Hello!

I am currently day 9, sleeved 12/1. I had some complications, but am feeling 100 times better now. I am on full liquids until PO next tuesday, limited options, getting to the point where I can't stomach some things anymore.

I cannot tell the difference between hunger and reflux. It feels like hunger! Its cramping, painful, and makes all sorts of noises( gurgling, sounds like growling.) Im still working on fluids but hit my protein goal( can down 10 oz of protein shake and 5 oz of yogurt, 3/4 cup of soup, all done in accordance to my plan). Its felt like this all week! Today is the first day I haven't felt it, or felt hungry. Im on 20 mg of omeprazole, and was on 10 before surgery because of reflux, over production of acid, etc.

Is this what it is? Hunger? Help!

Those you describe (cramping, painful, and makes all sorts of noises( gurgling, sounds like growling) are not hunger signals. Hunger signals are totally different post surgery than they may have been prior to surgery. Just keep up with your protein and fluids on schedule and you'll be fine. If you have insatiable craving, have a 1/4 C of fat-free Greek yogurt. If you are consuming a brand of yogurt with fruit that contains sugar, you may be getting cravings because of the sugar. The sooner you go sugar-free fat-free the better off you will be.

I'm surprised that your surgeon opted for the sleeve knowing that you have reflux. Gastric bypass usually resolves reflux and GERD.

Glad you’re starting to feeling better.

The gurgling & growling is just the digestive process doing what it’s supposed to do & not hunger. I think it sounds louder & is more noticeable now because of because our tummy & digestive process are a little different.

The strong pain is likely excess stomach acid. For many their tummy eventually reduces production more in keeping with how much they actually need to digest what they eat. If it continues chat with your surgeon. I’m on 20mg esomeprazole too but it doesn’t fully manage all my acid for 24hrs. Previously, I was able to manage a lot of my reflux & excess acid through dietary choices & only needed to take esomeprazole occasionally. It’s why my surgeon approved me for a sleeve. It manifests differently now. Hiccups less severe. No cutting pain, No bad taste in my mouth. Just a bit of burning in my throat at night or early hours of the morning - probably from lying down or it’s just worn off.

Hunger is different for me now. I feel restless as if something is wrong. It happens at night & I can logically understand why I am hungry - low protein intake for the day. I don’t crave a specific food or type of food (salty, sweet, carb). I only seek protein (any source will do) when I’m truely hungry but that could be a learnt behaviour because I know it’s what I need.

Hope you continue to feel better & the reflux eases.

Those you describe (cramping, painful, and makes all sorts of noises( gurgling, sounds like growling) are not hunger signals. Hunger signals are totally different post surgery than they may have been prior to surgery. Just keep up with your protein and fluids on schedule and you'll be fine. If you have insatiable craving, have a 1/4 C of fat-free Greek yogurt. If you are consuming a brand of yogurt with fruit that contains sugar, you may be getting cravings because of the sugar. The sooner you go sugar-free fat-free the better off you will be.
I'm surprised that your surgeon opted for the sleeve knowing that you have reflux. Gastric bypass usually resolves reflux and GERD.

Yea..... this has been a 3 year process. He did a endoscopy and colonoscopy beforehand; and determined because i didn't have damage or Barrett's he would do the sleeve.. I also think it's because he doesn't fully believe in me? One would think a starting weight of 429 would warrant bypass( along with many chronic illnesses including PCOS) But here we are.. i see a revision in my future to reach a goal weight of 200 or below. I will make sure to bring that up and post op on tuesday; although I am not even seeing him, just his NP [emoji19][emoji849]

DarkSoul, after reading hundreds of postings on this board and others, I have come to the conclusion that some surgeons are lazy and/or greedy. VGS surgery is easier and faster than RNY surgery, but the fees are usually the same.

4 hours ago, DarkSoul said:

One would think a starting weight of 429 would warrant bypass( along with many chronic illnesses including PCOS) But here we are.. i see a revision in my future to reach a goal weight of 200 or below.

If you do end up there, consider this:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7378100/

Quote

Conclusions

This study suggests that OAGB is superior to RYGB as a remedy for insufficient weight loss and weight regain after failed restrictive surgery with more weight loss and a lower early complication rate

And yes, I'll sing the praises about mini gastric bypass / OAGB / omega loop from every rooftop I can find.