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I had my gallbladder removed about 10 months before getting sleeved. I gained about 38 lbs in those months and the weight gain didn’t seem to be slowing down so WLS was a must at this point. Comparing the two, I feel like I had less pain with the WLS. I actually asked my mom if she was sure they even did anything! 1. I didn’t need any painkillers after WLS, but I took them for about a week after gallbladder removal. 2. I’m typically a stomach sleeper and was also able to go back to sleeping on my stomach faster after the sleeve. 3. i only needed to sleep on a recliner for 2 days after WLS, but slept in a recliner for about 10 days after gallbladder removal. 4. Moving around was also easier for me after the sleeve, mainly because I felt like I couldn’t stand up straight after the gallbladder removal. 5. I was sleepier after the sleeve and generally had less energy the first week. 6. I had a bowel movement faster after WLS and going to the bathroom was easier in general. 7. TMI but I had sex sooner after WLS than I did after gallbladder removal. 8. Oh, my surgeon used my main gallbladder removal incision (the top one) so I only had 2 new tiny incisions for a total of 3 incisions for WLS. He felt like it was unnecessary for me to have more scars than I should so maybe that’s an individual thing that differs from surgeon to surgeon so I’d ask if that was possible. I only have the 3 WLS incisions visible and the gallbladder ones were so tiny they disappeared (you can only see them if you know where to look). So all in all I’d say my recovery from the sleeve was easier than the gallbladder removal, but of course that’s just me. I’m sure other people have it the other way around. Either way, you can do it! For me, the hardest step was actually deciding and committing to the WLS. Don’t worry, you got this!! Please feel free to message me if you feel like you have more questions or if I missed anything.

I was drinking the same one ! And got it from Amazon also . Even drinking it the day before surgery I didn’t like the taste . But as of today it has gotten better to intake the protein drink although I haven’t been able to drink the full 2 proteins yet . And I also woke up this morning with really orange urine (sorry for the tmi) but this is worrying me and I’m trying to find ways to get hydrated and stay hydrated.

I am almost 2 months post OP from VSG and still regret it even though it’s getting easier to get required protein and water level in daily. l’ve had nothing but pain, and problems since surgery and to top it all off, my surgeon will not listen to my concerns, talks over me and only seems interested in covering himself against a lawsuit. That’s the only reason I can find as to why he’d send me for an upper GI knowing I was already severely dehydrated, and constipated to the point of impaction. The barium caused even worse constipation, and now I have <TMI Alert> An anal fissure and hemorrhoids because of the strain. I found out I was overdosing my body with omeprazole (through 23andMe) even at only one pill per day. Apparently my body is slow to metabolize this drug in particular. I don’t blame him for not knowing my body chemistry but I do blame him for not listening to me and identifying the symptoms of overdose. like I said I’ve had nothing but trouble, and these few things are a drop in the bucket. I still get nauseated easily, and trying to find foods that are on the list is both time consuming and expensive. People say it will get easier but right now that’s no help. At this point I feel like I’ve traded one issue (obesity) for far more issues (everything that came with VSG surgery). I know my story is only one, and there are a million others. I sincerely hope someone finds my story helpful. Good luck on your journey.

Sorry for the TMI I'm one week out from surgery, haven't had any problems until today. I got very dehydrated yesterday but I was back on track until this afternoon, when I started suffering the worst constipation I've ever had. I've been drinking water and taken a stool softener & Miralax but nothing seems to be moving. I'm about to break out the nuclear option - magnesium citrate. My main worry is that I'm too afraid to take my protein shake. Usually I have 2 shakes, a sf jello, a broth, 64 oz of water & a small meal of meat and veggies. I don't feel well and I don't want to add to the problem. Any advice? (It's too late to call my doc)

Yes, yes be happy hehe. I didn't have the problem till I hit solids so beware. 😅 So far I'm not a "dumper" but man, do I get the foamies. I have learned something that may help me or anyone else in the future after a horrendous day the other day. Taking 3 of the mini tabs anti gas Mylanta helped me tremendously. I had thought food was still stuck in my stoma, even after I expelled the extra saliva many times (sorry TMI). But it was really gas pushing up from possibly old food in my pouch and making me (and unfortunately my body) think there was food stuck in my throat so my body kept making extra saliva. I read about that phenomenon which is why I thought I'd try the anti gas Mylanta tabs. It miraculously worked.

