BirdLady21

I had my surgery yesterday November 23rd and it went well. I also had hernia repair at the same time. So far I am not in much pain just a little discomfort. The nurses were surprised at how well I was doing. I drank two bottles of water. Took me several hours but I got and keep it down. No Nausea and i have I walked every our sometimes twice an hour to help with the gas. For now the gas discomfort is completely tolerable. The worst pain was my throat from the intubation, but still tolerable. I just made my first Bariatric fusion shake today and so far so good. Just slipping on water in between. I know I will probably have some bad days, but I’m happy the start has been really good.

Is there anyone who has had gastric bypass and has dreadlocks???? I am doing a lot of my end to try and combat hair loss as best as I can. Making sure I’m getting my protein in, other supplements, and collagen, etc. I know hair loss is a part of the surgery but I’m doing what I can to minimize it when I get to that point. I am only 3 weeks ends right now. My dreadlocks fall between the middle of my back and my “bottom.” I was wondering since our hair doesn’t require a lot of manipulation if the hair loss is the same of us. I just wash my hair and keep it up in a bun yo lessen the manipulation. I saw one YouTube say she didn’t lose her locs but she lost her edges. I know everyone’s experience is different, but wondering if I would have to cut off my locs. Thank you in advance for your responses. 💛💛💛💛

I just wanted to share since this is a safe place.

Does anyone else have problems with eating breakfast???? I still have a protein shake or smoothie for breakfast. I can mix my vitamins and supplements in with my shakes first thing in the morning. It is my hardest meal to get down. I even struggle to drink water first thing in the morning. Today is officially 3 weeks for my since gastric bypass. It literally feels like my pouch is closed early in the morning. I have never thrown up or anything. It can about 1.5 - 2 hours to get down a 8-10oz shake. Has anyone else experienced this???? I don’t have this problem any other time of day. Only breakfast. Thanks in advance 💛💛💛💛

Hello everyone!!!! It has officially been 1 month since I I went gastric bypass. I am currently down 32lbs. On my surgery date 11/23/2021 I was 276lbs. Today I am 244.6 lbs. This month is been CRAZY. Especially the last week or so. I’ve been extremely week, but speaking with my RN and dietician we determined I’m not getting enough calories and I am in ketosis. I will be speaking with my surgeon today as well just to see if there is anything else that he would add. Besides the lack of energy, I feel pretty good. I had an issue with acid reflux, but a little Prilosec and zofran cleared that right up. I also have been put on monthly B12 injections. Just giving a one month update. 💛💛💛💛

Thank you!!!! 💛💛💛💛

Thank you!!!! 💛💛💛💛I actually never thought that eating would ruin my weight loss. I would love to eat more. I’m honestly not hungry at all. I haven’t begin to feel hunger yet. I have to set alarms to eat. My surgery team told me that I don’t have to eat more, just make a few tweaks to what I am eating. For instance, adding peanut butter to my apple sauce or yogurt to get the calories up. Or adding low fat Mayo to my tuna instead of just eating it with a little pepper. I do eat 5-6 times a day. I think when I’m completely healed, I might start to feel hunger and be able to get more in.

I understand you have to do what you have to do. I didn’t have 25k laying around either. Believe it or not. Lol!!!! I only had to be on the clear liquid diet for 2 days. The day before the surgery. No food or drink the day of the surgery. Clear liquid the day after surgery. I started my full liquid diet when I got home. Week 1 - full liquid Week 2-3 - pureed (protein shake for at least one meal or snack) Week 4 - soft foods (1 Protein Shake per day) This is for RYN. Every surgery is different though. Each center has their own post-op instructions. I can share mine with you if you would like. It gives tips on what to and not to eat. Even warns against raw fruit and veggies for a specific time. Not at all bashing your decision. I’m sorry if it came off that way. I just know my surgery center is AMAZING. I didn’t want people to get the impression that their aren’t good centers in the US. You got to do what you got to do. Just pointing out the difference in patient preparation and post op care. I guess it’s unfair for me to just say abroad. There are people in the US who still don’t get the type of prep and post op care that I received. My surgery was done through the #1 hospital in my state. I went through my insurance. I barely made the cut, but I made it. I’m 5’6” and was 276 pounds. I had Aetna and I found one of their “Centers of Excellence.” Thus why my surgery was through the #1 hospital in my state. I have spoken to other people who have had the surgery in the US and they didn’t receive the type of preparation and care that I receive. So I guess it all depends on where you go. US or abroad. There are some amazing hospitals in the US just takes some researching. I’m glad you had a good outcome overall. Now that I think about it obesity isn’t as big as a problem in other countries as it is in America. There’s no doubt that their surgical skills are superior, but the challenge really begins post op. It’s good there are forums, support groups, and good old google, so you can get more information. Sending love and blessings your way. And yes, please keep us updated. 💛💛💛💛 💛💛💛💛

