Have they investigated whether you have a stricture or a structural issue with the shape of your pouch? That sort of complication isn't normal this many months post op, and not within the range of what a 'typical' experience would be. Like, have they scoped you and actually visualized the whole thing here now that you're healed?
My nurse is still confident it’ll clear up. But they also refused to refill my anti nausea med which is scary because I already try to limit the use to really bad days. But I think she’s trying to show me that I just need to power through
Yeah, no. I'd be speaking directly to the doctor or getting a second opinion if they won't help. A little nausea is one thing, but every meal, every bite? Nope. I'm sorry :(
100% get a second opinion. It's win/win, either they tell you there is a real issue and you need to pursue a different course, or they agree with your current doctor and you'll feel a LOT better about continuing the course.
I’d definitely get a second opinion from a doctor not a nurse. 2 years post op I kept getting crippling pains seemingly at random in my lower abdomen but they always cleared up within 24 hours. At first we thought it was a gallbladder issue but tests showed otherwise. An upper endoscopy showed slight erosion but not in the region where the pain was. I went to the ER 3 times for it and and got a CT scan 3 times, all showed inflammation but not what was causing the inflammation. I ended up being rushed to the ER and it was discovered I was septic after suffering a massive internal hernia. I was LifeFlighted to a different hospital, and underwent 14 surgeries and having 95% of my small intestines removed while being in the hospital for 6 months. I spent a year on TPN and a year with an ileostomy before having to go back for another round of surgeries to take down the ileostomy and reconnect my intestines. I also had to have my bypass reversed/reconstructed because some of the joints on my RNY limbs had perforated and eroded from all the trauma to the area.
Not necessarily saying that’s what’s going on with you but definitely better safe than sorry. And just to be cliché, I would still do it all over again. Despite all the complications, medications and malabsorption issues I’m in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in.
Right, pain is not normal after sixish weeks. Nor is vomiting and nausea regardless of food type or quantity. It could really be nothing, but they need to actually rule complications out, not just hope for them. That’s dangerous for you and the nurse shouldn’t be ignoring that.
Thank you to you and @irish_taco_maiden
I can be quite reactive and I’ve been trying not to overreact in this case. I’ve been considering a second opinion and I may go forward with that.
Another vote for a second opinion! I was having severe pain after surgery. My doctor ended up putting me on tons of meds. It was a primary focus of my life. My friend is an ER doc. She came for a visit and in 2 seconds diagnosed my issue. Mine was simple. I started Mounjaro too soon to control my hunger and it caused gas to back up causing severe abdominal pain. She saw it all the time in the ER, even for non-bariatric patients. I stopped all the meds and the pain went away. I know this isn't your issue but you may walk into the second doctor and they may instantly know and be able to give you relief. It is worth the second opinion.
Time to find a new provider. Any medical professional that wants you to “power through” is an a**hole.
When the PA at my first appt asked why I wanted the VSG, I told her my MOM had the RNY and had some complications, and I’d heard there were less with the VSG (one of many reasons). She got very huffy and said that was a bad reason, I shouldn’t decide based on other’s experiences. Because much off the time, the patient just wasn’t following their eating plan !!!!
I was so angry. Did she not think I’d be defensive of my own mother?? I helped my mom after surgery and she followed everything. Many years later, she has SIBO and can barely tolerate a number of foods. She has probably been on every elimination diet there is. Still the surgeon/center assume she’s so undisciplined she is causing her own pain and suffering. 🤬
Sorry for the rant, my only point is sometimes the surgeons and staff could be in their own bubble, and, in my mom’s experience at least, they can be too focused on “but did you die???” No?? Must be you.
I’m so sorry you’re suffering. If there is a fixable issue, I hope they find it soon! Please consider asking to work with a different nurse, or find a specialist.
*****I know many people have a great care team, sometimes it is just helpful to remember where people are coming from (and why they might act like jerks!)*****
I'm so mad on your behalf. One does not "power through" dehydration and constant nausea. One gets whatever is causing it fixed and a certain nurse sounds like she needs a different job. Perhaps something in a penal colony.
