Hot air from the Ohio Statehouse, they sure generate enough in Columbus! Seriously I think they inflated and then pumped it out at the end. Weird, when I got to my patient room, I expected to be FATTENED UP, I was not. I expected ABD and such, nope 4 criss cross steristrips , 1 in top of navel, 1 lengthwise steriStrip 7/8 inch,long on right, Big Red the main one, RNY are on the right, sleevers on the left because that is where they pull the stomach remnant out. Anyway he had 5 up and down steri-strips on him. And 1 little one at the bottom of my sternum. But all small critters. Hardly any swelling/bruising on them.Barely slashed, barely gashed and no signs of bashed. My guy does quality work!
Wife and I had a conversation about this kinda topic on our hike yesterday, I was commenting on how I really haven't eaten much of anything prior to the hike and how before surgery, I wouldn't have been able to do the same thing. I get I'm smaller and using less energy to move around, but how far I can go on zero caloric intake now is so much different than before. Before I could have eaten 6 hours ago and the level of hunger / energy would be so low as to make that much work close to impossible. But now, it's like I've got so much extra energy that I don't need to eat too much to be able to do the same or more work. It's quite amazing how the human body likes to stay in these ruts!
1. I haven't noticed a pouch rumble, but my excluded stomach will, but VERY infrequently, did so actually the day after surgery and I was like... What the hell was that! It wasn't audible however.
2. This is a personal thing. Not everyone feels the same levels, some are lucky and never feel it again, others never lose it...and then some, lose it in some fashion only to have it return 6 - 12 months post-op. For me, I do get hungry, but it's no where near the same as pre-op. I typically get shaky or start to feel light headed before I realize I need to eat.
1) My stomach can be noisy from time to time, but honestly, nothing that is out of the normal. From what I've read here, the noises and the rumbling (for a lack of a better word) is often due to GERD and can be controlled by taking a PPI.
2) I'm 8 months post op, and I experienced hunger for a few weeks until I got back onto solid foods. There are days where I forget to eat, and other days that I feel like I'm hungry a lot. On the days I'm really hungry, I focus on eating healthy foods that are light on calories. The good thing is that it doesn't take much to fill me up.
Hello Justmeincleveland
I did not have a stomach that growled a lot pre-surgery, but after the surgery it was horrible. I have a desk job as a Consumer Loan Officer/Advisor and I cannot tell you how many times I have had to say excuse me as my stomach serenades us. It is simply a fact of life after the surgery for most, as I have several friends who have had the same surgery and experience the same thing.
As far as hunger goes for the first several months after surgery I lost the desire to eat and simply looking at T.V. commercials with food in them especially if I had just eaten made me sick at my stomach. As time progressed I did start feeling hungry but I had many issues that eventually led to the surgery being reversed.
Hang in there as many have successfully accomplished what you are searching for which is a better quality of life and remember not to seat the small stuff while on your journey.
One last thing if you do get hungry remember that sometimes you may not be hungry but dehydrated as you may not be drinking enough so make sure you are getting enough liquid in.
I had my gastric bypass in June and I have yet to experience a single day in which I've felt actual hunger. No appetite whatsoever. I remember recalling (and rolling my eyes) back in the day when "skinny" people would say things like, (insert annoying voice) "Oh, I forgot to eat today."
I'd roll my eyes at myself today. Eating isn't something that I enjoy anymore, so, yeah, I forget to eat.
When I can barely eat little more than a few bites, there's not much to work myself up about. I went to Chipotle's recently (hoping to eat something with a memory of enjoyment attached) and I couldn't even finish ONE hard-shelled chicken taco. I remember when three tacos were barely enough.
Welcome and even considering this surgery is a great start.
1. I would say my stomach generally makes more noise now than it did before surgery. I'm still in the weight loss phase and my stomach always growled when I was losing, whether it be from the lap band I had, normal pre-band weight loss, or this (RNY).
