Zom B

I use the creams and wipes by Preparation H. They help a little bit, but the sitz baths help a lot. I prefer the Water to be as hot as I can tolerate it. My doc says that the warm/hot water helps to increase the blood flow to the colon because it naturally doesn't have any.

Thank you all!! I think I’m going to start doing miralax every night to be more regular. Hoping that fixes the problem. Does the miralax make the BM softer too?

For the 1st 4-5 months I was having very loose stool and going to the bathroom like 6 times a day. Now I am almost 9 months out and am extremely constipated. My doc told me to take miralax every single day, and also 3 stool softeners at night before bed. I have been doing this for a week and although my poop is coming out, I still have to strain really hard. This has given me hemorrhoids, and I have to take at least 2 sitz baths a day. It is very painful. I tried to take Metamucil but it gave me massive cramps. I drink 1/2 gallon of Water a day, eat a lot of veggies, fruit, etc. but it doesn't do anything. Doc says its because of all the Protein and Vitamins with Iron. Hopefully it gets better. There are days where I can't even sit down because it hurts so bad.

I don’t take fiber supplements because I find they back me up. I do drink Smooth Move tea most nights, and take a senna tablet on the nights I don’t. Since WLS, I find not going for more than two days is radically uncomfortable for me. The times I miss my tea or tablet typically results in days of misery getting back on track. I go most mornings with my tea or tablet and I am a happy pooper! 💩😬

interesting - my PCP told me it was safe to stay on Miralax long-term. My bariatric surgeon also knows I take it and is fine with it. I've been having a capful every morning for probably five years... (it does say on the bottle to only stay on it for something like seven days (or 14? can't remember) and see a doctor if you're still having the issue, but she said it's because they want to make sure it's not masking something serious. In my case, it's not - like you, it's due to the high Protein diet and the supplements we take (iron and Calcium are the usual culprits...). I've gotten dry mouth from PPI's as well, so I would not be at all surprised if they contribute to the Constipation too.

btw - chronic constipation is a very common problem among WLS patients

Being able to buy clothes "off the rack" rather than having to go to a DXL store. It's amazing the difference in cost. When I started the journey I had a 56-inch waist, which non-Big&Tall stores just don't stock.
I've been reluctant to invest a whole lot of money in clothes as I've been losing weight, as ideally I will continue to lose sizes for a bit longer, so why pay for clothes I'll (hopefully) only wear for a couple months. It's like the reverse of being a kid/teenager, when Mom would get frustrated that I outgrew clothes yet again.
However, at some point the old clothes start looking awful, like you're wearing a tent... not to mention heavy and uncomfortable AF. Being in a transition state with sizes and not wanting to spend money, I went to Wal-Mart and bought some $10.97 jeans... first time wearing jeans in over 30 years. Hard to wrap my brain around it... the jeans weren't unbearably uncomfortable. I was able to buy 44-inch waist and now several weeks later, they're already feeling a bit loose. My next shopping trip, it might be 42.
They had a bunch of dress shirts on clearance that rang up at $2. The XL (down from 3XL) fit easily. At that price, who cares if they fall apart in a few washes.
A whole new world: Being able to shop clothing sales and clearance. That hasn't been part of my life in many many decades.

Today I had an unexpected and surprisingly satisfying NSV. I noticed that my belly button shrank. It's about 50% shallower than it used to be! Who knew I would be so pleased about less depth to my belly button? 😆

It's called "Orthostatic Hypotension". Your blood pressure drops when you stand up, making you feel dizzy and light-headed. It's really common in people who have lost a lot of weight quickly. For some people, this goes away in time. I still have it, but then I had it before surgery, so...
https://www.dssurgery.com/orthostatic-hypotensionintolerance/#:~:text=One of the possible side,a seated or reclined position.
One of the possible side effects of rapid weight loss after undergoing weight loss surgery is orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic intolerance. These terms describe a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing from a seated or reclined position.
Treatments may include increasing hydration, Protein intake, changing medications and treating anemia. Also, allowing time for the body to adjust to the rapid weight loss if all the underlying issues are within normal limits. If symptoms persist, after all underlying issues are investigated, the patient will need to be diligent with hydration, protein intake, supplements and other treatments. Things that may also help is to slow down in moving from one position to the other, take a moment to adjust to your new position. Compression stocking and increasing salt intake can also help if all other causes are investigated. Post prandial hypotension can be avoided with low carbohydrate and small meals. Also, moderately increasing salt intake can improve symptoms.

