MarisAthena

Congratulations everyone! I consider myself a veteran almost 6 months after my gastric bypass. Getting this surgery was the best decision of my life! Whatever you are going through, hating your liquid diet, pre op fear, post op pain, stool issues after surgery, fear of the surgery itself (I was so scared that I considered not doing it until the moment they rolled me in the operating room), please remember that is ALL worth it. My diabetes went away after 15 years of Metformin and Insulin, and for the first time in over 10 years ALL my annual health test came back perfect in the normal range. You will do great!

On 10/22/2023 at 8:57 PM, jesscanntoo said:

I took it 3 weeks after my surgery as I came down with covid just a few weeks after my surgery. I took the pills as prescribed... so at their full size and at the normal dosage. It was fine. They also gave me tessalon pearls to help with the coughing as the coughing was really doing a number on my internal stitches.

Thank you so very much! I am truly grateful for this information, especially the Tessalon PERLE, I never heard of this medication, and I learned it from you. 😀

7 hours ago, ReadingMochaMom4 said:

I took it the 5 days and felt better the whole time I was on it.
I'm 3 years out on my surgery.

On the day after my surgery the nurses in the hospital had me taking giant horse pills.

Thank goodness my brother was there (who just had the surgery 3 months earlier) and gave major push back.

I hope your symptoms dissipate and you feel better soon.

Thank you, it is good to know that you took it for 5 days, it gives me peace of mind to know that someone already did that and all was perfectly fine. Really awful experience with those nurses, we have to be our own advocates sometimes.

9 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

there may be no info on it because it could be that no one has researched it. However, I've never had an issue with prescriptions. I know we're not supposed to take extended release versions of pills, and I know some people have to switch or increase their dosage of some meds (e.g. antidepressants), but I've never run into any of this with any of the prescriptions I've had. I've just taken them using the general instructions.. Also, you're far enough out that you shouldn't have to crush pills. I haven't crushed pills in years - I've been able to take everything whole ever since about my third week post-op.

Thank you for letting me know that I should not worry about crushing the pills, I truly appreciate it!

15 hours ago, toodlerue said:

I tried to take it. I took it whole & it gave me a terrible, horrible taste in my mouth! I could only do it for 2 days. My man took it with no problems. I had another friend take it & she had the terrible, horrible taste too!

Thank you so much for the information, I was wondering if your friend had gastric bypass as well. I do not think I would mind the taste, but since my surgery was 4 months ago I am more concerned about the absorption rate.

I was wondering if anyone that had gastric bypass took Paxlovid for Covid. It is amazing that I could not find any information on this topic on this website or any others. Knowing the decreased medication absorption after gastric bypass, can anyone let me know:

1) Did you take Paxlovid for the 5 days prescribed? 2) Was the Paxlovid administered as whole pills or did you crush the pills? 3) Any side effects? 4) Any advice?

Thank you so much!

On 9/18/2023 at 2:17 AM, MaameWata said:

I'm 6 months post gastric sleeve and even though I haven't lost a lot of weight unfortunately, (65lbs or something like that) I've noticed a dramatic loss in my boobs. I've always had saggy boobs but at least when I was bigger, the fat evened it out. Now that I'm lighter, they have deflated completely and look absolutely ghastly and my confidence has completely disappeared. It's also made the side fat around my boobs even worse, and my arm fat is also quite a lot too.

I want to have a breast uplift as well as an arm lift, but I don't want to have to separate surgeries to have them - is it possible to combine them in one procedure? Have any of you had both done at the same time and what were your experiences/would you recommend? I'm based in London, but I don't know whether to find somewhere in Turkey or something to have it done as I can imagine the cost of having it done here may be expensive.

Thank you in advance!

