GinaCampbell

This totally boggles my mind and I'm sorry you weren't told these very basic things, nor did you find them in your extensive research. Some people can eat meat, some people can drink tea and coffee, some people can organise quick easy meals. So no amount of research on my part would have revealed that I might not be able to.

A couple things really hit home from your original post. First is that you did a tremendous amount of research pre-op and put a lot of time and effort into making this decision. It certainly was well thought out. The second thing that really struck a similar chord with me is your comment, "I myself am only 9 weeks post op and have had complications so I can't know what my future holds." I want to really key in on this. I didn't really feel alive and vibrant until somewhere between my 2nd and 3rd month. Prior to that the diarrhea, rumbling stomach, weird feels overall, dropping blood pressure and baggy clothes had me feeling strange and uncertain. Then....I found my stride. I found that life was normal. I was eating hearty cuts of succulent Protein........and then I was given the go ahead to have coffee.....blessed coffee. Things began getting back to normal....a new normal that was much better than any I'd known in decades. It continues to get better each week, too. Now....if I want, I can have the diet Dews and diet Cokes that I used to love.....and yes...I can even have them with some mixed nuts & cheese (one of my all time favorite snacks) so long as I stay within my daily calorie goals. I've yet to have the diet sodas simply because I have been without them for the better part of a year and don't miss them. I'm good with Water and coffee and an occasional diet Snapple or similar. I ask that you trust in your pre-op homework and demonstrated diligence. You put in tremendous thought into this back then. You've been through a major series of changes since and are truly at the infant stages of your post-op living. You are only 9 weeks out. I'll wager that in a few months you'll resist this thread with an update and I hope that it's one where you've found that things have normalized and everything is falling into place. Hang in there and thanks for being open, supportive and honest. That's the only way to roll. Thank you for your comments. The error I made in my research was that you can't know what you don't know. And I trusted that there were not holes in my research. And I wanted to lose weight. Even further, there are things that you just cannot know will happen until they happen. I am 10 weeks post op in a day or two, so nearly three months. I have pretty much gotten used to food being lost to me, in fact, I can't really be bothered these days. I eat Soup and drink alot of water. I try different foods frequently and have found that everything has changed. I just don't like food anymore. I know that eventually I might be able to eat more and better, but I am unsure that I will ever regain an interest in food. Now some folk will say "Hurrah! We cured the fatty of her gluttony!" And look, she is losing weight! Our job here is done. I am really pleased that the happy people are happy with their decision, truly I am. But for me, I have permanently harmed myself in a way that I cannot undo. You will never hear me say that this was right for me.

Hi Gina. I have IBS as well. I was hospitalized as a toddler for a week - diagnosis: nervous stomach. Which of course became Spastic Colon, then IBS. Now, at 54 I got so fed up with how I was feeling that i decided I wasn't going to feel like it another day. I started doing research. I discovered while doing research that sorbitol and other sugar alcohols are in so many things (xylitol, mannitol, etc.). Even in my toothpaste. And more importantly, I was taking Cipralex Meltz which contain sorbitol - I can honestly say I felt poisoned. So - lactose intolerant, IBS and a pretty bad intolerance for sugar alcohols (something I figured out 5-6 years ago but didn't know I was ingesting every single day). When I went to my doctor and explained all these thing she said - "I know what's wrong with you!" - She told me about the Low FODMAP diet - a Doctor in Australia (with celiac) discovered the correlation between certain foods and intolerances, and sugar alcohols and their effect on people with gastro-intestinal problems. The biggest factor for me has been removing sorbitol completely. I'm super vigilant about this. My brain-fog just disappeared, my gut/bowel was so much better after that. I'm fairly good at not eating the many fruits and vegetables, fructose, fructans, etc that are all part of this. I just could not understand why when I ate I avoided dairy but my almost instant diarrhea happened all the same. It was awful. I'm not completely out of the woods, but I feel control for the first time in my life! I downloaded the app, bought the book and haven't looked back. My IBS is one of my major concerns when it comes to getting the gastric sleeve operation. I'm very concerned about foods going through my system too quickly and making my life miserable due to the food bypassing the absorption in the small intestine and through to the large too quickly resulting in chronic diarrhea. I see my doctor August 11 and it'll be a question I'll be asking for sure. She may not know the answers but she may be able to send me to see somebody that does. I really think that you should try this diet, especially as you have IBS. Perhaps you already know about the Low FODMAP diet? If so, sorry I've wasted your time with this very long message! lol The protein shakes you're drinking - check the ingredients. Become familiar with all the sugar alcohols so you can recognize them when you read ingredient lists. Most people with IBS also have lactose intolerance. Do you have it? Protein shakes are an issue for me - it's also a concern if I get the sleeve surgery as the protein shakes are a necessity from what I know. I can't have things like sugar-free popsicles (probably have sorbitol), shakes if they have dairy or sugar alcohols/sorbitol, etc. Dieting usually means low-fat, low-sugar foods. I won't be able to ever have those items, so will need to always have whole foods only - no processed. I will need to have a protein shake chosen beforehand that doesn't bother me. If it bothers me before surgery it'll be a nightmare after. Please look at this diet - there are so many doctors that don't know about it. Find a dietician who knows about it and get some help from him/her. Check your toothpaste, your foods/drinks, gum, mints, sugar-free pop (btw I can't have aspartame either). Good luck - would be so nice if this is a big help for you :-) I was put on the low fodmap diet six years ago. I was not lactose intolerant before my sleeve but I am now. Thanks for the thought and the time you took to message me.

