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I wanted to share my experience of what happened 3 months post op with everyone so that they're aware as well! I had Gastric Bypass on October 15th and everything went amazingly well. Flew thru post-op without a hitch- diet was on track with where it needed to be, and I had even started back at the gym (all with the Dr.'s approval!) I had passed every post operative appointment up to that point. On December 12th (almost 3 months exactly after surgery) I was in the office eating lunch with my co-workers and after just a couple bites of food I felt what seemed to be dumping syndrome coming on but coming on a lotttttt quicker than it had ever before. As I got up from the table to head to the bathroom, the world started spinning and I had to grab onto the wall before I could finish my mad dash to the bathroom. Once I got in there, I never even managed to flip the lights on before I passed out on the floor. From what my coworkers said I was in there for about 30 minutes was their best guess. I don't remember much just that I woke up to find myself throwing up. Once I turned the lights on all I could see was bright red blood all over the floor. I managed to get up and open the door and flag a co-worker down before passing out again. Long story short- my body was going into hemorrhagic shock from an ulcer that had formed on one of the surgical connections which ate through the incision and finally broke through an artery. I was rushed to the hospital via ambulance, and you know something is realllllly wrong when they get you right into the ER and within 20 minutes you've seen a doctor, surgeon, they have a game plan and you're being wheeled into an emergency endoscopy. During the endoscopy they found the ulcerated site and cauterized the bleeding artery and placed 4 to 5 stitures to help close the hole. This whole ordeal landed me in the ICU for several days... not the type of vacation I wanted 2 weeks before the Christmas holiday but alas... I was stuck. I've been placed on 80mg of anti-acids as well as another stomach-coating medication with endoscopies scheduled for 6 months post fix and then yearly from there on out. Looking back there were signs... I should have clued in on. But most importantly listen to your body- if something isn't sitting right go to your doctor. I will forever remember waking up in recovery with the surgeon coming in and looking me dead in the eye and telling me I was one lucky lady to be alive... If I had gone another 30 minutes or so in the condition I was- I wouldn't be here today.

Yes, that’s a normal rate of weight loss. As everyone else says, don’t compare your progress with others’. I had the same experience after my surgery where it seemed like everyone else who had it the same month as I did was getting these amazing results and I wasn’t losing weight any faster than before surgery (I lost 70 pounds in the 5 months before surgery). It was hard to see other people hit their goal weight in, like, a month when I still had over 100 pounds to go. You go through so much just to get the surgery, not to mention the grueling pre- and post-op diet, so it feels like you should be seeing major changes by now, but it’s not a race. As long as the number on the scale keeps going down, you’re doing something right. And many people experience a stall in the first month before continuing to lose. There are all these rules of thumb for how much you “should” lose in the first 3 months, 6 months, etc., but everyone is different, and you’ll get there when you get there. The first couple of months post-op are the worst because you’re recovering for a major surgery, adjusting to huge life changes, restricted to a limited diet, but still overweight. In the moment, it seems interminable, but a year or two from now, you will barely remember this rough period of time. Just have faith and stick with the program.

Hi I’m 4 weeks post op and have been experiencing a lot of stomach cramps nausea and going to the toilet it’s been going on for 3 days now anyone have any advice?

@FifiLux is right. Never compare yourself with others. It will only mess with your head. I can guarantee the one thing you can depend upon is that you will do this in your way & is best for you & your body. Whether it be how much you lose, the rate at which you lose, how long it takes, when you experience stalls & how long they last, when you can tolerate certain foods and what foods you can’t tolerate, etc. and there’s nothing wrong with any of that. There’ll be similarities with other & differences & averages which give you an idea of what you might experience that’s all. You’ve lost 13lbs. That’s amazing, Stick to your plan & remember to celebrate every pound you lose.

I had the exact same thing, it was seriously doing my head in! But.. it's quite normal, you might be eating at such a deficit that your body is literally slowing your metabolism right down, or you're retaining fluid. My Dietician last week told me on avg people lose between 4-7 kg (roughly double for lbs) between the first and 2nd months... I was despairing as I had only lost 5.1 kg... turns out, right in the middle!! Try not to worry, it is happening! I found upping my cals to 900 really helped!

