Hi, I’m new to this group. Really struggling after my surgery.

[Mal44]

I just had my sleeve surgery 4 weeks ago and I’m having a hard time. Maybe somebody here has some advice or would help me with questions I have?
My recovery was hard from the start. While everyone in the unit left the hospital the next morning, I had to stay for 6 days. Was in pain and nauseous and couldn’t hold the water down.
i finished the liquid diet and it was tough. I was so lethargic I almost fainted many times. My doctor told me to increase my sugar intake and that helped. Now I’m on mushy food, but can only eat very thin soups. Everything else feels like I swallowed a brick. I still have no energy. I can’t believe people work out! I take one walk a day around the block - takes maybe 10 minutes and I sleep 14h a day easily. I’m also constantly thirsty. I’m getting 50-60 oz if water a day but I just crave drinking a glass of water and I can’t.
I’m at a very low point and I question my decision. I don’t even care how much weight I lost because I feel so crappy.
I’m starving. I’m not hungry in the empty stomach sense, but your body knows it’s getting very little calories. I literally dream every night about burgers and steaks and I’m not even a big meat eater. At this point if I could go back and not have this surgery I would.
did anybody else experience this?

 

[suzannethemom]

Wow, your post is so eye opening! Today was my first consultation with a doctor and dietitian. It did not go well and they probably will not recommend me for RNY surgery. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself all evening and then I read your post. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I’ve been so preoccupied with why I want the surgery, I haven’t thought about the why nots. I can’t even imagine the pain and misery you are going through. I wish I could reach out and help you. I know that someone on this forum will have some good advice. Hang in there. You are in my thoughts (really).

 

[Roni]

Do not compare yourself to others. Your journey is your own. Each of us struggle with the recovery phase in our own way. Will finish this tomorrow tired right now. 4 am.

 

[3momchaos]

Welcome! I am so sorry about your difficult recovery. Everyone is very different with that. Has your doctor checked your levels? I’m definitely not giving out medical advice, but maybe ask them if you can drink sugar free Gatorade or something with electrolytes? Might help. Not sure.

 

[Mal44]

Wow, your post is so eye opening! Today was my first consultation with a doctor and dietitian. It did not go well and they probably will not recommend me for RNY surgery. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself all evening and then I read your post. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I’ve been so preoccupied with why I want the surgery, I haven’t thought about the why nots. I can’t even imagine the pain and misery you are going through. I wish I could reach out and help you. I know that someone on this forum will have some good advice. Hang in there. You are in my thoughts (really).

Thank you so much. I don’t want to discourage you in any way. I just wanted to lose the weight so bad I think I totally underestimated how serious this was. I know people who had it done and they tolerated it so well it almost made it seem like a piece of cake. it’s not, at least not in my case.

 

[Mal44]

Welcome! I am so sorry about your difficult recovery. Everyone is very different with that. Has your doctor checked your levels? I’m definitely not giving out medical advice, but maybe ask them if you can drink sugar free Gatorade or something with electrolytes? Might help. Not sure.

Thank you. Im drinking Gatorade and smart water and cranberry juice for sugar. They are frantically giving me tests and some of them came back pretty low but not drastically low to explain the way I feel. I had two other unrelated surgeries this year and I’m thinking maybe I overdid it? My doctor doesn’t think so. He says that I’m “not having the typical recovery and that happens sometimes”.
I just woke up - I’m sleeping fully dressed, under 2 comforters and with space heater near by - I’m freezing and my body temperature is so low. If I don’t improve I’m gonna have to go back to the hospital. I was hoping somebody would share a similar experience.

 

[Mal44]

Do not compare yourself to others. Your journey is your own. Each of us struggle with the recovery phase in our own way. Will finish this tomorrow tired right now. 4 am.

Thank you. That’s what my doctor says - that my recovery is “not typical”. I’m just scared that I’m never gonna feel normal again, that I messed up my body.

 

[JudyNY]

I am so sorry your recovery is not going well. The first month I didn't do well either but I had totally different issues. It took me about the 2nd month before I didn't regret having surgery because of the complications that I had, but after that I no longer regretted it. I hope you get to that place soon and things start looking up and you feel better.

 

[Mal44]

I am so sorry your recovery is not going well. The first month I didn't do well either but I had totally different issues. It took me about the 2nd month before I didn't regret having surgery because of the complications that I had, but after that I no longer regretted it. I hope you get to that place soon and things start looking up and you feel better.

