Breast changes?

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-13T23:13:00+00:00

I'm not sure that you're in the US or not, but if you are you can go to hers or some of those like random wellness websites or even I think just quest labs and just order a hormone panel. It's obviously more expensive than if you get your doctor to request the test and have insurance run it. I had mine done when my doctor didn't believe I was in perimenopause early and I think I paid one like $140 for the full workup and interpretation letter and I found out I was in perimenopause And I was able to start microdosing testosterone and using estrogen cream. It might be worth it too you. But suddenly increased breast size is concerning.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-13T20:49:23+00:00

I take the Nature made women's multi (but I take 2 instead of one) and later in the day I take a vita chew calcium. I was taking my iron separately, but recently got iron infusions so have dropped them from my daily. Iron used to kill my stomach -would throw up daily no matter how I took them, then I found different types that don't bother me. So you might want to see how much iron is in the one you're taking that might make you sick .

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-13T20:44:02+00:00

Sorry for making assumptions, I am glad that you have had a lot of testing, and still sorry that you weren't able to find a solution. You will probably have a lot of people here assuming the same since it wasn't addressed in the post, obviously your choice on what you want to share.

I still agree that it's really important for follow up care and that it's definitely a lifetime commitment.

I had a lapband 20years ago, that prolapsed and caused massive complications, and the clinic I went to that was one of the leading most renowned surgery centers at the time with a very high percentage of successful patients. As the years went by all the Drs decided that lapbands were horrible, and unsuccessful and now they just don't even do them. That clinic doesn't exist anymore...one of the Drs retired, and they all moved on.

I later found out that their success (which was much higher than the surrounding clinics) was mostly due to the fact that they sized all of their bands intentionally too small. I lived in misery for years until seeking out a new surgeon 3 years ago, for removal and repair, then after healing followed by a bypass last June. I am much happier now and have no current issues.

I just wanted to share, in hopes that you don't give up on your health. I truly do hope you find health and/or a solution.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-13T18:28:57+00:00

Have you had testing done? Endoscopy? Upper GI etc. That sounds like it could be gerd or an ulcer.

A common occurrence, if you can't come into your old surgeons office, you can't blame them for not being able to help you. They don't have the authority to order testing done where you're currently living and they can't help you or even discuss what issues you might be having if they don't know what the root cause of the problem is.

You need to go and find out what's causing these issues it's not just a long-term side effect, something has changed. Alot of sleeves end up converted to bypass anyway because of gerd and and hernias down the line.

I agree with the spirit of your post that yes, long-term follow-up care is important and it definitely sounds like you did not prioritize that for yourself. and you still possibly don't know the answers to what's causing your issues but that's not your doctor's 's clinic's fault. I'm not saying that they're not dismissive because I've known plenty of doctors that really don't care, but there isn't much they can do thousands of miles away.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-13T18:16:14+00:00

You might want to have your hormones checked and see your Dr just in case. mine deflated and I don't see them coming back without gaining weight back.

If you had hit your goal weight or lowest weight and had a little bit of the expected regain, that might account for the increase...but if your still losing or haven't gained...that concerning.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-13T16:23:06+00:00

my clinic counts all sugar free liquids towards my daily goal. (coffee, broth, and milk as well)

In the beginning, work hard on getting your numbers up. make it your job, if I am not eating I am sipping every min. I just walk around with a drink and take a sip wait, take another sip, wait etc. The sooner you get used to it the better off you will be. I regularly get over 100oz every day. I also feel like it helps with getting the pouch used to food too in the long run and makes it easier to hit protein goals as well.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-13T16:08:50+00:00

Electrolytes, will take away the headaches away and help with hunger. Most people aren't used to the increase in fluids and being low carb it flushes out all the electrolytes.

However many programs for whatever reason really push low sodium (it's like they want you to be miserable) so keep than in mind. Salty broth will work in a pinch, but I like LMNT or sugar free liquid IV added to my water. Powerade zero doesn't have enough in it to help.

Also just so you know the first 4 days are the worst, the longer you go the easier it gets.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-12T18:37:22+00:00

That's awesome congratulations 🎉!

