Search the Community

Greetings, So as most people do from time to time - I fell off the wagon for about two weeks while on vacation and in the process of that, I noticed that I was able to eat more without any discomfort. I wasn't gorging on food like I did to gain the weight that I had, but I was able to handle bigger portions or that 3rd slice of pizza. I screwed up and I know that. I actually feel guilty, especially considering all the weight I have lost. It was just the first time where it was harder to stay focused as I wanted to enjoy my vacation. I know next time I have to plan better. Now I am aware that the stomach does stretch again, but it is my understanding that it takes years for that to happen per what I have read from doctors - which is why some people who have bariatric surgery tend to gain some or all the weight again years later if they haven't maintained their better eating habits. I am only 5 months out from the sleeve, so I was just curious why I was able to eat more than usual at this early point. I am back on track now, but just wanted to ensure that this is normal - that the stomach can stretch temporarily in the short term and things should be back to normal now that I am eating smaller portions again/proper foods. That I haven't already stretched out my stomach a bit. I would appreciate any feedback here. Thanks, HM

Had my RNY & hernia repair done on Monday the 11th. After Friday's scramble and near cancellation of my surgery because insurance hadn't answered the prior authorization and wouldn't escalate it. Ended up getting approved at 4:45 EST, they were literally in the process of rescheduling everything for me before canceling everything out when they finally got the call saying it was approved. I think that was the most stressful day of the whole process. I ripped some of the internal sutures trying to get out of bed to go to the bathroom the first night I was inpatient so that was not a happy time. Still a lot of incisional pain and pain around where the muscle was pinched and torn. But the Dr. was happy with the results and once I put on a binder I was able to move a lot more comfortably. Especially since it helped with the feeling of gravity pulling at incision sites when it was wrapped tight enough. Still having some gas issues have a bubble in my upper chest it feels like and it just isn't budging. And the gas coming out, lord help me. Lord help my husband. I'm not ladylike at all ever but even now farting is embarrassingly loud and obnoxious. And it's OFTEN! I was supposed to be allowed to leave on Tuesday but with the suture issue and not being able to manage my pain effectively, they kept me an extra day which greatly threw off our game plan. But we made it home late Wednesday night after a 5-hour drive home from the hospital and I've been doing a little better each day. I can't go too long without wearing the binder or else standing begins to pull and hurt too much. Showering is about the only time it's off, I've been alternating between the one I asked for at the hospital and the one I bought off Amazon and left at home when I packed my post-op bag. While the one I got off Amazon is soft and stretchy, it's neoprene or something like it so it gets HOT! The one the hospital gave me is pretty much all elastic banding and I prefer it over the one I bought because it also covers more of my abdomen heightwise so it feels like it stays in place a little better. And you'll KNOW if it shifts when you move. I'm trying to get myself back into the swing of things though and trying to get caught up on everything I missed last week while I was tuned out. Today is the first day I have actually gotten online and done more than just buy something I needed at the moment on Amazon. Today is also the first day I didn't wake up hating myself for putting myself through it. I knew it was going to be rough and I knew it was going to hurt, but even in all my overthinking, I didn't think I'd hurt as badly as I did. Don't hesitate to ask for pain meds and go to oral meds as soon as they'll let you while you're there if you want to get out of the hospital with a quickness.

Hi all - I'm so sorry to hear of what you are facing guys; I'm sure you had not bargained for that! I wondered what procedure you all had. I had a gastric bypass and seem to have healed well thus far. I only feel nauseous very occasionally and the feeling is fleeting and thus I'm not actually put off of eating my food. I have not yet experienced 'dumping' and threw up only once much earlier on. I have not yet had a bad reaction to anything that I have eaten but I do try to be careful. I'm three and a half months post surgery and feeling ok. I swim daily and feel sufficiently healed so far. Have you all spoken to your health team? xx

I had my surgery on 8/15 as well. I am still losing steadily. I am still around 400 calories a day, even on soft foods. First week after surgery was 3.4 pounds down, 2nd week was 14.4, 3rd week was 6.8, 4th week was 6.2, today was 5.4 lost each week. 36.2 pounds lost since surgery (I am on the larger scale for loss tho LOL). 56 pounds down since Pre Op started. 75.2 pounds down since life style changes. You will get there, my daughter had the surgery the same time I did, and she has hit stalls where she gained .5 pounds one week. I weigh in about 3 times a week, but only 1 is what I record. I am going to start weighing in only once per week. Your body is adjusting so it will take some time.

