Jen35

@@crysclev has the carafate helped with your symptoms? Or have you found out what is wrong?
Since my last post I went to the ER again (different one cuz I didn't like the way the last handled things). They did another CT only this time I drank this stuff so they could see my digestive tract better. Everything was fine, bloodwork fine. I started taking IBS meds which have helped with the generalized pain and diarrhea, but I still get the sharp, stabbing paint intermittently. I would say my issues are about 50% better. I will need to go back to the doctor to see what other tests I need.

@@crysclev has the carafate helped with your symptoms? Or have you found out what is wrong?
Since my last post I went to the ER again (different one cuz I didn't like the way the last handled things). They did another CT only this time I drank this stuff so they could see my digestive tract better. Everything was fine, bloodwork fine. I started taking IBS meds which have helped with the generalized pain and diarrhea, but I still get the sharp, stabbing paint intermittently. I would say my issues are about 50% better. I will need to go back to the doctor to see what other tests I need.

@@crysclev - I hope they figure out what is wrong. keep me posted.
I don't have my gallbladder anymore so that isn't my issue (that would be easier). I saw my surgeon for my one year follow up and he said he can do an endoscopy but he would rather wait to see if the increased dose of Omeprazole (for acid) and the carafate help first. He reviewed my CT I had done at the ER and said that I have a small hiatal hernia (which sucks because he fixed it when I had my sleeve - so now it's back).
But the pain has only gotten worse in the last few days and the carafate hasn't helped like it was supposed to. In fact, it hurts my stomach just to take it with Water. 2 days ago, immediately after eating I was having stabbing pains in my upper left side of my abdomen. The pain is also now in my upper right abdomen sometimes. I really don't know if I can handle this pain! I'm afraid to eat because the pain is worse then, but I have pain to some degree all the time now.
My regular MD said that I definitely have IBS but didn't think that the pain is related to that. He didn't prescribe meds for the IBS yet, but can if I need it. I just don't really know what to do at this point. My surgeon wants to see me in 6 weeks, and I have a follow up with my reg MD in 3 weeks. I don't think I can take this pain for that long. I really want to know what is wrong with me.

Wow - I can't believe it's coming up on my one year anniversary since my sleeve surgery! I'm so happy I did this - it's been an emotional journey but I'm so much better for it. I started at 244 lb., it was hard to move, tie my shoes, etc. My blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol were all borderliine high and getting higher. My knees hurt all the time. I hated the way I looked and felt.
Now, I'm 151 lbs. (my original goal was 150) and I can move easily, ride my bike, jog and I LOVE being physically active. I can do things with my kids without getting so tired. My blood pressure was 100/66 yesterday, blood sugar, cholesterol all wonderfully normal now. I love my new outlook on life.
It wasn't an easy decision to have the surgery and I had some bumps along the way (gallbladder removed 3 weeks after surgery). But my journey, overall, has been a smooth one, physically. Emotionally and mentally is another story. THAT was the hardest part for me. The issues that I had/have tied up in my relationship with food and my body image run deep and they are complex. I've been going to a therapist since 6 months prior to surgery. I'm not sure that I would have been as successful without that piece of the puzzle. I think I would have lost weight, sure, but would I have reached my goal, would I have gained it right back, would I be as happy? I'm not sure. All I know is that I feel more accepting of myself now than I ever have - even when I was thin in my early 20's. Losing the weight was a (small) part of that. Understanding why I abuse food and my body, getting over (most of) my self hatred, and being aware of my bad habits and replacing them with healthier ones - these were more important to my mental well being than the surgery.
My biggest take away over the last year - my advice to anyone who is starting down this path: The surgery is a VERY helpful tool to lose the weight. BUT more is involved in this process to be a happier, healthier person. Just as important, if not more so, is to do the mental and emotional work. At one of my first sessions with my therapist, she asked me how will having this surgery make you happy. I wasn't sure - I just knew it would. But she helped me realized that losing the weight doesn't equal happiness. I'm still going to be the same person, have the same issues, problems, etc. My life wasn't going to magically be wonderful just because I'm thinner:)
Congrats to all of you who have hit your one year anniversary (and every anniversary thereafter). My hope is that I can maintain my loss over the long run, but I know my journey isn't over. In some ways, it is just beginning.... but I can DO THIS!!!

