Kat410

Can someone explain to me why there is so much talk of Gas-X post op?
Am I missing something here? I thought the gas pain was from the CO pumped into the abdominal cavity during surgery which has nothing to with gas in the GI tract.
Is this a myth/misinformation that we tolerate on these boards or is there an actual basis for taking Gas-X post-operatively that I am clueless about?
Can someone please explain this (and I mean the medical basis, not something that was read on the internet)

I never had a problem drinking liquids, including broths and Protein Shakes right after surgery. I didn't start to "feel" the restriction until about 4 weeks after surgery when I began introducing solid foods. I felt no restriction on liquids and pureed foods.
I also did feel hunger, but the hunger would disappear as soon as I ate something of nutritional value. In my personal experience, the nature of the hunger was different than pre-surgery. It was less intense, felt more like an "alert" or "reminder" (I know that might sound weird, but it registered that way) and I didn't have the kind mental preoccupation about what to eat, what I wanted to eat, what was going to satisfy me, etc.
It seems to me that there are a lot of sensations (physical, mental and emotional) that we call hunger - but I have been dissecting this for myself and come to the conclusion they are not all the same.
What worked for me was to put myself on a schedule with Protein shakes and broths in the first week.

Well, you're losing at a faster rate than me...I had lost a whopping 27.5 pounds at 2 months post-op. Still, I was pleased with this once I put it into perspective.
When's the last time you lost 36 pounds in 2 months via diet/exercise prior to surgery? I assume the answer is "Never." That's an average of 18 pounds monthly, which is significant.
I had 100 pounds to lose. After my first 2 months, I lost at a rate of 3 to 6 pounds monthly. What's important is the big picture: I kept plugging away at it, lost 100 pounds in 17 months and reached my goal weight.
There's a saying: "Slow and steady wins the race, while fast and crass doesn't last." This is your personal marathon, not a sprint. You didn't become obese overnight, so you aren't going to lose it all overnight.
Good luck to you.

You look amazing!!! Such great work - you should be soooo proud of yourself!

First I want to say that at 2 year currently I don’t consider myself a success because, losing weight is easy, maintaining is the hard part. I really hope that some people that have maintain for some years post here.
Most of the posts from long term WLS patients are about their failures, regain and trying to “get back on the wagon”. We need more positive posts for people that are doing well and enjoying their post-op life.
Hopefully this can be a resource for other people.

I followed my post-op plan to the letter almost for the first 6 months. I did not heavily experiment, I did not push limits. I did not advance my food stages. This provided a mental reset that completely changed my outlook and relationship with food. The mental reset from following the food stages and changing my relationship with food in the first 6 months was the most valuable experience. I do not feel deprived. I found a way of eating that does not feel like a diet. I can eat food that I enjoy and I still really love and enjoy eating food. Food enriches my life, it doesn’t control my life. Weighing my Food Tracking my Food Weigh myself every morning, record it once a week Staying calorie aware and spending my daily calories like currency Planning for eating out. If I am going to eat out for dinner, I allot extra calories for dinner and cut back on my food earlier in the day. If I eat lunch out then I cut back on dinner. I exceed my initial goal for myself pretty rapidly (250) and I have gone further in my weight loss than I ever dreamed I could when I started this. All the benefits from being so close to a normal BMI motivate me to defend my weight loss diligently. I know the difference between being morbidly obese and just being overweight and being overweight is far more comfortable.

It sounds like you may have a lot of processed foods in your diet - shakes, sausage, ham and cheese are all processed. At this point you have nothing to lose from experimenting, but I find not all Proteins are created equal. I avoid processed meats. And, at least for me, I tend to retain weight when I eat processed foods.

I would also recommend that you change up your proteins - do fresh tuna, salmon, pork, chicken, try a vegan day once a week with tofu or Beans, etc. For the animal proteins spend your money on the best choices (organic, grass fed, no antibiotics, no hormones - as good as you can get it). It's not like you are eating a lot anyway. In the past on diets I have found that if I eat the same thing every day and the same number of calories every day, I loose slower. So I try to change up my calories and proteins, even though what is easiest is to do the same thing and get in a routine.

You may also want to experiment with fats - good fats like avocado, EVOO, etc. and see what happens.