If you're female and it's even the slightest bit close to your period then bring pads. The surgery brought my period a week early (TMI, sorry).

The gas pains are so annoying but they do get better over time. I’m four days out and definitely still have it sometimes. One thing (sorry if TMI) is that the gas pains get less bad once you have a bowel movement. It took three DAYS for that to happen and I immediately get better and had way less gas. The “foamies” I get when I consume too fast. I forgot to sip yesterday and chugged probably 3-4 oz. of water and was in agony for probably an hour. The hunger pangs are the worst, it feels like my stomach is literally twisting itself like a wet washcloth. I made protein Jello (orange sugar free gelatin with half a scoop of whey protein isolate dissolved in the cold water used for the gelatin) for when I absolutely can’t hack the “grinding”. The big packet of Jello makes 8 portion cups and I usually eat about half a portion cup, so a whopping 8 cal. It helps a lot. I haven’t weighed myself yet today (doing it every day for the first two weeks per doctor’s suggestion—“you’re gonna wanna see the numbers”, then weekly after that) but yesterday morning I was 9.6 down from surgery weight in three days. I know that won’t last but some of these are numbers I haven’t seen in a decade, I already had to size down in my favorite Carhartt shorts, and had to throw out the larger size chonies because they were starting to hang off me. My blood pressure the day before surgery on two BP meds was 145/85. My PCP took me off the one with the water pill as of the day after surgery and last night when I checked, my BP was 123/68 on one med!! I am STUNNED how fast that happened. Almost like my body is like “YES let’s get this done, pitter patter!” Energy level is coming back, but am still weak. I walk 5k every day at least and once the incisions heal and I feel like I can sweat safely I’ll start running. Day after surgery was the absolute worst and then it’s a dramatic improvement. Already the best decision I ever made for my body. It’s really amazing to think, “This is the last time I’m ever gonna see this d**n number on that scale.”

OMG y'all, DO NOT TRUST A FART. First, I'm 8 days post sleeve surgery and haven't had a proper bowel movement. So, I'm at the DMV with my husband so he can get his truck registered, and I'm sitting in the BRAND NEW truck with our 5 y/o while my husband is inside. Surprise! I have to fart, so I do, only IT'S NOT A FART! I literally **** my pants while sitting in our brand new truck. So I text my husband, "I just **** my pants, I need to come into the bathroom." He says come on in, so I grab the 5 y/o after much complaining about not wanting to leave the car, and go running into the DMV bathroom. I run in, to my relief, it's a 1-only with a lockable door, I look at the toilet and SOMEONE HAS ALREADY CLOGGED THE TOILET! There are no paper towels, 'cause covid, I threw my underwear away and cleaned my shorts as best I could with toilet paper and then ran out the DMV, jumped back in the truck and sent a text to my husband that I was off to find a bathroom - he texts back hurry! I'm number 23 and they're on 21! (Because they needed to check the VIN on the truck) By the grace of God I found a public bathroom down the street. So there I sat, amongst the hypodermic needles, a pile of someone's clothes and somebody else's thrown out deodorant. Fortunately nobody else was in there. I made it back to the DMV just as my husband came walking out with the new tags. And now I'm traumatized...(and so's my husband, lol!) Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I have read ((and heard from friends who had the surgery) that people with gastric bypass do not throw up, and that their stomach doesn't turn since it's a pouch now. I just ate something that didn't agree with my stomach. and I started foaming. The stoma was plugged, I believe due to a piece of egg due to improper chewing. I'll try better next time. After I spit out all the excess saliva, my stomach "turned" twice and it forced me to empty my pouch. I didn't get nauseated at all, it just kind of happened on it's own but my stomach definitely "turned" both times. Can someone please explain to me if this is common for gastric bypass patients? I'm sincerely confused about it all. I hope I'm connected alright & nothing went amiss in my surgery lol. Thanks!