Thank you, it’s so good to hear that! I’m glad you’re doing better

 

[Roni]

Thank you. That’s what my doctor says - that my recovery is “not typical”. I’m just scared that I’m never gonna feel normal again, that I messed up my body.

That is a realistic fear. Hang in there weight loss surgery is a trauma to our body. Give it time but keep the conversation open with your doctor and support team. Keep a log of events and foods/fluids that you intake. You may be able to find what is affecting your recovery. Reach out to your team that is what they are there for. Try to find and focus on positives, it does help your journey

 

[Mal44]

That is a realistic fear. Hang in there weight loss surgery is a trauma to our body. Give it time but keep the conversation open with your doctor and support team. Keep a log of events and foods/fluids that you intake. You may be able to find what is affecting your recovery. Reach out to your team that is what they are there for. Try to find and focus on positives, it does help your journey

Thank you. Is there maybe like an app you’re using? I’m just putting it in a notebook but that’s not very organized

 

[Mal44]

Thank you, everybody is so nice and supportive here. I didn’t tell anybody about my surgery based on bad previous experiences so I can’t turn to family and friends with my concerns. It’s also a very difficult time during the pandemic because my care team is hard to reach - I was told that during normal times they were always at patient’s fingertips. Now they are short staffed and places are often closed. So I’m often left alone with my fears, wondering if I should go to the ER or what to do.

 

[Mal44]

Mal, your fears are worse than reality. But they are also shared by almost everyone. You made the smart choice not to tell everyone. Me too. I knew my vicious, bitter, dysfunctional family would do everything to tear me down.

Listen, you're a superstar. Don't throw your pearls before swine. You should be able to connect with post-op people through a hospital support group, or start your own. Instructions are available on the home page of this very group!

To this day, only my son and my best friend know I took the surgical option. I knew this was the right choice when I heard how other family members talked about another person we know had the surgery. She didn't do very well and everyone tried to sabotage her, ridicule her because they were, simply, jealous.

We're here for you. Share with us, support others in the group, make friends here. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without this group, and I'm 14 years post-op.

If I can help, let me know. You can send direct messages to members who encourage you with their stories. I've seen hundreds of people pass through and we all share the same heart.

You are not your fears. You are amazing. Believe it.

Thank you, you’re so kind! That’s pretty much my situation. I know a girl who had a gastric surgery and first everyone was talking behind her back because she was overweight and now they are talking because she had a surgery. My family is very “old school” or just shitty and they were giving so much s*** to my sister in law for having a tummy tuck- I decided not to share my decision with any of these groups. I think I’m mostly scared because most people seems to have a pretty easy recovery and I’m constantly scared that something is wrong because I feel awful and by any means I’m not a hypochondriac. I have so many questions but I waited on hold 1.5h to talk to a nurse today and only managed to leave a message- pandemic is taking a real toll on the healthcare system in my area at the moment.I’m very frustrated because I didn’t receive any diet instructions besides few bullet points after my discharge. My friend who had a bypass has a whole folder with detailed description of each phase, lists of what she can have and when. My mushy phase will end in 2 days and I have absolutely no clue what I can eat next. Do you guys have any lists for gastric sleeve patients? There is tons of stuff online but the information sources often contradict themselves. I red that I could have peanut butter on one side so I ate a spoon and then red somewhere else few minutes later that it’s supposedly very dangerous. I have another doctor appointment next Thursday. I still don’t know very basic stuff. Is protein shake a meal? I’m on tomato soup pretty much and don’t even know if it’s a good choice. I bought the Bari Melts vitamin because it’s Amazon bestseller but I don’t know if it’s good. do you really need to take those for the rest of my life? Am I gonna lose hair? they just grew back after I lost them from another illness. I was waiting 3 years to sto wearing wigs. I have so many questions I don’t want to flood people. Thank you for your time

 

[JeannetteB]

Mal, I am so sorry you are going through such a rough time. It sounds like your body is just exhausted from the trauma of all you have gone thru prior to and including this surgery. I have not had my surgery yet. I am having it on Jan 17th. So I don't have the post surgery experience or knowledge yet. I noticed you said you are eating mostly Tomato soup.. keep in mind that tomato soup is very acidic and salty. You might try switching to a less acidic soup?
I am super nervous as I am sure every bariatric patient is, so I am hopeful that it goes well and that I have the support of groups like this when I am in need. I don't have anyone here to help at all and it's gonna be very rough but hoping for the best.