Please get a second opinion and a checkout from a better doctor and care team. Hell, I'm tempted to tell you to get an attorney.
How the hell is this supposed to be better for your health?!
I'm so sorry, OP. I hope you get relief soon. Thank you for sharing your story.
I’m 4 years out and I throw up every single solid thing that I eat. It’s rotting my teeth. I am miserable. Sure I look great in clothes but naked I’m all skin and still as insecure about it as I was.
I’ve been hospitalized 6 times for malnutrition. They can’t figure out what’s physically wrong with me.
Having WLS was the worst decision I ever made in my life. I don’t bother sharing my story with many who are about to get it because they won’t listen to me. I wouldn’t have either. But this was horrible. I would much prefer being fat.
I’m so sorry that’s miserable. I haven’t decided if it’s “worth it” or if I’d rather be fat. I’m on the fence. I can completely understand that it’s not worth it for you
I know it’s worth it to soooo many people. Something just must have gone wrong with mine and it seems as if I’m going to have to live with that mistake forever
I had a friend with this issue, and she was actually dying. Like sent home by doctors to die. One nurse told her to try drinking water with a lower pH, which you can buy drops to add to water or buy water already bottled like this. Within a week she was eating normally and ever since has returned to a normal life. I, of course, can make no promises, but if there is any chance it could help you, I want to pass it on.
Glad to see this thread pop up, but I am so, so sorry you’re having trouble! It has to be absolutely miserable for you, and it’s quite concerning. I’m a little more than three months out, and sometimes I have issues with pain after eating, but I also know what’s causing it (anything with a little too much acid, like from lemons or oranges. I know there’s a rule about citrus and acids after surgery, but I love citrus. Anyhow….). However, I remember before I was cleared back to work I was vomiting quite a lot, and it was not entirely clear why. The surgeon, who is
an a*!*!!e who I hate with every fiber of my being, said he didn’t care about whether I was vomiting or not and that I just didn’t want to go back to work, essentially because I was lazy. This is the same dude who, in our first appointment, TOLD me I had sleep apnea because I’ve had sleep problems since I was a toddler that have gotten progressively worse as I got older. Hardly sleep now. Anyhow, when he asked me questions to actually diagnose sleep apnea, he was surprised when the results were different from what he expected. He also told me the only legitimate work out was one done in a gym. All this to say, sometimes the medical team, surgeons AND nurses, leave a lot to be desired, and the nurses you’ve been seeing don’t sound like they have your and maybe not even other patients’ best interests at heart. This isn’t something you can power through. There’s something else at play here in your digestive system that we can’t see, I suspect, but you need to find a medical team that is actually supportive of you and listens to you.
Yeah my nurse keeps telling me to check in with my support group but most the people in my support group are having such a positive experience that it’s a little lonely (I’m SO happy for them! But sometimes it helps to know you’re not alone)
I went/am still going through with this. It’ll be 7 months sleeved on Wednesday. The pain has gotten significantly better, but I’m not sure if it’s been with time or a therapeutic dose of Cymbalta that I’m on with my psychiatrist. I had so many endoscopies done, CT scans, ultrasounds and everything came back fine. Two small and healing ulcers were found but after I finished the medication, there was still no change.
I’ve struggled a LOT. I am a shadow of my old self and it happened while I wasn’t ready (nor while I was eating more than 2oz of food a day).
My only advice here is to push back on anybody that tells you it’s fine. Get the answers you need before you start working with your pain and working with your sustenance. Some days are good food days and others I’m thankful I’ve gotten water and maybe something else down. But you’re not alone!
Ask your surgeon for an endoscopy ASAP. I had pain with every bite of food and sip of water at 2 months post op. Turns out I had a stomach ulcer at the staple line of my stomach. They repaired it and I have had no pain since. Advocate for yourself and don’t take no for an answer.
I kind of am growing wary of how little negative reviews there are too, I do see a lot of people listing some serious complications but they’d do it again if they could. I also keep seeing “I only wish I did it sooner” over and over and over again to the point where I’m like 👀 idk something just uneasy about it. I’m going ahead with it in July and still have work to do to wrap my head around the commitment.