So I’m 5 weeks post op and have only lost 13 lbs. I feel stuck and wondering if that’s normal to lose only that amount in a month? I feel defeated as I only have protein shakes for breakfast and lunch while I’m at work . but dinner is where i incorporate a soup or broth. I just don’t know if I’m doing this right? I’m supposed to be in the pureed stage and then go into soft foods next week.. I need advice on how to help my weight come off faster /better.. this has been a crazy mind game for me ..

We all felt that anxiety and worry about how things will change, as humans we don't like change much. But for most it's a good change aand whilst it's definitely not easy, it does get easier day by day, week by week from that surgery day! Eating clean whilst on the road is not easy, but also not too hard. You can always take protein shakes/bars etc with you for your small meals. It's also easy to find rotisserie chicken, or to ask for a burger without the bun etc. Remembering you CAN'T eat much, and have to prioritise protein first, so it is possible, just make better choices. The surgery doesn't mean you have to find organic salad all the time, you will be able to cope fine 😊

We would come down like a ton of bricks on someone who was mean on here. Its a safe place. People come for advice and reassurance and because I was helped I am paying it forward. I might add that it keeps me on track too so I am not as selfless as I seem. This is wise, I told only my husband and son. It was my decision to do this and like you I didn't want to listen to any negativity. Yes you will, I do. But in the beginning few days its a scary struggle and I did panic at this stage but we all got there. I got to a size and weight where I was happy. You then up your calories, a little each week until you get to the point where you stop loosing weight. Its really simple but takes a little courage to let go a bit.

Thank you all so much for replying and your comforting words. I can’t believe how nice everyone else. I was almost dreading reading replies because I just knew I was going to see a mean reply but everyone has been so nice and supportive about my emotional rant. Lol. I can’t thank you enough. Yesterday I went to a church service and sat on the bench and I just felt so big and uncomfortable and stuffed. I felt bigger than everyone on my row and probably was. Then I got home and ordered food for my kids and I and ate such a big portion and I remembered all over again exactly why I want this surgery and seeing your words confirmed it. Especially when @DaisyChainOz said “Only you can know if it’s worth it to you”. I really needed to hear that and I’m feeling like it’s really worth it at this point. I really can’t keep feeling like this. I guess if food is always going to be a thing, I’d rather it be a thing while I’m thin and more comfortable in my body. It’s also hard bc I’m not telling a lot of people. Not to be secretive, but bc I know many people won’t understand and I really want this to be my choice without the extra noise and opinions from people who don’t know what it’s like to feel trapped by your own body. I pray for no issues & that I end up being like everyone else in a few months asking myself why I didn’t choose to do this years ago. Can I ask a couple more questions though? Will I ever be able to guzzle water again? Lol. I just love ice cold water after a sweat or when I’m thirsty, just the feeling of chugging ice cold water, will I ever be able to chug a cold glass of water or will I need to sip it forever? If so, that’s fine, I just want to prepare my mind for what I’m giving up. Also, I know a couple of you are only a few weeks in, but has anyone lost too much weight? Not medically but lost too much personally? I’m afraid of getting to a size that’s too small. I don’t think I’ve ever desired to actually be skinny, I just want to be normal/average.

If any pain feels unusual or is strong to you, yes contact your team. It may not be anything but it’s always better to be sure. In saying that, certain sutures like ones that act sort of like scaffolding or support can snap as they dissolve and cause some pain so it could just be that. Ensure you’re not lifting, pulling or straining too much while you’re healing too & pulling on your internal organs and sutures, etc. Remember it takes around 6-8 weeks to fully heal so you’ve still got a couple of weeks to go. All the best.

My recovery from the surgery was really easy. I was a Sleep patient for seven years and then I converted to the Sadie. They did repair two hernia while they were in there and those killed me for weeks on end, but the incisions for the conversion in those areas, I had no pain whatsoever. In fact, I didn’t even feel like I had a surgery because being a veteran sleeve patient The amount of food I could eat did not change after the conversion.

