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Now that I'm on the pureed/strained stage, I use yogurt, as some of you suggested. It is Sooo much better that way! Thanks!!!

sarabeth82, I can totally, totally relate! Everyone else said it all,, but one thing I can tell you is that when they remove that darn drainage bag, you will skyrocket in the 'feeling normal' area! Man that thing was annoying and in the way. When mine was taken out , I sat up and felt happy just because of that. So look forward to that experience at least. Baby steps....

I'm very excited and happy for you! It must have been so wonderful to see a '2' ! . Congratulations!

I've been using my Nutribullet to puree my foods, it does a fantastic job. I can't imagine why tuna or chicken would get stuck. Perhaps you're in a different stage?

@dollybee. I was just moved to the puree food stage, what do you eat? Also, am I right in my imagined conclusion as to how you found out chicken disagreed with you? And, why would a food disagree with you? I don't understand that. Oh, btw, sorry about your unfortunate experience!

Hi, I did all the steps to create my Ticker, but when it said cut and paste, I don't know which one HTML or the other one, to copy: and then from there, where do I paste it?

@@Daisee68 @Lissapmkn1: I thought foods didn't get "stuck" with the bypass, like it does with the band. I'm confused.

I am consistently up and moving. I live in a mobile home so distance is an issue. But I'm up going from one end of the house to the other doing chores, and completing odd jobs, nothing heavy. The hospital told me the gas would show up in my shoulder, and boy can that get bad, but less often now. As for the ribs, I don't know if that's gas. The pain is in the ribs right next to where my drainage line goes into my side. I see the surgeon Monday, I'll check with him. But the bloating in my abdomen is definitely gas. I am walking several times an hour, up and down my home, doing small chores and completing odds and ends. But my mobility issue kicks in and I have to sit. So little walks back and forth. It doesn't affect my gas pain at all. Not at all. I end up taking 2 gas-x's, sit back and ride it out. I release gas constantly, but the pain, when it comes on, never stops. And it's always in the evening. I have to go to the bathroom most times to release because it's usually accompanied by something else (if you know what I mean). Calgon! Take me awayyy!

Hey everybody.... I'm 6 days out RNY. Still in clear liquid phase. I'm having a lot of gas rumbling between my chest and pressure in my lower abdomen, and major pain in my left shoulder (they said gases take hold in the shoulder) and ribs. I've taken two doses of liquid painkillers, but it won't go away. I even took two gas-x chewables, waiting to see if that helps. Should I be alarmed? I don't know what is normal pain, what is not. My revision was profoundly painful. PollyO

Alright. I'm not looking for miracles or anything, but I have only lost 3 pounds since surgery 5 days ago. I kind of wanted more weight to come off by now. I want to see the scale move so I can actually feel like a success. After ten pounds, I'll feel like a success and then not be concerned. When does the start of substantial weight loss start?

I think Bypass surgery, or any weight loss surgery, is brave. It is brave because we are owning up to the fact that some of our live's have been out of control. As are the lives of skinny people who eat chips, wings, beer, pop, sugar, etc. They do not realize that they have a problem, but it doesn't show so they don't notice or care. We are brave because we took control over a dangerous situation, asked for help and with a lot of mental work, physical exams, the surgery, living with the pain and disruption of our lives, living with DRASTIC changes to our diets that most every day people could and don't ever do. We gained POWER, and the surgery is our CHOICE. We live longer lives because of it. That, to me, is Brave. Recovery badasses!

@sarabeth82It dos seem like we have similar expereiences. Perhaps the "dual" surgery (taking band out and doing RNY) could be more painful than the average bears. But like you said, the pain is only temporary. I feel beter each day, though the icky stuff in the drainage bag doesn't seem to change color or much on the amount. That's kinda frustrating. I'm going to my Fathers memorial tomorrow (today) and I'm nervous about people hugging me. I sit a lot due to mobility issues and use a rollator, so I could make sure my body language doesn't ask for hugs. But I also don't want to be rude. I'll figure it out. The pain and gross uncomfortableness will subside one day, I know it will for you too. Then we'll have new eggs to fry....ha ha!

It sounds like we had similar experiences. And you said you were a nurse, so you would know! I'm very soothed that you responded with your story though, I SO need to know of others" stories. It puts a 'family' spin on the experience. We have the same parents, the RNY. We had to stay in a hospital, we endured the pre-op together, now we're (and I'm talking about all of us) on the lifelong journey. I need bariatric brothers and sisters. We have support groups in the Western New York area that I'm looking into. Plus, I'm lucky enough to have bariatricpal! I hope you feel the unity too! I don't understand the intensity of the pain on the left side. Mine gets bad and occassionally I'll take a breath and BAM, sharp pain! I also have a drainage bag sewn into my side, that's a whole 'nother demon. I'm sorry you're having troubles getting into bed, I try butt first but still end up stretching uncomfortably. This IS a low point, and some people have lower points than others, but we all hope it gets better. I'm so jealous of the people that seem to float through. Oh well. rnwrny- please know I'm sending you positive energy, you will come out a winner! Peace...