Hi, as someone that is very familiar with Eastern, Southeastern Europe and West Asia I would strongly recommend against a surgery of this magnitude there. Your life is extremely valuable and surgery complications can be horrible. I know it is much cheaper to do it there, but there is no price on life. It is not even about physician competence (since some of the best doctors in the world come from those higher education systems), it is about medical facilities and their level of sterilization (or lack thereof). I think you should save money, take your time and get the surgery where you are. I grew up there and moved to US in my thirties. There is no comparison in the medical care, and surgery facilities, they are definitely superior in US and in UK. Please remember that your life is worth everything and you can end up much worse than where you are right now. It is worth saving money and getting that procedure completed where it is safe. It is your life and it is more valuable than everything!

On 9/18/2023 at 2:17 AM, MaameWata said:

I'm 6 months post gastric sleeve and even though I haven't lost a lot of weight unfortunately, (65lbs or something like that) I've noticed a dramatic loss in my boobs. I've always had saggy boobs but at least when I was bigger, the fat evened it out. Now that I'm lighter, they have deflated completely and look absolutely ghastly and my confidence has completely disappeared. It's also made the side fat around my boobs even worse, and my arm fat is also quite a lot too.

I want to have a breast uplift as well as an arm lift, but I don't want to have to separate surgeries to have them - is it possible to combine them in one procedure? Have any of you had both done at the same time and what were your experiences/would you recommend? I'm based in London, but I don't know whether to find somewhere in Turkey or something to have it done as I can imagine the cost of having it done here may be expensive.

Thank you in advance!

11 minutes ago, NCL04321 said:

I think you were one of the lucky ones. Ive also taken all my Protein, Vitamins, ate what i was supposed to etc and my hair is still falling out. Doesnt matter how we eat, it is just a natural thing that happens after losing so much weight so quickly. Happens to many but not all of us. It was also one of the best decisions ive made even though my hair is falling out. Ive lost 65lbs in 5 months and loving every minute of it! I feel (and look) so much better! Hair grows back. I feel better than i have in many years!

I am wondering if it has to do with Biotin and collagen supplements. I took so much biotin, that my B12 was higher than normal, when before the surgery I was deficient. Sincerely, all we can do is to do our best. Even if I would have Hair loss, the fact that after 15 years of insulin and metformin I am no longer a diabetic, it was worth all the struggle. Less hair is a good balance for no diabetes. 😀

2 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

just so you know, some people don't start losing it that early. My Hair loss started up at five months out (like you, I was also careful to do everything "right"). Luckily, I lost very little hair, but I did lose some from months 5-9. Once you've past the six month mark and you still haven't lost any hair, then you probably aren't going to lose any.

Thank you so much for letting me know! It is probably difficult, we will see, I will continue doing what I am doing, and if Hair loss arrives, I have two pixie wigs ready!🥹

6 hours ago, jacquelynn22 said:

Surgery date is October 11th! WooHoo!
I know about Hair loss after surgery.
Thoughts and/or experience on coloring your hair after surgery, I've heard some people wait 6 months, some a year, some never stop.

First, congratulations! It was the best decision of my entire life and 3 months after the surgery I can say, it will ALWAYS be the best decision of my life. I believe it will be one of the best decisions you made. I colored my hair after couple of months, I had no problem. I did not loose hair, although I was expecting it. I believe I did not loose hair even though I lost 51 pounds in 3 months, because I always eat the right amount of Protein and also took a Biotin supplement in addition to Calcium, Iron and Multivitamins. I am happy, energetic and blessed. All my blood tests came back PERFECT! No high bad cholesterol, no high triglycerides, and after 15 years of being a diabetic and juggling metformiin and insulin, I am no longer a diabetic. My last A1C was 5.5 which places me in the normal range, I am not even a prediabetic. I was so scared of the gastric bypass that I considered not getting the surgery up to the time they rolled me in the operating room. I really hated my liquid diet and was in tremendous pain after the surgery because I had a hiatal hernia repair surgery at the same time with the gastric bypass. I cannot believe that there are only 3 months and 10 days since my surgery! So, while there are scary stories out there and the journey is not easy, please know that each individual is unique, and trust that your story will be one of success as mine is! One doctor told me couple of years ago that getting a gastric bypass was the best decision of his life. I can say the same about me and wish for you the same!

On 6/19/2023 at 6:24 AM, vpsdub said:

Thanks for your replies, very helpful, much appreciated!

