3 weeks out from having 'sleeve surgery........

**mslisa** · 03-16-2015 01:43 PM

I’m 3 weeks out today and at times I feel like crap. My stomach is in a constant state of feeling upset. I’m tired of shakes and I know my Vitamin C is off the rector scale with all the Apple Juice and other Vitamin C enriched drinks/smoothies I’ve been drinking. I bought a liquid multi-vitamin, but because my stomach is so upset, I know I would just throw it back up, so I have not taken it. At night I usually I get a terrible bout of heartburn which has me throwing up nothing but clear liquid and sometimes yellow stuff. With the way I’m feeling I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to eat like a normal person again. Is this normal? Am I alone? I don’t know if I should make an appt to see my regular Dr. or what. I know he’s going to want to run some blood work and I know when it comes back, the sheet is going to be filled with vitamin deficiencies.
BTW: He does not know that I went out of the country to get Gastric Sleeve Surgery.

**chula** · 03-16-2015 01:59 PM

I hope for it to get better. I know I was struck witht he sever heartburn even a year later I am constantly having heartburn and it comes up rahter fast when I lay down and it's horrible feeling. I would go and see your doctor maybe he can give you meds for the acid reflux your having. Good luck and take care.

**Ann2** · 03-16-2015 02:51 PM

mslisa, I don't think that's normal. Certainly wasn't something I had to endure.

My unprofessional guess (I am not a medico) is that you would benefit from a good, strong antacid that greatly reduces the amount of stomach acid your tummy is producing right now.

Pre-op, I took one Ranitidine a day. Post-op, that wasn't cutting it for me. Therefore, my surgeon prescribed 1 Protonix a day. It made a LOT of (positive) difference for me. Around 5-6 months post-op, my doc told me to gradually go back to the Ranitidine, and I have. I'm doing fine now.

Best to you!

P.S. I wouldn't expect you to have any vitamin deficiencies at 3 weeks post-op--at least not due to WLS. Our bodies don't deplete that fast, even if we're fasting. My surgeon's (US, not MX) protocol is to run blood tests before surgery and six months post-op. I was doing fine. Oh, and you should stop drinking any juices if you've got terrible acid reflux.

**mslisa** · 03-16-2015 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by chula

I hope for it to get better. I know I was struck witht he sever heartburn even a year later I am constantly having heartburn and it comes up rahter fast when I lay down and it's horrible feeling. I would go and see your doctor maybe he can give you meds for the acid reflux your having. Good luck and take care.

Thanks!!! And you're right, when I lay down on my back or even my side, the heartburn comes.

**mslisa** · 03-16-2015 03:38 PM

Thanks Anna2, especially for that Vitamin depletion info. Are Ranitidine/ Protonix pills? I’m still on liquid everything so I do not think I can take either orally.

**Ann2** · 03-16-2015 03:40 PM

Yes, they're both pills (small ones). And yes, you can take pills. I did. From Day One post-op.

Good luck.

**Rayer** · 03-16-2015 03:54 PM

I'm sorry you're having those issues. I was going to suggest what Ann2 did, lay off the juice. Besides contributing to your idigestion, they are full of calories and sugar. You fare much better sticking to water or Mio flavored water. Best of luck to you.

**niki k** · 03-16-2015 03:56 PM

I take omeprazole, for the heartburn, but have shaved off one of the doses. But barely need it anymore.

**mslisa** · 03-16-2015 04:09 PM

What about Pepto Bismal?
Is Omeprazole an over the counter drug?

Also, I went into surgery weighing 285 and as of last Tuesday, 3/10, I weighed 265. To me 20 pounds is not much.

**niki k** · 03-16-2015 04:16 PM

Omeprazole is the pill name for Prilosec. Pepto shouldn't be taken for long doses. Omeprazole, or Prilosec helps before the heartburn starts and my doc that did the surgery sent me home with 120 pills. Your doctor can write you a script for you and it usually is a lot cheaper. Generic is fine. BTW I am 3weeks in 3 days. It really helps. And like I said, I usually don't take the afternoon pill anymore. At first I was just forgetting, then noticed I didn't need it. Good luck! Let me know if this helps.

**mslisa** · 03-16-2015 04:35 PM

Thanks for that information.
Since you're 3 weeks out as well, are you still on liquids? I tried a little (1 teaspoon) of oatmeal yesterday and my body tolerated it with no problems. At this stage I should be on soft/mushy food, but I’m afraid I’ll just throw it back up. Thankfully, I’m able to drink more water at a time without it backing up on me.
I guess I just want to feel normal again and not tired all the time. I don’t have anyone to compare my post op experience with because I do not know anyone whose had the ‘Sleeve’ only bypass, let alone 3 weeks out like myself. Sorry to go on and on

**niki k** · 03-16-2015 05:04 PM

No worries, I know how you feel! My husband is ahead of me, but its hard to relate. At 3 weeks you can add mushy foods. Cream of wheat, malto meal, soups ect. If you can mush it up. I haven't tried them yet, although I am not super strict on the liquids. Hubby's doctor was from here, so he had him on 1 week liquids, 2nd week liquids with refried beans, egg whites, queso fresco. So I have been doing those. Just really listen to your tummy. The beans hit my stomach heavy, and hubby said the cereals at first did as well. Take tiny spoonful's, and don't get discouraged. I haven't thrown up yet, I just listen!