POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

What drinks do you like?

So I had the sleeve three years ago and gained my weight back. I am pending revision and the dr did an endoscopy and found a hiatal hernia and some gerd. He then ordered a UGI and a gastric emptying study to get some more information to decide which surgery is most appropriate. I just finished the gastric emptying study and after only two hours the food was completely out of my stomach which may explain why I always feel hungry a couple hours after I eat. I am hoping maybe there is a treatment to slow down my stomach emptying and I won’t even need surgery or if I do it will be more successful this time. I see the dr in a week and I’m sure he will have an answer but I’m ju…

So before anyone tells me to look on the boards, I have. the closest thing I can find is info from 2009. I have googled up a storm and of course got a bit concerned. Symptoms: my hands itch like crazy! I have literally taken a nail file and scratched and scratched. at times it has extended up my arms to my elbows and then stop. then my leg would start itching and then stop. Then my chest began itching. stopped. Now I have this rash that is right around the area where the port was removed, but it does not itch. I have been keeping the area clean (disinfecting 2x per day with spray), so even that does not make sense. Then out of the blue after itching for hours. It wil…

My prog allowed decaf 3 weeks post op but many warn against it due to impact on nutrient absorption healing and acidity What’s your experience?

I hit my final goal!!! I'm actually, literally ugly crying right now. I didn't expect it to happen so fast!!!

I just realized its day 26 since my surgery. I started graduating to eating honey turkey chopped so its in small pieces and its going down well. I hope i continue to lose. My restriction is still very strong

Can’t stomach premier protein after op - any recommendations?

I’m never going back?

Hi everyone. Soooo, here I am 6 months post VSG. Started at a BMI 33, reached goal at 3.5 months so kept changing goals and here I am at the 6th month mark having lost much more than anticipated and ready for maintenance (at a BMI 20 as of today, 126.7 lbs/57.6 KGs). I don’t want to bore you with too many details, other than that I bounce between a fear of becoming sickly thin (currently feeling that) and an all encompassing fear of gaining weight and going back to what I have become, it is kind of mind boggling. I read many many stories of how WLS patients gained all the weight back and then some, about them seeking revision surgeries or GLP treatments and it r…

Starting 26 and can’t wait - allowed decaf tea and coffee as tolerated - what’s your experience with coffee? How did you make profee? What was a days eating like to wean off shakes and switch to food like? How was the first bite?

I literally loathe throwing up, but especially after having 80% of my stomach taken away. I’ve been trying my best to not puke because I didn’t want to go through the cramps and the pain. But surprisingly, throwing up was an extreme relief. I tried to take the vitamin prescribed by my doctor to just get some energy back but I had applesauce before hand and nothing else and I think the vitamin is a little bit potent. Less than five minutes later I threw up violently. How was your first time puking after the surgery? Why do i feel so much better after throwing up??????

Hey all, does anyone have any tips on the regrowth? I had my surgery 16 months again and it feels like it's taking forever to be healthy again and to grow. It looks brittle and thin with some breakage. I know I need to up my protein and water, has anyone taken anything to help it? I'm taking Collagen, but I don't think it's helping anymore. I have different lengths closest to my hairline. Part of it I believe is from the surgery and the other part I know it's from Lightening my fringe in August. Now the hormonal acne. Wow, that started in January. I've never had this bad of acne before and it's pretty painful. It'll come, stay like a week one or two will go a…

My program allows both but hesitant about trying about three weeks post op.any experience ?

I have my first menstrual cycle after my surgery. Guys, I almost fainted. Between the heat, the cramps, feeling drained -it was bad. And to top it off the hormonal changes from the surgery and the menstrual emotional & mental symptoms? Shewwwwwww lol this is a doozy!

217-183

6 days of post op liquids to go and Campbell and Lipton soups SUCK! Any other suggestions?

So I’m two weeks postop and I know that’s early but I went from 217 to currently being 189. I know everyone’s like you have to give it time “Be patient” but emotionally., i wish that results were more rapid. I’ve been at 189 for three days and I barely eat anything. I enjoyed tomato soup recently, but the creaminess of it, kind of upset my stomach so it just feels like protein shakes are the only thing that will help and sustain me. I guess I’m writing for some support and encouragement that in time I’ll see more changes. The 28 pound difference did make me happy and I want to continue to see changes, but I guess I’m just not being patient enough. Please share some suppor…

About 2 weeks post gastric sleeve and 2/3 days back feel sore/ heaviness in middle right abdomen - doc says it’s the inner sleeves healing but wonder why it developed 2-3 days before and not after surgery Anyone has similar experience?

Man oh MAN did I miss it!!! My body is really tired (not used to the physical activity for 8 hours a day) but it felt great being back. I missed my team and my patients!!! Not sure if I shared it, but I'm a certified clinical medical assistant. Next surgeries won't be for a couple of years, and those are just plastics. So glad to FINALLY be done with all that!!!

Any savory ideas for post op liquid phase? Panera broccoli soup is nice but anything else?

