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I was at about 4 weeks before I could stand any pressure on my abdomen, but I had a hiatal hernia repair at the same time as the bypass, which upped the pain levels and pain duration. I slept on my side with a pillow protecting my stomach area, and another wedged behind me to stop me rolling onto my back in my sleep. Sleeping on my back would have been fine, but I didn't want my cat jumping on me. 8kg of cat landing on my gut would have probably sent me to the ER!

I added a collagen powder to the high protein drink I had every second day & also added liquid silica to the mix (BioCeuticals which is a practitioner quality brand - don’t know if you can get it in the US). I also did a couple of 6 week radio frequency treatments to stimulate collagen. Can I say it actually did anything to help my skin? Nope. My nails didn’t get stronger either & I still went through the har loss cycle most of us experience. I have some loose skin on my face & on my body but I did stretch out my skin being overweight so it is to be expected. We all seem to go through a stage where we all look drawn & haggard but once we get into maintenance everything seems to settle. I sometimes wonder if the actual texture of my skin improved but that is more likely down to my more balanced nutrient dense diet & being even more vigilant about my fluid consumption (& maybe regular facials ).

This is in response to the person whom posted the article, I hope your brother is doing ok and I would like to emphasize I am in no way saying you should attempt what I'm about to tell you however it was a shot in the dark as well and I was lucky enough to save my fiancee from a horrible fate...... My gf/fiancee had a duodenal switch surgery which was very successful inside of 2 years her weight stabize at 160 lbs down from 300lbs. Shortly after her target weight was obtained she started having severe depression with suicidal ideation when she had been a very happy person her entire life. After a 6 day stay in the psych ward she went back to work and soon after developed back pain sever enough to leave her screaming in pain at times she had muscle spasticity, difficulty swollowing breathing, peripheral numbness, muscle wasting in legs and arms. I had to put hand rails in our home so she could get around. Incontinence and difficulty swollowing, breathing, and speaking came next.....after much reading and a near refusal to do any mris by the hospital that did surgery.(I suspected they feared a large lawsuit) The reumatologist and neurologist we were referred to both said they suspected als. I became obsessed with finding a way to heal her save her from what was already horrifying illness. I had a lot of trouble sleeping because her breathing scared me and I just sat and read listening to her shallow strained breathing. I swear I read enough studies and articles to have completed medical school. I accumulated almost 220 pages of hand written notes in 2 weeks time I came up with a plan there are many vitamins and antioxidants said to be imbalanced in the brains of pals the problem is supplemented antioxidants take to long to get into the Central nervous system so once the imbalance is bad enough to cause motor neuron death its like a snow ball rolling down a hill getting bigger and bigger that can't be stopped by ingestion due too the blood brain barrier making absorption slow and difficult this is made harder by malabsorbative aspect of surgery. I needed to get large doses into the brain and fast. I have read many article how methamphetamine exposure in small amounts stimulates brain cell growth and protects against cns and brain diseases by causing a small amount of damage stimulateing a neuroprotective effect as well as making the blood brain barrier more permeable these are the supplements I used in order of imprtance. I am not a Dr. I have no medical training please don't think I'm saying I truly know why or how thos worked but it did all supplements taken 3x a day with a small smoked dose of approximately 50-100 mg of street grade methamphetamine. N acetyl cysteine 600 mg Alpha lipoic acid Acetyl l carnitine Curcumin with black pepper Magnesium chileate Coq10 Vitamin e Creatine B vitamin complex (especially folic acid) Egcg Dhea Tart cherry extract Zinc pico lineate As well as a gluten free diet and several other listed in linked article. A full dose of bariatric vitamins 3x a day as well here is a link to a article written by a world renowned neurologist going over all these compounds how they could work and why as well as how they help THE USE OF METHAMPHETAMINE TO FERRY LARGE AMOUNTS INTO THE BRAIN IS DANGEROUS...... It's been hard just getting her to take all supplements 3x a day caused conflict but slowly she got better now the only symptoms she has is occasional incontinence and a mild parkinsonism when she sleeps as well as mild spasticity. She is a bit slow but walks fine talks perfectly and breathing is normal as well as respiration normal and blood [pressure went up too normal range.... https://drcgolding.co.za/integrative-approach-motor-neuron-disease/

You could be a little dehydrated first thing in the morning or your blood pressure could be low. I seem to remember I went through a second big energy drop around the 4 month mark - very lethargic for a few weeks. Are you sleeping well? Have a chat with your medical team & ensure you are getting all the nutrients in you need (are you having regular blood work fine?).

