TexasGirl86

Hey everyone, I had my surgery in June of last year, and I've lost almost 75 pounds. Which has been great, and tbh, I haven't really worked out, which isn't great. But I will now, I really want to tone up and gain some muscle. But I've had an unforeseen complication that I wasn't aware of, despite my research before hand. My blood pressure is now constantly low, which it wasn't before the procedure. Sometimes it drops really low and I almost pass out, I get cold sweats, feel nauseous, hands have gotten numb. I can't tell if its a combination of the low bp plus dehydration, if its a lack of nutrition, I don't know, I made an appointment with my surgeon later this week. Sometimes these spells come on after I've eaten something, they definitely happen if I eat something that is even slightly spicy. On the plus side, my hair appears to have stopped falling out.

Hey everyone, its been maybe 6 months since my surgery- I read on here about possible hair loss starting at month 4. And it happened, and it's getting worse. Like, when I shower, brush my hair, it just keeps coming out. Seriously is reminds me of a horror movie. It's all over my carpet, even on my clothes. I'm shedding! I took a pic recently and noticed that you could see my scalp much more clearly than ever. So whats the deal, when is this going to stop? I'm scared. I met with my nutritionist about 2 weeks back, and she said that it would stop (didn't say when) and told me to take Biotin (I am) and make sure to get 60 grams of Protein. Any other advice? - Sad, shedding, balding TexasGirl86

Hi everyone, I'm 29, from Dallas. No kids, and I just had the Gastric Sleeve done in Frisco, TX. I'm freaking out a little, I've never had any type or surgery before, so the whole recovery thing is quite new to me. I'm also scared of everything, like my left arm hurts (im assuming from the IV) and the outside of my left thigh is numb! Actually I'm freaking out a lot. If I could get some advice or some words of comfort that'd be great. Thank you all!

Hey everyone, I'm 6 weeks post op- and my doctor recommended a regular diet starting from 5 weeks post up. He suggested cutting things up into small pieces, going with fish etc. But I really don't know what to eat. I'm having a couple of issues: 1) I'm not a great cook and I don't have a lot of time to cook 2) when I do cook, the portions are huge and I don't know what to do with the extra.3) A lot of meats hurt when I eat them (as in painful when I swallow + heartburn). The only Proteins which haven't bothered me so far are eggs and fish. chicken hurts, beef hurts, etc. I put a few tiny pieces in my mouth and the experience is so unpleasant and uncomfortable that I just stop. Does anyone have some suggestions on recipes or fast food/ restaurant foods I can eat at this point which should be easier on the system? I'm still drinking my Protein shakes at this point just to get the protein in, but they don't always work to satisfy hunger. And I'm sure we should be eating at least some solids so that our systems can get used to it. And is it really awful to have some carbs at this point? Like when I make a scrambled egg in the morning, I use like 1/4 of a slice of bread to eat it with.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to try all of this out.

Hey everyone, I'm only 5 weeks post-op, but I keep reading discussions where people bring up the hairloss (I guess around month 3).... I'm really obsessed with my hair- its one of the few things I'm actually concerned with in regards to my appearance. Its always been there for me (like even if this is wrong, at least I have good hair) Is there anyway I can mitigate the hair loss? Extra Protein, Vitamins, anything? I'm scare for my poor hair

I can't believe I missed this thread. Everyone isn't going to be happy with their results. Personally, I've been looking at WLS for more than 5 years. (Signed up on forums, spoke to a Physician who was a family friend who had it, went to a Seminar at UT Southwestern) Spoke to friends, co-workers who had WLS and asked whether they would do it again, what did they regret, etc. But I always told myself I would try everything else first. Everything else include: Being the heaviest I've ever been at 250 on 5'4, losing 70 pounds by an hour and a half of cardio a day and a restrictive diet over 9 months, GAINING BACK 50 pounds, trying and failing at: Weight Watchers (4 times), Nutrisystem, SlimFast (multiple times), a Trainer, a Weight Loss Doctor (prescribed amphetamines for eating less), Medifast, Gym memberships, etc. I would always lose 10 pounds, and then gain it back plus more. I became clinically depressed and suffered panic attacks, developed sleep apnea, high cholesterol, became pre-diabetic, etc. My weight kept going up, and thats when I knew it was time to look into WLS again. Statistically speaking, the vast majority of those who are obese will NOT successfully lose and keep their weight off through diet and exercise alone. There have been numerous studies which prove that now. Its a fantasy. Those who are able to make the magical transformation of going from obesity to a healthy weight AND maintaining is through diet and exercise alone are the EXCEPTION TO THE RULE. Being obese or morbidly obese and needing to lose weight is not the same thing as being a little overweight. In the end, to each his own.

