SarahS

I am about 7.5 weeks post op and haven't had issues with constipation until earlier this week. I don't understand why I was doing okay, and now the constipation!! UGH! I can't remember how many days since I had had a bowel movement, but when I finally did, I had several in one day and they were HUGE, so big they hurt. Sorry if this is TMI. Later that night, I had severe pain, but it was higher up in my abdomen, kinda right underneath my breasts, and it went all the way across the front. It felt like the pain was under my ribs. It also hurt in my back too. I don't know if it was related, or gas pain, or what. But it HURT bad. It was hard to breathe because it would hurt everytime I did. I almost went to the ER, but then it passed. Anyway, I don't know if that was all related to the constipatin or not. Now, I have not had a BM since those big ones the other day and I am starting to freak out. That was on Wednesday, so its only been 2 days, but I still feel like I need to go and I can't! I only lost 2 pounds last week (I weigh on mondays), but I think because I was so full of crap! LOL! From monday-wednesday I lost 3 pounds. So, what can I take? Can I take benefiber? I thought the dr said no fiber, so I am not sure what I can take. I guess I could call the office, but I thought people here would be more helpful!

I had some turkey, a few bites of stuffing, a few bites of mashed potatoes, and 4 green beans, LOL. I put gravy on everything. It was SOOOO tasty! I wasn't stuffed or uncomfortable. I even took some home for a few more meals. I love turkey and stuffing and potatoes! It's probably not the best for me to eat right now, but I lost a pound since thursday morning. About 3 hours after dinner, I had a piece of pumpkin pie. It was pretty big, but I counted it as one of my meals. I am only 7 weeks post-op. I felt bad eating that pumpkin pie and it went down so easily. I guess its not going to ruin my week! I love my sleeve!!! And I am with everyone else.... it was kinda gross seeing everyone eat so much, even though that use to be me!

When I was on the liquid phase (yogurt, pudding, soups, protein shakes) I cheated once. I had mashed potatoes. I didn't think it would be any harder on my body than yogurt or soup. WRONG! It HURT! I guess it wasn't that bad of a cheat, and I was a few weeks out, but I should not have done it! And, it didn't taste good anyway. I remember wanting to just chew on something during that phase, but its not worth the risk.

I had a psych eval, physical with my GP, a few meetings with the NUT, bloodwork, EKG, and an ABG (ouch!). I had seen a cardiologist within a year, and had a stress test, so I am not sure if they would have ordered that if I hadn't had that done recenlty. Thats all I had to do. Of course every DR. is different and every patient. I think they may order tests based on your medical history as well. I did not have a drain after surgery because it went very well and I had little bleeding. I had a urinary cath but it came out the next morning. I had my surgery on Monday Oct 4th at 7am and went home the next day in the late afternoon. I was in pretty much pain the first few days and in some pain for a week or so. It gets less everyday. Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions!!! PS. I am a new grad RN!

Congrats! That is awesome!!!! I can't wait to get to my goal weight!

broth tasted bad to me too right after surgery, and I use to like it. It could still be the anesthesia in your system or your taste could have changed. I hated it so much I am afraid to ever try it again. Most things tasted bad but there are some things that taste good now. Sorry you are in so much pain! Hopefully it will pass soon! I think the gas just has to work its way out. Are you passing gas? Thats when I started to feel better. I just let it rip, LOL!

I had surgery on a Monday morning around 7am and left Tuesday afternoon/evening. It just depends on how you are doing. My surgery went great with no problems. I didn't even have to have a drain put in Once I could walk on my own and keep liquid pain meds down, I was allowed to leave. Also, I had to urinate on my own. They took the cath out early tuesday morning, and it was hours before I could pee! They even did a bladder scan because I was not urinating much, but nothingwas in there! I urinated more later and got the okay to leave. They won't let you leave before you urinate on your own. As long as you don't have any problems, you probably should be there a day or 2. Since your's is in the afternoon, you will probably stay 2 nites at least. Just depends on when the dr thinks you are okay to leave. Good luck!