Thanks for asking Sreeves, actually, my gas has changed. TMI alert. Instead of gas, I'm getting 'rumbling' in my lower abdomen, resulting in a small, but noticeable, loose stool. How could I have stool when all I'm doing is drinking? I drink warm decaf tea w lemon, beef or chicken broth, skim milk and SF Koolaid. Not in any order. But I'm scared I'll try to pass gas when it's actually something else. I haven't taken the gas-x yet. What's worse than the pain, is being scared a possible symptom means this and/or that and you worry, worry , worry. Like I am now. ????

I had a similar problem. I have acne all over my chin. It's embarrassing! Very oily. I also feel like my chin tripled post-op. Though I know it didn't. I don't look in the mirror much.

@@Sreeves, my surgeons "orders" and any other paper I've had to follow never mentioned gas-x. I bought some chewables before surgery because so many people on here used it or at least suggested it. But I'm afraid to do anything that my Doc didn't mention. I.e. gas-x. Is it really safe to use?

Hi. I came back from my RNY two days ago. I did not use a pad for urine the first night. While staff was helping me out the next day, one of them turned to walk away and caught my catheter tubing in her feet and she yanked it right out! So, I used a pad that night, but since I drank so little, I pee'd little. However I needed a pad to go home with. And now, I get little notice when I gotta go and when I'm barely ready to sit on the toilet, it starts before me. So, that's my pad experience so far.

Hi. I just had a revision from band to bypass this past Wednesday the 17th at a local hospital. My emotions were running high, as my Dad passed on the 10th, but running uber high because I was doing the bypass. I have two artificial knees, so I know a bit about major surgery and recovery. My experience was THE most painful, dehumanizing, frustrating exp's I've ever, ever had. I had done massive amounts of research for the RNY, and the revision exp. I saw here how so many of you had positive exp's. as well as the negative. But way more positive. I eventually came to the decision to have this surgery. My surgeon and the clinic he runs within our hospital is extremely well run, trustworthy and knowledgeable, but the actual hospital area that aids in recovery was PROFOUNDLY inept and rude. I'm home now, with a drainage bag in my side, doing everything by my surgeons book. My left ribcage feels like it was kicked by a mule and when not on pain meds (which is rare) I find breathing painful. I'm bloated like crazy, and am quite tired. I also have a short window off opportunity come pee time. I just can't hold it in till ready! Can anyone tell me if this is a 'normal' bad experience? (I left SO much out!) Are these normal feelings? Physically. Remember, it was a revision, who, btw, the surgeon said was an excellent process and completion. I just need feedback. Please?

@@caligul Cool. THANKS!

I will definitely call my surgeon and pharmacist and see what the deal is. My largest pill is generic Neurontin, gabapentin. It has a half score on it. But wouldn't the sharp edges from the cut pill(s) be a potential harm to the stapled pouch? If not, then why are we straining things like plain yogurt? I'm on full liquids upon arriving home. I still hate to crush. I also take bupropion, which seems like it's coated. But I'm not understanding how we/some can take pills when the pouch is so "sensitive" that we go on special diet protocols to avoid hurting it. I like your ideas on how to take crushed pills, and like even better that some people swallow whole pills. Again, I do what my surgeon says!

@@caligul Did you have polish (gel) going INTO surgery? Hands AND feet?

Hi. I'm on 7-10 meds, all crushable. A few are coated, and in the past when I crushed them, pieces of the coating did not crush completely but I was still able to take them. My pills are 1/2 psychiatric and 1/2 sleep aids. I need them and doubt the RNY will make me not need them. Question: We DO have to crush our pills, right? For how long? Big question: What is the most humane way to take crushed medication when we can only drink ounce(s) at a time? I'd be making a paste! I know how horrific crushed pills taste, I need a lot of ideas on how to make them taste better. Humane ways, .

I'm having a Band to RNY on Wednesday, the 17th. Are we aloud to use Gas-X chewables while we're in the hospital or will it clash with the Doc ordered meds and/or mess with the natural release of the gas? Also, to the women, I know no make up or jewelry, but can I polish my toenails? Fingers?

@aelovelady@Djmohr@Lynnette K@@Spiceyfrog , Thank you for the support, much needed. I'm 336, I barely fit under a car seat belt as it is, how do I bring a pillow to put between me and the seat belt when it's a close fit already? I can't be the only one with this question? Also, are the incisions very low, low, or near the middle of your stomach/abdomen area?

Hi. I am having RNY on the 17th, as well as Band removal, 4 hour surgery. My Dad passed over two days ago, he's having a memorial on the 23rd, 6 days post op. Will I be able to attend after only 6 days of recovery? What can I do to make it more comfortable? I have mobility issues, and use a Rollator, and can't stand for more than 2-3 minutes. This memorial means the world to me, will I be strong enough to go?