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Post-gallbladder surgery report - Surgery was last Wed. Turned out my gallbladder had fused itself to my colon and the stone was trying to work its way through into the colon. Doc said it was a gawd-awful, infected mess in there. Had my 1-week follow-up today. Best news: Drain is out! Other news: I'm cleared to go back to work next Wednesday barring any further complications. The surgeon thought it was one massive gallstone, but he got the pathology back today and it was 2 large stones, 3.0 cm and 3.7 cm that were kind of stuck together. Anyway, my weight has dropped down to 147.4, but not in a good way. Right now, I look like death-warmed-over. Hopefully, another week of recuperation and I won't look like a desiccated mummy. I still have a lot of fluid/swelling in my belly so I don't know, for sure, how much weight I've actually lost but I think it all came off my face. On the upside, I think I've now successfully navigated all the standard complications that can come with WLS, so it should be smooth sailing from here on out! Anchors away!

Do all sleeves or bariatric surgeries need revisions? I’m seeing posts that some people think the sleeve stops working and will need a revision at some point. Where are people getting this information? Yes, some people may need surgery revision. It can happen with any type of surgery. This site is filled with new people and people that have gained weight. People that are maintaining have no need for support here. I’m wondering if this is the reason people think surgeries will “need revisions” That we are all doomed to regain. Understand some may need a revision for various reason: examples: (I’m sure there are more reasons than what I have listed) Complications procedure not done correctly it was the wrong type of surgery for an individual. Many reasons why people gain weight. (Most People can control gains on their own, If the contiune to gain, they can consult their surgeon on options) Examples: Hormones medical conditions medications pregnancy/ menopause eating disorders stress Grazing – Eating a combination of heathy and unhealthy food over their calories and macros. The sensation is no restriction. Its as if you never had surgery and you will gain weight. Mistaking stretching as your restriction becomes less as you progress out from surgery (Your stomach is not back to full size) You still can fill it with food within your calories and macro’s Not knowing how many calories they are eating daily Will all surgeries stop working. NO. Will everyone gain weight - no. If you gain you can work it back down. Weigh yourself before a 20 pound gain continues on to a 40, 80, or 100+ weight gain.

Yeah- I think I have a slightly larger pouch, but it’s still drastically smaller than what my stomach was before.. so I just try to focus on filling it with healthy things and try to be mindful of calories. I’m still kinda stalled in the low 220s. I can’t wait for the weather to break so I can get outsidddddde. Hoping to find a local hiking buddy to hit some trails with once it warms up. My bff is having surgery next week. I’m nervous and I’m hoping her journey goes as smoothly as mine has, otherwise I’m afraid she’ll resent me for inspiring her to go through with it. We’ve had some pretty open/honest conversations about my journey so it’s not like I’ve pressured her or told her I thought she should do it. However, I am positive that, barring any complications, she will absolutely be successful, because my girl can commit to things. Just wish she didn’t live 3 hours away!

I am so sorry you are going through this. Complications were touched on briefly during my journey, however everything I have experienced was never discussed. I went from band to sleeve to y n roux. Last year alone I had 4 surgeries, two of them I could of died...we go with the flow with our doctors advice and each procedure makes everything worse than when I started. I don’t blame, or hold any resposible but myself, but life is now very painful with constant attacks and no answers. My doctor told me “ if all surgeries went like this no one would get this done”. Not very comforting. I am young and have resigned myself to a life of chronic attacks, I am really depressed but I have no options. I feel your despair.

I haven't had any complication so far!

Thank you, I’m definitely not in a rush just nervous to get started. It seems like almost everyone has some kind of complication.

Hi guys, I understand that I am supposed to consume 60-80g of protein daily, but I know it will be complicated with the recommended amount of water I have to drink. Has anyone doubled up on the dose of protein powder, like two or three scoops to get the required amount of protein?

I had it last Monday, February 4. There were complications and it has been rough so far.

I have to take a multi with iron, a calcium citrate, a B-complex and a probiotic everyday. I wouldn't try to get by with less of the 3 golden requirements. Water, Protein and your supplements. That's when people start running into health problems after WLS. All of the horror stories you hear of when it comes to post-op complications like teeth loss and brittle bones and stuff like anemia can most often be traced back to complacency when it comes to following the nutritional requirements.

I'm so sorry that you had a complicated course. I hope it's smooth sailing after the infection clears and leak resolves. Best of luck to you, I will keep you in my thoughts.