Hi there. I started our roughly about where you are starting, and went with the sleeve. I am still very early on (6.5 months out) compared to others, but can comment on my experience. I'd always preferred the sleeve, but talked myself into the bypass based on online reading because I was so heavy to begin with. I was never excited about the option, until one of the surgeons I consulted with pushed me (in a good way) to reconsider why I was doing it. Obviously it was going to be my decision, but he emphasized that the statistics are just statistics, and at the end of the day it is a tool that is only going to work - no matter the surgery - if you use it properly. Neither surgery is a magic bullet. That really resonated with me, so I reverted back to my original preference of the sleeve. I would up switching practices, and when I went to the new one, they were perfectly happy with the sleeve as long as I didn't have GERD. I had to get an endoscopy to confirm that was the case. Again, I am still in the honeymoon period, but I am not regretting this choice one bit. I'm really happy with my weight loss to date (80 lbs since the 2 week pre op diet) and I feel amazing. Honestly, I feel lighter than what I actually weigh and better than I have in ages and ages. Even if I never get to a normal BMI, given how heavy I started, even getting to "just" overweight would be game changing. And, I am comfortable with the changes I made to my body, because it was what I preferred among the options I had available to me. I hope some longer-term sleevers who started at similar weights will comment. Some have had incredible success!

Hello, surgery day in 7days 2/28/22! Super nervous and also excited! Finishing up my 2wk pre-op diet this week which is hell!! But, any advice?

I appreciate you sharing your story with me. It is interesting to see both ends of the coin and I know nothing is absolute especially reading off the internet but I always see it will cure it or reduce symptoms. That a huge reason why WLS was an option for me. I used to be a fitness person (or at least for 2 yrs. ) but I was torturing myself. I would do 1200 Calories a day and 4 hours of working out to shed any pounds. This got me to lose 2-5 lbs a week but then would eat something like a bowl of cheerios and gain 5 back. It was disheartening and to only get to 198 naturally and stop, ugh!

Like others I had to wait 3 weeks but mainly because of reflux. I had to sleep sitting up until the reflux settled.

I think about 3 weeks post op for me too - it was pretty painful to lie on my side (preferred position) before that. And sore to change position. I just slept on my back in bed before that. Good luck Shriner - bet you're feeling a little better every day now.

it's been a few years for me, but I think I was able to sleep on my side (my preferred position) at about three weeks out.

Yes. I have five incisions, all of which are secured by staples except there is one stitch in the left most incision. The surgeon's PA will take the staples out at the one week follow up.

What's interesting is that it seems like SO MANY PEOPLE have this exact feeling... it kind of shows me how little this part is spoken about and how unprepared so many of us were for the very first week or few days following surgery. I certainly was caught unaware and didn't think I could make it though those first 5 days. I don't feel like my team prepared me for this at all. They just spoke about "discomfort." Sure. Discomfort! You are voicing what most of us experienced, but you also seem taken aback... and yes, I assume I am not the only person who felt nothing but pain and regret for the first 5 days. Sounds like that's where you are too. Then something magically turns and the one week mark is nothing like the 4-day mark, and by 10 or 12 days you're feeling like a different person. The hardest thing is HANGING IN THERE. We don't get a choice at that point, there's nothing else you can do but hang in there, but emotionally keep telling it to yourself. Please post back here by day 7 or 10 and tell us how you feel! then again at 2 weeks... you'll see, world of a difference. Let us know.

I walked that much after surgery too, because my normal before surgery was 12-15k a day. Gatorade Zero or it’s equivalent helped me as well as hitting 1k steps every hour to spread it out. I also had small snacks between meals. My doc said no serious work outs until 3 weeks and to ease into it, just mild walking and movement. I had to wait for 6-8 weeks for weights and yoga. Talk to your center for their guidance.

Hey guys, Just some details: I've only just met with the surgeon a couple weeks ago and am still completing my appointments and tests. I am female and currently weigh 375lbs and am 5'5. My surgeon said I would have great success with either sleeve or bypass with the bypass yielding most weightloss. I am still very unsure as to which one I want, but am leaning more towards the sleeve since the surgery doesn't seem as intense as bypass. I am nervous, however that I won't have significant weightloss with the sleeve since I am starting at such a high weight. I totally understand I will need to put in work for either one and everybody's body is different. Am I over concerned? Any thoughts or opinions? Thoughts on Sleeve vs. Bypass in terms of surgery and recovery? I truly appreciate any help and insight!

