AlwaysCruising

So funny, I recently posted this cropped version of this chart in a FB forum. I do think they can be helpful (this one or others) since we too often have an expectation the]at pounds should be flying off when that is not true from the perspective of the surgeons or averages. I agree! My surgeon said it is like any other weight loss, they expect 1-2 lbs per week (after the loss 1-2 weeks out). The problems is that some of us need surgery to do even that “normal” loss. Of course size matters (as on 600 lb life), but some of us were at a BMI of 35 not 50 and loss will differ.

I encourage you (as in everyone) to be realistic. Science is real, being realistic is healthy. Goals are great, unrealistic goals are not.

Part of the mental health evaluation of people seeking surgery is whether or not they have a rational and realistic view of what is possible In terms of weight loss with the bariatric surgery. Of course some people lie about that (health care professionals aren’t psychic after all). And the fact is that it is unlikely that people who have WLS will reach their full healthy weight, but will instead lose only a percentage of that (for many, 60%). That’s not my opinion, that is a scientific fact (ask any Bariatric surgeon or expert). When people have expectations that exceed that (and I have seen it many times on WLS boards, patients talking as if they are Joan of Arc determined to defy all odds), But it’s a real problem when people have unrealistic expectations as they can lead to significant disappointment, or depression, and sometimes weight gain. I don’t understand people thinking they’re surgeons are somehow it gets them, or have a low bar for them, or just know less than WLS patients. I have lost 100 pounds and kept it off for six years (and got a leg injury for the effort) and then regained the weight. I hope this surgery will give me a tool to keep it from happening. And if I get anything remotely close to being normal again I’m going take that and be thrilled beyond words.

I am finding that to be so true! I sometimes feel “hungry” after I began eating and believe it is acid (the gurgling). I did have atypical GERD before surgery (although my medication isn’t that effective since the ones that are were taken off the market due to cancer concerns or caused me diarrhea). I had read info from a Bariatric surgeon who recommended a gaviacon chew with each meal in the early months. Worth a try!

Honestly, I think a huge number of us fear that.

Lisa - where are you?!

I do think people try to overdo. Regular life isn’t possible right now on that few calories (300-600). The chick-fil-a soup was a good idea (I did that before my colonoscopy). So glad you got what you needed ? P.S. glad to hear the pain has lessened, it had concerned me. Take your time.

You did not, I promise. Some surgeons require little for pre-op diets and the surgeries are fine. Please don’t worry ?

I know you are feeling extra emotional now, but it will all be okay ?

Absolutely, not knowing is the worst part. Limbo sucks! Fingers crossed you get answers!

Oh trust me, I have used the heating pad - and meds, and stretching, and walking, the breathing exercises, and exercises to open the chest, and... ☹️ I am both in healthcare and a prior researcher and so I even went to the scientific lit to find answers, but little helped. But I believe it is getting better now. Of course it is also a matter of nerve irritation and it is possible that lasted longer than is typical. I have to wonder if the surgeon took the usual steps to clear the gas or if maybe he was in a hurry (this being a business as any other and with the income stopped for months here). I did order a new, softer heating pad so should I need one again there will be a nicer and more comfortable one! ☺️ Thank you for caring.

I have to admit that I am relieved that you are going to have a follow up appt. very soon given how you are feelings. They “say” we aren’t supposed to be hungry, but you have to be able to get something down. I had surgery the afternoon of 6/18 and just walking in the house (I have an IT band/leg issue in the last year and there are too many stairs to get out of the house). But so far no serious light-headedness. It is hard not to imagine it is a lack of calories creating a problem for you ? I am so happy you will be seeing them soon. I so understand how weary you are of liquids - I didn’t have to do a liquids pre-op diet and I am already so very weary of liquids only and am so ready for some texture! Please keep us updated and how you are doing!

