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You also should have cholesterol checked. There are documented cases of people developing starvation-induced high cholesterol after high weight loss. Your symptoms correlate closely to what you describe. "A 25-y-old policeman who had sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity 10 mo previously presented with generalized weakness, constipation, and significant weight loss after severe dietary restriction." All of his bariatric lab had been normal. Transient Severe Hypercholesterolemia Following Bariatric Surgery Treated Successfully With Increased Food Intake https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26732832/?from_single_result=starvation-induced+hypercholesterolemia Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Everyone - This is my first post! I started the process back in January - originally expected to have surgery in July, and due to COVID-19 will probably have surgery in late Sept or early Oct. My insurance requires 3 months (4 sessions) of Supervised Medical Weight Loss. I am able to do it with my surgeon’s office, which is awesome, but it seems tedious. I was supposed to start in March, though my first appt was pushed back to a week and a half ago. I just started the “diet” last week. The plan reminds me of how old people eat (LOL) - very little room to be creative with food. Is anyone else going through this right now? I’d love to have someone to bounce the experience off of, or a buddy.

Thank you, I actually have felt pretty good for the last 2 days. I had one drain in until the morning I left and I am assuming it was because of the hiatal hernia repair. I didn't notice it for the most part. I had a binder on the whole time and I don't know how people manage without them those first 10 days.

I lost 10 lbs in 9 days. My surgery date was last minute and I didn’t get to do the whole 2 weeks. Nice jump start though.

My pre-OP weight was 375. Surgery: 345 on 2/10/20 I'm at 275 now, so I've lost 100 lbs total, 70 in the last 4 months

I'm 10 months out and I'm terrified I'm stretching my pouch already I feel like I'm overeating cos I'm getting cravings and pangs but my body cant handle the food

7lbs in 10 days, 3 more days to go. I did have a piece of toast with a tiny bit of peanut butter on two different days.

For slider calories you can try adding a teaspoon of olive oil to a scrambled egg. To get more calories and protein you can try Premier protein water. It is gross to me cold but over ice so it's really cold is much better. When I was losing too quick I would have a tablespoon of peanut butter and lick the spoon so it would take 10-15 minutes. Slider foods will not make you feel as full so you can consume more calories. I changed from eating low calorie yogurt to high calorie/high fat yogurt with some nuts or granola mixed in. I was able to eat a graham cracker square with peanut butter and half hour later eat another. I would dip carrots in high calorie/high fat ranch dressing. Just go slow and try a little at a time to make sure you feel ok before eating a lot of something. If eating something dense like refried beans try and mix in some water so it slides down easier. I had to consciously eat every 30-60 minutes to try and up my calories from 500-1000 over 2 months. Others will warn it is a slippery slope and it's against everything you learn and it will make you feel like you are creating bad habits. All of that is true. However, if you are determined and set a goal that once you gain "x" pounds I will stop eating after 8pm or not snack between lunch and dinner then you can later reduce calories and go back to good habits to stay at a maintenance level.

I did They said everything looked "normal". From my own research I believe the problem is Leptin. They dont know why some people have too much or too little but having surgery most certainly didn't "remove the hunger hormones" as is sometimes reported. I was absolutely starving the first few days right after surgery and remained starving the entire 10 day liquid diet post op. Most people say after a 2-3 days on a liquid diet you lose your hunger but for me it was torture. I'd give anything not to be plagued by constant hunger

Wow, we really are twins. I had my last period when I was 46, but I started having hot flashes etc. almost 10 years before that. 10 miserable years of perimenopause and confusion, hot flashes, skin problems, etc. And my doctors didn't believe me! "You're too young," they said. Ugh. Menopause definitely makes it harder to keep weight down, your metabolism slows a bit and you don't have that wonderful estrogen anymore. Plus part of the reason I went on Effexor was due to menopause so...yeah, it all adds up. Evening primrose oil helps a bit, I mostly take it because I have had cystic breasts in the past, and my OB/GYN said to take a big capsule every day. Once I started doing that, I no longer had cysts show up on my mammogram. Win! I was surprised how much the black cohosh helps. I mean, if I miss it even once I really feel the difference.

well, that's true. I did end up getting down to a normal BMI, but my surgeon said only about 10-15% of his patients make it that far. Research appears to back that statistic up. Although I do know a lot of people who have done it (mostly on this or other bariatric forums - it may be partially due to all the support we get here - and reading through threads every day may make it front & center in our minds all the time?? Not sure....). It does take a TON of work though. The first 100 lbs came off relatively easily (for me). The last 40 or so were torture.

