MegPRN

Yes! I was on Tylenol only within 2 days of surgery, but by 7 days out my whole body ached and I was back on narcotics. I was sleeping too much and not breathing deeply enough, and had developed atelectasis (partial collapse of the lower lung space, precursor to post-op pneumonia). Once I realized what was going on, I starting doing the coughing/deep breathing exercises again, and the body aches went away.

Seeking support from people who have been through the same experience really helps. My job is working with bariatric surgery patients, and I run the support groups for my hospital program - otherwise I would not have ever attended, but it makes such a huge difference for me. It's a monthly reminder of how far I've come and the challenges I still have to face, but I have the support of those around me. If you think you're heading into disordered eating territory (anorexia/bulimia/binge eating disorder) seek support from a therapist with experience with eating disorders.

My highest ever weight was around 283 lbs. My "first appointment" weight was 276 lbs. I am almost 7 months out. Surgery day (8/16/18) I was 264 lbs. At my 6-month office visit, I was 190 lbs, so a loss of 74 lbs in 6 months. I had the sleeve surgery.

I've had anxiety on top of my depression for a while. I've been on Wellbutrin since a few months after my first child was born (she's 5 now), but I had been having symptoms of depression since my mid-teens. I talked to my nurse practitioner, and she's weaning my off the Wellbutrin and I'll be starting Lexapro instead in 10 days or so. Being off the extended-release version of Wellbutrin, I'm already seeing a difference in my mood. I wonder if I just wasn't digesting/absorbing the drug as well with my smaller stomach? At any rate, I'm happy to be switching to a drug that has a better effect on anxiety too.

I love Chobani, but the carb/protein ratio is kind of high. 20g of sugar and ~12g of protein. Some flavors still adhere to the 10 calories/1 gram of protein rule, though. Key lime is my favorite. I'd love to try some of these other flavors you're recommending. I can't eat plain unflavored greek yogurt, though - tastes like sour cream to me! The Oikos triple zero is a little thick for me, but I eat that one regularly too. I mostly eat yogurt for breakfast every day. I bring a RTD protein shake, cup of yogurt, and 2 cheeses (string cheese, colby jack, or Tillamook cheddar) to work every morning and I'm pretty much good until lunchtime.

I worry, too.. I don't panic, but I do feel fat if I eat foods that aren't on the approved list (popcorn, chips/dip, chocolate). It gets especially bad around PMS time, because I crave sweets/carbs and then retain water, so I really am bigger/heavier during that time of the month. It's a mindf*ck for sure. I've mostly stopped weighing myself at home because my scale is pretty unreliable (I get different readings depending on what part of the floor the scale is sitting on - tile vs wood). My eating habits right now make me worried I'll be a re-gainer - I'm only 6 months out, I have about 3-6 months left of my "honeymood" period, and if I don't rein in the snacking now I'll have a bad time in the future. I start out each day with a plan, and by the afternoon (when I get home from work and pick up my daughter from the sitter) and late night, after dinner, when the kids are in bed.. that's when the cravings hit. I need to make a plan for those times.

Did you have a sleeve, or gastric bypass? Sometimes GERD can develop after the sleeve surgery. If it's not responding to PPI drugs (like Nexium), your surgeon might be inclined to convert you to gastric bypass. It's a pretty definitive treatment for GERD, since you don't have a pyloric sphincter in your stomach anymore.. the acid just can't build up in the pouch.

My surgeon told me insurance will cover the skin removal if you've got documented evidence that the excess skin is causing rashes/chronic yeast infections/etc that medical management hasn't helped (creams, powders, keeping it dry, etc). If that's not an option, could you get some compression garments, like Spanx, to help "reign in" the loose skin? I've lost about 70 lbs in 5.5 months, and have a little loose skin. I always feel better with a tight camisole or something under my clothes.

Chicken breast sits pretty heavy for me, especially if it's overcooked. I've found that red meat, dark meat chicken, pork, and some fish feel better for my stomach. I don't really like shrimp anymore, but lobster and crab are great. I'm a little over 5 months out from surgery, and I can eat most anything. I've found I can eat a lot of salad/vegetables lately, although I have to watch how fast I eat and how well I chew.

Can totally relate. For me it wasn't so much food smells - it was my husband's breath! I could barely bring myself to kiss him, where he's never had bad breath before. I'm now 5 months out, and the excessively strong sense of smell is gone. Thank goodness!

I had the sleeve in August of 2018. I've had no complications. I will echo the others; I wish I had done this sooner. It's been an amazing transformation - I'm down almost 70 lbs from my surgery weight in 5 months! I'm wearing clothing sizes I haven't worn since high school. I can walk all day without getting winded or sore feet. The sleeve is far superior to the band, in my opinion. Fewer complications, less risk of needing future surgeries. Also, in order to get adjustments made to the band, you have to have a needle the size of a thumbtack stuck through your skin into the port in your abdomen.. that doesn't sound fun to me.

