Hey All,

I just wanted to see if anyone else was having the same issue I am. Today marks 5 weeks since I've had surgery. I know we get stalls, but I haven't lost anything since week 2. The past few days my ankles have been really swollen and my stomach is growling and I am constantly feeling hungry. It's not head hunger, its I feel my stomach gurgling because I'm hungry. I've even gained a few pounds. I am not overeating, I'm getting my Protein in and liquids. I feel like any liquid I drink is being retained. I am at about 700 calories a day.. under 40 carbs.. so I am doing exactly what the Nut advised... I am going to call my Dr first thing when they open, I have am h our or so... I'm just really concerned that maybe this isn't going to work for me. I've always done the right thing and have struggled my whole life with my weight no matter what I do... Really having a tough day with this today... it's the first one since surgery Any advise would be greatly appreciated... I feel a 3 week stall shouldn't be happening this early on..

You probably need a PPI. That gurgling is acid which makes you/me feel hungry. You can try OTC Prilosec, most people do well on it. I didn't have much luck and just got a prescription for protonix yesterday. My pouch was feeling like it was boiling from the acid. I've never heard of anyone needing an appetite suppresant so early after surgery, if at all.

Most post-op people are given a PPI such as pilosec before they even leave the hsopital, that's how common this problem is for us.

I have an apt at 1 with my primary care... my surgeon and nurse didn't say anything about a PPI when I asked' date=' they said maybe an appetite suppressant is needed. An appetite suppressant shouldn't be needed for me after surgery!! I'm really frustrated with them because I don't think I'm actually hungry I think i just need something to take like you all have mentioned. What everyone takes is it prescribed or can you get it over the counter? So I have my apt at 1 for the swelling, said probably will put me on a Water pill.[/quote']

Wait, WHAT????? An appetite suppressant??? WTH?? I don't THINK so!!! And no PPI?? Correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't that the gold standard?

Where are you located? If you can, is there another Bariatric facility available to you? Your surgeon & his nurse sure don't sound like they are WLS specialists. If you are stuck w him, make sure you question everything. I think this is a case where doc doesn't know best. And I NEVER thought I'd say that (or think it) on here.

Good luck w your appointment at 1:00.

Your surgeon has 5 years of experience in bariatrics. I wonder why he doesn't include a PPI in after-care.

Proudgrammy: when you feel hunger is it time to eat? Or have you just eaten? If you haven't eaten in about 3 hours and you feel the rumblings, try eating a small snack. It's healthier for your body than adding more PPI's. The acid in your tummy is saying 'give me something to use my acid on!!'

doxieville

your right, i'll try a little snack - just "popping" another pill might not be the greatest idea - might talk to doc about the situation at a later time

thanx for your suggestion & help

My dr is a bariatrics specialist. I got to a clinic that specializes in it. I love my dr he is great, I don't know why they don't do a PPI. I def thought the appetite suppressant was insane..I will see what my primary says.. This is the first time I've felt like my dr is letting me down.

My dr is a bariatrics specialist. I got to a clinic that specializes in it. I love my dr he is great' date=' I don't know why they don't do a PPI. I def thought the appetite suppressant was insane..I will see what my primary says.. This is the first time I've felt like my dr is letting me down.[/quote']

Really? Wow. I'm stumped . Maybe someone else in the office spoke for him? I'd sure challenge this. If he doesn't want a PPI, why not? Has he discovered something others don't know? And why an appetite suppressant? You've me curious!!

Thank you both I am by no means giving up... I'm just worried that in 3 weeks the only thing thats happened is I've gained a pound, have this gurgling stomach and have swollen ankles.. I am not taking a PPI, when I call my Dr maybe they can just help me without me having to go in... the swollen ankles really concern me more than anything else.. because the only part of me that was ever skinny were my legs in the past LOL.

I am glad you are going to see your DR. The swollen ankles means you are probably retaining fluids and you should have it checked. I just also want to mention that I have pretty large weight fluctuations with my cycle. I never noticed it before surgery because I never weighed myself. Now I weigh myself regularly and really notice it. I also bloat and retain more Fluid. Perhaps that is playing havoc with you as well??

I am waiting for the nurse from my surgeon to call me back since I asked her to have my surgeon prescribe me a PPI an he said she will see what he says. I'm stumped about the ap suppressant as well, I was in shock when she said that... Now that I'm out of the shock I want to know her reasoning. Thankfully my primary dr is able to see me. I don't know if the swelling is due to my cycle.. I have PCOS and hvent had a cycle on my own. In years. Two weeks ago I got a very light one that hasn't stopped but is barley there just enough to be a pain lol. So many body changes internally right now I'm sure my body is just wondering what I've done to it!

There are actually 2 things you can do to control the acids that can feel like hunger. One is to take an acid reducer/controller (like Prevacid) which is OTC. These reduce the acid that is ALREADY in your stomach. The other is to take a PPI (OTC or RX). I'm doing both.

My surgeon recommends a Prevacid (or similar) daily for the first 6 months - longer if needed. Adding the PPI is on an individual case basis.

I had really bad acid reflux pre-surgery and while it is better now, I have found that for me, taking both helps with the hunger pains.

I think it's great that you're going to your PCP - AND that you're pushing your surgeon/nurse for an explanation. It is their job (for which they have been well paid) to discuss your treatment with you and to explore your concerns. Don't back down. Demand to know his position on PPI's and antiacids and his reasoning for suggesting the appetite suppressant.

Hope it all turns out well for you! Hang in there

There are actually 2 things you can do to control the acids that can feel like hunger. One is to take an acid reducer/controller (like Prevacid) which is OTC. These reduce the acid that is ALREADY in your stomach. The other is to take a PPI (OTC or RX). I'm doing both.

My surgeon recommends a Prevacid (or similar) daily for the first 6 months - longer if needed. Adding the PPI is on an individual case basis.

I had really bad acid reflux pre-surgery and while it is better now' date=' I have found that for me, taking both helps with the hunger pains.

I think it's great that you're going to your PCP - AND that you're pushing your surgeon/nurse for an explanation. It is their job (for which they have been well paid) to discuss your treatment with you and to explore your concerns. Don't back down. Demand to know his position on PPI's and antiacids and his reasoning for suggesting the appetite suppressant.

Hope it all turns out well for you! Hang in there [/quote']

Regarding Prevacid there is an OTC version that is an acid reducer/ controller maybe? I take the prescription version and it is definitely a PPI. I take it twice daily and it is a lifesaver.

I've not had any heartburn pre or post op. However my surgeon prescribed a liquid PPI that I take twice a day. He said the reason is to prevent getting an ulcer while healing. Unless I develop heartburn, I think I will only need to take it for 3-6 months.