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One thing that helped motivate me to get started with at least 15 minutes a day was the physicians assistant said at one of my support group meetings before my surgery that just exercising 90 minutes a week which you can spread out over six days at 15 minutes each (which is 25 when you include your warm-up and cool down if it’s more than walking) But just that decreases your risk of “all-cause mortality” by 15%. The PA and surgeon agreed that no surgery, no pill, nothing else they can prescribe you is going to have such a phenomenal impact So exercise is pretty darn beneficial. I mean, I know for myself I was scared of a 2% risk of complications from the surgery that may or may not even actually kill me, but they’re giving me a 15% decrease of chances of mortality, that’s pretty huge just to dedicate less than a half hour of your day to walking around a little bit. And a brisk walk is all it takes for me to achieve the heart rate they’re speaking about because it doesn’t have to be full on high intensity, just raising it a bit. I’m not sure if it will be as profound for you but I heard that before my surgery and six weeks later it’s still ringing around in my mind as I’m exercising. I’m thinking wow you know weight loss aside, this is really a good thing that I’m doing for my health. After I got started, though I wanted to do more and more, but my goal is to do my 15 minutes, no matter what and that is my only expectation for myself at this point.

I had a ton of scar tissue from a butcher surgeon 40 years before my sleeve surgery. The bariatric surgeon noted it and allowed a little more theatre time for me. My surgeon said it was very stuck inside but he did it all keyhole. It just took him longer. This week I was due to have my ovaries and a huge ovarian cyst removed by key hole surgery. I was informed that I may have to be opened up if it became a problem. It was and I was. This is day 6 and I am feeling more like myself and the pain is manageable today without meds. So what are the differences, More pain, your muscles are cut. A big scar and drain holes. And a 12 week ban on house work and lifting, more of a bonus that one really. I hope it goes well for you. It will be worth it even if its not keyhole. Trust me

Snap, almost ! I have had my ovaries and a huge cyst removed this week. For some reason they left them 28 years ago when I had my hysterectomy. I now have a new belly scar and have lost my belly button. I have gotten to my own target weight at last. I wonder if its the missing belly button, the cyst or the deplorable hospital food that accounts for the big weight drop. Hope you are feeling more like yourself today, I am, even though I am walking around hugging my tummy like I am about to loose my insides.

My GP put me on a 12 WEEK liquid diet. I've lost almost 20lbs (10kg) it's a struggle the first few days, but it gets easier!

Hi! I don't have an answer, but I'm following in case someone else does too! My surgery is in 2 and a half weeks and I'm starting to get scared about this issue too.

I have also dealt with hives, even before I had the surgery. One day they just appeared. Long red welts on my abdomen and thighs. I went to an allergist, who couldn’t determine any cause for the hives. I was diagnosed with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (hives that have been there for longer than 2 weeks without apparent cause. After trying several medications alone, my doctor and I decided to try a “cocktail.” I was on 4 medications, but I only remember Ranitidine and Zyrtec. When the hives showed up again, we tried a couple of different combinations and finally landed on Doxepin and Benadryl. If I go a few days without the meds, the hives start itching again. During one stay in the hospital, the doctors gave me a topical cream called Sansa. It’s helpful.

While I have always been an avid exerciser (think everything from running, cycling, weight lifting, marital arts, HIIT, hiking ...etc.) I have always taken up a supplementary form of exercise that is fun and that I looked forward to. A few years ago I played tennis twice a week, then hiking, then taekwondo (reached the blue belt then had a very bad ankle injury that cause a lot of my weight gain), now I do Pilates twice a week in addition to my gym routine and these two sessions are the highlight of my week. Once you find something you enjoy be it tennis, padel, hiking, cycling, swimming or even walking it will be easier to build on that routine and do the things you don't so much enjoy (like weight lifting for example). It is also always good if you have a group you can exercise with (or play certain sports with) or a gym buddy. I also made sure to build a gym studio in my new house and that has been wonderous, I wake up early and workout and don't need to worry about the commute or how to shower and do my hair before work, so a set of dumbbells and a bench at your home can do wonders (if you have that option). I was always asked by friends and family why I am so adamant and a freak about my exercise regimen and if I get bored or sick of it, and my answer is I do it more for my mental wellbeing than for my physical appearance. Nothing comes close to that post workout feeling, it is literal therapy to me. I love to challenge myself and I love to work hard and feel like I've earned it, and I feel sluggish and not great on days I don't workout. Once you commit to a sort of movement daily, it will become a healthy addiction and the feeling that that brings is euphoric, if I say so myself. Just make sure you start easy and build on that.

