Search the Community

Sorry I haven't reached out sooner - glad to hear you are out the other end and you are doing okay ❤️ Congratulations! TMI!: I had to have the pessary when I was in the hospital as I just couldn't poo 😂 It did work but I ended up having this strange explosive bowel movement that had lots of old blood in it - proper freaked me out but a nurse told me it was normal and was just residue blood from the surgery. I wish she had warned me about this prior to it happened so I wasn't so concerned about it, but IF anything like this happens, don't worry too much! But either way, apparently doesn't happen to everyone. Definitely keep away from the scales for a bit as a lot of people find that their weight is a bit higher immediately post-op so just wait until you have healed! My surgeon didn't want me weighing myself until at least 8 weeks pot-surgery (I lasted about 4 weeks 😂) Hope you are well ❤️

Hi all, I had revision from sleeve to bypass on August 26th (5 weeks ago), the surgery itself went well, no complications or issues (so far - touch wood!), but I do have a few side effects that I'm concerned about. I had the revision to fix the severe acid reflux/GERD that I was dealing with from the sleeve and to repair a hiatal hernia - the acid is gone!! (I'm so happy about that!) - but, in its place I am now dealing with constipation (with crippling pain), constant stomach cramping (and gurgling, so much gurgling!), and terrible nausea (making it hard to consume anything, but especially hard to drink any protein drinks or zero sugar drinks). Per my surgeon I am taking a stool softener 3 times per day, plus drinking Smooth Move tea at night before bed, and they have me on Zofran to help with the nausea. TMI - my stools went from an olive green, almost clay-like consistency, to a pale beige that floats (in a matter of a few days - keep in mind that in the last 5 weeks I've had maybe 4 or 5 bowel movements). I can eat some food (I'm on week 2 of the soft portion of the post-op diet) without needing Zofran, but if I want to have any protein drinks I HAVE to have the Zofran. I feel so disheartened. I feel like I traded one problem for another, even though I know in my heart and my head that things will get better and I will find a good balance, I'm really struggling. I started back to work yesterday and I find myself disinterested in being out in the workforce anymore (I'm 53, way too early to retire), I just want to be at home in my bed cuddling my pets in an almost constant state of near-crying. I am on antidepressants, I don't feel like the surgery has affected the medications in anyway, overall I feel good mentally, I'm just not used to struggling this much physically and I'm at a loss as to what to do. I've been in near-daily contact with the surgeon's office and they are super supportive and have been trying to work with me, but I don't want to become "that patient" that sucks up all of their time and patience because "my tummy doesn't feel good". LOL You know what I mean? Anyway - not sure if I'm just looking to vent or looking for suggestions or what, I think I just needed to be able to say it all out loud because I can't have these convos with my family or friends without sounding like a constant whiner. LOL Thanks, Christine

@RRenaeL23, I can hardly believe what a badass you are! (And I mean that in a "wow you're awesome" way.) Walking 2 miles already? That is really great and I am so happy for you. Keep up the great work! I also need to start working on my muscles - for me it's core, arms, and legs (well, now that I think about it, that's pretty much everything, right?). @Greekmom4, I have never heard of the foamies, but I certainly don't want it! Hope that doesn't come back for you. Today I had a NSV because I'm wearing a fitted sweatshirt that I love but haven't work for a long time because it was tight across my middle. Not anymore: now it's just right. My middle is still far too thick, but at least the sweatshirt doesn't showcase it, LOL. I am starting to see little indications of weight loss; just flashes, but they're there. I don't know what my body dysmorphia will do going forward. When I've lost weight before, I've just felt like everyone else looked bigger to me, I didn't look smaller. But I currently don't recognize myself in pictures because in the mirror, my mind tells me I'm not as big as I really am. (I learned at Jenny Craig that's why we should take pictures, because your mind can't bend them.) On paper, I've now lost 36 pounds from my highest pre-surgery, but I certainly don't see that much weight loss (I'm only 5 feet tall, so that's a lot on my frame). I guess that's a function of how much I have yet to lose, but also they say I'll be the last one to see it. I'm now to the regular diet phase, although there is a lot I haven't tried yet. Ground beef and turkey seem to be fine, but I tried some pork chop which was a big mistake. I think I may get much more of my protein from plant sources (beans, etc.) going forward, which is fine with me. Today we got a whole bunch of groceries to make a list of recipes I'm going to try (hubby is the cook at our house). My sister's vegetarian and sent them to me, so they're all veggie. I'm slowly learning to branch out. Since I am eating 1/2 cup at a time, I've been just having protein, but I started craving veggies and fruit. I saw something that talked about having "a few bites" of things, so I'm incorporating that. I can have up to 3/4 cup now, so I have a bit of room to add some veggies and a little fruit. TMI ALERT: I am eating more beans than I ever have, so maybe that's it, but is anyone else producing a surprising amount of gas? I thought giving up carbonation (which was a massive sacrifice for this former Diet Coke addict) would mean a lessening, but DANG.