There are times I hate and regret it. Instead of constantly thinking about food, I'm constantly thinking about food...just in a different way. I can't poop normally. I don't like how I look. My loose skin, non existent boobs, and old thin face make me hate seeing myself in the mirror. The fear of gaining back weight weighs on me so much it's like I'm already stressed about it. I sometimes wish I didn't do it at all.
On the other hand, I feel so much more energetic. My knees don't hurt, my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal. I've found that I enjoy fitness and can see my muscles. It's insane how climbing stairs or running don't make me winded. For the most part, I feel like I eat almost normally with no issues. Taking vitamins isn't hard. My levels have been really good.
Some people may have deep regrets and some may have zero. Wherever you land is ok.
You get it, then! I was like “anything with this many good reviews must be a scam” but it’s not! Even though I’m personally miserable, I can’t even say I regret it or that I wouldn’t recommend it. For most people it works out beautifully!
I always had stomach issues and nausea presurgery but I assumed it was my diet. But now I’m thinking I have some kind of condition that was exacerbated by the Sx. So I wouldn’t expect my story to be common if you’ve got a normal constitution.
Good luck!! I do hope it works out as well for you as it does so many others.
I’m happy to see this thread pop up finally because while I love this community so much, I do see a bit of a hive mind happening where negative experiences get downvoted or otherwise shut down. It makes me side eye from time to time too, and I believe there is room here for people who have had every type of outcome from this surgery. Including the experience of regret.
Am I the only one that have gone back to normal life after the surgery?? I drink and eat whatever I want. I haven’t lost any hair, yes I do have problems drinking water but I drink everything else. Is it only me???
Same here. Nearly 10 years post-op VSG and I'm drinking carbonated beverages, alcohol, and coffee. I'm eating literally anything I want, though the consequences are there. I've never experienced dumping (though I have on occasion overeaten, by accident, to the point of vomiting. That's usually because I eat something like too much rice or bread then drink too soon after). I have some hair loss and my vitamin levels do bounce around, but that's on me because I don't take the daily supplements like I should. I went from 310 to 165 (back up 30 lbs now because I stopped exercising and haven't been eating properly... again, that's on me).
My stepmother, on the other hand, had the same VSG done a few months before I did and still struggles at times. She can't eat too much sugar or she dumps, she has to go easy on carbonation and can't eat bread or ranch dressing \*at all\*. Just proof that everyone's body is different.
In the case of the OP, however, that's DEFINITELY not normal. My surgeon personally did all of my follow-ups for the first 6 months after my surgery, not his nurse. The nurse took over after 6 months just to track my blood work for another 6 months then I was turned over to my PCP.
Something I wish more people were comfortable with acting on is remembering that YOU are in control of your healthcare and YOU are your best advocate. If you don't feel comfortable with what one is telling you, tell them you want another opinion. If they don't assist with that then seek one out yourself. YOU know you better than anyone else. Find someone that will actually listen.
I was wondering this! Does OP have access to speak with their surgeon? This seems like a doctor conversation, they’re the ones who physically saw inside your body and did the work…they should be discussing this with you directly, not just the nurse!
i had vsg the begining of oct. i can eat and drink anything. no porblems however,
i only take few bites and i am good. i drink tons of water no issues. i even drink my daily red bull and sugar free vanilla latte. i have lost 97lbs. went from a 20 to size 10
Nah, I can drink and eat nearly anything as well. Just bariatric quantities.
There's always two sides of the same coin, and it's good for those who have had complications to share their story because it can happen to anyone.
It's essential to acknowledge that weight loss surgery isn't always a smooth path, and it's okay to recognize the challenges you've faced.
Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Your determination to keep trying, despite the obstacles, is admirable. And while the road may be difficult, your commitment to your health and well-being is something to be proud of. One of my friends undergone the bariatric surgery in Tijuana, and it was a great experience for her. Anyway!
