Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
I had my gastric bypass in February and since then have been working my way through getting enough protein and fluids each day. Milk and cheese seems to work great for me with the protein and sugar free popsicles have helped with getting enough fluid.
Everything was going great until the last week or so.
The question I have is that I have started getting some cramping and it seems like I get it when I am hungry, but I am not sure. These cramps can wake me up in the middle of the night or come on in the middle of the day.
I am not sure if it is gas from the milk and/or sugar substitute in popsicles. I have gotten gas from those things in the past, but so much in my system have changed with the surgery.
Do you get hunger pains?
Has anyone else had similar cramps?
Everything was going great until the last week or so.
The question I have is that I have started getting some cramping and it seems like I get it when I am hungry, but I am not sure. These cramps can wake me up in the middle of the night or come on in the middle of the day.
I am not sure if it is gas from the milk and/or sugar substitute in popsicles. I have gotten gas from those things in the past, but so much in my system have changed with the surgery.
Do you get hunger pains?
Has anyone else had similar cramps?
I started getting a weird cramp when I was 1-2 years out - but mine definitely weren't hunger pains... it felt more like a charley horse (in my abdomen). I've also had some issues with my intestines moving around too much - I had an intussusception (when the intestine "telescopes" in on itself) at 3 years out. It was super-painful and I ended up having emergency surgery for it. From what I've read, it isn't common but it is more likely to happen to people who have lost all their excess weight (because there isn't padding keeping all the innards in place). I had another painful episode where my intestine was blocked but thankfully it resolved a couple hours before surgery.
Do you still have your gallbladder? Another possibility is an ulcer - did they test you for H. pylori before surgery? On a scale form 1-10 (with 10 being the worst pain you've ever felt), how bad is the pain?
I doubt it is hunger pains at this point but what are you eating & drinking besides milk, cheese, and popsicles? It would take a lot of milk and cheese to get up to 70 grams of protein. Are you doing protein shakes? Are you eating solid protein like chicken, tuna, or eggs?
Sorry for all the questions - just trying to get a better feel for the situation!! Pain means something isn't right.
JJ
Good questions. Don't have a gallbladder, Negative test for H pylori prior to surgery. It is like a side cramp, but it is dead center of my abdomen.
I have a protein shake in the morning which gets me started for the day. I do eat an egg around 11am then 30 minutes later have some milk. I have milk after dinner too. Each of the little cartons of milk has 8 grams of protein, so it does help toward the total.
I still doubt it's actual hunger pains, but perhaps try dropping the milk and trying tuna or chicken salad?
JJ
Jo