I had mine of the 23rd of November and I am down 29lbs. I was shocked like you, but it seems to be normal. 💛💛💛💛

Congratulations on your sleeve. First I’m going to address the issue of Protein. In the beginning Protein is super important. It helps heal, Hair loss, muscle building, skin elasticity, etc. My full liquid diet consisted of 3 Protein Shakes a day with a list of other fluids in between my shakes. My surgery center let me know it was imperative that I got in at least 3 protein shakes a day. I went home with a 30 day supply of Bariatric Fusion protein power and Vitamins. Along with prescription for nausea and pain. So not having any protein for two week properly isn’t a good thing. They also gave me a list of approved bariatric protein shakes and powders so I can order more once I ran out of what they sent me home with. Now to address the negative, I don’t recommend anyone go abroad or go for a cheaper version. I actually feel sad for you because we went to a place that didn’t give you the correct information to be successful in the long run. This surgery is about so much more than have someone reputable to cut into you. It’s good to have a surgery team to be there for you before and after the surgery and to let you up for success. Everyone’s situation is different. Your starting weight was like mine in the 200s, so I didn’t have to undergo some of the things that others have. I must mention the I had RNY and not sleeve. There are a couple of things that I see that I know my surgery center in the US would have caught. Assuming you had heart burn before your surgery, RNY would have been the way to go instead. Also I started my surgery journey in August and I had my surgery in November in the US. During the months leading up to surgery, I was taught a new way of eating not only food choices, but also how to chew, eat slower, and take smaller bites. Most of all how to get used to not drinking for 30-45 minutes after eating. This was the hardest habit to break. Lol!!!! This made it easier for after surgery. I was also accustomed to ending this new way. I had several tests done just to ensure I was healthy enough handle the anesthesia. During the coarse of these tests it was discovered that I had sleep apnea and an irregular heart beat. Had I gone aboard and settled for a cheaper option, I could have died one the table because the anesthesiologist not know of these issues and we hadn’t worked to correct them as much as possible before hand. I had to work with a psychiatrist to work through my emotional eating. Now I turn to prayer or journaling instead of a bowl of ice cream and potato chips. So I said all that to say, YES you need protein. And to discourage anyone from taking a short cut or cheaper option. As you can see you can easily be given misinformation or left without the necessary info and tools to be successful after the surgery. Best wishes 💛💛💛💛

Congratulations on your sleeve. First I’m going to address the issue of protein. In the beginning Protein is super important. It helps heal, hair loss, muscle building, skin elasticity, etc. My full liquid diet consisted of 3 protein shakes a day with a list of other fluids in between my shakes. My surgery center let me know it was imperative that I got in at least 3 protein shakes a day. I went home with a 30 day supply of bariatric fusion protein power and vitamins. Along with prescription for nausea and pain. So not having any protein for two week properly isn’t a good thing. They also gave me a list of approved bariatric protein shakes and powders so I can order more once I ran out of what they sent me home with. Now to address the negative, I don’t recommend anyone go abroad or go for a cheaper version. I actually feel sad for you because we went to a place that didn’t give you the correct information to be successful in the long run. This surgery is about so much more than have someone reputable to cut into you. It’s good to have a surgery team to be there for you before and after the surgery and to let you up for success. Everyone’s situation is different. Your starting weight was like mine in the 200s, so I didn’t have to undergo some of the things that others have. I must mention the I had RNY and not sleeve. There are a couple of things that I see that I know my surgery center in the US would have caught. Assuming you had heart burn before your surgery, RNY would have been the way to go instead. Also I started my surgery journey in August and I had my surgery in November in the US. During the months leading up to surgery, I was taught a new way of eating not only food choices, but also how to chew, eat slower, and take smaller bites. This made it easier for after surgery. I was also accustomed to ending this new way. I had several tests done just to ensure I was healthy enough handle the anesthesia. During the coarse of these tests it was discovered that I had sleep apnea and an irregular heart beat. Had I gone aboard and settled for a cheaper option, I could have died one the table because the anesthesiologist not know of these issues and we hadn’t worked to correct them as much as possible before hand. I had to work with a psychiatrist to work through my emotional eating. Now I turn to prayer or journaling instead of a bowl of ice cream and potato chips. So I said all that to say, YES you need protein. And to discourage anyone from taking a short cut or cheaper option. As you can see you can easily be given misinformation or left without the necessary info and tools to be successful after the surgery. Best wishes 💛💛💛💛

