Search the Community

Hi all, it’s been 3 days after surgery, I’m still having gas pain. It feels like air moving around in my stomach and it is painful only can do 2 0z of anything every 15 min. I’m not sure if this gas or I’m drinking too much. I drink 2 0z every 15 min all day to get my protein and water in. Any one have any thoughts to help me understand what is going on with this pain.

I think developing gerd post sleeve is about 30% but many of those can manage it with medication & dietary choices. Like @DeAnnasNewLife23, I had reflux before my sleeve. It was mild & I managed it with dietary choices rarely needing meds. I still have reflux though it’s different. I need meds everyday (Nexium 20mg), still watch my food choices (no spicy foods, nothing too rich or too fatty/oily, no coffee, limit carbonation, etc.). Not eating or drinking will likely cause you reflux/gerd like symptoms simply because you have no food in your tummy to absorb the acid your body is producing & no fluids to flush it through your digestive system. The excess acid can also cause unpleasant diarrhoea too. I won’t mention the major health complications not drinking & not eating to get your necessary nutrients in will cause. To avoid that stuck feeling ensure you are eating slowly, taking small bites, eating foods that aren’t too dry, coarse or heavy & not eating more than your appropriate portion. It can result in the foamies too. I used a teaspoon to eat & literally ate 1/2 teaspoon at each bite. Take a bite, chew well & wait a couple of minutes or more before taking a second bite. I could take 20 or 30 minutes to eat 1/4 -1/3 cup of food. If the stuck feeling is like a tightness across your chest that could be your restriction. There’s a lot to learn & to discover what works for you & it can change as you progress. It takes time but you’ll get there.

Are you allowed snacks? Some plans don’t allow them or advise when you can add an additional snack. For example I could snack once a day from about 8 weeks but was limited on what I could snack: yoghurt or a yoghurt drink (snack not as a meal as I was eating them initially), soft cheese (string or jarlsburg were my favourites), or fruit (only serve I was allowed & certain ones only). I was encouraged to snack more when I reached my goal because I was still losing. But again I given guidelines as to what I could snack. I still snack now 4 years out to get the calories in I need to maintain, reach my protein goals & get additional nutrients in. Again I’m very careful with what I snack on, when I snack & how often. For example protein bar, multigrain cracker with labneh (make my own) & tomato, cheese, nuts, fruit, peanut paste. The only more traditional style snack food I have is roasted fava beans/chick peas for travelling or holidays but honestly I often throw them out without eating them because they’ve expired. Check with your team first for recommendations & guidance to best suit yiu & your needs. Snacks can quickly increase your calorie intake & can reintroduce bad habits. And many traditional style snacks are sliders even the so called low carb, high protein, no added sugar, lite, versions.

Calories are always going to fluctuate a little anyway simply because you don’t eat the exact same foods every day. It’s why I focussed more on appropriate portions for what I ate & number & frequency of meals & snacks. I believe it always averages out. Like there’ll be days when you eat more protein & others when you’ll eat less. Same with fluids. Remember too though, your portions & calories are going to slowly increase as you progress until your weight stabilises & you’re in maintenance. I was told I would eat 1/4-1/3 cup from purée increasing to a cup at 6 months. You can always check with your team for additional guidance about what it appropriate for you at this stage. There are still days I can eat more than my appropriate portion or want an additional snacks. I tell myself I’m eating enough to meet my needs & if I want to eat more something else is going on (hormones, boredom, emotions, stress, etc.) & it’s not real hunger. Of course it took time to learn this. At times I still can’t eat all of my appropriate portion too. I’m simply not hungry, my tummy is being a bit odd or fussy, what I ate is sitting more heavily or is more dense, etc. I always believed it’s fine because I’m listening to my body which is more important.

