SleeveToBypass2023

I have no idea why I feel this way. I'm finally down to 1 more surgery (my hysterectomy) and then I'm totally done with hospitals. I'm healing well from my hernia surgery (even did a VERY light workout today for the first time in a month since I'm only 3 1/2 weeks out). I love my job, I'm feeling good, our rent is paid and we have plenty of food, car is running well, gas tank is full, finally stable again. Hubby and I get along great, kids and granddaughter are doing well. It's driving me nuts that I can't figure out why I feel down. Normally I'm excited about the new year. I don't get SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), and I was fine up until about 2 days ago. I don't suffer from depression, so it's just really bugging me. What in the world do I have to be down about???

So a month and a half ago I started working 12 hour shifts overnight 3-4 days per week. Everyone said by now my body would adapt, but that hasn't happened. Instead, as time goes on, I'm getting more and more fatigued. I sleep all day and wake up feeling like I haven't slept at all. My joints hurt all the time. I talked to my doctor and my nutritionist and they said to get more rest, eat more dark leafy greens, increase my protein, and maybe drink some coffee. I've done all that and it's been no help at all. Then I was told "maybe you shouldn't do overnights" but that's not an option. It's a requirement for my job. Energy drinks don't work on me (I'm not caffeine sensitive so no matter how much I drink of it, I don't get any kind of a boost) and b-12 doesn't do anything for me, either. I'm at a loss now and I was hoping some of you might have some suggestions. Thanks in advance!!!

Yep, I have been getting it for MONTHS. It drives me nuts. I'm aware I look too thin. I'm trying to fix that. Their comments don't help at all.

In the last 3 weeks, I've been dealing with crazy weird constipation. But my poop isn't hard, it's really soft. Just won't come out. TONS of gas. Bloated stomach. I was diagnosed with IBS-C about 7 months after my initial surgery (sleeve). I was on the 145mcg dose of Linzess for about a year and a half, and between that and Miralax (and every once in a blue moon, a combo laxative/stool softener) I was very regular. Pooped either every day or every other day for the most part. No bloated stomach. No real gas. Then 3 weeks ago, the constipation just went crazy and got really weird. Gas has been the most insane of my life. Stomach super bloated and uncomfortable. Linzess was increased to 290mcg and has done NOTHING. Miralax was increased. Added more Fiber to my diet and even a fiber supplement. Even started taking more laxative/stool softener meds. Added prune juice. And still, I've had a good poop exactly twice in 3 weeks and 3 small poops. That's it. Nothing is working. I drink 100 fl oz daily. I don't drink soda or anything with sugar. I honestly don't know what else to do. Any advice or suggestions? Oh, I've also added magnesium. I tried Colon Broom. Literally....nothing. I JUST WANNA POOP!!!!!

I sent a message to my doctor in the patient portal an she said that we can discuss progesterone vs testosterone and see what will work better. She said she "might" be willing to try progesterone for 3 months and see how it goes, but if it doesn't really help, then we would need to switch to testosterone. So at least she's willing to talk it over and possibly give it a try.

Do you take any testosterone? I was told to take testosterone compound cream with the estrogen but not to take progesterone. I think maybe I need to go see my doctor again and ask about getting progesterone before we discuss paying out of pocket for a compound testo cream when I may not need it.

Yes I was told to because I'm on my feet most of my shift. I was trying to gain weight and it was good for a bit but has started going back down again, so I was told to cut out the working out for now.

I'll have to ask. My doctor said because my ovaries were removed along with my uterus, I don't need progesterone. But I'll definitely ask.

Well, my win is that I'm surviving doing my overnight shifts at work, doing school (I started my IV certification class and my QMAP class during the day), and picking up an extra overnight shift here and there when possible. OMG I'm so tired lol But I'm so so happy with the fact that I'm in a size 8/10 Medium now. I started off in a 26/28 and sometimes a 30 (5x). I keep my jacket in a size Large because I like them a little bigger. And that absolutely BLOWS MY MIND that a size large is a little big on me lol My husband was looking for me in the store, and he said he saw me come around the corner and it took him looking past me and then back at me twice before he realized it was me because he said I look so thin that he just totally didn't recognize me LOL

I had a sleeve and then had HORRENDOUS gerd. I was on 80mg of Nexium per day as well as Pepcid and TUMS and it still wasn't enough. I had a barium swallow and endoscopy and found I had gastritis, esophagitis, and the high levels of PPI daily caused polyps to completely cover my stomach. I had to have 5 endoscopies to remove all the polyps. Then I had the bypass and it completely took care of the gerd. I had to have a ventral hernia surgically repaired and the gerd briefly came back and I went on PPI again for about a month and then it went away again. And I've been fine ever since. The smell sensitivity does die down, and mostly goes away, but I'm still sensitive to hamburger meat cooking, eggs cooking, and tuna fish. Other than that, the rest all went away. Bad breath can be ketosis, and as your diet balances out, it'll pass. Most of the time the taste aversions go away, but sometimes they don't. I used to LOVE green olives, pickles, bacon, salt. But now I hate all of that. As soon as I had the bypass, it happened. And that was a year and a half ago.

I'm sorry you're going through this, but I'm proud of you for being able to admit this and make the decision to change it. I worry about those that drink daily and don't moderate their alcohol consumption after the surgery. It's one thing to enjoy an occasional drink, it's another to drink daily (or multiple times per day). I really am impressed with your ability for self reflection and honesty. I really hope you're able to work through this. You took the first step today. Keep going, and good luck!!!

