Worried About Doctors Honesty

[Serra Cherub 12]

I had Gastric Bypass Sept 2016. Started at around 330lb and was able to lose and roughly maintain 100lb weightloss. I also have Hypothyroidism, with new diagnosis of Hashimoto's, and PCOS. My weight has increased MAJORLY since having a Pannilectomy in November 2021. I've tried lowering calories even more, upping Protein, engaging in more activity, weightloss medication to suppress appetite. Anything and everything I could think. Ended up consulting with my weight management doctor and we proceeded with a Partial Gastrectomy sinxlce they said there was a TINY sliver of stomach that they could still remove to maintain the pouch integrity. They confirmed my pouch was not stretched. So I had the Partial Gastrectomy on Monday. I didnt have any pain, just mild discomfort due to the laproscopic incisions. My stomach feels absolutely fine. I've not needed any pain medication outside of Tylenol. I've also been put back on the post-op diet. With all that being said... I feel suspicious of my lack of internal discomfort. My ability to handle 2 to 4 oz of fluids with absolute ease. More so that I am STILL getting hunger pains. It truly almost feels like they got in there and decided to not remove anything. My husband said that the status of "Moved to the OR", "Surgery in Progress", and "Moved to Recovery" was 25 to 30 minutes. This is supported by the board they post on and the texts.

Just dont know if I am being crazy or not. Is this normal???

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[Arabesque 6,565]

So sorry you’ve been going through this.

Even though they only removed a small slither of your tummy, nerve endings were still cut & you likely aren’t getting your messages through to tell you you’ve had enough or too much. Remember you will be healing for a while & will need to take it slowly for a few weeks just like you did in 2016. As to the hunger it could be stomach acid (extra being produced in response to the surgery) which can cause hunger pangs like pain. Are you on a PPI?

All the best with your recovery.

[ShoppGirl 3,424]

I joked about whether they actually did anything other than the incisions because I didn’t have a lot of pain either and I never felt the restriction when I should. Then I had a theory my pouch could hold more cause I have a longer torso and wondered if that meant my stomach was taller. The NP said she doubts it has anything to do with my height but some peoples pouches are a little larger due to anatomy. Now that I am a year and a half out I still don’t feel restriction per se but I am satisfied with onw portion of most things and I can tell that I wouldn’t be able to eat plates full of food Ike I could pre surgery. I wonder if I am just not in tune with my full cues the same as some others are? did you feel the full cues after your first surgery? I agree with Arabesque that it’s most likely just unhealed nerves and excess acid causing your lack of restriction and hunger pains and those things will work themselves out in time. Definitely ask about a PPI if you are not on one yet And maybe ask for a copy of the surgical notes for your piece of mind.

[LookingForward22 320]

Oddly enough I didn’t really notice “restriction” as much in the first two months of my surgery as I do now, especially with liquids.

I was downing liquids with ease wondering - is this normal. Now I actually feel like - I can’t take another sip right now. (I’m about 10.5 weeks out from surgery). I even notice more restriction with Soups and other things now - that I didn’t have before.

Do you see an endocrinologist or a regular PCP for your POCS? I ask because my Endo had a much different approach to my metabolic and endocrine issues that general practice doctors. Things have been nicely dialed in and when things fluctuate (as they do) he is really good about adjusting meds to quickly address side effects from those fluctuations.

[Serra Cherub 12]

Hi all! Thank you so much for your kindness and responses. To answer a few questions...
1. I am not on a PPI. Literally had to google to see what that was lol
2. Yes, I regularly see an Endocrinologist for my Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's to maintain my Synthroid
3. Yes, after my original surgery I felt restrictions right away. I could barely get 1oz of liquid in a 15 minute period due to it. I also immediately lost all hunger cues as well. Hunger wasnt a thing again until about 3 years ago.
Overall its just very frustrating and feels defeating. I was told I of course wouldnt have the same results as the original surgery but I dont know, I *assumed* somewhat similar restrictions at least at the beginning. Just difficult trying to tolerate the tummy grumbles and hunger pain because I am forcing myself to follow the after surgery diet plan. As mentioned, could be totally just me being paranoid but something in my "gut" just keeps bringing it to mind that this just isnt normal.