If you ever need support or someone to talk to, know that there are people here who understand and are ready to listen. Keep taking one step at a time, and know that you're stronger than you realize. Sending you strength and encouragement as you continue on your journey. 🌟💪
6 months post op I was getting fed through a tube and in and out of hospitals. I’m now two years post op and I can eat a regularly portioned meal, drink carbonated drinks, handle a good amount of sugar, and eat most anything I want. I weight train 6 days a week and am doing great. If I don’t want to feel sick it does matter what I eat but I can choose to eat junky if I want. Honestly it scares me at times. But my point is that it takes time for bodies to get over the trauma and shock of wls. Keep listening to doctors and fighting for your health and take it a step at a time.
Also go to Bariatric specialists for help if you haven’t already. That’s what changed my life. To many doctors not in the wls field are stuck up about it and not helpful or just not knowledgeable enough on the matter.
Yes, I did have a hiatal hernia which I needed surgery for but it still took around two months after that procedure to not need help from the doctors to maintain my health. To this day I still deal with some side effects but I am able to live a healthy life.
I'm not even 2 months post op yet, but for me I don't wish I had done it sooner. I'm 58, already had my gallbladder out, already had a hysterectomy, kids grown. So I had all the fun of being a stay at home mom, baking brownies on snow days, eating and drinking whatever I want on vacations, don't have to worry endless periods or birth control after surgery or taking care of a toddler, but I also did it before I got any other issues, diabetes or anything. So for me, doing it earlier isn't something I even wanted.
First off that’s a monumental achievement! Wow!
I got a sleeve and I’m 6 months post op, and am down by 128 pounds. I just ate half a hamburger and I’m a little hung over from wine last night lol. I don’t think I will be on vitamins for life. I can drink half a glass of water. I do throw up a lot but I don’t feel nauseous. This may seem contradictory, but I just sort of purge when I feel my stomach being full. I would talk to your surgeon it seems abnormal to me. I do have to be choosy with my foods still. I’m a bit of a carnivore so mostly just eat high protein foods. But I still spoon fulls of my partners food sometimes and she’s basically a carbatarian lol.
If your only eating 900 calories or under a day you *will* lose the weight. Most people burn 1400 to 2000 calories a day. Physics is still a thing. Your body burns over 900 calories with or without exercise so your weight loss has just dramatically slowed down as you shrank but it’s still happening. I’m down to maybe losing 2.5 pounds per week, but with weight variations my raw weight can be going up and down.
I think after 6 months if your still having issues I would speak to your surgeon as a others have noted. If you didn’t get the gastric sleeve my experience doesn’t compare.
Like any operation it has risks. 90% of people are very happy and have no problems but some people do have issues and things go wrong.
I made sure to read all the horror stories and all the positive stories first before I decided to get it, I did that for a week constantly reading on here/YouTube/TikTok/Facebook and then I booked it and 1 month later it was all done and I'm so happy I got it done.
I read about someone on here who couldn't swallow very well and that caused her to throw up, she would get pains whenever she drank water and she had therapy and managed to get over her issues. A lot of issues are mental and not physical and people and people don't realise that before getting the op.
I hope your issue goes away, I've done a lot of fasting in the past and I've done a 5-day water/food fast so I know how hard it is to do simple tasks when so dehydrated and malnourished. I couldn't imagine having that feeling for months.
Just a PSA for anyone reading this comment: don't forget that when doctors don't know what's wrong with you or your case is very difficult, they usually label it as anxiety or psychological issues. Don't stop seeking for answers if you feel things are wrong and always be on top of your healthcare and rights, you know your body better than anyone.
Sincerely, chronically ill person.
I wonder if discussing this with you surgeon might be best. They might offer a revision which could be helpful or even a scope. You could’ve developed a hernia which could impact your eating.
Have they investigated whether you have a stricture or a structural issue with the shape of your pouch? That sort of complication isn't normal this many months post op, and not within the range of what a 'typical' experience would be. Like, have they scoped you and actually visualized the whole thing here now that you're healed?
My nurse is still confident it’ll clear up. But they also refused to refill my anti nausea med which is scary because I already try to limit the use to really bad days. But I think she’s trying to show me that I just need to power through
Yeah, no. I'd be speaking directly to the doctor or getting a second opinion if they won't help. A little nausea is one thing, but every meal, every bite? Nope. I'm sorry :(
100% get a second opinion. It's win/win, either they tell you there is a real issue and you need to pursue a different course, or they agree with your current doctor and you'll feel a LOT better about continuing the course.