I weigh myself every morning after I pee and brush my teeth. I do not vary that. I do not weigh myself again for the rest of the day.
I did not own a scale until I got serious about reclaiming my health. I did not own a scale because I did not want to confront what the scale said.
That was the first thing I had to work through - my shock/shame/dramatization of having let myself get so heavy.
I found pretty quickly however that wore off. Now this is simply a statement of fact. This morning I weighed 280.4.
I enter my weight daily into an ap. I track my weightloss weekly. I also track all food and Water.
For me, it works to be rigorous. I became unhealthy because I was scared to deal with the facts.
Now the facts are a tool to be mindful in the goal I have created.

I had a similar experience. You may want to consider just doing higher Protein intake - like Protein Shakes, Bone Broth, etc. which packs more protein than eggs or greek yogurt.
I don't think the issue is that you are loosing too fast - but your protein intake does need to get upped and I would recommend you find ways to get it up.

You can see my stats below, I am not sure what your BMI was - mine was 51 at the beginning of the 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I lost 16 lbs on that diet and 10 the first week after surgery and I am now averaging about 4 lbs/week and I suspect that will slow down at some point in the future. I find % of excess weight lost to be a better measurement because comparing pounds across genders, age ranges, BMIs and metabolic types to be like comparing apples to oranges if what you want to do is track your progress overall.
By the way - when I have dieted before, I had been a very "fast looser", in particularly on organic high protein/fat diets with the elimination of all carbs outside of green veggies (however, I always hit some weird hunger/hormonal wall at about 50 lbs lost).
This is the first time I have lost more than 50 lbs, and that was done in the timeframe in my signature below.

I had a similar experience. You may want to consider just doing higher Protein intake - like Protein Shakes, Bone Broth, etc. which packs more protein than eggs or greek yogurt.
I don't think the issue is that you are loosing too fast - but your protein intake does need to get upped and I would recommend you find ways to get it up.

You can see my stats below, I am not sure what your BMI was - mine was 51 at the beginning of the 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I lost 16 lbs on that diet and 10 the first week after surgery and I am now averaging about 4 lbs/week and I suspect that will slow down at some point in the future. I find % of excess weight lost to be a better measurement because comparing pounds across genders, age ranges, BMIs and metabolic types to be like comparing apples to oranges if what you want to do is track your progress overall.
By the way - when I have dieted before, I had been a very "fast looser", in particularly on organic high protein/fat diets with the elimination of all carbs outside of green veggies (however, I always hit some weird hunger/hormonal wall at about 50 lbs lost).
This is the first time I have lost more than 50 lbs, and that was done in the timeframe in my signature below.

I went back to work after 7 days. There is no time of the year that is not busy for me and I typically work 6 days a week 60-70 hours a week.

The energy level thing has been a mixed bag. I find I am less focused than I was before surgery, tend to be moodier (my period so far has stopped since surgery) and need about an hour more of sleep at night.

On the other hand I wake up easily in the morning, experience being more rested than before surgery and physically just feel a lot better.

In addition I no longer have diabetes or borderline blood pressure. My Vitamin D levels are normal and the subway commute (which in NY involves lots of stairs) is no longer daunting.

I have had to change my sleep habits to have this work. I no longer stay up until 2 am.

I feel like my energy levels are just returning. But I would not trade it off the benefits the surgery gave me.

I went to Hershey park today and was able to fit on EVERY SINGLE RIDE!!! Last year I barely fit into one and didn't try any other out of embarrassment. Today I could not stop smiling and going on more and more rides!!

Sent from my VS995 using BariatricPal mobile app

I can wear dresses (if they are tight enough, structured right) without Bras now! Which is so awesome.
My band size is also a 34 now, which is something I never ever thought I would see. Still an F/G cup
When I was larger I had a larger car. Recently I purchased a small luxury sport coupe that I would have never fit in comfortably 2 years ago. I feel like an entirely new person.

I weigh myself every morning after I pee and brush my teeth. I do not vary that. I do not weigh myself again for the rest of the day.
I did not own a scale until I got serious about reclaiming my health. I did not own a scale because I did not want to confront what the scale said.
That was the first thing I had to work through - my shock/shame/dramatization of having let myself get so heavy.
I found pretty quickly however that wore off. Now this is simply a statement of fact. This morning I weighed 280.4.
I enter my weight daily into an ap. I track my weightloss weekly. I also track all food and Water.
For me, it works to be rigorous. I became unhealthy because I was scared to deal with the facts.
Now the facts are a tool to be mindful in the goal I have created.

