Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🌈 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

Lissapmkn1

Gastric Bypass Patients
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    156

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Lissapmkn1

  3. Posted

    Hi,

    My Dr. and nutritionist started me on soft foods: Yogurt, applesauce, shredded chicken and tuna, flaky fish, cottage cheese, Soups, cooked soft veggies, etc...to give your tummy a chance to adjust. Try eating very small bites and always go for your Protein first. Continue to supplement with shakes throughout this process. I also only drank after eating so I got more nutrients.

    Anything that is high in Fiber (Beans, salad greens, raw veggies, bread...) will cause intestinal distress initially as your new pouch can only handle gentler things at the start of adding in real foods.

    It took me months to be able to eat beans...the gas was unbearable! I still can't eat rice, Pasta, breads, mayo or many Condiments etc...but HEY! That's what got me into the weight issues to begin with :)

    Anything with caffeine - coffee, tea - was to acidic for my tummy also. Waited about 6 months to add that in.

    I was able to eat salads and raw veggies chewed up really well with no dressing after about 10 weeks and I was in heaven! Greek yogurt tasted like dessert and still does. Now I puree fruits that I bought and froze and add it to plain greek yogurt and it takes great :)

    I still don't eat rice...it gets stuck. Pasta doesn't agree with me and fills up my tummy too fast. It's a waste of calories. I can eat a little bread occasionally. If I have a cheeseburger and try to eat it on a bun, I can only eat about half the sandwich. IF I take it out of the bun, I can eat the burger and salad or fruit. Much more satisfying to eat different flavors than just a burger and bun. Bread is just wasted calories and over fills my pouch.

    I adore Outshine no sugar added popsicles as a treat!

    I am just 2 weeks over a year out from my bypass and am at 230 lbs down from 368 lbs.

    Slow and steady wins the race! This is a great forum :) Keep asking and good luck!

    Clarissa

  4. Posted

    Hi,

    My incisions turned red around the site and oozed while they were healing. There wasn't anything wrong as there was not a smell and the color was a clear/yellowish tint to the liquid. I used a warm wash cloth to clean them and a little neosporin ointment. Also, as they heal they will get itchy...this is a good sign!

    If it turns green, gets hot or warm at or around the incision sites or begins to bleed, call your Dr.

    Everyone deals with pain differently and each surgeon stitches and handles the insides differently. Remember that you had your insides re-routed and it is major surgery, even though it is now done through laparoscopic means.

    I have a really high pain tolerance because of health problems (arthritis, lupus, etc...) throughout my life. I have also had a hysterectomy, C6-C7 neck fusion, shoulder surgery and sinus surgery prior to this and had some idea of what I would be in for.

    Please, give yourself a break. Rest as much as you can! I remember that I was told to walk around the house and the first couple of times made me super tired. My big exercise one day was to shower, get dressed, get in the car while a friend drove me to Walgreen's, walk around in Walgreen's getting items, talking to a friend in the store, picking up my medicine, paying, walking to the car and then back home. By the time I finished all that, I needed a NAP and slept for an hour and a half.

    Don't push anything and when you body says ouch, stop. When you feel tired, rest or sleep. Eat on schedule, take your Vitamins and don't push it. You can do this and by listening to your body and responding accordingly, your pain will lessen naturally.

    Best wishes and keep us posted. YOU CAN DO THIS!

    Clarissa

  5. Posted

    Hi,

    eggs are a solid source of Protein, but were a little too rich for me in the beginning and cause nausea and dumping. Also, I had a lot of trouble with onions in the beginning - too acidic for me. I ate very mildly and dipped lightly for quite a while. If I even slightly over did the amount in my pouch it came flying back out one of two way! lol!

    Hang in there and just go small and mild for a while :) You gonna do great!

    Clarissa

  7. Posted

    Hi!

    Has anyone else stalled for 3 months? I hit 250 and have been bouncing around here since February. PSW was 368, SW was 338 and I am now 250. The first 80 came off quickly and effortlessly and am wondering if my body is adjusting and I need to give it a kick start?

    Looking for tips, suggestions and of course, I need to start keeping a food journal again...

    Thanks all!

    C

  9. Posted

    Hang in there! While I was sooooo ready to have the surgery and be done with the weight, the mental part of it all is something you have to figure out while you heal and move forward. Most of our weight issues are mental and psychological and that takes time to heal and change habits and behaviors. I actually see a psychologist once a month who also had the surgery and she has helped immensely !

    It isn't a perfect process, but neither am I.

    I am happy with my weight loss, but not the thinning hair or the saggy skin. But I do feel so much better and I am healthier. The mental part is taking time, but it took time for me to become so overweight in the first place.

    As the weight goes down, the mental/emotional issues that were buried under the weight are coming to the surface. If you can talk with someone, please do. It will help you in this journey you are on.

    Remember, we are here too!

    Clarissa

  12. Posted

    First, let me say, it isn't anyone's business but yours. If your boss says anything to anyone, it is a violation of the HIPPA law.

    As for your bosses advice to tell them, remind your boss politely that it his/her opinion is appreciated but not warranted as this is your health history and your private medical information.

    As for your colleagues who are noticing a change, if you don't want to tell them HOW you are losing weight, but know they will keep asking until you tell them something (because you can't get them off your back) do what I did!

    I told them that I am exercising (which you are) and eating a high Protein diet with limited natural carbs -PALEO of sorts (which you are). I tell them I gave up white sugar, refined and processed carbs and food, (causes me to dump which they don't need to know) and I stay away from dairy (high fat makes me dump and I am lactose intolerant)/]. You aren't lying, you've thrown them a bone and who cares what they really think. I lost 33 pounds on the Protein drinks BEFORE I had any surgery. That's the God's truth!

