the answer). From there I only occasionally took liquid Tylenol if I over did it.

I'm going through this too. It's really scary even though I guess it's normal. I just pray it comes back. My hair has been thinning out for the last year or so (hormones?). The past week or two it's starting to be hand fulls and it's not thick to start out. I was hoping the Vitamins, Biotin, and hitting, and often exceeding, my Protein goals would keep it at a minimum. Nope. And I started at about 6 weeks, not 3 months like so many. Arghhh. I'm thinking of going back to short/shorter hair, but wonder how thin it will look if I do that. Is long hair less revealing than short??

Today I was invited out for a business lunch. First time since surgery (eek). Here's the menu for where we went: http://www.atlanticseagrill.com/lunchmenu.pdf I have to eat gluten free, and it wasn't making it easier at this place. Plus I just started eating soft foods (chicken, tuna, etc) less than two weeks ago. So I haven't really tried a ton of things. I ordered the bacon wrapped scallops appetizer. There were 6 on the plate, I managed to get 4 down. If I had to guess, I got in maybe 2 ounces. Then the burping started and I was done! I haven't announced my surgery, so it may have appeared a little weird. But I got no comments. Hey, I guess I can eat scallops! nom nom

@@ruskatie, I feel for you! I have to avoid gluten, and that can really be tough. I had no idea corn was so prevalent! It may sound silly, but have you looked for an on-line support group or forum for folks with the same allergy? There are such resources for GF and lots of info is shared...just a thought...could help you find alternatives. Like you, I've stopped losing. My surgery was 8/14, and it's been about 2 weeks since more has come off. Maybe it's just more adjustments that our body is making. Keep the faith, and stick with it. And good luck with your new diet restriction. On the plus side, you should feel better eliminating the allergen from your diet.

HI - I'm in Arlington and was sleeved at Lahey Hospital in Burlington. I highly recommend their program, a really great team.

Hi Alex, What kind of help are you looking for?

Mini rant: Ok, I know we have stalls, but this has me in a funk (which came first, the funk or the stall? lol) I know better than to let it bother me, but it's not making a difference. I know that I have to lose weight on 800 cal or less a day. I know that bouncing up two or three lbs. is normal. But the last two weeks is just making me a tad nuts 12-15 lbs in almost 8 weeks, and that loss was in the first 5 or 6 weeks. I feared I'd be a slow loser, and I think that's what I'm finding out. I have my support group tonight. I need it. Ok, that's it. Carry on.

LOL FYI, you can create an account on their website: myfitnesspal.com Then download the app. I found that an easy way. meow!

I'm glad you're considering the surgery, and obviously haven't rushed in to it :-) I can understand you wanting a healthy and fit future! No one can tell you if its right for you - YOU need to decide and be totally committed. It really is for the rest of your life. One thing I can say is that sticking to the plan is easier after surgery - you can't eat much at a time. (that's the "it's a tool" part.) I understand it can be daunting when told to lose weight before hand. It's like "I have trouble losing weight, that's why I'm here!" lol But the good habits and learning how to eat right before surgery really does help afterwards. This site is a great resource. I wish you luck in your journey.

Hi - what's your user name on MFP?

user name: petersla4

I'm appearantly stuck in long term caveman mode.

I'm having the same issue! I have momentary energy, but no stamina. It's hard to exercise because it just totally wears me out. I get my walking in, but to do more than that is almost unthinkable. Since I made 6 weeks out last week, I decided it was time to try to get back on the golf course. I walked 9 holes, with my push cart. By the third I felt that horrible exhausted/depleted feeling. I pushed through it, but it definintely took some of the joy away from being back out there. I haven't been sticking to a calorie limit, but a Protein goal set by my NUT (60-80g/day). This keeps me just under 800 calories a day. I'm wondering if I need to up the calories a bit. It's hard to do without adding carbs, since I'm getting enough protein. A bit perplexing! Maybe I just do it, say the heck with worrying about carbs, and see how it goes. My weightloss has also slowed to a crawl. 15lbs in 6.5 weeks. I've all ready stalled, and now it's just starting to inch down again. My pcp appointment was a short time ago, and my thyroid, Iron levels, and B12 are all fine. So I don't think it's a Vitamin deficiency, nor my thyroid (I have hypo). I would like to feel good after I exercise, not need to nap!

