VSG long term

I am wondering what life is like with VSG long term. Specifically, at almost three months, I have to always make myself drink to get in the proper liquids, must take a PPI for acid. I'm tired/weak/lightheaded all the time, my stomach makes loud noises all the time, and I get a dry mouth at night so always wake up to drink several times.,, And of course the important things, never hungry and easy to feel full. I love the last two things, but I would like the first five to change, so life feels more free. I had this surgery to lose weight and be healthy, and know the step I took was serious and irreversible. But hoping the less desirable aspects change with time, especially the PPI and the fatigue.

So you have acid already? I had a PPI the first month as a precaution but was off it afterwards.

At 3 months, I could eat most anything (in small quantities) and drinking all the time was becoming a habit (I was already taking my water bottle everywhere). I was going out to dinner again (eating protein based appetizers and bringing half of it home - I still do that). As I recall, I felt pretty good at that point, as it was right after I returned from 2 weeks on vacation and I was fully back at work and exercising.

Oh, and my stomach still gurgles - I'm used to it.

At 4 months out I still have acid issues but choose not to take a PPI. I can gulp water almost as fast as before surgery. My GI system is also very loud. I am losing bunches of hair. I am occasionally lightheaded but it is much better than in the first months. I never wake up thirsty - it sounds like you need to drink more during the day. I'm down 74-77lb (don't have a reliable scale at the moment) and am thrilled every moment with the weight loss.

Ah yes, the hair loss! It's driving me BATTY. I have a really thick head of hair, but it's everywhere. Yesterday, I found a strand entangled in the Keurig machine. If I wear black I might as well be a dog there's so much shedding.

I'm experiencing increased shedding now, from my first reconstructive surgery, and that's annoying :P I shaved my head 6 weeks post-op with the VSG and I'm wondering if I should have considered doing the same with this surgery!

I think everyone handles the surgery recovery differently, and most of what you are listing isn't specific to VSG but instead is a combination of the changes that VSG places on your body and recovery from major surgery.

In my case, by about 6 weeks out I had an abundance of energy and I wa****ting the cardio hard. I actually feel like my energy at 6 months out is probably less than it was then. But, at 6 months I don't take a PPI (and never have, as it wasn't standard for my surgeon I guess). I feel better than I ever have. I eat mostly protein with some veggies, obviously in small portions. I lift heavy. I am 1/2lb from goal.

The dry mouth took a long time to go away for me but that's gone now too. It's still at the forefront of my mind to get in all my fluids, but it helped when I added things other than water (decaf coffee, Bai drinks, etc). My stomach is still plenty loud after eating/drinking, but it no longer feels uncomfortable.

It seems like more and more VSGers are having problems with acid early post-op. I wonder if some technique has changed that is causing this? In theory, you should be able to ween off the PPI. If you can't, consider talking with your surgeon because long term acid is unhealthy and long term PPI use is also unhealthy. You might need to consider a revision to RNY to resolve it.

You'll get used to drinking all of the time. It's just a new habit to create. Dry mouth is likely due to hydration levels or medication. (For example, my vyvanse has a side effect of dry mouth. Which sucks.) The stomach gurgling? That might never go away.

The fatigue will pass with time - it can take a while to recover from major surgery. As strange as it seems, getting out to walk can help with energy levels. Getting your protein and fluids can also help!

I had RNY, but drinking, eating, fatigue were issues for me until about the six month mark. I had dry mouth and had to sleep with a glass of water next to my bed. By a year out I felt great and everything became routine. My dry mouth also went away (maybe because I was able to drink more during the day). Hang in there. It does get better!!

Life with vsg long term is great. At nearly 8 years I feel like nothing has been done to me (except if I overeat I get the NO MORE signal). Now it seems natural to eat small quantities and I still get kind of grossed out when I see the mountains of food some people eat - which I used to do.

The tiredness and such will go away. You may need the ppi for awhile. I think I took it for about 6 months but had to use it before surgery anyway. Trust us old timers. You are still pretty new at this and it will get better. The tummy noises will decrease but may never completely go away. Drink all the fluid you can. It will get easier. Diane S

While I had RNY recovery is not as different as many think. Things do get better over time, I saw a significant change at the 6 month mark... in terms of food toleration, stomach noises etc. I couldn't really drink normal until the one year mark. I had to schedule my fluids including keeping a water bottle on my nightstand so I could get in 8-16oz as I was showering and getting ready for the day. Dizziness maybe from lack of fluids or if you are going to long without eating from lack of hunger. The dry mouth may partially be from being in ketosis if you are eating low carb enough...which isn't a bad thing for losing the weight.

I know my Doc keeps everyone VSG and RNY on a PPI for 3 months. Unfortunately with that, you will have to wait and see. I personally wean myself the PPI periodically, as it's really not meant to be taken long term...and then start it up again when I have acid flareups. I also find GNC papaya enzymes very helpful to aid digestion rather than the PPI- which I try to avoid.