2. I am not that far out. 2.5 months or so. I'm rarely hungry. There are times where I get a little bit hungry, but they are justified, meaning I haven't ate in a long time, so I eat. Feeling "full" is very different to me. It's not the "thanksgiving/Christmas dinner" kind of stuffed feeling, instead it kind of feels like a little pressure much higher up in my abdomen. It's hard to explain, but that's what it feels like for me. I can also feel food/fluids move around my abdomen more than before. It was strange at first (I didn't like it) but I'm used to it now.
2A. You didn't ask this, but I will say that there are times when I want something I can't have. Today I really wanted pizza. I was exhausted after a day of running around stores, and it was kind of late. Normally I would end that kind of day with a pizza, and it sounded really good. If you have smoked/drank in the past and quit, it is the same sort of thing - for me, I had to get out of the car immediately, because I used to park the car, smoke a cigarette, then go in the store/work/whatever. Now I practically jump out of the car. Last cigarette was in 2005. Last time I had soda was 2010, so I think I'm doing pretty good.
My stomach never growled pre-surgery, and now my husband calls it "my baby dragon".
I am 2.5 weeks out and didn't get hungry for a week, then started getting hungry. The difference now is a fill up quick. My husband can't believe how little I eat.
What is this... The National Enquirer? Your title suggests that these are big, deal-breaking secrets that were hidden for some reason. Both are less than earth-shaking and have logical explanations behind them. I didn't have time to read the comments below your post, but I'm almost certain that others have addressed both concerns.
I didn't notice any putrid smells following my surgery.
I also didn't need to have any enoxaparin shots after my bypass, but I did have them after my full-knee replacements. The needle is so thin, you can barely feel it. I gave myself a week's worth of injections once home.
Amusingly enough this post was initially started as a serious topic. However I decided to add some humor into a rather uncomfortable subject as a method of getting people to feel more comfortable talking about it. I think I overdid it, but the post is still full of great stuff that the community added, so I'll call this one a win.
I posted another similar topic mostly as a goof awhile back and it's had an amazing number of views and replies. It made me realize that talking about your ass after surgery can be an embarrassing thing. Yes, I have shat myself, a number of times. There I said it. Lipsticklady gave me the words to live by: Never trust a fart. In keeping with educating people, especially new folks, I thought I would condense a long post and make sort of a guide to living with your ass after surgery, if I did this right, you, the reader will laugh and learn at the same time. Nothing is out of bounds in this post, it's just an amalgam of all the great information posted by the community in the last post. So, here we go: ** Note I am not a Doctor, this post makes no medical advice, it is simply my opinion and that of others, nothing can substitute the advice of your Surgeon or Weight loss team **
Section one: Possible Ass functionality. The ass, has three states, I'll name them, Normal, Sahara and Volcano. Normal function is what we all seek. There are a plethora of reasons your ass may not be operating in this state, but we'll get to that. Next up, Sahara, as it's name would imply, this is when your stool becomes as dry as the Sahara desert. You could spend an afternoon on the bowl, read half a book, your legs and feet go numb, and at the end you, if you are lucky, pass a couple pebbles that actually 'plink' when they hit the bowl. The result is blown blood vessels, having the crawl out of the bathroom because your legs and feet are asleep, and a sore anus. This is not desirable. Even the hardcore S&M people are like, no man, that's hardcore. Then there is the exact opposite, Volcano ass. We all know it. You get a bit of rumbling in your tummy, pass a little gas, then it's game on! You pinch and duck waddle at top speed to the bathroom, sometimes you make it, sometimes you don't. (On a sidebar, it seems like the nerves that connect the ass and the brain have a lag of about 5 seconds. Meaning your ass sends out an alert to go NOW, and your brain takes about 5 seconds to process this and get it out to you, effectively putting your ass 5 seconds ahead of you. Anyone who has shat themselves within 3 feet of the bowl knows what I am talking about). Occasionally Volcano ass erupts like Mt St Helens. You are just sitting there, and BOOM explosion. It may have felt like a little toot, but without warning your ass erupted. ** Edit ** Thanks to @@cherri2082 for pointing out something I omitted. Sodium. I know many of us have a tendency to grab the "Low Sodium" version of a product as sodium has been vilified, however it is an essential mineral. The US RDA for a normal adult male is 1500mg per day, I have no idea how a Bypass affects our ability to absorb sodium, and won't until I get a major blood panel done. However, you should strive to make sure you get enough sodium every day, and when your ass is in Volcano state and you are loosing precious Water, a boost in sodium may well spell the difference between dehydration or not. Thanks for pointing this out.