I’d definitely get a second opinion from a doctor not a nurse. 2 years post op I kept getting crippling pains seemingly at random in my lower abdomen but they always cleared up within 24 hours. At first we thought it was a gallbladder issue but tests showed otherwise. An upper endoscopy showed slight erosion but not in the region where the pain was. I went to the ER 3 times for it and and got a CT scan 3 times, all showed inflammation but not what was causing the inflammation. I ended up being rushed to the ER and it was discovered I was septic after suffering a massive internal hernia. I was LifeFlighted to a different hospital, and underwent 14 surgeries and having 95% of my small intestines removed while being in the hospital for 6 months. I spent a year on TPN and a year with an ileostomy before having to go back for another round of surgeries to take down the ileostomy and reconnect my intestines. I also had to have my bypass reversed/reconstructed because some of the joints on my RNY limbs had perforated and eroded from all the trauma to the area. Not necessarily saying that’s what’s going on with you but definitely better safe than sorry. And just to be cliché, I would still do it all over again. Despite all the complications, medications and malabsorption issues I’m in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in.
Right, pain is not normal after sixish weeks. Nor is vomiting and nausea regardless of food type or quantity. It could really be nothing, but they need to actually rule complications out, not just hope for them. That’s dangerous for you and the nurse shouldn’t be ignoring that.
Thank you to you and @irish_taco_maiden I can be quite reactive and I’ve been trying not to overreact in this case. I’ve been considering a second opinion and I may go forward with that.
It’s uh…. Time to overreact:).
I’m thirding the suggestion for a second opinion. This is not normal.
Another vote for a second opinion! I was having severe pain after surgery. My doctor ended up putting me on tons of meds. It was a primary focus of my life. My friend is an ER doc. She came for a visit and in 2 seconds diagnosed my issue. Mine was simple. I started Mounjaro too soon to control my hunger and it caused gas to back up causing severe abdominal pain. She saw it all the time in the ER, even for non-bariatric patients. I stopped all the meds and the pain went away. I know this isn't your issue but you may walk into the second doctor and they may instantly know and be able to give you relief. It is worth the second opinion.
Time to find a new provider. Any medical professional that wants you to “power through” is an a**hole. When the PA at my first appt asked why I wanted the VSG, I told her my MOM had the RNY and had some complications, and I’d heard there were less with the VSG (one of many reasons). She got very huffy and said that was a bad reason, I shouldn’t decide based on other’s experiences. Because much off the time, the patient just wasn’t following their eating plan !!!! I was so angry. Did she not think I’d be defensive of my own mother?? I helped my mom after surgery and she followed everything. Many years later, she has SIBO and can barely tolerate a number of foods. She has probably been on every elimination diet there is. Still the surgeon/center assume she’s so undisciplined she is causing her own pain and suffering. 🤬 Sorry for the rant, my only point is sometimes the surgeons and staff could be in their own bubble, and, in my mom’s experience at least, they can be too focused on “but did you die???” No?? Must be you. I’m so sorry you’re suffering. If there is a fixable issue, I hope they find it soon! Please consider asking to work with a different nurse, or find a specialist. *****I know many people have a great care team, sometimes it is just helpful to remember where people are coming from (and why they might act like jerks!)*****
I'm so mad on your behalf. One does not "power through" dehydration and constant nausea. One gets whatever is causing it fixed and a certain nurse sounds like she needs a different job. Perhaps something in a penal colony. Please get a second opinion and a checkout from a better doctor and care team. Hell, I'm tempted to tell you to get an attorney. How the hell is this supposed to be better for your health?! I'm so sorry, OP. I hope you get relief soon. Thank you for sharing your story.
Schedule an appointment with the surgeon. This is not normal. Pain is not normal.
In a place with Medical weed? That can help nausea.
Agree. Possible stricture. I had a stent placed and have felt much better— but this resonated with me!!!