I was in pain for a while. At first it was pretty bad pain, and I too, could only sleep for about 2 hrs at a time. When I got home from the hospital, the first few nights I spent walking around a lot, because that was more comfortable than laying down. Not sure if it was gas pain or what. I think it was a combination of everything....gas, just pain from being cut open, and my muscles were sore. The bad pain was maybe 3-4 days post-op, but got better every day. They gave me liquid vicoden, and I mostly only used it the first week at night to help me sleep. I took GasX and that seemed to help the bloated feeling. It took maybe 1.5-2 weeks before I could sleep on my stomach comfortably. It was hard to sit up for that amount of time too without using my arms, because it just felt like the muscles were all so sore and weak. I am 6.5 weeks out now, and it doesn't feel the same laying on my stomach, but it doesn't hurt anymore. It can just get uncomfy after too long if I don't move around. I think that will eventually go away. Everyone heals different and experiences pain differently. Just let your body heal and do what the surgeon tells you, and you should be back to good soon. It seems like forever that you are in pain, but when you look back later, you hardly remember the pain. I had 200 pounds to lose, so I am sure its harder on your body the more overwieght you are. Also, how healthy you are going in to surgery plays a role too. My surgery went very well, and I didn't even have to get a drain. There are so many things that can affect how you feel and heal. I hope you feel better soon!!!

liquids was the hardest phase for me! I craved sooo many things too! But I didn't eat it because it would have hurt. Now I think I am all healed up and nothing really hurts or makes me sick now!

I was doing so well with eating and only eating stuff I am "allowed". Well, last night, I ate 1 resses cup. Then, I made cupcakes for a friend who just lost her baby (11 weeks pregnant). I ate a cupcake this morning!!! I was feeling awful, mentally, that I ate this "bad" stuff! It didn't hurt my stomach or make me sick. Well, then tonight, I ate ANOTHER resse's cup. I took the rest of the cupcakes to my moms so I don't eat anymore. I ate the junk in place of my meals, so its not like I ate it on top of everything else, but I feel like such a HUGE failure! I hate it! And I hate I am beating myself up so much about this. I would just eat cupcakes all day and no other food and I would be fine. I was hoping I DID NOT like this stuff, but I still LOVE it and crave it. I don't know what to do!!! I want to be able to enjoy it from time to time and not beat myself up, but I just want it all the time! UGH!!! I lost 17 pounds the first week post op, and 6-7 pounds every week after that. I don't think I am going to lose that much this week :(

I have had pulled pork, beef and chicken, and its all been fine. I am only 6.5 weeks post-op.

Right after surgery, I wanted to eat everything I saw on tv. I wanted Skyline Chili the most, and kept seeing their ads!!! And the XXL chalupa from Taco Bell looked soooo good! I also craved pulled BBQ pork and anything with chocolate. I had dreams about eating all kinds of candy, cookies, brownies, tacos, and all kinds of food. I had a few different dreams on different nights about eating. In one dream I was stuffing my face then freaked out because I was like, Oh crap, I just had surgery, LOL! I am 6 weeks out now and don't have the cravings as much since I can eat some "REAL" foods now. I think it takes your brain a while to catch up after surgery and to adjust to your new stomach.

I was 6 weeks out on Monday. I was sleeved Oct 4th. I have lost 47 pounds since surgery, and 60 pounds total!! I lost 17 the first week post-op, and every week after that, I either lose 6 or 7 pounds. I have over 200 to lose, so I don't think I am losing fast. Sometimes I wish I could lose faster, but then I try to enjoy and be happy with what I am losing. So, I am freaked that I am going to hit a stall at some point, or the weight loss will slow down. Does everyone hit a stall??? If so, is it at certains time(s)? I thought after the first couple weeks my weight loss would slow down, but its the same every week. I don't really know how to prepare myself if it does slow down or if I do have a stall.

I am so sorry to hear you are having so much pain and no one can seem to help you!! Can you call your surgeon who did the sleeve? That might be the only way you can get help. What about coming to the US? Not sure where you are in Canada or where you had your surgery done. I will keep you in my prayers and send you some postive healing vibes and hope you get some answers SOON!! And get better soon!!! (((((HUGS)))))))

WOW! You look awesome!!! Congrats on your hard work!

I had my sleeve on Oct 4th. I have lost 40 pounds since surgery. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks. I lost some before surgery, so 53 pounds from my highest weight!

I have 5. Its been almost 5 weeks and they already look like they are fading. I didn't have a drain, so none from that. They kinda go in a circle shape all around my belly.

