MelissaAnd

Well, it is confirmed! My gallbladder must come out! I will be 8 weeks post op on Monday and that is the day for my gallbladder removal. Dr wants me back on fluids only all weekend before and for a week after. I have had horrible acid reflux the whole time since my sleeve. On Nexium 2 times a day, but provides no relief. Ultrasound showed small gallstones and sludge in my gall bladder...dr thinks it is post-surgery caused. So, basically, I have to start all over again with my diet! I am frustrated and tired of being in discomfort! Dr is hoping that my sleeve isn't overly sensitive and the gallbladder is causing me all the problems. I guess I will know soon enough! Not looking forward to 4 more tiny incisions, but if it will help, I am OK with it. I am ready to take a step forward instead of all of the steps backwards!

Sorry! I put my topic on the wrong thread!! I moved it to Post-Op, where I intended it to be. I did not know how to delete it from here!

I am 7 weeks post-op and I am still waiting to feel normal again! Although, my gallbladder is acting up and must come out. My sense of smell is still elevated, but it is getting better. I take each day one at a time and try to eat as much protein and drink as much water as possible.

I understand how hard it is to have an unsupportive spouse! I have one myself, except that mine had a gastric bypass 5 years ago and actually talked me into the surgery. I chose the sleeve over the gastric bypass and he thinks I made a huge mistake. So, I understand what you are going through, but on a different level. By far, this has been the best decision I have ever made and I stuck to it regardless of what my family thought or said. I had little support before and now, they are all amazed at my progress. I am only 7 weeks post-op, but I feel 100% better! Sometimes our loved ones fear change and don't want their simple lives to be affected. You need to do this for yourself because you are important and your health is important. Your wife will come around once she sees that you will be fine! Don't be afraid to make the journey alone, if you have to. There are so many people on here that will support you no matter what! Best wishes and keep your chin up! Your wife knows that you love her and hopefully, she will come around and become supportive of your decision!!

I have been thinking about you lately and wondering how you are doing. Glad that the doctors didn't talk you into the revision! Sounds like they are getting a handle on things with you! I am so happy that you are back home!! Sending warm wishes for a speedy recovery!! Keep us posted on your progress!

I had a horrible stall from week 2 through week 5. I am hearing that stalls are common. I just kept at my plan and tried to keep focused on the fact that my clothes were fitting so much better. The scale is so not my friend!! It hasn't been for a long time! What I am finding, being 7 weeks post-op, is that I will loose a pound one day and gain it back the next, then on day 3, it drops off for good. I think this yo-yo effect is common too! Try to focus on the fact that your clothes will fit better very soon. Stalls are hard and very disheartening! I started to get depressed at first because I went through all the trouble to get the surgery and for what?? To stall on my weight-loss! It's hard not to beat yourself up. BUT take it from me, the stall will pass and you will resume your weight loss. You can conquer this!

You look fabulous! Congratulations!

I am so sorry that you are having problems and I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way! Hopefully, when your doctor returns, you will get the answers that you need to feel better! I know how hard it is to be away from your family. My procedure was done 130 miles away from home. I missed my kids so much as I was gone for a week from them. Amazingly, my absence from home made them appreciate me more. I wish you the very best and I hope it helps bring comfort to know that you have lots of support from all of us on here! Don't give up! Keep a positive mind and keep your spirits up!

I was only 2 weeks out and stalled for 2 weeks! I am now almost 5 weeks post-op and beginning to slowly loose some weight. What I do notice is that I am loosing inches like crazy! It's not always about the pounds. A good friend of mine said to measure yourself and use that as a guide in addition to the scale. It helps you to realize that sometimes your body isn't dropping weight because you are sculpting and changing fat into muscle. I will loose a pound and gain it back the next day. It sits with me for another day and then drops. It seems to be the way I am loosing right now. Although, I know that when i kick in my exercise plan, I will begin dropping weight much faster, but I really hope not too fast. I want to maintain my weight loss and most people seem to be better at doing that when their weight loss is slower.

I agree with vol1cathy. Find out if you can have a refridgerator and microwave in your room. Also, locate shopping areas around where you will be staying. It might also be smart to take some small containers with lids to keep things in the refridgerator. 2 weeks after surgery I felt pretty decent. Just remember that you will tire easier and will need a little more rest. Your body will still be going through some major healing. Good luck with your trip! I am sure it will all be fine. Just plan for it ahead of time.

I, too, was disappointed at week 3. I had a major stall and got so frustrated! However, even though I didn't loose any weight, I have lost almost 3 sizes in clothes!!! Don't get discouraged, although I am the first to admit that it is easy to do in these stalls! I haven't changed anything, but about every 3 or 4 days I loose another pound. My husband made a good point in that I did not put the weight all on in a short time, so loosing slowly is better in the long run. OH, and since surgery, I have only lost 21 lbs. I am counting my weight loss since my pre-op diet. It really helps me feel better about this whole journey! Keep your chin up! I am sure that if you look back in a month, you will have a different perspective on things. I am also only 4 weeks out, almost 5. This was a big change and it's easy to fall into those past thoughts! I hope you find comfort in knowing that we have all been there and we will all be here for you throughout your journey !!