I got to move to the purée stage so that’s amazing but still in my stall which sucks!

Liquid diets or liver shrinking diets before surgery are very common. Different surgeons will want patients to follow specific diets (like all liquid) prior to their surgery usually for about two weeks though can be for longer or shorter. The aim is for you to lose a little more weight before surgery, thus making it safer, and to shrink your liver so the operating field is more visible and your tummy and digestive system easier to access. Different patients will fe given different plans to follow based on their weight, current health status, surgery, etc. Some are given weight loss goals to reach like you, others not. For example, I was put in Keto and not given a specific weight loss goal just had to lose some. I lost 4.5kg (9.9lbs) in just over two weeks. Just follow the diet plan you’ve been given & you’ll be fine.All the best.

Very common for you to experience temporary changes to your sense of taste and sometimes smell after surgery. Everything became super salty or super sweet and certain textures (like the grainy texture of the shakes) became off putting for me. And yes, sometimes foods you didn’t enjoy before become enjoyable though that can change back. For me it was smoked salmon which I strangely began eating regularly once on real food but a few weeks later it was back to nope it’s too strong & rich. I actually embraced the aversion to sweet and lost my desire for a lot of it.

In the last 3 weeks, I've been dealing with crazy weird constipation. But my poop isn't hard, it's really soft. Just won't come out. TONS of gas. Bloated stomach. I was diagnosed with IBS-C about 7 months after my initial surgery (sleeve). I was on the 145mcg dose of Linzess for about a year and a half, and between that and Miralax (and every once in a blue moon, a combo laxative/stool softener) I was very regular. Pooped either every day or every other day for the most part. No bloated stomach. No real gas. Then 3 weeks ago, the constipation just went crazy and got really weird. Gas has been the most insane of my life. Stomach super bloated and uncomfortable. Linzess was increased to 290mcg and has done NOTHING. Miralax was increased. Added more Fiber to my diet and even a fiber supplement. Even started taking more laxative/stool softener meds. Added prune juice. And still, I've had a good poop exactly twice in 3 weeks and 3 small poops. That's it. Nothing is working. I drink 100 fl oz daily. I don't drink soda or anything with sugar. I honestly don't know what else to do. Any advice or suggestions? Oh, I've also added magnesium. I tried Colon Broom. Literally....nothing. I JUST WANNA POOP!!!!!

🙋‍♀️ In the last 3 weeks, I've been dealing with crazy weird constipation. But my poop isn't hard, it's really soft. Just won't come out. TONS of gas. Bloated stomach. I was diagnosed with IBS-C about 7 months after my initial surgery (sleeve). I was on the 145mcg dose of Linzess for about a year and a half, and between that and Miralax (and every once in a blue moon, a combo laxative/stool softener) I was very regular. Pooped either every day or every other day for the most part. No bloated stomach. No real gas. Then 3 weeks ago, the constipation just went crazy and got really weird. Gas has been the most insane of my life. Stomach super bloated and uncomfortable. Linzess was increased to 290mcg and has done NOTHING. Miralax was increased. Added more fiber to my diet and even a fiber supplement. Even started taking more laxative/stool softener meds. Added prune juice. And still, I've had a good poop exactly twice in 3 weeks and 3 small poops. That's it. Nothing is working. I drink 100 fl oz daily. I don't drink soda or anything with sugar. I honestly don't know what else to do. Oh, and I added magnesium and tried Colon Broom. Still nothing...