Exactly, I also was surprised because I learned everything from online and tiktok haha but I will just repeat this I am from the middle east so I think it's a bit different here. She told ne 1st week should be nutritional and waters then week 2 I add the protien shakes and so on. Also since I am typing, TMI warning do u guys happen to get the random runs? Like I thought I was just passing gas but it was more than that. I still haven't done number 2 since my op on Wednesday but I've had this episode for the 2nd time. Not painful but just passing air and liquid

So today I am finally at 3 months post op. Here is what that means for me: I can stop taking lansoprazole...YESSSSSSS! I absolutely hate the taste of that thing and if I never have to take it again, it'll be too soon. I can start taking tablets again, meaning I can try my Forceval prescription vitamins. I have heard that these can make people feel quite nauseous, so I will wait an hour after eating in the evening to take it, rather than in the morning as I usually do. I am due for bloods to be taken via my GP, though I imagine I'll struggle to get an appointment! I just wanted to reflect on my journey so far, and where I am at now. It is weird how quickly this becomes your new normal. In the beginning with the gas pain, the extreme fatigue etc, I did wonder how I'd adjust, but here I am! I was shocked at how fast the weight dropped initially, and I know I will keep losing (hopefully) for a little while longer. I think we all go through this weird mindset of being overweight for such a while, and our bodies not responding as we had hoped to fad diets, or us punishing ourselves for 'not trying hard enough', that I truly wondered if the surgery would even work. And it has worked, and it will continue to do so! I am in the dreaded - but very expected - 3 month stall. My weight isn't really moving much, but I know that I just need to keep on with my normal eating and routine and it'll break eventually (thanks to reading all of the posts regarding this phenomenon 🤣) I can still get dizzy when I am exercising, and my strength at the gym has really decreased which I am a bit miffed about, but I'll get there! TMI incoming: but pooping is still an annoyance...the severe constipation I had in the early post-op weeks still results in some little tears when I pass a bowel movement, so I am dealing with my new normal 😂 Positives: I passed my driving test and I am picking up my car on Saturday! I really do attribute passing to losing weight, and how it has made me feel more confident and capable. I can walk around for hours and not have pain in my hips and lower back. Pre-surgery this was absolutely excruciating, even the 5-6 minute walk home from work I had to stop 2-3 times due to the pain and being out of breath. No such worries now! I can see the weight loss in my face, which makes me happy. I can fit into a pair of denim shorts that previously couldn't even make their way up my lower thigh! My current weight is amazing to me, even though I am not at my goal YET, I haven't been this weight since 2017. In general, I just feel happier in myself, and I can't wait for the future! If you have read all of this, thank you! ❤️

I did the do about 2 weeks after, it was gentle LOL no working it and reversing it you know what I mean. I have noticed sex is wayyyyyy better now that I am smaller, Also (might be TMI) now that I dont have as much fat, sex gets deeper and positions are more of a variety so soreness happens with me. Not a pain soreness but like "why am I sore? Oh ya I did the deed" I mean your partner and you can engage in oral if your into that, it helps with sexual desires.