Hi!!!! June 2020 here! It's the great of total chaos! How is everyone???? I'm personally doing really well but I haven't been on bariatric pal in quite a long time! My surgery date was March 14th 2019. HW: 299 SW: 289 CW: 152 Sent from my LG-Q710AL using BariatricPal mobile app

I grow my own - that way I know they're fresh! I make kefir, which is much easier than yogurt - just pour milk in, wait a day, drain the kefir off - done. No heating or other nonsense required. I ordered the grains that hold the probiotic colony and make the kefir from Amazon - just search "kefir grains." Only costs 10-20 dollars. I've had mine for 5 years, and have given them away to several people since then (they multiply over time).

Hello, and yes! I told my husband and children I did not want anyone to know and if they asked, I was on a soup diet and wellllllll that's kinda true!LOLOL My primary physician half of my church members attend and I have told them I do not want it disclosed to anyone! Which it shouldn't be anyway due to HIPPA. The ladies of our church keep inquiring the kids which are 13, 10 and 19, we did not let the 10 year old know about the surgery but the other two I told them to say, "I see her eating soup all the time, and you will have to ask her!" They shouldn't be asking them any way! One member did ask me and I told her I had lap-band and she cut me off mid sentence and said, I didn't know you had lap-band and just her reaction to that I kepted my mouth shut, because it was if she was judging me for having a lap-band. I was not going to reveal the RNY surgery but was going to tell her I had adjustments to my lap-band. So, no it's none of anyone's business! As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all i'm gonna say about that!" LOLOLOL

I had gained about 10 lbs since my surgery was initially approved by insurance. When I went to my pre-op, I was worried my surgeon would postpone me again to get me back down. However, he didn't. He said the 2 week pre-op liquid diet would take care of those 10lbs (and it did, and then some). But I know every surgeon and every insurance is a bit different. But my covid lbs weren't an issue.

Yes! My team recommends them. I’m 10 months post op, so can take capsules. Early on I took chewables. I now buy this one from Costco: https://www.costco.com/nature's-bounty-ultra-strength-probiotic-10%2C-140-capsules.product.100225688.html I take one capsule twice daily.

Surgery for me went very well Wednesday morning. Got to the hospital at 6:30. They took me back to pre-op about 7:30 (husband was allowed there with me). Changed into a gown, peed (for a pregnancy test, which I laughed at), got my IV, did a little bloodwork, and they put an anti-nausea patch behind my right ear. I woke up in recovery, stayed there until there was a bed upstairs. Did go to the bathroom for the first time in recovery, and felt pretty gross when I got back - which they said was totally normal. Got up to my room about 2pm - and took my first lap at 2:20. The goal was to get 3 laps done that night - and I did 4. The gas pain was no joke - but it was better by yesterday. Yesterday, I did 15 laps - I was really bored. Incision pain showed up last night - before that, I was able to sleep on my side in the hospital bed - but since I've been home - the recliner is my friend. I have a timer going off every 6 mins to do my lung exercises (supposed to get 10 an hour), as well as a sip of water, or broth, or protein shake. I'm not hitting the numbers yet for grams of protein or water - but really trying to listen to my new stomach. It's a delicate balance of not wanting to get dehydrated - but I don't want to push it either (I have a severe fear of vomiting). I still have the patch behind my ear - and I believe during surgery they gave me Zofran and Phenergan - but not afterwards. I got 2 shots of Morphine over 12 hours for pain on Wednesday. And then yesterday I took 2 Norco about 12 hours apart. I haven't taken anything yet today, even though I am a bit sore. I've been doing laps around my house - and even walked out side for 2 driveways. Not a ton of distance - but my goal is 40 mins total a day (doesn't have to be all at once). My husband was able to stay with me in pre-op; then he waited in the waiting room. The surgeon came out and told him how good everything had gone. He wasn't allowed to come to the recovery room with me (even though originally, the hospital had said he would be allowed). Instead, I only got to see him briefly when the rolled me to the elevator to go to my room. It was a very quick interaction, and I was sad he couldn't stay longer - but I understand the rules. My surgeon keeps his patients NPO until 5am the morning after - so I just had an IV, and lip balm for my chapped lips. I started sipping SUPER slow yesterday at 5am - I was lucky to get an ounce an hour. But that's just because I'm a huge chicken when it comes to vomiting - so I'm going SUPER slow. Surgeon came in around 9am checked my incisions, felt on my belly a little bit, and then said I could go home at 2pm. I've done a good bit more liquids today - but I'm sure I will come up short. Hoping that each day continues to get a little easier. So far, so good!