Recently had my five year surgery anniversary, and wanted to try to give back in some way, so decided to start a YouTube channel. Just posted my very first video… check it out. Would love any constructive criticism… https://youtu.be/V4H-CUN8CzU?si=CZWj-HfLCEyXHOM5

What are safe foods at Mexican restaurants? 3 week post op

Any idea to make liquid diet. More palatable ? How can one amp proteins in sugar free jello pudding for example other than using fairlife and adding whey

Does anyone else go to buy clothes and still want to buy your starting weight size? It’s hard for me to comprehend I have to buy smaller sizes now. I went from a size 5x/30 to a size XL/14, and I still look at the plus size section. My husband is forever saying "honey, you're not in those sizes anymore" and guides me back over to the regular section. Anyone else have this issue? And if so, when does it get better?

Sigh.....I need to figure out how to maintain and not lose more weight. Wanted to stop at 190....but now I can't figure out how to stop losing!!!! Never in a million years did I think I would ever have this problem. I can't add more carbs because I'm SUPER sensitive to them and too many make me REALLY sick. I tried adding more calories, but because I work out 4-5 days per week, it's actually causing me to lose still. So weird. I tried eating more small meals and snacks more often, but honestly, I already have 3 meals and 2 snacks per day, and eating more just makes me sick to my stomach because I'm trying to force myself to eat when I'm not hungry. Any help…

Did anyone notice any bellybutton crusted discharge after gastric sleeve? Any idea what it’s and why

Anyone has any idea if the sleeve involves accessing through the bellybutton - if yes is it stitched? Trying to figure my discharge source

Since I started my weight loss journey 2 years ago with my first surgery, he decided to change his eating and exercising habits. I lost 200 pounds in 2 years, he lost 66 pounds in 2 years. We're both absolutely thrilled My A1c went from 7.9 to 5.0, no more more high bp or diabetes or high cholesterol (mine went from 249 to 170). His A1c went from 12.8 (yes you read that right) to 5.9, no more high bp, and his cholesterol went from 266 to 194. I went from a size 30/5x to a size 14/XL. He went from a size 52 waist to 42. And from a size 3x shirt to XL. And we go on 3+ mile walks together twice a week and he works out for an hour to an hour and a half twic…

It has been a while since a maintenance mega thread has been created. Can we share how things are going? For everyone officially maintaining vs losing, please share: 1. Pre op weight, BMI or measurements 2. Surgery type 3. Lowest post op weight, BMI or measurements and when it occurred 4. Maintenance weight, BMI or measurements and when it occurred 5. Bounces (up or down) in weight, BMI or measurements and when they occurred 6. Methods used to maintain and what has/has not worked 7. How your life has changed (losing vs maintaining perspective) 8. Words of wisdom/cautionary tales/stories of beating the odds …

Hello Everyone, I am a little past, 3 weeks post op and I am currently on Soft Food Phase. For dinner, I ate a couple of meatballs, broccoli and cauliflower rice. The total weighed 5 ounces on the scale. I didn't finish the meal though. For some reason, today I thought 5 oz was okay; but when I looked at my notes my md wanted me to eat 3-4 oz per meal. I made a mistake and am scared my pouch may stretch or I might sabotage my weight loss! Moving forward I plan to follow the guidelines, but my question is , is there a possibility that I stretched my pouch? Will this sabotage my weight loss? Should I contact my md?

how strong are gastric staples ? Can they withstand straining on emptying bowels cough etc

Have some small belly button brown discharge straining trousers after gastric sleeve which Smells a little Doc said it could be dried blood from procedure Any one with any similar experience No other symptoms

Just curious and be honest if anyone has cheated on their post-op diet and what the consequences were? I feel so hungry and have honestly been contemplating putting something in the food processor and having a few bites of a mushie.

Five days post op in liquid diet and struggling for diversity. I am just having seeq protein water and miralax in plain water. Sick of clear broth and premier protein but would love to have ideas for something else. Any help please

A bit concerned. I sent a message to my PCP and haven't heard anything back yet. I've been having some major issues with dizziness, to the point of nearly blacking out for the past 2 weeks or so. I had blood work done on Thursday and my iron, b12, and A1c were all checked and the results came back that all are normal. Not low normal but right smack in the middle normal. My bp was 105/63 (I average between 104/60 - 108/68). Glucose was 97 and A1c was 5.0. My b12 was 717. My iron was 53. So very normal. Does anyone else have this issue? What could this be, and how can I fix it? I make sure not to get up too fast, I get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. But this seems…

Hey all So I am almost 4 weeks post-surgery, and everything is going pretty well for the most part! I have noticed however, apart from the odd hiccup, that I don't really feel full! That being said, I haven't felt hungry either! ? I seem to be able to finish all of my food with no issues - I know everyone is different, and I get that this is just my body, but I find it so interesting!