I know how discouraging stalls/gains can be . I'm still at a 2 and a half month stall

Hi, I am looking in to arm surgery too. I would like the boob done but a t my age is it really necessary ? At a Spire hospital near me they charge £5.000 for that. A friend has just had the boobs done and that cost £9,000. There is lots of bad press about Turkey and I think I would be too scared to try it. The arm surgery alone is big surgery and my friend couldn't lift for 6 weeks after her surgery. The thing thats holding me back is not the cash its how long I will need to rely on someone else until I heal. Good luck with your journey and please keep me posted, I am very interested

do a search on this site for the "three-week stall". You will find over 17,000 posts on it (and no, I am NOT kidding). Happens to almost all of us. stick to your program, stay off the scale for a few days, and it will break. I promise.

First, great job on the weight-loss. I've noticed I can eat more and I'm starting to get my appetite back. It's so important to follow the plan... get in your protein (and some extra if needed). I aim for 3 oz per meal or about 80+ grams per day. Keep it lean- chicken, fish, shell fish, and plant protein. Make sure you're getting your veggies in. Cut up a veggie tray for the week and enjoy with a tablespoon of hummus or guac. Low fat cheese and yogurt. Keep measuring your food. It's so easy to overeat. Fluids are really important to stay on top of. Another thing that helps is to stay busy and keep your mind off food when you're bored. Exercise is also helpful to boost your mood and metabolism. Just be careful of the after workout munchies. It's totally a thing for me. A once on awhile treat is important too. My nutritionist said that if we always deprive ourselves, we'll regress back to old eating habits. So, for example, I love onion rings. And we we go to dinner that my husband orders them, I'll have one... or whatever I may be craving. Small amounts of something special once a week is totally within the plan. Everything they taught you before surgery is for life. Focus on not deviating from that too much.

Hi! I had vsg 8.15 and have lost 24 lbs. This am I seem to be up 3 lbs. Not off course. Still eating pureed. Cals are between 6 and 700. I meet protein daily but water is tough. I usually get 52 ounces vs 64. I eat 3 meals daily plus 1 snack of string cheese. I still have some muscle discomfort in tummy area but find I'm emotional a lot. Dr is happy w progress but I'm super upset with stall or gain when I'm not even eating or drinking off program. Any thoughts?

I had a very interesting conversation with my doctor recently. I was having some issues I thought may be a bug which included soft motions & wanting to go again later in the day. Did some tests & it showed I had some constipation. Not blockages or impaction but some traffic slowing speed bumps (that’s my analogy 😁). Apparently your body’s response is to thin out your poop so it can go over the speed bump but it also means the bowel isn’t fully emptying hence wanting to go more often. Treatment was a stool softener taken one night, none on night two & then one on nights three & four. It did help. This may not be your issue but worth a conversation with your doctor.

You can use whatever protein shakes you want. I used ready made the first 2 weeks, then I bought protein powder from Arbonne and made my own. You can take liquid vitamins as long as they have the same amount of vitamins as bariatric vitamins do. I wasn't told not to take capsules or any kind of pills with the sleeve when I had it, but I WAS told that when I had my revision to bypass. It took a little bit but I'm able to take all my normal pills and supplements like normal now.

