Sleeve_Me_Alone

100% normal. Fluids from surgery, swelling, stress. It all can contribute to big swings up and down those first couple of weeks. Don't pay any attention to it. Just rest, drink your fluids, and focus on recovery for the time being. You will see the scale move in time.

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is a thing. Likely has nothing to do with your surgery, just your use. It often starts with nausea and grows into recurrent vomiting. Mode of delivery doesn't matter, the only thing that resolves it is cutting it out. If you go a week without and the nausea resolves, you'll have your answer.

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is a thing. Likely has nothing to do with your surgery, just your use. It often starts with nausea and grows into recurrent vomiting. Mode of delivery doesn't matter, the only thing that resolves it is cutting it out. If you go a week without and the nausea resolves, you'll have your answer.

I'm just about 8 months post-op and I've just started to notice a "hungry" feeling starting to return. Until now, I didn't ever really feel physical hunger until it was too late and I would get dizzy, nauseated, and very weak if I went too long without eating. It didn't take me long to realize I needed to eat on a schedule, as I couldn't trust my body to tell me when to eat anymore! But, I absolutely had head hunger, and still do. There are times I WANT to eat, or I WANT to feel being "full" again. But therapy and LOTS of internal work has helped me manage that. I'm not perfect by any means, but I have learned to listen to those feelings, sit with them, and work through them instead of giving in and seeking food for comfort.
Some people lose the hunger feelings, some don't. What's most important is that you learn to listen to your body, fuel it well, and learn to eat in a way that honors your journey and aligns to your goals. If you find that you want to eat just to eat, eat more than you can comfortably, etc. then definitely look into some counseling or other strategies for learning how to manage emotional eating, etc. The surgery is just a tool, it can't do the head work or you!

I'm just about 8 months post-op and I've just started to notice a "hungry" feeling starting to return. Until now, I didn't ever really feel physical hunger until it was too late and I would get dizzy, nauseated, and very weak if I went too long without eating. It didn't take me long to realize I needed to eat on a schedule, as I couldn't trust my body to tell me when to eat anymore! But, I absolutely had head hunger, and still do. There are times I WANT to eat, or I WANT to feel being "full" again. But therapy and LOTS of internal work has helped me manage that. I'm not perfect by any means, but I have learned to listen to those feelings, sit with them, and work through them instead of giving in and seeking food for comfort.
Some people lose the hunger feelings, some don't. What's most important is that you learn to listen to your body, fuel it well, and learn to eat in a way that honors your journey and aligns to your goals. If you find that you want to eat just to eat, eat more than you can comfortably, etc. then definitely look into some counseling or other strategies for learning how to manage emotional eating, etc. The surgery is just a tool, it can't do the head work or you!

I'm just about 8 months post-op and I've just started to notice a "hungry" feeling starting to return. Until now, I didn't ever really feel physical hunger until it was too late and I would get dizzy, nauseated, and very weak if I went too long without eating. It didn't take me long to realize I needed to eat on a schedule, as I couldn't trust my body to tell me when to eat anymore! But, I absolutely had head hunger, and still do. There are times I WANT to eat, or I WANT to feel being "full" again. But therapy and LOTS of internal work has helped me manage that. I'm not perfect by any means, but I have learned to listen to those feelings, sit with them, and work through them instead of giving in and seeking food for comfort.
Some people lose the hunger feelings, some don't. What's most important is that you learn to listen to your body, fuel it well, and learn to eat in a way that honors your journey and aligns to your goals. If you find that you want to eat just to eat, eat more than you can comfortably, etc. then definitely look into some counseling or other strategies for learning how to manage emotional eating, etc. The surgery is just a tool, it can't do the head work or you!

I think this is very common! I am almost 8 months out and I know in my head my body has changed drastically, but sometimes I have a very hard time seeing it. I have found that looking at pictures side by side helps, taking measurements helps, and comparing some of my old pants to current ones can help, too. Sometimes, when its really bad, TOUCHING my body can help. This is a well established therapeutic grounding technique, so it helps get me out of my own head, but it also just makes the change very visceral. My body FEELS different. And sometimes I just need to FEEL the changes with my own two hands for it to feel real. Like, I can wrap my fingers around my writs and doing that feels very concrete, which forces my brain to acknowledge the changes. Its hard sometimes for our brains to catch up, but hang in there! You will see it!

I was just thinking, their persistence to take you out could Have been out of lack of another plan. They knew they wanted to do SOMETHING for you for Mother’s Day and didn’t have any other ideas. Perhaps if you come up with something not food related that you would rather do in the future and you suggest it they will not pressure you so much to do dinner out??

I think this is very common! I am almost 8 months out and I know in my head my body has changed drastically, but sometimes I have a very hard time seeing it. I have found that looking at pictures side by side helps, taking measurements helps, and comparing some of my old pants to current ones can help, too. Sometimes, when its really bad, TOUCHING my body can help. This is a well established therapeutic grounding technique, so it helps get me out of my own head, but it also just makes the change very visceral. My body FEELS different. And sometimes I just need to FEEL the changes with my own two hands for it to feel real. Like, I can wrap my fingers around my writs and doing that feels very concrete, which forces my brain to acknowledge the changes. Its hard sometimes for our brains to catch up, but hang in there! You will see it!

I spoke to the anesthesiologist prior to surgery and she gave me something for my anxiety and also took care to help bring me out gently, as I have a tendency to sort of flip out. She did a great job and the whole experience was a breeze. I would STRONGLY suggest not going against your doctor, as it could jeopardize your surgery, but definitely bring it up again, even up to the day of if necessary.