No, I was not told about any of this before surgery with the exception of the not eating and drinking together. The booklet we were given upon discharge was the first time we were given a list of "problem" foods. And no, I definitely would not have gone ahead had I seen this booklet first.

In America, legal action would get you what you want. Don't know about NHS in England. I tend to expect the worse from the government... Legal action can't give me what I want. And I am not a litigious person. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I've made quite a few long posts about why. It will be easier if you just go read those posts. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, maybe more now but that's because I can only get in 300 to 500 calories a day. I don't think it's a healthy way to lose weight. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you to everyone who has been open, honest and supportive. You will never see me be anything on here but the same.

Sophie, you really didn't understand my post. You are not accurate in what you commented. Eating"quickly and simply" is not eating fast. I never said anywhere that I want to eat large meals. Therefore your comments make no sense to me.

Take it easy Lulu. Walking is good but you have just had a major surgery. Asda do a great range of ice lollies (so far, none sugar free) that are super lo cal and great for hydration. So glad you are better and will feel much happier once you are home safe in the care of your GP! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I read some interesting comments today and I wanted to make something really clear. Out of all these people around the globe that are on this website, there are going to be some of us that have found post op, that this surgery was the wrong decision. If you want this website to be honest and truthful, a source of good solid information for people considering surgery and a source of support for people post op, then everyone's experiences should be welcome. The reason's I think this surgery was wrong for me has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with my post op complications! And as for comments about people who regret their surgeries and have complications because: • "houses were dirty" • "they didn't follow instructions" • "they haven't seen the great results yet" • "they are just negative people and negative people are more vocal So, just let me tell you this, some of us simply made a mistake. We thought this was a good plan, we took advice, did our research, attended the seminars and weigh ins (in my case, two years attending). We met our surgeons, we discussed our pre existing conditions, we spoke to our family and friends. I myself have a counsellor, did CBT counselling for the entire two years pre op and am deemed emotionally and mentally sound. (just as an aside, my NHS CBT counsellor did not agree with this surgery). I checked with my pain mgt team about the efficacy of my medications post op. And it was still a mistake! And so what? It happens. And people like me should be able to explain these things without others trying to negate our admission of this mistake by offering excuses as to why we are unhappy with our decision. I could have floated onto a cloud, had magical unicorns lick away my stomach, and woke up in paradise fully healed, sipping a cocktail in the sun and I would still tell you that this was a mistake for ME. And for many of my friends. It doesn't matter how many years post op I get, I will consider this a mistake. My house is not dirty, I followed instructions to the letter, I consider my bariatric discharge booklet my life guideline and I never variate. I keep in touch with anyone and everyone in my medical care stream that might be helpful. And complications happened. And yes, to many of us in our bariatric system. But again, it was not the complications that disturb us. We all have different reasons for regretting it. Most of us feel that we were misinformed, which doesn't help. My neighbour regrets her bypass because of her now permanent diarrhea and no improvement in her diabetes. She tells me that she has to think about food most of the day just to keep herself fed (choosing the right foods so as not to vomit), and she could have simply dieted harder if she had known she would have to think of food all day. She is three years post op and she still struggles with dehydration. Her hair never grew back after the initial drop out. I myself am only 9 weeks post op and have had complications so I can't know what my future holds. I miss eating quickly and simply in a way that doesn't have to be well thought out. I want to be able to eat a full salad, maybe even with dressings, without worrying about which component might not agree with me. I want to be able to eat any kind of meat I want cooked how I want in the quantity I want. I want to drink beverages with my meals. I miss a morning coffee or afternoon tea. I miss ice tea. (I know other people can drink it but I can't now). I don't want to have to plan my food day meticulously or be different from others around me eating. I want my medications to work again in the way they did pre op to control my fibromyalgia symptoms. And I have definitely seen weightloss results. As I was lying there starving to death for seven weeks, I have lost all but 20lbs of my expected and required excess weight to satisfy my healthcare team. ( I am still only getting around 500 cals a day in, but have constant diarrhea so who knows how much stays in). I now look "normal" except for the grey pallor in my skin and the nappy I now have to wear because of fecal incontinence (my IBS-d was totally controlled before surgery). I am six dress sizes smaller but can only leave my house if I don't eat anything and wear adult protection in case of Water causing an "accident". Or in case I become faint from lack of food and fall. So I do actually feel that had I read a forum entry like this, I might have thought twice. And that's a good thing. If people are scared, that's okay. Let them hear more than just "don't worry, I was fine, you will be too!" Because maybe they won't! So this is not about complications, it's about people. One size does not fit all. Some of us should have simply accepted our weight, or worked harder to diet it off. Had I taken in only 300 to 500 calories a day for 9 weeks pre op, I would have lost all this weight anyway. If you are happy, well done! If you are dead set on going ahead, ignore this. If you are a high BMI person (think 600lb life), God bless you, this may save your life, if you are a food addict, I feel your pain. You will still have to diet post op! You will still have to exercise. If you are undecided, then simply take a breath, think about it, really examine your food issues. Could you do more to lose weight? Could you move a bit more and eat a bit less? Anyway, I am where I am and I plan to make the best of what I have left. And I intend to keep making sure that pre op people have a good think and post op people like me have someone they can talk to. Thanks to everyone who is supporting me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How are you today? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was on Clear liquids for six weeks and now a chicken Soup is always my go to because I know my sleeve likes it. I made a beef broth today that was really nice too. Icelollies (popscicles) are such a nice change in the warm weather. Cream Soups didn't agree with me but as you move to full liquids (soup with stuff in), they are so easy to make and you can put in what you can tolerate. Carrots in soup work for me, potatoes do too but I am trying to stay carb low. You can even blend commercial beef stews etc if you don't like cooking. Not all liquids are equal! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! My fibro, CFS was why I did this. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I would never go down that avenue. Yes, I think that they should stop the program and spend all their time healing us until we are well. I think that we should be their priority but the NHS doesn't work that way. I am really suffering. And they don't seem to know what to do now. I would like to be referred to a gastroenterologist asap but it seems I just have to go through the system. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have fibromyalgia, CFS and IBS-D. My blood tests were coming back really bad and the pre op assessment unit weren't happy to go ahead but the anaesthetist overrode their decision and the surgery was done. Had I known my blood results and what they meant, I certainly wouldn't have gone ahead. Yes I think the change in my stomach has affected my bowel condition. Imodium and codeine don't work now and I don't know why. So I can't control the problem, so I have to stay home near my bathroom. Fibromyalgia is such a bizarre affliction, I can't tell you in which ways this has had an impact. I am certainly in alot of pain and the shock of all of this must be aggravating my fibro and CFS. I discussed all of this at great length with my bariatric team. They just said, don't worry about it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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No results back from the labs but my nurse specialist is on holiday so not around to chase up. I am dreading the colonoscopy as my insides are so sore and inflamed. Plus, I am really frightened that the harsh enema prep will harm my new 9 week old stomach as well as further wreck my digestive system. I know it sounds silly, but I am also really scared of complications from the actual procedure. I haven't had alot of luck lately. So, I am sad and tearful, in alot of pain and frightened. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am just so exhausted from the complications. After nine weeks of tumbling from crisis to crisis, I am becoming very depressed and so physically exhausted that I simply don't know how to carry on. My GP, surgeon and bariatric team have all but given up as they say they just don't know how to help me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It al depends really. Some meds are crushable, some aren't. Some can be ordered as liquid, some can't. If your surgeon told you to crush them and take them, then he must know what he is doing. You really do need to get some proper advice. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have tried all different Protein powders, drinks, greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, regular milk, lacto free milk, eggs, cheese. You name it, I have tried it. Tried baby food, slim fast, complan, fortisip, nurishment etc. Nothing stays in and most of them threaten to come back up. Imodium doesn't stop the diarrhea nor does codeine phosphate. The only relief I get from diarrhea is when I sleep and if I eat nothing. So I drink Water in the morning, have chicken soup at lunchtime and a beef based thicker soup or stew around 5 pm. I am in and out of the loo from morning and it stops when everything is out by around 7 pm. Then it all starts again the next day. If I try to eat more substantial meals ( small amounts of shredded chicken, beef, egg etc with mash ), I get dreadful cramping behind my belly button in addition. I am supposed to be having a colonoscopy Thursday but am so scared that the enema I have to drink will hurt my stomach and cause me more pain but what can I do? I did go with my little one to pizza hut and pushed bits around my plate. There was nothing that I was really allowed to eat. I would have been much happier just ordering some water and just socialising. My granddaughter would have been okay with that. It's the adults that seem to struggle. Nevermind. From now on, I am just going to avoid meals out until I am more stable physically and mentally. And yes, had to rush to the loo during lunch. Pizza hut had really a really nice disabled toilet, I thank them! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

All my antibiotics had to be liquid, they were not crushable. Please check with your GP asap. I was not cleared to take any tablets for six weeks. In fact, as I have been ill, I still only take small tablets, the rest I use liquids. You should also be taking an acid reducer, in the UK we are given lansoprazole. We take that for six months. It's given as a dispersible tablet for the first six weeks. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

These were my instructions. I stayed on this from day three to seven weeks out. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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