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Ivetere83: Please read the above as well. I am now almost 2 weeks post op. I haven’t felt this good in 20+ years.

I had my surgery on June 8th and exactly a week later I was in the ER because I couldn’t stop throwing up. I just spent five days in the hospital and was released today. Turns out, I had a lower bowel obstruction which is a terrible experience to have to go through. Anyway, now I’m scared to even drink anything because it’s not totally clear yet and I don’t know how I’m supposed to know when it is cleared. Also, I am expecting to go to the bathroom and have a huge bowel movement and that’s how I know it’s cleared except if I haven’t eaten for the past six days, is it even possible to poop? For the past 3 days, I’ve been on a clear liquid diet. I’m afraid to even start having protein shakes and a full liquid diet again because I don’t want it to build up and I get sick again. So is it possible to poop (big) without eating if I had a bowel obstruction? Anyone else go through this?

Best wishes to anyone having surgery this week, and recovery wishes to those still in recovery…I think that may include me. 😂

Not sure you should be doing "strenuous" workouts this early out from surgery most surgeons say no workouts other than walking for 6 weeks but that is something you need to talk to your surgeon about. I had no idea how many calories I was eating in the early days but the fact that you are very limited by the amount you can eat keeps it very low. The important thing is to make sure you get enough fluid and protein in especially if you are exercising to keep your body burning fat and not muscle.

I felt like dog **** for a week. Such a mess. I had to go in for IV fluids and could barely get out of bed. I did take whatever meds they told me to. I don’t have any insight for you but congratulations on getting past the 1st four days!

Hi. First time poster 13 days out from ESG. The first week was super rough. I’m feeling pretty great now. I am down 12 pounds since the procedure. I’m consuming about 750 calories on average and I’m getting my 60-80 grams of protein. I have no idea how many calories I should be taking in. I am doing strenuous workouts three times a week (just started, I’m a week into it. Orange Theory for the win!). Would love some insights from the group!

lol I like how you say I only have 1 or 2 or 3 a day lol said like a true addict ,not knocking you cause I am the same. so straight after surgery you are not really going to feel like having soda so that wont be an issue. the hard part will be when you get a few months down the track and you can try some soda to see how it goes and if it goes well then you really have to try and control that addiction again. which is where I am now . you have really answered your own question by saying its best to stay away all together for both soda and sweets. My boss has a lolly jar on his desk for staff to dip into and when I am at work I have about 200 unnecessary calories a day due to this darn lolly jar. I have asked him to get rid of it or at least hide it but he wont 😡. So yeah use the time leading up to and directly after to get these things under control and the longer you don't "try" them after surgery the better off you will be. With your water just put a dash of something in it be it juice or cordial I also used flavoured protein powers straight after surgery, it just makes it a bit easier to get down I think around the 4/6 week mark I discovered Powerade as I was just so darn thirsty and water wasn't cutting it. it was much easier to drink and has electrolytes etc in it too. I also used the flavoured protein powder in plain Greek yoghurt just gave my protein intake the boost it needed and it tasted yummy satisfied the old sweet tooth as wel

Hi yalllll!!! I was wondering what are some of y’all favorite meals in the puréed portion of the post diet? I want something to look forward to lol (about a week out today and I’m DEHYDRATED !!!)

It occurred to me today that after 20 years of eating 6-20 Pepcid complete a day, I haven’t had one in almost 2 weeks! You are correct…this is life changing!

OMG, me! And I say no, its not a bad thing! Of course i may be biased lol. Every since surgery, i love everything about food: cooking it, looking at it, smelling it, researching it, shopping for it, taking pics of it, watching people eat it, going to restaurants, reading menus, collecting recipes, planning meals for weeks ahead of time, and so on and so in. Actually EATING it, is way down on the preference list though. Its just not as satisfying for some reason. I used think i was developing a serious neurosis, but now i just go with it. Im 3.5+ years out.

1st off I hope this gets easier for you soon. I'm 9 weeks post op and haven't been able to tolerate food in weeks. Protein is my biggest Aversion. Can't eat it or drink my shakes. I've never been able to Meer my protein goals. My surgeon and dietitian think it is the hormones being wacky from severe dehydration. They put me back on clear liquids for a few days but I'm still not able to reach my fluid goals. Everything is upsetting my stomach (yes, even water). I went and got a myers bag IV (banana bag) 2 days ago but no relief yet.

