cadladykim

I will 2nd the heating pad thing. That and walking was the only relief for me. It will pass, it will seem like forever before it does, but it will.

Not catholic (Lutheran) but I took communion (bread and wine) 2 weeks post op and every week since. Never had a problem or a hiccup. I asked my NUT before and she just said start slow and be mindful of how i felt. The first 4 weeks I just took a sip of the wine, I didn't drink the whole little cup. And I kept the bread in my mouth till it mostly dissolved or I just kept chewing it even after I sat down (we typically don't do wafers). I am 3 moths out and I don't even blink with either now. That is the only alcohol I have done and it is SUCH a small amount that it has no impact. And that is the only bread I have as well. I was afraid I would have to do the gluten free wafer - but I seem to tolerate the homemade bread okay. Again, they are such small amounts. Good Luck!

I have some 20-22 clothing of anyone is interested. Looking for 18. North pittsburgh

I'm in the same boat as you. My surgery was on 1-28-15. 4 weeks later and I have BARELY lost 15 total pounds since surgery. I am beyond frustrated! I am going by the book with food, liquids and Vitamins...everything! Protein intake averages 60g I actually added more this last week to see if that sparks anything. I didn't gain any after surgery either. no problems or complications. But seriously, 15 pounds, that is IT. That was all in the first 10 days - then nothing since. nothing. I know about the week 3 stall (I read enough of these boards to know it's normal) but a stall from the beginning that has lasted 3 weeks plus... this is beyond frustrating. I'm in tears most nights when I go to bed. I don't weigh myself every day. maybe every 3 days at the most. it's ridiculous. I might be okay with a stall if I had lost 20 or more pounds, but seriously 15. That just sounds comparably low to everyone else, you lost 28. I'm jelous.

Oh dear, you shouldn't even THINK about food for at LEAST a week, maybe 2! These first couple weeks are strictly to let your body calm down. Surgery of this type is like a trauma to your stomach. It's still inflamed and healing. You shouldn't consume anything but liquids. Your biggest concern is dehydration right now while you recover. Your doc or nutritionalist should have told you that in upon discharge if not before. Once you can start on puree foods (usually week 1 or 2 post op) then you can do yogurts, Protein shakes, and mushy foods. I cant stress how important it is to follow this and not push the next steps. You could make the inflamation worse, bust open your internal staples or worse. It's a long process, but totally worth it if you just are patient. As far as calories, my NUT told me that I wont have to worry about calories for about 3-6 months. That is, as long as when I do eat, I eat quality high protien foods first (not junk or processed food). Your portion sizes will be so small that food calories will probably still be less than 1000 even at 6 months. I am 3 weeks post-op and i average maybe 600-700 calories - doing nothing but protien shakes, yogurt, pruee and soft foods. I'm slowly adding more solids to my diet, and yes, it adds a few more calories, but the portion sizes are so small that it is insignificant to what I am burning just by walking. Honestly all you need to focus on is Fluid intake and protein intake. the rest will take care of itself. Good Luck!

I am just about 3 weeks out from RNY surgery 1-28-15 I have enormous amounts of gas at night when I lay down to sleep and then when i wake up. (long loud trumpet blast kind) I don't have it at any other time of the day, just at night and 1st thing in the morning. What's up with that? Anyone else have this? Will it ever end? I don't drink or eat anything I'm not suppose to (on phase 2b mostly puree with small amounts of soft foods as well). I don't use a straw.

I was dehydrated going into surgery. And I still feel myself getting there on occasion. I drink my 64+ of Water, but because it's mostly water, I dont have the electrolytes I should. So my NUT and doc told me to drink 1 G2 (lower calorie Gatorade) every other day. It is helping. Don't know about the Pedialite.

Yep have it (diagnosed) for 18 years. This is suppose to help with the insulin resistance. Hormones that cause hair growth. I would imagine periods would become more regular. I'll be curious to find out. Good luck!

