Defying Gravity

I'm 5 and a half years out also. I take pamiprexole for the GERD which is terrible otherwise. I also can't lie down within a couple hours of consuming anything except Water or I wake up choking on stomach acid. My doctor said this is not normal and offered to sever some nerve but that freaked me out so I just deal with it. I also hate the stomach talking ALL THE TIME. People at work think I'm always hungry and it's beyond embarrassing. Even when it's not growling, it's just gurgling or sounds gross and I am sure people don't know what's happening in there but are too polite to ask. I also have very bad insulin resistance so I regained some weight but intermittent fasting is helping with that. Other than those things, I feel like I did pre-surgery, lol. Sometimes I regret the surgery but most of the time I'm glad I did it. It's definitely a lifestyle change that most people do not understand. Eating healthy and watching myself is fine and easy to do but some of the other little things I mentioned make it frustrating at times. They're not a huge deal though.

Even though this is an old conversation: thanks for sharing everyone, it helps me. I feel like the stomach noises are getting worse but maybe I'm just more aware of them now that I'm working in an office and before I did freelance work from home. I'm many years post op and the noises are so embarrassing. I usually pretend they aren't happening but sometimes it's hard not to be embarrassed. I worry people think I'm belching with my mouth closed or something or sometimes the sounds are just so weird that I don't know what people even think about it, haha. I haven't figured out any pattern or rhyme or reason and my doctor's office said that there could be tons of reasons and they didn't seem to concerned about investigating it. It helps to know that I'm not the only one though!

I do not remember exactly because I'm years post-op but I do find it odd. I'm pretty sure I was told to hit my Protein as well; however, perhaps they were saying that because they did not want you to exceed your caloric intake trying to hit your protein goals? That's the only reason I can think they would give you that advice. If I recall correctly, at 1 week you are still on clear fluids and even a Protein Shake is too thick... I agree, it's weird though.

Hey guys!

I have new insurance after having to do 2 years on medi-cal but my bariatric surgeon is not covered under my PPO so I can't go ask him this question, unfortunately.

I just ordered the Celebrate complete multivitain with Iron. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VTD7E8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just realized from the label that it has 500mg of b-12 in it. Has anyone spoken to their doctor about this supplement and do they still have to take their b-12 on the side?

If no one knows, I will go ask my primary but I'd rather check here first.

Thanks!

18 minutes ago, aNYCdb said:

No I mean the gastric sleeve vs. lap-band. Both are laparoscopic and the only reason that the sleeve isn't outpatient is because they have to make sure you are able to get enough liquids on your own before releasing you. That said I was speaking about it in terms of long term complications, which is the reason that you find fewer and fewer surgeons willing to perform the procedure.

All that said, obviously from a 30-day serious complication perspective lap band is going to be "safer" because as you said it's less invasive, but at this point I believe the serious complication rate for RNY, LapBand, and VSG are all under 1%.

My point to the OP was that she has already been through this and the VSG is going to be no big deal.

Ah, yeah that makes sense. The lapband actually really messed me up but once I healed from my sleeve, I was fine.

28 minutes ago, aNYCdb said:

This is such a minor surgery compared to lap band, nobody is rerouting any plumbing, just making your stomach smaller so you get full faster. Just curious when you say you had lap band surgery in 2007 does that mean this is a revision surgery or did you previously have the band removed?

I think you mean the bypass. The lapband is laparoscopic and outpatient - removing part of the stomach is a bigger surgery.

You can do this! I was excited for mine because my body rejected the lapband. But it’s still a huge surgery which is always scary. Just focus on your goals and the bigger picture. You’re taking a step forward to a better future. best wishes to you!

I realize this is an old topic but it’s came up for me when I was searching for Calcium info. I just read that calcium carbonate doesn’t work as well post bariatric surgery because it can block some of the absorption of Vitamin b (because of our low stomach acid production). Just wanted to add that for anyone else who comes across this question wanting to know!

I don't know why but the bypass freaked me out! I didn't even want to consider it, even though the sleeve is permanent. Best of wishes to you - I honestly think that it's the best decision I ever made. I say, whatever you instinctively feel more comfortable with is probably the best choice, though I encourage you to ask around as much as possible because there's nothing to truly prepare you for the surgery, so it's best to be excited about it and feel informed going in.

Congrats and hope that you're doing well!

The best advice from me is to follow your doctor's post-op plan to the letter. I lost most of my weight in 4 months and all I did was do exactly what they told me to do, literally. That means with food introduction, supplements and everything!

Best of wishes to you!

