Mark1107

Thank you everyone for the kind words .My barium upper gi is in the morning. I have absolutely no energy.

I was 330 lbs in 10/2019 had the sleevectomy. Since day one massive pain in my stomach. Never healed. Kaiser Dr. Edward Zane Southbay medical center. Was in hospital 2 days went home with a bottle of hydromorphone. I’m 56 years old, 6’1 and weigh 195. In 2021 I was as high as 220 but taking daily opioids and now I’m weaning myself off of them switching to cannabis gummies. Even on cannabis with the munchies I can’t eat anything. I never healed and I’ve struggled for 5 years. I was prescribed hydromorphone since 2019 and I need it at every meal or drink. If I drink water I cramp and bowl over in pain. I eat anything cold or hot I bend over in pain. I had ultrasounds endoscopies etc. I have serious GERD and been on proton pump inhibitors for 2 years. I can’t eat protein of any type without massive pain and opioids from a hamburger white fish pork steak chicken turkey it all hurts all of the time. Carbs and minor fat also hurt but not as much as protein. I switched to BCBS the new bariatric Dr says I either have a stricture or I need the bypass surgery now. current weight is 195and I’ve been losing weight this past year and really hate all food. It doesn’t matter if it’s carbs fat or protein it hurts my stomach. I also get nauseous and throw up if I eat too much regardless and have massive cramping 5years later. Also have burning sensation with bowel movements but was tested negative for crohns/ulcerative colitis. after 5 years addicted to opioids I went to BCBS and they said Cedars Sinai surgeons can look at stricture correction surgery or just go for the bypass. They want me to eat nuclear egg salad and barium drink during an mri to see what is wrong. Last endoscopy was 10/24 and my esophageal ulcer was 90% healed. I had an untreated ulcer since 2019 that also contributed. Current medication metoprolol 100 mg x a day lisinopril20 mg 2 x a day, Amlodipine 5mg 2 x a day, omeprazole 2x a day, gummies and Vicodin daily with every meal. I can stop opioids once the pain stops. after 5 years of losing weight and my quality of life has deteriorated I’m leaning towards bypass surgery. please help group. I also have massive starvation and nutrition issues and take vitamins but still can’t get even 2k of calories in my body and have low energy all of the time. sincerely, Mark

I’ve been able to maintain at 203 lbs, after dipping as low as 190. Still to hold off 112 of the pounds, Metformin has been huge. It really stops the cravings and satiates me much faster. Just wanted to check in since it’s been a while. One more thing, I still listen to my sleeve and almost never stretch it, nor drink 30 mins before or after a meal. Cheers everyone. I hope your journeys are wonderful.

115 2 yrs in. Been at goal weight for one year and fluctuate 1 pound +/- every other day.

About a year after surgery my hunger returned with a vengeance. I gained 8lbs and started back on Metformin 2xa day 500mg and my weight stabilized and I lost my appetite. I’ve maintained about 199-204 for a year now. I highly recommend recommend it.

For the first 3 months the cravings are horrible. I hated protein shakes they made me physically sick. I craved pizza every single day. At night I dreamt about pizza and ice cream and hot fudge Sunday’s. You have to let your stomach heal. I just ate a lot of chicken noodle soup, and stuff like that. I’m a big guy built like a linebacker. I love pizza and 1 year later, I can eat 1 slice and I’m overful and stomach hurting. Cramps, but I satisfy my craving. I can’t stress enough let. Your stomach heal. 25 days after my surgery last year was Halloween. I saved every single piece of candy last year in the past year I’ve probably eaten 3-5 pieces of chocolate candy bars etc, but that Halloween I craved and horded every piece of candy we passed out and I couldn’t touch it a year later it’s still in the cabinet. I try to eat healthier too but because I’m a big guy, I just don’t get enough calories going in to gain weight. I work out 4-5 days a week doing cardio. they should have given you pain killers after surgery. If the cravings are going to threaten your life and kill you eating something that is banned, then take a pain killer once. Once only. I did that when I drove to Wendy’s and smelled the fast food. My cravings went away and I drove home before the high kicked in. I almost killed my self considering banned food 30-45 days aft surgery. I still hoard food, over order, take food home I never eat after words, etc. I’m trying to live with the new me. we’re all in this together. After about 6 months the dreams of food went away. The cravings are controllable now. No more painkillers either, only if I have bad cramps eating something sweet. Girlscout cookies almost sent me to the ER the pain is so bad. Same with sugar cereal. I can’t touch it period. remember this too shall pass. Alcoholics Anonymous is a great support group. When I need to stop having a pity party, I go to an AA meeting or I get on my knees and pray. I’m not an alcoholic but AA is unconditional love. They accept and not judge everyone. If you sit and listen to other people fighting addictions and dealing with life, you will get a better perspective on your own healing and issues. ‘’cheers. Mark

