Question:
has anyone had this collection of problems, HELP!

At almost four weeks postop, I went for my checkup expecting help with all that I've whined to you guys about. To my horror, my surgeon acted as if I was crazy. I have severe insomnia, vomiting, diareahea, constant gas pain and cramps in my calf. He did nothing. Nothing except say I should see a pcp in a week...I asked about my lactose intolerance and he said it was part of the deal. HUH? I don't know how I'll ever get back to work, I'm ready to cry at this point. I accepted the slow losing weight, but these other things make me nuts. I asked, btw, how much I could expect to lose, he had no comment.Help!!!    — elaine27 (posted on January 8, 2003)

January 8, 2003
Go see your pcp now and be sure to have blood work done. Your surgeon is neglecting you, and that's deplorable. Hope you're better soon!
   — Carol P.

January 8, 2003
You probably ARE lactose intolerant. No loss. Are you taking calcium CITRATE? The leg cramps make me nervous. Get your PCP to check your potassium. You ARE getting plenty of water, yes? Vomiting is NOT normal, but when it occurs at 4 weeks, it needs to be checked, not brushed aside. OK, it needs to be checked ANY time it occurs for more than an obvious error on our part. Do you still have the D when you avoid milk?
   — vitalady

January 8, 2003
Hi Darlene, I figured I'd add my comments. I suffered from leg cramps way before WLS and found that taking at least 1000mg of Calcium supplement per day made them go away. Now, after WLS, I take Citracal Plus, which is Calcium CITRATE, plus magnesium and vitamin D. When I was immediately post-op, I didn't take the Citracal Plus, I took Viactiv, but have learned on this site that is not good for me (it's calcium carbonate). When I asked my surgeon about the Calcium carbonate issue (because he recommends TUMS, which are calcium carbonate) he tried to say that it probably was only people trying to sell me the Citrate. I didn't buy that, because NO ONE is trying to sell me Citrate, they have just shared THEIR experience, and they learned the hard way (osteoporosis). So, I switched to Citracal and feel fine (no leg cramps). I also had wicked insomnia after surgery, and was worried about going back to work. It goes away, I think once I was back to work, kept my mind occupied, and was faithful to exercising, my sleep improved. I did NOT suffer severe vomitting, but I'm a CHICKEN when it comes to throwing up! However, if I were suffering from that, I'd try to examine what I was eating to see if something there might be the problem. When I was first post-op (after the liquid and soft food state), I couldn't tolerate Chicken, felt like throwing up every time I ate it, even though I chewed it thoroughly, etc. So I stayed away from Chicken for 6 months post-op. Now, at 11 months post, I can tolerate most chicken. I also had diarrhea for awhile post-op. Now I have the opposite problem, and take sugar free Fiber Choice daily. The diarrhea problem went away too. There is hope, and once you are back to work, I think things will work out. Oh, and gas pain, had that for like 2months post-op, but now I just plain have gas, no pain. I suggest you try to experiment with your foods to see what causes the most problem. Good luck!!!
   — [Deactivated Member]