 

[Mal44]

Mal, I am so sorry you are going through such a rough time. It sounds like your body is just exhausted from the trauma of all you have gone thru prior to and including this surgery. I have not had my surgery yet. I am having it on Jan 17th. So I don't have the post surgery experience or knowledge yet. I noticed you said you are eating mostly Tomato soup.. keep in mind that tomato soup is very acidic and salty. You might try switching to a less acidic soup?
I am super nervous as I am sure every bariatric patient is, so I am hopeful that it goes well and that I have the support of groups like this when I am in need. I don't have anyone here to help at all and it's gonna be very rough but hoping for the best.

Thank you! Please don’t be scared by my story because I really think it’s not so difficult for everyone. My friends mom took her grandkids to the zoo week after hers. Hope everything goes well! I made the soup from my moms tomato puree, so there is no salt. Just diluted it with broth and added finely chopped silken tofu. I didn’t know about the acid part. The soup doesn’t seem to bother me, it’s actually the only thing I feel like eating for the past 2 days- but I guess there is something I don’t know about the acid?
Thank you!

 

[missyinacage]

Hi, Mal. You don't mention how much protein you are getting. You mention a lot of the fluids you are getting in but no protein shakes/supplements. If you cannot eat much yet, you really need some sort of protein supplement. You should be getting at least 60g a day.

Also, when you are trying to eat, try a tablespoon or 2 first. When you're still healing it can be very difficult to manage actual food. I would usually have a protein shake for breakfast and try a few bites for lunch and dinner. It takes quite a while to get up to even a 1/2 cup of food. And make sure you are chewing until your food is the consistency of baby food.

Use the search bar to find the nutrition and post op diets. I believe Diane and 3mom have both shared theirs. They are very comprehensive and should help if you feel your program did not give you enough information. But some good foods to start out with are greek yogurt, cottage cheese, refried beans, scrambled eggs; stuff like that. Also, when you get to meats, it's easier to digest if you slow cook it for the first few weeks.

 

[LaurieLee]

Hi, Mal. You don't mention how much protein you are getting. You mention a lot of the fluids you are getting in but no protein shakes/supplements. If you cannot eat much yet, you really need some sort of protein supplement. You should be getting at least 60g a day.

Also, when you are trying to eat, try a tablespoon or 2 first. When you're still healing it can be very difficult to manage actual food. I would usually have a protein shake for breakfast and try a few bites for lunch and dinner. It takes quite a while to get up to even a 1/2 cup of food. And make sure you are chewing until your food is the consistency of baby food.

Use the search bar to find the nutrition and post op diets. I believe Diane and 3mom have both shared theirs. They are very comprehensive and should help if you feel your program did not give you enough information. But some good foods to start out with are greek yogurt, cottage cheese, refried beans, scrambled eggs; stuff like that. Also, when you get to meats, it's easier to digest if you slow cook it for the first few weeks.

Missy is correct. Try to get as much protein as you can in within the guidelines of your diet restrictions. I had a hard time too. I am 5 months post RNY and still drink a protein shake each day. Some cannot tolerate them but I really like them. I still remember the first thing I ate was cottage cheese and it was so good. Not everyone likes cottage cheese though. And I started with a 1/4 cup and moved from there. I also found some cream soups at the store and blended them with my immersion blender. I also brought some of those soups from Bariwise that have protein in them and also their oatmeal. I don't eat them all the time and they are a bit expensive but taste pretty good and have protein, 15 grams I think. I got them from Amazon. I'm not trying to steer you any particular way I just know what helped me. The first few weeks are tough and I think everyone second guesses their surgery. your body is still trying to figure it all out and is still swollen and unsure if this is "another diet". You will show them all. After you start healing and feeling better, you will think differently. It's definitely a growth process.

 

[Mal44]

Hi, Mal. You don't mention how much protein you are getting. You mention a lot of the fluids you are getting in but no protein shakes/supplements. If you cannot eat much yet, you really need some sort of protein supplement. You should be getting at least 60g a day.

Also, when you are trying to eat, try a tablespoon or 2 first. When you're still healing it can be very difficult to manage actual food. I would usually have a protein shake for breakfast and try a few bites for lunch and dinner. It takes quite a while to get up to even a 1/2 cup of food. And make sure you are chewing until your food is the consistency of baby food.

Use the search bar to find the nutrition and post op diets. I believe Diane and 3mom have both shared theirs. They are very comprehensive and should help if you feel your program did not give you enough information. But some good foods to start out with are greek yogurt, cottage cheese, refried beans, scrambled eggs; stuff like that. Also, when you get to meats, it's easier to digest if you slow cook it for the first few weeks.