Yeah, I found that out the hard way. It made me so sick. I didn’t even think about it containing caffeine. Lesson learned. Thanks for the tip on the power. 💛💛💛💛

I use the bariatric fusion unflavored collagen. It also has protein. I also have Further Food collagen peptides vanilla flavor from Amazon. If you are more of a vitamin person, I also have the vital vitamins multi collagen complex. Also found on Amazon. I just open the capsules and blend them in with my shakes.

Thank you for that information. It all make sense. I have never been pregnant so I didn’t know hair loss was an issue in pregnancy. I tell myself the same thing about weight loss over hair loss, but realistically super attached to my hair. Lol!!!! I almost opted out of the surgery because of the possible hair loss. Yep. It was that serious. Lol!!!! My dietician told me what yo do minimize it and talked me back into the surgery. If it happens, it happens. I’ll adjust and it will grow back. Just trying to stay positive and do what I can on my end. Thanks, Love💛💛💛💛

Thank you soooo much!!!! Your locs are beautiful 💛💛💛💛. I’m only 4 years in, but I was praying I wouldn’t have to cut them. I interlock every 4-6 months. My locs are really small. I have well over 300 of them. They’re not sisterlocks through. This is super helpful, Love 💛💛💛💛

Okay. Good to know. I’ve always been a major breakfast eater. I’m just going to have to adjust. My tummy can’t handle caffeine yet. I tried the coffee protein shake and it was the worst day I’ve had yet. I tried it at week 2. 💛💛💛💛

I guess my tummy has to wake up as well. I’ve always enjoyed breakfast. Truly believed it was the most important meal of the day. Lol!!!!

I’m the exact opposite. I’ve always loved breakfast. Sometimes I would eat breakfast and and little to nothing else throughout the day. Lol!!!! That’s why this is so weird.

Thank you so much. This was very helpful. I’ll try some tea and see if that helps. I can’t do coffee. I was one of those who had a little coffee with my sugar. I have the coffee flavored protein shakes, but they made me sick. I guess my tummy wasn’t ready for the caffeine yet. It was at week 2. I’ve always been a breakfast person. That’s why this feels so weird. Thank you for the advice on trying something warm. 💛💛💛💛

Thank you for your insight. I will be sure to get my protein and supplements in and say lots and lots of prayers. ☺️☺️☺️☺️💛💛💛💛

Thank you so much for this. I have been interlocking from the beginning. I have really small locs. Over 300. Plus I used to hike and garden so I had to wash my hair a lot and twisting was pointless. Lol!!!! I now interlock every 4-6 months. I had my hair interlocked a week before surgery so would not have to do any major manipulating and pulling for several months after surgery. I have heard a lot if VSG patients say they didn’t lose any hair because they don’t deal with the malabsorption like we RYN patients do. I don’t know if that is the reason or not. I try not to touch it at all unless I’m moisturizing my scalp or washing it. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RESPONDING. 💛💛💛💛

Oh my goodness I was looking at those the other day. Today is week 3 for me. I get the outshine no sugar added fruit pops. I only eat one every 2-3 days. They are satisfying. If you like the fudge taste. You can make some Sugar Free Chocolate Jello pudding. I use Protein reduced fat lactaid instead of regular fat free milk. I add some unflavored Bariatric Fusion protein power to it. I do this with the sugar free cheesecake pudding. You can do it with chocolate instead. Hope this helps. 💛💛💛💛

I started taking birth control pills the week before my surgery. I had gastric bypass 2.5 weeks ago. I am thinking of switching to the arm implant because of the malabsorption for gastric bypass. I don’t know if I can trust my husband to exit the premises at the right time. Lol!!!!

Oh my goodness. My incisions have been so itchy yesterday and today. Today was the first day that I could take an actual shower and I thought that would help. No dice. Has anyone else experienced this???? I’m thinking of getting some children’s Benadryl to help. It’s about to drive me crazy.

I am interested in joining a zoom support group