My hubby does all the cooking. I plan to prioritize turkey, then 1 standard spoonful of mashed potatoes (the big spoons, not the small ones), 1 spoonful of stuffing, homemade gravy on all of it, as well as 1 spoonful of cheesy peas, 1 spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce, 2 spoonfuls of broccoli and cauliflower gratin, and 2 spoonfuls of roasted brussel sprouts w/ bacon and parmesan. I know it seems like such a small amount, but I want to have a little of everything. I'm not having any rolls, tho. And I will (eventually) have a slice of no sugar added pumpkin pie with sugar free whipped cream. I'm REALLY excited. I LOVE Thanksgiving!!!

I did. I updated it

I've been wondering about something. When I look at my surgery progress under my picture, I have my starting weight (388) as what I weighed the day of my initial surgery. BUT, my highest weight was 421, which is what I weighed when I started the bariatric surgery process. I lost 33 pounds in order to be approved for the surgery, then qualified and had it right away. So should I put my starting weight as my highest weight, or keep it at the weight I was at on surgery day? How do you guys do it?

Awww, thank you!!! I was hoping to get to 250 pounds lost, but at this point I'm just gonna leave it alone. The goal is to NOT lose more lol But thank you for saying that I knew how much I lost but seeing there just hits different, you know?

Ok, you guys convinced me. What you all said really makes a lot of sense, so I went ahead and changed it. Thanks so much!!!

Makes sense. I might change mine then.

Yep, me. I never lost my hunger at all. I've just had to learn that if I follow my plan, I'm getting enough food. I ignore it by staying busy, working a lot, and keeping busy so I'm not focused on it. I make sure to have 3 meals and 3 snacks per day and prioritize protein, then healthy fats, then fiber, then carbs.

I think I've always had bad posture. Last time I was this size, I was in high school. I didn't care about my posture then lol I was really active so I really wasn't thinking about it. Once I had my son (at age 20), my PCOS kicked in hardcore and I gained a ton of weight that I couldn't lose. I assume my posture got worse, but I went from 165 when I got pregnant to 250 when I had my son. I lost about 15 pounds post baby and pretty much stayed there until I got pregnant with my daughter (at age 28). I went up to 315 when I had her and never lost a single ounce. As time went on, I slowly gained and nothing worked for losing it, so my "give-a-damn" busted and I stopped caring. And by the time I was 38, I weighed 395 and by age 42, I was 421. And stayed there until I had my original surgery in 2022. All through that, I'm pretty sure my posture just got worse and worse. And now that I'm 46 and weigh 245 pounds LESS, the bad posture is REALLY noticeable and even more uncomfortable than ever. I'm going to try some of the suggestions in this thread, because something's gotta give.

This is the first time I've ever seen your face!!! You're beautiful!!!

pic 1 - 421 pounds pic 2 - 176 pounds

I know exactly how you feel. I had the sleeve and did great. Had to have a revision due to complications and had a bypass. In both surgeries, I never ever lost physical hunger, nevermind head hunger. I still have head hunger to this day. And yes, I have times (not a whole day, but just certain times during a day here and there) where I eat something I definitely shouldn't be eating. Have I over-eaten? Yep. Have I eaten things I shouldn't? Yep. Am I failing my surgery? NOPE. I still feel some guilt when I "cheat" but you know what? It happens. Life happens. The point is you have to recognize that you had a slip, it is what it is, tomorrow is another day to start over and get it right. There's all kinds of online support groups, online therapy, and bariatric forums (like this one) that can offer help, support, suggestions, and accountability. You can do this, just remember WHY you did the surgery. Remember why you wanted it and why you jumped through all the hoops to get it.

I had to teach myself by literally only giving myself exactly what I'm supposed to eat for each bite. I'd set a timer and when it went off, I would get myself another bite worth of food. Or my hubby would do it. It's drastic, but I ate too fast and too much at first and REALLY paid for it. I had to do this for about 2 weeks until I got used to it. Once I did, I was able to put my full meal's worth of food on the plate or in the bowl. I also used toddler utensils so I couldn't over-eat.

I weighed 270 and was a size 22/24 when I met and married my husband. After I had our daughter, I was 340. And through the years, I went all the way to 421. My husband is known as a "chubby chaser" so he always loved how I look. Now that I'm 176 (I friggin dropped weight AGAIN...sigh...) and a size med/large, he struggles with how thin I am now. I'm literally the same size I was in high school. I weighed 165 then, so I'm still 11 pounds heavier but my clothing size is the same. My ring size is smaller. I have SO MUCH male attention now, and it actually annoys me. Every time I get hit on, I give the "bombastic side eye" and stare right through them. If they don't stop, and some don't, I say "no" and when they start to question me, I say "no is a complete sentence. now leave before I get pissed and show you my nasty side" and I walk away lol

I was on liquids for 2 weeks, then small smooshie foods for 2 weeks (like hummus, avocado, cottage cheese), then steamed foods like steamed veggies for 2 weeks. THEN I went on regular foods. But in extremely small portions. Before 6 weeks, your stomach is still swollen, still healing, and can't handle regular food. I would go back to liquids for a few days, then mushie foods for a week and steamed foods for a week. THEN I would try to eat regular foods again. Your stomach should be healed enough by then.