Changes4Life

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!

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!

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!

Had Gastric Bypass on Jan 2015, Just had a Overstich revision surgery this Tuesday May 11. I was in some pain and was tired the first few days. I was on a clear liquid for a week and now on full liquids for 3 weeks, than eventually soft foods. I was fine the first few days but now feel weak, exhausted, headache. Not much hunger just sick feeling. I did not have to be on a preop liquid diet but I did cut down some. I basically went from two thousand calories to like 500. Tryin my best but this is harder than my first surgery. I'm in Michigan. Will keep you guys updated, I have to do this regardless!!! Good luck you guys!!!

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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.

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!!

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!

hi Changes4Life,

I really appreciate your candid and kind result. Its awesome to have you post.... Im feeling much less alone in all this, Im so sorry you as well have been through so much and grateful your still ontrack and thankful for the life its afforded you, even though its been a very tough go at times!

Im definitely happy I got my life back through the surgery, yet if the complications take my life that would be brutal now as a solo parent of two younger kids.

I just read a neurology article that states most patients do best with nutritional supports given by injections and not orally. That a large percentage - up to 20% develop neurological disorders even when taking appropriate oral supplementation. This I didn't know about except that it would be prevented by oral supplementation... this article states this isn't so for 2 out of 10 patients. I also learned the neurological disorders are related to how much you loose and how fast, meaning the majority of issues come from loosing the weight in less than 1year. I was 450 pounds and at my lowest was down 293. I lost the weight extremely fast. Ive kept all but 25 off in almost 12 years.

to add to my diagnosis list;
They just discovered my colon in entirely air filled distended and dilated without air/fluid levels, thickening and no obstruction, meaning now bowel disease but its of unknown origin and significance so its being investigated. it can be related to neurological disorders and vagus nerve issues that eventually cause a paralyzed intestinal system. Im praying and hoping for the best outcome possible.

Im just also putting all this out there in case any of the people on this site themselves with any similar struggles and if so may be able to help direct their drs to a 'possible' association with bariatric surgery post complications in order to receive help that's more targeted to correction in a more effective and efficient way than having years go by with a lot of I don't knows. I hope my post not only connects but also helps others in their after surgery care should odd seemingly unrelated symptoms arise and they don't know where to begin... I definitely had no idea any of this except depleted Vitamins and minerals could be a play.

im definitely not against surgery!!!!!!!!!!!
just in my case I hope what drs have missed and if all these accumulated health struggles - not present pre-surgery so these possible and (rare?) complications of post bariatric surgery, as im now reading in literature, that this surgery does not end up shortening my life...

if it does only because of a lack of awareness by patients/drs/and specialists, simply because it took to long to figure out the brain/body system complicated connections to the gut or in my case it wasn't fully disclosed or known at the time,
I pray this information will help someone in the future who is also seeking answers to complicated health struggles. I've been actively seeking help since 2017, the symptoms have now become physically undeniable;e and hopefully I can be helped in time to continue onward with my beautiful life being present to be involved with my incredible children as they grow up.

im thinking of you all and just pray that if someone finds themselves with mounting medical complexities this information will help you advocate for yourself and possible change in the medical systems to provide in my case, better post op care and immediate investigations with this many unexplainable medical complexities post surgery. im glad I had the surgery.... I just want much more time her to enjoy life. just aceesperate mom seeking help and community.