I am 4 weeks out and feeling pretty good!!! Still super hungry but I am hoping it will get better since I get to start on some new foods!!!!! SUPER EXCITED, LOL! I was eating yogurt, pudding, cream Soups and Protein shakes. I have lost 34 pounds since surgery!!! That makes 47 pounds from my highest!! I went to the dietician today, and started new foods. Here is what my diet will be for the next 2 weeks. I just wanted to see if this was close/similar to what others ate during this time. Week 4: 5 meals a day: Protein shake 2 times a day 8 oz at a time 1/4 cups of any of the following foods, 3 times a day : chicken, turkey, ground beef, eggs, low fat cheese (string cheese), yogurt, wendy's chili (she said if im out), chunky soups, cream soups, cooked vegtables (carrots, green Beans, beets, baked winter squash), potatoes and yams (mashed or boiled), fruit (canned in juice- pears, peaches-don't care for these fruits), applesause (no sugar added) There are a few more foods (fish, cottage cheese, etc) but I don't like them. Week 6: 5 meals a day total: Protein shake 2 times a day 6 oz at a time 1/2 cup of any of the foods listed above, 3 times a day So I figured I was getting close to 400 calories a day on this, and around 35 g of protein. I was probably getting that much protein before this too. They want me to have between 60-70g of protein. The dietician said not to add more protein now since I am doing okay. I still feel like I need to add more protein because I want to start working out. I have been walking, but very few days. I tried the Isopure and got VERY bad diarrhea and couldn't eat for a few days. Has anyone tried unflavored Protein powder? I think my body can't handle that much protein. I can't do soy protein.

Yay! Glad you get to eat some real food!!! I am 4 weeks out and just got to start on some new foods! eggs don't make me sick, but don't feel right in my stomach. Im not sure how to explain it.

I am so glad you posted this!!! I have been having the same problem. I am about 1 month out. Thanks everyone for the tips

Thanks for the reply! I went to the dietician last week, and she wanted me to change only a few things. More protein, and I could add 1 egg. I did both those things last Tuesday and got very sick. I had horrible diarrhea for 3 days and was so nauesous. I couldn't even drink crystal light or G2 or Water. They put me on phenergan and Im feeling better. I am still on liquids. I think my stomach couldn't handle the added protein. I get the Isopure Protein powder from GNC and I am pretty sure that is what I couldn't handle. I know I cant handle soy because it causes diarrhea. Could I also not be able to handle whey protein? I tried some before surgery and I just couldn't handle the taste/texture. I drink the atkins Protein shakes (in boxes) and its not too bad, but not high enough protein. I am still at about 4-5 oz 6-8 times a day. I have the following: atkins Protein drinks, pudding, yogurt (Yoplait-no fruit, mostly just strawberry flavor, thick and creamy), tomato Soup with milk, or cream of potato with milk. I think we figured I was only getting 30 g of protein a day, and around 400-500 calories. I tried greek yogurt and haven't found one I liked. I don't know how else to up my protein. I also think i am not getting enough fluids in between my "meals". I cannot drink regular water because it makes me nauseous. The dietician said it was okay to drink the reduced calorie gatoraide (G2) right now and crystal light. I am probably getting about 20oz of that per day. I am not walking enough, probably about 3 times per week. I am moving out of my house, so I have been very busy packing and moving. I know I shouldn't make excuses, but doing all that makes me so exhausted its hard to think about getting my walking in. I go back to the dietician next week, and I think I will start on mushies. I get about 32oz of the soup/protein drink/pudding/yogurt a day. This week probably only 20-24oz a day when I was getting better from the diarrhea and nausea. The pudding I eat is sugar free/fat free, and I have one 4oz cup of that a day. And I have 1 yogurt a day. I probably get about 1 of the boxes of the Atkins, which is 15g of protein in a day, and maybe a can of soup with milk. I am following what my dietician has told me to do. I just can't add the protein like she wanted me to. I should probably put a call in to her today. I was on Nexium before surgery, but they wanted me to stop that. I am now on Prilosec but I am just about done with that. He only put me on it for 3 weeks. After a few days, I will not be on anything. Some days I do think I feel some reflux so I was going to see if I can go back on the Nexium. Sorry this is all over the place!!! I appreciate the advice I get or any input from anyone! I love this board and I am so glad I found it.

Hi everyone! This is my frist time posting! I am almost 3 weeks post-op (surgery date Oct 4th) and I am extremely hungry!!! For the first few days after surgery I was not hungry, but since then, I am craving stuff. The dietician said it was just "head hunger". I think sometimes it is, but sometimes I am just so hungry. I just want real food! Has anyone else had this problem? I thought I was suppose to not be hungry after. I have lost 27 pounds since the date of surgery, 42 from my heighest. The dietician said I was losing too fast. Is that even possible? I lost 15 the first week post op, 6 the next week, and 6 this week. My starting weight was 369, and surgery weight was 356. I thought I was just losing a lot because I have so much to lose. My surgery went very well. I didn't even have to get a drain!!! He said that most everyones stomach was around the same size, but that mine was HUGE. He had to mke one of the incisions larger to get my stomach out. Thanks in advance for any input!