I take the same vitamins and minerals. I’ve always taken, but I take 50% higher dose. I have found that my vitamins that I take pre-surgery were higher end doses than a lot of of the bariatric medications so I don’t pay for those high prices when they have less in them than what I already take. I am a female in my 50s and I take a Centrum Silver for men because it has higher doses than the one for women I do not take shoes or Gummies because the pills break down slower and have a chance to actually get absorbed better than a gummy I take calcium chews at night three of them instead of the recommended two and in the morning I take everything else along with my iron and vitamin C . again 50% higher dose and my blood work is fine

I second everything said by @Bessieboop1981 I was also sleeved 8 weeks ago, and have found it hard at times to deal with the head hunger and the change to my body and lifestyle (former chef and pastry chef) Food has been a HUGE part of my life for a long time, and now it is not so much! But that doesn't stop the desire! The physical pain of overeating is very real post surgery, I can not eat much at once, and sometimes grieve that, but I do know that after trying to lose weight my whole adult life, this is the only thing that will help to control the volume I eat. That is what I was after, the handbrake to stop me overeating, but it is only a tool, the fact is you need to be ready emotionally. The physical risk factor of Gastric Sleeve is minimal, however, as said above, all surgery has risks including serious complications and even death and this has to be weighed against the potential benefit. Only you can know if it's worth it to you. I also wish you well!

Hello there and welcome! I was sleeved about 8 weeks ago now and I spent countless hours, days and months before surgery stressing about every little thing that I read and heard. Right up until surgery I was still hyperventilating! I totally understand how you feel right now. Now I'm on the other side I have to say there are some major challenges for me to deal with. I have been big my entire life and this is like a baptism by fire to me. What do I mean by that? Well I knew I had a food issue especially comfort eating but I didn't realise how bad it was until after my surgery. Head hunger is my biggest enemy I crave food a lot of times during my day. Interestingly enough I don't really crave junk food anymore because I have avoided that from the get go, I just miss the comfort of eating more if that makes sense. I did feel really drained and miserable months before surgery, I was so afraid of things going terribly wrong too, but I was Ok and it was worth it. I don't regret it and I am still early days. I have lost over2 and a half stone in that time and I am feeling much better than I was pre op. Now, you say you don't enjoy healthy food but what do you class a healthy? You will eventually be able to eat chicken, lean beef and pork mince, fish, cheese, yogurts, protein drinks, protein puddings and much more. You will also be surprised how much your tastes and cravings change post op, I know! I didn't believe it either! I make a healthy version of pizza with my own low calorie wholemeal base and low fat protein cheese with ham. It tastes better than the one I used to have before and it is a much healthier version. There's literally loads of ways you can alter your favourite foods to make them lower in calories and healthier too. Get on Pinterest and tiktok there's so much content out there for bariatric surgery patients. The main thing I should tell you with absolute certainty is that the sleeve is a tool not a quick fix. You really need to be fully prepared for the changes it will bring. You will need to put in the hard head work and explore a healthier way of life, Be willing to try healthier food and you may learn to like it. You will not be able to eat unhealthy food and get all the nutrients you need from your diet. If you are certain this is what you want to do then you need to research. you said you don't like healthy food but you also said you don't know how to eat healthy. This is where your research will come in. I noticed you said that you can't find the discipline but when you have a smaller tummy you physically can't eat as much, you will be in a lot of pain and then you will throw up! I wish you all the best on your journey, it's a hell of a ride! x

I can't really comment as I'm literally only a week out of surgery but so far my lack of appetite has surprised me. I just don't feel hungry or like eating at all. It's kinda nice. I'm assuming that won't last long though Another surprise is just how little I eat and feel like I've had enough. I'm still on the fluids portion of recovery but I only have like 1/4 a cup of soup per meal and that's enough. I have to keep getting told I need to eat

