tdboutwell

I’ve not run into this issue yet, but I’m also only 3 months out. If I get a bill, I’ll be blasting about it here, for sure lol. Already paid them $6299 with the understanding that regardless of how much or how little insurance pays, I won’t have to pay anything else.

I had buyers remorse for the first week, maybe? I don’t think it was so much related to the sleeve, though. I had a large hiatal hernia that was repaired at the same time and my diaphragm and esophagus were really irritated from that. Was really uncomfortable to sip water or even breathe, honestly. I’m 10 weeks out now and 40 lbs lighter. I should also add that I feel like a million bucks. Those few days of buyers remorse was more than worth it in my opinion. I have absolutely no regrets now.

So glad you’re feeling better! I could have been the author of this post when I was 2 weeks out. I was an emotional mess, too. And just felt miserable. I’m about ten weeks out now, and I feel absolutely great. The first couple of weeks were no joke for me, though.

My hubs is 6’ 6”, 290 lbs, so definitely a big dude lol. My family doesn’t really come from “thin stock.” Most everyone in my family were thin as children and teenagers, but wound up overweight or obese as adults. My dad was always pretty thin, but has gained some weight in his older years. Mom has always struggled with weight. I have 2 sisters. One has yo-yo’d 50+ lbs multiple times over the last decade, but is currently thin and physically active. The other sister struggles with bulimia off and on, but is currently in remission (and hopefully stays that way). As a southern family, food is a big part of our lives. I was sleeved on 1/24/19 and it has been a huge learning curve trying to learn that everything doesn’t have to revolve around food.

Arkansas, so west of the Mississippi, but just barely. 😜

I did just chew a Pepcid in addition to my Prilosec because I was so uncomfortable this morning. I did notice a bit of improvement. I also know that my gallbladder is acting up. I’ve had 2 attacks in the last month. Currently working with a surgeon to wrap up testing and see about having it removed.

Sleeved 1/24/19. Over the past 10 days or so, I’ve been noticing hunger pangs within an hour of eating, but I know I’m not physically hungry. I’m consuming mostly protein at this point because I feel terrible if I don’t get enough of it, and there’s not enough room for protein AND carbs at this point. When I first started experiencing this, I wondered if my sleeve had emptied quickly and I was experiencing legitimate hunger; however, if I try to eat something, it becomes apparent quickly that I’m not actually hungry, and that my sleeve still has quite a bit in it. Anyone else experience this as well? Any suggestions?

I take 20mg Prilosec OTC once a day. Didn’t take anything prior to surgery other than an occasional tums or Pepcid.

I don’t think it’s head hunger. I don’t even have an appetite. But my stomach will growl and kind of hurt like it’s empty... when I know it’s not.

Anyone else’s gallbladder going to crap already? Sleeved 1/24/19. Surgeon inspected GB during surgery to make sure it looked fine and didn’t need to come out. No issues. Never had any problems related to my GB in the past. Fast forward 2 weeks and I woke up with super sharp pain in the middle of my abdomen and back, just under my ribs. Solid 10/10, panic inducing pain (and I have NEVER, ever rated my pain as a 10 before). Just as I decided to call someone to take me to the ER, the pain started to subside almost as quickly as it started. The attack lasted roughly 10 minutes. Last night, I had ANOTHER attack... exactly 2 weeks after the first. This time, it lasted much longer. Couldn’t talk, couldn’t sit still, couldn’t stand up straight. All I could do was writhe and moan. I sweated through my clothes, it was so dang intense. My husband was home this time, and able to take me to the ER. CT scan and labs were the picture of perfect health. They sent me home feeling like an over-dramatic idiot. I saw my PCP this morning and she sent me for a GB ultrasound. Sure enough, the dang thing is packed full of sludge already and I have to get with a surgeon to schedule its removal (good riddance). Anyone else experience anything similar? I knew bariatric surgery could cause gallbladder issues, but I definitely didn’t expect it to rear it’s ugly head within a month of surgery.

I’m almost a month out, and it seems like everyone’s breath smells awful to me. Husband, kids, coworkers... I never thought this before surgery so I know it has to be related. I’m ready for it to subside.

Batesville, AR. VSG 1/24/19 at Blossom Bariatric in Las Vegas. Dr. Matt Apel.

