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I’ve been drinking while eating :(
12345shs16 posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had surgery July 25th. I’ve had complications with medicine and painful cramps. I am still only able to eat per Dr.’s instructions 2tbsp of food (ricotta, potatoes, etc.). However, I’ve been drinking while eating! I feel like such an idiot. I’m going to talk to my doctor next week when I see him. Have I done damage? Could I have stretched my pouch? I’m really freaking out! -
Gastric bypass or sleeve
Briswife15 replied to laura071693's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I chose bypass, and I'm very happy with that choice. Complications can happen with either surgery. I only wanted to do this once, and chose bypass because I thought it gave me, personally, the best shot at success. There are tons of very successful sleevers, though. Ultimately go with your gut! (Pun intended!) Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app -
Gastric bypass or sleeve
Jay19 replied to laura071693's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I think the sleeve is becoming the new standard. At least that’s what my CA doc says. Less complications too. -
Thought rollercoaster ...
Midnightsun replied to Zemi's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi, I started with a BMI of 36, I have/had a lot of health related issues and was diagnosed with type 1.5 diabetes and my mother had major complications from diabetes so I wanted to do whatever I could to stop it as best as I could. So for me the risks of surgery were nothing compared to the medical conditions I was developing and had. I had my sleeve surgery 7/8/2019 and within a week after surgery I was off my blood pressure medication. I am feeling better and it is so much easier now without being hungry all the time. It was so worth it! I think if you weigh the long term risks of being your weight now and the risk of the surgery you will have your answer. I was required to attend an informational meeting and a support group before my surgery and they have one every month at the hospital and it is free. Maybe ask your surgeon and do a google search for them in your area. I honestly would not wait. My surgeon explained how hard it was to not lose the weight but to keep it off and the huge percentage of people that put it back on and more. Long story short he explained when your stomach is a certain size and it’s empty your hormones are kicking in making you hungry and wanting to eat. So That’s why so many fail at keeping the weight off. I did keto lost 25lbs then put that back on and a little more my Dr. told me “You just did more harm than good” that was the day of the diabetes and I made up my mind for surgery. So anyways, Make the change and keep moving forward Best of Luck to you! -
I was sick and couldn't tolerate anything but fluids for over 1 month. My surgeon was all over this I had to see him weekly. They said after 3 months if there wasn't any improvement I had to have a scope looking for ulcers or strictures. Also with any complication they said picture yourself as going backwards and start back at post open day 1. Best advice they had for every 1gm of protein it equals 4 calories. So when you feel like carp it's because look at how many calories you had that day. They also changed meds on me I was taking omeprazole 2 a day and 300mg of Zantac at bedtime so there was no acid in my stomachs at all. Only concern for them was fluids and protein and just give your body time. Now I am 2.5 months out and still just about 45gms of protein a day and 1500cc of fluids a day. Your poor body went through hell with the infection you must have used up everything you had just to heal. No wonder you feel so weak and sick. So start back at square one and treat your pouch as a new born belly. Concentrate on fluids and protein amounts. Protein premier makes a clear liquid protein drink that's like 20gm a bottle so counts as fluids and protein. Some days I am lucky enough to get 2 down. I am so sorry you are going through this it's so hard to feel sick and tired all the time. Have you thought of a Gastroenterologist consult so they can go down and see if there is a fissure, strictures, ulcer? Good luck keep the site updated on how you are.....
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Anyone use a CPAP machine?
FluffySaysForkIt! replied to PEGGO's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Hi @PEGGO I also have the same mask already shown here. It really helped me get used to CPAP and I can second the experience mentioned of FINALLY sleeping so soundly I didn't move at all at night for several months. Here are a few things to try if you are struggling with getting used to cpap: 1. Put it on while you are watching TV and not trying to sleep. Just let yourself get used to the feel of it on your face and breathing through it while hooked up to the machine. Without the pressure of feeling like you have to get to sleep you can relax a bit and ease into the feel of it. 2. I second trying many masks until you find one that works for you. Don't be afraid to speak up to your provider. There are many styles and one will work for you. 3. It sounds counterintuitive, but DON'T OVERTIGHTEN your mask. It is very uncomfortable, and actually can cause MORE air leaks. It should be just tight enough to feel snug and not floppy, but still very comfortable on your face. If it hurts, it is too tight or the wrong mask for you. I was required to bring my CPAP to the hospital with me. My Doctor required a 30 day download to prove that I was wearing my CPAP at least 4 hours a night before he would even do surgery at all. (He would have cancelled my surgery totally without that compliance because the risk of complications in surgery goes up with untreated sleep apnea.) Good luck! -
I had GERD pre-surgery. No way would I get the sleeve. GERD doesn't get worse for *everyone* who gets the sleeve, but it does for a sizable minority. There are several people on bariatric internet forums who've revised to bypass because of it. I would definitely get the bypass. I suspect this surgeon is just more familiar with the sleeve - and it's also a quicker, easier surgery, so less complicated for him. I'd be really tempted to get a second opinion. You're the one who'll have to leave with the potential GERD problem, not him.