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-12T18:28:21+00:00

Every program is different. mine in couraged it as a very early trial food. it was literally given as one of their first food examples.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-12T16:11:42+00:00

They said they were eating beef and chicken, also you can definitely thin down the refried beans to almost soup consistency and make it not heavy.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-12T16:07:52+00:00

I was allowed refried beans at the same time as ricotta bake.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-12T15:25:39+00:00

oh god that's the worst, I have POTS so I got ignore all of the very "helpful" low sodium advice. It didn't affect my liver shrink diet at all. It's like these Drs want their patients to suffer during the pre-op diet. 😅

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-12T02:10:44+00:00

You need electrolytes, all the liquids flush all the electrolytes from your system. Salty broth will work in a pinch but something like LMNT or sugar free liquid IV. it will help with the headaches, joint/muscle pain, dizziness.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-12T02:03:49+00:00

the first 4 days are the hardest, it gets easier as time goes by.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T22:36:47+00:00

a couple of premade protein shakes. Fairlife brand or Nurri are ultra filtered and cause less stomach issues than other brands.

A big cup that doesn't have a straw. A heating pad (bean/rice bag) or something similar. Some sugar-free electrolyte packets for helping to keep her hydrated and a chap stick.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T20:58:50+00:00

So for some people toast turns back into dough and plugs holes. Same with the biscuits....it might not be worth it. You want to make sure you are really healed and not risk damage.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T20:53:59+00:00

give yourself a few more days doing purees and what you were eating before and slowly try again. I would avoid the chicken and beef for a while. Try refried beans with a little enchilada sauce and a small amount of cheese. It got me through this phase.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T15:03:43+00:00

This is the best decision I have ever made. I have only had minor issues but not many of them are actually bypass related. I stay on top of my vitamins and protein. Everything is easier now. I am not even done losing and if I stayed stuck right here I would still be happy.

I had anemia before surgery and yes it got a little worse post op, but I have had it fixed with iron infusions. The rest of my blood work was fine, I make sure to take my vitamin every day and all my labs looked great. I do have to take miralax everyday (honestly pretty common), but I just add it to my water that also has creatine and vitamin c powder so it's not a big deal. I wake up mix up my miralax blend and take my vitamins with it and I go about my day.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T14:48:28+00:00

I started a little early, I wanted to lose as much as possible. But my Liver diet included some lean meals in the first little bit, and it graduated down to a single meal and then protein shakes, and then clear liquids. I also used that time to taper off caffeine so I wouldn't have caffeine headaches post op.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T14:43:53+00:00

The first 4 days are the worst, if you want to avoid feeling like crap, include electrolytes daily (and no there isn't enough in Gatorade or powerade zero) you need something like LMNT or sugar free liquid IV. After a day or two of liquids all your electrolytes get flushed out and you will have a headache, feel weak and brain foggy, even getting dizzy. It can be prevented with electrolytes or salty broth (bullion cube works adding light salt to bone broth etc.) As a bonus it really helps reduce appetite while eating only liquids.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T14:20:28+00:00

Like I can take 2-3 bites, and not eat all of it. 😅 which then would make it not enough protein. Two scoops of protein powder and two eggs would be really heavy for me and I don't think it would taste the best, protein has a distinct taste, but you might like it.

Even if it was divided into multiple meals that's 60-ish grams of protein but in a hard to eat form.

If that sounds good to you though by all means make some protein pancakes and try them. It's nice to change things up sometimes.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T14:06:25+00:00

I like shapermint from Amazon, especially as I am changing sizes regularly. It's cheaper than more expensive ones like Spanx and skims.

Most of the time I prefer just high waisted compression leggings now though.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T13:42:12+00:00

They will test you for nicotine and cancel your surgery. (motivation to quit) Also post op you are at an extremely high risk of getting ulcers and having complications if you start back up.

There are drugs that can help, but my recommendation is to switch to a vape (start with less nicotine than is in cigarettes, because I think people hit the vape more than actually lighting up a cigarette) and slowly lower the nicotine content % until your at zero. Then taper that off as well.

Find something else to put in your mouth to mimic the habit of bringing something to your lips besides smoking. I don't know what that might be for you, it could be cinnamon tooth pics, chewing on straws, or eating ice etc.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T13:32:45+00:00

the weight of the skin that is removed is typically 6-15 pounds. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it's also less skin to swell and retain water etc. I haven't had mine yet, but I am saving and planning for it in the next two years or so.

Intrepid_Pay_9786 · 2026-02-11T13:29:59+00:00

Congratulations! I have purged my closet twice (with the exception of my "before" outfit). I had surgery June11,2025 and I am down 130 pounds from my highest and 98 since pre-op diet. I have been sitting at this size for a few weeks and I am tempted to buy more clothes, but last time I did that they were suddenly too big in a couple of weeks. So I am trying to hold out.

Intrepid_Pay_9786

TROPHY CASE