POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I had surgery 4 days ago. Ever since surgery whenever I go to sleep I’m awoken by what I think is heart palpitations in my sleep. Like every hour of not more My resting heart rate on my Fitbit is between 60-65. Used to be like 70 Anyone else had this? Starting to worry and think the worst is going to happen now

I just joined this forum. I had my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on 1/24/24. I apologize if this topic has been created before but I didn't see a place to search. I am 5 days post-op. Doing full liquid. My doctor says to concentrate more on hydration than protein at this point but I am drinking a protein shake and Protein20 in addition to water, so I'm getting at least 45 grams of protein a day. In addition I'm trying to get a few more grams here and there with yogurt and pudding with unflavored protein powder added. My long term goal. is 60 but the doc said not to focus so much on that right now. I am absolutely stunned to find that I am hungry! Genuine hunger, not appetit…

I really don't understand how my weight is distributed. I'm still in the "obese" category and definitely overweight. But I have visible ribs already when I move, including the ones below my collar bones. I didn't see these until I was very thin back in the before times. If I lose another 50-70 pounds, am I going to look like a walking skeleton wearing a leather cloak?

Hi all, I had my surgery 1/24, the first two days I consumed 250-300 calories with only broths and water. I could hardly choke down a sip or 2 of protein shakes. Today I was able to incorporate yogurt and modified liquids. My “stage 2” stats are 64oz of water 72g of protein, 16g carbs and 11g of fat with 502 calories. is this too much?

I recently had the surgery on May 25th of this year. So far I have lost 30-40 pounds. However yesterday I weighed and have gained 5 pounds. I have only been eating baked chicken and fish and maybe some steamed or boiled shrimp. The surgeon/Dr. desk lady thinks it may be fluid based off she said it seems like I follow most of the diet plan. I make sure I consume no more than 400 calories a day and that whatever juice I drink is only 10-20 grams of carbs. But I don't think my surgery is successful.

Does anyone have suggestions for a clear protein drink that fits into the immediate post-op clear diet guidelines that are not super sweet and horribly flavored? I am not a fan of sweet drinks and everything I’ve found so far tastes horrible. Thanks in advance!!

Hey, so I'm on a hunt for a good collagen supplement that won't break the bank? Right now I'm using Spring Valley Collagen and Biotin. I'd say I've been using it for two weeks so far. I feel like it's probably helping my skin, but I'm not noticing anything really with my hair which is what I want it for and because my team recommended it. Anybody using collagen?

Hello all, I had RNY Gastric Bypass on 10/6/15. I am almost three months out. I ordered some Berberine 500 mg as I heard it's great for PCOS and insulin resistance. Has anyone tried Berberine after gastric bypass? I hear it's great for weight loss too! ????

Hi, I am 1 month post op and I have den having the hardest time staying asleep. I don't have a problem falling asleep but then I wake up 3 hours later and toss and turn. My Dr prescribed Ambien to help but it's not doing much. I am trying to get my fluids and protein in but I feel like I am thirsty a lot. I also wake and my heart is beating fast in my chest. I'm wondering if I am dehydrated? Anyone else have the same issues?

How long after surgery did anyone wear their compression device? Mine is the cirul8 device that hugs your legs every so often. I think I wore mine about 2-2.5 weeks. I am up and moving but have since started sitting more so I’m not sure if I should wear them again. I’m one month PO. Cheers :)

Hello, everyone. I'm a VSG baby, meaning i just recently had my surgery on the 10th. Almost a week now? I'm currently on phase 2 of my post- op. I've been trying to rest as much as I can. I've just been a bit ancy, which it strange, because I'm a writer and have every opportunity to do that or binge watch television, lol. Yet, I want to move around and I get the urge to clean and move around more and faster that I should, that on top of my daughter and step-daughter running around, my grandbaby coming over and having an energetic chihuahua feeling the need to have me chase him around the house because he wants to play. My SO has been getting aggravated because I've b…

I’m about 2 1/2 almost 3 weeks out of surgery. My doctor said to go ahead and move onto the purée stage for about a week. My concern is that I have no problem eating. I can eat 4 ounces without any hesitation I can drink an 8 ounce glass of water without any hesitation. it almost feels like I didn’t have surgery. Now if I drink too fast, or I tend to eat something, maybe a little bit more than I should’ve maybe like 5 ounces I will get sick. Or I will just feel sick. I guess that’s how I remember that I had surgery and I’m not supposed to eat so much. It just seems so weird outside of surgery so soon that I feel like mentally I could sit and eat a burger and fries. I know…

The title basically says it all. I get pain when I drink. Actually in the area they said the watch for immediately after surgery. My appointment is next week so I surely bring it up then. But do any of yall have experience with this?

