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I’m 4 days post-op (VSG) and starting to somewhat feel better. I’m able to get around better although the big incision still really hurts. My biggest concerns right now are: pain/cramping after swallowing. It’s not the actual swallowing that hurts, it’s when the Fluid hits my pouch. Doesn’t matter if the liquid is cold or warm - but it hurts like hell every single time for about 2-4 seconds. When will this subside? Secondly, my whole abdominal area is still REALLY swollen & hard - I look like I’m 6 months pregnant. It’s been like this since the surgery and hasn’t gone down at all. Lastly, I haven’t had a “real” bowel movement yet. I had very gassy diarrhea twice on Friday and once yesterday, but that’s it. I’ve been taking a stool softener, but I’m not sure it’s really doing anything. Then again, I haven’t eaten anything solid so...? I’m guessing most of all of this is normal, but I’m looking for reassurance - especially about the pain after swallowing as it’s really uncomfortable. Zero issues with nausea or vomiting.  ETA:  I’m also having trouble getting all my fluids/“meals” in. Again, bc of the cramping pain, but also bc I ALWAYS feel full. I’m able to drink about 30-40oz water, one protein drink, my 1/2C soup/pudding/jello twice a day and that’s about it. 

Of the mainstream procedures, the sleeve will be the most benign of them when it comes to supplement needs and the amount of trouble one can get into by ignoring them and the labs. Supplementing with the sleeve is largely an individual thing - there is much more influence by individual variations and dietary habits than there is from the surgery. I've never heard of B1 being a particular problem, but given that the primary dietary source is from the grain complex, and many people are into low carb dieting (Atkins, Keto, etc.) that minimizes that food group, it isn't surprising that such deficiencies would be showing up - not from the procedure, but from the chosen diet. My wife is chronically low in Potassium, but that is just her, not her WLS (as DS in her case.) That is managed by checking levels periodically and adjusting supplements as needed - just as if she had never had WLS. I have heard it hypothesized that there might be some iron absorption issue with the sleeve owing to the somewhat more rapid transit times of food through the stomach, but I haven't seen any validation of that concern. The malabsorbing (RNY, DS) procedures specifically do malabsorb minerals such as iron to varying degrees as much of the mineral absorption happens in the duodenum which is bypassed entirely (in the RNY) or partially (in the DS) so iron levels can certainly be more of a challenge with those patients. I had a bleed a few years ago that sapped my iron/ferritan levels, but was able to restore them to normal in a few months by doubling my oral iron supplement; most with an RNY or DS would need iron infusions to recover from those levels. I tend to lose a bit of D normally so have been supplementing that since before my VSG and continue to do so at moderate levels (2-5k IU) both from that perspective, and also our surgeon prefers to see us in the higher end of the normal range on the blood levels; some in the malabsorbing camp will use 50k IU supplements to keep things in line (particularly the DS folks who specifically malabsorb fat soluble vitamins such as D) I know quite a few long time DS people (10-20+ years) and have seen very little problem as long as labs are regularly taken (annually usually) and responded to; however ignore those at your peril as weird things can happen if you don't. And that's with the DS, which is the fussiest of the procedures in that regard. With a sleeve, you are much more likely to get into trouble by something that you bring to the table - whether that be intrinsic or behavioral - but that is good reason to keep up with periodic lab checks just the same (my labs are a lot simpler than those of a typical DS or RNY person, as there is less that is needed to be monitored with the VSG.)

I am a new member, I am working on getting the Loop, I currently have the Sleeve, I have to go through the process not in such length .3 appts. With dietician, 3 apps with trainer, 1 Seminar, then set up appt for Loop. My dr. Suggested this as Sleeve wasn't working real well. I`m trying real hard to follow program . LOW carb, More Protein. Any views on the Loop, I don't know alot about the feelings on this...Thank You in Advance

Everyone loses as different rates...stick to plan and we all pretty much end up at the same place in the end (barring any complications) P.S. I lost 11 lbs in my liquid pre-op diet (which was for 2 weeks). I ended up losing more than 1/2 my total body weight.

This is all pretty normal. The swelling is probably a combination of the surgery & the gas. It will disappear. My surgeon told me not to be too concerned with meeting goals to begin with which was reassuring as I’d only have one protein shake & barely 200mls of soup a day - & I’d take hours to drink them. Diarrhea is common too. You’ll soon find the reverse will happen & you’ll regularly be constipated. Remember you’re not eating any solid foods at the moment & then when you do begin to it‘s not much. Some of the pain you’re experiencing is likely from the internal wounds & swelling around where that large section of your tummy was removed. Your tummy may be sensitive for a while until you’ve healed. I’m glad you contacted your medical team. It’s better to know if what’s happening is expected (or not). Good luck on your journey.

oddly, for some people, that's their new "full" signal! (my full signal is just that I start feeling uncomfortable, for lack of a better word - but for others, it's things like a runny nose or sneeze. I know it's weird, but....)

I’ve been eating whole wheat lavash bread since about week four. I cut a sheet in half (50 calories for my brand) and make a wrap with protein and veggies. I can only eat about a half like this at a time. I also have sprinkle some reduced fat cheese on a half sheet with whatever seasoning sounds good, and broiled it to have with salad. That is so yum and very satisfying for my cravings. It really fills me up though. The pitas I have looked at are just too calorie dense right now in early weight loss phase, but I will definitely be having them in maintenance occasionally. 😋

800 calories can actually be alot of food if you choose the right ones. 4oz of grilled chicken sprayed with avocado oil & seasonings is a measly 110 calories, and will likely be more than you can even take in in the early months. 3 cups of a mixed green salad with cucumber and carrots and a sugar free vinaigrette is less than 50 calories 1 cup of pasta carbonara (made w/ two strips of bacon and 1 large egg) on shiratake noodles is 162 calories and is crazy filling. Going low-cal and not feeling starved is def. possible, ESPECIALLY in the first few months. Good Luck! P.S. I did less than 800 cals a day until I reached goal (and even much much less in the first 3 months) P.P.S. I figured it was just something I had to do get to where I wanted to be. I am almost 2 yrs post op now and have been maintaining my weight for over a year at much, much more calories.

I'm scheduled for Sleeve surgery Aug. 17th with Dr. Graf. I knew 3 people that had their surgeries done by him so that is why I chose him. I had my Covid test today so as long as the results come back negative I'm good to go Monday!

I had a sleeve done in 2013. I lost significant weight then re-gained most back. This year I got the SADI-S modified DS. Between the surgery and changing my diet, I've lost 87 lbs. this year. I'm happy with my decision and expect to lose more weight this year and keep it off.