I’m 6 weeks post op and I eat faster then the 30 min I have tried slowing down but I can’t do it any tips that will help I am worried I’m gonna stretch my stomach

Everyone’s post op plan is different. At five weeks I was on soft foods post SADI revision but it’s important to follow the plan your surgeon set for you. It goes by pretty fast. You will be able to eat again soon. For soups, if you get a good soup and strain it (like from a restaurant) that can be a little treat because the broth is more flavorful even if you can’t have the noodles. If you are on soft but just can’t have the noodles, try having just the broth with the veggies (celery can cause some people issues, though so be mindful of that). Honestly the longer you can go without having processed carbs the better. Carbs make you crave more carbs (or that’s how it works for many people anyways).

I believe you completed enough exercised for three people. Can I be one of them? 🤔🤣

I am 6 months post op and I’ve been experiencing uncomfortable pains in my left upper area by where my pouch would be. It’s been a dull ache cramp and when I eat or drink it gets worse. I’ve noticed I’ve been gassy as well and can feel the gas being trapped as it moves through me. I have IBS and noticed these symptoms late last week and have read IBS can either be made worse or better by this surgery. They have improved but they are still there. Could this be a probiotic issue? Has anyone experienced these pains?

I am 5 weeks and was just curious to what other type of foods we can eat besides what’s on the booklet…. I been craving chicken soup so bad but was told I can’t have the noodles yet just the broth…. I’ve seen other blend it but don’t want to do something that will harm me… any suggestions

Omgoodness. I'm so thankful I'm not the only one! I had a sleeve to mini bypass done on 19th August and at week 3, I developed hives. Initially it was thought the hives were a drug allergy but they weren't. I can have totally clear skin then have a tepid shower and break out again. I break put at work or where my dog lays on my lap. I think of an itch spot and I'll look to find a welt. Lortadine is useless and the mild steroid creams I have are also ineffective. My surgeon has said no to steroid injections too. I'm going crazy with the itch. I wear gloves at work, I flare up, my watch band, I flare up. I've had to change to a heavier fabric scrubs to avoid the "slinky" material ones my organisation has because my skin didn't agree!

New Week New Win! I say continued weight loss of about 2.5 pounds a week is a win being 5 months out it's still steady and that's good. I have until April which is my surgiversary to make it to goal weight I think I shall be there way ahead of time 👊🏅🏅

*raises hand* warning: this may get long.... now, for me, replace 'whiskey' and 'cognac' with Vodka Sodas or Red Wine or Espresso Martinis. i looked it up and according to North American AND European "standards" i would be considered an alcoholic in North America, as well as partaking in "harmful and hazardous" drinking if I were in Europe, based on my average daily alcohol consumption. I started drinking regularly during Covid, and basically never stopped. I too, consider myself a high-functioning alcoholic...i don't get black out drunk, i dont drink and drive, operate heavy machinery while under the influence, make bad decisions that would harm or embarass myself or others, etc. etc. since surgery i get affected much quicker, and on a lot less than pre-surgery. i'm pretty tipsy just after a single drink...legitimately drunk after 2. BUT.....i sober up really quickly too. the alcoholic buzz lasts me maybe 30-45 mins tops. then it's like i didn't drink a drop....which probably contributes to why i drink the amounts that i do. i am a boredom and social drinker (i.e,. i don't need it to sleep...i am a lifelong insomniac and need very little sleep all my life anyway *shrug*). so if i am busy doing stuff during waking hours that doesn't involve food, friends and sitting around, then i wont drink. i also have a chip on my shoulder, so often when somebody (i.e., Mr. or the Kid) challenges me that i couldn't stop drinking, I totally would just to prove him wrong. I've probably gone cold turkey 9-10 times for about a month each time in the past 5 years just to be right. Mind you, i never actually STOPPED for good, so maybe HE's right, ha. As for my current state of health, I am probably in the best shape in my adult life. I have maintained below goal weight since reaching it at 7 months post op. I am 5'2", 52 yr old woman, and this morning weighed 115.8 lbs. My body fat percentage hovers between 18-20% All my labs since surgery have been satisfactory, the last one being last fall. I don't take any medication any more (i used to take blood pressure and cholesterol and adhd meds). but I do have to take pesky PPIs i continue to need to keep my reflux under control. I have endless amounts of energy, bad moods and bitchiness are a rarity now, i am patient, calm, less stressed since losing the weight. I exercise (yoga, pilates, running, rock climbing) 20+ hours a week. I also dabble with swimming, hiking, volleyball, and dance for funsies. I consume over 2300+ calories a day so i'm definitely not starving myself (mind you, 400-500 cals are from alcohol...) soooo....sometimes i feel like i SHOULD worry about the amount of alcohol i drink, but really, if i'm honest, i don't, really. but if/when i do i feel like its becoming a problem, I can re-evaluate then (though this probably sounds like the alcoholic's battle-cry, no? ha!) p.s. may be worth noting here (not sure why) that i am also an ex-smoker at the moment. i smoked for 20 years, then quit cold-turkey for 10 yrs, then took it up again for 4 years, then quit cold turkey again last summer (am currently 14 months smoke free this time around, yay, me!). p.p.s. DISCLAIMER: i am in no way advocating nor opposing my M.O. to drinking to anyone who reads this. I am merely describing my own experiences. take or leave from it what you will ❤️ ...and scene. lol.

