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

I need to know it gets better!



Recommended Posts

I was sleeved 28 April 2016 and can say it was the best decision. First few days I suffered immensely from nausea, I could barely get down fluids and the gas pain especially in my shoulders drove me nuts. What I can say is following doctors orders really helped and sipping small amounts per hour. I am thankful for the two week pre-op liquid diet before surgery as that I think it prepared me for post op success.

It really does get better.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 3 weeks post op.

You are in the worst of it now, so stay strong. Days 3-5 were the worst for me, and even made me question my decision. Believe me, you will start feeling better soon.

It's very unlikely you are feeling real hunger, as your stomach was just literally cut apart and reassembled. It is injured and swollen. However, as was already mentioned, stomach acid can feel similar to hunger. I thought I was feeling hunger, but I had forgotten to take my morning Prilosec. As long as I stay on top of that, the feeling hasn't returned.

Try not to focus on the scale. It's easy to forget that our body just went through a major trauma. The first few weeks are about healing and taking good care of your new stomach. The weight will come off in time. I've only lost 10 lbs since surgery, and in the past 2 days I actually gained 2 pounds. I'm not worried. I am eating a max of 800 calories a day (simply because that is all I CAN eat) and at that low of an intake, it is literally impossible to gain weight from fat. Your body needs more than that just to run basic functions. Water retention is the most likely culprit, so make sure you stay hydrated or your body will hold onto Water even harder.

I haven't has surgery yet, but I thought 800 calories would be a lot at 3 weeks.

I've had my band out since Nov and am awaiting conversion to sleeve. I get less than 1000 calories with or without the band and I've gained all mine back (prior to removal and while still vomiting several times a week). Now I'm Second guessing doing it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was sleeved on Tuesday and have no idea what I've done to my self. :-/

Me too had surgery on Tuesday May 10th and thinking it was a huge mistake. I'm so gassy and bloated and tired. I'm walking all the time and burp the whole time I'm walking. Is that normal?
It's been a week since you said this. How do you feel now?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 3 weeks post op.

You are in the worst of it now, so stay strong. Days 3-5 were the worst for me, and even made me question my decision. Believe me, you will start feeling better soon.

It's very unlikely you are feeling real hunger, as your stomach was just literally cut apart and reassembled. It is injured and swollen. However, as was already mentioned, stomach acid can feel similar to hunger. I thought I was feeling hunger, but I had forgotten to take my morning Prilosec. As long as I stay on top of that, the feeling hasn't returned.

Try not to focus on the scale. It's easy to forget that our body just went through a major trauma. The first few weeks are about healing and taking good care of your new stomach. The weight will come off in time. I've only lost 10 lbs since surgery, and in the past 2 days I actually gained 2 pounds. I'm not worried. I am eating a max of 800 calories a day (simply because that is all I CAN eat) and at that low of an intake, it is literally impossible to gain weight from fat. Your body needs more than that just to run basic functions. Water retention is the most likely culprit, so make sure you stay hydrated or your body will hold onto Water even harder.

I haven't has surgery yet, but I thought 800 calories would be a lot at 3 weeks.

I've had my band out since Nov and am awaiting conversion to sleeve. I get less than 1000 calories with or without the band and I've gained all mine back (prior to removal and while still vomiting several times a week). Now I'm Second guessing doing it!

Do you have other conditions that make it hard to lose weight? I know some can make it harder, or you could just have a low metabolism. I actually don't want to eat less than 800 calories and I am trying to get closer to 1,000 because I don't want to risk slowing down my metabolism.

From what I have read about basal metabolic rate (the number of calories the body uses to do nothing but lie down), the average healthy-weight woman has to eat around 1,400 calories to maintain weight. People who weigh more, actually use more calories and have an even higher rate. However, this is assuming there are no other factors such as metabolic disorders. Repeatedly dieting has also been shown to slow down the metabolism (see the recent Biggest Loser study that the NY Times published).

Also, keep in mind, the sleeve may still help you. From what my bariatric program said, the sleeve does more than just restrict the amount of food you eat like the lap band. In fact, they have switched all the documentation in my program and are calling it metabolic surgery instead of bariatric surgery. Removing most of the stomach also lowers a lot of the hormones it releases such as ghrelin. It can supposedly "reset" your metabolism to a more healthy point, so people who have slowed down their metabolism through illness or repeated dieting can start losing again. It's why many diabetics are able to stop their medications right after surgery, even before they lose weight.

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

    • 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. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

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

    • 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!

    • 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. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • 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

    ×