Hi everyone! Brand new here and my first post. It's been about five weeks since my surgery and I am struggling to meet my protein goals during the soft food phase especially with breakfast. I seem to have developed some sort of issue with eggs and dealing with gas, bloating, cramping despite being on gas and acidity meds. Feeling a bit lost and definitely feeling food fatigue as I am still navigating and trying to figure out what works for my new stomach. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

I'm freezing, been freezing since surgery. Even outside in 80°F weather I need a sweater. One week 2 days post op

So I'm only a month out from my surgery but just the 27 lbs I've lost is already making a huge difference in my clothes! YAY! I literally have clothes in my closets from size 16-22/24 and 0x-3xl so when I tried on a few things that I had that were previously tight, I was excited to find they now fit loosely the way I like them. So then I just started pulling out all the 3x bc most of them no longer fit and some of the 2x were too big as well. I have a LOT of clothes (and shoes and purses) and while I'm a bargain shopper, I have a lot of things with tags literally still on them that are now too big for me. I went online and ordered 3 of those clean out bags from ThredUP and already filled one up with some really nice new and nearly new items, I also have a lot of stuff that can go in them but I am curious what experiences everyone else has with them and/or any other resale/online thrift places? Do you bother with trying to get them altered? I've got a lot of sale items that I paid less that it would cost to get them altered. I have never really had much luck on FB Marketplace with clothes, has anyone>? Is there a trick to it? What say you experienced newly skinny chicks>?

First Question: How do you get your info on the left side of screen to show? I can't get it to let me edit my screen to put that stuff in.... PeggyAnne: You are NOT alone! I see a HUGE difference in the various drs and care that we all seem to get. Some of us get all the hand holding and people who are there every step of the way, others get a handout and a call if you have questions kind of experience. My dr suggested ground sausage and so I got some Jimmy Dean ground breakfast sausage, cooked in air fryer then diced it on a cutting board until it was finely minced and kept part to put in my scrambled eggs and took the rest and made a sizeable skillet of sausage gravy to go over those scrambled eggs. Honestly, it has been the least painful of foods. I got brave again and tried the mashed potatoes and gravy for lunch and am now regretting it!! It seems to create a suction/vacuum feeling in my stomach, weird and uncomfortable. I have enough gravy and eggs to last through September so I may just stick to that Beans work okay too as long as I have enough broth with them, I have had red beans and then lima beans but the Limas with a lot of broth and picked out the ham and sausage that was initially cooked with them before I froze them into containers. Dry foods seem incompatible at this point, no matter how soft. My dr SPECIFICALLY TOLD ME NOT TO EVEN TRY CHICKEN IN ANY FORM AT THIS POINT BC HE SAID IT IS ENTIRELY TOO DRY and I'm thinking he's right. I may try the same thing with some ground beef at some point and a brown gravy. Everyone seems to jump up and down when you mention this food or that food but what he basically said is that the goal at this point is just to find things that will actually go/stay down without making you sick or stuffed and in pain. I am seriously a very slow eater but it hasn't helped me here bc even eating slowly, putting utensil down between bites, chewing slowly, etc. some things are just making me feel like I ate a whole slab of beef! The eggs may work well bc they're scrambled? maybe the gravy makes it mushy enough? I don't know but I can't do 'pureed' and he said not to try chicken bc I was asking if I could make a chicken salad (NO) and so I'm just like you WTH can I eat? LOL my list says eggs, pureed veg, yogurt & pudding. at the end of week tomorrow that's 4 weeks and I guess I could move to the next stage but frankly not comfortable moving forward after another mashed potato fiasco today. I have a cake "frosting" recipe made of SF cool whip, dry pkg of sf jello and crushed pineapple and I'm very tempted to make it. I've only had one chocolate protein drink/shake and I mixed w/ice in blender and put sf whipped topping and it was like a milkshake but I'm not much into sweets so I may just have to make myself drink them.

I had spasms for a few weeks after surgery. I still have them sometimes if I take too big of a drink or eat too fast. I just push through them and slow down. At beginning my doc gave me a med to take for them. As for GERD I had it before surgery. And I don't find mine worse after. But I do know it gets really bad if I eat anything really spicy or fried. Even 1 bite.

