Moments of WLS Regret

I worked so hard to get my surgery. It literally took a year and one day from the time I started until my surgery date, what with all the required classes, seminars, support groups, and many specialty appointments. But I keep having moments of regret. I have lost 45 lbs (surgery was 6.5 weeks ago), and I am soooo grateful for that. But now I am dealing with very painful constipation, and it brings me down. I can't drink water anymore because it makes me sick sick sick. I don't care about not being able to eat sweets and such (that is a relief), but the basics like water and having a regular bowel movement seem like a blessing now that they are gone. Anyone else have these moments? Shannon Lap RNY 9/14/05 275/230/140?

You might try adding something to the water to change the pH slightly - for some reason, many people have trouble with just plain water, and not being able to get in enough fluid is probably causing your constipation. Maybe try it as tea, or Crystal Light, or even just adding a squeeze of lemon to it. What did your surgeon or nutritionist suggest? I'm not having troubles like that - my main thing is figuring out whether or not I'm far enough out to try certain foods. Sometimes I'll have something and I'm fine, and then I'll have something I think is like that, and it causes problems. Like - I can eat an egg salad sandwich at home, but when I ordered a tuna sandwich at Subway, the bread gave me gas. It's a learning experience. And congratulations on your 45lbs - that's fantastic! --BT

Try drinking warm water or tea.I always drink my water room temperature.Try gatorade too. ms jay

I was told we can not have gatorade due to too much sugar but we can have propel.... try that. I have the same problems with not enough water - makes me sick and constipation. It hurts something terrible and I know that not enough water will make a person constipated but I just can not get it all in. I have tried the Crystal light and just adding a touch of it to change the flavor just a bit and that doesnt work either. I have tried just about everything and have almost given up hope on the whole drinking thing. let me know if you find ANYTHING that works. Anne-Marie

Hi Shannon, I've just noticed (now that I'm on solids) that my bowels are changing and I've NEVER had a problem in my life. My doctor suggested prunes or prune juice (yuk, I say)... As for the water, my surgeon also said the ph difference from tap water to bottled water and from it being chilled or room temp bothers some patients. I LOVE water and am kind of bummed that it hurts to drink it now. I buy the Walmart generic version of those small packets of crystal lite (the singles that you add to one bottle of water) and I only add about 1/3rd of the packet into a big bottle of water...it's not so sour with the after taste and just flavors it a bit. If you increase your water, your constipation will get better. It's caused from not enough liquid in your lower intestine. We'll get through this...we always do! Keep up posted as to how you're doing. paula

Hi Shannon, Not being able to ge****er down sure is a bad predicament, because being able to get it down will solve your constipation, I am sure of it. I wish I could offer some help here. Sometimes I really don't like water, but I get teh flavored stuff by Aquafina called FlavorSplash and it is quite good. Sometimes I drink Propel too. The FlavorSplash saves me. Good luck, hold on. amy

hi Shannon, I don't think anyone goes through this without having any regrets. My biggest "loss" right now is missing my Pepsi. I had my surgery on 9/21 and things have been going pretty good. I noticed that I can't drink cold water while I work out or first thing in the morning. I usually try to get up and have some water at room temperature and go from there. I kind of got sick of water and I can't stand Crystal Light anymore so I have Kool-Aid made with Splenda. Hope this helps.

Shannon i went throught the same thing with water hated it for awhile and it was my main beverage before surg. I went to decaf tea for a couple of weeks and all of the sudden i can do water again. Make sure its not the temp of the water that is making you sick also. Some cant do cold some cant do warm. Yes there are some days when everything hurts going down that i think man what did i do . Then things are fine and eating is ok. Gotta remember there were so many days before i didnt feel 100% and it hurt my feet and legs so bad to even get up in the morning. We just learned to live with those pains and i lived with them a long time. I can deal with a day to so of soup on those days nothing seems to sit well at least im not in constant pain from achy joints anymore. 48 lbs gone woooo hoooo on my way Tammy O