I hope we both get lucky and have restrictions lifted prior. When he had to have a heart cath I spent the night on a cot in jeans. I didn’t sleep much, they came in the room a lot, but there was no way I was leaving. He is going to feel guilty not being there even if it isn’t his fault. I will cross my fingers for you - we are in Atlanta and with such a diverse population (as well as the world’s largest international airport}, we got more than our fair share of covid-19 cases. I hope that you’re in the area that had very few cases, maybe their restrictions won’t be a staff. 🤞🏼

Microbiome affects everything. It will be years before they figure things out. Stanford Univ did fecal transplants on 19 kid on autism spectrum. 40% reduction in nervous behavioral symptoms for two months. I want to start a probiotic specifically for chronic constiptation. Research studies shows specific strains of bacteria greatly improved constiptation in elderly in nursing home. But cannot get reliable source. Probiotics are like Vitamins and supplements, not regulated by FDC. So you have no idea if the probiotic you buy is even alive, what it claims to be and even effective. ACTIVIA didn't help at all. Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery is slotted for June 18th! I didn’t see any other posts for that date (but several for the 17th). I have a total of 4 weeks notice on my date so it was like 😮 ! Everything is looking good except one thing - because of covid-19 my husband can only see me in the recovery room but cannot be with me in the room at all at any point. 😢 Not going to lie, I am so seriously bummed about that. We live more than an hour’s drive from the hospital so he will have to guess when to return. I have an issue with my left leg and right hand (just the luck huh?) snd I would feel so much better walking with him after surgery than someone else. But just feeling so rotten after surgery (as I did 48 hours after my hyster due to the gas) I would like someone there who can help as well as someone for just love and support. We are both super bummed. Maybe a miracle happens and that gets corrected over the next 2 weeks - here’s to hope!

See I have never thrown up, sometimes if I eat to much I feel yukie. I even ask the doctor if he is sure he did the surgrey. Never no pain or anything. I had my surgrey Sept 2019 and have lost 70 pounds. I need to lose another 70.

what upset me was i wanted that hospital to begin with it was 10 mins from my house smh. so to have them put me there was a little upsetting. i just got submitted for my sleeve and guess what this surgeon saying he wants to switch hospitals. i hope it can be done quick. lmao maybe the same hospital who knows

How's everyone doing with this quarantine? Me enjoying bike rides... 10 months out... Started at 565 Sw 517 Cw 349 Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations 2Bsmaller! How are you doing? Are you happy with your results? Were you pleased with your surgeon? Where are you swelling? Do share a picture of the new you! ;] Four months out now - I really have not dealt with much swelling at all accept in the first two weeks. My surgeon enlisted two policies that she believes reduces swelling from day one. She kept the drains in until no more fluids accumulated. Some do not use drains. For me, that was 10 days. And, I was asked to wear the compression garments full time for as long as I could stand them thus, protecting the incisions and the contouring process. She actually had to tell me to take them off now worried about indentations in my skin! Haha. I grew quite fond of this suit of armor (while many hated it)! I felt safe, comfy and compact in it while the healing took place. Suffice to say, I wore it probably 10 + weeks out or more. With the COVID on set, my last follow-up appointment was cancelled and plan to re-schedule soon. I believe wearing the garments helped the scars in their quality recovery, too. You would never know the nipples were re-attached on the new perky breasts. Scaring just is not that noticeable to me at all. I will talk with her to see if we should address my loose neck skin - but that maybe just an age thing (61) and best left natural? Not sure. I did carry a lot of extra weight in my face with a predominant double chin. Will you engage in further plastics?

I started off 265 then I went to 270 then covit-19 happened I went 273 but my next visit Ill be back to 265 again can they not approve me for that Sent from my SM-N970U using BariatricPal mobile app