Any pay for the surgery out of pocket in the US? My insurance won’t cover it and I’m not comfortable going to Mexico. I’m wondering what happens if I have any complications. Does the insurance refuse to cover any issues related to the surgery. Planning to ask my doc and the insurance company. But I’m interested in any info from the group too.

HI, March buddies. I had my bypass on March 3 and am still in the hospital due to complications. My surgeon told me that everything had gone beautifully. However, I was in pretty severe pain a few hours later and it just kept getting worse. I figured it was just the gas pains everyone talks about and I'm just a wimp. They did a blood test at the following day thought I had an infection, and I had tachycardia, which made them suspect a leak in the pouch. Unfortunately, both were true. I'm spending this entire week in the hospital. Tomorrow they will install a drain to remove as much of the infection as possible, and I'm also on liquid pain killers and antibiotics via the IV. Once the infection clears, they do a second operation to fix the leak. Two morals of the story: Leaks hurt like hell, and if you think something is not right, contact your doctor immediately! i'm hoping this is just a temporary setback and that I'll be back on track in no time. Best of luck to the rest of the February club!

Sorry to hear of your complications. I hope it's just a minor detour too, and you will make it eventually, albeit you're taking a little longer route. You're in my thoughts, I hope for a speedy recovery once they get you all fixed up.

So far bafflement... still undergoing tests but nothing conclusive so far... has anyone else experienced post-op complications several years out? Surgery July 2016. Only lost 100lbs (I know, I know, "only"), but I'm still about 100lbs overweight. I'm not unhappy w/the amount lost at all and feel much better overall so I do not regret the surgery. First, not sure any or all of these symptoms are related at all but since they're all (potentially) GI-related, I can't help but think (especially now) that they are. So here goes: I can't remember exactly when the first one occurred, but it was after "healing" for sure but the first time it happened, it was definitely after surgery: a charlie-horse in my abdomen. These occur very suddenly and occur when I'm bending, reaching or twisting my abdomen--but always forward, not backward. For example, I might just tuck my belly in to look down at my feet and whammo, charlie horse. I reach forward to pick up a kitten... whammo. They can happen at any time and are excruciatingly painful and I just jerk backwards in reaction and take diaphragmatic breaths and they'll ease up. About 4 months ago, I had a sudden pain "attack" after eating a relatively fatty meal... I'm talking waves of pain in the gut so intense that I actually called 911. Since I still have my gallbladder, I assumed gallbladder problems. Pain lasted about 7 hours or so, even through narcotics given in the ambulance and at the hospital. Worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Multiple tests run... no gallstones, so they basically sent me home after the pain finally subsided with a ridiculous "gastritis" diagnosis. Sorry, was crapola. About 6 weeks after that, I started to have diarrhea... for over two weeks straight, every single day. Didn't respond to OTC anti-diarrheals. Saw walk-in doc (my doc was on vacation) who ran a bunch of tests and nothing positive except blood in the stool. Diarrhea eventually cleared. PCP ordered endoscopy and colonoscopy--both normal. About 6 weeks ago, another pain attack--but not after fatty meal... just yogurt. This time I remembered I had meds at home--took anti-spasmodics (hyoscyamine) and oxycodone... took 3x regular dose to make pain tolerable. Faded again after about 7 hours. PCP suspects gallbladder function is to blame, even though no stones, so HIDA test this Thursday. In the timeline, this pain attack was about a week after the diarrhea cleared up... about a month ago. But here's the deal: I can physically (i.e. with my hands) feel that under that trocar scar is a hardening of tissue... it makes sense that it's scar tissue of course, but I feel like it's getting bigger? (as in, over a wider area, not deeper). It's not painful when pressure is applied, just uncomfortable? I have not yet brought this part up to PCP, but she has palpated my abdomen before and didn't call out anything as unusual. So I'm at a loss as to what's going on but something definitely is. Anyone experience anything at all like this? Especially those who are years out from surgery? So confused and tired of taking tests that aren't leading anywhere... thank goodness I have excellent insurance. Michelle

