The things no one tells you about post op life...

[LipstickLady 25,682]

So I'm a year out from my surgery, and last night I was thinking about the things no one told me I would experience post op.

Here's my list:

• Sensitive tummy! I used to have a cast Iron stomach preop. I could eat ANYTHING and not get sick. I'm talking about food left out for a day or two, weird combinations of food, anything. NOW - my stomach is very sensitive and temperamental. I can eat something one day and be fine, and eat it the next day and it will send me straight to the bathroom.
• Tummy issues 2 - Before surgery, I used to be able to "hold" my poo (sorry if TMI) if I was in an inconvenient place (like work or the mall) until I got home. Not anymore. When I gotta go, I gotta go! And I cramp when I have to go.
• Drinking Water is a CHORE. I didn't realize how much of a chore drinking Water would be - especially with the "no eating and drinking at the same time" rule. Presurgery I could drink 64 oz of water a day easily. Now, not so much.
• Deep down I thought being "skinny" would fix a majority of my issues. NOPE!
• My butt hurts constantly from sitting on things! I guess since some of the padding is gone, LOL.
• My refrigerator is a constant churn of leftovers. I am having trouble making peace with throwing away leftovers but I have to constantly.
• I don't get nervous about having physicals at the doctor anymore.
• If I eat the wrong thing late at night (there's one Protein bar in particular) it gives me indigestion really bad.

What are some of the things that no one told you that you're experiencing post op?

Sensitive tummy, CHECK! I call my days Feeding Days and Non-Feeding Days. Sometimes I can eat, sometimes it all comes back. I never know which it's going to be until it happens. Still worth it.

I poop like a faucet. And when it strikes, I have about 3 minutes to find a bathroom. And I am not done after one round, it is usually 2-3. I have found that Probiotics help. Worth it.

No plain water for me. It must have an additive.

Butt hurts, always cold, my shoes are too big and I can't drink wine.

On the leftovers thing? I had to force myself to think about it like this... It's going to be gone whether I throw it in the trash or throw it down my throat. With the first, I am making a healthy choice for myself, with the second, I am eating unnecessarily, and undoing all the good I did. The whole starving children thing? They aren't benefiting from my leftovers no matter what I do with them.

[CHM 1,009]

Oh yes, the cold! I forgot all about the cold! THAT would have been nice to know before heading into winter during the bulk of my weight loss...

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[cindyw41 761]

The feet shrinking was my biggest surprise. I've lost a whole size! I can't wear my favorite Merrell sandals now

[Anna Nim 196]

Water is a worry of mine. My surgery isn't until November (I had planned on this summer, as a teacher, but I won't have the money/family loan until November. Ugh)

The energy issues made me think of this..

IMHO, Magnesium will help us all be regular and have energy, reduces anxiety, depression and ADHD. Stress...like surgery or life sucks it all out, leaving exhaustion behind.

There is a book, Magnesium Miracle (Amazon/ Kindle/ Hardcopy) that I would buy the whole world a copy of.. In fact, I think I am going to change my screen name to The Magnesium Queen. Ha!

I am CONVINCED it is the cure for a lot of our current issues. After we spoke, an ex started taking it after she expressed that she didn't want to get back on Anti-Depressants, but was so anxiety ridden, but months later and daily magnesium and she still is without them! Not saying she is w/out anxiety, but she is functioning.

(Note: I am not trying to tell people to get off meds, I am *just saying* that her anxiety is now manageable with Magnesium and TMG).

All Magnesium is the same, but it has to be bound with something..

Magnesium Oxide is usually at the grocery store..but it only absorbs 10%..guess where the rest goes? Poop city. In fact, Mag Oxide and Mag Citrate are used for regularity, so I don't take those

I take it with Folate/B and D so they all work better. My Vitamin D was a low 17 in December.

I take either Magnesium Glutamate or Magnesium Oratate..I actually have both on my counter right now. I also work up to about 200% of daily value. (work up, because as your body gets used to it..guess where the extra goes). One pill a Day isn't going to cut it and that is Okay. If you buy gel caps you can open and put it in Water, sorta bitter, but doable).

It takes a while to fill up an empty bucket, so hence the larger than 100% dose and takes a bit to get the full effect.

Have a great day!

[MissMac 163]

One of the hardest adjustments for me was not cleaning my plate even if I was full and not eating leftovers to avoid throwing them out. I had to learn to throw bits of food away or tape it to my hips.

[sondra2368 26]

My local health food store doesn't carry Magnesium Glutamate or Magnesium Oratate. Where do you purchase them?

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[gary5862 208]

I'm cold all the time now. I was hoping that would go away, but it sounds like it doesn't.

[JennsJourney 205]

The whole sore back side thing, I had heard other people say it would happen but oh my gosh, my tailbone kills me most of the time!!