    They are not privileged to know your medical history and it will keep them off your back. Alienating them by not saying anything will be frustrating for you, especially if they are persistent, but they DON"T get to know anything you don't want them to know.

    PS. IF your boss says anything, it's a lawsuit in the making and you will win.

    Let me know what you decide to do! We support you!

  13. Posted

    Hi,

    If it is the taste of the Protein, try adding crystal light drink mixes into the powder to get a taste you can get down. While it was tough, I did it and the flavors helped me to get the Protein down. Once you can have some pureed food, you won't have as much trouble. Some of it is mind over matter, but truly I washed my mouth out after the Protein drinks so I didn't have that taste in my mouth forever. I also had some sugar free popsicles to help me get the taste out of my mouth. I think I had 6 a day after surgery just to feel like I could eat something normal and to keep the Protein Drink taste from killing me! :)

    It is so important to get in all your protein! I had lots of thick, coarse hair before the surgery and now I have finer, thiner hair due to not getting enough protein. I am using a Shampoo called Biotene which I bought at a health food store to help with my hair. It has made a huge difference and is all natural with no chemicals.

    I have to get in 92 - 120 grams of protein a day and at 7 months out, I still struggle. So, this is how I make it work:

    I drink a Protein shake first thing every morning at 6:30 am and that's 30 grams.

    I have a Protein Bar mid morning (20g).

    I have some greek yogurt at lunch(12-14g).

    I have another Protein Bar in the afternoon(20g) and then I eat a regular dinner. I nibble on veggies and fruit throughout the day or with my Protein Bars.

    A regular dinner consists of chicken, fish, shrimp, occasional steak and veggies or salad. I skip any starchy vegetables and breads.

    The first 8 weeks are the toughest, but I know you can do this! Keep me posted and I'll be thinking got you!

    Clarissa

  14. Posted

    So much of what we deal with has nothing to do with the weight loss after the surgery; it is the mental battle. The fact that food was our emotional support, our comfort and our go to crisis coping mechanism makes the surgery for some very hard as that comfort is now gone.

    I have redirected myself and continue to have to do so...instead of eating to relieve stress or find comfort, I walk or play a game online or read or.....You have to find something to replace the food as a "go to relationship" for issues.
    The mental battle is real and talking with someone about it can really help. Being on here and seeing that others go through what we go through really helps. I hope you don't really regret the surgery...I have found that I feel so much better physically and have more energy and I am 7 months out down 112 pounds.

    I am in a stall phase and while that stinks, it forces me to look at how I am caring for myself...am I getting enough Protein, calories, exercise etc...

    My focus is on a healthier me and one that will feel good for years to come. This helps me to be more self confident, self assured in my decisions and my life as well as a kinder and more understanding person.

    The doctor retrained your stomach; now it's up to us to retrain our brains and our hearts :)

    Thinking of you and look forward to hearing from you :)

    C

  19. Posted

    I am so sorry that you are going through all of this! If you are not confident in your surgeon, I seriously suggest you get recommendations for another one and get a second opinion. Don't let someone operate on you that you feel is not valuing you!

    You are in my thoughts and prayers. If you live in the Southwest (NM, TX) area, I have an outstanding bariatric and general surgeon! I 'd be happy to give you his info!

    Clarissa

  20. Posted

    Hi,

    We all hit plateau's :) It's ok! Just check that you are getting in all your Protein, Water and that your caloric intake is upwards of 800 calories. Also, check that you are not "stopped up" and going poo-poo at least every other day. If not, dulcolax will help. I went through it about 1 month - 6 weeks after surgery and still have trouble once in a while.

    My plateau/stall lasted for a month, but then I started back up. Your body has to adjust to it's new idea of losing weight and an stall here and there, is to be expected.

    You are doing really well! Keep your chin up :) This is only a bump in the road!

    Clarissa

  22. Posted

    I too became lactose intolerant after surgery. I went to using Lactaid milk and it all cleared up.

    The weeks of Protein shakes and rapid weight loss can leave you super tired. Rest whenever you are tired and never think twice about it. Remember your body only heals when you are resting...the more you rest, the faster you heal.

    Your energy will increase as you heal. I am 4.5 months out of surgery and know that if I don't get enough rest, Water and Protein, I am super exhausted and my weight loss slows..... It's your body telling you to rest.

    I've lost 95 lbs since June 30th and I feel great, but still need my regular sleep to combat fatigue and general crankiness!

    You're journey will always be unique to you, but it is still the VERY BEST decision I ever made for myself!

    Keep us posted!

    Blessings,

    Clarissa

  23. Posted

    Hi,

    I had a lot of gas after surgery and lived on Gas X strips - they were a lifesaver. I also had to use dolcolax and still do from time to time as I have a very "slow" system. When this happens my stomach feels very full.

    I still have trouble wanting to eat at all, but when my energy dips, I get cranky and know I need to eat.

    Still have trouble getting in all my Protein and Water....but we are a work in progress :)

    Hang in there :)

  24. Posted

    Way to go ladies! I believe this will be a really awesome experience for you! I only wish I had done this when I was younger. I had surgery on June 30, 2014 and have had no complications. Followed Dr. order's and all is well. I have lost

    85 lbs in the last 4 months and life is good. I don't hurt anymore and can physically be more active.

    This is a great support network and filled with good answers to questions. Just know that not all Dr.'s follow the same procedures so be sure to double check everything with your Dr. or nutritionist.

    Looking forward to supporting you in your journey!

    Clarissa

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

Bariatric Forums

For Patients

Health Professionals

Search Surgeons

Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

×