I’m basically at my goal weight. 1. I haven’t been under 200lbs since 1993. 2. Food cravings and mood swings the first 60 days are miserable! 3. The pain the first 30 days was morphine in pill form hydromorphine. I lived on it. 4. Drink something before 30 mins after eating a year later and I still get massive pain cramps. 5. Most of my sugar cravings have disappeared. 6. I dreamt about food for 6 months. Lol. 7. I used to have friends who would go to dinner with me and have 4 drinks before my 30 minutes are up. I’m not friends with them anymore. My biggest complaint is why can’t people enjoy one alcoholic drink over 25 minutes while I’m waiting to have my first drink? Jesus, you’d think I’m asking Moses to part the Red Sea? Everyone slugs like 4 drinks down and by the time I hit my first drink they are ready to leave. It’s frustrating as hell. Everyone is like that. Bottom line, I love my new body. The fact I barely eat anything and that I sleep so much better now. My quality of life. Is. Awesome. The social drinking is the only thing different. I went vegas in February and had a blast! My wife didn’t drink at meals but waited until afterwards at clubs and we both drank great.

Yes neck pain is normal. You may also have a hiatal hernia. Google it. Or one was repaired during surgery.

Hey everyone, 1st of all, the surgery has changed my life! Being 204 lbs at 6’0 tall is life changing! I haven’t been this weight since college in 1992. I have a football players body so broad shoulders big build. Everyone has commented how great I look. I had my surgery on 10/6/19 Heres the problem: For the last 6 weeks I’ve stopped losing weight. I’m stuck at 204. my stomach isn’t happy with pure protein. Right around Thanksgiving, I started noticing that when I ate protein of anytype my stomach would growl and seriously cramp and be upset until I could mix carbs in with the protein -then my stomach would be satisfied. Then I started eating a lot of rice. Sushi 4-5 pieces is satisfying with salmon and yellow tail with rice under it and I’m satisfied. Then I went into my unhealthy eating habits. I eat a lot of candy everyday....realizing I have a disease, I threw out all of the candy today. I threw out all of my trigger foods. I threw out all of the chips I was eating. All of the junk food is gone from my house. Please understand, I have a mental disorder called an eating disorder. My stomach hasn’t stretched. I still throw up eating too much, I have a small pouch, I’m still in the honeymoon phase, and even eating lots of junk each day lots of candy each day 4 months after surgery I haven’t gained any weight but I stopped losing the last 6 weeks since New Year’s Day. Im going back to pure protein light veggies then a little carbs. I will muscle my way roll my sleeves up and start losing the weight. I want to lose 20 lbs and have a BMI of 25 but my wife, co workers, friends, family all say stop losing weight! You look like a cancer victim. At basically 200 lbs and big broad shouldered football looking dude with a shaved head everyone says enough, but I’m worried with my bad habits that I arrested and threw away today, that eventually I will start gaining weight. Ps my Dr. Said that since my body type needs 2500 calories a day to maintain that I would get to my target weight quickly, which I’m close to. I also know when I get my veggies and fruits in, my candy & chip cravings disappear. Any advice? Is it time for therapy? FYI, Kaiser my provider has horrible non existent opportunities for therapy, the wait list is 4-8 months to get in to see one. Maybe a weekly support group would help? Mark -worried

Thanks everyone. Some interesting observations... when I was 298 I started taking Bupropion and Metformin. It was easy to drop 25-30lbs before surgery. After surgery I stayed on both drugs and today I skipped the metformin and my nightly hunger pains and over eating at night went away! Maybe the Metformin was spiking my blood sugar needlessly? I hope to report back tomorrow night that I’m back to losing weight! I only took Metformin and bupropion for weight loss not for diabetes or anything.