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[Serra Cherub 12]

Hi all! Thank you so much for your kindness and responses. To answer a few questions...
1. I am not on a PPI. Literally had to google to see what that was lol
2. Yes, I regularly see an Endocrinologist for my Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's to maintain my Synthroid
3. Yes, after my original surgery I felt restrictions right away. I could barely get 1oz of liquid in a 15 minute period due to it. I also immediately lost all hunger cues as well. Hunger wasnt a thing again until about 3 years ago.
Overall its just very frustrating and feels defeating. I was told I of course wouldnt have the same results as the original surgery but I dont know, I *assumed* somewhat similar restrictions at least at the beginning. Just difficult trying to tolerate the tummy grumbles and hunger pain because I am forcing myself to follow the after surgery diet plan. As mentioned, could be totally just me being paranoid but something in my "gut" just keeps bringing it to mind that this just isnt normal.

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I need to correct myself because I didn't educate myself enough about PPIs before responding. Apologies, yes I am on Pantoprazole currently.

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[LookingForward22 320]

I understand your frustration and I’m a big believer in listening to your gut. If something feels “off”, I’d explore more. I would hope they would have told you if they were unable to do what they had planned. Did the surgery fall within the estimated time frame they suggested it would? Being a revision - with a smaller removal, after a significant weightloss (than your first surgery) it’s plausible the time was much less to complete. The suggestion of the surgical notes is a good idea as well.

I do think the others are right about healing and extra acid being the culprit… but asking your team about your concerns (still feeling hungry and not having restrictions) can’t hurt. Maybe your PPI needs adjusted (even if it temporarily) or they can recommend something like smaller portions more frequently to help.

I have Hashimoto’s also and it can really fight you every step of the way on this. My Endo has been working with with me in the WLS journey and has been a big help. I was taking something to help with my metabolic syndrome prior to my surgery. I stopped it about the time of the surgery (because it could make me constipated and didn’t want to have that compound the dietary changes which could cause the same) but ended up starting it back up again after I got through that. Also we check my labs and looks at my symptoms to adjust my Synthroid. Sometimes my labs look good but I feel off and we do minor adjustments to keep my fickle body happy.

I hope you find some answers!

[Serra Cherub 12]

I understand your frustration and I’m a big believer in listening to your gut. If something feels “off”, I’d explore more. I would hope they would have told you if they were unable to do what they had planned. Did the surgery fall within the estimated time frame they suggested it would? Being a revision - with a smaller removal, after a significant weightloss (than your first surgery) it’s plausible the time was much less to complete. The suggestion of the surgical notes is a good idea as well.

I do think the others are right about healing and extra acid being the culprit… but asking your team about your concerns (still feeling hungry and not having restrictions) can’t hurt. Maybe your PPI needs adjusted (even if it temporarily) or they can recommend something like smaller portions more frequently to help.

I have Hashimoto’s also and it can really fight you every step of the way on this. My Endo has been working with with me in the WLS journey and has been a big help. I was taking something to help with my metabolic syndrome prior to my surgery. I stopped it about the time of the surgery (because it could make me constipated and didn’t want to have that compound the dietary changes which could cause the same) but ended up starting it back up again after I got through that. Also we check my labs and looks at my symptoms to adjust my Synthroid. Sometimes my labs look good but I feel off and we do minor adjustments to keep my fickle body happy.

I hope you find some answers!

Thank you so much for the reply. Just trying to follow the current advice and wait it out to see if that is indeed whats going on.
Question, if you dont mind, with your Synthroid have you ever been told to not take the Multivitamin within 4 hours of it due to causing the Synthroid to be less effective? I am trying to schedule my meds accordingly, and this was never told to me previously when I had my surgery, and all the medication timing do's/do not's is getting a little complicated. Just wondering if this was a widely stated thing.

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