jhope71

I’m having this problem too. I’m wondering if it’s related to the fact that we don’t consume as much fat in our diet since we’re not eating as much food in general now. Plus what we do eat isn’t broken down or absorbed like it used to be. What do y’all think? I wonder if there are any supplements that would help?

13 hours ago, Rainbow_Warrior said:

You might favour using straws and prefer to be backed up in your choice by your nutritionist's/clinic's choice of advice BUT this is not the best information for gastric surgery patients post-op.

I was told that by a trained professional who is herself a post-op gastric patient, in a nutrition class FOR POST-OP GASTRIC PATIENTS. My nutritionist is not an "outlier," but is a certified professional who works in conjunction with my surgeon, in his own office. I'm sorry it doesn't match your opinion, but it's what we were taught. Besides, I emphasized taking small sips, even with a straw.

See, my nutritionist is a lot more realistic. We can use straws as long as we sip slowly and don't gulp air like kids tend to do. Gum is fine, because it helps clean your teeth and (if you're impatient like me) it gives you something to do during that 30-minute wait after a meal til you can drink again. I'm almost seven months out and I've used straws almost from the start with no issues. Every doctor/nutritionist is different!

Yes - try to see a gastroenterologist, not a bariatric doctor. At this point in the game, you need a specialist!

Mine reduced the self-pay fee because I was also having a hiatal hernia repaired, which was covered by insurance. I had to pay up front, and he was able to bill it and get it covered as one operation, so it seems I didn't need to pay all that anyway. I'm currently waiting on more than $5K in a refund from the hospital. Surgery was in April, and I'm getting the run-around. The whole insurance industry is a mess!

Also, while you're calling around, ask about supplemental BLIS insurance. My surgeon offered that for self-pay patients, and it covers a year of followup visits and any possible complications. Well worth the money. I think it was around $2500. Sounds like a lot, but worth the peace of mind.

Sounds like a stricture to me, and dehydration/malnutrition can definitely affect your mental state. What tests has she had? Did they do an endoscopy to check her pouch and her opening? Is she seeing her bariatric surgeon, or a gastroenterologist? She needs special care and more testing. Praying you get some answers and she recovers soon.

I don't always pee steadily anymore. Sometimes it's a little at a time, and it takes a few minutes to get it all out, so to say. I've always had a shy bladder, but it has gotten a little worse since surgery. I guess my body is still adjusting to all the shifting around it went through with my RnY bypass?

Your system needs Water to keep things "moving" correctly. And Berry78 is right - it doesn't always have to be plain water. Try flavored water, tea, coffee, things like that. Dehydration causes lots of other problems in bariatric patients like us, so drink up!

Definitely a "thing." I don't even have periods anymore from a hysterectomy, but I still have my ovaries and still stall out once a month when I ovulate/PMS. It's frustrating, but temporary. Part of the beauty of womanhood! LOL

Sending thoughts and prayers! Have you had your gallbladder checked? Keto doesn't have to be all fat all the time, but a little bit of fat shouldn't make you miserable. If you've got gallstones or gallbladder problems, it can cause problems digesting fat.

As for the reflux, sleeves can make that much worse, and I've heard of plenty of people needing revisions from a sleeve to a gastric bypass for that very reason. Hope you get some answers soon!

Yes, it depends on your surgery. If you had the sleeve, you're just not eating as much. If you had the bypass or the switch, you're not eating as much AND you're not absorbing as much from your food, including Vitamins. For most of us, vitamins are required for life. It may not show up this early, but I've read about horrible things happening down the road, like teeth falling out, bones getting brittle, Hair loss, malnutrition. Do you really want to take that chance?

PCOS causes Hair loss, not Metformin. It's from the imbalance of hormones, and having an elevated testosterone. I took Spironolactone to help with it before my surgery, but that's not safe to take if you're trying to conceive. My doctor recommended using extra-strength Rogaine, too. I'm not sure about the safety of it - you'll have to read the package.

My surgeon took me off all PCOS meds after my bypass, and even though the PCOS is under control now through diet, I lost even more hair after my surgery. I'm hoping it stops falling out and starts growing back soon. It's getting pretty thin up there! I don't have any other suggestions. Coloring my hair helped it look a little thicker, but not much.

Best of luck!

I saw the question in the "Recent Topics" sidebar and answered it. Please forgive me for contaminating your precious man-cave with my estrogen.

Or it could reverse direction and you'll be burping 24/7 like me five months out. So annoying!

I was on liquids for more like 6 weeks all told, so I know your pain! Are you allowed Jello, broth, or suger-free popsicles? It helped me to have a lot of variety. Hot broth feels good going down, popsicles gave me something to chew, jello wasn't my favorite, but at least I could use a spoon for it instead of drinking. LOL

A little of it was because food=love for me growing up, but the vast majority of my weight came from PCOS. But I still have a bit of an issue with wanting food as a reward. I saw a great quote the other day, though: "Do not reward yourself with food. You are not a dog!"

It's probably the blood thinner they give you to prevent blood clots. I had bruises like that around each injection site, for weeks!

You're off to a great start with that attitude! I like the non-food rewards idea. I shop at thrift stores for smaller clothes while I'm shrinking. I also look for fun ways to get fluids in. Flavored waters, iced coffees, cute Water bottles, etc. Anything that makes it more doable! :-)

Crackers and toast are empty carbs, so be careful with them. I try to limit my "crunchy stuff" to raw veggies, parmesan crisps, nuts, Pork rinds, etc. Most of those are for later on, after the soft foods stage, though. Hang in there!

Glad you found the cause. I was gonna say at this early point, it could just be after-effects from anesthesia, or body trauma, or just being in the hospital. I don't have the "equipment" you do, but heck, your body's been through a lot and plenty of us had weird stuff going in those first few days. Good luck!

The unused part of the stomach still produces acid and stuff to help digest food. It reconnects down lower in your intestines to help digest the food that goes through your pouch. And like others said, it still produces hormones, though I'm not sure that's the main reason it's left. I think it's there to improve digestion, since your pouch alone doesn't make enough acid to do the job. That's the way my surgeon explained it, at least.

I had that, too. I ended up using a cortisone aerosol spray, over-the-counter from Walmart. My whole torso was one big rash. It was awful! Hope you get some relief soon!

Add me to the list! I'll lose a few, stall for a week, lose a few more, stall again, etc. Frustrating, but at least the overall trend is downward, right? LOL

I think most of us have gone through some emotional adjustments. Surgery itself is a big undertaking, and some folks get depressed as a side effect from the anesthesia. Losing weight is huge, too, and the whole process is stressful. Don't be too hard on yourself, and give yourself time to adjust to your new body and new way of life. It'll get better, I promise!

The first few days on liquids are the hardest. By day three, you'll be feeling better. Hang in there, and keep the end goal in mind!