Good luck everyone! Just had mine on the 28th of January. Advice for all of you.... drink lots of fluids! They really aren't kidding. And drink something else IN ADDITION TO water. Give your body some variety. I didn't know that I was voiding out more than I was really suppose to. Diluted juice would have been a good choice. I ended up being dehydrated prior to going into surgery and they couldn't find a vein to start my IV in. That NEVER happens to me. I have great veins. It was so painful. They had to put in a small one (child) just to give me my knock out meds. Told me they would do a better one once I was out cause it was gonna hurt like heck. The recovery pain was a little worse than most because of the dehydration. I was in pain immediately. Controlled by meds but still not what I was expecting. More advice: walk, walk, walk. It will hurt. It will be uncomfortable. But do it. I walked the hospital halls 3x every hour. It helped so much. More than you can imagine. It moves the gas. It honestly does. Heating pad at home on your back for 3-5 minutes then walk around your house. Fast tracks that gas out, but only if you move. Don't leave it on longer because you don't want to risk internal bleeding to the surgery site. (Heat promotes blood flow). Your taste buds will change. Maybe immediately maybe over time. But they will change. Normal. Take your pain meds. Don't be a hero. You get no extra points for "toughing it out". Your body can not heal if you're in pain. Period. Take a half dose if you insist, but keep yourself comfortable. Take your own pillow to the hospital. Gives you an extra one there. And it gives you something to hold against your belly on the ride home. Wear super loose waist banded pants home. I had worn home what I wore to the hospital (yoga pants). Elastic waist was snug and not comfortable as it was before surgery. Changed into pants I had previously outgrew when I got home. Much better. Good luck everyone. It's totally worth it!!

Day 4 post op (not included Surgery day) Things going pretty good so far. Although my first 2 days were pretty rough. Ended up being dehydrated before surgery started! (But that's for a different post). but now when I look back just a couple days later... those first days are a blur. I'm not regretting it at all! I'm doing exactly what I'm told and things are getting better all the time! Good luck to everyone else who has surgery still pending. And good luck to those of us in recovery!

Okay I'm home from RNY surgery that was done on the 28th. Today I'm comfortable: just Mild pain and discomfort. (First 2 days were just miserable tho) I had hubby make me vegetable broth and I couldn't get enough! I drank almost 60 oz of Water prior to it. I'm tolerating it fine. I'm just on clear liquid phase 1 diet till my post opp appointment next Wednesday. No shakes or pureed. So I can tolerate a half cup of broth at meals, and my water sips aren't as small as I thought they had to be. So my question is... is my pouch too big? Is this even going to work? I'll ask the doc when I see him. He never said anything to me after surgery about it one way or another. I'm just worried is all.

Heating pad for 5 minutes on your back might help as well. Then move and walk for 5 or 10 minutes. I'm 3 days post opp and I've found that's where my gas has gone to as well. Heating pad loosens it walking moves it out. Don't use it longer than that because you don't want to risk bleeding internally. Good luck.

I'm scheduled for tomorrow! today seems to be dragging!!! I didn't have to do a bowel prep - just 5 days of liquids only. And not bothering me one bit Nesting... Yep. Just did 10 loads of laundry Monday. (I have 4 kids and a hubby that contributed to that number) I'm organizing my closet and drawers too. I cant wait till my drawers are almost empty so I can go shopping. The hardest thing wasn't food - it was not shopping too much as I would go down a size! Good luck Friday!

Okay I'm on day 4 of my pre-op liquid only diet with 3 Protein shakes daily for meals. Surgery is Wednesday... Yeah! Anyhow, I have these horrible rumblings in my stomach all the time. Like gas bubbles but I dont have an excess of burbs or flatuance. Anyone else have this? Is it gas or what? Had it since day 1 - every day is a little worse?

I'm just north in Pittsburgh in southern Butler county. My surgery is this Wednesday @ Magee. I was fairly strict with myself for the entire 6 months and this was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But it is worth it. I even FEEL better - before surgery! Best purchase - a Fitbit. It was so motivating and helped keep me honest when counting calories and movement. No guess work. Good Luck!!

i have a fitbit one. throw it in by bra and i'm good all day. its been awesome. both the computer dashbrard and phone apps work great.

I read and responded to the private message before I saw this one I'm also busy at work, I'm an engineer and while it's not the busy season like yours, it's putting a crimp in our company schedule having me be off for any amount of time. hoping to work from home as well. I sleep okay, but I have lots of those weight related aches and pains in my back and knees so it takes a while to go to sleep and then I wake up early, i havent taken any Aleve or Ibuprofin (which were my pain med of choice for YEARS) for a month. I haven't taken any meds of any kind since the 14th. i don't want any potential problems to creep up during surgery. Did you do a "final meal"? I haven't been craving any food in quite a while so I was disappointed that I couldnt really "pick" a food to have. So my husband made a bunch of stuff all week that I liked. I ate it but just wasnt into it (I'll never tell him that though). I did stop and get a plain cheeseburger at a fast food place. i haven't done that in months. it wasnt as good as i remember... i will have to keep telling myself that when I think i am craving junky food. 5 days and counting! so excited i can barely stand it.