Had my surgery August 5th so about 3 weeks post op. I’m just wondering if anyone has ever developed this after surgery or developed GERD? Caused I’d hate to have to do another surgery to correct it. what was your ease on this. This makes me feel like I don’t want to eat or drink ANYTHING at all. I don’t have any regrets still but this stuck feeling in my throat/chest can be a real pain.

yeah mine is fully liquid for 2 weeks. I'm having my surgery done at the Mayo Clinic so they're particular but they've been great. I really can't complain about my care or any of my providers because they've all been super helpful and caring. I've learned to like the Liquid IV stuff, at first it was like drinking straight saltwater to me but I've always been super touchy with salt and never use much of it because you can get flavor so many different ways other than just adding salt. I dunno, I guess being an avid home cook helps in some ways because I'm not at a loss for what to add to things to make them taste better a lot of the time, but then again it sucks because I'm going to be cooking for my family and not able to eat it. It makes me sad but I'll live. It's just a few weeks. I'll be eating with my family again in no time. With as fast as times been flying I'm sure it'll be find before I even have much time to complain, haha, maybe, I hope...

You've given me some hope. I managed to find some protein powder thats made with stevia and not the joint inflaming aspertame or sucralose. Cost an arm and a leg but I'm at least starting to feel better. Nana naps 3 times a day for me but today I've decided to get my butt out of the recliner and make some crafts. It's only 6 am so we'll see how that goes. Can't wait to drop this weight and watch my grandson play some football.

Had mine on Aug 14th. Was on my "liquid" diet which was anything but liquid for 4 weeks. They called it the liver shrink and was basically 500 calories worth of salt free canned green beans, 6 oz canned chicken, 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese and 1/2 cup beef gelatin jello. I dropped 25 lbs on it. Now I'm 12 days post op and started the puree diet 4 days ago. I've mainly been drinking protein drinks and eating instant mashed potatoes 1/4 cup at a time for a daily total of 3/4 cups. I know that's not right but eggs made me sick and I've not been to the store yet for chicken. Not sure what I'm supposed to be doing really but I've dropped another 6 lbs since surgery. I think I'll get some baby food if I can find it without sugar or natural sugar. I've no clue how to puree chicken or turkey. I'm pretty lost in all of this. Looking forward to getting brain function (I made myself a cup of tea with monk sugar, drank nearly all of it and when I went to wash the thermos I realized I forget to add the tea bag) SMH, and energy back. Tummy feels fine now, swelling is mostly gone. How are you doing now? You're just a day behind me.

Are you doing any better? I took liquid acetaminophen I got from Amazon and the hospital gave me liquid gabapentin. I only needed the pain meds for 4 days. I wore an abdominal binder until yesterday, so for about a week. That helped tremendously. I had a hard time drinking liquid. I would take a few sips and set a timer for 15 minutes. Then, I tried 12 minutes. That seemed tolerable. I’m now at probably 2-3 oz every 15 minutes but I haven’t been timing it. Chicken broth with unflavored protein powder mixed in is my favorite “meal” right now. Between that and two or so protein shakes, I’ve been able to keep up on my liquid and protein intake. It’s been a challenge to learn this new way of life, but it seems to be going well. I too had regrets after the surgery, but I don’t any longer. This is a life saving procedure for me, and I’m determined to be successful.

I did. Liquid through soft food phases were easier for me. When I started regular solid food at 5 weeks, I felt heavy restriction. I was relieved because I wanted that. Didn't think the surgery worked during those early times. Soft food passes through easier and nerves were cut during your WLS. Until they regenerate, you will have an easier time eating certain foods. Sounds to me like that has happened. Regeneration.

I’m getting the sleeve Sept 1! Been on liquid diet a week tomorrow. Who wants to be weight loss buddies?? Anyone want to email - mine is tammydalcourt@msn.com

Sip, pause, sip, pause. I've always been the type to chug a pint of water in about 3 seconds. Drinking after surgery was the hardest thing. I was supposed to drink 2 oz every 15 minutes while awake. I kept a jug beside me and poured water out into a shot glass. The tiny glass helped remind me to take tiny sips. It may take several minutes to get that 2 oz down. I also had a lot of luck in mixing water and sports drink 3:1. Just seemed to go down easier than plain water.

Hello fellow September Surgery Buddies! I'm scheduled September 7th for Bypass. I'm excited to start my new journey....in 2 weeks!!!!