I'm having issues where I definitely have the urge but it difficult getting it to come out (sorry TMI). I've taken Miralax yesterday and today to try and soften things up but not sure what else I should do. Karli

I'm day 3 post op ,The procedure went good no issues as of yet. Honestly the first 48 hours were the worst for discomfort and pain ,Today Iam up and moving around more and been sitting upright all day and really beginning to take more fluids in today still get stomach cramps periodically especially if I try to push fluids to quick, I've been able to tolerate water,protien drinks and tomatoe juice. not to give to much (TMI) but definitely have issues with diarrhea started this morning but overall feeling pretty good

OMG my first period after surgery was horrible! The cramps were unbearable and sorry if this is TMI but it was heavy with a lot of clotting. Its gotten better every month since. I spoke to my surgeon and he did say it was normal for that to happen, I thought there was something wrong with me at first!! So just know you're not alone!!

ugh. the constipation blues. i didn't poop for 13 DAYS after surgery. omg. i developed an M.O. to battle constipation over the next several weeks: 1) every day, i would add 2 tsp Benefibre to my morning protein shakes. 2) if i didn't poop after 2-3 days, i would take a Miralax 3) if I didn't poop 2 days after that, i would take Milk of Magnesia. 4) if i didn't poop 2 days after that i would insert a glycerin suppository. 5) if i did'nt poop 6 hours after that, i would insert another one. LUCKILY, i didn't need to figure out what to do if the second suppository didn't work. omg. i did this for about a year. after a year i got more "regular" and didn't even need the daily Benefibre anymore. And when I say "regular" i mean i poop maybe every 2-3 days. which is a huge departure to pre-op when i used to poop MULTIPLE times in a single day (sorry TMI). i think so long you aren't super uncomfortable, you are good. but if you are starting to feel pain and/or discomfort, then you probably need to come up with a plan to combat it, whatever M.O. it may be.

Honestly this has been the absolute bane of my life. I am 4 weeks post-surgery and although I seem to be having a bowel movement every day or every other day, I was so so constipated. TMI here but It got to the point that I had an anal fissure and was passing blood every time I had a bowel movement. Needless to say, I am taking daily Dulcolax now and I will be doing so until I am able to eat more & include more fibre in my diet.

I had immediate loose bowels the moment I woke from surgery, it went on for a few hours. I certainly got myself moving in more ways than I expected. After that I didn't go for 15 days. I will not lie, it was tough. TMI moment, I had to put on rubber gloves and deal with it. I still get very constipated. Its my new hell. Keep on top of your Miralax regime and add some fibre to your diet if you can. Protein products and iron tablets add to constipation for some of us.

Has anyone had experience with needing to take amino acid supplements because most of the 'complete' protein powders they are unable to have? I'm pre-surgery but allergic to the whey protein in milk, and in trying some other protein powders, found that soy, pea, and egg protein powders cause digestive havoc of the TMI variety. I've found that collagen protein powder and hemp protein powder I am perfectly fine with, but I know collagen is missing one of the essential amino acids and hemp protein while complete is low on the essential amino acids. The dietician seem flustered that I can't have whey protein and I've not been able to find anyone talking about using amino acid supplements to make an incomplete protein complete. Also totally open to other suggestions for protein in the weeks pre- and post-surgery while on the liquid diet.

Hi ladies! Not sure what is going on but I am dry as a Sahara desert in my lady bits, and its to the point where my S/O doesn't think I am attracted to him. Which is not true at all. I never had this problem, is this just a side effect of losing weight rapidly? or maybe I am getting older (I am 35yrs old). It is getting frustrating.

