SilentBotts

I'm not sure if it's dumping but I found that I have a very similar reaction to sugar alcohols. Intense abdominal pain, sometimes with diarrhea.

I think I was a little atypical in that I had no issues with nausea or getting fluids down. Pain lasted about two weeks, no pain pills week two. Depending on how the surgeon seals you up there may be some strange sensations as the incisions heal. Make sure you are taking a softener or laxative, especially if you are leaning on the pain meds. If you're lucky you'll never have to Google fecal impaction. Seriously don't Google it.

I was off pre op, but wasn't given any restrictions post op. I was warned that it could irritate my pouch, so I waited three months. As long as you stay away from heavy cream and sugar, calories should be minimal. I do a medium iced coffee at Dunkin with milk and splenda. It's about 40-50 calories.

Pain/discomfort was totally gone within 3-4 weeks. Took longer for energy levels to get back up there, was very sleepy/lethargic for the first month or two. Once the energy started going up though, it never stopped, way more active than I was before. Eating remains different, I used to clear off every plate, then go back for more. Now when my stomach says it's done, I'm done, even if there's still some food left.

I'm down between 75-80lbs. Been in a bit of a stall/slow down the past week. I think that this is because I ramped up my exercise and activity a bit and my body is re-adjusting. Increased time and resistance on elliptical and increased reps on weights. Also started painting my condo.

I'm down about 75lbs and everything is easier, no more little aches and pains when walking, or getting up or sitting down.

I usually plan my trips to the movies around a normal meal time so that I'm able to have a snack but still stick to plan. Until I could eat solids, my goto movie snack was a protein shake. Now that I can eat solids I get the chicken fingers. The breading means It's a little more calorie heavy than my regular day to day choices, but still good protein. The 5-6 chicken fingers you get in one box will last me two meals.

Anyone else have issues with friends or co-workers who just keep offering you food no matter how many times you explain how managed your diet becomes post op?

What do your incisions look like? You should be able to see if it's glue or stiches.

Is any one else dealing with acne post-op? I started breaking out on my forehead during the pre-op diet right before surgery. My understanding is this is because of hormones released during weight loss, so I expect it to go away when the weight loss tapers off. In the mean time can anyone recommend a cream or cleanser to help with it?

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

I'm down about 70lbs since the two week pre-op diet. I'm getting most of my Protein through food at this point, only using shakes as a backup. I feel great, and exercising is starting to become super easy.

I was on purees after two weeks, but did scrambled eggs a few times. They where fine as long as I chewed very well.

I was told to start on Protein shakes, and work up to hitting my 60g with all food. The goal I was given was to be off shakes by my six month check in. I'm 3 months out and only recently started being able to hit my protein goal with just food. Chicken/Fish/Beef have been the biggest winners for me. I can eat about 3-4oz of food and those three net me 20-25g of protein in that portion size. I'll also do eggs and cheese for Breakfast. I don't really eat anything that isn't protein at this point.

That seems a little strange. I had to drink a small serving of Protein shake to get discharged from the hospital. They did tell me not to worry about hitting my protein goal at first, but I was drinking protein shakes my second day home.

Took about two weeks, and even then some was covered/mixed in with the scabs. Scabs took about a month to start falling off.

Most sugar I've had would either be no sugar added Fudge pops or no sugar added Italian ice, didn't really notice any affect.

I've been living off of Vitamin Water Zero. I also like sugar free Crystal Light.

I have seen some plans that allowed crackers with things like tuna other potted meat. It seems like a strange allowance because it's just empty calories, and you're so limited in the early stages it would just keep you from getting enough of the good stuff in.

I had a similar sensation, followed by an occasional feeling of something tearing or separating under the skin. My APRN explained it as the surgeon having sutured the muscle and skin together to reduce chance of hernia. So I'm assuming this was the muscle and skin separating after healing. I would definitely check with your surgeon. I also only just now realized that the bump under my big incision is gone.

Also, find out how they handle medical leave ahead of time. I had to use up all vacation, sick time, and paid time off before they would do any paid medical leave.

I would say it depends on work, and how comfortable you are with bosses/coworkers. I told most of my coworkers early on in the process while I was doing my NUT visits. However, I specifically waited as long as possible, until I had a firm date for surgery and was approved by surgeon before telling my boss. My boss had a lot of interpersonal and office etiquette/communication issues so I assumed she was going to make my having surgery weird, and man was I correct. She broke down, spent about 20 minutes trying to convince me not to have surgery. She just seemed terrified at the prospect of surgery. Tried to convince to me just go away on a retreat.

I'm eating about 3-4 oz of chicken/fish/beef for most meals, I've been able to tolerate pretty much anything so I get to work in a lot of variety. Breakfast is either cottage cheese or 2 scrambled eggs with some cheese. Right now I'm not eating anything that isn't a high Protein food. meat, cheese, and eggs. I'm using http://www.myfitnesspal.com and it has a great nutrition calculator for recipes. So I can track protein per serving for anything I cook.

I had chicken broth, sugar free Jell-O and ice pops. Protein shakes also.

That's kind of interesting that they want you to have the DS. My surgeon told me that the DS is hardly ever done now. My understanding is that the DS requires you to be under for a long enough time that it becomes risky for very obese individuals. They started doing the sleeve to get some initial weight loss in before the second part of the surgery. The sleeve was so effective that it started to replace the DS. I would guess it's likely you'll do very well with the sleeve and may not need the second surgery. What is your starting weight if you don't mind sharing? I had my first meeting with surgeon at around 405-410 and DS never came up as an option.