So far bafflement... still undergoing tests but nothing conclusive so far... has anyone else experienced post-op complications several years out? Surgery July 2016. Only lost 100lbs (I know, I know, "only"), but I'm still about 100lbs overweight. I'm not unhappy w/the amount lost at all and feel much better overall so I do not regret the surgery. First, not sure any or all of these symptoms are related at all but since they're all (potentially) GI-related, I can't help but think (especially now) that they are. So here goes: I can't remember exactly when the first one occurred, but it was after "healing" for sure but the first time it happened, it was definitely after surgery: a charlie-horse in my abdomen. These occur very suddenly and occur when I'm bending, reaching or twisting my abdomen--but always forward, not backward. For example, I might just tuck my belly in to look down at my feet and whammo, charlie horse. I reach forward to pick up a kitten... whammo. They can happen at any time and are excruciatingly painful and I just jerk backwards in reaction and take diaphragmatic breaths and they'll ease up. About 4 months ago, I had a sudden pain "attack" after eating a relatively fatty meal... I'm talking waves of pain in the gut so intense that I actually called 911. Since I still have my gallbladder, I assumed gallbladder problems. Pain lasted about 7 hours or so, even through narcotics given in the ambulance and at the hospital. Worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Multiple tests run... no gallstones, so they basically sent me home after the pain finally subsided with a ridiculous "gastritis" diagnosis. Sorry, was crapola. About 6 weeks after that, I started to have diarrhea... for over two weeks straight, every single day. Didn't respond to OTC anti-diarrheals. Saw walk-in doc (my doc was on vacation) who ran a bunch of tests and nothing positive except blood in the stool. Diarrhea eventually cleared. PCP ordered endoscopy and colonoscopy--both normal. About 6 weeks ago, another pain attack--but not after fatty meal... just yogurt. This time I remembered I had meds at home--took anti-spasmodics (hyoscyamine) and oxycodone... took 3x regular dose to make pain tolerable. Faded again after about 7 hours. PCP suspects gallbladder function is to blame, even though no stones, so HIDA test this Thursday. In the timeline, this pain attack was about a week after the diarrhea cleared up... about a month ago. But here's the deal: I can physically (i.e. with my hands) feel that under that trocar scar is a hardening of tissue... it makes sense that it's scar tissue of course, but I feel like it's getting bigger? (as in, over a wider area, not deeper). It's not painful when pressure is applied, just uncomfortable? I have not yet brought this part up to PCP, but she has palpated my abdomen before and didn't call out anything as unusual. So I'm at a loss as to what's going on but something definitely is. Anyone experience anything at all like this? Especially those who are years out from surgery? So confused and tired of taking tests that aren't leading anywhere... thank goodness I have excellent insurance. Michelle

I am a little over 13 weeks out. I eat what I am supposed to, having dense protein first. I eat the required amounts only. I never, ever feel full and have zero restriction. I feel the same when I’m done eating as I did before I ate. I. feel like I can eat more but I don’t. I do not have that deep down hunger like I did prior to surgery, but I have a constant, low level hunger 24/7. Really don’t feel like I had surgery, I had zero complications with food and fluids. I had my follow up appointment two weeks ago, saw the nutritionist first, she had me increase my protein by an ounce. I waited for the surgeon and he was over an hour late seeing me and I had to leave to go to work so I wasn’t even able to ask him why I feel nothing. I’m afraid 6 months down the road I won’t be in the mindset I am now and will start to eat more. Was wondering if anyone else felt the same after bypass. I’m pretty frustrated.

It really depends on the program how restrictive your pre-surgery diet is. In my program, the surgeon explained that it's primary purpose was to shrink the liver to make access to the surgery site easier. They have to lift the liver to work underneath it and a fatty liver is more fragile and susceptible to damage during the lifting. You are helping to ensure the least possible risk of complications during surgery by following your pre-surgery diet to the letter. The pre-surgery diet is essentially a keto diet made simple through the use of very low carb shakes (in my case, Optifast 900). As your body goes into ketosis, it burns fat stores for energy. Physiologically, you body burns fat from the liver first as it's easiest to access. Ketosis is an on or off thing, and when switched off, takes a day or two to get started again. If you provide your body with any other carb source (simple or complex), ketosis gets switched off. The salad wouldn't make any difference, unless there was cheese or fruit or dressing on it. The chilli however, while usually a great healthy choice, contains lots of complex carbs from the beans and would have stopped ketosis. On a keto diet, you can not have any legumes for this reason. Not to be a stick in the mud, but every single instruction you will receive on how or what to eat has a reason behind it that will contribute to the best possible outcomes from your procedure. It sounds harsh, but each time you cheat, your outcomes get a teeny bit worse. Good luck with your procedure - you're going to do great!

Try scopolamine patches. I’ve had bad complications and the patches save my ass nausea wise. Small dot behind the ear and lasts 3 days at a time.

I hate them as well, but I have to use them in order to hit anywhere remotely close to the 90g/protein per day. I am a vegetarian though, so it's a bit more complicated for me than meat eaters (or so I'm told.) Right now I am drinking 1-2 a day still, but I want to stop drinking them asap. I could be wrong (and feel free to correct me, anybody, if so!) but I think you only really need them for the first couple weeks post-surgery, and then you can phase them out? There are other ways of getting protein as well besides shakes, like yogurts, quarks, even protein water.

