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I just had surgery this past Monday. It all started about a year and 1/2 ago. I was looking to get the band, but after talking with my GI doc, I decided that I would do the sleeve. Sounds easy doesn't it? Well, I must be the biggest sissy in the entire world because I hate the spasms and the staples pulling. My doctor is in St. Louis @ Des Peres Hospital. I started at 230, lost 13 lbs. before surgery. Had to do Clear Liquids + Protein Drinks. I am really miserable right now. Seems every time I drink 100% apple juice cut in half with Water and do Protein Drink, I get the SPASMS!!!!! So, drink, then dp in the bathroom waiting for them to subside. Associated with them, about 20-30 minutes later, I have a bowel movement. Does anyone else have that problem? I had to get some wipes with dimethicone. Please tell me I am not the only one!! I have some other questions... does everyone have to crush their medicine or is it doctor preference? I looked around the site and am taking to hear warm liquids. Does anyone have any other tips, I need them right about now. I am having weird dreams, can only sleep about 2-3 hours, please HELP!

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Who was your dr at Des Peres.....both my hubby and I had Dr. Minkin and everything has been great. I agree you need to call, something is not right and you want to know in your heart that you are good! Call! I will keep you in my prayers! Tracy w.

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Who was your dr at Des Peres.....both my hubby and I had Dr. Minkin and everything has been great. I agree you need to call, something is not right and you want to know in your heart that you are good! Call! I will keep you in my prayers! Tracy w.

I had Dr. Follwell. Tracy, can you tell me what is wrong? Specifically?

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I had Follwell too and I can tell you that he was there every time I had a question. I am very satisfied with the results.

If you are worried about a leak or something some warning signs Follwell told me are not being able to keep anything down and a fever. But why not call him. You and or your insurance paid a lot for this surgery. If you are concerned call. When I first had my surgery I called about a dozen time the first month and went in for extra office visit. Everything was fine I just freaked out about every little thing.

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You might try something besides apple juice. I use apple juice to help ease my great-grandson's Constipation. I tends to have the diarrhea effect something like prune juice but not quite as bad. That could be part of the problem...K

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I have never experienced spasms...but I'm with the last poster....just do Protein drinks and Water and stay away from the juice for a couple of days. I never felt any staple pulls either...are you meaning internally or did he use staples on the outside of your incisions? I know it is the weekend but they really don't mind if you are calling with questions, I too called more than once. What you are complaining about is not listed in any of the signs for trouble in the book I got from Minkin and the My New Self folks...did you receive one too? Or how about the paperwork from the hospital? If you don't feel comfortable calling over the weekend...just call Mon morning...but I would call...if for no other reason than a peace of mind! Keep up posted! Tracy w.

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Thank you for all of your support! I browsed through some of the topics and have started drinking everything warm. I have not had any diarrhea since yesterday late afternoon. The stitches are the ones on my incision, especially the lower left, not internally. I feel like such a sissy. I am now drinking any apple juice, warm Water, boullion, and Protein drink. Other problems is my sense of smell. My poor little yorkie, itty bit, has no teeth and weighs 4 lbs eats canned dog food. I have to let my husband feed him because I can smell him a mile away. The Protein drink smells too sweet. I guess I just need someone(s) to listen and give me support. Although I just had it last Monday, if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't do it. I'm not trying to be a naysayer but think carefully about what you are about to undertake. As my ANP says, this ain't for no sissy! I will keep everyone updated and in the long run, I know it'll be okay.

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I had a really hard time with certain drinks. I could not do any type of electrolyte drink at the beginning. Also, the sugar from the apple juice probably isn't helping. Try drinking something warm like broth and see if you can get that down. Focus more on the liquids than on the Protein for a little while and see if that helps. I had spasms as well and anything cool or cold definitely made it worse.

Good luck!

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Took your advance Vern and just got off the phone with Dr. Follwell. Being a nurse, it is so hard to call Drs. I am to stay on full liquids and can take my pills with a sip of Water, no more crushing. I don't really know any of you but I love you to death for your support. I really hate being so needy. I see him tomorrow and will update. Thanks so much everyone!!

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My doc put me on Hyoscyamine automatically after surgery to prevent stomach spasms. Don't know if it would help you, but I never experienced any spasming post-surgery.

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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