THanks guys. I appreciate the perspective! I'm going to the gym now. I will do better!

I was 10/7 and have lost 50 lbs in 2 months. Struggling with still eating right. Not getting enough protein. Still hungry all of the time. Not worried because my stomach is super duper small. 40-50% of 1 sushi roll and I’m stuffed. My body still craves carbs but only a little rice.

Hey everyone, I went to my PCP on 2/18/19. I weighed 298 lbs at 6 tall. I was huge. Depressed, sleep deprived, eating disordered etc. My Dr. recommended me to the options program at Kaiser. 12 weeks of weekly classes to see if I was ready for the surgery. During those 12 weeks I researched weight loss drugs, and went on Metformin every morning and Bupropion x2 a day. I immediately lost interest in food and over the 12 weeks lost 45 lbs. I'm not diabetic but very hypertensive and sleep apnea severe. They approved me with no out of pocket costs for the surgery tomorrow at 7 am PST. The reason I'm doing the surgery is that I have a 3 year old daughter, and I want to be around for her. I'm late 40's and sick and tired of being sick and tired. My Dr. requires a liquid diet for 2 days before the surgery. I had five fast food dreams last night and dreams about chocolate candy bars and dreams about triscuits and cheese plates, etc. I cant believe I didn't struggle for 12 weeks of losing 45 lbs but 2 days of no solid food and its a huge struggle. Clear liquid protein, broth and lots of caffeine. I got really irritable at dinner time tonight and was frustrated. Even after losing 45 lbs I still ate unhealthy and had trouble controlling my appetite and had serious unhealthy disordered food cravings etc. The frustrating part was after losing 45lbs the teachers in my weight classes and my pcp and my specialists were all like why are you doing this? You are now on the border of obese and look really good. They all tried to talk me out of it! My Bariatric surgeon was very supportive and immediately scheduled my surgery. I'm excited and nervous. The really hard part is that not eating solid food for the last 2 days has been difficult and made me want to regress and go back to junk food! I didnt and I'm ready for the surgery but I hope my taste buds change and I become much healthier and practice mindful present eating habits. I know the Metformin and Bupropion were temporary battles won but not the war - which is why I signed up and I'm ready for surgery. I have my sugar free popsicles, and Premiere protein clear gatorade looking bottles and my vitamins and crystal light sugar free. I'm ready to win the war and this is a battle I knowingly go into with open eyes and a clear heart. I hope the surgery really helps the anger and depression and manipulative hormones that emanate from my stomach when it doesnt get its fast food or junk food fix. I want to enjoy not having an appetite and eating small healthy portions of healthy food. I want to be the 190 lbs guy from my college days. I have broad shoulders and a football players body and played in college but really just get healthy again. Two things I enjoy in moderation is 1 cup of coffee a day and once a month having a drink of alcohol or two socially. I hope I can regain both of those in the year after the surgery. I don't care about the junk food, fast food, and sugary or fried food. I hope I don't ever want those again. (My stomach is talking now) literally 8 hours before the surgery! Mark PS I hope losing weight helps the sleep apnea and lessens it, since the cpap doesnt work very well. I also hope to stop the 4 blood pressure drugs I'm on as well.