Have you had an upper GI imaging study, like a barium swallow? You might have developed a hiatal hernia that could be fixed. You should talk to your doctor!

Coughing (and laughing, honestly) is really important to prevent post-op pneumonia. It might hurt, but you've got to power through it (and take your pain meds to keep in under control). Don't get pneumonia!

I used to like eggs, but I haven't been able to eat them anymore. I'm about 5 months out from surgery. The yolk has a metallic/iron-y taste to it that makes me gag. Even scrambled eggs/omelettes are no good. Too bad, too, because it's such a good healthy food.

Great advice! And wow, look at you! You look 14 years younger now than you did in your "before" pics!

I'm in the middle of bad hair loss right now. Every time I run my fingers through my hair a few strands come out, and it comes out..not quite in clumps, but a ton whenever I wash my hair (every 3-4 days). I don't have bald spots (yet) and my hair was ridiculously thick to start with, so it's not showing much and seems to be coming from all over my scalp rather than a specific spot, but it still feels bad. I started increasing my protein intake, and am taking biotin and l-lysine. How long did the hair loss last for those of you who went through it? I'm worried it'll keep on like this forever, every time I don't eat enough protein or something, and I'll end up looking like I have mange. When did it start growing back in?

If you had your surgery at an accredited bariatric center of excellence, try getting in touch with the hospital's bariatric surgery program coordinator (they are required to have one if they're accredited). They often manage a clothing exchange where people who have lost weight can bring their bigger clothes to trade for smaller sizes brought in by others further along in the program (or starting at a smaller size!). It's a great way to get free clothes that fit! If your coordinator doesn't have a clothing exchange, suggest that they start one!

I have this problem, too. I eat 3 or 4 bites really quickly, I immediately feel overfull (because I'm probably not chewing enough either!), and leave the table. Then within an hour or so my stomach is empty and growling again, so I find a probably less-than-optimal snack (light swiss Laughing Cow cheese and Wheat Thins was last night). I'm continuing to lose despite this, which worries me, because developing poor habits right now will set me up for failure when I'm out of the honeymoon period. My support group is having a speaker come talk about mindful eating in January, so I'm looking forward to that!

My surgery date was August 16. I weighed 265 lbs on surgery day, and as of this morning, I weigh 198 - so I've lost 67 lbs in 4 months. I went through a period where I ate whatever sounded good, and didn't count my protein - and then my hair started falling out. Reading the responses to this thread, it sounds like it's just something that happens around this time if it's going to happen, so maybe a coincidence? Either way, I'm tracking my protein again and making sure I get at least 80g per day. I try not to eat anything that doesn't follow the 10 calories/1 gram of protein rule. I'm not exercising at all, beyond walking around work and playing with my kids. I get between 800-1100 calories per day right now. I'm wearing smaller clothes (a pair of pants I bought at the beginning of October are now falling off me), but I don't really feel like I look any different. I feel more bones under my skin, and my tailbone gets sore more easily when I'm sitting, so I know I have less "padding", but I think it's happened so fast my image of myself in the mirror hasn't caught up.

Start at one size down from your pre-surgery size.. if it's too big, go down another size. No need to stress! Clothes shopping is the fun part! If you had your surgery done at an accredited hospital, contact the bariatric surgery coordinator; they might have a clothing exchange, so you don't have to buy new clothes every time you drop a size - you can supplement your wardrobe from stuff donated by other surgery patients!

Congratulations! What an accomplishment. As of this morning, I'm 201.8. So close to joining you!

My surgeon used an endoscope rather than a bougie - no idea what size it was. I do know I feel excellent restriction, and am sticking to the nutritional recommendations, and am meeting my goals. I think that's what's important.

I had that experience with coffee. I couldn't drink it for a few weeks after surgery. I think it was associated with the swelling of my new stomach, because now that that's gone, I'm back to my morning cup!

I live in Arizona. I start feeling depressed and grumpy when it's been too sunny and hot for too long - April through June are the worst part of the year for me. It's the monotony. Clear, blue sky and hot, for weeks and weeks on end, dusty and dry, no rain in sight. I feel refreshed and happy when the weather turns cool and we get rain more regularly! I wouldn't call my situation SAD, exactly, but my depression is definitely worse in the spring and summer.

I admit that I had a few fun-size pieces of candy. By no means was it a binge, though, as it would have been in years past. And I noticed some stomach irritation as I was getting ready for bed. So now I know it was too soon, and won't do it again. Trial and error. And I still hit an all-time low with my weight this morning.. so I don't regret it