I've probably heard them all:)
The problem with the chess analogy is that it's comparing apples and oranges. The impulse to eat (and therefore the cravings) come from the brain stem or "primative" brain. Our cognitive abilities (logical/rational thought, knowledge, etc.) originate from our frontal lobe. This is information from my therapist, by the way. Which is why I could read every diet or self help book out there, know all the right things to do to be healthy and, yet, I didn't put it into action. Eating is necessary to sustain life and is associated with comfort, love, and survival. Chess - you can live without.
To me, this analogy is no more than saying "you don't have any discipline or self-control" which many people believe about overweight people. That is so far from the truth!
For people without food issues, eating disorders, etc., give that advice to "just stop eating", "just count calories" just... just.... Not everyone's brain is wired the same way. Not everyone can do this on their own. I know I "just" needed the surgery and a TON of therapy to lose this weight and those stupid advice-givers can "just" kiss my tush now!

I suffer from fybromyagia and I get severe haeadaches, too. My fybro has improved after the surgery (I'm 13 months out) but the headaches are still there. I was told no NSAIDs, too, but nothing else helps. Tramadol does nothing. My reg. MD gave me a standing script for Loretab but that doesn't really help for my headaches and I can't work while taking a narcotic. So I'm back to ibuprofen, which the surgeon said I can take as a last resort when I really need it. I haven't been taking it as much as before, but probably more than I should. Now I have abdominal pain and they are wondering if it is an ulcer, but it could be something else. That is the real concern with NSAIDS - ulcers.

That is why I've stopped telling strangers about my surgery (unless I feel it will help them personally). I told everyone at first and I am proud of my surgery and my accomplishment. But it's really none of their business how I lost my weight and I don't feel like justifying it to them. We do as much work to lose weight as anyone else does - if not more because we have to recover from major surgery.
Don't let the jerks get you down - you rock:)

That is why I've stopped telling strangers about my surgery (unless I feel it will help them personally). I told everyone at first and I am proud of my surgery and my accomplishment. But it's really none of their business how I lost my weight and I don't feel like justifying it to them. We do as much work to lose weight as anyone else does - if not more because we have to recover from major surgery.
Don't let the jerks get you down - you rock:)

That is why I've stopped telling strangers about my surgery (unless I feel it will help them personally). I told everyone at first and I am proud of my surgery and my accomplishment. But it's really none of their business how I lost my weight and I don't feel like justifying it to them. We do as much work to lose weight as anyone else does - if not more because we have to recover from major surgery.
Don't let the jerks get you down - you rock:)

My doc and nut were quite lenient about the alcohol consumption during the weeks after surgery, so at about 4 weeks out, I had 3 or 4 sips of wine for my birthday. I didn't feel any effect until the 4th sip. I experimented gently from 1 month out to about 6 months out, never drinking much, being very cautious. This is going to sound strange, but while the alcohol barely had an effect back then, now at 9 months, it is really affecting me. I went wine tasting last Sunday, and I couldn't finish even my 3rd sip because I was feeling it. (And I do mean a sip - I always ask for half pours and I don't gulp it all, since I know it will go to my head ). So weird. I think it's strange that it would affect me more now than early out, but there it is. We go wine tasting pretty often, so I will continue to be really careful with it.

I'm 6 months post opp and enjoy alcohol a couple times a week (down from a couple drinks a night pre-opp). I waited about two months post opp to give it a try. I've keep it to wine and the occasional martini, beer or anything fizzy doesn't seem appealing. No physical complications whatsoever and alcohol basically effects me the same as preopp.
Two big points of caution, (1) there are many people that trade one addiction for another post surgery so beware of that phenomena, and (2) as others will undoubtedly tell you, alcohol basically falls into the useless calorie bucket same (or worse) than a coke or glass of grape juice.

I've probably heard them all:)
The problem with the chess analogy is that it's comparing apples and oranges. The impulse to eat (and therefore the cravings) come from the brain stem or "primative" brain. Our cognitive abilities (logical/rational thought, knowledge, etc.) originate from our frontal lobe. This is information from my therapist, by the way. Which is why I could read every diet or self help book out there, know all the right things to do to be healthy and, yet, I didn't put it into action. Eating is necessary to sustain life and is associated with comfort, love, and survival. Chess - you can live without.
To me, this analogy is no more than saying "you don't have any discipline or self-control" which many people believe about overweight people. That is so far from the truth!
For people without food issues, eating disorders, etc., give that advice to "just stop eating", "just count calories" just... just.... Not everyone's brain is wired the same way. Not everyone can do this on their own. I know I "just" needed the surgery and a TON of therapy to lose this weight and those stupid advice-givers can "just" kiss my tush now!