Do you all buy any of bariatric pal foods? I’m about 3 days away from my 4 month post op. The bariatric foods hep me a lot to stick to my 60+ mg of protein a day still drink one shake a day because I get about 40mg protein in one shake. I usually drink around 4-6 pm so with my meals and snacks. I get the rest or more of protein through out. I too have sm stalls depending on if my right leg is swollen or I need to have a good bowel movement sorry TMI but I’m on pain management with chronic constipation. But I’m losing steady not as fast as first surgery but since I’m more sedentary then prior it’s expected but losing. Day of surgery was 304 now 272

Thank you so much for all these suggestions! Yes I feel hungry sometimes after 30-60mins of a meal. So I drink water or protein shake. I do take PPI, that could be a possibility of why I still feel hungry. Most of the time it’s my head hunger craving for certain food. Also my tummy does rumble but don’t really feel hungry. I’ve been able to tell what type of hunger I am feeling. when I drink liquid, I literally sit there and drink with small sips through out the hours….when my tummy feel full from it, I come back to it later. I can feel the liquid traveling down when I drink. Yesterday was my first day being able to reach 60oz of liquid, but at night I didn’t feel well. Had my dinner at 6pm, went to sleep 11pm. I woke up feeling something up my chest and when trying to get up, I vomited. Sorry if TMI. It’s was all slimy mucus. No food. I was shivering, chills, migraine. I vomited a few times then vomited foamy bubbles… well after that I felt so much better. In search to see what is going on with me, it seems many bariatric patients go through this, but usually right after eating if they didn’t chew well or had too much food. I have tofu last night tho. It’s soft and should be easy to break down. On the bright side, It seems I am breaking my stall. From 241.6, I am now 240.6 lbs. even it’s only a little bit I am happy, because I am on this stall since 2 weeks ago, only 1 week after surgery.

11 days for me (after i had plastic surgery a year later, it was 13 DAYS omg). i ended up doing a glycerine suppository. my pro tip would be to keep up efforts to stay regular, and start taking action after a certain amount of days to avoid discomfort/pain/annoyance/etc. In the first 6mnths postop, I took 2 tsps of Benefibre every day with my morning protein shake and drank ALOT of water. If i didn't poop in 3-4 days, I'd take a miralax, if that didn't work after a day or so I'd take Milk of Magnesia, if that didn't work after a day, I'd do a glycerine suppository. if that glycerine suppository didn't work after 1 hour, I'd take another one. Luckily, I have never had to figure out what to do if that 2nd suppository didn't work, as to date, it always did, phew. these days (im 5+ years post op) i no longer take my daily benefibre, and am more or less regular (poop every 2-3 days), but i do get the occasional bout of consitpation, during which i'd employ my old M.O. described above. its funny-not-funny that pre-wls i had the opposite problem, i would poop like 2-3 times A DAY (sorry, TMI!! lol)

Hi everyone, My 3-month mark was January 27th, 2024 for RNY. I was cleared to eat regular food in the normal way (not liquid, puree) 2 days before Christmas. I just had my labs done today, and my 3-month checkup with the clinic is on Feb 12th, where we will go over labs and diet expectations. So I will know more then. From my highest weight, I have lost 61lbs/27.69k so far, since surgery on October 27th I have lost 39lbs/17.69k. I feel like I should have lost more, but I am right on track. I was exercising at the gym 6 days a week since mid-November, up until 2 weeks ago when I got snowed in. I am hoping to get back to the gym tomorrow, but I am overwhelmed looking for a new job/career change and I would like to move to Nevada. I have noticed that the exercise seems to help me with the weight coming off and I have been building muscle too, especially in my arms and legs (most excited about arms). I take full body measurements every month on the 27th. I started doing this the day before surgery in October and I have found it very encouraging, especially since I struggle with feeling I should have lost more. I would suggest everyone do this, there are some great cheap templates you can download from Etsy. The first month after surgery I lost 0lbs, nothing and I was super upset, how can no weight come off when all you get to eat is protein shakes, and it's a struggle to get them down? So I guess I hit my stall right out the gate. My surgery did go very well. I only stayed one night in the hospital, and I was eager to get home, I did throw up the entire time after surgery (that day and the next day) but I did not have pain or gas and I was able to walk around easily. TMI but I did start my period the day before surgery, so FYI bring your own pads to the hospital, the ones they have are terrible, and no you can't use a cup or tampons. I will let you know how my lab report turns out and what they tell me on February 12th. Oh and anyone living in Las Vegas or Henderson NV and can help with a job, that would be awesome I have a bachelor's in Business Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship, and I can learn to do anything quickly, but I would need to make enough to afford an apartment on my own. (it's worth a try)

