LAN2k

Thank you, because I feel so alone in this.

Thank you I will try to gather myself together later tonight and see if I can find the "complications area" and start a thread to sort out what in God's name has happened to me. But at the moment I can't stop crying and have got to get myself out the door and distracted. I'm just one big ball of sadness and fear.

Daisy can you tell me the dose of biotin that you take please, I'd like to try it before I am totally bald! Maybe it will preserve some of my hair. Thanks.

Thank you all for pitching in on this hair loss thing. If my hair keeps falling out at the rate it is now I will be bald soon. I wish there were supplements that really would help at least.

Tiffy, I tried taking Wellbutrin but for depression and anxiety. I stopped it after 2 days. Since you are further out of surgery than it may not have the anti-appetite effect that it had on me. I just couldn't even look at food let alone eat it. That may have been helpful had I not had WLS but could pose a danger when we have been sleeved and need to get in an adequate amount of nutrition. I am glad you want to stop smokiing, and trust God to guide you.

I'm amazed at how this surgery affects people differently. At 4+ months out I still can not tolerate sweets, like cookies, cakes, any baked goods whatsoever. Even fresh fruit turns me right off. I no longer can even drink most beverages not even a cup of hot cocoa. Nearly every flavor and texture just sickens me. I feel like I had a lobotomy along with the sleeve actually and it really is disurbing.

I am very glad you did not take any offense. I just think it is important to be ever so informed of life after surgery. From what I can see here most people adjust very well and are so happy they made the change. I wish you only the best in your journey. God bless and keep you every step of the way.

I would have gone for intensive pre surgery counseling with a qualified psychologist. One that has had years of experience in treating pre and post op patients. I was not ready for this operation and I'm paying a huge price psychologically (even though I am losing alot of weight). I'm not even excited about it and can barely find it in me to groom myself I'm so depressed. It's apparent to me that I'm the odd ball out here but I wish I would have really been prepared to make such a life changing decision. I'm am glad y'all are happy however and I hope and pray that one day soon I too will be glad I made this decision instead of living with despair and regret.

Tiffy gave you healthy answers. I'm not as far out as she so please consider this. After the surgery, after the liquid and mushy food period most of us are really only able to eat a very small amount of food. There is just so little room for the volume of food as we were used to consuming to fit. If your new stomach is 3 or 4 oz than that is about all you'll be able to get in and even that takes tiny steps. In my opinion things radically change and you need to be psychologically prepared for this change because once done there is no undoing it. Unlike Tiff I have a very narrow scope of what I can eat because since the surgery I dislike so many foods especially sweet things. Even crunchy textures and my former favorite cheeses seem to be history. I have lost all desire for chocolate, coffee, vanilla, strawberry. I haven't the slightest desire for a banana, orange, tangerine, apple, no fruit. I have been able to only drink one flavor vitamin water (tropical citrus) all the others which I formerly enjoyed sicken me...even plain water nauseates me. I weighed 132 pre surgery, lost 15lbs on the pre surgery diet and now I'm at 170. I am glad you are asking questions like this it is VERY important that you are prepared because life and relationship with food will change radically. I wish you all the best.

Welcome back. I wondered where you were...and I'm sorry about your mom, she's blessed to have you for a daughter. Hope your auto situation is resolved to your satisfaction.

What I really appreciate is your demonstration of quantity! That mean alot to me since at this stage in my journey there are days where I am only able to eat a couple of table spoons and other days where I can get in about 4 or 5 oz of soup or fish etc. Thanks Tiff for being so attuned to the needs we all struggle with.