Thank you so much! This is very helpful. I’m having one protein shake a day which sounds is not enough. I’m just having such a hard time pushing anything in. I guess i would need at least two but it seems impossible, I barely finish one. It’s not nausea- that’s long gone. It just doesn’t go down.
thank you for the tip how to find information on here! I was scared to lose this thread so I didn’t venture out to look at other stuff. I’m gonna duplicate this window and search.
i didn’t have the same situation as most people because my surgery kinda head an emergency approval - my weight was compromising my recovery from the previous surgery I had. So I’ve never even met my surgeon before the day of my surgery. I was supposed to meet a nutritionist while I was in the hospital but nobody ended up coming because of pandemic. I just got a call from a nurse who explained a clear liquid diet. I’m gonna work on getting more protein, hopefully it works. Thank you

 

[Mal44]

Missy is correct. Try to get as much protein as you can in within the guidelines of your diet restrictions. I had a hard time too. I am 5 months post RNY and still drink a protein shake each day. Some cannot tolerate them but I really like them. I still remember the first thing I ate was cottage cheese and it was so good. Not everyone likes cottage cheese though. And I started with a 1/4 cup and moved from there. I also found some cream soups at the store and blended them with my immersion blender. I also brought some of those soups from Bariwise that have protein in them and also their oatmeal. I don't eat them all the time and they are a bit expensive but taste pretty good and have protein, 15 grams I think. I got them from Amazon. I'm not trying to steer you any particular way I just know what helped me. The first few weeks are tough and I think everyone second guesses their surgery. your body is still trying to figure it all out and is still swollen and unsure if this is "another diet". You will show them all. After you start healing and feeling better, you will think differently. It's definitely a growth process.

Thank you so much, this is so helpful! I’m definitely gonna work on my protein. Actually my doctor made me start protein shakes ahead of time, while I was still on the clear liquid diet, because I was so weak. I guess I’m still getting too little. Not that I’m happy you had a hard time too, but it puts me at ease - thank you so much for sharing. I guess just hearing constantly how people recovered like it was a piece of cake makes me worried.
I’m looking forward to the day I will start feeling better. You gave me so much relief. It’s pretty crazy - I was so desperate to lose weight and so happy to get this done - I literally don’t even care what I lost and didn’t weigh myself even once, because I feel horrible. When I was at my 2 week appointment I was told I lost 18lbs.
Thank you for your message and lifting my spirits!

 

[Mal44]

We're here for you. Scroll down to Resources and you'll learn a lot.

I lost some hair, but it grew back. I did buy a wig, which you can see if you check my profile and pics. Hair loss with any surgery is common.

I can't say enough about Magic Milk. It's just nonfat milk with a packet of Milkman mixed in, dry. Don't add water. Then, use it instead of water when you make Cream of Wheat or canned cream soup. You can make instant mashed potatoes, chowder, any cream sauce to pour over veggies... Anything you can imagine.

The purpose of gastric bypass surgery is to allow you to eat normally after the surgery. Your pouch will be about the size of a walnut at first, but will adapt soon to somewhere between 2 and 4 ounces. You'll learn quickly how to adjust the way you eat and what you eat.

You'll never be able to take in enough nutrients, so you'll need to add supplements. I take supplements four times per day. This is all detailed in files I've uploaded here to help group members.

But some people bounce right back with few problems, though the supplements are truly necessary.

I have a personal prejudice against companies like Amazon. They can't medically advise you, but they mislead you because they'll list any quackery that pays them a percent for listing their products.

Study nutrition as a science. See a bariatric nutritionist. Read EVERY label. One shocking thing I discovered was that Flintstones chewables had identical amounts of RDAs as Centrum.

Remember that in the USA, vitamins are an industry based on profit. They don't take any responsibility for your health. And books about health are not based on medicine that's relevant to your physiology.

Stick with bariatric science and medicine associated with the medical facility where you had your procedure. They know you. I had the most wonderful team, and was so well cared for by them. I have a great family doctor, but she always referred me back to my team if it had to do with RYGB issues. Your physiology changes with the surgery, so a regular doc might make mistakes.

Feel free to peruse my story and tips: Resources by dianeseattle

That'll save me writing about 50 posts!

Thank you so much! This is so helpful, I’m excited to go and read everything! I didn’t go through the same process as most patients. Didn’t go through the pre-op diet and didn’t even meet my surgeon till the day of the surgery. I got an emergency approval because my weight was affecting my recovery from the previous surgery. That’s probably the reason why I know so much less than most people. I’m still waiting for my first nutritionist visit next week. You’re a lifesaver m. Thank you for your help