3 weeks post op, stall and swollen bloated stomach? What is this?

I will be 3 weeks post op tomorrow.  Lost 14 ounds the first 2 weeks and the scale hasn't moved in a week.  I am not having anything even close to regular bowel movements. and yesterday noticed my stomach was really round and large!  My face has shrunk, boobs have shrunk, butt has shrunk...but belly is BIG.  Even my pants felt tight yesterday and they weren't even tight before surgery.  This scared me.  I took a Duclax and pooped, but tummy is still  big and round today. I am eating 600-700 calories a day.  I know I am not getting enough fluids in.  My doc had me move to puree, soft mushy and then well chewed , softish real food faster than most (not sure why).  Its really hard to get tha****er in.  I have only had any real pain from eating too much once (about a week ago) and hope it never happens again, but now I am afraid that something happened that night and I have a stricture or something. I feel well otherwise.  Decent energy level, amazing glucose levels (off almost all diabetes meds) and no pain other than a sometimes uncomfortable full feeling after eating.  A typical food day for me is  protein shake at 7 am (160 calories), a piece of gefilte fish  at 11 am (60 calories--about 3-4 ounces of cold, mooshed up low fat fish with good protein). Gefilte fish or cottage cheee around 3pm becuase I work until 7 (60-100 calories), and soft fish or partialy ground up chicken at dinner possibly with mixed veggies (maybe 200 calories total), and maybe another 100 calories later as a fruit or hot cereal (for fiber) IF I am hungrey later. Sometimes I vary the fish or cottage cheese with poached egg. What are the symptoms of a stricture?  Wouldn't I have more pain?  Why is my stimach roudn and bloated? How can a person be stalled eating les than 700 calories a day?  Is this all from being constipated and not getting enough water?

lippy you will be FINE it has happened to most of us on this page..just stick to the plan and you will have weeks where you dont lose a pound and some where you lose 5-6 ..it all evens out. GOOD LUCK BOB

I don't know what to think of the swollen tummy...could it be gas?  I get a big swollen tummy now and then, and it is gas. The stall is normal, and right on time from what I have read.  Try and stay off the scale...it will only drive you nuts.  Try walking more and see if that helps with the tummy.

You may want to call your Dr and see what he thinks, but it could be bloating from the surgery and retaining fluids and gas.   Instead of the protein drink first thing in the morning, drink a big glass of water, take your time doing it of course.  I don't know what kind of protein drink it is but they can cause gas.  Does it have any real sugar in it. You have to take in more fluids for your body to rid itself of toxins. Also, try adding more fiber.  Have some applesauce with benefiber added.  It sounds like you are getting a lot of protein, but not enough in the way of veggies or fruit. 

Are you lactose intolerant?  The cottage cheese could be causing some gas and bloat.  Do you like yogurt?  Plain yogurt is good for just about anything that ails you and does not cause a lactose intolerance.  I like the Activa Brand. My suggestions:  more water, more fiber, more fruits and veggies and yogurt instead of cottage cheese. Take care and good luck

Have you taken your temp? 

My temperature is normal and I don't feel gassy, but I could be wrong.  I think the bloating has gone down today since I FINALLY pooped.  I have never needed a laxiative ever before.  I am really working on getting in fluids today.  Maybe it is all from constipation.  I just don't kow how to get in fiber when we are suppsed to be eating protein and drinking so much.     I've been drinking an Atkins shake in the morning because it has some fiber and isn't gross.  Someone suggested wheatena hot cereal to me so maybe I will try that. So, I guess this doesn't sound like a stricture?  Whew!

Hi there, Constipation has been a thing for me too. I never was before surgery but am since. I take two colaces everyday along with two chewable Fiber Choices. When I was new out I also added Benefiber to my shakes. It is a balance of finding what works for you. Since I want to be healthier I have also added to Flax oil jels pills and two Fish oil gels daily(I think those healthy oils may help also in this area). I still do have constipation but with these and exercise it is much better than earlier out. So don't be afraid to talk to your doc about this and add a few of these to hit a happy medium. Hugs Cathy

RE: the stall.  Pretty much 95% of people have a stall around three weeks.  It usually lasts for 2-3 weeks.  That is completely normal. :) I seem to remember that strictures occur later post-op rather than earlier.  You're more likely to have a leak at the early post-op phase.  The symptoms of that would be tachycardia (elevated heart beat), pain, fever.  One or all.  Do you have any fever? The bloating could be do to lactose intolerance.  Many people become lactose intolerant following gastrectomies.  Instead of normal cottage cheese, try buying the lactaid brand or adding lactaid drops.  Also, check the ingredients on your protein shake.  If it contains dairy, be sure to take some lactaid before drinking it. Constipation is very common with any restrictive operation.  I seem to remember Cait, a gastroenterologist with a sleeve from a 1-1/2 or so ago, mentioning taking colace.  You could add fibersure or any other clear fiber supplement to your daily intake.  Also, many people say that a small bowl of Fiber One does wonders.  So that may be an option once you get off mushees.  Also, consider adding 1-2 Tablespoons of flaxseed to your protein shake or whatever. When in doubt, though, call your surgeon.  Does he have a PA you could talk to over the phone? Good luck :)

Thank you all for the advice.  I do feel this is probably from constipation but it is scary.  I am shrinking everywhere, except that my stomach from below my bra line to above my belly button looks like a balloon.  I feel a bit better today but will call my doc tomorrow anyway to be sure. I don't think its serious because my glucose level is GREAT and that is usually a great barometer of my health.   I think I need to look for those chewable fiber supplements!