LylaLovesCoffee

Hi,

I too starting having problems with my blood pressure bottoming out on me 3 months after surgery. I was told this is normal and it will even out soon.. well it's been 2 yrs now and I'm still passing out.. I'm looking at decorative helmets to wear so I don't smack my head again. Yes I've been to the doctors.. the cardiologist has thrown up his hands with my bariatric doctor.. neither have any clue.. I'm now working with a neurologist. I personally have been doing some digging and found this:

POTS can be triggered by such as conditions as pregnancy, rapid weight loss, surgery, trauma, or a viral infection such as mononucleosis or Lyme disease. However, we don’t know why the autonomic nervous system malfunctions. Most people who experience these types of stressors do not develop POTS. http://www.lynnwebstermd.com/pots/

My heart rate speeds up to 120 to 130 bpm after standing up from a resting heart rate of 50 to 60 bpm. I'm trying to get my neurologist to give me a tilt table test to either rule out POTS or rule it in so I can get what I need done and move on with my almost skinny self.. (I still have 100 lbs to go but I feel better outside the fainting.)

Hi everyone. I don't know where to start on this because I'm still trying to figure out what is going on with my body. All my labs are perfect. Except for my blood pressure. I was never on BP meds before surgery because it was never high enough. I mostly stayed in the normal range. Now days it's been dropping anytime I stand up for too long and I get light headed and dizzy. This has been going on for a year now. I have been to an ear nose and throat doctor and everything there is normal. I am currently seeing a cardiologist who swears I'm salt deficient. I've upped my sodium and nothing has changed. Cardiologist has put me on medications (fludrocort and midodrine) to get my BP to go higher thinking that will stop the lightheaded and dizziness. Still nothing has changed. I have my good days and bad. I know when I'm in a pool I don't have any symptoms of dizziness or anything of the sort.. so I guess I might as well live my life as a mermaid hahaha. But seriously, this is getting on my nerves. I don't know what else to do. I've been going to aquatic therapy to get some form of work out and my weight loss has slowed... which I knew it would going in.. but I figured by now I would have the ability to stand up for longer than 5 mins without trying to pass out.

I just needed to vent. Thank you.

Sleeved 11/8/17... Everything was working out well the first month.. I was tired all the time which is to be expected. Then my StepFather passed away on 12/8/17. It's been rough. I didn't mess up my eating, but the stress and my weight loss messed up my balance. At first I thought it was I wasn't getting enough Water and Protein so I adjusted that accordingly and waited for my 3 month checkup to see if I needed to change anything. Dr. Le said to see an ear nose and throat doctor which I did yesterday. I have been scheduled for a VNG test next week to see what's going on with my Vestibular Integrity. Cross your fingers... Prayers.. Good Vibes... Good Juju's I'll take it all that the test reveal it's a quick and easy fix.

Also on a side note.. NSV.. I managed to be able to cross my legs again. I'm wearing a men's XL pajama pants. They were my Late StepFather's PJ's I miss him soo much.

HW 421

SW 344

CW 296

GW 170

14 hours ago, GoddessMoon said:

My surgery is in less than 2 weeks and I was worried about the incisions and clothing as well! I hope I can have some sweats on or pajama pants atleast lol. Beatrice! lol I laughed when I read that. I will have to name mine as well.

I can have clothes on.. the incisions don't like to be covered. It's getting better though. Only thing annoying me right now is all the itching from the healing. The pain is going down, from the 6 I told them in the hospital it's now down to a nice low grumble of 2. I wore pajamas in the hospital, and I'm still wearing them now. I just pull down the front to give the incisions some air.

In other news. Since surgery 11 days ago. I am down 13.8 lbs and that's before the gas and Water weight after surgery, if I add that I've lost 16.8 lbs. I'm doing good to get 50 oz of water in me and I'm still trying to get the Protein Drinks in me. I've got the water with me all the time, so I'm hoping the ounces will continue to rise.

Beatrice is doing well, as long as I don't guzzle, and I won't say that I don't. It's a hard habit to break. but as long as I don't guzzle she doesn't complain. When I do guzzle she likes to strangle the pipe and that kind of hurts. I have to wait until it goes down. I keep trying to use that as a lesson but I seem to like to do things the hard way. Beatrice hasn't made me hurl since I got home from the hospital so that's a plus. I just gotta remember she rules my life right now and I need to follow her rules. That may sound silly, but if you think about it learning how to use our new tool is a new learning experience.

Good luck to you @GoddessMoon, I'm sure you'll do great. Take your time, Walk those halls and sip sip sip.