It's been 9 months and a few weeks out. I still get light headed when I stand up from sitting. Lasting just a few second to close to a min. I just hold still and hold on to something to just ground me. I drink as much as told to do, I eat the right things,and take my meds/vit and get enough sleep. I have to wear oxygen when I sleep do to my O2 drops to the mid to low 80s. And I wondering how long does this last. Or am I not doing something right.

Its hard to believe that there are people who dont believe in wearing masks
it is an airbourne transmitted virus
that means that you are in danger of contracting the virus everytime you are near someone not wearing a mask
i wear two surgical masks ensure the nose clip is. Tightand a visor on top of that as you can contract it via your eyes as well
Wearing a visor on its own is of no use without a mask

i work as a nurse in an intensive care unit and it is so sad to see young people dying who we simply cannot save .This is a deadly virus and the UK variant is much easier to contract
.I think wearing a mask a small price to pay to save your life and that of others
in Spain you cannot even be on the beach without a mask
The huge problem is all these covid patients worldwide are taking up ICU beds which there is a limited amount of
it also means that patients are having procedures postponed as there is no ICU beds available
i think if everyone spent one day in a covid unit watching people gasping for breath it might sink home to stay at home and if u must go out please wear a mask
it just common sense really

Is there evidence that the masks contain PTFE? And what about peer reviewed research for the PTFE?
Shame your original post wasn't upfront in your intention.

@numbheart please cite your source. Also curious if you think cloth or other masks cause cancer as well.

Meantime I will be over here just being *virtuous* around other people.

Wearing a mask keeps your germs close to your own face instead of spreading them out to others. Your mask protects the people around you, Their masks protect you.
A properly fitted N-95 actually filters out the particles and protects you. However, the key is to have a properly fitted mask. Healthcare workers are fit tested annually to ensure they have the proper size and know how to test it for fit. They use these masks when caring for patients with airborne infections. N-95 masks are not easy to wear. They are quite hot and difficult to breathe through, as every bit of air is going through the mask. Furthermore, if the mask gets wet or damp from condensation, it is worthless. I laugh when I see people out and about with N-95's that are obviously not fitted well. They are only as effective as a simple paper or cloth mask, but give the wearer a false sense of security.
So, to answer your question, yes, wearing masks offers a layer of protection from the virus. But everyone has to be wearing one. If 99 people wear a mask and 1 person who has the virus does not wear one, then everyone is at higher risk. But...... you cannot be touching your mask, and it needs to be kept clean. Also, wearing it below your nose is pointless.
As to what kind of mask to wear, the LEAST effective are the single layer neck gators. Double layer cloth masks and the paper surgical masks are about the same and are effective.
Keeping your hands clean and not touching your face are just as important as wearing a mask. These measures will also help prevent the flu. Any by the way, people, GET YOUR FLU SHOTS! This is NOT the year to skip it. I can only imagine how bad it would be to get the flu and Covid at the same time.

I’ve been able to lose weight from diet and exercise, my problem comes with keeping it off. At my lowest weight I got down to 173 and couldn’t lose another pound. But to maintain that weight I had to exercise at least 25 hours a week and eat no more than 1000 calories a day. I kept it off for a few years but eventually gained it back because that’s obviously not sustainable. If I get down to that weight with surgery should I expect to have to do the same things to maintain that weight as I did before surgery? Or will it be easier?

My fermenting veggies
Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, absolutely! I’m 6 wks out RNY and not only are tastes off, but smells are too. eggs now have a slightly wet dog odor to my nose. I gag if I don’t cover them in shredded cheese. It feels quite similar to pregnancy where my stomach and nose were NEVER on the same page. Some consistency’s make me ill as well. Dry chicken, tuna and cod. If I’m honest, I have become a little frustrated with Proteins as the more of them I try, the smaller my options seem.

I have hope that after 8 and 12 weeks my senses will calm a bit.

The same happening to me I lost all flavor and I don't have cravings anymore at the beginning I thought it was awesome but know 2 years later is become an issue because I can no longer enjoy eating.

My spice level preference has increased some. chicken thighs are the only chicken I can eat now and I was an avid chicken eater pre WLS.

