Daisee68

OK I have been drinking from a straw however my Dr office told me yesterday not too - puts air in my stomach. But do we know how that is a bad thing? I mean it doesn't seem to cause me to sip too much or give me gas. Having just had a stricture though and being a stern rule follower, I am trying to figure out if this is just nonsense and Ok to not follow or if there is real credence to it. I find I get in much more fluid if I use a straw. I know this seems a silly thing to be struggling with but I swear it is really bugging me - more than not getting soda (which I will strictly follow). Any thoughts?

2 1/2 weeks and wished I had taken at least 3.

Ugh! So frustrating! So sorry that happened! Your doctor was just looking out for you but I cant even imagine the disappointment. Glad you have a hepatologist. Definitely a good place to start. I think 2nd opinion from another surgeon might be a good idea. And I don't want to derail you but I just wanted to pass on what little I know on the subject... My aunt had fatty liver / Cirrhosis and she proceeded with bypass (back in 2010). Her doctors advised her liver was pretty far gone at this point, so they did the bypass as a last ditch effort to get the weight off. (This is really before sleeve was widely practiced.) She was a diabetic and while she did lose weight, she didn't really follow any of the food instructions and she stayed sick. Knowing what I know now, I think she was dumping constantly. I am very sorry to say that she passed away 3 1/2 years after surgery, but I really don't think the bypass had that much to do with it. It was more that she didn't change her lifestyle so her diabetes got worse which upped her insulin and therefore made her liver worse, etc. Fast forward to this year and my mom has been very worried she would have liver issues (also diabetic) and she has asked several drs but they never did anything. Finally got a new dr and they did an ultrasound and sent her to a hepatologist who told her she had Cirrhosis. She was telling dr about her sister (my aunt) and the dr said that they used to think bypass would have a positive result on cirrhosis but now they have found that it can actually make it worse and strongly advising her not to pursue weight loss surgery. Seriously not trying to discourage you at all. Just wanted to advise what I knew since it was recent. I think seeing someone at Johns Hopkins who seems to be at the top of their game for research is a great idea. Plus if your hepatologist didn't seem that concerned about it, then maybe my mom's dr was just more conservative. Hopefully you can do some more research and others from here with similar will give some advice. Keep us updated!

chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad?

Glad they figured it out for you! I got really sick last week and went to the ER after 2 days of not keeping down food and Water and all they did was a CT scan, found nothing and sent me home. Kept vomiting the next day so my surgeon arranged EGD on the 4th day and found that I too had a stricture. Mine was very very small so they dilated it some but sent me to GI dr who I am told will have to do several dilations as they can only stretch it so far at a time. I was told to stick with liquids for a while. Just FYI in case they didn't tell you in the hospital. I have my 2nd dilation scheduled for 9 a.m. tomorrow 6 days after first). Hope to have some more info and will let you know if I find out anything of importance.

@@catwoman7 - You mean it can happen again? How far apart? Did you have the first one dilated more than once and it just grew back? Ugh I really hope not! I will be anxious to find out what they say to tomorrow! And so very ready to have food again. Did you have to stick with liquids after each dilation for a long time?

I got a call from the GI Dr and have scheduled another EGD/dilation for tomorrow at 9 am. I'm a little anxious since it is so soon after the last one (6 days) but I questioned and they said it was fine. I guess getting it done sooner rather than later is best so I can eventually get back to (or maybe really start to) eating more normally. I'm starting to worry about how to even start over but I will deal with that when I get there. I know I can always come here for great encouragement and tips.

Well not to worry you but I had similar problem and found out I had a stricture which is apparently a fairly common problem. The exit from my stomach was so small the Dr could barely get the scope through. They had to dilate it but can only do so a little at a time so they have to do it a few times. (I am 3 months post-op this weekend). I would suggest you call your surgeon and see if you can get them to schedule and endoscopy.

I agree with @djmohr. I had a July 4th party at my house only 1 month after surgery. The head hunger wasn't really that bad and I made sure there were a couple of things I could eat and had my protein shake before everyone got here. I would just encourage you not to shut yourself out of celebrations. I promise you that you will have more resolve than you realize and it won't be as much of a battle as you think.

I don't have any advice but just wanted to say so sorry you are going through all this! I hope they figure it out and fix you up soon!