My bmi was 53. And like you when I would diet or stick to a plan I lost fast. On weight watchers I lost 35 lbs and one time I had a health scare and had to go on a heart healthy diet and lost 40 lbs in 2 months. My problem was not being able to stick to it. And once I went back to eating everything in site I'd double what I lost. I think this surgery was my only option. I'm gonna try and get more protein in. I think I've just got burnt out on protein shakes. Needed a break. Thanks for your input.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using BariatricPal mobile app

I had a similar experience. You may want to consider just doing higher Protein intake - like Protein Shakes, Bone Broth, etc. which packs more protein than eggs or greek yogurt.
I don't think the issue is that you are loosing too fast - but your protein intake does need to get upped and I would recommend you find ways to get it up.

You can see my stats below, I am not sure what your BMI was - mine was 51 at the beginning of the 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I lost 16 lbs on that diet and 10 the first week after surgery and I am now averaging about 4 lbs/week and I suspect that will slow down at some point in the future. I find % of excess weight lost to be a better measurement because comparing pounds across genders, age ranges, BMIs and metabolic types to be like comparing apples to oranges if what you want to do is track your progress overall.
By the way - when I have dieted before, I had been a very "fast looser", in particularly on organic high protein/fat diets with the elimination of all carbs outside of green veggies (however, I always hit some weird hunger/hormonal wall at about 50 lbs lost).
This is the first time I have lost more than 50 lbs, and that was done in the timeframe in my signature below.

I weigh myself every morning after I pee and brush my teeth. I do not vary that. I do not weigh myself again for the rest of the day.
I did not own a scale until I got serious about reclaiming my health. I did not own a scale because I did not want to confront what the scale said.
That was the first thing I had to work through - my shock/shame/dramatization of having let myself get so heavy.
I found pretty quickly however that wore off. Now this is simply a statement of fact. This morning I weighed 280.4.
I enter my weight daily into an ap. I track my weightloss weekly. I also track all food and Water.
For me, it works to be rigorous. I became unhealthy because I was scared to deal with the facts.
Now the facts are a tool to be mindful in the goal I have created.

Just had follow up blood work done, specifically to test for Vitamin D and A1C levels - pre surgery my Vitamin D was at 10, now at 29 (recommended is 30+). My A1C was at 7%, now at 5.8% (7 is diabetic and 5.8 is pre-diabetic). Feels so great to moving myself outside of the dangers that come with diabetes! Fortunately all my other numbers were good.
And, I have just donated 10 bags of professional clothing that no longer fits me and my closets are empty.
I want to thank the posters of these Forums - I don't fear the stalls (had a week 5 one, others to come no doubt), I am tracking everything, relate to the # on the scale as a tool to assess what's working and what's not working and feel great. I am proud to have lost 30% of my excess weight and can't believe what has gotten accomplished in the past two months!!!!!
Life is a privilege!

Just had follow up blood work done, specifically to test for Vitamin D and A1C levels - pre surgery my Vitamin D was at 10, now at 29 (recommended is 30+). My A1C was at 7%, now at 5.8% (7 is diabetic and 5.8 is pre-diabetic). Feels so great to moving myself outside of the dangers that come with diabetes! Fortunately all my other numbers were good.
And, I have just donated 10 bags of professional clothing that no longer fits me and my closets are empty.
I want to thank the posters of these Forums - I don't fear the stalls (had a week 5 one, others to come no doubt), I am tracking everything, relate to the # on the scale as a tool to assess what's working and what's not working and feel great. I am proud to have lost 30% of my excess weight and can't believe what has gotten accomplished in the past two months!!!!!
Life is a privilege!