@hopeliveshere...I'm more like you. If my drive is a 2, my hubbie's is a 10. I always thought it was because I hated my body/weight more than anything. I have had my T level checked and it was in the acceptable range. Fingers crossed that things change as the weight goes down. But I also know our hormones are doing crazy things to us at the same time.

That's what I do. Compliments are nice, but with me it seems like everyone noticed at the same time. If I haven't seen someone all summer, they are shocked when they see me. It's only 40+ lbs! I have to lose that much more - That's what I think anyway.

LIke so many here, mine was done during surgery. I was having some post op stomach pain a week out and had an upper GI (ESD). But that's not routine. (ends up it was reflux) It was fun to watch it however - at least I could see that the VSG was actually done (having read posts of folks who have found out later there's no staples/no vsg done...eek!) Oh, I could also see the "contents" funnel back up from what I assume was the pyloric valve. That's what was causing the reflux. Pretty neat technology.

Yes, I'm gluten intolerant. I get nasty stomach pains and other unpleasant reactions if I consume gluten. Sigh.

I'm very happy for you RJ. I hope that's the end of the madness. And kudos for being a ray of hope for someone struggling with complications.

I'm so freaking happy right now! I just got my lab results from my PCP (who I see every 3 months because of T2 diabetes). I haven't taken my metformin or my statin since surgery. I was on the highest does of a statin (80mg) pre-op, I had been monitoring my blood sugars, and they've been great. Right before surgery my A1C was 6.4 while on 500mg of metformin 2x day. Last week, 4.5 weeks post-op, it's 6.1 w/o meds. I'm so happy!!! My cholesteral total is 205 (ldl 148 hdl 33). I may end up on a low dose of a statin, we'll see. But the kicker is my triglycerides are normal (123...<150 is normal range). I can't remember them being below 300 in years, no matter what I eliminated from my diet. I am just so amazed and grateful that in essentially a month after surgery I've seen such a difference.

I know how hard it is. My plan was 4 weeks full liquids post-op before moving on. It was a very long 4 weeks. I'll just share what I thought to myself any time I thought of venturing outside my surgeon's plan: "Only x-days left. Is eating "x" worth the risk? Do I risk a leak and have many more weeks of being miserable if i get one?" The answer was easy for me when I thought of it that way...HELL NO! This stage is not forever, far from it. You can do it.

try some chicken salad. I find it goes down well - with some light mayo. I was OK with tuna, just don't enjoy it often. I have to be in the mood for it.

Straws are fine. Just don't drink fast. If you can "sip" using a straw, no issue. Note that this is per my bariatric team.

My son (28 y/o) is in the Air Force. He was deployed on the day of my surgery (missed talking to him before getting on the plane ). He's stationed in OK, and the last time he saw me was the end of June, at his wedding. (I think I was around 210 lbs) We may have Skyped since then, can't recall, but not since surgery. He does text a lot! Late yesterday afternoon I was closing down some app's on my iPad...noticed Skype was running and saw that he was on line. So I rang him up to say hi. His first words were - "holy crap!". He was shocked (in a good way) by my face and neck. Really...he kept saying "I can see the tendons in your neck!", and "I keep thinking it's someone else!". It was pretty funny. But it does drive home the fact that my appearance has changed in just a couple of months. It's hard for me to see it, but I guess my appearance is changing

If I didn't end up dealing with acid reflux pain, it would have been a breeze. I wasn't hooked up to a pain pump post surgery. I think they gave me tylenol via the IV the first day. I didn't notice any gas pains. Just the incisions were bothersome. I was up out of bed, sitting in a chair not too long after getting to my room. That felt good, and may have helped with the gas since I didn't have problems. I also got to walking as soon as I could. The first time I drank Water I wondered how it would feel too. Totally normal. I didn't even have a sore throat from being intubated. I just took little sips, and there was no issue. The incision pain after I got home was the only thing holding me back, so to speak. Getting up from a chair, or getting up from laying down was a little painful - but not awful. Just a reminder that things were still healing. I know everyone's experience is different. If you're uncomfortable, just ask for the pain med. That's what it's there for, to get you through. You've got this!

yes, it gets better! Usually right about now (3-4) days you start to feel better. Hang in there !