My ultrasound today showed gallstones! I see my PCP on Monday to see what the plan is! I never had problems before surgery from my gallbladder. I guess it is a 20-30% chance that after WLS, the gallbladder will act up.

I had the same issue as you mentioned. I originally planned to have the gastric bypass. However, closer to surgery, I changed to the vertical sleeve. I am only a month post-op, but I am very glad that I changed my mind. My husband had a gastric bypass about 5 years ago and he is amazed at how fast I can reintroduce foods into my diet. He had to be on a liquid diet for 3 weeks and he had a difficult time (and still does) with beef and ground meats. Sleevers are usually able to try and tolerate those things within about 10 months. Plus, the surgery is not as long and there is less cutting. Also, when he experiences the "dumping syndrome" he is very sick for about 30 mins. I have not had this experience and my doctor said many sleevers don't, but he does have a patient who does. I am also not at as big of a risk for Vitamin deficiencies as he is as I do not have any malabsorption issues. There are pros and cons to both. Really research and evaluate each procedure and then decide which is best for you. Regardless of which procedure, be prepared mentally for a huge life-changing event. There are lots of members on here who had their procedures over a year ago. I have yet to read a post by one of them that is sorry that they did the surgery. Best of luck!

Today I went to my PCP and discussed a pain that I have been having in my right side. At first, when it started, I figured that I had pulled a muscle or something because it wasn't too bad. Although, it has gotten worse each day over the past week. So, now, he is worried that I am having gallbladder problems! Just what I need 4 weeks post-op! Had blood tests today and have an ultrasound tomorrow. I am so upset, but maybe this is part of my weight-loss stall?? I really don't want to have another surgery! However, everyone tells me it is pretty minor and you bounce back quick. Has anyone else had gallbladder issues?

The first 3 days were the hardest for me. It does get better! Hang in there!!

Cutting your hair actually makes it healthier! Talk to your stylist. They can look at your hair and decide if your hair is healthy enough for it. I am planning to get highlights in about a month, just in time for summer! I have very healthy hair and lots of it. So any hair loss won't be noticed. Besides, it makes us all feel good to do these things for ourselves!

I am taking Fushion Orange Creme. I have always had trouble with vitamins, but not due to the taste. They upset my stomach. I take them with a cracker and it seems to help. My doctor suggested the Fushion brand as you will not need any additional supplements with it. So instead of multiple pills, I only take 2 a day!

I think we can all agree with you! I am now 4 weeks post-op and still struggle with my food addiction, but its in my head, not on a plate in front of me. I have had a cookie and felt awful after eating it! My husband had a gastric bypass 5 years ago and now is back to his old eating habits. I don't want to follow in his footsteps so I try really hard to stay focused! I know that I feel better knowing that these thoughts are all normal for all of us. Keep up the strength and know that you will find new ways to socialize. I have friends who are now thinking of doing surgery and are begging me to help keep them focused! We are going to start a walking party when the weather gets warmer. It will be so much better than any dinner party!

If it helps, I was scared too! I didn't go to Mexico, but I was still just as scared. Funny thing is, the day of surgery, I was just ready to get it all over with. It was one of the best decisions I have made so far! I hope things went well! We are all supporting you:)

I so need to call my doctor and tell them that the Nexium just won't go down. A small pill would be better than nothing at all like I am doing now. I only weigh every couple of days and at the same time each time. I finally broke my stall today by loosing a pound! Better than none! I am sure that my body is still adjusting. We both had surgery on the same day! From surgery day, I am down only 25 pounds. I am counting the weight I have lost since I weighed in at my highest weight just 3 weeks before surgery, which puts me at a loss of 37 pounds. It makes me feel better looking at the bigger number!

I didn't have a drain either! The best thing I took with me was chapstick! Plus my phone charger!! The hospital I went to was excellent with finding anything I needed. They gave me a small bottle of mouthwash to help with the dry mouth.

I haven't been counting carbs at all. In my post-op seminar, they didn't even mention carbs. Just sugars, proteins, and fats. What am I missing? Can you fill me in? This may explain why I am in a weight-loss holding pattern!

My doctor suggested one activia a day, which I eat at night. It seems to help with the acid reflux. I am also very sensitive to smells right now! Some of which, do make me gag and nauseous! I am suppose to take Nexium powder every day, but I can't stand the taste of it. It makes me gag horribly! I do eat a whole-grain cracker at night after my dinner, which has helped me a little as well. I am having some pain in my stomach, but I think it is from my acid reflux. Dr doesn't seem to be too concerned about it. My biggest complaint right now is my weight-loss stall. I haven't lost anything since my 1 week post-op appt. Seems strange to already be stalled, but seems to be normal from what I read on here. How has your weight loss been?

I'd talk to the doctor about your concerns. If he has been performing gastric bypasses with the laproscopic procedure, then I am sure that the sleeve would be OK performed by him. Ask what training he has had. Tell him your concerns. I know that my doctor appreciates when I tell him my concerns. If after your talk with the dr you still have concerns, then change doctors.

You are brave! I have been too scared to chew gum! AND pre-diet, I was an avid gum chewer! I am sure that if it went down OK, you should be OK.