Things I Don't Like About Being Sleeved, What Are Yours?

[Wheetsin 714]

Can I start with an I LOVE? I love that this is nothing like what I thought it would be. I really, really thought (as ink had resigned myself to accepting) that this would be fairly miserable: constant nausea or vomiting, virtually guaranteed food intolerances, etc. About 5 months in and I can eat anything, so far. That includes Pasta, rice, bread, dough, etc. Not that I eat it much or in large amounts, but I can get it down. I do still very much enjoy the freedom to eat whatever I want (though I really wouldn't complain if it were any other way).

The NSAIDS are indeed back and forth. Really, the only reason we can't take them is a "just in case". They aren't inherently bad for us, but IF you do have a reaction or complication that results in an ulcer, it could be harder to treat than if you had a regular stomach. Ok so that's super simplified, but the idea is there.

What I hate --

I hate not really knowing when to stop. As a general rule I under-eat my sleeve. This has also resulted in me never having hit above 650 calories in an entire day, 5 months out. I worry about that. It's no good. I'd hoped to be around 900 calories by now. My nutritionist wanted me at 900 calories 3 months ago. And from what I've been told, this may never change. I never thought I would _hate_ that I can't eat _enough_ calories.

Related to the above, I do hate the hairloss. I've been through it before (previous WLS) and I'm rather used to it now... but it still sucks. If nothing else, I hate having to clean my shower drain every day.

I hate what this has done to my poops. I take Fiber, and laxatives, and still have a hard time. A few times I've been able to go, only to have it "get stuck" halfway out and refuse to budge (either direction). That may be TMI for some, but it's the truth. What the heck are you supposed to do when that happens?

I hate that I have pretty bad reflux, and I hate that every time I reflux, I worry about complications. Mental note: call my surgeon and talk about this. My reflux is associated with a particular sensation, and it's a sensation I also had with my band - which makes little sense. I'm wondering if I have some dismotility, or a slight stricture. My "this may never change" above is related to the amount of scar tissue I had from my band & previous surgeries, which could also be exacerbating this sensation/reflux.

I hate that with my lapband I lost weight like a rockstar, and relatively 'm a total toirtoise this time around. Don't get me wrong, I think I'm going OK considering I stalled for the better part of my first 3 months post-op. But when I had lost weight so quickly before, I just had high expectations that it would happen again and accepting that it isn't going to sucks money butts.

I hate that I don't know what to do with my too-big clothes. So I'm hoarding them. Because I'm also a little afraid to get rid of them (if I'd gotten rid of them the first time, I'd have been screwed when that weight came back.)

I hate what my body is looking like. I'll take it over the fat -- don't get me wrong. And I'm not a vain person. But I look like a melty wax sculpture. I guess more generically, I hate that I've ALREADY destroyed my body. That I will never have my natural, tone bare skin again. That I've wrecked it, and that no matter how much weight I lose, I will never have my beautiful naked self again.

Ugh I could go on.

[ISleevedIt 379]

I've just posted my TOP TEN complaints (annoyances really) about the sleeve, just curious what everyone else's is. My list is on my Sunday blog that I just posted today. (Just click on the link to read them).

Hope every one is having a great week and I'll be curious to know what other people think. Most of the time, we just hear I LOVE MY SLEEVE, but there are those few things.....

Wow! I looked at your blog and saw your picture from 2010 and the one from 2012. You look so much younger! Great job! I hope it'll be the same for me after I get sleeved.

[allnewme 262]

I am less than a month out and what I hate right now is the lack of energy. It seems that I am ok one minute and totally zapped the next. So far, that is all that I do not like.

[AliveAgain 283]

Well....the only thing I can think of is an isolated issue. I'm dealing with a nasty (and multiple) muscle injuries in my left hip/leg, and would love to be able to take some Advil, to help with the inflammation. Unfortunately, that's a no-go... Other than that, I'm loving my sleeve, and the weight loss that comes with it!

I was told by my surgeon that I am not able to have NSAIDS ever again...

Me too- never

My surgeon told me no NSAIDS for the first 6-8 weeks. He allows it after that but strongly encourages limited use, and NEVER on an empty stomach. I take simple ibuprofen (200-400mg) only as needed now, sometimes twice a week or a month longer. Never had any problems with it. But I think it's different on a case-by-case basis. I have no problems with acid, etc.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

Can I start with an I LOVE? I love that this is nothing like what I thought it would be. I really, really thought (as ink had resigned myself to accepting) that this would be fairly miserable: constant nausea or vomiting, virtually guaranteed food intolerances, etc. About 5 months in and I can eat anything, so far. That includes Pasta, rice, bread, dough, etc. Not that I eat it much or in large amounts, but I can get it down. I do still very much enjoy the freedom to eat whatever I want (though I really wouldn't complain if it were any other way).

The NSAIDS are indeed back and forth. Really, the only reason we can't take them is a "just in case". They aren't inherently bad for us, but IF you do have a reaction or complication that results in an ulcer, it could be harder to treat than if you had a regular stomach. Ok so that's super simplified, but the idea is there.

What I hate --

I hate not really knowing when to stop. As a general rule I under-eat my sleeve. This has also resulted in me never having hit above 650 calories in an entire day, 5 months out. I worry about that. It's no good. I'd hoped to be around 900 calories by now. My nutritionist wanted me at 900 calories 3 months ago. And from what I've been told, this may never change. I never thought I would _hate_ that I can't eat _enough_ calories.

Related to the above, I do hate the hairloss. I've been through it before (previous WLS) and I'm rather used to it now... but it still sucks. If nothing else, I hate having to clean my shower drain every day.

