Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello fellow sleevies,

I was sleeved 5 days ago. Definitely had a few "What the hell did I do to myself" little weepy moments so far. I feel like I have stomach claustrophobia, it's so small in there. I was wondering what your experiences were in terms of:

* Stomach air when you drink? Even tho I'm taking tiny-to-small sips, I almost always seem to feel an air bubble under my breastbone afterwards. Does that get better? Can you take kinda normal-size swallows of liquid after 6 months, a year, more? Or do you always feel some stomach air bubble thing when drinking?

* Trying to get all the Protein and fluids in? I'm only hitting about 40 grams of protein a day so far, and only about 32-35oz of fluids. How on earth am I going to get up to 70g and 64oz?? Did any of you fall short of this the whole time and were okay anyway?

* Low energy -- does it get better or does the thin liquid phase just feel like this? (I'm not on any pain meds, so it's not narcotic snooze)

Thanks everyone!! I really appreciate your thoughts!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can't answer because I haven't been sleeved yet, but hang in there. From everything I read, all that DOES get better. It makes sense to me that if you're only eating approx. 400 cals (if that) a day, you're going to be tired; I think that would be the case even if you weren't sleeved.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sooner than you think, but never soon enough.

Sip less than 1 oz, use a shot glass to SIP not gulp. Let it run down your throat. Protein you are getting so far is fine and it will increase slowly. You and I are about the same when I was at your stage.

So when does it get better and I assume better=normal? Well, I had VSG surgery as an outpatient so normal was the first day at home. Veda did outpatient surgery too. No pain meds needed since no cathedar, no drain, no staples in the suture sites. I confess I took pain meds once to sleep because I got my days and nights mixed up.

At about day 10 I went, wow - amazing difference, like I woke up out of a fog. Energy not back to 100% at that point but improving slowly. The low carbs, low sugar, low caffine made my body mad and lethargic for a long time.

Normal? Well, at about six months was as if I never had surgery minus the restriction and lack to desire to devour everything placed before me or on a buffet. I can gulp liquids now but not an entire bottle of Water.

Hang in there - things will get better day by day. Send me a message if I can help if any way.

Hugs for a speedy recovery!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 5 days out too. My stomach is doing the same thing, gurgling every time I put something in it. I think it hates me right now. I am having a real problem with diarrhea. I guess as they say liquid in liquid out!!! Urr. I am with you when will this all get better. Wishing you luck..

Laura

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Ladies, I had my surgery 15 days ago. Ive found it hard as well and have definately had a few "What have I done moments" but since I have already lost nearly 10 kilos (sorry in Aus dont know pounds) I keep myself positive looking at that and thinking about the future. As far as foods and drinking, I have found drinking Water really hard I can relate totally to the air bubble feeling. I used to drink about 2 to 3 litres of water a day so Ive found it hard and I feel thirsty alot.

The first week I made a huge pot of Soup with loads of veges and chicken with chicken stock and I blended it up to a puree soup it was delicious and at least I knew I was getting some goodness into my body. I also discovered Icy poles, I dont know what you call them in the states but basicaly like frozen flavoured ice on a stick!! My dietician said at this stage its fine to have them at least its getting liquid in and they are just like frozen fruit juice.< /p>

This week my dietician told me to try some mash potatoes and fish etc. I tried some chicken, was terrible, it got stuck and just sat there for ages, I even tried to throw it up it was so uncomfortable but it wouldnt come up. Eventually it digested but I wont be doing that again in a hurry. The mashed potato was fine, I boiled brocolli and carrot and mashed it all together with a little butter and milk and went down well, slow and small amount but it was fine. Last night I tried a poached egg and some soft steamed fish, I mashed it together and that went down slow but well too.

I have had severe diahorria, the dietician suggested it was most probably lactose intolerance so I have bought lactose free milk and yoghurt and so far it seems to be doing the trick.

I am also really tired and lethargic, i take a liquid Multivitamin but I think its just the lack of fuel for your body, I guess in time it will even itself out.