I must say that I do find myself craving things I wouldn’t have before surgery like cabbage, butternut squash, and kimchi.

A couple months after I had my VSG I cried in the grocery store parking lot because they didn’t have any grape Powerade zero as that and tea was the only liquids I could keep down. After my revision though that got so much better and I’m not sure why. But I do only use a half packet of crystal light in a 16oz bottled Water now. 🤷‍♀️

Ladies,
I’m 13 weeks out and I can attest that my body fluctuates 3-5 pounds during that week now. Before surgery it maybe bloated a little and fluctuated 2-3 only.

On my period, I made myself a rule to only do a Sunday morn weigh in. It keeps me positive and less focused on an unstable number.

Been there. Save your fruit intakes like mashed banana and apple sauce for those times. When I need pick-me-ups I focus on fruit and walks. Worked for me.

Also, Premier Protein makes a coffee shake, ‘cafe latte’ and it has a cup worth of caffeine. I stick with morning or afternoon only for those or they keep me up.
good luck

Thanks for the input on my post. I have made baby steps - getting in the habit of riding the exercise bike almost daily and watching snacking. Best thing is I made an appointment with a new bariatric team. So, progress! Stay well in this challenging time everyone 😊

Let me add my point of view. Surgery is not the solution it’s a tool. Those same issues you lacked self control over pre surgery will be there post surgery. You must be willing to put in the work to optimize your tool.

I’m close to 11 years post op. I went from 384 to 210 with my surgery. 6 years in I stalled and put in the work myself and went from 210 to 164.

How did I do it? I spent time in counseling. Learning how to love me. Resolving issues that caused a negative relationship with food. Every once in awhile they will pop up. But investing in healing has saved me. I didn’t need a cheerleader in the process. I needed someone to hold me accountable. I didn’t want sympathy for making the decision to eat crap. Call me out on my sh*t. I got rid of those who wanted me to fail and created a healthier circle of people who wanted me to succeed.

I recently put on 20 lbs. I didn’t get depressed. I earned every pound gained. I knew where I slacked. I let Coronavirus get me. I owned it and set a plan that didn’t include starving. Currently down 10. Clothes fitting again. Plan to be back at goal by Thanksgiving.

The decision to have surgery is extreme. And it’s going to take extreme responses to give you a reality check. The reality is you’re going to have to put in the work to lose the weight post op. And that requires being called out on behaviors that may have need brushed under previously. It’s hard but it’s needed.

Hit me up anytime on IG: @bariatricbutterfly. I work with women atleast 3 years post op experiencing weight gain and want to gain control on working their tool.

Doing one thing at a time is what worked for me too ! First it was packing a healthy lunch for work, and healthy Snacks. Then it was changing Breakfast into a "MUST EAT" to set me on a Protein and healthy day..... I made changes slowly. And pretty soon it becomes a routine.

remember to watch your sodium intake with broth.

I found that I got bored quickly. It was easy for me to make excuses as to why I didn’t go to the gym or why I chose to eat cheesecake at 10pm at night. I recognized that I was depressed.

We all know what we are supposed to do and yet we choose to do the opposite? Once I recognized my depression, I made the decision to work on it. I also stepped out of what I normally did and tried something new, in terms of exercise.

I scoffed at the expense of doing Pilates, but I tried it for a week. I got a pass for $20 and I vowed that if I showed up at least 3 times a week, then I would sign up! I went 5 times. It was so relaxing. It was in a small setting( COVID conscious) and I felt very accomplished after each class. It surprised me. I was getting stronger every class, my anxiety about the pandemic went away, I began drinking more Water and I started making smarter choices with my eating. I noticed a difference almost immediately.

That one act created a domino effect. Just say to yourself, “I’m going to walk/climb stairs for 15 minutes 3 times a week” see where that takes you.

Do a sleeve reset. Do one thing for yourself and see if it’s a catalyst to getting back on track.

I ended up having surgery to convert from a sleeve to bypass. I had horrible Gerd and I decided I wasn’t going to live on ppis for the rest of my life. I just had surgery last week and the struggle is real. But I look forward to getting back into the Pilates studio and I haven’t experienced GERD at all.

I have faith that you can find that one thing to get you back in track! I’m rooting for you! Good luck and be well!