I hate what this has done to my poops. I take Fiber, and laxatives, and still have a hard time. A few times I've been able to go, only to have it "get stuck" halfway out and refuse to budge (either direction). That may be TMI for some, but it's the truth. What the heck are you supposed to do when that happens?

I hate that I have pretty bad reflux, and I hate that every time I reflux, I worry about complications. Mental note: call my surgeon and talk about this. My reflux is associated with a particular sensation, and it's a sensation I also had with my band - which makes little sense. I'm wondering if I have some dismotility, or a slight stricture. My "this may never change" above is related to the amount of scar tissue I had from my band & previous surgeries, which could also be exacerbating this sensation/reflux.

I hate that with my lapband I lost weight like a rockstar, and relatively 'm a total toirtoise this time around. Don't get me wrong, I think I'm going OK considering I stalled for the better part of my first 3 months post-op. But when I had lost weight so quickly before, I just had high expectations that it would happen again and accepting that it isn't going to sucks money butts.

I hate that I don't know what to do with my too-big clothes. So I'm hoarding them. Because I'm also a little afraid to get rid of them (if I'd gotten rid of them the first time, I'd have been screwed when that weight came back.)

I hate what my body is looking like. I'll take it over the fat -- don't get me wrong. And I'm not a vain person. But I look like a melty wax sculpture. I guess more generically, I hate that I've ALREADY destroyed my body. That I will never have my natural, tone bare skin again. That I've wrecked it, and that no matter how much weight I lose, I will never have my beautiful naked self again.

Ugh I could go on.

Thank you for candidness and baring it all. I too feel the same way for many things. I am getting a revision I wonder how it will be for me.

[Newfoundlove 95]

I am less than a month out and what I hate right now is the lack of energy. It seems that I am ok one minute and totally zapped the next. So far, that is all that I do not like.

Joyce - I promise it will get better! My energy was pretty low for almost two months. Now, I am four months out and let me tell you that I have energy to spare and I LOVE it! Once all the anethesia is totally out of your system and you are on solid protein-rich foods, you'll start seeing an amazing difference. One other thing I have noticed about energy, if I don't eat Breakfast in the morning, the rest of my day is not as energetic, so I make sure I get Breakfast. Most days it is a Protein shake of some kind, or cottage cheese with pineapple or some fruit. Also, once you start getting in some cardio and possibly weight-training, you'll notice a difference because your metabolism will speed up. I only work out three days a week - 30 minutes on a recumbant bicycle (I have a sciatica problem in my left hit so I can't walk on the treadmill, or do the eliptical) and 20 minutes of resistance weight training. I can really tell a difference. I wasn't cleared to work out by my surgeon until eight weeks out though, and I really wasn't in the mind set or ready to work out any way.

Keep your chin up and your eye on the prize - you're going to love the difference you will feel.

[lollyfidy1965 402]

My surgeon told me no NSAIDS for the first 6-8 weeks. He allows it after that but strongly encourages limited use, and NEVER on an empty stomach. I take simple ibuprofen (200-400mg) only as needed now, sometimes twice a week or a month longer. Never had any problems with it. But I think it's different on a case-by-case basis. I have no problems with acid, etc.

When I was in the hospital, recovering from surgery, I had a roommate who was in for the repair of a marginal ulcer...caused by her taking 2 Advil. My surgeon doesn't allow it...because of the increased risk for marginal ulcers...and, having seen her pain, I'll take his advice and skip NSAIDs altogether.

[BizTraveller 101]

Well....the only thing I can think of is an isolated issue. I'm dealing with a nasty (and multiple) muscle injuries in my left hip/leg' date=' and would love to be able to take some Advil, to help with the inflammation. Unfortunately, that's a no-go... Other than that, I'm loving my sleeve, and the weight loss that comes with it! [/quote']

I really miss the Advil. I was doing great. 6 weeks post-op and I wake up with a random tooth-ache. Likely to end up as a root canal. No Advil for the sleeve and I am allergic to codeine. Not going to be pretty.

Sent from my iPad using VST

[isajck 229]

I was told by my surgeon that I am not able to have NSAIDS ever again...

Same here!

[OakCliffMom 13]

I'll be honest. . . I hate driving past Sonic and knowing I can never again order my Large Diet Dr. Pepper with extra ice and a straw. It was my drug of choice for years, and on a stressful day like today, I sure wish I had one!

[going to make this work 0]

I hate that when I cook...there are always leftovers...that I'll have to eat for the next couple of days due to a small portion problem, but still happy.

[GoState 12]

My Doctor's office said no NSAIDs immediately due to healing, but that I would be able to take them in the future. I can take liquid Tylenol now, and can also take Lortab (which I will likely need as I have kidney stones).

QueenofCrop, I enjoy your blog-especially the pics of your meals-- it really helps to see what others are eating.

[LT1002 138]

NSAID people - ask your doctors about Mobic. It's a prescription only pill, but is easier on the stomach - my spouse's gastroenterologist recommended it.

I have 2 herniated disks, a labral tear in my hip, and bursitis. My surgeon said if I decide to go back on my NSAID, I'll have to stay on my PPI.

Had I known no NSAIDs, I wouldn't have had this surgery - my back and hip pain are far too bad and there's no way I could function without an anti-inflammatory (I had a bad reaction to steroid injections, so it's NSAIDs or nothing).

[Oregondaisy 2,019]

The only thing I hate now is that I can eat way more than I could eat at one year.

I also hate that the sleeve is no help with junk food. I can eat Cookies, candy, cake, etc, and lots of it, like there is no sleeve. Give me a chicken breast, and I can chew chew chew, and have great restriction. It takes a lot of willpower when I'm around friends who are eating junk food.< /p>