Hi Miaaaagirl, As @Arabesque said. Your tiny stomach is full and the remainder sits painfully in your gullet. It still happens to me when I forget and eat too much or too quick. I love, love, love my restriction. Occasionally I will struggle with it for hours and be unable to drink while it passes. TMI. Then I have two choices, suffer it or make myself vomit. If I vomit the only thing that comes up is foamy watery liquid, we call this the foamies. I get immediate relief then. I have never had the old belly busting full to the brim feeling of old. Just the middle of the chest, damn I did it again feeling.

I actually had made a pumpkin soup when I was wrong about being able to eat soft foods lol I thought on day 7 I can eat soft foods but it was really week 2, meaning 2 weeks post op lol 😂 but it was fine I took it down when I did eat. Yesterday I decided to get fancy and try and buy a smoothie that had protein I thought I read the ingredients right and girl I literally had what I think is dumping syndrome lol it was the worst within ten minutes of drinking literally like less than five sips I was just not feeling well. I read some people don’t get it from sugary things so I’m glad I do bc it will help later I’m an emotional reck too not being able to eat anything and wanting to sucks but it’s what I signed up for lol. I just got new protein powder to make a shake at home so I’ll be fine I’m basically supposed to be on a liquid diet til Monday but since I’m a little slow lol and read my diet wrong I’m going stick on it for a few extra days. I was backed up (sorry tmi) for a good week had to take miralax but I’m noticing now that I’m not my weight is going down and I can see my stomach going down. I’m not gonna weight myself til my next visit. im just sick of the same “food” also I was doing premier caramel but the smell of it disgust me now 😩 I’m definitely emotional but feeling my belly go down and my hips feeling a bit less wide and my thighs are feeling a little more thin makes it a bit better also binge watching tv 🫠hang in there girlie we got this! As for the yogurt I love the toasted coconut ones I forget the brand. also yesterday I went out and wore jeans high rises and my stomach did not like that 🤔I was in pain from driving w them bc they had dug into my belly. I had a hiatal hernia also so dunno if I am just feeling bad still from both surgeries but I’m certain that next month I am looking forward to that. To feeling some sort of normalcy. Also did anyone else get a cute little bear! It’s a cough buddy he literally has been everywhere w me lol

I actually had made a pumpkin soup when I was wrong about being able to eat soft foods lol I thought on day 7 I can eat soft foods but it was really week 2, meaning 2 weeks post op lol 😂 but it was fine I took it down when I did eat. Yesterday I decided to get fancy and try and buy a smoothie that had protein I thought I read the ingredients right and girl I literally had what I think is dumping syndrome lol it was the worst within ten minutes of drinking literally like less than five sips I was just not feeling well. I read some people don’t get it from sugary things so I’m glad I do bc it will help later I’m an emotional reck too not being able to eat anything and wanting to sucks but it’s what I signed up for lol. I just got new protein powder to make a shake at home so I’ll be fine I’m basically supposed to be on a liquid diet til Monday but since I’m a little slow lol and read my diet wrong I’m going stick on it for a few extra days. I was backed up (sorry tmi) for a good week had to take miralax but I’m noticing now that I’m not my weight is going down and I can see my stomach going down. I’m not gonna weight myself til my next visit. im just sick of the same “food” also I was doing premier caramel but the smell of it disgust me now 😩 I’m definitely emotional but feeling my belly go down and my hips feeling a bit less wide and my thighs are feeling a little more thin makes it a bit better also binge watching tv 🫠hang in there girlie we got this! As for the yogurt I love the toasted coconut ones I forget the brand. also yesterday I went out and wore jeans high rises and my stomach did not like that 🤔I was in pain from driving w them bc they had dug into my belly. I had a hiatal hernia also so dunno if I am just feeling bad still from both surgeries but I’m certain that next month I am looking forward to that. To feeling some sort of normalcy. Also did anyone else get a cute little bear! It’s a cough buddy he literally has been everywhere w me lol