Thank you kindly for addressing my complex question. I am on the hunt for a psychiatrist who will have ample understanding of this concept. I know this will take perserverance especially on my part but as I am sure you understand I am in a very difficult position as I can not afford to have any decreases in appetite, yet am in dire need of relief from the morbid thoughts and at times unbearable anxiety. Please inform me if you come across any additional information that may be instrumental in helping me to gain a healthy mind and functional life. Thanks again. Regards, Lisann

I have only learned recently that Serotonin is not only produced in the brain but that it is mainly produced in the stomach. Although my PCP, surgeon and GI doctor all concur, they do not know how this affects or connects with the brain and use of SSRI medication. I don't want to make this personal but I am 4+ months out of surgery (VGS) and have since day one been suffering with both anxiety and depression. I am under treatment with a psychologist and have tried 2 antidepressants, Wellbutrin, and Zoloft, both of which immediately raised anxiety and zapped my appetite. I was taken off both and am now on Trazadone before bed and generic Klonopin as needed during the day. Myself aside, can you clarify what is going on chemistry wise since my stomach is no longer producing serotonin. I am trying desperately to figure this out and get adequate help, as I am barely able to cope with my life since the surgery. Thank you.

I see. Thanks Daisy.

Daisy can you tell me what exactly is an upper GI? I recently went to see a GI specialist due to excessive mucus, gagging and heaving every morning when I awake and am about to rinse my mouth/brush teeth etc. He said nothing about doing an upper GI. He told me I might need invasive testing like being wired for 4 days (at home) through my nose to esophagus or having clips attached to my esophagus!! I went out of there very concerned and afraid. He made no mention of an upper GI.

Just curious to know about how long after taking the aciphex did your problem resolve? I am on it now for 4 days and I'm really hoping it will help me.

http://pfrc.med.nyu.edu/handouts/pdf/all/pfrc09-000041.pdf go to page 8 and it instructs to stop 1/2 hour before eating and can resume liquids 1/2 hour after. I have personally been okay with sipping a little 10-15 minutes at times before a meal.

I may be wrong about this but I think that the high triglyceride issue will be only more support for you having this surgery.

Oh my Tracy I'm so sorry you are suffering like this. Can you call an ER and ask to speak to a nurse, explain your situation with the recent surgery and limitations on what you may take and maybe the nurse can inquire from a surgeon? I know I was able to take percoset for pain after my surgery for several days. Can you apply ice or heat for relief? Do you need to wrap your injured knee? I wish I were there to help you. I'll get back to you if I find any answers. The Tylenol is allowed but I guess it's not strong enough in this case.

I'm about 3.5 months out and I use zophran when nausea becomes problematic. It seems to work.

So I guess Aciphex is another antacid and since it's working to prevent excess in stomach acid production your body no longer has the need to produce excess mucus. I had my surgery in New York, on Long Island in Syosett Hospital, Syosett, NY. Thanks for putting up this post I hope I find resolution to my problem.

Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. I am having so much trouble with mucus and sinus that I have suspected all along it must have to do with the newly formed stomach and excessive production of mucus. I am seeing a GI doctor tomorrow. In the meanwhile I spoke to my surgeon and read some of the info you have posted. He phoned in a precription for the Aciphex and said it was OK for me to try it. What I really want to know if you don't mind is if it has resolved your excessive mucus/sinus problem. and If you are experiencing any negative side effects from it like a severely dry mouth especially over night, any nausea? Thanks so much.

Has the Acifex fixed the problem? How long have you been taking it? Can you please tell me if there are any adverse side effects to the Acifex? All of the symptoms you have described I am having and then some. In the morning I literally retch and heave as if I am vomiting but nothing is coming out except for excessive saliva and some mucus. I am in severe distress because of this. I made an appointment to see a GI specialist tomorrow but now I wonder if it's an allergist I should be seeing instead. All of the acid reflux meds I have tried like prilosec, protonix, etc. have made my morning symptoms worse...thickened the mucus lining my throat and mouth etc. I have suspected that this problem stems from this surgery somehow and you may have the answer. Your allergist seemed to be able to decipher the problem. Where is he/she located?

I have had a continual sinus drip (more like a flow) since the surgery. It can irritate my throat. Also in the morning when I brush my teeth and gargle I retch and heave and gag and I think it's related to my sinus/mucus problem.

Tiffy you are an inspiration and hope to those of us who are struggling. Thank you for being here. xx