Hi all I’m coming upto 7 months post op end of jan and I’ve lost only 3.5 stones . I know my start weight wasn’t as high (14.7 stones ) compared to most who have GS but I feel so down . This sleeve was my last hope and I’m worried I won’t get to goal . I have 1 stone 11lbs to go still ?

Hello all! I feel like I am constantly posting on here, but I always have things I want to talk about with others who are in the same place as me! I have PCOS and an underactive thyroid, which is a big reason that my surgeon has recommended the gastric bypass to me, rather than the sleeve. I wanted to know if anyone had any experiences with these conditions, and how they improved after surgery?

I am one month post op. I have no issue drinking water. I believe I can drink an entire 16 ounce bottle with no discomfort. I don’t chug the entire bottle of water but I can finish it in one 15 minute sitting. Is this true for others? I have no discomfort or nausea. How much water is safe to drink at one time? I’d like to know your thoughts. I don’t plan on drinking a gallon but at times I will drink a water bottle then grab a Powerade and drink it in 4ths to keep my fluids going. Cheers :)

Happy New Year all. I was wondering if anyone had pernicious anemia PRIOR to sleeve surgery for it then to be appeared cured AFTER surgery? I was diagnosed many years ago and have been getting B12 shots once a month however since my sleeve surgery in July my levels have been within the normal range and my surgeon has said I do not to do the shots anymore unless the levels go below. He has not come across this before. So many things went wrong for me as a result of the surgery that this might be one positive aspect if it lasts. I am very fatigued at the moment, recovering from almost four months in hospital, so I was wondering if giving myself a shot …

I'm currently about 5 months post-op and have started to gradually gain a bit. Gained about 5.5 lbs in about a week and I've changed nothing with my routine. While I understand weight loss isn't linear and I can understand not losing for awhile, why am I gaining? Is this normal? Any advice is appreciated. How I can gauge where I should be, about how many carbs and calories did/do you consume at 5 months post-op?

Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen: do you easily bruise now?

Hey everyone, I’m new here but I was wondering if anyone else experienced a weight plateau so early on. I’m only 2 weeks out of surgery but have been stuck at 213 for a few days now and it just feels so discouraging.

I had a gastric bypass on Monday. Tuesday was actual hell because I kept throwing up for nearly 24 hours. I was feeling better by Thursday and was able to come home on Friday but now (Saturday) I am vomiting and it tastes like fecal matter smells? My hospitals nurse line is closed so I can’t call until tomorrow. Has anyone else had this happen? If so, what were the results? Google is making it sound like I may need another surgery to fix a blockage.

This is a weird thing to bring up, but I am curious if anyone else has experienced this: I had a gastric bypass back in February and for the past 2 or 3 months it seems like I have been having large and frequent bowel movements. I often go 2 times a day and sometimes even 3. It feels like I am going more now than I did before my surgery even though I am eating less than half of what I used to. I'm guessing this is due to the bypass, but it just seems like there is too much coming out of me for the amount of food going into me, it doesn't make sense.

Yup. I scared myself! I was on tik-tok and boom! Came across a lady who had sleeve revised to bypass (like me) and had a horrible complication a few months out. Hernia Bowel I believe. Then she needed a vaccum on her stomach. It freaked me out and now I’m spiraling! I’m 5 days post op, thinking wth did I do! Someone give me some relief! That bypass will be ok! It only sounds scary. Ugh I hate when I do this! I had sleeve 2 years ago - also had fears early on. But I was good! But then I had a baby, wls stopped (although no regrets! I lost 130 in 1 year! ) and acid reflux.  Anyone else get revision? 

What do people take for pain when having a gout flare up? My husband is almost 5 weeks Post-op and has gout in his hand. It’s become unbearable and nothing is helping. Any suggestions?