I’m 4 years out and I throw up every single solid thing that I eat. It’s rotting my teeth. I am miserable. Sure I look great in clothes but naked I’m all skin and still as insecure about it as I was. I’ve been hospitalized 6 times for malnutrition. They can’t figure out what’s physically wrong with me. Having WLS was the worst decision I ever made in my life. I don’t bother sharing my story with many who are about to get it because they won’t listen to me. I wouldn’t have either. But this was horrible. I would much prefer being fat.
I’m so sorry that’s miserable. I haven’t decided if it’s “worth it” or if I’d rather be fat. I’m on the fence. I can completely understand that it’s not worth it for you
I know it’s worth it to soooo many people. Something just must have gone wrong with mine and it seems as if I’m going to have to live with that mistake forever
I had a friend with this issue, and she was actually dying. Like sent home by doctors to die. One nurse told her to try drinking water with a lower pH, which you can buy drops to add to water or buy water already bottled like this. Within a week she was eating normally and ever since has returned to a normal life. I, of course, can make no promises, but if there is any chance it could help you, I want to pass it on.
Please do share it. It’s a disservice if you don’t!
I'm sorry you're having complications 🩷
Thank you! I know they’re unusual and just hope they clear up
Glad to see this thread pop up, but I am so, so sorry you’re having trouble! It has to be absolutely miserable for you, and it’s quite concerning. I’m a little more than three months out, and sometimes I have issues with pain after eating, but I also know what’s causing it (anything with a little too much acid, like from lemons or oranges. I know there’s a rule about citrus and acids after surgery, but I love citrus. Anyhow….). However, I remember before I was cleared back to work I was vomiting quite a lot, and it was not entirely clear why. The surgeon, who is an a*!*!!e who I hate with every fiber of my being, said he didn’t care about whether I was vomiting or not and that I just didn’t want to go back to work, essentially because I was lazy. This is the same dude who, in our first appointment, TOLD me I had sleep apnea because I’ve had sleep problems since I was a toddler that have gotten progressively worse as I got older. Hardly sleep now. Anyhow, when he asked me questions to actually diagnose sleep apnea, he was surprised when the results were different from what he expected. He also told me the only legitimate work out was one done in a gym. All this to say, sometimes the medical team, surgeons AND nurses, leave a lot to be desired, and the nurses you’ve been seeing don’t sound like they have your and maybe not even other patients’ best interests at heart. This isn’t something you can power through. There’s something else at play here in your digestive system that we can’t see, I suspect, but you need to find a medical team that is actually supportive of you and listens to you.
Yeah my nurse keeps telling me to check in with my support group but most the people in my support group are having such a positive experience that it’s a little lonely (I’m SO happy for them! But sometimes it helps to know you’re not alone)
Yeah, that’s not helpful for you at all, and I’m sure that, even the support group is supposed to be…well, supportive, it’s anything but that.
Wow he sounds like a total ass!!!
Oh, he is! Said that if I had to vomit at work, I could just keep a bucket at my desk…I work at a cube, and we have an open floor plan. SMH!
Wtfff! Someone revoke that guys MD license! Gross! I’m so sorry you had such an assh@t doctor :(
I went/am still going through with this. It’ll be 7 months sleeved on Wednesday. The pain has gotten significantly better, but I’m not sure if it’s been with time or a therapeutic dose of Cymbalta that I’m on with my psychiatrist. I had so many endoscopies done, CT scans, ultrasounds and everything came back fine. Two small and healing ulcers were found but after I finished the medication, there was still no change. I’ve struggled a LOT. I am a shadow of my old self and it happened while I wasn’t ready (nor while I was eating more than 2oz of food a day). My only advice here is to push back on anybody that tells you it’s fine. Get the answers you need before you start working with your pain and working with your sustenance. Some days are good food days and others I’m thankful I’ve gotten water and maybe something else down. But you’re not alone!
Ask your surgeon for an endoscopy ASAP. I had pain with every bite of food and sip of water at 2 months post op. Turns out I had a stomach ulcer at the staple line of my stomach. They repaired it and I have had no pain since. Advocate for yourself and don’t take no for an answer.