I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE!!! i've lost almost 90 lbs and my husband lost 70 lbs and we both talk about how our tailbone hurts while sitting a long time or driving long distances. That is crazy! I wonder if there is a good way to help with this.

But none the less...I'm glad to know other people have this same issue!

[reree6898 1,164]

I have found if I sit up more with my back arched a bit it distributes my weight a bit different and helps some. Great job with your and your husbands weight loss!

[tholbert08 51]

This topic is indeed a goldmine of information for a newbie. I have not yet had surgery, but have had worried friends trying to dissuade me. I work in health care, and a few coworkers have told me how many people they have met who have regretted their procedures. The one piece of advice that I did take to heart was to search out any folks that have had surgery, particularly those who had complications, and ask if they had regret. It appears to me that in this group, people have faced their issues squarely, with maturity and innovation. Glad to have found you all. You are inspiring. Lillie

I am a newbie too and about 5+months out for surgery. All good things to read. I have started eating like they are telling usa we will need to eat post surgery so that it is habit when I do have the surgery. Want it to be seamless!

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[Christinamo7 4,041]

Okay for the sitting part, I had to relearn how to sit. My physical therapist helped me with this. When we are fat with all the padding we learn to sit in a way that accommodates that. Once we get skinny if we continue to sit that way we hit all the wrong bones and it hurts. Basically if you push your butt back to the back of the chair and sit forward onto the backs of your thighs (on the "sitz bones" as my yoga teacher calls them) and reclaim the natural curvature of the lumbar spine the weight doesn't go on the bones anymore.

Kinda hard to explain, she had to help me by adjusting my body, but I drew a picture to kind of explain. Hope it helps someone!

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1465060853.571751.jpg

seriously, you need to put this in your signature line, so it keeps showing and everyone can see it! very helpful info right there!

[JennsJourney 205]

I'm still a relative newbie at 4.5 months out but in that short amount of time, I've learned a lot. (And will learn a ton more in the future.)

Here is what I have learned:

1. I can only drink Water if it is ice cold! My Yeti and Thermos bottles have saved my Water intake!

2. Some days, my tummy is just not "happy" and I have to go back to liquids.

3. I get frustrated because I have to eat so slow and my food gets cold...then it tastes nasty and I don't want to eat it.

4. Heartburn has been my nemesis. (It is this strange burning sensation in my tummy and chest.) I have found that if it gets bad, if I drink 1/4 of a cup of half and half and it helps it tremendously.

5. One of my biggest issues was pychological. One night a few months post-op, I had a really rough day and I just wanted a "comforting meal" and I realized for the first time...I couldn't eat it even if I wanted to. I had a small panic attack! But since then, I'm learning how to use healthy coping mechanisms for stress instead of eating.

6. Surgery doesn't mean you can eat anything you want! I still watch my carbs and make sure I eat healthy (and clean).

7. Never eat kid's meals! I used to think that was the way to go because the portion size was smaller but kid's meals are crappy food with little Protein and lots of fried things. Now, I just order one meal (and maybe an appetizer) and split it with my husband.

8. Losing weight has given me my LIFE back! I actually want to go out and do things now. It truly gives me FREEDOM!

9. My tailbone is sooooo sore! I never would have guessed losing some of my "padding" would affect me this way.

10. I actually enjoy working out!! WHAT?! lol

That's all I can think of for now. And I love these forums! They have helped me so much the last 4 months.

[JennsJourney 205]

Okay for the sitting part, I had to relearn how to sit. My physical therapist helped me with this. When we are fat with all the padding we learn to sit in a way that accommodates that. Once we get skinny if we continue to sit that way we hit all the wrong bones and it hurts. Basically if you push your butt back to the back of the chair and sit forward onto the backs of your thighs (on the "sitz bones" as my yoga teacher calls them) and reclaim the natural curvature of the lumbar spine the weight doesn't go on the bones anymore.

Kinda hard to explain, she had to help me by adjusting my body, but I drew a picture to kind of explain. Hope it helps someone!

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1465060853.571751.jpg

Extremely helpful! Thanks for sharing.

[Christinamo7 4,041]

3. I get frustrated because I have to eat so slow and my food gets cold...then it tastes nasty and I don't want to eat it.

s.

one thing I have invested in is some small ramekins - about the size around of a coffee cup and then if I am having something warm I put it on a cup warmer so that it warms up the ramekin and keeps my food the right temperature. has saved a few dishes for me.

[JennsJourney 205]

3. I get frustrated because I have to eat so slow and my food gets cold...then it tastes nasty and I don't want to eat it.

s.

one thing I have invested in is some small ramekins - about the size around of a coffee cup and then if I am having something warm I put it on a cup warmer so that it warms up the ramekin and keeps my food the right temperature. has saved a few dishes for me.

Thanks for this tip! I'm going to try this.