A few months ago I posted about whether it made sense to remove my gallbladder after a scan detected a 2 cm stone. I want having any pain but was warned of the proposition of getting caught in an excruciating situation and landing in ER. Well, I just had it removed last week- quick (comparatively) day surgery without overnight hospitalization. My gastric bypass surgeon performed the removal and I’m basically at home healing. I’m now on day 5 of recovery not taking pain meds. Everything has been pretty good EXCEPT a severe knife-like stabbing pain around one of the incisions. I have my follow up with the doctor in 3 days but walking or standing and moving my arms requires…

So I was sleeved 2 days ago, I was told to only drink whey protein isolate however I can’t seem to tolerate it at all. The thickness, smell , taste everything just makes me want to throw up. Most of the powdered ones do. Did anyone’s surgeon have a problem with them substituting for ready made protein shakes? I tolerate premier protein very well.

As the title suggest, I'm having what I assume is very severe gas pain. After dinner last night I started getting gas pain around my sternum/pouch area. I thought it would resolve after some chore and sleep but it persisted and even woke me up at night. It continues to persist, I've tried walking, massaging the area, etc. Unfortunately I work 22 miles from home in a rural area that has no stores where I can buy some gas x but as soon as I get back to town that is my first stop. Has anyone else experienced this? What do you do to relieve the pain? I've never had such bad gas pains!

Hello all - I had my sleeve exactly 2 months ago. I NEVER threw up… today I was eating and cleaning at the same time and didn’t realize I overate. I took a few more bites than I should. I threw up and it was mucousy and foamy. My concern is that there were a few streaks of pink and I tasted blood. Any thoughts???

I’m 17days post op and very glad to have a group.,

I will be getting sleeved tomorrow , I just want to know how long was it before you ladies & gentlemen were cleared to return to work ?

Im 11 days post op and im kind of regretting this. I miss eating, and by that i mean chewing and having that flavor. everything i can eat right now is soft and bland. I cant wait till I have more options and maybe i wont be so down on it.

I’m sorry to keep posting, but this is soo challenging . I had my surgery last Monday (Dec 18), I’m finally drinking 3 premier protein drinks a day (plus waters , broths, puddings) and today is Christmas Eve and I’m planning on having family visit but I feel like I lack energy —the way that you feel when you just haven’t eaten… does anyone have any recommendations?

My same day hernia surgery turned into a 3 day cardiac floor stay. The hernia surgery itself went well. I'm allergic to surgical glue, so I have a lot of internal stitches, which really hurt. But that's not where the excitement came from. When I was on my way to the recovery room from the surgical area, my heart went into AfiB, specifically the top chamber of my heart was beating at 156 beats per minute, out of sync with the lower part of my heart, but not pumping any blood. It took 2 doses of metoprolol in my IV before they could get my heart rate down. When I came to in recovery, they had already done 2 ekg's, an echocardiogram, and connected me to several dif…

I’m so happy to have you guys! Had my surgery 6 day ago (Lapband to sleeve to bypass)… I have vowed to do everything right this time! I’m the past , I never took the Bariatric vitamins because I just hated the taste… does anyone have a recommendation for one ? Also, how are avoiding hair loss? ☺️ u!

I just want to say to all on these forums who celebrate - Happy Holidays. To anyone who is currently in pre-op diet stage or immediately after post-op - hang in there. You are troupers and you’ve got this. Big hugs to all.

Do multivitamin patches work

Bariatric surgery of any type is a DQ for military service in the US. However I've heard around that there may be waivers for VSG in particular. Has anyone (or does anyone know of anybody) been able to successfully enlist in any of the branches?

Ok so I'm 2.5 weeks out and other than this speed bump I feel great!!! One of my incision sites... On right side ( not where they removed stomach) is killing me!!! Getting up from bed/chair sends a shooting pain! It's not really superficial it's def more deep! Also happens if I move certain ways! Hard to shave legs or bend down period! As I sit here on couch writing this its just a constant burning pain! Incisions all look great especially this one! Not infected or hot! Anyone else experience this??? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Finishing up my breakfast and then it's time to get ready to go back to work FINALLY!!! WooHoo!!! It's about time. I hate not working. So glad I was cleared yesterday to go back starting today. Oh, and I'm now down to 233 pounds. I'm 33 pounds away from my goal weight!!!! I started off at 421 pounds when this whole journey began. I've lost a total of 188 pounds from my highest weight. I've lost a total of 155 pounds since my surgery in May 2022 (I was 388 pounds on surgery day). Bariatric surgery, changing my relationship with food, changing my diet, working out and changing up my routines, all of it is why I'm here now. 33 more pounds to go, ya'll!!! I'm in a s…

Because our stomachs are smaller it stands to reason that we have less enzymes to do our digestive process. About three months after surgery I was having pains when digesting and was having difficulty when going to the bathroom. My husband got me a bottle of digestive enzymes and it took no time to feel the difference. Unlike probiotics which can make my stomach hurt, I can take those before or after a meal and it is like magic. Just wanted to share for some of you who may be having trouble. It worked for me and I still use them as needed over a year out. Hope some of you can find this helpful.