Here are my main concerns with surgery, just trying to achieve risk/benefit balance:
1) anesthesia - recently had minor dental surgery with local anesthesia (tooth extraction), for 3 days afterwards had more frequent than usual shortness of breath and chest tightness. Bariatric anesthesia will be much heavier - it would be good to hear from someone 60+ with pre-surgery cardio vascular issues
2) my friend post-surgery has to take loads of supplements and Vitamins as necessary nutrients not absorbed properly after surgery causing fatigue. Also other surgeries might be needed - to fix stricture, excessive skin etc. It seems like a lot of risk taking into account my heart issues. Are supplements for life? Would prefer natural nutrients as any chemical/medication has side effects

Another question - would appreciate views/experiences on non surgical ways. Tried diets - lost weight and gained back. Heard about microbiom changes, faecal transplanting - any experience of those?

Thanks again

I am 58 years old and I have Afib, I also had rheumatic fever when I was a teenager and I have some valve issues. I am a diabetic ( or was ), and wear a CPAP. I had my surgery on 6/5/23. Within a day from the surgery I stopped taking the diabetes medication (after 15 years). I keep checking my blood sugar, and everything is perfect. I have no idea why and how this happened. My CPAP pressure decreased, they told me at the hospital that eventually I will no longer need the CPAP machine. I had no Afib episodes since the surgery. The gastric bypass requires a lifelong commitment of Multivitamins, minerals and nutrients due to malabsorption. I tried about 8 separate diets prior to committing to this surgery and I always gained back the weight. The education I received prior to the gastric bypass at mayo Clinic explained why we always gain the weight back when dieting. I have no issues with the microbiome, I take pre and Probiotics daily. I think that this surgery is the best decision of my life and the best thing I could have done for my heart. I knew that this will be so when a doctor told me the same thing years ago, that he got the gastric bypass and it was the best thing he did for himself in his entire life. It is a tough decision and a life commitment but the benefits exceed the struggles. I was like you, I doubted my decision until the morning of the surgery. I am really happy that I went through with it!

21 hours ago, TRClark23 said:

So, I woke up Friday evening around 5pm in my room. I have no idea how long the surgery was and I have no idea how long I was in recovery. I was told during a nurse shift change that I'd had a hernia repaired as well, which was news to me.

The nurse allowed me to keep the leg massagers on which was nice. My mouth was SO dry and they said I could have ice chips. They brought in a 64oz cup full of ice, then got mad when I said there munching on ice, lol.

Around 9pm, the nurse asked me if I wanted to walk around the hospital wing and I said I did. At first she was worried that I'd fall, but I was pretty comfortable on my feet and did 10 laps around the wing. She seemed impressed and told me that I'd be surprised to know how many people have the surgery and refuse to walk.

A few hours later, I had really bad chest pain and no one seemed to know what it was. One nurse claimed it was gas pain, another said that it was probably associated with one or more of the incisions, another claimed it probably had to do with the hernia fix or the tube they shoved down my throat.

Saturday morning, after being told all day that I couldn't eat or drink anything, they brought in a Breakfast tray with a cup of chicken broth, a Jello cup, and a bottle of Water with a crystal light packet. I appreciated that and was able to get about three sips out of the broth, a couple small bites of the Jello, and a couple sips of the crystal light. The flavor was lemonade and it was wonderful.

I then asked the nurse if I could walk again and she agreed. At this point, I wanted to up my laps from 10 to 20. On lap 17, my surgeon appeared in the hallway and told me that he was glad to see me walking. He asked if I was able to keep down the liquids that I'd been given and I said that I had. He asked if I had any nausea or anything, which I didn't, then he asked me if I wanted to be discharged or spend a 2nd night in the hospital, I chose to take the discharge, though I probably should have stayed.

Currently, I'm able to sip liquids but I'm not getting even close to the suggested 4oz an hour. I notice that after I sip, I have brief stomach pain. I assume that I'm probably going to have it for at least a week, which is okay I guess. It's only a brief pain, then goes away.

