LAN2k

well I'm 2months, 11 days out and still struggling with food! I can eat one scrambled egg and that's it! Or one mashed up small meatball and done! I recently had around 4 oz of lentil Soup and a couple of bites of fillet of sole stuffed with crabmeat, then I took a fork full of shredded lettuce from a Greek salad. I was uncomfortable the entire night even into the next morning. I've already had an upper endoscopy and my surgeon said all was fine, no obstruction no need to be stretched. So I'm hoping that someone here will assure me that this struggle with food will pass! I would be miserable if this is the way it will feel for the duration of my life every time I eat. I can't even slightly gulp my fluids, I still have to take sips only the stuff just doesn't seem to flow. I personally am not overjoyed with the weight loss when eating and drinking is so unpleasant. Am I impatient? Please tell me that it will take another month or so but that things will be better, like being able to eat (even if only a few ounces), with normality! And drink comfortably too. Right now unless its cream of wheat eating is something, although I need to, I detest doing because of the after effect. I mean it will be horrible if this is what I will go through when it comes to food for the rest of my life! PS- Is it safe for me to eat a (well a piece), of a tangerine? Also I used to love eating sunflower seeds, the ones you break out of the shells with your teeth. Should I consider those history? And what about coffee, allowed? If so, should I stick to decaff only. I just want to eat balanced and healthy meals and not feel so uncomfortable afterward. It would be so nice to say yum that was good or satisfying instead of "oh no I better get up and walk, God I hope this stuff goes through and doesn't feel like I'm filled up to my throat! I am over the fact that I can only eat a little bit the dissatisfaction and inability to figure out what is going on in there and why it all feels so unnatural is so frustrating. Does anybody relate?

Thanks all, at least I know I'm not alone! I'll just keep on drinking my vitamin water/s and warm teas too.

Wow it does appear your doctors are good! I do hope your infection will clear up in time if not it shouldn't be too long before you will be ready. Best wishes and let us know how it goes.

Well let me be the first to congratulate you because you have been through so much and have come out victorious. Your energy is amazing and you are an inspiration to anyone making this journey no matter what stage they are going through. God bless you Tiff for you have blessed so many others in your journey. May you stay fit, vibrant and healthy all of your days xxooxx

Yes I started volunteer training in a really well put together cat adoption center. I have been there 3 times for 4 hours at a time. I find it helps since I adore animals especially cats and I'm interacting with other individuals, learning about the adoption process etc. It definitely helps. I need purpose in my life. What I hope to achieve in the not too distant future is a meaningful job, preferably PT. I could use the income. I am also considering training/schooling for something within the medical profession. I'm on social security disability so I will need to know if I will need to give that up if I become gainfully employed. I just hope to be drug free and my generally happy self again. Thanks for asking and remembering. Much appreciated.....

Thank you Shanda, your support is very much appreciated.

I agree it's a pretty good site. They also have a "Health Tracker" that will keep track of all the minute details of what you eat and drink daily.

I asked my surgeon if I could stop with the prilosec medication and use it on an as needed basis. He said yes, and as I recall right out of the hospital he wrote down OTC Pepsid AC to take daily. I stopped the PPI and some of my dry mouth and throat symptoms subsided but not totally. I use a vaporizer but I think adding a humidifier is a great idea. I think I'll do that as well.

My pain near my belly was intermittent and has seemed to go away. I will be seeing my surgeon for another post op visit and ask questions and I'm sure he will examine me by touching the sensitive areas. Thank you for offering some advise. Best wishes to you too.

I did not know that serotonin was/is mainly produced in the stomach but it seems logical to me after undergoing this surgery. In the past I've had acute periods of anxiety that were due to acute situations that once resolved the anxiety left. I never was clinically diagnosed with depression although I've had short periods of time where I was somewhat depressed but was able to function. I would be interested to know what an "activating anti depressant" actually functionally means...and, which of all the SSRI's might be best suited for me. I did try a couple in the past "effexor" zoloft, and I think paxil but within 2 days I just couldn't take what I felt like...very weird, strange thinking and almost like a stranger to myself so I quit trying. I'm wondering if I can just stay with what I am taking now and eventually be weaned off of each. Your knowledge is very much appreciated and has already helped my state of being improve. Thank you.

I want you to know that I did not take offense from your original post. I have been nothing but a "worrywart" since I awoke from the surgery. Some anxiety and worry I'm pretty sure would be normal, but mine was extreme and terrifying literally (I now know it had to be an effect of the Reglan). Since I continued to take it at least another 7 weeks out from surgery (at home)...the anxiety did not let up unless I was on xanax which was a quick and temporary fix and when it wore off the anxiety came back with a vengeance. My mind raced uncontrollably with morbid and depressing thoughts, not only of what may go wrong but I saw life as fleeting, all life it was as though there was no point because everything will eventually cycle out. My heart was so heavy. My medication was switched to Klonopin a longer lasting anti anxiety and then before bed, a Trazodone, a non addictive medication with appetite stimulating, anti depressant, and sedative properties. The psychiatrist tried me on Wellbutrin but within the first 2 days my appetite dropped and I could hardly eat, and my anxiety rose. I'm sticking with the Klonopin and Trazadone for now and although I feel somewhat sedated most of the time I am able to eat and the anxiety even the depressive thinking is beginning to lift. Your advise is well taken and maybe now I can work on staying in the moment and seeing the good in and around me. Your apology is accepted although I did not initially feel you were out to offend me, I could see the good in your message. Many others around me have been telling me the same thing. Thank you for coming back and further acknowledging my condition.

