I am having a hard time with this surgery. I’ve been bigger all 29 years of my life but I finally decided to make a change Jan 8 2024. I had the gastric sleeve surgery done… Since then I don’t like the taste of anything that I use to like. I can’t even stomach the smell of certain food, it makes me literally nauseous. I’m not use to how slow I have to drink water now so when I swallow too much, it make my chest hurt terribly. I always feel nauseous 24/7 for not reason at all. Plus, I’m not losing anything. I still look and feel overweight. I deal with depression and other mental illnesses so I may be beating myself up but I guess I expected differently.

What you're experiencing is completely normal. Partly your body is simply trying to heal from the surgery, so food right now is not what a healing stomach wants.

Regarding the tastes changing, it's entirely possible that some foods you used to like you may never want again. Other things you'll learn to enjoy again. This is just something we all go through.

The water thing should get better over time. At this point, your stomach is likely still swollen, so it just can't hold very much. Most of us had to really be religious about drinking just maybe 1-2 ounces at a time and trying to drink every 10-15 minutes while awake. This is hard right after surgery, but as I said, it gets a lot easier as the swelling goes down and you're able to drink more normal amounts.

The nausea is a little unusual this far out, so I'd honestly recommend talking to your surgical team. It could just be from overeating/drinking, but it's best to talk to the experts.

Regarding weight loss, you have to keep in mind that your body is made up of a lot of other "stuff" besides just fat. You may well be retaining fluid or stool and that can mask weight loss early on. It's physiologically impossible to be eating as little as you are and not losing fat, so please just have faith in the process. The best thing you can do is follow your surgical team's post-op instructions and you WILL lose fat.

Thank you ?

Second what @SpartanMaker has said. It takes a good 6 or so weeks to be healed from the surgery. This includes nerves that were cut during the surgery so messages about feeling hungry or full etc. may be distorted or don’t get through so be careful. so you will start to notice a difference/improvement as you get to around that time frame.

I struggled with things being super sweet or super salty and some textures initially. I actually decided to embrace the sweet aversion and decided to not reintroduce sweet things back into my regular eating. Of course there is always a little in certain foods but I keep my added sugar low less than 6g a day. I do have some sweet things on occasions but not every day or every week but that was my choice.

And yes, foods or drinks you can’t tolerate now will likely be fine again in a couple of months. And yes, you may find you develop a taste for foods you didn’t enjoy before. There may be odd foods you never can tolerate again. e.g. many struggle with eggs in the long term.

Beware though, your tummy can be very fussy in the first months. I described my tummy as a petulant temper throwing 2 year old during this phase. You may eat something without issue on day and the next it’s no way. Don’t give up on any food though. Sometimes in a few days or a week or two your tummy will enjoy it again.

As for the nausea, do you have any anti nausea meds? If not ask your team to prescribe some. The nausea can also be from your multi vitamins. Ensure you have some food on your tummy first so take them after you’ve eaten or almost finished. Also if you have to take a couple tablets spread them out across the day not all at once.

Things do get easier and better. You’ll learn how to manage your altered digestive system and changes to behaviours regarding eating and drinking. It takes time but you’ll get there.

All the best.

I actually haven’t started any multivitamins yet. I know I was supposed to… it just slipped my mind. Any you would recommend?

18 hours ago, Jaxxamillion said:

I actually haven’t started any Multivitamins yet. I know I was supposed to… it just slipped my mind. Any you would recommend?

I like Celebrate brand tropical twist chewable, but they also make soft chews in fruit flavors (and maybe chocolate?) if you prefer a less chalky texture. Any bariatric brand should be fine.

On 2/4/2025 at 7:46 PM, Jaxxamillion said:

I am having a hard time with this surgery. I’ve been bigger all 29 years of my life but I finally decided to make a change Jan 8 2024. I had the gastric sleeve surgery done… Since then I don’t like the taste of anything that I use to like. I can’t even stomach the smell of certain food, it makes me literally nauseous. I’m not use to how slow I have to drink Water now so when I swallow too much, it make my chest hurt terribly. I always feel nauseous 24/7 for not reason at all. Plus, I’m not losing anything. I still look and feel overweight. I deal with depression and other mental illnesses so I may be beating myself up but I guess I expected differently.

Do you mean 2025 for your op or a year ago? If only four weeks ago what you are feeling is totally normal and your body is recovering. Hopefully you will soon find a routine that works for you with regards to being able to take a bit more food and fluids but take your time with sipping and eating, baby steps for now and then it will get easier. Try to get your vitamins in, especially now as you are eating less.

For me after the op I couldn't stand the smell of certain foods, even the smell of coffee turned my stomach but now all is back to 'normal' and I thankfully am able to drink coffee again.

With regards to the weight loss, it is different for everyone, I put on a few kg in the hospital immediately after the op and then slowly started to lose but I didn't see it on the scale or physically for quite a while. It will happen when your body is ready.

You have got this, it is early days.

Sorry I meant 2025….. not 2024

Thank you… I need to learn some patience lol. I’m getting my vitamins today