I had lymphoedema because of my weight and I also had major problems when walking. I would be so out of breath and my heart would hammer in my chest. I was classed as disabled. I relied on a stick. Housework was difficult, It would take a week to clean my home, a room at a time. I ironed a shirt and sat down, panting. Now since surgery I am super active, can clean the house in an afternoon. I can walk miles without stopping to rest. My lymphoedema was in my arms and legs, I was very embarrassed about the size of them. Although I do not have the most beautiful ankles now, I would say they pass. My arms have a great deal of loose empty skin. At my age, I am wondering if I should have corrective surgery or not. I have been on 3 overseas holidays in very hot climates since surgery. My ankles and calves have never swelled and they always did before, especially on the plane journey. Its good not to wear the ugly socks. Good luck with your decision making

With my sleeve, I had major pain for almost 2 weeks. With my revision to bypass, I had very little pain. Mostly, it was uncomfortable for about 4 days. Wish I had just done the bypass to begin with.

That's normal at 5 days out. You still have the surgical gas in your system. It took me about 10 days to get rid of all the gas (you have to walk a lot, and for the first 2 weeks after the sleeve, I really struggled with that) and the fluid retention from the surgery doesn't help. Took me a good 7-8 days to lose the water I was holding on to from the surgery. Within 2 weeks, you should be back to normal.

Oh yeah, the protein shakes are awful. I forced myself to have one a day & then had soup. So glad to get to purées when I never touched a shake again. Did your dietician give you a list of foods you can eat? If not give them a call. There are some foods like certain fruits we’re advised to avoid while we’re healing. Smoothies are great. The high protein yoghurt I ate had a yoghurt drink too which I regularly had (25-30g protein). Yes, you still have to purée the soups. Everything must be extra smooth, no lumps, fibrous, bits, etc. so it just slides down into your tummy. You can purée a lot of things just keep them very runny by adding sauces, stock, gravy, mayo, milk, etc. And don’t worry you won’t be undernourished after 5 days. You’re likely feeling weak & lacking energy simply because of what is a pretty major surgery. Oh the constipation will be with you for a while. Try to keep on top of it. Add a soluble fibre to your soups or smoothies & take a stool softener or similar as needed to get things moving. I used to take something if I got to three days without pooping. Oh & don’t be surprised if your poop is small & you only go every two days - you’re not eating much at the moment.

It not very common. I had a little nausea but it was related to taking multi vitamins but then I used to get nauseous with multi vitamins before surgery too. (I split my vitamin dose of two capsules in the AM to one in the AM & one at night which helped.) You may be more susceptible to more nausea because of your history, unfortunately. Make sure you tell your surgeon your history & be a script for anti nausea meds so you have them jus in case. Your tummy can be pretty sensitive & fussy for a while when you are healing which can contribute to the nausea. But like most things it passes as we progress. Working out the foods or drinks that upset our tummy more during that time helps. It may be the smell, texture or taste that sets off your tummy. Just avoid that food or drink for a couple weeks & until you’re further out. All the best.

I just found out yesterday that the last Dr I saw finally cleared me for surgery! So my surgeon has submitted everything to my insurance company. I’m just waiting for the date for my pre-op and surgery, the nurse said it would definitely be in October, I should hear back next week. I’m so ready for this…I started this journey June 2022 and it’s taken this long to get cleared. I cried like a baby yesterday!

I guess another question I have is, is it normal to still feel this way 5 weeks out?

Hello all! Newbie here! I had gastric bypass surgery on August 8. Since then, I have not been able to meet my fluid or protein requirements, or even get close honestly. My Dr and dietitian just say "well, you have to." I'm still feeling weak and tired and just want to feel better! Does anyone have any tips, tricks, recipes (I'm on stage 3) that might help?

It is vertually impossible to gain weight on less calories than needed to sustain weight, perhaps a colonic enema? Otherwise, your body is retaining large amounts of water? It might be sleep eating, it happens. Seriously, it defies medical explanation, switch protein powder or premade drinks, maybe they are missed labeled. Stalls happen, the body defends itself, but gaining requires calaries, and more than your weight requires to sustain a weight. Maybe a family member doesn't want you losing and is secretly switching your food to stuff to gain weight. Think outside your body on this one, because if it isn't like gout or constpation, science says you can't gain weight. I would thing a jealous family member is screwing up your diet, sleep eating, or mislabeled food. Best of luck, I truly hope you figure this out. Maybe a new scale?