Hey guys! 😁 My surgery (MGB) is scheduled on Monday 30/08 and I have been on a strict protein shake + water/tea/coffee/broth diet since Monday. I haven’t cheated at all and am really proud of myself! 😁 NOW… the thing is… ever since a couple of days (since approx. day 4) I feel like I smell HORRIBLE. My pits REEK? Like a mix of chicken broth and sweat 😬 (I know.. TMI) When I asked my husband he smelled me like a dog and told me I’m being ridiculous. He couldn’t smell anything really, but I have found him significantly smellier than usual these past days too 😭 I am now wondering if this diet makes you smellier? Or if it increases your sense of smell? For the love of god, if it does make you smellier, can someone please tell me that it goes away after a while? 😬 It’s driving me a little crazy because I don’t want to lie there on the operating table smelling like chickeny sweat 😥

Hi Peeps, 40m here. I'm 7 days post op and got my bowels moving about 2 days back. However , after passing motion, I'm noticing a brownish rectal discharge staining my underwear. Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this and whether this resolves on its own or is something to be concerned about. It's a bit embarassing especially if I'm wearing light coloured clothing. Please help !!!

I had my surgery august 12 I was able to get All the gas Out tmi however now I can’t seem to get full at all no matter what I drink what are options you guys can offer I wanna try smoothies but I’m not sure please help I’m starving and I don’t think I will make two weeks to get back to the doctor to get to the next stage They put me back on the clear liquids

Hello! First I want to start off by saying THANK YOU for this post I needed this, shoot I need people to speak to that may have or is experiencing the same as me. Okay now to answer some of your questions. My starting weight before surgery was 312.8 My day of surgery is 306.4 My BMI the day of surgery was 49.1 Today weight is 380.0 Also yes I do that a lot I comparing my weight loss to others. I am just so ready for it to all be off, this week I am switching up my workout routine and only doing cardio because I was told that I am not even suppose to be lifting weights. Also I am going to change my eating up and cook some of my veggies and do some shrimp. Also it wasn't TMI we are women here, don't be embarrassed about what we have to go through on a daily basis's. Also BIG CONGRATS on reaching your goal!

Maybe if you share what your starting weight is? For example: say you are starting at a lower BMI and thus a lower weight such as if you're starting BMI is 40 or your starting weight was 233 pounds then l would tell you that 22 pounds in 10 weeks is really fantastic for the weight you started at because that means that you lost almost 10% of your total body weight in those 10 weeks. If you start at a lower weight then you can't compare your weight to someone who started like me at 389 pounds because I would have needed to lose 37 pounds to equal the same percentage of weight loss as your 22 pounds. Comparing your weight loss to people who started at a higher weight is going to do nothing more than drive you insane! Trust me, you don't want to do that! We all lose at different rates because we all have different circumstances and each of our bodies works different. Also, daily weight fluctuations is 100% normal. You can expect your daily weight to be different on average of a 2-5 pound difference due to fluid retention, or your bowels being full. Hell, even inflammation or an upcoming or current period can cause your scale to have a higher number than you want to see. I had to deal with my hypothroidism causing more stalls than anyone I've ever seen on this site ever mention (literally went into one at least once a month from month three post-op to now. My longest one lasted 47 days) and yet I was still able to reach my goal weight. I've been in a stall since I reached my goal weight, admittedly, but I'm still weighing in at 179 (was 179.4 today, despite the fact that I had physical therapy just three days ago and am having a TON of inflammation and hip pain because of my arthritis, AND just started my period, tmi, sorry). I used to drive myself absolute crazy comparing myself to others wondering why my weight loss was so damn slow compared to everyone else and I hope you don't do that to yourself! If you keep with the dieting guidelines, and keep up the hard work, then your body will get there. It may just take more time then you expected, but you can do it! Please try not to compare yourself and your progress to anyone else. We really do lose weight at our own bodies pace, and so trying to match someone else is just going to drive you up a wall! You will stress yourself out and my PCP warned me that stress can cause weight loss stalls (maybe that's why I had so many lol. I get stressed out wayyyy too easily!). Anyway, I'm sorry that you're stressing out! It's pretty normal, I think. To stress out and think your weight loss is slow, I mean. I think many of us unintentionally thought we'd have weight loss like 'My 600 pound Life' despite the fact that none of us were that big. It's unrealistic to compare oneself to that since we generally have nowhere near as much weight to lose. Personally, I think you're off to a great start in your journey and I really wish you all the best!