Hi, I'm new to the forums and a new member of the RNY club. I had my surgery on Tuesday 4th March so I very very recently joined. The day of my surgery sucked. After I woke up I had epic nausea but couldn't vomit as there was literally nothing to throw up. Thank goodness for the hospital and it's good anti nausea stuff! The second day was much better. I still felt weak as heck and was super shaky and my chest felt tight like someone was sitting on it which was odd. My doc approved me for clear broth but they forgot about me so I didn't get anything at all 🤣 so I just had ice chips. One thing that surprised me was when I had to do the CT scan they brought me two cups of that yucky tasting fluids and it was a massive struggle to get though 1.5 cups of it and I felt so overly full and awfully uncomfortable all day as a result. Totally not used to being able to drink small amounts. I got released on day 3 with Panadol and so far so good. I'm still on the fluids part of my diet and have not experienced dumping syndrome YET but once I start eating I'm sure that'll happen fairly soon. One thing that surprises me is my total lack of appetite. I just don't feel hungry. Will that eventually change? My journey so far has been weird. My doctor referred me in December, I had an initial appointment with my surgeon in Jan who told me to email him a bunch of questions I may have had but I was not allowed to bring anyone with me. He then dropped off the radar for 6 weeks or so and I had to chase and bug him to answer me and what happens next. The receptionist called and answered all my questions and booked me in for surgery two weeks later. I then saw him on The Friday prior to the surgery then had my procedure. I didn't have to do any kind of shakes, I didn't get any blood tests or any referrals to dieticians or anything. Ive now been out of hospital for several days and I'm guessing there won't be any communication with me unless I reach out until I'm booked to see him on the 21st. I don't know if that's normal it just seems very... Hands off. I was kinda expecting to have to do more

@Mspretty86 I'm certain I am a rare case, I got a lift, large implant and internal bra- everywhere I read was rest for 7days, then light walking afterwards, weights after 6 weeks. I was unable to ANYTHING working out or getting my heart elevated for 7 weeks! His explanation was that he didn't want my elevated heart rate to cause swelling in the capsule that he made for the implant then the implant settle in my armpit because my swelling stretched out the internal capsule. I spent A LOT of money for these girls and he kept telling me not to mess up my investment. LOL After 7 weeks I got the okay to start walking, and lower body. I go back on Friday the 14th and I am hoping he releases me to do upper body so I can get back into the full swing of things. I am 11 weeks, and they are settled pretty well, but they have very minimal bounce LOL! When I do work out I wear two sports bras just to keep them in place, because I have big implants. I want to keep them perky as long as possible. I can push them together in bralettes and lingerie for sexy time. They stay up and look so effing good ha! I am still in a post op bra, really hoping on Friday he tells me I can start wearing regular bras at least for events for a couple of hours or so.

Peanut butter chicken sounds good. Remember them spring rolls had a sauce that was equal parts of peanut butter and soy sauce. I’m glad you just reminded me of it because I really liked it and it was good on chicken too. Sorry to hear about your hip. Really sucks that we get tested with hurdles so soon after surgery but maybe it is just that a test. Test to see if we are truly committed even when it doesn’t come as easy as it did right off the bat. If so, I think we are crushing this test!! 10K steps is awesome. I bet you will not stop at 30 days. When I was doing my normal walking it felt so good I didn’t ever want to stop. As soon as I figure out this thyroid thing I’m gonna start again. Or if the cardiologist says it’s safe. Just scares me that my resting heart beat has gone up and I get notifications from my watch about weird heart stuff so oncology ordered test and did referral for an oncology cardiologist. I need to call that office too another reminder. Anyways, as soon as I get the all clear I will be working back up to join you. I’m telling you it helped me with everything. After doing it consistently my mental health was far better and it made me think twice about my food choices. I was feeling so good I didn’t ever want to do anything to ruin it so healthy nourishing choices were so much easier. I hope your hip is better soon and you meet or even exceed your walking challenge! I am bummed that my clinic has cancelled yoga for next week because the instructor is out but they are adding gentle yoga the following week and I think I am going to check out meditation this week since she will be gone and it’s at the same time so I couldn’t before. I wish these things were offered more than once a week. Kinda unfair for the people who do treatment that day or the day before if their treatment makes them feel icky. They also have a physical trainer that they offer who will do some free sessions but I’m saving them for after surgery since I will be needing more direction then. Right now I just need clearance and then motivation to get back at it After surgery I will have limitations. My range of motion will be an issue and I will need help pushing through them but not pushing too fast. I talked to the guy and he said we can’t go any quicker than my dr clears me but I am going to tell the dr I see him weekly and ask to see the dr more often to get clearance quicker if I’m ready. i am so ready to get back to my pre chemo activity. I can already tell my lack of activity is affecting my mood. I want my happy positive rainbows and unicorns outlook on life back. Drove my hubby crazy but I liked it and I’m pretty sure after dealing with my being cranky and irritable for over a month he is probably missing it too. 😂