Bariatric surgery of any type is a DQ for military service in the US. However I've heard around that there may be waivers for VSG in particular. Has anyone (or does anyone know of anybody) been able to successfully enlist in any of the branches?

I been stilli having issues throwing up and stomach pain I’m 2 1/2 years out any one have this issue also blood spike then drop and stay low a lot anyone else have issues

Need help and info on days post op and foods hi I’m new to the group and have so many questions, I had Roux-en-Y Bypass gastric bypass…. so rule of thumb is followed Weeks 1 and 2: Liquid diet Weeks 3 and 4: Puree diet Weeks 5 to 8: Soft diet After 8 weeks: Regular diet But I’m having issues sticking to this, I need help and advice on what I’m doing and if I’m wrong to do this and I can’t find answers, so I’m day 10 post op now as I had my surgery on the 2nd December 2023, first few days kept to the liquid diet that being said I’m struggling with taking so much fluids, any way I would say day 7…

I don’t know if it’s just me but I feel worse today than I did yesterday after my surgery. Is this normal?

Hey i was wondering if anyone else experienced low grade (99.7) fever over a couple days the first week after surgery? Im feeling really good keeping everything down mild gerd and i keep having a little anxiety im assuming from the drastic change but i was a little nervous about the fever.

I had my surgery around 4.5 months ago in the middle of the summer. It was a gastric bypass and it went well. I've lost 23% of my bodyweight from surgery date or 350lbs to 270lbs. But I have largely been stuck at 270-280 since late September and it's now December. I'm a male and 6'2". I try to get my protein in but it's very hard to do. Not because it is too filling like some say but just because I don't like it very much. But I do try eating meat, cheese, protein shakes and bars. I couldn't tell you how many calories I eat a day. All I know is that I'm always starving. just after surgery I was starving and then it went away for a month but it's been back. It's …

I am officially 3 weeks post op and I’ve loss a total of 22 pounds so far. This was the first time that I’ve celebrated a birthday where I couldn’t drink or eat because I am still on the post op full liquid diet. I don’t know why I felt sad because today is my actual birthday Nov 6 and I can’t do anything for it cause like I said my birthday always was surrounded by food and drinks so today was very different….. Before all of this you try and prepare yourself for the different lifestyle but boy it’s something different when you start going through it……

Still hurting. Actually looking forward to surgery on Wednesday. Also upset because I'm probably going to miss ALL of next week. Plus the 2 days I missed last week and I will only have 3 paid days on my check on the 15th. Not only do I have bills to pay, that was supposed to cover Christmas. And not just the gifts, but the decorations, the dinner, cards, all of it. Now we'll have literally nothing. And the pain meds don't do anything but knock me out. Once I wake up, I'm in pain again. Time to take my meds and pass out. I'm so over it all.... Oh, before I forget!!! Let's not leave out that I'm basically back on my stage 1 bariatric diet because when I try t…

So I had a CT with contrast on Wed the 29th and it confirmed that I have a ventral hernia. I'm scheduled for surgery On Wednesday Dec 6th. It's a same day surgery, so at least I won't have to stay overnight. By this past Wednesday morning I was beginning to have pain in that area (where the hernia is), and by Thursday, I was in agony. After work, I called the on-call doctor with my bariatric surgeon's office and they said to go to the ER. I couldn't drive myself, so I called an ambulance. They did a repeat CT and confirmed what was seen in the last one. They said it was stable (not strangulated) but it was very close to my extremely large uterine fibroid (I have…

I understand that I wasn't allowed to have ibuprofen/advil during recovery, but I am currently 4 months out and was wondering if it's okay to have now? I've got a real bad headache and Tylenol never works, but Advil always did so I was wondering if I can finally use it again?