I was prescribed Tylenol 3 with codeine for pain and bought a pill crusher, which is a PITA, but it works okay.

To date, I started my journey at 385lbs, I went to my surgery at 361lbs, and I stepped on the scale today and weighed in at 348lbs.

It's hard for me to imagine that I lost 13lbs between Friday morning and Sunday, but maybe the lack of eating over the last 3-4 days and the stomach removal is what did it for me? I have no idea, but this has been an interesting journey and I'll looking forward to what comes next.

I had the same surgery as you did on 6/5. The pain is from the hiatal hernia repair surgery. It will get better with time. You should do research on the hiatal hernia repair surgery, it has slightly different requirements than the gastric bypass. The fact that they did both at the same time for both of us makes me think it is quite common, but they should have spoken to you about it because the pain I had was excruciating for me and my surgeon was very clear that it was due to the hiatal hernia and not due to the roux en y.

While the decreased Vitamin and mineral absorption after gastric bypass is very well known and researched, not very much can be found about various drugs absorption or antibiotics absorption. I did a bit of research on this topic since I know UTIs are a concern especially for women. It is interesting to see that some antibiotics absorb as low as 37% while others absorb at 100%. Please see below some articles on this subject.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/754391

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32314257/

https://www.jabfm.org/content/jabfp/20/3/310.full.pdf

https://www.drugs.com/article/antibiotics-for-uti.html

Hi everyone,

I have been dealing with severe Constipation (third week since surgery). I did a bit of research and found something that is actually working for me, it is called Fiberex, it is basically concentrated prune juice with Fiber. I tastes like concentrated sweet prune juice. I drink one little scoop (comes with it) in the evening and everything is fine the second day. I do not know if it will work for others but I thought I should let everyone know. Of course, before you start it, please consult your medical professional. I was just sick of taking other pharmaceutical products and tried to find something natural. Also, I put together a list of veggies, legumes that have high amount of Protein and that might help you when you start incorporating them in your diet. Please see below. I hope this helps some of you.

Edamame 1 cup 18.46 grams protein

Lentils 1cup 17.86 grams protein

Pinto Beans 1 cup 15.41 grams protein

Garbanzo beans 1 cup 14.53 grams protein

Fava beans 1 cup 12.92 grams protein

Lima beans 1 cup 11.58 grams protein

Green peas 1 cup 8. 58 grams protein

Quinoa 1cup 8.14 grams protein

Spinach 1 cup 5.3 grams protein

Collard greens 1 cup 5.1 grams protein

Artichokes 1 cup 4.8 grams protein

Avocado 1 cup 4.6 grams protein

Asparagus 1 cup 4.3 grams protein

Mushrooms 1 cup 4 grams protein

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/19-high-protein-vegetables#14.-Chia-seeds

https://bcbstnews.com/bluehealthsolutions/10-most-protein-packed-vegetables/

2 hours ago, Lizrios said:

I’m home from my surgery I had on june 7th. I’m a little tender and sore but doing good so far. Hope I can keep track of all that I must do. One ounce of liquid every fifteen minutes. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. I can’t believe I did it! I have five incisions

I am happy that all went well. My surgery did not go well. I have 6 incisions not 5, it was supposed to last 4 hours, it lasted about 7, and I still hurt like hell if I do not take muscle relaxants and opioids. I do not dare to look at the surgery notes and find what happened but when I will, I will let you know.

On 6/7/2023 at 7:03 PM, AmandaD. said:

Surgery done! Staying in the hospital 3 days just monitoring Fluid. Leak test around midnight tonight and if I’m cleared they want me to try Soup and Jello. I have to be honest, I was in a lot more pain waking up than I thought. Gas pains are awful, a little better now with walking but wow. Good luck to everyone this week & those who had their surgeries today! We did it!

I cannot agree more! The pain I woke up with was awful! I asked my surgeon why is everyone having such a nice easy experience with this surgery and I do not. I think reading this blog we have unrealistic expectations of feeling perfect and forget that each of us might, just might have a different experience. My tummy feels like I have about 4 sea otters moving around at all times and competing with each other on what to kick around. 😀

37 minutes ago, £€@h said:

I apologize if this isn’t the right spot to let things out because everyone of y’all have been doing so good in your journey and I caught the funk and really don’t want to spread it.