I didn’t get gas pain either. But my surgeon made up for it when he removed my gall 2 years later 😁. Out of curiosity, are you peri menopausal or menopausal? That was when my sleep became really bad & it is a known side effect. If you are, are you on HRT or have had your hormonal levels checked lately? Just a thought. About 4 weeks ago I bought a acupressure mat and since I began using it I’ve noticed I haven’t really had any issue with constipation or even the odd day I don’t/can’t go. Regular as clockwork every day now. I did look up acupressure points for constipation and the mat hits the ones lower on my lower centre back and upper butt checks & I think that may be what’s helping. Hope I haven’t jinxed myself now. 😁

No nausea.. and the pain was manageable enough with Tylenol. I was given a script for oxycodone for 5 days. But I never filled it. I was tired though, partially from coming off the anesthesia and the doctor told me at my 2 week followup, not drinking enough water. There were gas pains. And I was instructed to use Miralax to use the bathroom if I didn't go on my own. It wasn't that bad though. I was up and about by week 3 without feeling drained.

@ShoppGirl so I was unsure if I should start trying! My boobs having fully gotten soft, I think they are fully dropped though? From what I measured I am a 34DD? but this was a while ago. I am 11 weeks post op do you think I should try now or wait another month or so?

Hey guys, The last few days have been super hard I just want to eat all the time I feel so empty! I know its mainly head hunger and at nearly 8 weeks out it is my mind fighting against the changes I have made. I miss eating more! I have had slight cravings for junk food lately but I will not eat it because I know it will do me absolutely no good and it will make me worse off. I haven't eaten any of it since before my surgery and have no plans to in the future. As a recovering food addict a little bite would be a massive trigger to eat way too much and I can't deal with that. I know I have been addicted to food pretty much my whole life but I honestly didn't think that my addiction was as bad as it clearly is. I don't regret having the surgery and having lost 2 stone 6lbs is amazing in such a short time, it's just so hard to get used to the huge life change. I am all in and will continue eating healthy unprocessed food because my body loves it and I feel so much better physically. It's taking my mind a long time to catch up though and I'm struggling. I have heard plenty of ideas about finding a hobby and doing things to focus my mind away from food but I need to face up to my food demons and learn to live with them. I don't want to avoid these feelings coming up, they need to be dealt with. So I journal when it gets too much and I post on here too. I'm just looking for some one who understands how I feel and who can tell me it gets better! Thanks again guys x

I’ve been very lucky I didn’t even get gas pain like everybody else I have never been sick the only thing I can moan about is the constipation and insomnia. I would definitely tell myself to do it again. I’m just waiting for my first follow up appointment with surgeon and I need to speak to them because I haven’t lost anything in about 3 weeks and I’m now 7weeks post op. x

Hi Kelly, Yep, I think all of us were in the same boat of some kind. I've been have been heavy all my life, since birth, I was a big baby. I never lost my baby fat, I just added more and more. I'm finally going through a RNY soon, I have done everything except one more nutrition consult after Monday's consult. I think I am doing pretty good. I have tried all kinds of protein shakes, clear liquid drinks with protein, and doing exercise daily for 30 minutes, either strength or aerobic. So...just want that date, and get that date as soon as possible. A 2-week "vacation" from work, and the support of my dear husband, I got this! I might be 60 years old, but I have to lose so I can have my left hip replaced. That's what started it all. My ortho won't do the surgery unless I lose 40 pounds. Having tried everything from diets, to pills, shots and the like, I finally gave in what I had started to research 4 years ago. I'm almost there. So Kelly, welcome to the group and ask whatever questions that you may have, we are a group of people who care about other people. Wendy

I overslept by an hour missing my morning but I feel like a million bucks! I have been back to consistently working out 6 days a week, 3 days lower body weight lifting until I get the go to upper body. 15 more weeks till Summer! I wanna be in a bikini 😝