What is normal and what is not after weight loss surgery?
Do you find yourself being hyper-aware of your body after weight loss surgery? Most patients can be a bit anxious to know if what they’re experiencing is normal or if it warrants a trip to their healthcare provider. It’s totally okay, worrying is an understandable response to all the new things you are feeling and the changes happening to your body.
We want to help you put your mind at ease and show you what things are just a common occurrence during your weight loss journey and which signs and symptoms you should keep an eye out for. Let’s start!
- Brittle nails and hair loss
Totally normal, but temporary. Because of the restrictive diet that you have to follow after undergoing weight loss surgery, you might notice that your nails are a little dry and that your hairbrush is pulling out a bit of extra hair from your head. This can be managed with proper supplementation during your first few weeks after surgery while you transition into a normal bariatric diet. If you are still experiencing excessive hair loss and brittle nails well into your weight loss process, it might be a sign of low protein and low calorie intake or an improper adherence to your post-op diet plan.
- Fatigue
Feeling tired is one of the most common side effects during the first few months after weight loss surgery. This symptom can last for up to 2 months and it is caused by your body’s decreased calorie intake, which the body needs to transform into energy. Don’t worry too much about feeling tired early in the morning or needing an extra nap during the day, as soon as you transition into a normal bariatric diet you will feel energized and revitalized!
- Reflux
Although very annoying and sometimes painful, this is a very common symptom. The good news is: it’s easily preventable! It’s as easy as sitting up straight while eating and avoiding laying down immediately after. Think of your stomach as a funnel. If you pack the funnel full and dont wait until the contents have dropped out the small opening, the contents will spill over if you set it sideways! It also helps to slow down while you eat, chew your food properly, and avoid drinking any liquids with your food.
- Dehydration
We don’t mean to alarm you, but dehydration can result in a serious problem. Bariatric patients are at high risk of dehydration and need to pay close attention to their liquid intake. Small and constant sips are key to a well-hydrated body! If you don’t get adequate fluids you might start feeling lightheaded and can experience dry skin, dry mouth, and even constipation, so much so that you might need to seek medical attention. Remember, water is great but it isn’t the only thing you can drink! Non-fizzy, non-alcoholic drinks are also your friends during your weight loss journey. Try energy drinks, juices, and even water-based popsicles!
- Diarrhea or Constipation
Oh boy, diarrhea and constipation are both very real, very unpleasant symptoms to say the least. Remember that weight loss surgery affects all of your digestive habits and this may come in the form of weird bowel movements. Constipation is normal during the first few weeks after surgery because you are not eating any solid food that can be transformed into stools. You should not worry about that unless the problem persists after starting your post-op diet’s solid phases, if so, your nutritionist can give you instructions to deal with this problem. Diarrhea, on the other hand, can be common even after you start your solid diet. It can happen due to your new digestive habits or it can be a way for your body to tell you that you’re ingesting too much fiber, sugars or carbohydrates. Or maybe you just discovered a new post-op intolerance, like lactose! Either way, your nutritionist can also help you overcome this problem.
- Vomiting and nausea
This is normal during the first days after surgery and can be set off by drinking or eating too quickly. Take care of your portion sizes too! We know that seeing such small portions on your plate can be anxiety-inducing but trust us when we say your body will thank you for taking it easy. Don’t push yourself into finishing your portions if you feel like you have reached your limit so your body won’t reject it, you need all the nutrition you can get! Also, if you’re starting your solid diet, make sure to chew everything properly to avoid these types of discomfort.
- Gas pain
Did you wonder why we tell patients to walk, walk, walk, as soon as the surgery’s anesthesia wears off? It’s not because we’re mean, it’s because this is the best way to get rid of the gas inside your body. The gas we’re talking about is CO2, which is used to inflate your abdomen and make room for the doctor to perform the surgery. While this gas is mostly absorbed by your body, any leftover gas can cause a mild uncomfortable sensation. Walking will take care of that, no problem! Also, bringing along some GasX won’t hurt!
- Extreme pain
Not normal at all. Any “pain” you could experience after weight loss surgery should be around the likes of uncomfortable or a feeling of fullness. If the pain you feel prevents you from standing up or moving, it’s time to contact your doctor ASAP.
Keeping this in mind, you are free to call and ask our team and ask any questions you may have about any of the above symptoms, no matter how small. It’s always better to have some professional reassurance that everything is okay than being constantly anxious about something being wrong. We are here to help and guide you through this wonderful journey, and that includes giving you peace of mind!
If you would like to schedule a consultation with our medical team or our bariatric nutritionists, don’t hesitate to contact us!
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