Sleeve_Me_Alone

Agree with the others: 1) its normal 2) likely hormone driven, and 3) completely OK to ask for help when you need it. This is a major surgery that demands sudden, massive life changes, and it takes a toll on your body and mind. Its ok to feel the feelings and go through the process of grief/processing that comes after it. But do remember that all of *this* is temporary. Your body will heal, you won't be in pain forever, you will figure out how to eat and move and live with your new tiny tummy, and you will lose weight and get healthier along the way. That is the ultimate goal, this bit is just a phase. Take time to rest, ask as many questions as you need to, seek help from your providers, and give yourself lots of grace.

First of all, please know that the struggle is completely normal and you are not alone. I think the vast majority of us have some amount of disordered eating habits, be it BED, emotional eating, food addiction, etc. That being said, the surgery will not cure the mental piece of this; it is only a physical tool to help you along the way. If you have not already, I highly suggest you seek out some counseling from someone who works in the eating disorder space. Getting yourself into the best possible shape mentally & emotionally is just a critical as the physical part. Also the Food Addiction Recovery Workbook by Carolyn Coker Ross (available on Amazon) is a great resource and first step to healing some of those habits. As for the LRD, you haven't blown it. Any measure of success should be celebrated. Dust yourself off, start over again tomorrow, and do the best you can. If your liver does not sufficiently shrink then, yes, you may end up with an extra incision or two, and yes, it may make recovery a little more painful, but its not impossible and it won't set you back. You can do this!

You need to get into some counseling ASAP. Its pretty clear you have some unrealistic expectations of what WLS was and how it would work, and you also might need some support on how to manage your new life and adjust post-op. I'm sorry this has been so disappointing and frustrating for you, but as others have said, weight loss surgery is a tool not a magic wand. You absolutely can overeat if you want to, it just makes it harder. But if you aren't tracking what/how much you're eating, how do you know if you're overeating? And exercise is good for you; sounds like you are really resistant to that, but the reality is you need to move your body regularly. Whether you are trying to lose weight or not, your body NEEDS it. Again, your feelings are valid, WLS is a massive life change. But some additional support for your emotional/mental health would probably be really helpful for you. You can't have the surgery and then refuse to comply with the post-op requirements and then be angry that surgery "isn't working" for you. It is, but YOU need to make it work. We are here to cheer you on, but you've got to do your part.

The pre-op diet is brutal. Everything you're feeling is completely justified. I had to take a nap almost every single day. That being said, it DOES get better and no, you won't feel this way forever after surgery. My program had liquids for 2 weeks post-op, which wasn't great, but as soon as I got to purees I really turned a corner energy-wise. Eventually, your calorie intake will increase and you'll feel much more "normal" it just takes time. Give yourself permission to test when you need to and know that this is just a step along the way. Sent from my motorola one 5G ace using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgeon recommends no alcohol for at least 6 months post-op. I'm currently 2 months out and don't plan to drink anytime soon. I would say, follow your plan, its there for a reason.

Walking, heating pad, and staying upright as much as possible all help. It does get better!

Sending you positive thoughts this morning. You're going to do great!

First of all, I just want to say that I am so proud of you for reaching out and getting the process started. Sometimes that very first action is the hardest but you did it and that's something to celebrate. I would say as you're working through the process of getting approved for surgery, it would be worthwhile to see a therapist. I also have abuse and trauma in my history which heavily contributed to my disordered eating and weight gain. Getting help for my mental well being was the single most important piece of my journey. The surgery is just a tool and it will only work as well as you learn to use it. Making sure that you work through trauma, learn new coping mechanisms, and have a solid support system in place will help ensure long term success. As for questions, I'd say keep a journal or notebook and write things down as they come to mind. Then, take that to your appts and ask them all as you're able to. Personally, I wanted to know all about my surgeons success/mortality/infection rates, the pre- and post-op diets, long term eating habits, vitamin and supplement requirements, and my personal health history and how it may impact surgery and success. Of course, other questions came up along the way, so I asked those too. Welcome to the WLS surgery club. We're glad you're here and we're cheering you on!