Mine was done via DaVinci Robot and i had minimal pain after surgery and really easy recovery. No stitches or staples outside, just some glue that fell off after a month. I didn’t need pain medication and i was able to return to work three days after.

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well. I had a question - I am 8 weeks post op and for the past two weeks I don't feel like eating at all. I have to remind myself. Previously I was ravenous. I also noticed that I am tried when I previously wasn't. I manage to hit my daily protein targets through shakes. I am having all my supplements. I am struggling with water and food. Has / is anyone else gone / going through this?

In the first week post-op, your stomach is swollen, sore and trying to heal, so it's normal to struggle to put much of anything into it. I could only manage fluids, and I was taking the chewable vitamins (and still do 9 months out). If you're struggling to drink water, definitely contact your team.

THIS.....I don't use any form of drug at all (refused all pain meds after 2 days and only took Tylenol) so I can't help with that part. BUT, I remember in my pre op appt, in the hospital, and my 1st post op appt I was told not to smoke ANYTHING (cigarettes or weed or vaping) for 1 week before surgery and 2 weeks after. I was told no edibles or anything a week prior because of the all liquid diet, and none for 2 weeks after for the same reason. So 3 total weeks of nothing, then could slowly introduce gummies once the mushy stage started and could smoke once the sutures and abdominal muscles fully healed (again, none of this applied to me, but I guess they have to say it multiple times anyway). The best people to really talk about this with is your surgical team. They will give you the best advice for your specific situation, surgery, and health. Good luck!!

I didn't have any buyers remorse until I hit my first stall. It lasted 2 weeks and I actually gained 5 pounds and then was just stuck. Once the stall broke, I started losing weight really slowly compared to before my stall, and I got SO upset. You can find my posts about it somewhere on here. Now things have picked up a little bit again (not as much as pre stall, but definitely better than right after) and I'm happy as can be again. I'm 6 1/2 weeks out, and I can eat what I want. But I'm very careful on making sure it sits right with my stomach and I only eat the amount I'm supposed to. I also make sure I'm taking in between 60-80g of Protein per day, less than 50g of carbs per day, and less than 50g of fats per day. I also eat 3 meals and sometimes 1 snack per day, and I eat less than 1/2 a cup of food per meal (or no more than 4oz of food if I need to use my food scale instead of a measuring cup). I never had a sweet tooth, and I never really cared for bread, Pasta, rolls, etc. So none of that has been an issue for me. MY big vices have always been fried, greasy, savory, tart, slightly sour flavors (for sour, think green olives). I also used to salt EVERYTHING....a LOT. Now I'm much more sensitive to salt and only use a very small amount on the rare occasions I use it at all. I will say this....if you are thinking about the same thing, or same types of things, over and over then it's head hunger and not real hunger. I know I'm hungry when my stomach starts to hurt a little and I would eat anything you put in front of me. It's usually after about 4 hours from the last time I ate. When I start thinking "I would sell my teenager for some tater tots and chili cheese fries" then I know it's a craving, which is head hunger. So I drink through it (protein shake or a smoothie or whatever I have on hand) and busy myself so I don't focus on it. When it's genuine hunger, then I eat. Eventually you WILL be able to eat what you want. But you have to hold yourself accountable and make yourself stick to your diet and portion sizes. No grazing. I never lost my hunger hormone and I never had an aversion to food like a lot of people on here do. So it's been a real struggle to stay on track. But it's possible, and sloooooowly my brain and body are learning that I AM actually eating enough and I DON'T need to eat until I feel like I'm going to pop. I promise you'll get there. And when you get on the scale and see it move every day or every few days (depending on how often you choose to weigh yourself) it'll give you that extra motivation to stick with it and keep going. You got this, and it'll definitely all be worth it in the end