Agree with all of the above - check with your surgeon. I take a med that I cannot miss and was able to take it prior to surgery, but my surgery was later in the day, so it had plenty of time to absorb. Personally, I didn't have any issues with pills post-op so I was able to take all of my regular meds starting the day after surgery.

The reality is, there are amazing surgeons in the US and just as many in Mexico and other places. Conversely, there are terrible surgeons here and everywhere else. There are pros and cons to each, and every person has different needs. Ultimately it boils down to doing your research, finding a surgeon you trust, and a program that fits your needs.

You need to get into some counseling ASAP. If you truly feel this way, it is alarming and needs to be addressed. Post-op mental and emotional difficulty is completely NORMAL. Suicidal ideation, self hate, and romanticizing your own misery is not. Its very clear that you are not upset about the surgery, but rather that there is something else much deeper going on. I hope you hear me when I say, struggling post-op is NORMAL, but getting the help you need is the only way forward. Please, please reach out.

I spoke to the anesthesiologist prior to surgery and she gave me something for my anxiety and also took care to help bring me out gently, as I have a tendency to sort of flip out. She did a great job and the whole experience was a breeze. I would STRONGLY suggest not going against your doctor, as it could jeopardize your surgery, but definitely bring it up again, even up to the day of if necessary.

First of all, everything you are feeling is completely normal. Those first couple of weeks when you are trying to figure out liquid intake and how to get in Protein, its all a little overwhelming. And the weird, Water logged, sloshy feeling is also normal. I don't think I really felt "right" until I moved to thicker purees. Keep doing what you're doing and you will find that it gets easier over time.
That being said, I purchased a Hydrate Spark water bottle to log water intake. Its definitely a pricey investment, but it has been extremely helpful. It sends me notifications to remind me to drink, it logs all of my water, etc. I also use Just Better Fiber daily to help manage some of the other "issues" and it has helped tremendously. I started with one tablespoon a day and worked up to 3-4. It has been a game changer!

That is very normal. Each incision goes through skin, fat, muscle, etc. They are small, but they are VERY deep, and they take time to heal completely. Rest, use a pillow to brace for coughing/sneezing, and take meds to stay ahead of the pain if you need them. Thankfully, the pain usually subsides within a week or two. Hang in there!

Every program is different, but often times they only offer a blanket recommendation with no personalization for the patient. I would definitely suggest speaking with your nutritionist/registered dietitian. If they aren't able to help give you specific, personalized guidance, it may be worth investing in a private dietitian. There are plenty that are specially trained to work with bariatric patients. I follow a handful on IG and they have been extremely helpful!

My surgeon recommended no swimming until all the scabs came off all of the incisions. Basically, waiting until they were well healed and there was no risk of infection. But check with your surgeon to be sure; always follow their recommendations for you.

100000000% this. Only a VERY select few folks were told about my surgery in advance and I've chosen to share it with an additional 2 since then. I try to accept the compliment/comment graciously and give a very generic answer, but I VERY rarely provide any detail.

Here is how I handled it.
1. If they don't ask what you did, don't tell them. If someone says I look great, I just say, "Thank you. That is very kind."
2. While I did not announce my WLS, if someone directly asks what I did and I am reasonably sure they would be supportive, I tell them. I might be the only person they know who has had WLS and I want them to see someone succeeding so maybe they will be supportive of the next person they meet who has had WLS or is considering it.
3. If someone directly asks and I doubt whether they will be supportive, I would just say, "Oh, I'm eating right and exercising." Which is true.
4. If someone found out I had WLS and accused me of taking the easy way out, I would very blandly reply, "Isn't the most important thing that I find a way out?"

I'm pre-op still and can only speak from personal experience, but I think this is very common. There is a lot of shame and stigma attached to WLS, all of which is completely unnecessary. The idea that it is a last resort and that patients have "failed" at all other attempts prior to WLS, makes it seem like it is somehow a copout. But that really is not the truth. It is a tool, just like diets and pills and fasts and everything else and there is NO shame in putting another tool in your toolbelt to help you be healthy and well. (I'm of course not comparing WLS to these other methods, just explaining that they are all "tools" and should not carry inherent shame.) All that being said, you did what you needed to do for your won health and well being. Its completely ok and completely normal to question it, especially so early on. But give yourself lots of grace and be patient. It WILL get better and you ARE worth it.

Pre-op diets vary WIDELY from surgeon to surgeon and there is pretty limited research on efficacy from one plan to another. The primary goal is to shrink your liver to allow for as mush operating space as possible. Liver shrinkage is achieved by a reduced calorie, low carb diet (this reduces glycogen). The main thing is to just be compliant with whatever your surgeon recommends to give yourself the best outcome possible!

You should always follow YOUR surgeon's recommendations. They have them for a reason. That being said, my plan does not prohibit carbonation after 6 months. I am 7 months post-op and I tried one sip of a carbonated drink a few weeks ago and it immediately came back up. For whatever reason, the fizz did NOT agree with me and it just sort of foamed its way out. For me, its not a big loss as I was never much of a soda drinker, but I know a lot of people who enjoy carbonated drinks and would prefer not to give them up. Definitely wait until you are fully healed, well established with your eating and Water habits, and its cleared by your surgeon. But it definitely CAN work for some folks post-op!

As others have said, its not at all uncommon, though not guaranteed. I was prescribed a 6 month prophylactic course of ursodiol because I have a history of biliary colic and didn't want to risk it. I'm 7 month out now and no problems so far!

Every program is different, but often times they only offer a blanket recommendation with no personalization for the patient. I would definitely suggest speaking with your nutritionist/registered dietitian. If they aren't able to help give you specific, personalized guidance, it may be worth investing in a private dietitian. There are plenty that are specially trained to work with bariatric patients. I follow a handful on IG and they have been extremely helpful!