Changes4Life

The first few weeks can be such a challenge and you've received many great ideas from comments here. I found that I worked through the stages of grief during my immediate post-op surgery experience. A loss of my "normal" life and a loss of the food that I thought that I needed. Working with yourself either with a bariatric therapist would be very helpful as someone previously suggested. I didn't have one when I first received my surgery, but my Mom was my rock through those initial processes. Perhaps you also have someone in your support group who can empathize, listen, and assist you during this time. I remember those feelings of longing and the thoughts of "why did I do this??" but it does get better! The cravings have never left me, but I have learned how to enjoy so much more out of my life that while sometimes I may have a bite or more than I initially thought the life that I have after losing the weight is so much better than I could have imagined. You CAN do this! Your body is still healing from surgery so give yourself some grace and kindness as you work through healing, all of your emotions, and dealing with an eating disorder that drove you to your pre-surgery weight. One day at a time and suddenly you will have made it a week, a month, months, and a year. The journey doesn't end...just shifts. Best wishes to you!

Best wishes to you, Skyeblu81! I hope this part of your journey goes well and you start feeling better soon!!

I relate to this as well! I'm early 10 years out from my initial surgery and I still have issues with body image. Occasionally, I still feel the shock of being able to sit in a new type of seat or squeeze into a small space when needing to grab something. When I look at myself I still see the 320-pound girl that I once was. Eventually, I think plastic surgery may help those issues of what I see in the mirror, however, I have started working with a therapist as well. I hope that we all eventually can see and love who we are because it is so important to love who you are regardless of the weight or skin issues. Good luck on your journey!!

Unfortunately, hair loss is a bit part of the process. I tried biotin for a while and didn't see much of a change, but I do know some who never forget to take it. I had long hair prior to my surgery and cut it shoulder length during that stage to make it less noticeable. Adequate protein intake will help and eventually your body will even out and the hair loss will slowly begin to revert. I have noticed though that the texture of my hair did change after and my hair isn't as thick as it used to be.

Thank you for the ideas! I will try both! My Doctor is always on protein and I never get in enough. Thank you!☺️

OH! Thank you for sharing this! I will definitely try it. Sounds great and a little easier to go down. I feel like I've tried a MILLION types of protein.

Congratulations on reaching your goal and all of your success!!

From what my PCP told the infection is a bacteria that causes gastritis and peptic ulcers are actually very common. Some people do not even experience symptoms and it heals on its own. In some people, they have their own protection from that type of bacteria. In others (especially those with WLS) it can be a little more complex with the decreased size of pouch or along with the anastomosis. We went through where I had been, the foods I had eaten recently in my food diary, and I don't really know where I got it from. My PCP suspected the spinach I got at my local market may have been the culprit. However, he said since I had it once that I was more likely to get it again although I'm not really sure why.

Revision is such an interesting topic! I'm hoping I can get the rest of my weight off on my own, but my Surgeon and Endo are talking about some sort of revision that might help my reactive hypoglycemia. I hope everyone does well with their revision and appointments! I would also love to hear how everyone is doing after!

Hi! I have had one ulcer and it was a few years after my surgery. I had an h.pylori infection that was identified and the cause of my ulcer. While they can heal themselves I also suffered from pain and blood loss. Peptic ulcers can lead to a need for a transfusion of iron or blood depending on the size and the location. I became very anemic, unable to eat and dizzy along with the abdominal pain was why I went to the doctor in the first place. My doctor treated me with antibiotics, probiotics, and Prilosec. I take probiotics on a regular basis now because probiotics help with the healthy flora in the stomach. If untreated, h.pylori can cause many, many problems. NSAID's are very common to cause peptic ulcers as well. I was told by my Surgeon that anyone with WLS especially should never take anything containing NSAIDs or NSAID medication. There are foods that are beneficial to eat such as berries, spinach, broccoli, and other natural probiotic foods that I try to incorporate into my diet. If you have an ulcer acidic foods are not recommended. I do know someone (my cousin) that it did not heal and needed to have surgery to heal it correctly. I hope you can get it figured out as everyone's experience is a little different!

I haven't tried Fairlife yet I will definitely give those a go. I also have had a difficult time with protein drinks to find the right kind. I can't even stand the smell of some. Thanks for giving me another to try!

I'm actually on medication for mine as I cannot control it with diet. However, they have suggested to me a very low carb/low sugar diet. I have found that I cannot eat most fruit, but I have to eat 1/4 of a banana a couple of times a week for muscle cramps. I eat protein first, (non-starchy) vegetables second, and if I'm still hungry eat the carb. Small meals 6 times a day and a bedtime snack. I also have a freestyle libre which helps identify my lows and trends. Being able to visualize on the meter has really impacted what I eat and has helped very much! I love that thing!

That IS really helpful to count it as such. What types of protein drink do you enjoy? I always like learning about new options!

For me, I just stumbled upon your post the same day I made my profile. I have been a long-time member of another bariatric site that the membership really decreased. With some increased downtime while working with my endocrinologist I really wanted to find a supportive and active community that understands the struggles of WLS and the positives of it. I was hoping to find support or perhaps some other tips for my hypoglycemia as well. Your post and story touched my heart and I hope you will be able to find your answers to get back to living your best life with your little ones! You are in my prayers!

Hi, it sounds like you have been through so much! I'm nearing 10 years postop and I have had several health issues as well. I too have had an interesting journey. Although, I'm very grateful for my surgery there have definitely been surprises. I had no health issues other than obesity prior to the surgery and took no medication other than a multivitamin once a day and Tylenol occasionally for fever or headache. I knew if I didn't make a change I would find myself with many issues so I decided on gastric bypass. My teeth and bones have taken a beating as my body continues to leach the calcium from those locations although I do take my calcium supplements. I use enamel mouthwash twice a day recommended by my dentist to try to assist. I have to be very careful with brushing 3x's per day. I also have been on iron infusions and B12 supplements for years trying to keep those levels adequate. I think the hardest part has been postprandial hypoglycemia which caused some weight regain, fainting spells, trips to the ER and ICU, and lots of tests to confirm that diagnosis. My endocrinologist and I are working on my second medication in order to balance my reactions. Dietary changes are not enough to stop it. I can no longer drive and work from home so that I have the ability to check my blood sugar and eat every 3 hours. It has been a journey and although I have faced many different challenges, setbacks, and testing I still am grateful for the tool I have been given. I found during this journey that you aren't alone. If you are experiencing something most likely there are others out there struggling to learn the same information. Being able to ask questions, investigate, and speak with others is a very powerful tool for knowledge.

Thank you for sharing about the chelated iron supplement. I will try this!! I'm always so anemic and my ferritin and iron stores remain low even after my last infusion. I was also thinking about trying the iron patches, but I don't know anyone else who uses them and I'm a little hesitant.