I didn't have any buyers remorse until I hit my first stall. It lasted 2 weeks and I actually gained 5 pounds and then was just stuck. Once the stall broke, I started losing weight really slowly compared to before my stall, and I got SO upset. You can find my posts about it somewhere on here. Now things have picked up a little bit again (not as much as pre stall, but definitely better than right after) and I'm happy as can be again. I'm 6 1/2 weeks out, and I can eat what I want. But I'm very careful on making sure it sits right with my stomach and I only eat the amount I'm supposed to. I also make sure I'm taking in between 60-80g of protein per day, less than 50g of carbs per day, and less than 50g of fats per day. I also eat 3 meals and sometimes 1 snack per day, and I eat less than 1/2 a cup of food per meal (or no more than 4oz of food if I need to use my food scale instead of a measuring cup). I never had a sweet tooth, and I never really cared for bread, pasta, rolls, etc. So none of that has been an issue for me. MY big vices have always been fried, greasy, savory, tart, slightly sour flavors (for sour, think green olives). I also used to salt EVERYTHING....a LOT. Now I'm much more sensitive to salt and only use a very small amount on the rare occasions I use it at all. I will say this....if you are thinking about the same thing, or same types of things, over and over then it's head hunger and not real hunger. I know I'm hungry when my stomach starts to hurt a little and I would eat anything you put in front of me. It's usually after about 4 hours from the last time I ate. When I start thinking "I would sell my teenager for some tater tots and chili cheese fries" then I know it's a craving, which is head hunger. So I drink through it (protein shake or a smoothie or whatever I have on hand) and busy myself so I don't focus on it. When it's genuine hunger, then I eat. Eventually you WILL be able to eat what you want. But you have to hold yourself accountable and make yourself stick to your diet and portion sizes. No grazing. I never lost my hunger hormone and I never had an aversion to food like a lot of people on here do. So it's been a real struggle to stay on track. But it's possible, and sloooooowly my brain and body are learning that I AM actually eating enough and I DON'T need to eat until I feel like I'm going to pop. I promise you'll get there. And when you get on the scale and see it move every day or every few days (depending on how often you choose to weigh yourself) it'll give you that extra motivation to stick with it and keep going. You got this, and it'll definitely all be worth it in the end

Hey, I am 8 days post op today and I definitely recommend the multivitamin patch as well. My Doc doesn't have me starting the bariatric B vitamin complex till I see him at my 10 day post opp on Monday. The first 7 days post opp I had my 1 oz medicine cups and I was advised to shoot for 4 cups in an hour-so I would give myself 15 mins to finish 1oz. I kept a timer on my phone and it helps alot. I am now on thin liquids and still using the same method. Protein is key so I drank Premier clear Protein during my clears week which helped. I have not felt hunger but I noted feeling weak/fatigued, which clues me in that I am not getting enough calories in.

Yeah, I won’t lie, I’ve definitely started to slack at the gym. I used to go 5-6x/week. Now I’m lucky if I go three times. As soon as it’s “taken away” though, I know I’ll miss it instantly.

i am 3 weeks after having surgery- i completely understand what you mean; i went abroad for mine to Istanbul and after 4 days came home- all the time there and flying back felt like i was in my own little bubble and world but i made it ahhahaha x When i got home and saw my little ones and mum and that I felt so so strange and everything was hard to explain to them of what it was like and what had been through etc- since then am back to work and normal life has resumed as in routine wise- i think this very normal to feel like this you know and just each day/half day at a time, every blessing to you x

The 1st couple of weeks can be really hard. Your body just went through a great big shock! It will be easier I promise! Between prescriptions & supplements I take an lot of pills. I use the patchMD vitamins. They might cost a little but for me not having to swallow one more big pill pie worth or & my labs have always been great. I take a multil, B12 & a D. I think it’s the bypass set. Things will get better I promise!

first few weeks are the worst. Most wish they never got it. But just gotta push thru it... I am 2 months out and have no issues at all.

Oh yes. I felt that way many times in the beginning. The first several weeks are the hardest because you're still recovering from surgery, you have a lot of restrictions on what you can eat, you have to drink nasty protein shakes, and you haven't lost enough weight to feel the benefits of the surgery. Once you get to the regular foods stage and get the benefits of weight loss, things will get a lot easier. I'm almost two years out now, and that miserable newly post-op stage feels like a lifetime ago -- just a tiny blip on my journey to losing 200 pounds. Hang in there!

Lolol I watched mukbangs through my 2 week post op liquid phase. I missed food so much at that point it was the only thing keeping me going. It never made me want to eat, I know some people have that issue with eating videos but yeah I was basically on liquids for 4 weeks pre and post op.... and watching videos of people eating made me feel better like I was connected to food again in some way. Being human and not eating is such a weird mental thing (beyond the physical sensations) Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

yes - super common. I had buyers' remorse the first two or three weeks. No more! Best decision I ever made!