Well, I found out something that I can't believe I didn't know. Do you weigh yourself at home? Because I found out last month that I was not supposed to. I stopped and have continued losing. It's not like the first month of course, but still pretty good. Some vets at my support group said that when they weighed themselves even once a week, they would get onto these plateaus where they wouldn't lose for months. They started only weighing in at their appointments and never had another one.

It's psychological I guess, because when you are weighing yourself or measuring yourself even, you tend to focus on your successes and failures, both of which can get in the way. I was told you can get complacent if you see yourself doing well, or you can get frustrated if you stay the same or don't lose. So it just affects people emotionally which does make a difference. Not something I'd ever thought of before.

Oh was writing that when you responded, so I didn't see that you HAVE spoken to your doctor...

Have you spoken with your doctor about this? I mean, I don't know your situation, but sometimes family doesn't really know what's best. As for the blood sugar drops, I'd talk to your endocrinologist as well. Maybe eating some fruit would help before your workout?

My family has been saying that I need to eat more too. They are glad I'm losing and want me to keep doing it but they think I'm going to be malnourished or something. My bariatric doc says things are going well and to keep doing what I'm doing. My family doesn't understand anything that is going on with my sleeve, so I take their concerns with a grain of salt, though I do like to acknowledge to them that I understand where they are coming from.

What do you think about it? Intuitively, do you agree with them? You and your doctor know what's best.

chips or crackers. I have an aversion to sweets now but I have to prevent myself from getting any chips or crackers or I'll just go through them! Sounds like I'm not alone here! (Unless I use avacado or something and then I get really full)

i was sleeved a few years back too and had it slip and needed it removed. to make a long story short, I regained the 75 lbs i lost plus about 10 more over the past 5 years without the sleeve. I have been on the fence about getting sleeved too only because I hear its still the same amount of work to lose the weight as before being sleeved. if thats the case then why risk myself and have another surgery? If there is no befeift on having the sleeve done then why do it? i hear so many people say they work just as hard after being sleeved as they did before the sleeve. This all confuses me and just makes me think Ill keep trying at it on my own. Im feeling so hopeless...

I wanted to just say something really quick, because I hope this is helpful to others, but it's an amazing tool. Yes, it's very hard to do, if not harder than the band. But you've already worked so hard with the band and if it is not helpful for you, why press on through the struggles and constant frustration? Losing weight is hard regardless and the band is a lot of work. But the sleeve is too, just in different ways. It's much more restricting and traumatizing to the body, but at the same time, it's worth it (IMHO), to be working really hard at it and succeeding than putting yourself through the pain of fighting against your band. It's a massive benefit, but also only a tool, just like the band is.

I haven't read the responses yet, but I wanted to tell you that I failed with the band too and was worried about the same thing. For 3 years I tried to make it work. At one point I was down 48 pounds because I was doing insanity videos daily and keeping a strict food log. Well, it took me 2 years. I went up and down and up and down. I have PCOS which gives me an insulin resistance. After extreme stress, I ended up gaining it all back. By the time of my surgery, I was almost the same weight as when I went in for the band in 2010. So I understand that fear, totally.

That being said, yes, your hunger will go away. But not the head hunger. The feeling of being hungry doesn't go away on its own. I didn't realize this when I had the sleeve. So, there's lots of reasons for that. It could be gas, that makes you feel hungry and your stomach growls a LOT the first month, but digestive enzymes and a good probiotic help that. Then there's also the Protein shakes and Water consumption that can affect that. Finally, if you are still hungry, it's probably just head hunger. There's nothing you can do about that but distract yourself from the thought of food.< /p>

I had a hard time with head hunger for a little while. For 3 weeks or so (not right away), after my surgery, I would think I was starving to death of hunger around 7 or 8 PM. Then I stopped thinking about it, distracted myself any way that I could, and did not let anything go into my body but Water or a shake if I HAD to. Then it went away and now food doesn't even really enter my mind anymore.

So, my best advice based on my struggles and failures is to really, really consider what might be causing your head hunger. For me, it was because I would begin to unwind around that time and my mind would relax and I'd want to just mindlessly nibble. So I found other ways to relax. If you can find the reason that you eat, if it's emotional or not, and think you can control it, you WILL find great success with the sleeve.

I weigh in today for the first time in about 3 weeks at the doc. But so far I'm at 2 months and lost over 40 pounds.

Hopefully I was helpful... ?

I just realized I might not have really answered your question. About the doctor, I say that you should see if he has groups you can attend and get more information on him and find out how reputable he is. I would do that regardless, because it's a major surgery. If he doesn't offer support after the surgery in the form of support groups, regular post-operative visits, classes, etc. I would also think hard about the doctor. But the real thing it boils down to is whether or not you are ready for this and I would strongly advise you to not let him pressure you. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk more or anything, I'm happy to just lend an ear any time.