Just had follow up blood work done, specifically to test for Vitamin D and A1C levels - pre surgery my Vitamin D was at 10, now at 29 (recommended is 30+). My A1C was at 7%, now at 5.8% (7 is diabetic and 5.8 is pre-diabetic). Feels so great to moving myself outside of the dangers that come with diabetes! Fortunately all my other numbers were good.
And, I have just donated 10 bags of professional clothing that no longer fits me and my closets are empty.
I want to thank the posters of these Forums - I don't fear the stalls (had a week 5 one, others to come no doubt), I am tracking everything, relate to the # on the scale as a tool to assess what's working and what's not working and feel great. I am proud to have lost 30% of my excess weight and can't believe what has gotten accomplished in the past two months!!!!!
Life is a privilege!

Just had follow up blood work done, specifically to test for Vitamin D and A1C levels - pre surgery my Vitamin D was at 10, now at 29 (recommended is 30+). My A1C was at 7%, now at 5.8% (7 is diabetic and 5.8 is pre-diabetic). Feels so great to moving myself outside of the dangers that come with diabetes! Fortunately all my other numbers were good.
And, I have just donated 10 bags of professional clothing that no longer fits me and my closets are empty.
I want to thank the posters of these Forums - I don't fear the stalls (had a week 5 one, others to come no doubt), I am tracking everything, relate to the # on the scale as a tool to assess what's working and what's not working and feel great. I am proud to have lost 30% of my excess weight and can't believe what has gotten accomplished in the past two months!!!!!
Life is a privilege!

Just had follow up blood work done, specifically to test for Vitamin D and A1C levels - pre surgery my Vitamin D was at 10, now at 29 (recommended is 30+). My A1C was at 7%, now at 5.8% (7 is diabetic and 5.8 is pre-diabetic). Feels so great to moving myself outside of the dangers that come with diabetes! Fortunately all my other numbers were good.
And, I have just donated 10 bags of professional clothing that no longer fits me and my closets are empty.
I want to thank the posters of these Forums - I don't fear the stalls (had a week 5 one, others to come no doubt), I am tracking everything, relate to the # on the scale as a tool to assess what's working and what's not working and feel great. I am proud to have lost 30% of my excess weight and can't believe what has gotten accomplished in the past two months!!!!!
Life is a privilege!

Oh, how I wish this was true. A pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat; they are both a pound. Yes, muscle is more dense than fat, which means you can have less body mass in muscle and weigh more, but a pound is a pound is a pound no matter if it is muscle or fat.

Gaining 9 pounds in a week either means you went on absolutely insane binge eating 10s of thousands of calories in a week (you're talking realistically 50,000+ calories) or it's something else and not body fat.

Most likely it's Water, glycogen, stool, and something like that. If it continues trending upwards I'd bring an accurate food diary and go see a nutritionist or your surgeon

@Kat410, I am amazed that you could return to a job working that many hours per week and including a subway commute after one week. Wow. You are tougher than me.
@nevsmama, to give a different perspective, I work from home and travel about 50% of the time (airplanes, overnights, etc.). I took a six week medical leave from work, and I needed every moment of it. Physically, I was better after about 3 weeks, but my fatigue was a serious issue for a solid eight weeks after surgery (I took a "get under the covers" nap every single afternoon during those six weeks), and there is no way I could have dealt with my work (corporate publishing) and its associated drama and have been successful in both my recovery and progression through the food stages at the same time. I took the time to devote myself 100% to my weight loss journey, and I will always be thankful for that time. My advice is to take as much time as your personal, professional, and financial positions will allow.
In terms of telling people -- that is everyone's personal decision to make. I told anyone and everyone about my journey (including the surgery) from the beginning of my six month pre-op diet program. I needed the transparency as it helped (and continues to help) keep me accountable. And, frankly, I had a significant amount of weight to lose (and have lost 205 pounds to date), so it wasn't like people wouldn't have known anyway.
Good luck!

I took 1 week off. If was more than enough. I work about 70 hours a week, commute on NYC subway and the only thing I did was reduce my hours down to 60. I was not in any pain after first day. Just discomfort. I had a nutribullet set up at work for Protein Shakes and have a small fridge in my office.

I did tell two of my staff in advance and prepared them in case I needed more support than what I had planned. I don't have the same stamina I did before surgery, I suspect it's a combination of lower calories, physical recovery, hormonal changes, etc. That said, I can still work long hours just need a little more sleep.

Each person is different -- what matters is that it works for you and you have time to heal and adjust to your new way of life. Best wishes!