I've probably heard them all:)
The problem with the chess analogy is that it's comparing apples and oranges. The impulse to eat (and therefore the cravings) come from the brain stem or "primative" brain. Our cognitive abilities (logical/rational thought, knowledge, etc.) originate from our frontal lobe. This is information from my therapist, by the way. Which is why I could read every diet or self help book out there, know all the right things to do to be healthy and, yet, I didn't put it into action. Eating is necessary to sustain life and is associated with comfort, love, and survival. Chess - you can live without.
To me, this analogy is no more than saying "you don't have any discipline or self-control" which many people believe about overweight people. That is so far from the truth!
For people without food issues, eating disorders, etc., give that advice to "just stop eating", "just count calories" just... just.... Not everyone's brain is wired the same way. Not everyone can do this on their own. I know I "just" needed the surgery and a TON of therapy to lose this weight and those stupid advice-givers can "just" kiss my tush now!

I've probably heard them all:)
The problem with the chess analogy is that it's comparing apples and oranges. The impulse to eat (and therefore the cravings) come from the brain stem or "primative" brain. Our cognitive abilities (logical/rational thought, knowledge, etc.) originate from our frontal lobe. This is information from my therapist, by the way. Which is why I could read every diet or self help book out there, know all the right things to do to be healthy and, yet, I didn't put it into action. Eating is necessary to sustain life and is associated with comfort, love, and survival. Chess - you can live without.
To me, this analogy is no more than saying "you don't have any discipline or self-control" which many people believe about overweight people. That is so far from the truth!
For people without food issues, eating disorders, etc., give that advice to "just stop eating", "just count calories" just... just.... Not everyone's brain is wired the same way. Not everyone can do this on their own. I know I "just" needed the surgery and a TON of therapy to lose this weight and those stupid advice-givers can "just" kiss my tush now!

I've probably heard them all:)
The problem with the chess analogy is that it's comparing apples and oranges. The impulse to eat (and therefore the cravings) come from the brain stem or "primative" brain. Our cognitive abilities (logical/rational thought, knowledge, etc.) originate from our frontal lobe. This is information from my therapist, by the way. Which is why I could read every diet or self help book out there, know all the right things to do to be healthy and, yet, I didn't put it into action. Eating is necessary to sustain life and is associated with comfort, love, and survival. Chess - you can live without.
To me, this analogy is no more than saying "you don't have any discipline or self-control" which many people believe about overweight people. That is so far from the truth!
For people without food issues, eating disorders, etc., give that advice to "just stop eating", "just count calories" just... just.... Not everyone's brain is wired the same way. Not everyone can do this on their own. I know I "just" needed the surgery and a TON of therapy to lose this weight and those stupid advice-givers can "just" kiss my tush now!

Not keflek, he gave me carafate

MD said it could be an ulcer or gastritis, putting me on Keflek, which will coat my stomach, esophagus,etc. If it's an ulcer that will give immediate relief and we will then treat the ulcer. If that doesn't help, it may be a sphincter of odie issue (I need to research that), pancreatitis or something else, and we will do other testing to determine.
I also see my surgeon next week for my 1year appointment, so I will also get his opinion.

Rena- I'm 12 months post surgery and havent had issues with alcohol until recently. I could have 2-3 drinks over the course of an evening without issues. But I agree with everyone that I should stop all alcohol for now. That's not a hard thing to do (and if it is, then I have bigger problems!) I do enjoy drinking socially.
Whoknows- I thought about that, but they didn't say it was a kidney infection and I've finished the antibiotic and the pain is still there.
Mrs.RRn- I don't know if they ran the pancreatic enzymes. I'm going to have my doctor request the ER records. I'm actually in the waiting room now. I hope he can shed some light on what's going on.
Thanks for all your responses. It really helps to get others perspectives.

Wow, I'm so sorry you have to go through another complication. I also thought I am out of the woods since I am one year out, but now I'm worried. I've been having abdominal pain under my ribs on my right side. I actually went to the ER a week ago for it, but the CT scan and blood work was clear. I think there is something going on - I see my regular MD tomorrow. I would think that if it is my stomach, the pain would be up higher.
Thanks for sharing. It's always a good idea to be careful with our tummies:-)

Some of these symptoms should like what I have been experiencing pretty regularly but I don't think it's dumping. I have always had some IBS issues, but lately they are more and more frequent and I can't always pinpoint what causes the episodes. It usually hits me within 30 minutes of eating. Starts with severe cramping like gas that is trapped in my abdomen and I know I have to find a bathroom. Then I'm usually there for 20 minutes of cramping, and well, you know.... then it passes and I'm okay. I don't usually get the sweating or chills, and I don't pass out. It's almost a daily occurrence at this point, and it's very inconvenient, uncomfortable, and concerning. I've had this happen after eating ice cream, but also after eating a salad, so I really don't know what to do.

I am at 3 months and really starting to see the hair falling out:( I went to Sally's Beauty Supply and just started using their version of Nioxin called Nutri-ox. There is Shampoo, conditioner and a serum. They also have a product called Toppix that I plan to use if/when you can really tell my hair is thin. It is a keratin Fiber that electrostatically sticks to your hair and makes it look fuller. It doesn't come off untill you wash your hair. There was another thread here and some are really liking that product.