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Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Balloon
alex76 replied to cam128's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My friend and I had our surgeries 1 day apart. She had a gastric sleeve and gallbladder removal. She has returned to work after 3 weeks off. I had the gastric bypass and was also worried about side effects or complications. It has been 1 month and I'm down 30 lbs since surgery and 62 lbs overall since I started this journey back in March. I've had very little pain and zero complications. I could not be happier with my choice! Best of luck to you! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app -
3 days pre-op...getting jittery
AZhiker replied to crashsmash12's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You gotta walk through the door or you will never know what is on the other side. My surgeon gives all his patients a journal - a way to track food, weight loss, exercise, vitamins, etc. On the front it says," As I'm getting smaller, my world is getting bigger." I never really understood it until I lost about 50-60 pounds and could be more mobile and pain free. Now my world can't be big enough! I feel no limits - only by my own mind. I believe I could hike the Grand Canyon now, or ride in the 100 + mile El Tour de Tucson (bike), or hike the 830 mile Arizona Trail, or take flying lessons. Or kayak without swamping the boat, or get on and off the floor with my grandkids, or walk up hills without being winded, or ride my mule, or buy SMALL size tops and size 12 pants. It's an unbelievable world right now for me - a world I would never know without walking through that door, scared as I was (crying in preop, wondering if I should just get up and leave.) Surgery has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is a whole new life!!!!!! A life I never thought I would see again. Yes, there can be complications (I got a blood clot in my leg), and yes, recovery is a bear. But there is a whole new world waiting for you on the other side of that door. -
I'm chiming in - better late than never. I didn't phase into maintenance, I fell down a slope and landed hard on my now-skinny butt. Due to a variety of complications, I dropped down to 9 lbs. below goal. I'm finally on a prescription that keeps everything in check and hoving around 7-8 lbs. below my goal weight. I haven't been able to move the weight any higher than 144 or so, then it slides back down. I may have to wait until the end of my honeymoon period to see where I stabilize. I eat tons of fruit and veggies and basically graze all day. I know I shouldn't, but there you have it. I do make sure I hit my protein goal (75) and get close to a gallon of fluids daily. Here's my chart as I went from 272 to 144
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I had the Lap Band in 2005. While I lost about 80% of my excess weight, my life with the band was very miserable. I had horrible reflux and later found out that I had been living with a slipped band for years. I had gastric sleeve April of last year and am very happy with my decision. No significant complications and I feel great! One thing: when I had my sleeve done, my surgeon said that the procedure took him at least an extra half hour while he sorted through the scar tissue from the band. From what I've read on this form, that is quite common when you see revision from lap band. For me, all that scar tissue and extra work to deal with it made my initial recovery a little different. I saw others talking about feeling great and being up walking right away. I felt like I had been hit by a Mac Truck! I couldn't tolerate the laps around the nurse's station and was lucky to make it about 20 feet down the hall. I stayed an extra night in the hospital and was a little more on track by day 2.
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I am 54 years old and had the gastric sleeve just shy of 8 months ago and haven't had one minute's problem or complication. It's been wonderful.