Hey everyone, Just wanted to know- I'm still supposed to stick to having "meals" of 2-4 oz every thirty minutes (or water) right? And this is how its going to be for pretty much always, or will relax a little after some years?

I hope you feel better soon! Hopefully its only temporary.

Hey guys, I just hit 5 weeks, this point at which my doctor allows regular food. But he recommended trying softer things like fish, and to cut it up really small. I made a Pasta with mushroom sauce and lean ground beef (something like beef stroganoff), cut up the pasta really small- made sure it wasn't spicy or heavy with oil or anything like that- BUT when I ate it, it hurt! I don't know if its my esophagus hurting or stomach, but its painful! Should I be worried? Does it mean I just ate too fast?

Thank you all, that makes a lot of sense. I'll stay away from the pasta and rice/grains etc. Stick with softer meats.

OMG so true! I don't even remember meeting the Anesthesiologist (Spelling?) The nurse gave me I think xanax? Or something like that when I first got into the hospital (she said they give it to everyone when they come into the hospital to calm them down) and I fell asleep after 20 minutes. I woke up from that in my bed.

I lost 21 pounds the first month. I didn't have to do an extensive pre-op diet (only 3 days). Not as much as others, but I guess every person is different.

Just curious. Mine said that I'd be down by 70 lbs (60% of my total weight) in 6 months. Now I'm starting to think thats not accurate? Is it possible?

That's really interesting, I do have the same type of routine with a few friends. I either offer alternatives like the movies, a coffee shop, the mall, etc- or I suggest that we go eat somewhere where I can get Soup if they really want to eat.

THAT is amazing! You shouldn't feel like a "Failure" at all. But i do understand where you're coming from, thats what I'm afraid of too. If I don't hit that goal I'll probably feel dissapointed.

me too buddy, and I have 2 more weeks of full liquids. Doctor said up to the consistency of tomato paste. You can add sugar free pudding! I also blend broccoli cheddar Soup, and I do mashed potatoes at a really thin consistency.

How do you guys keep hydrated while working out? Little sips throughout?

My surgeon recommended Milk of Magnesia- its natural, and it won't weaken your system over time like other laxatives. Take two tablespoons in the morning, and thats it. Some people take it every day. Also remember that because you are eating so little, theres not a whole lot of bulk. You're not going to go like the old days I don't believe, but try asking your physician.

That makes a lot of sense! Thank you, I feel better from all of the replies.

thank you so much for sharing Babbs! That makes a lot of sense. When did you start working out?

that seems more reasonable to me!

Are you using the pre-made shakes or the powder?

oh my goodness, 1 week on clear fluids! I only had 3 days. When can you switch to full liquids? My surgeon requires 5 weeks full liquids post op, and I'm on week 3. Sick of it! But I keep telling myself "it'll be worth it" + "I don't want my stomach to explode and end up in the hospital for 3 months"...that usually brings me back to reality. I also avoid the dinner table when the family eats, close the bedroom door, etc. They make sure not to talk about food around me (or they try) which is also helpful.

I'm almost 3 weeks post op- and I've had a side effect from the operation that I wasn't made aware of/ didn't come across on my own: The outer muscle of my right thigh has been numb since the operation. If something brushes against it, I get a burning sensation. Towards then end of the day, I can feel a shooting pain going up through my thigh towards my butt. The first week post-op, I'd wake up with burning/shooting pain. That's calmed down. My surgeon said he did some research on this after a "couple" of his patients complained about these sypmtoms. He said it has to do with the fact that some people have a nerve which is closer to the surface, and when they roll you from the operating table to your bed- it can get pulled or stretched. He said it should go away around 2 weeks. Its gotten better, but it is a weird/scary sensation for my right thigh to be numb all the time.