1 hour ago, BabyFat23 said:

Ladies I feel great my incision is no where near as painful. Found this out yesterday. I am moving. Getting up and down almost normal. Drinking is a different topic seems like I am moving backwards with that. I am just always full. I think my surgeon took to much from me. I talked to my team they assured me it’s in my head 😂. How is everyone doing.

My incision pain is at a 2½ now compared to the 6 it was in the hospital. I too am moving around more. Just last night I started rolling over in bed. Can't stay in that position for very long but it's something. I am getting my fluids in I have an app I put in how much I've been drinking and it's been keeping "score" for me. I'm managing almost 50 oz a day of Water give or take. I'm also having popsicles and Protein Drinks as well as yogurt and Jello. I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. I don't want to think about cooking. I'm still a bit too tired for that activity. These healing naps are for the birds and I miss out on all the good stuff. Anyone else napping?

1 minute ago, Lady83 said:

Headed back to the OR! See you all on the other side! :-)


Surgery Date: 11/16/17
5'8"
HW- 416 (Sept. 2014)
CW- 351.6
SW-?????
GW- 160

Welcome to the Losers Bench!!!

3 minutes ago, CamillaCallie said:

Yeah like when I bend down or use my abs it burns from the inside! I'm so mad at myself

It's those little reminders that keep us from messing up.. but only if we listen.

1 minute ago, BunnyJean said:

I don't have any of this at all. BUT...I just asked my husband if he could help me with the stuff left over from the taping on the bandages. I think I may be allergic to it. I have a pretty good rash going on and one started. All in the area where the tape glue is. It's my biggest incision..the one they took the stomach out from and put the drain in. So it had a bigger bandage on it. The other ones just had glue. I just can't see it good enough to get on my own. I want to try to get that excess glue off before I'm a big huge rash!!! Only an itching now an again on a healing smaller incision. No pain, no burning. Keep track of that burning esp if it changes color or oozes.

I've been watching the colours of my incisions. They're all a nice healthy pink. None of them are angry red or oozy, I just figured I have some nerves in there that are still kinda upset and are telling me all about it. But I will mention it to the team when I go in for my 2 week check up on Monday.

1 hour ago, CamillaCallie said:

I had a laughing fit the other day that put me into tears it was so painful. I woke up this morning with a jabbing, burning pain in my left side that wasn't like the typical soreness. Called my surgeon today and he said I may have pinched a nerve. Recommended using a heating pad so I'm doing that now. Didn't stop me from my walk or drinking liquids so it's not THAT bad but I'm so annoyed! Just another thing that needs to heal now. Anyone else have that?

My big incision feels like it's burning, but if I fan it with my shirt pulled up it's fine. Icing it seems to help too. The soreness is finally coming down to a nice low rumble which is beginning to feel better.

2 hours ago, BunnyJean said:

It's so funny you say that about your bladder. I have always drank alot of Water (and funny that my new tummy hates plain Water STILL). Always peeing. But not volumes of pee, just pee and yes rushing to go. Now....I go alot but NOT AS MUCH. Don't have to rush and MORE comes out in a good stream. I was thinking to myself....I should have been catheratized a long time ago if this is the outcome! It's good news. WHO KNEW???? LOL As far as coffee black...ick. I just put in a bit of Fairlife 2% milk. It's lactose free. And the 2% is as creamy as Creamer. you only need a bit.

On a side note....we can have SF popsicles. Can we also have SF fudgicles? I think yes.

What I was told is: "If it turns to liquid in room temperature it's a full liquid". I say go for it.

1 minute ago, TINK09 said:

@BabyFat23 I am on soft food now I think its too early but my nurse called and said to start @LylaLovesCoffee had her surgery on the 8th and she is still on clear

@TINK09 I'm on full liquids. I can have the Protein Drinks and yogurt and anything from the clears, which I really enjoy. And I also can have coffee... but only 12 oz a day.

Just now, TINK09 said:

@LylaLovesCoffee so you are not far from me I wonder why my doctor put me on soft foods oh well I guess different doctor different rules...honey I lost 60 pounds before my surgery and was at a complete standstill had to do something.

I hear ya @TINK09 I dropped 80 lbs before surgery. Sooo much more to go. I knew doing this would keep me on the loser's bench instead of the usual gain it all back when I stop losing weight.

You're right different doctors different rules. If you're not comfortable, tell them.

Just now, TINK09 said:

When did you have your surgery?

11/8/17

Just now, TINK09 said:

Thanks everyone so helpful? I also want to ask a question about the foods that you guys have eaten after your surgery. I had my surgery Nov6 so my nurse stated I can eat soft foods what do you guys suggest?

I'm still on full liquids until the 23rd. So I'm still eating Jello, Soup, popsicles, Protein drinks, yogurt, and of course Water.