The size of the sleeve they do here in Australia is really small as they say the success rate has been better in the long term after it stretches etc so I think the sleeve is only able to hold like 100grams!!!

Until I am able to have the 3 small meals a day I am trying to get mouthfuls into me as often as possible.

Anyway good luck to you all

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you guys for your info and comments!! I really appreciate it!!

I have to admit, my worst fear is that air in my stomach will cause my staple line to pull and leak. :-( I don't think I'll have a day of peace of mind until a couple months out, when it's all healed up...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

BTW did anyone else get post-op dermatitis? I have red welts where the surgical tape was on my torso, and speckled red all over the front of my torso. I sent photos to the surgeon's office and they said it was dermatitis (I, of course, being a panicking sort worried it was MRSA or a fungal infection).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a month out today, and I feel 110% better than I did when I first got out of surgery. I also thought WTH did I do to myself. But, tonight I had some Pasta and chicken for supper, crackers and soft cheese for lunch, and yogurt for Breakfast. I've been trying to be faithful with my protien drinks, but I do struggle with them. I'm very very sick of them. My turn around was when I got off the liquids and moved on to the pureed/mashed foods. I had a hard time to feeling like I had alot of air and gas stuck in my tummy. Try sucking on popsicles rather than trying to swallow juice or Water. I also bought an ice cream maker and made Protein ice cream. Very easy to do, and its kind of fun to make :) My energy totally picked up once I was off the liquid diet and starting to get some nourishment in with real food. It's a learning process trying to figure out how much to drink, how much to chew, what to eat, what you can't eat, etc. But the reward is soooooo worth it! Only a month out and I haven't felt and looked so good in years! I love my sleeve, and you will too, it just takes a couple of weeks to get used to it. :biggrin5:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

coffee, did they use regular tape on you or bandaids? If so, and the red marks are in those places, congrats, you have a latex allergy! My surgeon put a big bandaid over my drain opening when he pulled the drain out. The drain hole has healed pretty well at 3 months out, but I can still see the red mark from the bandaid around it!

I was dx with the latex allergy after having a pre-cancerous melanoma removed from my back as an outpatient. The nurse taped a huge bandage onto my back and by morning I was screaming in pain. I went back into the docs office and when they pulled the tape off, everywhere they had put the tape, I had huge welts. Some of them were even weeping Fluid. Not a pleasant way to learn.

I knew about my latex allergy before surgery and that's why I got to be the first operation of the day. That way they didn't have to clean the OR specifically for latex between operations. Maybe the nurses will weigh in here, but I guess that's a long, tedious process.

I use a little hydrocortisone if the spots get itchy or weepy, otherwise, just wash them well when you bathe and it should heal up with time. It should also be noted on your medical chart for the doctor and hospital.

"dermatitis" is one of those dx that docs use when they aren't sure what's actually bothering you. "Contact Dermatitis" means that your skin reacts to a certain substance.

Good luck! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

BTW, I also had a bad gurgling tummy and heartburn really bad too. My turnaround was around mid month when I started taking zantac for the acid. The acid was causing me to feel like I had a burning bubble stuck in my chest. I had been popping tums like crazy, and then I read that if you overdo the tums, you can actually cause kidney stones...so anyway....if you feel like you have acid reflux or heartburn try a PPI or OTC acid reducer. That may help with some tummy issues......

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah I still have redmarks and itching at my site marks but have been putting paw paw ointment on it and it seems to be clearing and not soo itchy. I was worried about leakage too. My surgeon said by two weeks its healed and wont leak so I was relieved when I hit the 2 weeks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

SO MUCH good info here that makes me feel better -- I feel like I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. It's been hard the last few days, feeling hungry and watching my family eat real food. I didn't think I'd *be* hungry, because of the surgery factoids about removing the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin. Well, I'm definitely hungry. I can't wait to eat real food again and get my energy back.

Thank you so much, you guys!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I felt much better on day 14. By the 3rd month even more better. It does get better with each new day :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • 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!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×