Y’all. In my desperation to find something other than a shake to supplement protein, I ordered this. Tried it today with 8 oz of Fairlife milk and IT IS AWESOME. The packet has 15g of protein. The Fairlife milk has 12g. 27g total in an 8oz mug of yummy hot cocoa just cannot be beat. Just wanted to share for those if you who are sick to death of the monotony of protein shakes.

If you’re looking for a low-cost option without having to travel outside of the U.S., you should definitely check out Blossom Bariatrics out of Las Vegas. I was sleeved there on 1/24/19 and they were very thorough. The whole process was very smooth.

THANK YOU!!!

I actually came on to ask the same question. I’m so burnt out on Protein Shakes that a single drink triggers a gag reflex at times. Unfortunately, I’m nowhere near the point of getting enough Protein with food alone. I just ate dinner and am only at 17g of protein for the day. I may try to get a little bit of milk down or some cottage cheese later this evening to push it a little higher, but it’s still nowhere near enough. I had egg for Breakfast, shrimp (the canned kind that are softer) for lunch, and diced chicken for dinner. I’m also still struggling to hit Water goals. I’m averaging about 20-30 oz of water a day. Another issue I’m having with protein shakes is that it takes me a solid 6 hrs to get an 8oz shake down. I’ve tried a few different brands and they all just seem to sit in my stomach like a brick. I did just order some unflavored Protein Powder and some bariatric friendly cocoa mix with 15g of protein per 6-8 oz serving. If I make the cocoa with fair life milk, it will add another 13g of protein per 8oz serving. I see several people mentioning protein chips, so I’ll look into those as well in the coming weeks. Any other suggestions for protein dense foods/beverages are certainly welcome. I’m just really struggling at this point to get much down at all (which is kind of the point, I guess). I’m about 3 weeks post-op. Just started soft Proteins on the 7th.

I’m 16 days post op. I had fish today for lunch and threw up afterwards for the first time since the day of surgery. I dunno if the fish didn’t set well on my tummy or if I had one bite too many... but I think I’m gonna avoid fish for a while. Had chicken Soup for dinner and did fine. I also am kind of struggling to determine my new “full feeling.” My tummy still generally feels uncomfortable most of the time, so it’s difficult for me to distinguish a difference at this point.

I did just fine going back to the room after surgery. Gas pain was the worst of it. Up and walking every hour during the day and every 2 hours at night. You go back to the clinic the day after surgery for an IV infusion and meds. You will feel 100x better after this lol. You will stay at the hotel again the night after surgery. You won’t fly home until 2 days after surgery. My flight was much better than I anticipated. I was actually able to doze through most of it. Make sure you wear your TED hoses on your fight home. Congrats and good luck on your procedure. Excited for you!!!!

I underwent VSG on 1/24/19. I also had a large hiatal hernia repaired at the same time. I have been feeling much better in the last week or so, especially during the day. Other than being somewhat fatigued, I feel fine while I’m up and around. For the last 2-3 nights, though, I toss and turn with constant middle-back and side pain. It’s not a burning/stinging pain or anything. It’s more of a really strong ache. Reminds me of a “flu backache” for anyone familiar with that. It doesn’t matter which position I lie in, it’s constant. Has anyone else experienced this? What in the world is causing it? I have no other adverse symptoms at this point.

I underwent VSG at Blossom Bariatrics/Warm Springs Surgical Center on 1/24/19. My surgeon was Dr. Matt Apel. I have nothing but positive things to say. Their staff members were amazing, but more importantly, they were completely thorough in everything they did- from the pre-op work-up, to surgery, to the IV infusion the day after surgery. They even emailed me copies of the surgical report and pathology reports. Everything was spectacular. The hotel they put us in was nice, clean, and quiet. The presidential ground transportation they provided was also very convenient for out of towners like myself. I’m a registered nurse with a background in pre-op/post-op, so I tend to pay attention to things that most people don’t notice. I found absolutely nothing to critique. Every T was crossed, and every I was dotted. I honestly can’t think of a single thing to complain about. If your insurance won’t pay to have bariatric surgery done locally (and even if it does), then I 110% whole-heartedly recommend Blossom Bariatrics.

It was impeccable. I’m a registered nurse with a background in pre-op/post-op, so I went in ready to critique lol. I came home with absolutely no complaints. They were stellar in every aspect of my care.

I had my gastric sleeve done at Blossom Bariatrics/Warm Springs Surgical Center in Las Vegas, NV on 1/24/19. Starting to feel much better. I’m excited to lose this weight for the final time and never look back.