Is this normal ? I did also have a hernia . The first photo is two or three days after surgery and the second photo is 5 days after. I thought the bruising would go away but it is getting bigger . My tummy feels tight and full. My family says I am paranoid. Thanks

Does anyone else ever feel guilty if they take a rest day from working out? We HAVE to take rest days to let our bodies and heal and rest, so we don't do damage. I work out 5 days per week and rest for 2. I rest on Thursday and Sunday. And I have to be honest, as soon as I wake up on rest day, I start feeling like I'm doing something wrong by not working out. As the day goes on, it just gets worse, and I have to literally FORCE myself to keep my rest day. I do keep to my rest days, but I really struggle with them. Anyone else, or am I just weird?

So I finally reached out my bariatric team and they said my post op appts "slipped through the cracks", So instead of having a 3 and 6 month appt I am have one next week (at 5months ish) that will combine my 3 and 6 month post op appt. ANYWAYS to my point! I got my blood work and everything is normal range! my A1C even went down from 5.6 to 5.3 which is pretty groovy! Also my iron is normal for the first time in my life! However my B12 is 1116 which from what I read optimal results are >500 for bariatric patients? So does that mean I am doubly good? My Vitamin D is at 119 and toxic levels are over 100. So my assumption is I could probably cut back on those vitamin…

Feeling a little frustrated after searching high and low for a local support group in Austin, TX. Even tried looking for a coach or trainer just to have some support, accountability, and guidance with no luck. Are we really that small of a community? I'm almost 2 months post op and feeling a little alone in this. I had my surgery in Mexico due to insurance not covering and they do offer free consultations with a nutritionist, counselor, and dr but really wanting something more for accountability and just talking through the struggles. Anybody else out there had any luck? Thanks in advance!

I am 5 days post op and noticed yesterday when I put my contacts I noticed that when I brought my phone close to my face stuff got very small and blurry Then today I went outside and the sun was killing my eyes I don't know if it's the medicine or the lack of food or what it is but I was wondering if anyone else has had trouble with vision after surgery

Is anyone experiencing an intense hunger that feels very physical and very intense as if it may be Leptin levels are low or something hormonal. I explored with anti acids to see if it was a feeling from the mild GETD that I have experienced, drink plenty of water, eat adequate protein and fiber, small frequent meals. NOTHING IS WORKING… and I keep eating as it feels like hunger… strong hunger, but that does not alleviate either! HELP! 3 years post sleeve gastrectomy.

I have been eating peanut butter, straight from the jar....just eating it off the spoon...today all I ate all day was spoonfuls of it, until I ate supper tonight....what is making me do this!!!

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on 5/28/24 and everything went smoothly. I was discharged the next day on a stage 2 diet (protein) and did many walks around the hospital. No pain, no nausea, and no vomiting. However, since I have been home, I have fallen off my bed four times because there is no comfortable sleeping position. I am a side sleeper normally and, on my back, I just cannot breathe I have some sleep apnea. If I do not take the liquid Tylenol I am in such pain. My elderly mom is helping me out, but it's been rough. I am not meeting my protein goals and or water intake goals. I do the best I can. I am sometimes starving and sometimes not hungry at all. My taste…

I hit my original goal of 200 and moved it to 195. I just hit my next goal of 195 and moved it to 190. Let's see how long it takes me to hit 190 now!!!! The question is, will I actually hit my secret goal??!?!

So I had surgery on the 14th May, and I am still on a slush stage (basically just thicker liquids). I know that because of this I wont feel full as I will do when I am on more solid food, but I think my body has a new way of telling me I am full up: HICCUPS! I absolutely HATE hiccups - does anyone else get this? ?

Hi there folks. I was sleeved back in September of 2023, so it's been 8 months. In 3 months, I have lost 3 pounds. This has had me in tears. I haven't been absolutely perfect, but I'm exercising 5 times a week and maintaining a significant calorie deficit (average 1400 cal at 330 pounds). For the last 6 weeks, my hands and feet have started getting cold, and I have been sweating excessively. I went to see my GP and we considered thyroid, which was a relief as it might explain the stalls AND the circulation. BUT the TSH test just came back within normal range. She's stressing that extreme weight loss can cause you to feel cold more often due to the loss of insula…

So, I'm officially a month and a half past my surgery date and on a regular diet. Does anyone else have frequent flatulence? It's really bad. Like, it seems that I'm trying to go to mars or something. I've got more boosters than a space shuttle. Is there anyway to tone it down or does it stay like that? Also, I can finally wear a seatbelt in my car, I couldn't do that before!

My goal weight when I first started this journey was 190lbs, I wanted to under 30BMI and felt that this goal was obtainable, I changed it to 170 since that would put me in the "healthy range". However, I feel like I am getting too small? I am wearing a size 6/8 pants from a 18/20 (NEVER IN MY ADULT LIFE HAVE I BEEN ABLE TO WEAR THAT SIZE!) Medium shirt from a 2/3xl, skivvies are Medium from a 2x, I am working out and trying to focus on toning. But Idk when I should enter Maintenance? My WLS team is so non-existent, I had one post op appt at 2 weeks and haven't heard from them since.

Can someone give some helpful tips or info about ths topic?