I’m about a week out from surgery and yesterday I made dinner for the family for the first time. I’m still strictly liquid but thought I should help my wife with the boys (1 1/2 and 5). I made them one of my favorites because it’s my eldest favorite too , rotisserie chicken salad with all the goodness. I wanted to eat it so bad!! I thought about licking their food, and I wanted to cry. I pulled it together and we ate dinner together, then with their food and me with broth. I made them dinner again tonight, salmon Brussels sprouts and rice. I was not as strong as yesterday, I cried dishing their plates, I even put some salmon in my mouth and sucked on it (I spit it out). I had to go to my room and cry.
also I realize that this past week I have not been keeping up on my happy pills because I used to take all my meds at once and simply can’t do that anymore.

I appreciate this space to type, complain and share victories.
🤟🏾

Please do not think that you are the only one in that situation, there are many of us exactly as you are. We understand your pain. Maybe you can talk to the wife and let her know that this is not the time for you to cook. I told my husband no, and that is it. That does not mean no cooking forever. That means no cooking right now when your hormones are all over the place and your body is trying to adjust and survive. She will understand, she loves you and she wants you around the boys as a grandpa. You will get through this. Please also do not think that everyone here has great experiences. I had my gastric bypass on Monday and my surgery experience was awful! I had to be placed on opioids and muscle relaxants to subdue the pain. I was literally screaming in pain post op. They sent me home today with both opioids and muscle relaxants and I have to be on blood thinners for 30 days and inject those in my tummy 3 times per day. Not your usual gastric bypass, and hiatal hernia surgery experience, all hurts like hell. We struggle but we will overcome and our families will appreciate us healthier. 😀

14 hours ago, kla7403 said:

I had my surgery yesterday. Woke up in my room to kinda bad gas pains I’m my lower stomach. I was given pain medicine and it helped a lot . Also burping as much as I could really made a difference. Feeling much better this morning just tender and little tinges of pain here and there

You are doing much better than I am. Today I was taken to radiography so they can test if there are any leaks. That experience was very painful due to the positioning but there are no leaks so I can start eating. I drank two sips of Water and had immediate cramping. That stopped after 5 minutes. I requested a meeting with the nutritionist because their list is very confusing. They say sugar fee, fat free yogurt, all yogurt has some amount of sugar in it naturally so I need explanations. The pain medication helps tremendously, I agree. They have me on an opioid and a muscle relaxant. Today they added another pain medication. I do not know when they will send me home yet, but I am scared because all meds they are giving me are given through my arm port and I need to know that I will be able to control this pain at home. This is just 24 hours after the roux en y surgery, I thought it will be easier….Sigh…

3 hours ago, sharonwg said:

Awwwww - David, I sure am glad to see yo on the other side. Pleased things have gone well for you and that you are up and about - I know they try to get you up and about as soon as possible.

I had my surgery on 1st and am still doing ok. I too am pacing myself and can now drink almost the required minimum litre and a half of Water per day and am also getting better at getting in pureed Proteins. Went out for a longer walk today to get some banana's to puree with Protein yoghurt - it was a longer walk but i just rested up a little afterward. Getting stronger with each day.

For those of you having surgery on 6th - go on - you got this xx

So happy to hear the news and the fact that you are doing well. It gives me hope for the near future! Good night from the hospital bed! 😀

2 hours ago, MarisAthena said:

Hello everyone! I am out of surgery and just woke up! I received a mixture of pain medication including fentanyl. I have almost no pain. I am coughing a lot from the tube they inserted. My surgery took 7 hours without prep because they had to do much more than the gastric bypass roux en y. I would say that overall I am ok and that it was more difficult than I initially thought it will be. For those of you still on the liquid diet, please please keep it up. My surgeon said that he could see where the liver was once enlarged, and that he could see the shadow, so that liquid diet I hated so much did something! 😀I did not sleep at all the night before the surgery because of the Miralax. TMI, but going to the bathroom through the whole night and the early morning in the hospital prior to surgery made it horrible. It might not happen to others, but my body reacted that way. Another very important thing, that my husband shared, I was not awaken yet, please tell the nurse to talk to the transport team not to roll you over from the sling they transport you after the surgery into your post op bed. They wanted to do that to me and my husband stopped them. Last but not least and most important of all, I was happy when I opened my eyes! This is the first day of the rest of my life! 😀

So sorry for all the pics, tried to delete them, they do not delete. That’s what happens when you write just out of general anesthesia. 🤣

1 hour ago, £€@h said:

The pain in the chest (for me) is from deep breaths. The doc fixed a large hernia while he was operating and that is the reason I have some extra pain. It’s mostly high near the shoulder, the real concern is painful normal breaths and shortness of breath.

My doctor told me tonight that the ring shaped pain I have around my chest is from the hiatal hernia repair and corresponding sutures/closings and it is absolutely normal.

1 hour ago, £€@h said:

Maris! Welcome to the rest of your life! A seven hour surgery?! What happened? Were you anticipating that long of a surgery? So glad your on!

I was anticipating a long surgery. They did several procedures in one so this is why it was so long. Please do not worry at all. Thank you for caring!

On 6/4/2023 at 6:07 PM, Lizrios said:

Hello everyone! I am out of surgery and just woke up! I received a mixture of pain medication including fentanyl. I have almost no pain. I am coughing a lot from the tube they inserted. My surgery took 7 hours without prep because they had to do much more than the gastric bypass roux en y. I would say that overall I am ok and that it was more difficult than I initially thought it will be. For those of you still on the liquid diet, please please keep it up. My surgeon said that he could see where the liver was once enlarged, and that he could see the shadow, so that liquid diet I hated so much did something! 😀I did not sleep at all the night before the surgery because of the Miralax. TMI, but going to the bathroom through the whole night and the early morning in the hospital prior to surgery made it horrible. It might not happen to others, but my body reacted that way. Another very important thing, that my husband shared, I was not awaken yet, please tell the nurse to talk to the transport team not to roll you over from the sling they transport you after the surgery into your post op bed. They wanted to do that to me and my husband stopped them. Last but not least and most important of all, I was happy when I opened my eyes! This is the first day of the rest of my life! 😀

3 hours ago, BigSkyLife said:

Good luck tomorrow! You're going to do great!! Keep us updated ♥️🙏

3 hours ago, BigSkyLife said:

Good luck tomorrow! You're going to do great!! Keep us updated ♥️🙏

I will post as soon as I can after the surgery. Thank you everyone for your support, it meant a lot and made my journey easier. I hope that this surgery will help me reverse diabetes, reverse atrial fibrillation (if the Aussies are right, weight loss can actually reverse this heart arrhythmia in the first year after diagnosis, this is a new discovery from Australia), heal the Barrett’s Esophagus (that is what the doc said, the pre cancerous cells will heal with time after the bypass), decrease the future chances of pulmonary embolism, and last but not least allow the sleep without a CPAP. All of these with one single surgery! Even if only one of these gets resolved, life is longer . Wishing everyone a wonderful peaceful night!

4 hours ago, £€@h said:

I’ve been home for 24 hours and the surgery pain is tolerable, but like the doc said keep on top of it because it’s hard to play catch up. I got a wicked headache this morning and have been taking Tylenol. I am sleeping in a recliner and can’t wait to get back in bed. I like to sleep on my stomach so who knows when that will happen. I went for a pudding and ate a few bites and about threw up. I think it’s too thick and sweet. I have a tightness around my lungs and can’t seem to take a big breath. I’m learning not to chug Water and I’m terrified of throwing up. Thanks everyone for support advice and stories!

From what I read the tightness around the lungs comes from air that was trapped during the surgery. They said that the way to get rid of it is to walk. My surgery is in 6 hours and my surgeon told me that I have to start walking right after the surgery.