I like your outlook Brant, thanks for adding. I think you're right. I get uncomfortable sometimes but shouldn't.

I am sorry to hear you feel this way. Believe me, I understand. I gained all of my weight about 8 months after I got together with my boyfriend and developed agorophobia and social anxiety. We've been together for 9 years as of this coming Valentine's Day, and for a year I wouldn't go anywhere with him, and if I did, I was a mess. I was also paranoid about him leaving me.

So I can relate to your feelings and I can also say that you can get through this and thrive.

Please realize that you're doing the right things already. Please, speak to a psyachiatrist AND a psychologist if you can, for right now. The psychiatrist can only prescribe meds. The psychologist will help you to deal with the emotional issues, and how you treat yourself. Remember that the surgery can lead to major depression also, but it sounds like this may be beyond that, and they can help you. It's best to get ones that work together as a team.

Your husband sounds really supportive. Being open with him about your fears is good, but also telling him how he can help you will help HIM. Men like to fix things and get frustrated when they don't know how. Even if it's just a matter of, "I'll be ok, I just need to work through this on my own" will help your relationship. But updating him on your progress with therapy or meds will make a big difference too so that he doesn't feel like you're pushing him away.

You are doing the right thing with your surgery and weight loss goals - you've taken the first steps! You'll get through this.

Also, I honestly was only trying to relate to you, I did not mean to make this post about me at all. I hope that it didn't come off that way. If you want to talk, PM me any time. I log in once a day.

My thoughts are with you and I send you all the positive energy that I can.

My doctor told me to absolutely tell them if I have any issues like this. You might be having "dumping syndrome"... Do you have any idea what triggered it? If you had something "new" to eat, maybe your body is overreacting. I would call the doctor either way. If it is a bug, at least you'll have peace of mind that it's nothing to do with your body.

Absolutely drink more Water, and Emergen-C has 1,000 mg of Vit C in it, and when I was an athlete we were told at meets to drink it because it hydrates faster. Also another tip on hydration: Cold Water absorbs faster.

Hope that I was able to help somewhat....

I'd at least call your doc and ask if you should take an anti-diarrhea OTC.

@HealthyNewMe Agreed. I was saying that too, but it might not have been clear.

I agree Janet, I was told when I had diabetes (reversed it with the lap-band though) to keep a food diary. Well, it was soooo hard to do before with just paper and stuff (this was in 2008).

So when I got on nutrisystem last year (I did it for almost a year) I used their iphone app to record stuff and got HOOKED.

When I quit nutrisystem, I was so used to it that I can't really live without one now. The control freak in me loves knowing exactly what and how much of every little thing is going into my body.

Kay9400:

I don't know why, but bypass scared me. You'd think that it wouldn't be as scary as the sleeve, but I just freaked at the idea of having my intestines moved around, even though the sleeve is irreversible and the bypass is not. I am so happy with the sleeve... and the way that I've become so averse to sugar and sweet... I can't imagine being sick (or getting "dumping syndrome") from sugar AND fat like the bypass patients do.

I did a lot of research, but reading blogs and watching youtube videos with testimonies of people a year or longer out, that really helped me in my decision. Good luck.

I use myfitnesspal and runtastic together, and a heart rate monitor wrist watch.

But I also really like LoseIt but I don't want to pay $39.99 for the ability to log my Water, etc. I would rather use LoseIt, but like I said, I just use the lite version...

I am addicted to myfitnesspal too though, I love everything even my emergen-c.

I don't think so because heart rate factors in. I have a great one from New Balance that I got on sale from Target for like $40 bucks, but I think normally it's $70. They say the one around your chest is best, but I am super happy with my little wrist watch one. It does the time and then if you check your heart rate every few minutes, it'll give you a more accurate reading on your calories.

I also use runtatstic, I love it!! I use both. I actually just got home from a 30 minute walk and runtastic said almost 300 cals, but my heart rate monitor said almost 387, I think. I inputed the walk into myfitnesspal and it was a little higher (said 424). So I think it's close, but not great.

Just noticed how old this post is, but I'll add it anyway, as maybe other people are still wondering?

@nursebeccarn have you tried taking digestive enzymes? They are super cheap and have helped me a LOT. Also a probiotic, I have heard helps supplement the antacids, as it keeps your stomach/intestines working. Just a suggestion! My mom loves thrift stores but I have OCD so I can't go into them, unfortunately, though I've been on Poshmark lately checking out the deals and love it. Seems like most everyone is like a small though, so I haven't bought anything yet.

Welcome Gigi1219! How are you doing?