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Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Balloon
BlueAngelEyes replied to cam128's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It sounds from your past experiences that the sleeve would be nost helpful for you. It will force you to change i think you will be hapoy with the sleeve. My mom had the lap band seceral years ago and had complications from the band and had to take it out she gained back alot of the weight and wish she could have the feeling the bad gave her. I dont believe the balloon is worth the money and with you bouncing back to your old ways and gaining then losing i dont think the balloon would be best. Personally i feel like the sleeve which is minimally invasive will push u to lose the weight. And then u will belosing so fast and be so happy you did it. -
Hi all. I just logged on to this site for the first time in years. Yesterday I went in for my annual check-up. I skipped it last year because I was terribly ashamed of how much weight I had regained. When I hit the 5-year anniversary of my sleeve surgery, I decided it was time to face my fears and scheduled an appointment. I've gained back more than half of what I lost after my surgery. In addition to feeling terrible about it all the time, having had to buy bigger clothes because nothing fit and being embarrassed whenever I reconnect with someone I haven't seen in a couple of years, I also now have a set of bloodwork results confirming what I deeply suspected- I have already reversed some of the health benefits of my weight loss. I cried during the appointment and the (new) nurse practitioner was very kind. I was honest with her and shared that I know exactly what I am doing wrong but I continue to turn to food emotionally, eat the wrong foods, and graze. I explained that the surgery helped me initially when I felt a lot of restriction but it did not in any way change my emotional dependence on food for self-soothing. I never found alternative coping strategies that were even close to as powerful for me as emotional over-eating and numbing myself out with sugar and carbs. I told her that I have a complicated and stressful life and, in addition, I lost my beloved father unexpectedly a few years ago and he had been the greatest source of unconditional love and acceptance in my life. The dog I adopted to help me through my grief was hit by a car and died in December. I'm in perimenopause and my hormones are all screwed up. I know intellectually that food won't solve any of my problems but the desire for comfort is much stronger than my willpower. This has been my pattern my entire life. The nurse practitioner listened. She reminded me that regain is extremely common. Not sure what comes next but I appreciate the chance to share my story with all of you.
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My name is Kristie. I'm a 49 year old wife, mom, RN from Seattle. I've been overweight pretty much since I stopped competing in sports after high school. The pounds have crept up slowly over the years. I've had some success losing on my own, but I imagine like most here haven't been able to maintain my losses. I dropped from 285 to 200.1 (never hit onderland) on my own 6 years ago through calorie restriction and daily exercise. I slowly quit tracking, slacked on exercise, and unhealthy habits crept back in. I re-gained all but 2 pounds of that loss. I've dropped 14 pounds in my pre-op period. I'm scheduled for a VSG on 8/12. I had my 4 hour pre-op class yesterday, which included diet teaching (both a refresher of my pre-op diet, as well as info on the 2 week post op plan). It's getting very real and sinking in what an enormous change I am undertaking. I'm feeling a mix of excitement, anxiety, and happiness for what lies ahead. I'm not sleeping well as my brain is full of planning, wondering, and worrying. I've been really fortunate that I haven't suffered from most of the health complications as the others who were in my class. I'm glad of that, but also glad that I have the opportunity to prevent a decline in my health through this surgery. I've really appreciated all of the reading I've done here. You are all full of wisdom and inspiration. Part of my long term plan is to continue reading here, but to come out of lurking mode as well and start fully participating. I've been working on my head stuff for awhile, but anticipate that this will continue to be a challenge-I'll be coming here for a dose of tough love as needed! Thank you for being here, thank you for sharing your process. I hope in time I will be part of that sharing and help inspire those who come after me.
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I know my Bariatric Clinic works with patients that were done in Mexico, specifically patients with complications.
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the stomach isn't floating around - it's still there. They just put a line of staples across your stomach to divide it between pouch and the remnant stomach. RNY IS reversible - but it's a complicated surgery and they'll only do it if the patient has some serious medical issues. (btw - VSG is NOT reversible, since they remove 80% of your stomach and throw it away) those intestinal problems you mentioned can happen, but they are pretty rare.