It really sounds like self-sabotage to me. And I'm not saying that to be judgemental - I know where you are coming from. I have sabotaged myself for years prior to the sleeve. I knew going into this surgery that I had issues with food. I abused it and I abused myself with it. So I started counseling 5 months before getting the sleeve because whether or not I was approved for the surgery, I knew my head had to change in order to have any lasting positive results. I am one year out and I'd been seeing my counselor EVERY week since (until she recently moved out of the country). I still feel some of my old issues resurfacing so I'm going to have to find a new counselor. My point is - get some help with these issues. You aren't alone in feeling this way or having these issues with food. But to be successful and, most importantly, not physically hurt yourself, you need to find out why you behave this way and figure out how to love yourself. You are worth the effort to take care of yourself. I honestly do not think I would be were I am without the couseling.

Thank you @@littlelaura, and actually I feel really great above anything else! My beginning weight was right around 250. I lost 20 pounds pre-op, and 75 post-op. I am 3 pounds from surgeons goal and 8 pounds from my personal goal. However, right now my priorities have changed from wanting to find the ideal number to striving for shaping my physique into one that is ideal, fit and strong. Good Luck to You!

My surgery team also stressed this, and specifically my surgeon, in a humorous way. He said I would need a new addiction now. I can shop, I can buy shoes, I can gamble, but I can't overeat. The psychologist was more serious, and said I needed to figure out what can give me joy. food has always given me joy, and now I'll need to figure out something else, or I'll go back to overeating.
I lost a lot of weight many years ago (not WLS) and dropped from 305 to 156 over two years. As I went down in size, I attended 12-step meetings several days a week, jogged on a track for three miles twice a week, and shopped for clothes every other minute. While also working full time and going to night school. I was single then, and had to fill the hours with activity or else I knew I would eat. The new skinny me met my husband at my high school reunion and we married a year later. I gained eleven pounds on my honeymoon, thirty with each of my two daughters, and it's been up from there ever since. I stopped all my healthy habits and dropped OA because he thought it was brainwashing, and I was too insecure to fight for myself. I did the "acceptable" Weight Watchers dozens of times since then, all ending in failure. At 302 pounds, I began to research WLS, and I am currently 3-1/2 weeks post-banding and have dropped 36 pounds since February.
Boy, this got long. LOL What I actually wanted to say was that during my shopping frenzy as a thinning person, I racked up some hefty credit card bills. One day my BFF and I were in Nordstrom's just passing through. We were dressed in sweats and weren't shopping there, just walking through. I saw a gorgeous evening gown and ran over to it. I'm talking beaded, floor length, stunning. The kind of dress that could only be worn to the Academy Awards. It was a size 10. We fawned over it and a saleslady came over and asked if I wanted to try it on. My friend and I busted out laughing, and said no thanks. She said, go ahead. Just try it on. I'll get you some pumps too. Well, I tried on that gorgeous dress and the shoes, and it fit. I stood there and my BFF and I just couldn't believe it. I felt like a movie star. That saleslady knew we were just walking by, but she gave me a gift I will never forget. For the first time in my life, I felt beautiful. Not thinner, not better than before, but beautiful. That dress was several thousand dollars. It went back on the mannequin, and a few weeks later was gone from the display.
I learned two things that day. I was beautiful. And I didn't have to spend a penny to try something on.
Afterwards, I modified my spending addiction into a trying-on addiction. I'd go to stores, try on some blouses and pants, and put them back. Once every couple of weeks I would purchase something affordable, instead of purchasing everything.
I am an addict, and I've given up overeating. I have no doubt my compulsive personality will seek out something new. I'm not in my twenties anymore, so the things I seek will be different. I expect I'll learn a lot about myself this time.
I hope some of this helps somebody. It was eye-opening for me to write it.

So I was shopping for new jeans this weekend and started in the Women's section of the store. Took a bunch of clothes into the dressing room (I think I have a shopping problem!) and realized as I tried on each item ... THEY WERE ALL TOO BIG!!! So I ventured over to the MISSES department (haven't shopped there in 10 years) and I fit into the L/XL shirts and a size 16 in Levi's. OMG - I am no longer in Plus sizes!! I was jumping up and down and giggling - I'm sure the other shoppers thought I was insane. But I was sooooo happy, I can't even begin to expain it Unfortunately the Levi's didn't fit me quite right, but I proceeded to New York & Co. and got my first ever pair of skinny jeans in a size ... wait for it... 14!!!! I started this journey at a size 22 so I'm just a little flippin excited