To be quite honest if I had known that the gastric sleeve was a real possibility for me I'm not sure I would of proceeded with the surgery. I really had not expected this outcome so my emotions are running wild. 😢 So worried it will increase issues with my acid reflux, as I heard it does cause that problem for many. I already have bad acid reflux so the thought of it being worse is concerning. Let's hope not though. I want to say though that things happen for a reason and maybe just maybe this outcome is what I needed and all I will need to be successful. I do worry about having to have another surgery down the line if this is not. I really do not want to go through with another surgery. 😩 But the good news is I stopped my pain medication yesterday! So I hope that means I won't need it anymore. I woke up a couple times last night, but I am not use to sleeping on my back. Always been a side and stomach sleeper lol. Please tell me that one day down the line I can return to those sleeping positions? 😴 Now this is tmi but I peed the bed last night. I read though that urine incontinence can be quite normal after a major surgery such as gastric sleeve. It thankfully only happened the once last night and that's all so far. Not sure if anyone else experienced this? but it scared me at first. My health anxiety started running wild. I will be letting my bariatric team know though just so they do. I already do have incontinence from my pregnancies, but I never peed the bed. Only with sneezing or coughing hard lol. I hope my experience does not scare anyone from having these surgeries. I was initially unsure about sharing as I did not want to scare anyone. It's been a wild ride lol but thankfully doing good otherwise. I even felt well enough yesterday to take my kiddos to get their hair cut, so things are looking up!! Thanks for checking in ChunkCat!! 🥰

I start my pre op tomorrow. The thing I have noticed even without the preop is if I am dehydrated I can be dizzy. I would make sure you’re drinking enough water. As far as the other. I think some of it might be from the protein drink you might have chosen? I know some of them have that effect. Like when I was on slim fast for a while it would do that. I would check the protein drinks to see if they might contain more fiber or carbs than what is recommended. (I just found out mine do 😒) I spent over $35 for a 24 pack so I’m not going to change now. I just won’t use them for post op if you are having TMI bowel movements lol then maybe you want to add some water or double what you’re drinking because that will cause dizziness because of dehydration. Hope it helps. Also check your meds, if your on any, that might need to take with food that before wasn’t an issue you might need to take when you have your protein drink.

December 12th here! Hi surgery buddies!!! Is anyone on the preop diet having trouble with bowels or dizziness? I feel like it is due to the extremely limited calorie intake right now but I was just curious. I know it’s TMI sorry, but I went from constipated to… well… the opposite. I’m thinking it may be because of nerves as well. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this? Thanks, Savanna

I'm constipated. Like really bad. I've taken laxatives (miralax, Smooth Move tea, milk of magnesia and docalax) for the last 3 days. I take a probiotic, Prebiotic, and stool softener regularly. I'm very bloated, some pain, I feel full easily, and just all around yucky. I do have very tiny poops, like the size of a small grape, but thin, like a pencil. This makes me think the laxatives are working, but things can move. Im also very gassy. I'm worried about a partial bowl obstruction, but my symptoms don't all fit. I don't know what to do. I'm 7 months post-op.