Section two. How to deal with Sahara ass. RNY GB are prohibited from using 'bulking agents' for 6 months post op. Meaning your solutions are the following. First, everyone should be taking a Probiotic. Our digestive system has just been through hell and a little help cannot hurt. Second approach, Miralax, call your Doctor and get a script, it's WAY cheaper. If you are in an extreme state of Sahara, try two does of Miralax a day for 1-3 days. This really should clear you up. DRINK Water, I shoot for 100 oz a day. You cannot be angry with your ass for going into Sahara mode when there is not enough liquid. If 3 days of double shots of Miralax does not help, call MOM. Yep, Milk of Magnesia. I took 3 Tablespoons on the first day and 4 the next, and went straight into Volcano. No kidding I lost 5 pounds in 20 minutes. Depending on your diet stage working Fiber into your diet can be hard. But it is not impossible. Chili is a stage 3 or 4 depending on your surgeon diet choice and you can put all kinds of high Fiber stuff in there and never taste it. I have been eating nothing but chili for over a month, because it's predictable and cheap. That and I am a boring eater. Well, chili for meals I eat other things. Things to avoid, any opioid pain medicine. If you are in pain and prescribed Vicodin or Percodan, plan ahead, start taking Miralax along with the meds, these WILL PLUG YOU UP!!! Feel free to post any other meds you have encountered that can cause Sahara or Volcano. Taking Miralax long term may be a reality for some. It's better than the alternative. There is a drastic measure that can be taken instead of going to hospital. If you have not pooped in I would say 4 or 5 days, see your PCP and get a script for 'Go Lightly'. It's an oxymoron. It is used to clean you out before a colonoscopy. You WILL poop, In fact, you might see stuff coming out you don't remember eating. This is an extreme solution and again if you go to the ER, this is what they are going to give you. Get it yourself and at least you can poop your brains out in your own bathroom. ** Edit** Thanks to @@Cervidae You may want to try Smooth Move Tea. She said she's had good results with it and I recall from the first post a couple people talked about different teas. Just a word of caution, or advice, if the tea contains caffeine remember that is a diuretic so you would want to increase your water intake a bit. Probably not earth shattering, but if your are already drinking coffee, God knows I do, water intake is so important. Thanks for sharing. Another shout out to @@gpmed who noted that MOM caused stomach discomfort and sometimes overshot (or overshat, that line keeps cracking me up!) the target. I found the overshatting part dead on, but preferable to Sahara. Colace gel caps were suggested, and apparently they do work in RNY GB patients. Thanks for contributing! Another shout out to @ for recommending the Squatty Potty. It's essentially a 'U' shaped footstool (no it not that kind of stool lol!!) that sits around your toilet bowl. Putting your feet on it changes the angle of your anus, rectum and colon, and it designed to make passing a Sahara Rock Poop easier. Thanks for the addition!