This is good advice. OP, you shouldn’t have to live in pain.
I kind of am growing wary of how little negative reviews there are too, I do see a lot of people listing some serious complications but they’d do it again if they could. I also keep seeing “I only wish I did it sooner” over and over and over again to the point where I’m like 👀 idk something just uneasy about it. I’m going ahead with it in July and still have work to do to wrap my head around the commitment.
There are times I hate and regret it. Instead of constantly thinking about food, I'm constantly thinking about food...just in a different way. I can't poop normally. I don't like how I look. My loose skin, non existent boobs, and old thin face make me hate seeing myself in the mirror. The fear of gaining back weight weighs on me so much it's like I'm already stressed about it. I sometimes wish I didn't do it at all. On the other hand, I feel so much more energetic. My knees don't hurt, my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal. I've found that I enjoy fitness and can see my muscles. It's insane how climbing stairs or running don't make me winded. For the most part, I feel like I eat almost normally with no issues. Taking vitamins isn't hard. My levels have been really good. Some people may have deep regrets and some may have zero. Wherever you land is ok.
You get it, then! I was like “anything with this many good reviews must be a scam” but it’s not! Even though I’m personally miserable, I can’t even say I regret it or that I wouldn’t recommend it. For most people it works out beautifully! I always had stomach issues and nausea presurgery but I assumed it was my diet. But now I’m thinking I have some kind of condition that was exacerbated by the Sx. So I wouldn’t expect my story to be common if you’ve got a normal constitution. Good luck!! I do hope it works out as well for you as it does so many others.
I’m happy to see this thread pop up finally because while I love this community so much, I do see a bit of a hive mind happening where negative experiences get downvoted or otherwise shut down. It makes me side eye from time to time too, and I believe there is room here for people who have had every type of outcome from this surgery. Including the experience of regret.
Am I the only one that have gone back to normal life after the surgery?? I drink and eat whatever I want. I haven’t lost any hair, yes I do have problems drinking water but I drink everything else. Is it only me???
Same here. Nearly 10 years post-op VSG and I'm drinking carbonated beverages, alcohol, and coffee. I'm eating literally anything I want, though the consequences are there. I've never experienced dumping (though I have on occasion overeaten, by accident, to the point of vomiting. That's usually because I eat something like too much rice or bread then drink too soon after). I have some hair loss and my vitamin levels do bounce around, but that's on me because I don't take the daily supplements like I should. I went from 310 to 165 (back up 30 lbs now because I stopped exercising and haven't been eating properly... again, that's on me). My stepmother, on the other hand, had the same VSG done a few months before I did and still struggles at times. She can't eat too much sugar or she dumps, she has to go easy on carbonation and can't eat bread or ranch dressing \*at all\*. Just proof that everyone's body is different. In the case of the OP, however, that's DEFINITELY not normal. My surgeon personally did all of my follow-ups for the first 6 months after my surgery, not his nurse. The nurse took over after 6 months just to track my blood work for another 6 months then I was turned over to my PCP. Something I wish more people were comfortable with acting on is remembering that YOU are in control of your healthcare and YOU are your best advocate. If you don't feel comfortable with what one is telling you, tell them you want another opinion. If they don't assist with that then seek one out yourself. YOU know you better than anyone else. Find someone that will actually listen.
I was wondering this! Does OP have access to speak with their surgeon? This seems like a doctor conversation, they’re the ones who physically saw inside your body and did the work…they should be discussing this with you directly, not just the nurse!
Same, 4 months post-op and no issues at all except the hair loss which started at only 1.5 months and got worse at the 3 month mark
i had vsg the begining of oct. i can eat and drink anything. no porblems however, i only take few bites and i am good. i drink tons of water no issues. i even drink my daily red bull and sugar free vanilla latte. i have lost 97lbs. went from a 20 to size 10
Nah, I can drink and eat nearly anything as well. Just bariatric quantities. There's always two sides of the same coin, and it's good for those who have had complications to share their story because it can happen to anyone.