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Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Balloon
KCgirl061 replied to cam128's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I personally don't understand how the balloon makes sense to anyone. Why would you want something expensive and short term - so you lose weight from restriction for a couple months then that restriction is gone. Wont you just regain the weight? You need to talk to a bariatric physician, not your family physician. Your family doctor is no expert, mine certainly wasn't. I found I was more educated doing my own research before approaching him about it . And then I had to spend 45 minutes talking him into supporting me through the medically supervised weightloss. Yes the sleeve is irreversible and infections can be deadly. But the same can be said for virtually every surgery, sleeve gastrectomies aren't a large infection risk! Infections are possible yes, but your biggest risk for surgery isn't infection, its a leaky staple line. Sleeve surgery has less possible complications than hip replacement surgery - yet you'd never hear your doctor talk you out of getting a hip replaced if they felt like thats what you needed for your health, even though it too is irreversible, a risk for infection and if there is something wrong you can't "put it back". Your family doctor likely sees bariatrics as an elective, cosmetic procedure and is trying to scare you out of it without considering how much your health can improve with the benefits of weight loss surgery. -
Agree. I usually target 70 G protein and 25 g carbs with a calorie goal of 1100. If I follow this I maintain. A guide for me - i agree though hit protein with a low carb menu without being kedo strict Best to you I will be in the need to lose a few pounds when I am off my post surgery complication diet.
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Do you know your bougie size?
Wickedwinner replied to justmetj's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Mine used a 36. I asked him if he would use a 34 and he said no. Said he thought 36 was the safest size and had the most success without complications. For him, not all doctors. I’ve had no complications and still have pretty good restriction. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
First, a rave. I'm about two months post-op and down almost 40 pounds. I started weight training at a new subscription gym called The Exercise Coach and love it. My weight loss is quite noticeable and I get plenty of compliments. I'm down two sizes. I like looking in the mirror again. I am being patient; I know this is a journey. While the stalls are annoying, I know that it's part of the process. I don't freak out if I go up a few pounds; I know that my body is fickle and still adjusting. I haven't vomited or gotten the "foamies." I had no complications from surgery. I poop regularly. I haven't had any hair loss. Overall, I feel like everything is going exactly as it should. Now, the rant. I really, really miss eating a full meal. The kind where you have a variety of foods on your plate. By the time I get all of my protein in my new tiny tummy is too full for anything else. Sometimes I supplement with a protein drink or shake just so I can skip (or limit) the protein at my dinnertime meal and add a small amount of salad or veggies. I always thought I loved to cook, but now I realize that what I really loved was EATING what I cooked. I still cook for my husband, but it's become a chore instead of a joy. He will have a steak, potato and salad while I eat from a small plate containing only tuna, or salmon, or turkey, etc. He is a simple eater -- easy to please -- so I no longer get creative with meals because I don't get to enjoy the finished product. I used to plan meals in advance, shop for fresh ingredients, prepare them with precision, and present them beautifully. I also really miss restaurants. My husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday this week, and all I really want is to go to a nice restaurant and order some fresh seafood and a glass of good wine. But I didn't propose this because I don't want to order a fabulous meal and only eat ⅛ of it, and not drink. I don't really miss drinking alcohol, but I do miss having a good glass of wine occasionally. Thanks for listening. I feel like I can't share these feelings with my husband because this was my choice -- and this is my journey. I don't want him to think I have any regrets, because truly I don't.
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Hi! What questions did you have about your surgery?
GradyCat replied to mlmx1138's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Specifically as to the surgeon I asked how many times she had performed the procedure and what her success rate was, I asked what to expect in terms of weight loss and how long, I asked about any complications and side effects. I am 54 and it's been a wonderful experience. -
She had her sleeve a year and a half ago, but the acid reflux was doing terrible things to her. She had her revision last week on the 24th and has had a few complications, now she has a picque line and will have a nurse come to her house daily. Her process has actually scared me. The Dr isn't sure if she has some sort of blockage and may need another surgery. Damn Sorry to hear that about your friend. I hope she gets to feeling better real quick! And it sounds like her Dr’s all over it. 🤞 🙏
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The more prepared you are for the surgery the better you'll do. Take your time and learn all you can. Not just the nutritional information that the classes offer but people's experiences in this forum and others on Facebook groups and other websites. See the stories of regret, complications, stalls and know it can happen to you. See the success stories and know it can happen to you. Look for patterns in people who have regained and make your game plan. Take this time to become an expert in weight loss surgery.
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New and anxious
Krimsonbutterflies replied to jaymmee's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi! Was your friend’s revision from a band to RNY? If so, did your friend have her revision in one or two surgeries? I have Kaiser and I hope it’s done in one surgery She had her sleeve a year and a half ago, but the acid reflux was doing terrible things to her. She had her revision last week on the 24th and has had a few complications, now she has a picque line and will have a nurse come to her house daily. Her process has actually scared me. The Dr isn't sure if she has some sort of blockage and may need another surgery. Damn