My surgery (RnY) is in a couple of weeks and I've never stayed in a hospital before so I have some very basic questions about what to expect. They said to bring comfortable clothes for walking around in after the surgery. I think I know what I'll bring but is one set of clothes enough if I'm expecting to stay just overnight? Will I be able to wear a bra? TMI, but my ladies are not appropriate for nor accustomed to being loose in public! Does it matter what I wear in the morning of the surgery? I assume I'll change into one of those horrible gowns when I get there and then into my comfy clothes later? Based on past questions and my clinic's instructions, I'm also bringing my phone charger, kindle, chapstick, slip-on shoes, and hairbrush. Am I missing anything super obvious? How am I supposed to bring all this stuff? Do I just show up with a backpack or something? I feel like this is so obvious and a silly thing to get anxious about but here I am lol.

Hello everyone, I want to warn people that this might be TMI and if you are uncomfortable with details and personal health, you may want to back out. So yeah, ever since I had my sleeve performed in February, I have had watery to loose stools and I always feel bloated or like I need to run to the bathroom soon. I get the 64 minimum water intake and my meals are almost completely protein. I physically am not to the point yet where I can have non-starchy veggies. I just dont have the ability to eat then PLUS the protein. My surgeon says everything looks good with my recovery during the past 3 post op visits. Has anyone else had these experience? Needless to say, this isn't something I expected when deciding to get surgery. It's not too big a deal, but it does make me uncomfortable and the sensations are distracting and inconvenient. So much so that my work performance is suffering from it.

Also, and this may apply only to a very small percentage of patients, some of us have livers that become highly sensitive to alcohol intake post-surgery. During one weekend, I drank a lot of wine and got very concerned when I went to the bathroom and noticed that my poop was jet black and diarrhea in form (sorry if TMI). I was afraid that this indicated internal bleeding so immediately went to urgent care. They performed blood tests and found that my liver enzymes were very elevated, showing inflammation/injury to the liver. They told me to not drink alcohol at all for awhile and to return in a month. They re-tested and found to my relief that my enzyme results had returned to normal. So I severely restrict my alcohol intake -- only a lite beer maybe twice a week. Nothing else.

Hey everyone. I have tried to research this but can’t seem to find much info about it and am wondering if anyone else has had to deal with this. I lost 137 pounds since my gastric bypass in feb 2020. I have a lot of loose skin that I’m starting to look into plastics to take care of. But one area that just kind of started bothering me a couple months ago is my butt. I find that I have to be careful how I sit and that I can’t really “rock” from side to side without it feeling like my tailbone is rubbing over something and causing a pinching sort of pain. Like if I’m sitting in my car and we take a turn, your body kind of naturally goes with the turn but I have to hold myself steady or I get this pain. Even laying flat in bed, I can feel this pinching pain and I have to be careful of how I move. I’ve noticed it like I said for a couple of months but it just hit me the other day, is this because of my sagging loose skin back there? Am I crazy? Has anyone else had this issue? I’ve felt this before. if so, I’m wondering, besides manually separating my butt cheeks and skin (tmi sorry) is a butt lift the only way to take care of this? Will a butt lift take care of this? I don’t know but I just wanted to see if y’all had any thoughts on this. thanks in advance!