My journey til surgery was 5 months I didn’t see my surgeon until I had completed all requirements of Medicare. started March 31st had 4 weight ins at my pcp office, a psych eval, a dietitian eval. An orientation at the local hospital. And 2 support meetings. Within 30 days I needed full blood panel, and 2 years of medical history provided by my pcp and a letter of medical clearance. Met with Doctors team leader 1st.. then 5 days later meet with the Doctor on a Tues Aug 8th Asked if fast track was ok … why yes it is. Scheduled me for the following Thursday, August 17. started my liquid diet the next day. I was his last for the day because Medicare required me to stay overnight, everything went great. I’m a week out and started soft food today. Hw 219.5 / Sw 202 / Cw 195.5 / Gw 140 I’m almost 67 and 5’ 2.5”

Yea that’s true. I have things that I occasionally eat/drink that are sliders or not the best choice. So don’t beat yourself up on it. One of them for me is SB Refreshers!! They are soooo bad. I try not to drink them but once a week if any but they are so good. Esp w our freakin hot weather here in Texas. Today is high of 105. 🔥

Yea that’s true. I have things that I occasionally eat/drink that are sliders or not the best choice. So don’t beat yourself up on it. One of them for me is SB Refreshers!! They are soooo bad. I try not to drink them but once a week if any but they are so good. Esp w our freakin hot weather here in Texas. Today is high of 105. 🔥

I actually weight myself every single morning. It’s a Noom habit that I’ve formed. It works for me so far. I’m just gonna continue with to do that for now. I’ve already hit a weight stall at 3 weeks out. Honestly think it’s poop related. Prior to surgery I use to go 2-4 times a day. Now I’m every 3 days even with proper hydration fiber movement and probiotics. Guess that’s my new norm. If I go past day 3 my stomach bloats and I’m miserable as hell. So far it’s only happen twice. A new routine I’ve done is having most of my hydration in the morning. Water protein decaf tea and coffee. From the moment I wake up till around noon or 2pm. Lunch. Snack. Hydration again and dinner and or snack. Then finish the day with more hydration. If I try to keep the 30 min eat drink interval I don’t get enough hydration and I feel crappy. It works so far. Hopefully I wont have to change anything soon. Does anyone else have a routine they would like to share?

So one thing I do is I calculate my protein goal for the day divided by what I want to eat for the day. I make it up and then it can take me a couple of hours to finish it but I get it in me, take a break for a few hours then have my second meal which also takes hours to finish. I'm almost 3 months post op and am still having a hard time with textures, so I make eggs with greek yogurt, cheese, unflavored protein powder, and ranch powder for breakfast and then my evening meal is cream of rice prepared with chicken bone broth instead of water, with at least one jar of chicken or turkey baby food puree and some parmesan cheese (high in protein!) for snacks if I'm feeling a bit like picking at something and I've already reached my protein goal, I'll have a couple of baby animal crackers or a single Simple Mills nut butter sandwich cookie. (basically anything that crunches up into a soft paste when chewed like Simple Mills' cheese crackers) But textures like Pasta or Rice are no good for me.

For me, I do 1 part sugar free blue or yellow Powerade/Gatorade and 2 parts water. Or use true lemon powder packets with the stevia sweetener. So long as my water has SOMETHING in it, I can drink it but it's too "thin" that I gag trying to swallow it. Warm chicken bone broth with some garlic powder was my go to for the first few weeks because it soothed my stomach, but the salt made my feet and legs get all swollen. Even with being able to drink.. I still struggle getting enough but that is getting better! It's still hard for me to not drink anything when I eat. Food gets stuck in the back of my throat, so I usually take the tiniest sip just to get it down without choking me but I have to be super careful that I don't sip too much.

It was for me today. It's not something I plan to eat regularly after WLS. I read the label. 30g carbs/12g of it is sugar. Wasn't a good choice but so are a lot of other things posted to this thread. LOL My nutritionist encouraged me to eat carbs pre-op and it was really tough for me to shift from my Keto mentality to 45g of carbs daily. But I lost 22 pounds before WLS in those 3 months. In a few weeks I'm supposed to up my carbs to 60g. I usually sweeten food with Stevia so today was a one off.