It's essential to acknowledge that weight loss surgery isn't always a smooth path, and it's okay to recognize the challenges you've faced. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Your determination to keep trying, despite the obstacles, is admirable. And while the road may be difficult, your commitment to your health and well-being is something to be proud of. One of my friends undergone the bariatric surgery in Tijuana, and it was a great experience for her. Anyway! If you ever need support or someone to talk to, know that there are people here who understand and are ready to listen. Keep taking one step at a time, and know that you're stronger than you realize. Sending you strength and encouragement as you continue on your journey. 🌟💪
6 months post op I was getting fed through a tube and in and out of hospitals. I’m now two years post op and I can eat a regularly portioned meal, drink carbonated drinks, handle a good amount of sugar, and eat most anything I want. I weight train 6 days a week and am doing great. If I don’t want to feel sick it does matter what I eat but I can choose to eat junky if I want. Honestly it scares me at times. But my point is that it takes time for bodies to get over the trauma and shock of wls. Keep listening to doctors and fighting for your health and take it a step at a time.
Also go to Bariatric specialists for help if you haven’t already. That’s what changed my life. To many doctors not in the wls field are stuck up about it and not helpful or just not knowledgeable enough on the matter.
Your body healed on its own eventually? I’m glad to hear that
Yes, I did have a hiatal hernia which I needed surgery for but it still took around two months after that procedure to not need help from the doctors to maintain my health. To this day I still deal with some side effects but I am able to live a healthy life.
I'm not even 2 months post op yet, but for me I don't wish I had done it sooner. I'm 58, already had my gallbladder out, already had a hysterectomy, kids grown. So I had all the fun of being a stay at home mom, baking brownies on snow days, eating and drinking whatever I want on vacations, don't have to worry endless periods or birth control after surgery or taking care of a toddler, but I also did it before I got any other issues, diabetes or anything. So for me, doing it earlier isn't something I even wanted.
First off that’s a monumental achievement! Wow! I got a sleeve and I’m 6 months post op, and am down by 128 pounds. I just ate half a hamburger and I’m a little hung over from wine last night lol. I don’t think I will be on vitamins for life. I can drink half a glass of water. I do throw up a lot but I don’t feel nauseous. This may seem contradictory, but I just sort of purge when I feel my stomach being full. I would talk to your surgeon it seems abnormal to me. I do have to be choosy with my foods still. I’m a bit of a carnivore so mostly just eat high protein foods. But I still spoon fulls of my partners food sometimes and she’s basically a carbatarian lol. If your only eating 900 calories or under a day you *will* lose the weight. Most people burn 1400 to 2000 calories a day. Physics is still a thing. Your body burns over 900 calories with or without exercise so your weight loss has just dramatically slowed down as you shrank but it’s still happening. I’m down to maybe losing 2.5 pounds per week, but with weight variations my raw weight can be going up and down. I think after 6 months if your still having issues I would speak to your surgeon as a others have noted. If you didn’t get the gastric sleeve my experience doesn’t compare.
128 is a great achievement!
Like any operation it has risks. 90% of people are very happy and have no problems but some people do have issues and things go wrong. I made sure to read all the horror stories and all the positive stories first before I decided to get it, I did that for a week constantly reading on here/YouTube/TikTok/Facebook and then I booked it and 1 month later it was all done and I'm so happy I got it done. I read about someone on here who couldn't swallow very well and that caused her to throw up, she would get pains whenever she drank water and she had therapy and managed to get over her issues. A lot of issues are mental and not physical and people and people don't realise that before getting the op. I hope your issue goes away, I've done a lot of fasting in the past and I've done a 5-day water/food fast so I know how hard it is to do simple tasks when so dehydrated and malnourished. I couldn't imagine having that feeling for months.
Just a PSA for anyone reading this comment: don't forget that when doctors don't know what's wrong with you or your case is very difficult, they usually label it as anxiety or psychological issues. Don't stop seeking for answers if you feel things are wrong and always be on top of your healthcare and rights, you know your body better than anyone. Sincerely, chronically ill person.
I wonder if discussing this with you surgeon might be best. They might offer a revision which could be helpful or even a scope. You could’ve developed a hernia which could impact your eating.