Section three: How to deal with Volcano ass. Here is the real problem, short of imodium, this is hard to deal with. Most likely you are eating something your ass does not like. Try backing off your diet and going old school. Go back a diet phase if you have too. Probiotics gotta take em. They really help. Aside from diet changes and Probiotics there is not a lot you can do about this. Usually if you are peeing out your poop, it's the body's way of saying there is something here I don't want so I am cleaning you out. Unfortunately the 'something' is unique. You may have become lactose intolerant. Try FairLife Milk (the ONLY milk anyone here should be drinking). It has no lactose, 1/2 the carbs and nearly twice the Protein. AND it tastes GREAT!! The whole milk is like cream. The Skim is like 2% milk. Very creamy. Another really, REALLY important thing to remember when going through a Volcano stage, is to increase your water intake. For RNY GB patients the #1 reason for hospital readmission within 30 days post op, is dehydration. I know I know, your ass is erupting and exploding and the last thing you think you want is more liquid, but you need it. In fact, lack of water can actually make Volcano worse, as your body dehydrates things go awry. Trust me, when I was in Desert Storm I almost died from dehydration. I was CAS evaced to a field hospital and spent 20 days in hospital. The doctor told me I was within hours of death due to dehydration. And that at a certain point, once your body becomes so dehydrated it stops looking for water in the usual places, it drains your eyes, your brain, your organs and even with an IV you may still die. Dehydration is NO ******* JOKE. **Edit, I forgot when writing this to add something I take regularly, however I make SURE to take it when in Volcano mode for more than 24 hours. When your ass is erupting, and your are loosing mass amounts of water, you are also loosing critical minerals that are required to support life. While I spoke about increasing water, and you should, during these times I make sure to add (in my case my water canteens are 30oz) 2 NUUN tablets. They are essentially sugar free Gatorade. You can read about them here and buy them as well from that site (Amazon), they are effervescent but that only lasts for like 20 minutes, so drop a tablet or two into a bottle of water, and let it sit unopened in the fridge for 1/2 an hour and the carbonation is gone. They have a fairly mild flavor, but I've tried every flavor and while some I like better than others, there is none that I do not like at all. Gotta give a special shout out to @@cherri2082 for providing a fix for a burned, chapped ass exit. Aquaphor, which is essentially a better version of Vaseline. We used it on my kids when they were little for a range of things. Good stuff, and it will certainly help a burned out butt. Thanks for the advice!!
Wrap up: We all want a normally functioning ass. Me and my ass had it out a couple weeks ago. A double dose or Miralax followed by 4 tablespoons of MOM and I went into Volcano mode, extreme edition. Once it was over, and it was quick. My ass called a truce. I keep the MOM on the back of the toilet to remind my ass every time I sit down, what power I have available to me. However, Probiotics (do NOT cheap out on them, buy good ones, it's worth the extra couple bucks), lots of walking, lots of water and fiber and my ass has been normal for a couple weeks. I don't poop every day, sometimes I flirt with Sahara, but it clears up in a day. I had a good poop today, and as it's been a couple weeks, I thought I would share all I have learned, and start a post anyone can add whatever they have learned. TOGETHER WE CAN POOP NORMALLY! EMPOWER YOURSELF! YOU CONTROL YOUR ASS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. Remember, anything coming out of your ass, started off in your mouth. Talk about your ass in the third person, it helps. I think of my ass like another part of me, one that needs to be controlled. And unless you want to deal with this: SEE ATTACHMENT
Heed the above advice! HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY POOPING!!!!
Reading this post is meant to empower you over your ass, rise up and declare you will no longer be a slave to your ass, that ass oppression is OVER. And all of us in a single voice say to the world we have had enough (or not enough in the case of Sahara) and we are DEMANDING change, POWER TO THE POOPER!!! POWER TO THE POOPER!!!, POWER TO THE POOPER!!!
/rant off
I have lost the amount of cheese the average American eats in a year...but I probably have to lose SEVERAL more pounds before I lose the amount of cheese I used to eat in a year 😬😬😬
I've been wondering the same thing. I'm in the pre-op phase, but am shooting for an early-mid December surgery date. My thought was to cook Thanksgiving dinner for myself and my grown children and grandson, and then freeze leftover plates for Christmas dinner. But I'm not sure about that. I just wonder how tired I might be at Christmas if it's only a couple weeks past my surgery, and would I even be able to tolerate some food smells at that time. Maybe the best bet would be to send them all to a Bob Evans after Mass.lol
JustMeInCleveland got a reaction from Fairyboots72 in Starting to plan thanksgiving & Christmas