I had VSG with Dr. Illan at HospitalBC and HIGHLY recommend them. I don't know if Dr. Illan does virtual consultations, but I didn't ask. I had done more than 200 hours of research and consulted with 3 US surgeons before I committed, so I felt like I didn't need one. That being said, you do meet with the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and cardiologist in person prior to surgery. Hopefully you get some additional recommendations and can get what you need!

I am about 2 months post-op and my stomach is very "loud" sometimes. I'm not sure what causes it, but I think its pretty common. I've read that it gets better with time. I've noticed that it gets worse when I've gone too long between meals or if I eat/drink too fast.

I had a good bit of irritation and discomfort for probably the first week. Warm tea and lots of rest seemed to do the trick.

I suspect you'll get many similar answers, but I'll go ahead and say it - follow your surgeons' plan. They should have given you some dietary guidelines to follow and its incredibly important to do so. They have their own programs for a reason, regardless of differences, and its best to follow as best you can. That being said, a general rule for bariatric patients is protein first. You need to be hitting your protein goal (set by your program) as consistently as possible using high quality proteins when possible (more whole foods, less supplements). Doing so leaves very little room for carbs or fat. It takes time, but that is the goal.

Congratulations! We will keep our fingers crossed that they can get you booked sooner rather than later. the waiting game is tough, but you've made it this far! Personally, I started taking my vitamins, made sure I was during 64oz of fluids a day, and started cutting back on carbs and caffeine to get into the habit and ease the transition.

I've had the coconut yogurt and its not bad. Sometimes you have to try a few before you find one you like. I've never been a huge breakfast person and I absolutely despise eggs in every form, so morning meals are always tricky for me. Most often I simply have "leftovers" for breakfast. When I was in the puree/soft food phases, I'd make a batch of thin refried beans, thick soup, hummus, mashed cauliflower, or other similar foods and then eat it for multiple meals in a row, or I would freeze them in single serve containers and rotate. Oatmeal or cream of wheat with protein powder mixed in might be good options, too.

Do they give you Pain Meds, For how long, Do they really help? I had VSG, with 2 nights in the hospital. While in the hospital they gave me they heavy duty stuff, when discharged I got a script for a non-opioid pain med. Used it for 2 days then pitched the rest. long term post-op you will not be able to take NSAIDs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc.) so you'll want to stock up on acetaminophen. This is due to the risk of stomach ulcers from NSAID use. If you need something stronger (for example for migraines) you'll need to talk to your doctor. Are you able to use full strength Medications? Does the surgery Effect your ability to absorb medications? VSG generally does not create malabsorption, so medications aren't typically impacted. RNY and MGB do create malabsorption, so medication adjustments might be needed. Specifically, if you take extended/delayed release meds, you may need to switch to standard release, with doses spread out over the course of the day. Some med dosages may need to be adjusted as you lose weight and your body changes (cholesterol, blood pressure, insulin, etc.). All of these should be monitored by and discussed with your surgeon and/or PCP.

I regularly had hummus during puree/soft phases and did fine with it. Guac is a pass because I'm allergic. Refried beans thinned with salsa or enchilada sauce, Madras lentils & Tasty Bite dal (both from Costco), cottage cheese, and thick soups were staples for me. I opted the chew instead of blend, mostly out of convenience, but it did get old. I also added unflavored protein powder to just about anything I could.

Most surgeons have a pre-op diet they want you to follow immediately before surgery. If you're still a ways out and just looking for guidance on how to eat healthier leading up to that, I'd suggest reaching out to your surgeon/dietician and see what recommendations they have. A diet full of lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and complex carbs is always a safe bet, but if you're looking for more tailored advice, best to contact your providers!

I use Isopure, but honestly don't love it. I tend to only mix it in to other foods like beans and soups and such, not in drinks. Have you tried the protein waters (Protein2o, etc.)? I've been drinking those and find them MUCH more palatable now that I've burned out on shakes. They are thin, not as sweet, and I can dump them in my water bottle with some ice and sip on them all day. They do tend to have less protein than the shakes, I've only found varieties with 15 and 20 grams, but still a nice reprieve!