Just curious how long it was before you were able to sleep on your incision sites. I'm at Day 5 post RNY. My incision sites are no longer sore but I've been sleeping in a recliner as a precaution to keep from putting pressure on them. I'm told my staples will be coming out at my one week follow up, which is actually tomorrow. How long after surgery did you wait (if at all) to return to normal sleeping?

It seems I celebrated too early 😬 I have completely stalled since January 26 (4 weeks ago). Weight loss was already “slow” in December and January but now I’m stuck. Any ideas to get out? I’ve already “played” around with my calories though I could truthfully do more exercise. Maybe that’s whats needed now? I’m seeing my nut. on Wednesday. Oh also! I’m *this* close to fitting into a size 16 (started at a tight fitting 24) 🤗 Some dresses will already fit, others are still tight especially around the boobs lol Soon though, I hope!

Most of the worst pain dissipates by day 5 & most don’t need anything but the occasional over the counter pain med. You’ve had pretty major surgery & we don’t always stop to think about what the surgery involved. Your abdomen has been inflated with gas (it’s often the worst), your abdominal muscles were stretched & of course you’re internal organs & nerves were cut, changed & prodded & poked. In a week you’ll feel so much better. Be gentle on yourself & allow yourself time to heal & recover. Your fluid intake will start to increase soon too as you’re likely struggling now due to swelling. Of course if the pain gets worse or doesn’t lessen, contact your surgeon.

I worked with the pre-op classes in my clinic for about three years (until COVID hit and they went online). Yes - tons of people have their surgeries in the 300s. It was unusual to see someone who appeared to be 400+ (I saw maybe a handful the whole time I did it - and I don't think they were *much* over 400..or didn't appear to be. Certainly no one approaching anywhere near the size of the folks on "My 600 lb Life"). I'm guessing my clinic had a cut off, but I'm not sure what it was. I was over a 60 BMI at my heaviest, so I think my surgeon had a slightly higher ceiling than yours. Whatever they're comfortable with, I guess. But yes - I imagine at some point they refer patients to someone like Dr. Now, who specializes in high risk bariatric surgery.

@Arabesque Thanks for the thoughtful response. The experimenting is part of the fun. And this forum is great for guidance. Understanding normal after 30+ years of bad habits, bad family habits, and frankly, an American culture of obesity and gigantic portions has been a challenge. While I have not even had the desire to follow any of my 300lbs habits, trying to gauge what is appropriate both currently and as a trajectory has been unclear - and I guess its supposed to be. Thanks again! @njlimmer Glad to not be alone in the confusion! @LaoDaBeirut Ordered - appreciate the tip! @BigSue Thanks for the meringue tip. Definitely going to try. Nervous about protein bars - I really like the thinkthin lemon bars, but at 230 calories (though well balanced, making that a habit would be 1/2 lbs per week - basically my entire weight loss. Love a 25 calorie option! Great tip!

I think this is very normal for after surgery, I say just keep a good spirit about it and your head up and I'm sure it will get better soon. For me, after about two weeks it was pretty much life as normal again. Best of luck!

Hello ClareLynn, My AST and ALT are finally in range as of the last three months. The ALP did decrease but not within the normal range. It has not been as high as last year when I was hospitalized. The last set of liver enzymes taken did show low protein which is new. Bruising on the arms and legs increased in the past six months. My general practitioner, hematologist, gastrologist, and hepatologist have concluded it is the liver function. The next step is a liver biopsy which I will know more about on Monday. I will say I feel good and would never know anything was wrong without the bruising and the bloodwork. I did not have issues prior to the DS surgery and still don't know if it related to it. General Practioner believes the liver is not processing my protein properly. I looking forward to my appt on Monday with the hepatologist.

I don't know how much I gained after my sleeve, but it was a considerable amount due to a big dose of steroids they gave me due to the swelling of my sleeve after surgery. It took weeks to finally start losing. Keep with your program and you will start to lose. Sent from my Z6201V using BariatricPal mobile app

I saw my doc this week for a pre op physical and she couldn't be more excited for my revision to bypass What a big contrast to the doc I had when I had the sleeve. Sent from my Z6201V using BariatricPal mobile app

Just 10 more days until March 1st. I have one more week of work. I took the day before surgery off as well so I can concentrate on final preparations, relaxing and my kitties. Sent from my Z6201V using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 3 days post op and my abdomen binder is the only thing keeping me getting up and walking and not depending on the oxy they gave me for pain (just Tylenol and the muscle relaxers, and I'm even down to taking the relaxers 2-3 times a day instead of 4). I love it but have heard not to wear it past a week or two post-op.