OK folks I am not trying posting this to be saleys! I have been so disappointed in so many clothing lines in clothes. I cannot find clothes that have decent compression that hold in all this stinking skin while I work out. After a few washes its like I may as well go to Walmart or target. I am so sick and tired of buying workout clothes to throw them away after a couple weeks because I am shrinking in size and they are losing their stretch and the compression is lessening. Well I found a brand that is straight up a god send and I am going to post a link here. Right now they only sell ladies clothes but I believe they will sell a mens line down the road. I bought a crap ton of their stuff and they did send me some discount codes so if you want to save 25$ off any purchase just use SHARE25 in the coupon at check out and you can have 25 dollars off your purchase. I am super impressed with every single thing I have bought. I wash in cold water and hang them up to dry and they haven't lost their compression or color at all!!! They are true to size and I really cannot say enough about how they hold in all the skin, I haven't had any trouble with chaffing while I run or ride bike (sorry if that is TMI) but that was a problem with all that skin before. With 80 pounds lost that is an issue.....Hope this helps anyone looking for high compression work out clothing!!! https://savvi.com/savvikrenzy

I had my gastric sleeve 6/4/21. So far I don’t really feel different. I am pushing to get the protein shakes and 64 oz of liquid in a day just because that’s a lot for me even before surgery. But I don’t really feel any different. I have lost lbs, but I’m afraid when I can eat food again the lbs will come right back. I also haven’t had a BM (tmi) since the day before my surgery. Is this normal? 

I know this is tmi but I wanted to know if anyone is experiencing the same thing. Okay so, I don’t wear deodorant only if I am going to work so somewhere important or that I will sweat. I mean like if I am in the house for a week I won’t wear deodorant that whole week just regular showers and I won’t have no body odor period. So after the surgery I notice I had a body odor which I never had before. And it continues even after I bathed and I literally scrub scrub my under arms. Now I am noticing the smell other places. Has anyone experienced this. I am trying not to panic. Please help

TMI can I take ex lax I just bought from Pharmacy if I can how many can I take I can’t take any other stuffs that’s help me go bathroom

Hey fellow May Sleevies! Just checking in. My surgery was May 18th. I went home the next day. The 5 days after surgery were absolutely horrible, though. The gas pains only got worse. I walked about 1/2 mile a day to try to get some relief, but the pain made it hard to stand upright. When I talked to the surgeon, he explained that the pain meds I was taking every 4 hours were constipating me (sorry for TMI). I also wasn't able to get a lot of water in over the last week- we're talking 16-20 ounces a day, definitely no broth or protein and nothing cold. On Sunday the 23rd, I took a few rounds of laxatives along with gasx every 4 hours with my chewable Tylenol like clockwork. In 48 hours I was feeling relief! I've heard other sleevers talking about the stomach cramp that happens a couple of seconds after drinking something. That's exactly what happened to me! It didn't matter the amount, I would take a sip and one second, two seconds, CRAMP[emoji37][emoji31]! Just today, this has subsided. I'm finally getting an appetite back. Just felt like checking in today since it's the first time I felt like a person again. I was really worried that something was wrong, but I am now feeling optimistic [emoji4] Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Sorry if this is TMI, but I still don't have BMs unless I use a supplement. I don't experience any pain, constipation, or stopped up feeling. So, honestly I kind of forget that I'm supposed to have a BM, lol. About twice a week I either take a vouple chocolate chewable Senokot or a cap of Miralax hidden in a glass of Crystal Lite. I'm a bit nervous about using assistance daily. I talked with my surgeon's nurse today, but totally forgot to ask her about this. Is anyone able to have a BM on their own or is everyone still taking something to help get things moving? And, how frequently are you taking something? I knew this would happen with surgery and the diet change so I was prepared mentally and physically for it. But, I'm just not sure how long it lasts. Thanks!

So I was supposed to get my period last week which would have had my period long gone before surgery tomorrow. But OF COURSE it decides to come today. Is it ok/should I use a tampon or how will this be handled come tomorrow? Grrrrrrrrrrrrr...........Thanks!