I'm about 8 weeks post-op and I'm still learning my new "plumbing" and signals! It definitely takes some time. I think it gets a little easier once you move to soft foods; the liquid & puree phases are mostly to allow time for healing. Also, some people do have hunger sensations post-op, though it is uncommon, so don't be concerned if you don't completely lose those feelings. Continue to focus on fluid intake and resting, and give yourself time to learn your new body!

I had VSG, so not exactly apples to apples, but it took a good 5 days before I was able to comfortably sleep in my bed. The gas pain/pressure really necessitated sleeping upright, and the bending/twisting to get in & out of bed kept me in the chair for another day or two. But thankfully, it does get better and by about day 10 I was sleeping completely normally without any issues (on my side/stomach). Hang in there, it does get better!

Yep, same. I space mine out over 30min to an hour, longer if they start to bother me, and I never take them on an empty stomach. That seems to help a good bit. I have the vitamin pee thing, too, but I haven't noticed it in my sweat. I don't love it, but its just one of those things that comes along with WLS.

Crystal Light makes some varieties with caffeine in them, the latte flavored Premier Protein has caffeine, I also really like ZipFizz. Though I do mix them into oblivion to get rid of the "fizz."

I think any forum full of internet warriors is risky, including this one. Personal experiences can be extremely helpful but its important to remember that they are just that, experiences, and NOT medical advice. That being said, the surgeon I used does have a FB group of future, current, and former patients. The surgeon, dietitian, and patient coordinator are all active in the group to help keep wayward advice from well meaning but misinformed patients to a minimum, and I've noticed that they do not censor. Though the occurrences of complaints are extremely rare, I'm happy to see them because it means that the hospital is not moderating in such a way as to make themselves look better, which is usually the case with those types of groups. When looking for a surgeon, you want as much information from as many sources as you can find. Look at their credentials, professional associations & accreditations, their success and SSI rates, patient testimonies, etc. Then make a decision based on the totality of the information. Sent from my SM-A205U using BariatricPal mobile app

First of all, I just want to say I'm sorry you're struggling and I hope you know you're not alone. The last 2 years have been brutal for a lot of us and there is no shame in any if it. That being said, before you move on to revision/bypass, have you reached out to your surgery center and/or dietitian? They should be able to offer some guidance on how to get back on track. Most suggest going back to the basics: weigh and track everything, prioritize protein, get your fluids in, move your body everyday, etc. If they aren't helpful or available to you, maybe ask your PCP for a referral to an RD? Sometimes we just need someone to point us in the right direction. Also, have you gotten support for your mental health & wellbeing? Making sure you've dealt with the junk internally is SO important. If not, that might be a really good place to start. A few sessions of therapy can go a LONG way. Maybe do some reading on emotional eating or whatever patterns you find yourself falling into. Knowledge is power! Revision is always an option, and there is absolutely no shame in pursuing it. But it's not the only option. You already have the tools, maybe you could benefit from some guidance in how to start using them again? Whatever you decide, we wish you the best! Sent from my SM-A205U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had VSG at HopsitalBC in Tijuana, Mx. by Dr. Illan. I did about 200 hours of research before my surgery and based on that research, finances, and other personal considerations, decided to go the Medical Tourism route and have been very happy with that decision. These hospitals ONLY do bariatric surgeries and are geared towards medical tourists. They run a VERY well oiled machine from intake to discharge. The process was so smooth, I was completely confident going alone. The surgeon I chose is highly accredited, has done thousands of WLS procedures, has relationships and mentorships with some of the most well known US bariatric surgeons for continuing ed, is board certified, etc. He is just as qualified, if not more so, than many of the bariatric surgeons in my area. The reality is, there are amazing surgeons in the US and just as many in Mexico and other places. Conversely, there are terrible surgeons here and everywhere else. There are pros and cons to each, and every person has different needs. Ultimately it boils down to doing your research, finding a surgeon you trust, and a program that fits your needs.