3 minutes ago, CamillaCallie said:

Hi! I can answer this because I love mine! A binder is like a Velcro wrap they provide post op to kinda keep your stomach and everything tight. Moving around is painful at times so the binder keeps everything in place. I literally wear mine 24/7, even to sleep. Layla - did I miss anything?

Nope

9 minutes ago, TINK09 said:

Hey LylaLovesCoffee what is a binder?

An abdominal binder you can get them on Amazon or Walmart.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010E7MQE6/ref=twister_B0113YLQHC?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

9 minutes ago, BabyFat23 said:

No cause I always wear a binder.

It hurts when I wear a binder.

9 minutes ago, CamillaCallie said:

Ugh I'm jealous. I keep getting these random waves sometimes. I wonder if I mighy drink too fast? I dunno. I see my team on Friday, maybe they have some insight.

I was nauseous the one time. That was the day after surgery and I was trying to drink too much too fast. I slowed down and so far it's all good.

1 hour ago, confusedturtle3 said:

It sounds like you are doing great, congrats! I look forward to those after surgery benefits too I am slowly giving up the creamer habit, I have replaced mine with the Protein Shakes


Have a great day!
Amanda
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish

That's what I did when I started this journey.

42 minutes ago, BabyFat23 said:

You are doing great I am also drinking way more Water and Protein. A lot of people try to stay away from Protein Drinks the first week I couldn’t. I drink more Water then Protein. But from talking to a lot of vet sleevers I was told to drink as much protein as possible because you will loss more hair then you want too. I am super afraid of this. This is one of my fears loss hair. I do understand in the end it will come back but I don’t care. I want to loss as less hair as possible while on this journey. Not sure if all my swallowing is gone yet, I don’t think so but I am down a few pounds. I don’t care what and who pounds they are there gone 🙏🏾 I more week liquid. I also get up and down like a snail.

Up and down like a snail is a good analogy. I was told to drink 3 protein drinks a day once I get home. I do what I can. I feel like if I don't I'm only starving myself and that's no good. I don't know if you're going through this but my incisions do not like to have clothes on them. Is that weird? I can have a pillow up against it, but that's it, so that's something at least. Ice helps but after a while drives me nuts. Other than that I feel great. Beatrice (what I call my new tool) hasn't been giving me too much hassle, so that's a plus. I'm so glad I did this.

6 days post op. Things are going well. I'm keeping my fluids and Protein down. Whenever I get a craving for "food" I either get a Popsicle or some Jello and "fake it". A couple of good things have come out of this.

1) I can now drink coffee black. I've been trying for several years to kick the creamer habit, and it finally happened.

2) I don't know if any of you ladies have this issue, but I've always had a weak bladder. Since this surgery I don't have to "rush" anymore. I'm loving it.

I've lost all my surgery swelling/water weight and a couple of pounds more. but I'm not really paying much attention because I have plenty of time right now, and my recovery must come first. Also I had my first BM this morning. Everything went fine and I had no problems. I know it sounds like I'm having a easy breezy time of this, but I assure you my incision is still hurting and I walk around like a 90 yr old woman. I've been icing my side and that helps some.

How is everyone else doing?

8 hours ago, Lizbeth3124 said:

Heading to the hospital for a 7am surgery. Good luck to everyone.

Good luck today.. You're gonna do great!

3 minutes ago, Tina Meinkowsky said:

/11/8/17 Texas

11/8/17 Oklahoma...Howdy neighbor!

Just now, CamillaCallie said:

Did anyone gain weight? I weighed myself about 5 hours after surgery and gained 5. Then today (3 days post op) I weighed myself again and still 2 lbs heavier than when I walked into surgery. What's with that?

Swelling and Water weight. I gained 5 lbs and lost 3. but I'm holding steady today. I don't foresee any weight loss until I get the swelling down.

1 minute ago, BunnyJean said:

HAHA! I love that you named your new sleeve Beatrice. I need to think of a name and talk nicer to her. Cuz she is giving me fits today! I think my Protein Drink this morning was just too much lactose. I waited and waited and now that the rest of me is bloated with the lactose gas, I took a lactose pill. I'm struggling with Protein AND Water today. I usually only drink Water, but my new stomach HATES water! So I'm going to try to do a Vitamin water. I need the Vitamins anyways. I've only gotten in 28 ozs of fluids. The struggle is real

You're right. The struggle is REAL. I decided to add the water enhancers since Beatrice doesn't like plain water anymore. Maybe later that will change. Anything to get the Protein and fluids down. Good Luck and I hope you find what works best for you. This is such a learning period/curve.