Hey everyone. Just checking in. I’ve tried some carbs and all of my old “trigger” foods make me sick! Pretzels yuck, potato chips I throw up, cakes and ice cream I can’t look at. French fries are absolutely disgusting. Hamburgers taste like wax. I like boiled eggs, a little slice about 2 inch by 2 inch gluten free bread with boiled egg on top for breakfast and homemade iced coffee. I also loooove ceasare salad with chicken. I hate and throw up butter, peanut butter, guacamole, etc. I hate fat. Chicken and turkey skin. No mashed potatoes. I love carrots broccoli green beans, bananas and oranges. I love sushi still. Spicy tuna roll. But I can’t really eat much. My whole meal is 50% of one roll. I still dream of food. I still cheat and love hard candy but I don’t keep it in the house. Im down from 295 to 260 day of surgery to 212 yesterday. Most fish makes me sick. I can never look at another protein shake. I like crock potted moist fall off the bone meat with veggies. Im still hungry a lot! I sleep the night thru and no cpap! I cant believe how much attention I get from the opposite sex even though I’m married. It’s so weird. Like I’ve been hit on 1-3 x a week! I struggle with calories in. Only getting 1200 per day. Still losing weight. Im really happy with the surgery. Still struggling with food is NOT a reward. Food is NOT a comfort. Food IS sustenance only. Like they say in The Mandalorian, “I have spoken!”

It didn’t feel like I had surgery until today. I also lost 10 lbs today.

Wow just wow. So my surgery was 6 days ago. They gave me a morphine drip after the surgery. That morphine shut down my intestines and ability to go bms. So this whole week protein shakes and clear protein drinks have made physically nauseous. I can’t tolerate clear or milky shakes. The only thing attractive to me are green tea, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup broth, sugar free popsicles. So I tried a cookie today. I tried a protein chip that I chewed 30 times. Same with the cookie. I also didn’t get any stomach distress from both! Ive literally been taking miralax powder every morning as well. But this afternoon, I went to the bathroom 10xs @#$&&*(()))’,, wtf! My stomach is so freaking sensitive! I went into immediate dumping syndrome after my stomach and intestines woke up a week later. I know I need protein, but shakes and clear sweet drinks make me physically sick. I hope I can start on puréed eggs scrambled, and actually chicken noodles and soft chicken. I need protein and I don’t want dumping syndrome that I went thru 10 times today after my intestines woke up finally after being shut down for a week. My stomach is so sensitive. I hope I can try blended bananas too since my stomach is freaking out. Now I see what is crazy sensitive about my stomach.

Kaiser is the health plan. Dr is Edward Zane.

Kaiser said 3 days of clear proteins then creamy stuff like shakes and oatmeal etc. I will go back to broth and popsicles since nothing else helps. Oatmeal was a hug Nono 3 days after...

Thank you everyone. The struggle is real. 1. My body is in ketosis and I’m only getting at best 2-600 calories a day and it’s an uphill battle. 2. Sugar free popsicles are really helping. Idk why? 3. I’m craving salty chicken. Idk why? I will try broth and see how I do. 4. I tried normie cinnamon oatmeal today since my plan is to start on creamy stuff third day, and I had dumping syndrome! Lots of gas both ways and stomach really upset. Sugar free popsicles saved me. 5. I’m craving peanut butter so so bad. I’ve lost 12 pounds since Monday. Stitches are doing well. I found out my stomach had crept into my throat and the surgeon moved the stomach back down into abdominal area along with 3 different types of hernias I suffered from that he fixed. Lots of diaphragm pain. Sleeping a lot too. Trying to keep stress down. No B.M.s lots of gas. I figure I’m not generating enough calories to do one yet. Protein shakes are okay with 1 gram of sugar but makes me sick and is too sugary tasting. I will try broth, and pb2 from Whole Foods?

Yesterday, 10/7. I tried some soup broth and then a sugar free popsicle. My stomach hurts.

Thank you Krimson butterflies. I will keep everyone posted. Thank you,

Hey everyone. Thank you for the words of encouragement! Surgery went well. Hooked up to a morphine drip. The Dr. Also fixed 3 hernias I had! I only knew of the small one in my belly button, not the other two. Still in the hospital room overnight, SOP. They gave me an ounce of jello and it completely filled me up. Fast food on TV MADE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH!! Nausea is so real right now. The stichtes are glue closures. Great insurance no money out of pocket. 2 hours before my surgery the first person of the day canceled since they ate before the surgery so my surgery was at 6am not8. Fast food cravings are gone!