I live in Europe, where we do think differently about drinking than you do in the States. Having a drink every day does not make you a serious drinker here. My answers may be a little different to your fellow country men. Big hugs for fessing up btw. That takes balls. But, if you think you need the booze to sleep then its a problem that will only get worse. Quickly. Can you try not drinking for one night on a off duty day, Put clean bedding on your bed. Switch off all phones etc. Have a pamper session. Watch a good movie. Take a book to bed and read until you drop off or if you dont, just lie there, resting. Get up at your usual time the day after and try and finish your day as usual. No naps. If you think you need a drink buy something you hate and make it into a long drink. Neat alcohol is terrible for your liver and kidneys. Every week use less and less alcohol in your drink. Find ways to relax. Good sex, yoga, beach holidays, walking holidays Doctors can prescribe anti alcohol medication that makes you vomit if you have any. Its so easy to transfer an addiction. Why is it anything addictive, delicious ?

I'm killing it, body fat down below 10 percent, I'm working out at least 4 times a week, am lean and strong. But I've found solace in whiskey. I drink it neat, no mixers. I don't drink during the day, but need to quiet my mind. Good quality whiskey does that, after 35 + years of total sobriety. I'm in Texas, so pot is largely illegal- and the illicit vapes make me paranoid. Crazy thing is I don't wake up with a hang over- I take Pharma sleep meds but am careful about the combo. I did talk to one guy who lost a crazy amount of weight through surgery and told me that heavy alcohol consumption is not uncommon. I was not fixated on food before surgery, but gained a lot during Covid sitting on my ass without serious exercise. I'm now working hard at the gym with a good trainer, and the results have been impressive. But the alcohol is an issue. I don't drive or go out when I drink, I'm home. I'm a high functioning boozer, but still. I hate being dependent on any substance, but I need to turn down the noise in my head. There are some legal CBD outlets in Texas which I can explore. I know the volume of whiskey I'm consuming is not necessary good for long life, but it definitely chills me out. Would love input from others who have had the same experience. Physically I'm in amazing shape, and generally, my mental attitude is quite positive. TIA!

Yea. I’m almost 6 weeks. Post SADI but I’m revised from sleeve and it’s pretty much the same. It goes from constipation to loose stool and back again. Takes a while to figure out what combo of fiber, stool softeners and laxitives work best for you. The protein, vitamins, and lack of adequate fiber in your diet as well as pain meds and I believe even the anesthesia take a toll for a while. I am still on two stool softeners a day and soluble fiber plus I was low on magnesium so I’m taking that which also helps with Bowel function. I am trying to wean off the stool softeners now since I am eating a bit more fiber and the NP said to cut back one dose at a time and to do a few days taking it every other day before cutting it out. Just in case anyone else wondered how to do that. I tried to just cut out one dose and ended up needing a laxative. Hopefully her way works.

Bums sounds cooler 🤭. I'm 2 weeks out and the constipation is definitely in the way. I'm not miserable with bloat or pain, just needing relief b/c these "partial" BM's mean nothing. Today my provider told me it could last about 6 mos and encouraged me to take stool softener everyday.

Thank you! Have an appointment with my team next week 😊