Tiffy, your attitude throughout your journey with all you have been through has been an inspiration. Your an amazing woman. Congratulations!

I am glad that your surgery went so well. Take care to give your body time to heal before you get back into the routine of things and be sure to get plenty of fluid in and walking every day as much as you can. Best wishes to you on your journey.

I'm 2.5 months out and I'm trying very hard to live in the moment. That said I'm in therapy with a psychologist who specializes in WLS patients. I suffered effects of extreme anxiety since day one out of surgery which was a side effect from a nausea medicine Reglan administered round the clock intravenously for 5 days, and then in pill form at home. I was put on anti-anxiety meds since, in order to function. You are right when you say: Just take it one day at a time and try to NOT worry about tomorrow as well as live in today. Would seem to help you. If I can master that I agree it would help me. That is what I am working on. Thank you so much.

Once again Tiffany I am astounded by what you have been through and yet your attitude is so positive and beautiful. I remain full of fear, anxiety and depression. I asked about the abscess detection because I wonder when and/or if there will come a time when I can feel confident that I'm safe. This surgery is riskier than I'd originally believed it to be. It's so great that you are past all of the complications you've suffered. Thanks again.

Chancie's words are so encouraging. I'm 2.5 months out and was also in the hospital for 5 days. I didn't have nausea I had excessive bleeding from one of the incisions and needed a blood transfusion. I probably didn't have nausea because he was administering a drug called Reglan which is for nausea but was not aware that it causes severe restless anxiety in some people and now 2.5 months out without anti-anxiety medication I am still anxious and depressed... It has been recommended by people here that Zophran is an effective and safe nausea medication. Have you tried it yet? As for me I got a precription from my surgeon for zophran and I will never take Reglan again. You are not alone. It is 2.5 months and most of my days are difficult. I just pray that like Chancie says we will survive in due time this will all be a blur. Keep us posted as to your progress. And you my PM me too anytime if you just need someone to talk to. Well wishes and prayers your way.

Thank you all for your answers. Donna, can you give me the brand name of the calcium product you are taking? Thanks.

Thanks Bob, I agree that for me too the inconsistency of what and how my body accepts something one day and not the next is a problem. For me it effects me psychologically. I get so frustrated to the point of tears because I get flooded with anxiety and fear over it. I just want things to regulate and be consistent in an acceptable way so I may enjoy my workouts and weight loss. I'm not in lockstep with the world around me. While most are experiencing holiday excitement and cheer I am in my own world. Tonight I'm invited out to eat with friends and have no appetite whatsoever. Should I go? I'm forcing myself on behalf of the people who really want me there but all the while I'm holding back tears. This sadness is hurting me and the people who love me. It just doesn't let up. I keep thinking tomorrow will be better and if I could only be consistent with the food I'd be able to get on with my life but them boom along comes tomorrow and things turn on their head! Sorry I'm babbling but I'm just so desperate and wish I had you people all around me. It's so lonely being a sleever where there are none other sleevers to be found. Hope I didn't make you miserable. Hope your thanksgiving holiday went flawlessly!

I can only imagine that many protein drinks will be sickening to your mother in law even if she does not express this. Perhaps you can try some other drink blends that contain high protein which will be more palatable to her taste. The ONLY drink I am able to drink since early on after surgery was a drink called Naked Protein Zone. It's a juice blend comes in a 15 oz. plastic bottle in the refrigerated section of some supermarkets, Walgreen's and 711's. One bottle has 30 grams protein and lots of nutrition...beats artificially flavored Ensure any day! It seems to me she will be needing alot of supervision and I think after all you've been through it would be well worth it to follow through. At some point when she is allowed mushy foods, I found a multi-grain cream of wheat which contains 7 grams protein per serving. I wish her total healing and hope she will continue to learn from this experience.

I'm not sure who your surgeon is but be sure you know what meds go into your IV if they say Reglan (nausea drug) Say NO! I am still suffering from its side effects of EXTREME restless anxiety and had to be put on anti anxiety meds so I could function...still now and I'm 2.5 months out!

Are "simply sleep" pills by precription? Are they habit forming? or are they a natural substance which can be purchased at a health food store? Can you give me a link or more information. I am taking trazodone at night but eventually I hope to be able to sleep without any aid unless it is a natural substance. Thanks and it's great to see how well you are coming along!

Your story is very very sad but so important a story to tell. What's done is done and it is so important that your mother in law have unconditional love and support through this most difficult time. Please have someone by her side as much as possible and let her know you understand her reasons for wanting this surgery. She may have made some mistakes in following instructions pre and post op but it sounds to me like her pre-care was not as thorough as it should have been. What matters most now is that she feels supported and loved that she is assured that she will survive and eventually be OK! She needs family now more than ever. I pray that the hospital staff caring for her are truly compassionate round the clock. I pray for a speedy recovery and no further complications.

If anxiety was high before, after reading this article it's through the roof! But for the more rational and level headed amongst us I thought this to be an important study. Please give feedback. Thanks. Treatment of Leaks After Sleeve Gastrectomy | Bariatric Times