So, there's no in-person support groups for WLS patients in my area. My surgeon's office technically has what they call a support group, but they just have speakers come each month... it's not actually a group chat environment. I would really like to start a group where people can share their troubles and successes. I feel like the complications are not discussed enough; whether people only focus on the positive, or forget about the things they went through. I know personally I could really use the support, knowing there are people like me out there and we are in this together. There's not a whole lot of talk about complications and "the bad times" on online forums. A lot of it is all roses, and I think it paints a murky picture of the realities of major surgery. I don't want it to be a place where we all come and mope together, so my friend who had the sleeve 6 months ago and has been highly successful is going to co-mod. Does anyone here go to local support groups and do you find it helpful? What types of things do people share?

I've had several complications (hernia, gallbladder, hypotension, ulcer) but I won't go into those. I think the worst, aside from those, is that I can't eat meat like I used to. No matter how slow I eat or how much I chew, it's hit or miss whether it will get "stuck" and I will end up sliming up stomach snot. I hear a lot of people have a hard time tolerating chicken. Chicken and fish seem to be the worst for me. Also I've lost about 40% of my hair, so that's annoying... but the least of my concerns.

JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE TO A LOCAL SURGEONS OFFICE; THE RECEPTIONIST TELLS ME THE SURGEON PREFERS ONLY TO DO VSG AS FIRST CHOICE FOR VIRGIN BARIATRIC PATIENTS MY BMI IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH NEED TO PUT ON WEIGHT... WTF never been told before I'm not heavy enough.... My BMI is 43 but oh we've seen 50-60 bmi like seriously she was so rude said the surgeons first choice is VSG.... And that's basically it.. Really turned me off with her tone and attitude, I was looking there because they are better prices but forget it I'll pay extra for better SURGEONS and so I rang my 2nd choice and the reception was much nicer said the surgeon will listen to your decision and will talk about pros and cons but it will be your decision mostly as long as nothing serious comes up of course. I rather pay a little extra for a surgeon and hospital that is much more known and has more reviews I just thought I'd give the smaller place a chance but no thanks... QUALITY OVER QUANTITY! Still months out but getting closer everyday.. I don't want to get the bloody VSG and then have complications and have to be revised to RNY later on like most people, I only want one operation thank you!

Bypass is reversible and I am deeply considering discussing this option at my 6 month. I don't care if I regain the weight. I haven't even lost that much and still have all my clothes so whatever. I just want to be able to function again and not feel this way. I've been so proud that I've championed this new diet and have been rocking exercise and just hired a trainer, and yet have not lost anything in 2 months. And have just had more and more complications. As soon as one resolves, another appears. I am beat down. Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have gone back and forth the last 4 months whether or not I felt the complications were worth the results, and today, after blacking out in Walmart and having to sit on the floor to regroup numerous times throughout the day so I could do simple tasks like pick something up off the floor, I have officially decided I made a terrible decision. I am happy for those of you who have seen benefits of this surgery, but I am just... existing... day by day. I have lost no weight in 2 months (stalling at the same weight I did on Atkins, but with a crapload more complications). I feel awful. I could deal with an ulcer and the gallbladder and the hernia, but this low blood pressure is actually ruining my life - not to be dramatic. I have gotten lightheaded and confused at work during important meetings, I can hardly exercise without having to sit or lay down and I already paid for a trainer... I can't even lift a basket of laundry without falling on my butt. I sent a desperate email to my surgeon to try a prescription to raise my BP. I'm ending up on far more pills than I ever was pre-op. Losing 60 stupid pounds is not worth this. And I have no one I can vent to because my mother "told me" I always have problems with surgery and I'd regret this and I do. So I feel very alone. Someone please tell me this gets better.... Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Well, the recovery from band vs sleeve was a bit more difficult for me. BUT, I was 12 years older! Plus, I had a rough start in the hospital. #1-the scar tissue from the sleeve made my surgery more complicated and #2-they gave me too much pain medication in recovery and turned me into a zombie for more than 12 hours. So, I'm not sure I'm the best resource for immediate post-op recovery. I can tell you the difference between living with the sleeve vs the band. I have had much more effective restriction with the sleeve. I mean, I have pretty hard-stops when it comes to eating. Nothing painful, just "if I eat one more bite, I will regret it" kind of thing. Never really had that with the band. Not that I could eat full size portions or anything, it was just much more subtle.