Almost 3 years out, having some issues...

3 years out...still same issues [Edit Post]
posted 14 minutes ago

I am 2 years and 11 months post DS surgery. I vary from 160-170 lbs. I am hungry most of the time. I eat meals as well as snacking, and within an hour or two I am ususally hungry again. My BMs are atrocious! My boyfriend refuses to go into the bathroom after I have been in there. He's had to brush his teeth at the kitchen sink a few times. I am still tired most of the time. I have taken to drinking coffee every morning & at times supplement that with either a 5 hour energy shot, MIO energy added to my water, or straight up Red Bull - just to feel awake & energized enough to work and conduct my life.

I am concerned about my eating habits as I know I eat more than I should. I eat too much salt. Pre surgery I was a sweets fanatic, post surgery I am a salt-aholic. The salt shaker is on the arm of my chair 24/7. It's more than just a craving - I sincerely hate the taste of most foods, especially if there is meat, without the additional salt.

I get bloated and my abdomen fills with gas most evenings. I can literally watch it enlarge. I have a bowel movement usually once or twice in the morning, and usually two to three times when I get home. Then I get up during the night at least twice to go to the bathroom - because I cant tell sometimes if its just gas, or something more. But even if it was "just gas" I would still go to the bathroom, because the smell is so bad, my boyfriend gags. Its embarassing.

I have my annual follow up with my surgeon's PA in November, and I am scared that I have gained weight since last November. I wear a size 10 jean, but because of my abdomen, sometimes I feel more comfortable in an XL shirt - there was a time when medium was wearable and large was comfortable.

I keep telling myself, my boyfriend and my family that I know my WLS was on my stomach & small intestines, not on my brain - but how do I get my brain to join in on the healthy lifestyle I want & need?

Lost. Scared. Ready to sincerely give up. Just tired - physically & mentally.

It sounds like you might need a really good probiotic to help with the gas...that and reducing any excessive carbs you're eating. Several DSrs I know are finding great relief with a prescription probiotic called VSL#3 DS. It's a powder and can be put into protein shakes, Greek yogurt or even a salad. It does come in capsules in an OTC strength, I open the capsules and sprinkle the contents or if I'm in a hurry, take a capsule or 2. The stuff is kept in the cooler behind the pharmasists counter, so you have to ask. It's also quite expensive if your insurance won't cover it. Talk to the PA and ask if they will prescribe VSL#3 DS. I only take 1/2 teaspoon twice a day and it works wonders.

The head issues and your control over food is something I think we all struggle with. When I start out trying to get things under control it's like fighting a battle. Concentration, determination, planning, preparation, anger...all wrapped together.  Write down everything you eat. Have a plan of your goals. You can do this!

--gina 

Thank you Gina. I will definitely look into a probiotic. But you're correct about the carbs too. 

The smell and bloating has to be either something you're ingesting (food) or something you're not ingesting (probiotic) or a combination of the two. 

For a probiotic, I don't need more than yogurt.  Others take much more.

I found food to be the biggest culprit to any reactions i might have.  At first, it was the simple carbs and artificial sweeteners.  Over time, I had to do some significant dietary changes, like eliminating onions all together.  I love onions!  It took 7 yrs to put it together.  I was getting gassy every evening and it was putrid.  If I ate something like homemade chili or spaghetti sauce, I would be up all night going to the bathroom.  I thought I couldn't tolerate tomatoes!  Years later, I put it together that I always loaded up onions in both of them, so yeah, it was always onions for me.  I'm not saying it's onions for you, but trying some elimination might get you to the culprit. 

Another culprit for me is straight milk and whey protein.  Many do fine with whey isolate.  Not so much for me.  I also switched to egg white protein on days where I don't eat enough, and no more whey gas, either.  Terriyaki is also a magical blunder - but it took me years to figure all of this out. 

Thank you Valerie. I know you're right as I do eat too many carbs right now. I had justified it in the past because carbs have been the only thing that makes me feel full. But it's just an excuse. 

My my boyfriend has Celiacs Disease & follows a gluten free diet. I need to focus on that as well as dairy free too I think. 

Its it's a process. My depression & lack of meds don't help, but I am. Always working on it & can't give up.!!!!

anywho, thank you...

Carbs are so easy as a grab&go snack.  For me, the tick was making protein just as convenient.  I would do things like cube up cheese myself (too cheap to buy it done already), make deviled eggs, etc.  If I could grab something healthy easily, I'm more likely to do so.

I find when I am really craving salty things, I am not getting enough liquid..  so I start paying attention to my water consumption

Have you ever been tested for sleep apnea?  Even though it's more common in obese individuals, it can affect people at any weight.  Being tired all the time and waking up multiple times in the night are both symptoms.  You might want to mention the possibility to a doctor and get yourself checked out.

I second the idea of being tested for sleep apnea...it's NOT just an obesity problem, even skinny people can have it.

As to salt, you may be lacking a mineral in your body and the salt is to compensate. Or it could be something else. I used Dr. Google and came up with this: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/expert-answers/salt-craving/faq-20057988 THAT could also explain your fatigue.

💻lol DrGoogle!!!! Too true to be funny.