You're welcome. I actually changed locations per-op because I felt the NUT was way off base and disinterested. Way happier with the choice I made! There are individual NUTs out there. Just be sure they specialize in WLS patients; otherwise, you will be even more confused.

I found the info I mentioned above for one of the experts. Her signature says: "Elizabeth Anderson MA, RD, LD Elizabeth Anderson is a registered and licensed dietitian in New Hampshire with a private practice called CrackerJack Nutrition. Elizabeth specializes in weight management with a focus in non-judgmental bariatric surgery support. Elizabeth sees patients in her office and via Skype. Email her for a 15 complimentary session to see if she can help you. eliz@crackerjacknutrition.com." I don't know her nor have used her but maybe she could be of help?? It sure sounds like your current NUT isn't helping.

​Well that is frustrating. Have you consider trying a new NUT? Not sure where you are in TX, but I am able to use someone who does their appts over the phone. It is great. I send them my food logs before our appt and then we spend about 30 minutes talking about changes. I think there was one of the experts on this site offering the same thing. The only confusing part could be that they might think differently than your surgeon but at this point, not sure you have anything to lose.

I don't know that I have a lot of suggestions. Are you logging every single bite you take? How much Protein are you getting per day? How much calories, carbs, fat, etc.? How about your Water intake? Are you eating protein first and then veggies and then carbs if room left? Did the NUT review your food logs?

Sometimes the hunger is actually acid reflux. See if you can try a Zantac. That really helped me.

Just had one Friday. I was very nervous but as everyone said, it was very fast. I think they said I was asleep 15 minutes and that included balloon dilation (I am 12 weeks post-op and have a stricture). No sore throat but I had sinus pain for about 48 hours - front he oxygen they out in my nose I think.

I understand it to be starting weight also; however, I have also read not to go under 40 BMI (or 35 with co-morbidities). I would ask the surgeon but I would bet they are going to submit whichever one they think will get you approved. Great weight loss pre-op by the way!! Keep up the good work!

Yes I was told that too. I guess he is over cautious but then so am I I just have a feeling I will be sat somewhere quite and away from my co workers for the rest of the week My poor hubby though... he might be moving out before then LOL! I hear ya! And combined with the liquid pre-op. I was not a pleasant person to be around for sure! Hope its over for you soon!

That is scary but you have several steps before you have to pay. First call your insurance and find out for sure they have paid the correct amount and appeal it if you don't agree. If it is paid correctly, you will be able to negotiate with the hospital. They should only be able to Bill you for that amount above what insurance didn't pay of the CONTRACTED amount. Hospitals are always going to try to bill you the largest amount hoping you don't question it. Question the heck out of it and negotiate. Good luck!

Oh I'm sure you didn't. Every Dr is different. My surgeon actually hadn't told me but my endocrinologist did so I called the surgeon and asked who confirmed it but then they never told me at pre-op or hospital release so I just stuck with what they originally told me. It has something to do with potential for blood clots.

Amazing!! Great job!!

I had to stop HRT the week before and the week after only.

Third day is the worst. Should get easier tomorrow. Excedrin did help me too

Re those eating whatever they want so early, wonder how successful they will be long term. My bet - not very. If they don't battle their internal demons, they will gain it back. This can be a frustrating experience but try to keep your eye on the long term prize and don't envy those that aren't following the rules and revel in the fact that you can make sure you will not be one of those. The restriction will come when you start eating more dense foods. Meanwhile, measure and track and stop when you are satisfied. That takes a while to learn because it is so different than our former mindset. And if you don't have a therapist, try to find one specializing in Bariatrics / food issues. Best money I have spent. Don't know how people get thru this without it - except for some of the amazing support and advice on this board. Those that have done this before us sometimes show us tough love because they know what's best for us and how we can be successful.

Definitely liquids including protein if at all possible but most importantly do not dehydrate. I have a stricture they just found and wasn't able to keep food or protein down. They were more worried about fluid and sent me to ER to get fluids so that I didn't dehydrate. I am almost 3 months out and without my protein I survived but am definitely hungry and weak. They dilated the stricture and told me to stickbwoth liquids for a week including 2 to 3 protein drinks so in short they worry about both. Do you have a therapist you can call that might help to talk through your situation? I hope it resolves quickly. Do your best Ronstadt healthy so you can get to the other side of your situation.