Things You've Noticed Post Gastric Sleeve Surgery

[MurphysLaw217 2]

I'm thoroughly taking advantage of this board here, LOL!

I've noticed a few of these things I wanted to know if anyone else has, some things I expected, some I didn't:

1. sensitivity to cold-I have to sleep with a heating blanket or I wake up consistently cold, when I handle anything cold like a cold beverage, I have to literally put on gloves, feels like lightening is going through my hands and it aches-had this similar feeling with chemo.
   
2. smells of food-whenever my family members are cooking-things that used to NOT bother me-do so now, makes me nauseated.
   
3. tastes of food-I know this is HORRIBLE!! I taste some things and spit them out, but I don't swallow, stuff I used to like, like yogurt, I can't tolerate now, it tastes funny like it's gone bad and then I am second guessing myself, LOL.
   
4. cravings-horrific cravings that I don't give into, like for Big Macs, I'd pay some one to eat a big mac in front of me right now!!!!
   
5. I'm hungry, you can hear my stomach constantly growl, I feel empty.
   

Thanks!

[RosieSweetie 40]

I definitely feel cold more. My husband was opening Peanut Butter (which I don't even like) I was 2 rooms away and I could smell it ! So I am definitely more sensitive to the smell of food. Now that I feel better after surgery (a week ago), I feel more tempted by food, but I am still on liquids so I am not really hungry. And, Yes,Yes,Yes, my stomach growls like a caged lion!

[ATeam 38]

I think the sensitivity to tastes and smells comes from the liquid diet! Your tastebuds kind of take a new life. I remember a year ago when I did the "master cleanse" crash diet, I could smell like CRAZY!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I'm thoroughly taking advantage of this board here, LOL!

I've noticed a few of these things I wanted to know if anyone else has, some things I expected, some I didn't:

1. sensitivity to cold-I have to sleep with a heating blanket or I wake up consistently cold, when I handle anything cold like a cold beverage, I have to literally put on gloves, feels like lightening is going through my hands and it aches-had this similar feeling with chemo.
   

Yep this happens to me too! Lots here as well, this has not gone away. I have to turn my room heater up full blast and my electric blanket which is just on my side. I'm always burning everyone out!!!

1. smells of food-whenever my family members are cooking-things that used to NOT bother me-do so now, makes me nauseated.
   

I also had this too, however mine only lasted for the first few months if I recall correctly.

1. tastes of food-I know this is HORRIBLE!! I taste some things and spit them out, but I don't swallow, stuff I used to like, like yogurt, I can't tolerate now, it tastes funny like it's gone bad and then I am second guessing myself, LOL.
   

This one was weird for me. I ended up liking or loving foods post op that I didn't particularly care to eat before, or foods that I loved to eat pre sleeve, I can't stand anymore. This has not changed for me at this point.

1. cravings-horrific cravings that I don't give into, like for Big Macs, I'd pay some one to eat a big mac in front of me right now!!!!
   

I think this simply comes from missing foods, especially being on liquids only or soft foods. However you may find that once you have it, you won't think it's as great as it once was - which is great!!

1. I'm hungry, you can hear my stomach constantly growl, I feel empty.
   

It's possible this can be caused by an over production of acid in your new sleeved stomach. Our stomachs still want to create as much acid as it once did, even though our stomachs are only a fraction of what it once was. I'm taking Zegerid for mine, and to date I have not been able to get off from it. Some over time are able to however. Consult your Dr. about this.

Thanks!

[Rootman 1,101]

I echo what Miss Diva said, especially the cold senstivity and the changed tastes. I absolutly LOVE pepper on stuff now, whereas I hated it before.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Yes Miss Diva is absolutely right, she was helpful in reminding me that the gurgging sound in my tummy is gas and that my hunger is from acid. So now I take prilosec and it is helping alot.....

[Lissa 2,631]

Oh, yeah, I'm always cold. I have THREE quilts on my bed, and I live in South Florida, where cold is 70 degrees! I can't turn on my ceiling fan at night or I feel like I've moved to the north pole!

Aside from being lactose intolerant, lots of food smells bug me now, too. I can't eat spicy food because my sleeve (Rex) doesn't like it. And, I ate a bowl of Beans today that were SO delicious!! I ate Beans when I was broke, broke, broke pre-op. Now I love them!

I had to go to McDonald's yesterday to meet a customer. I kept smelling the burgers and finally bought a cheeseburger. I ate about half and was DONE. It just didn't have the same appeal it used to have.

On the brighter side, I can walk easier, don't mind having to park further out from stores, and I have tons more energy. And, shhhhh, don't tell anyone, but I feel sexy sometimes, even!! I have a long way to go, but I'm getting there!

Congrats and good luck on your journey!!

[MegInNOLA 531]

Agree with Diva--yes, always cold. My husband was sleeved a year ahead of me, and he now is more acclimated and doesn't feel cold all the time. I can't wait, because I'm freezing my Buns off here (in south Louisiana--so I really feel for y'all in truly colder climates!). Extra blankets, jacket, and fuzzy socks are the norm now.

food smells were INTENSE for the first few months. Now, they've slacked up a bit. I still have a fabulous nose, always have, but it's calmed down a bit.

My tastes have totally changed pre- and post-sleeve, thank goodness. I can't tolerate the same foods I ate before, which is good, since I weighed 306 at surgery--I don't want to eat those same things any more! Even foods that smell and look good don't lead to the same sense of "I really want that" that I used to have. I'm able to say "no thanks" and mean it!

I never did the chew/don't swallow thing--I just hate to spit.

Hang in there--your whole body is changing, and it's gonna take some time for it to become used to the "new normal." But it's healthier and slimmer and much more fun. :-)

[ann_franc 2]

I'm cold, too. I have 2 electric heaters at work and I keep a blanket over me at night, lol!

[ShouldBlittler 89]

Do you think it is because you don't have as much fat on your body?

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

I'm 4 months out and I'm not cold any more, in fact my hubby is the one that's cold. When I was cold he was hot. The ying and yang.

[Rootman 1,101]

Do you think it is because you don't have as much fat on your body?

I think that has something to do with it, but the change was so profound and so sudden. Pre-op I was a typical fat sweaty guy, post-op by just a few weeks I was cold ALL the time. I wear fleece bottoms, undershirt and pants and henley top to bed over a heated mattress pad and under a bunch of covers - and oh yeah - WOOL socks. A sweater is my full time "costume" at work.

We've postulated elsewhere on the board here that removal of a majority of the portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin has something to do with it. As well as reduced caloric intake.

It is a polar (pun intended) opposite for me now.