You can go back to stage one, and try marching in place during commercials. It is amazing what a one week stage 1 reset does for your body, also have the same eating and drinking, and sleeping schedule it can break a pose, good luck. 6 yrs out I hover with in 10lbs of weight I was told to stop losing at. If I catch myself 10lbs over, I do this and wham I can lose it in a week. Everybody is different, but it works

I was retired, early retired due to medical disability, and choice. I took it easy for 1 week or 2, treated myself like an egg, but I was good togo very soon. I was on protein shakes, get the nectar brand, it has fruit flavor and mixes great with sugar free Walmart brand or Crystal light, and much cheaper than premixed. I made a huge picture, 8 scoops and filled 4 Gatorade 32 oz bottles, 400 calaries, 60 grams of protein, and 64 oz of water in 2 bottles. Just a little of. Each and good for day. I lost 38lbs the month before surgery, and averaged 20 to 25lbs a month. So my. Life really hadn't changed after surgery except I don't crave foods at all

When we first got together we played with the kids at the parks (we both had one from previous marriages) , went out all the time, then the pandemic hit and we both got bigger, I worked from home and he started working 4 day weeks. We did not keep up with the activities, then we had our son and as you can imagine its just so during the day. We don't get to eat until they are in bed by that time we just want to veg out. Its awful. He took control and has lost weight but he doesn't have the same issues I have. He can eat well during the day and not be tempted plus works a job that is pretty labor intensive. I have a sit down desk where I eat out of complete boredom. I do try and think if I was more active and eating better would he follow suit, I do think he would. We have soccer/basketball for the older kids and I would loveeeee to coach them and their teams but at this weight I would be embarrassed to put myself in that. thank you so much for your advice!

Thank you, @PNWGAL. From your mouth to God's ears! I'm almost 8 weeks post-op and still struggling. They said I'm losing weight too fast. Still, I didn't do this surgery for weightless. I did it to help my health and some complex issues. But it's not working out the way we thought. Hopefully we will see great results soon. Take care!

Well it has been close to 1 month since I last posted... My struggles continue.. I will give the short cliff notes;; had Endo done, they tell me all looks ok.. Same day I had endo I had to get my 2nd PIcc Line removed from the left arm, it failed just after 3 days of being placed. They now tell me I have multiple blood clots in my left arm and shoulder area. GREAT!!! Now I get to be on Blood thinners for who knows how long.. So I leave hospital after removal and getting dosed up on blood thinners , With no guidance on what I'm going to due about my nutrition and hydration, ( I still cant eat/drink more than 2.5 oz every 6ish hours... A week passed and I can tell my body is fighting. fatigue, dizzy, extremely tired. Sept 4th I get my self to the ER.. they know who I am, I have had to make muilt trips there over the course of all this.. they fill me up with saline and 8 hrs later sent home. I gets a call from my surgeon's office, a PA got my report from ER, and he tells me to get to Hospital ASAP.. doing a direct admit, and i will be having a Central Line put in my chest for my TPN and fluids. I follow doc order,, they inserted Central line into my chest. I I then spent the next 6 days in hospital in awful pain, vomiting uncontrollably, chronic nausea, still cant eat or drink. hooked to 6 different IV bags trying to get my system back on track.. I gained 7# during my stay, YUCK!! anyway I get discharged in same predicament as i was when this all start after my VGS.. So here it now Sept 14th I'm sitting here writing this while hooked to my TPN for the next 18 hours.. I have decided that I will give this nightmare 1 more month, and no matter what condition I am in, I am going to have my Central Line removed and fend for myself anyway I can to keep going, Evens if I fail I will NOT go back on TPN.. What a great life... NOT!!!!!!! I pray no one on here has to deal with the nightmare that I am in.