Given the weight you show lost (if that is post surgery), you must be eating very little ? I show 300-600 is the range for most (but I have had no 300 calorie days). Supposedly the sensations we are having are not hunger, but it feels awfully close at times.

From my research that is the bare minimum, it is so low that I can’t imagine how someone would function day to day!

They have kept you to 300 calories day post op? Mine had told me to not worry about calories for a month, during the biggest part of the healing. I would agree that would be very hard. ?

I am getting mine pretty easily, BUT the required amount is 60 grams AND they said for the first week that was aspirational. 80 g is a lot! I am having a harder time getting the 64oz on water/liquids, but getting at least 40. You can only do what you can do!

Aww ? yes, in such cases denials won’t work (I wish they had also told you that). I am so sorry someone gave you bad info early on, it feels rotten to lose time and effort and $! Many policies will now cover it so I hope your husband’s does! And as long as you aren’t a year off from some of the screenings (e.g. the psychological evaluation) they will still be valid (except the 30 day ones like labs).

It is a bit better. Thank you for asking ?. I have walked a path into my wood floor and my husband has been massaging, in addition to warm drinks, gas-x, etc. It’s strange that everything you read will tell you that this should be gone in two days when there seems to be so many others for that is it so. Since there are things surgeons can do to help reduce the problem, it does kind of make me wonder if there’s some surgeons who are just lazy and don’t care. I hate to think that way but not sure what else to think ? at least I am having little in the way of other pain or issues. Except being bored silly with liquids ?

I truly hope yours ends sooner than mine did. 4 days of this is horrid IMHO,- the spasms on my left side are sincerely hard to handle. I’ve tried so much and nothing fixes the issue. One of my dietitians today suggested lemon juice, she said it work for another patient. Only had concentrated lemon juice and the freeze dried and I’ve tried some of that. No fix as yet ? the rest of my healing has been great, that is the crazy part.

4 days since my sleeve - doing pretty good at getting my protein in (60g) and decently on water (64oz is my goal, yesterday only managed 30 but better the day prior). only real problem is with the surgical gas - it’s worse than with my hysterectomy (which was rough for 2 days). Last night the pain was so bad in my side that I was in tears (i don’t tend toward the dramatic, it honestly feels as if someone was twisting my muscles on my left side). I have taken every possible step - walking lots, gasx, heating pad, etc. Research shows Most clears out by day 3, but I am day 4 and it only changed sides ? On the positive side, I am down 6.6 lb ?. Sending good wishes out to you all!

For my hysterectomy the bad part of the gas was about 48 hours. But it is so painful for me now with the sleeve surgery that is takes my breath away. I have done every single think that could have heloed and have walked a hole in the floor since just after surgery. It is disheartening to have this much pain not even directly related to the surgery ?

Wow, they actually said to you they worried about insurance cancelling the day of surgery? Seems odd since the auth is over and done by then and they do not usually weight someone that day. I was weighed at pre-op via the hospital (but they didn’t ask me to remove shoes, etc. beforehand). I hate that they scared you that way, but I can definitely understand not wanting to risk it! Good luck ??

Here is to hoping that we heal quickly and well and are on a ship to somewhere by Oct! ❤️

Hello all ? I was familiar with the why’s (and physicians differ in their explanations as well). But it isn’t great to keep getting such varied advice from my own treatment team. Only so I communicate clearly, it was not a lack of knowledge of my part that led to the questions (I’ve been doing pre-surgical evals for more than 20 year), but rather a struggle with the different rules and the various pains are not easily labeled ☹️ I knew someone else must have experienced the same. I wish IQ and knowledge would help all of us in this situation, but some of this defies logic for sure! good luck to all of you! FYI - I’m typing this from my iPad in bed right now, so please excuse typos or iOS aided (mis)spellings!

Yikes, you may win the covid test prize! I thought the childbirth thing was pretty laughable too! I mean we each perceive things our own way, but there is a only so much variety that fits reality (and the covid test is more an aggravation than a huge problem).