MisforMimi That's great! I love hot tea, it's been my drink of choice for 20+ years (not a coffee person). I was worried I wouln't be able to tolerate it afterwards. hopefully I'll be like you!! although I'm told that hot or cold beverages arent good for a new stomach. so more like lukewarm???

GOOD LUCK Jkpizano5

Surgery on the 28th.....having bypass. Start my pre op liquid only diet Friday. I'm probably just gonna start it early... like tomorrow. Went overboard the last 2 days with last meal eating. I did so good for 8 months and now I'm blowing it on stupid yucky food. I feel crappy. It was all emotional, I know. I haven't craved anything or been really hungry in months. So why overeat now? Of all times? I Went from being over the moon excited to very nervous about surgical complications and post opp issues. I know it's normal but what are the odds? So many people I know have lifetime complications and pain even several years afterwards. This too shall pass. I'm just scared. But I'll get over it. My future is worth it.

Well, on the 28th I will have surgery!! I start my pre-op liquid-only diet tomorrow night (5 full days). I am really excited and only a little nervous (but more excited than nervous). I'm worried that I am too excited. I've had 2 c-sections (13 & 18 years ago) but never been in any other kind of surgery. I read everything I can about what to expect and do for my new life so I know I'm ready for the "after life". but this 6 week post-op pain and nausea and fatigue are the only things that worry me. I have about 75 Protein powder samples from a bunch of different sources - so i think I'll be okay with that. really really really want to minimize my post-op complication rate and get back to work/life asap. Suggestions? Anyone else just have or are having surgery soon? I'd like a buddy to compare notes and get/give support. thanks for reading my post. I just have so much pent up energy and don't know how to channel it at the moment.

I couldn't agree more. I don't have any intention on telling anyone anything especially my kids or my work. If they ask all I plan on saying is I am having some stomach problems that need surgery as well.

Thanks for the replies everyone. i know they will eventually come around when they see that surgery didn't kill or disfigure me (their main concern). The questions I have the hardest time answering is "You'll have to eat less after surgery - so just do it now that way you wont need the surgery. Just eat that way now and it will be the same. How is having a surgery different than just doing that?" I dont know how to answer this? My mom and dad, just last night tried to push me into hypnosis telling me it's just as good. They are so very desperate for me NOT to do this for fear of complications or death during or after surgery. They all think it's about lack of willpower (and I admit it is to a degree). I've lost almost 30 pounds in the last 6 months during my weigh in's. maybe that's why they think it will continue if I just have enough will power and don't eat as much. Teaches me to be successful, huh?! There are no support groups in my area. the hospital has information meetings every month but they are rarely attended and are not support meetings - besides I live about an hour away from the hospital. t's so aggravating I cry myself to sleep most nights thinking about this. Last weigh in is on the 23rd! I want the surgery NOW and for it all to be done and over with so i can get on with my life!

I need advice. My husband and my family are not exactly thrilled about me having this surgery. they say they are supportive...but... I hear CONSTANTLY: "well if you know you can do the post op eating regimine after surgery, just start that now and don't have the surgery" "you just have to be stronger willed and not eat as much" "just do the pre-op diet for longer. or do the post op diet now... why the rush..." "just....why cant you ..." anything they can think of to convince me that surgery is NOT the right choice. Honestly, the only 2 things that kept me from doing it earlier is the fear of family rejection and fear of post-op complications from surgery. Not the lifestyle, not the eating, not the change in everything I know. The fear of complications. And I know that's their fear too. so knowing that, how do I answer their questions? I know that logically that make sense and we should just do that. However, practically I know I cant do it, or I would have already done it. I tell them that and then I hear I just need to be better at being strong willed. I'm a week and a half away from my 6th month weight in. all my other tests and pre-op tests and evaluations will be done on the 23rd. then it gets submitted to insurance for approval. I've been doing this for 6 months with the doctors. But It took 2 years of going back and forth (in my mind) to make this decision. I am ready. more than ready, I'm excited!! Well, I WAS excited. Now I'm scared again and wondering if it worth the risk. ARG!!!