MiteyMom

This actually brought tears to my eyes like u were responding to me directly! I think it's so wonderful to have positive people in ur corner. I can't really find it no where else, but this forum is a breath of fresh air. Thank you for ur kind words as they touch me in a special way....indirectly! I really love u ladies and gents here! If u fail to plan, u plan to fail.

Begin focusing on how you feel, like clothes being looser, sitting in chairs more comfortably, walking easier, etc. And don't keep a scale in your house! Yes, it will make you crazy! Hang in there. The weight will come off especially if you start some exercise. And do it slowly. Someone earlier said its a marathon not a sprint. Be kind to yourself. And be proud of every pound you've already lost, knowing it will stay off!! I'm rooting for you!!

Begin focusing on how you feel, like clothes being looser, sitting in chairs more comfortably, walking easier, etc. And don't keep a scale in your house! Yes, it will make you crazy! Hang in there. The weight will come off especially if you start some exercise. And do it slowly. Someone earlier said its a marathon not a sprint. Be kind to yourself. And be proud of every pound you've already lost, knowing it will stay off!! I'm rooting for you!!

In my recovery, I was instructed to advance to soft foods after liquids and chewing 20-30 times, basically purée ing the food in your own mouth, to a baby food consistency. So foods that work well are low fat cottage cheese, low fat refried black Beans, non fat low sugar yogurt, Siggi yogurt, strawberries, soft cheeses like Havarti, Oscar Meyer honey smoked deli turkey, Proti Diet oatmeal, Progresso chicken Alfredo Soup (chew the chicken well). Shrimp has been good for me, just make sure it's not over done and tough. Any meats should be cooked in a slow cooker to make them really tender, as well as the veggies. Good luck!

I don't have a scale in the house. My surgeon recommended that. I've been following the eating plan and I exercise every day , at least 5 days/week, sometimes 7, for 30-60 minutes. I go by how my clothes fit. Clothes that were skin tight on surgery day are now very baggy and falling off me. I'm down 3 sizes in past two months. My next weigh in is my 100 day post op visit which will be May 31st. So between now and then I follow the eating plan and I exercise and we will see what my body does! Don't worry, focus your energy on taking care of your new body with good nutrition and hydration and you will see results.

I know it is frustrating but at least you knew to expect it. It is just part of the process. There is nothing you can do to "break" it. I am 10 1/2 months post-op and I have them occasionally and then you will see a big drop when it breaks. Your body needs to break to catch up. For now, stick to the program and stay off the scale. It will drive you crazy! 16 pounds in 3 weeks is amazing! Congratulate yourself and as @InnerSurferGirl says - EMBRACE THE STALL....

I lost 20 my first month, but I recovered really quickly. I was able to walk a 5k at just under a month out from surgery. I didn't start exercising besides walking until almost 2 months out and then I started slow with a very slow Couch to 5k and swimming also very slowly. I did a lot more walking than running and quit when I got tired or something hurt. Month 3 I started a weight lifting class, but was more about learning how to lift than lifting anything significant.
Take it slow. I know it feels like forever, but it will come off. Remember this is a marathon not a sprint. The pounds will add up, but they will also stop/stall if you do too much too soon. Exercise is important for building muscle and reducing loose skin, but the biggest part of this is eating and making wise choices.
pam

I lost about 15 pounds the first month. You've lost almost a pound a day and your body is dealing with a HUGE trauma that has just been done to it. It's completely normal to obsess and worry about your weight loss progress but trust me when I tell you that you are only harming yourself by worrying about it. I worried about it, along with pretty much every other wls patient ever. Now here I am 8 months out and down 140 pounds. I was nearly 400 pounds, had the bypass, and still only lost 15 the first month. I've NEVER lost 30 in one month. It all adds up, and the amount you lose is not what having this surgery is all about. It's about regaining your health. So focus on your health, getting in your water/protein/vitamins, and the weight loss will follow.
As for exercise: I didn't do a whole lot for the first two months. I was one of those who had a tough time recovering, and it wasn't until a few months ago that I started getting any of my old energy back. I don't even make it much of a point to exercise purposefully. I walk a little extra in the grocery store, I run up the stairs a little faster than I normally would, etc. I also see a trainer/physical therapist about once every two weeks. I occasionally (like once or twice a week) use my recumbent exercise bike for 45 minutes-an hour. That's a LOT less than many people aim for, and yet, here I am, down 140 since surgery. You will get there too, just take amazing care of yourself and all other goals and dreams you have for yourself and your body will come too!

Hey Ashlie M.
I was the same way in the beginning. Nothing tasted good and nothing sat well and nothing satisfied me. food was just a huge annoyance that I didn't even want to have to deal with. But at this point, your stomach has just been through a HUGE trauma, so it's no wonder it doesn't want to have to do any work right now. Not to mention you probably still have a whole host of drugs in your system which can affect your ability and desire to eat. It may continue to be tough for you for the first month or two, or maybe even longer. However, I'm now 8 months out (8 months exactly today, actually, woo!) and I can tell you with pleasure and confidence that those days are long gone and nothing but a distant memory. I don't often actually feel hungry - usually only when it has been way too long between food or shakes for me, and that's real hunger, not head hunger. When I do eat, I wouldn't say I exactly enjoy it, but it's not usually an uncomfortable or frustrating experience like it was in the beginning. And when I eat a few bites of food, I feel full and satisfied. You will reach this point too. I promise it gets better! It's always, always hard in the beginning. Just focus on getting in your Water, Protein, and Vitamins.
Sooner than you know, these difficulties will be a thing of the past and you will adjust to your new body and new habits. Hang in there! Feel free to friend/message me if I can help in any way, or if you just want a friend to talk to.

I had a similar issue after surgery. I was lactose intolerant. I switched to Fairlife milk. LOTS more Protein and no lactose. I am now 5 months out and I don't have any problems with lactose anymore, but I am still drinking Fairlife milk. I love milk so this was a big deal for me. Fairlife to me tasted like regular milk and combined with powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein shake mix it was just like chocolate milk. Good luck. It gets better.
pam

After surgery, I became lactose intolerant. Whenever I drank a glass of milk it resulted in stomach cramps and diarrhea. So I quickly learned to remove milk from my diet. Some Protein shakes contain lactose. So you might want to read the labels. This condition disappeared after about 2 months and from that time I have been able to drink milk again.
The most important things after surgery are to meet you daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. So concentrate primarily on those requirements. food is secondary because you body is converting your stored fats into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. If you want to maximize your weight loss then it is also important to walk about 30 minutes each day.

Well, I will be 4 weeks out tomorrow, I dealt with everything you mentioned and I can tell you it will get better.
Where to start.....the diarrhea. I know everyone is different, but I too had it and like you I wouldn't eat while out because you just never know. It started easing up in my 3rd week, but I still won't eat while out.
Everyone says follow your Drs orders, which is great advice, but when you are going through whatever, it's pretty scary and your thoughts and emotions are going crazy. You've made this huge decision and you not only want to survive, but you want to be successful.
Now onto the bad taste. I actually just posted yesterday asking for food choices because for whatever reason everything I tried, if the smell didn't get to me, the taste did. One bite and I would throw it out. It's very frustrating. I was given a ton of great food choices, but one poster suggested I clean my tongue prior to eating. Today I did and actually, what little I have tried I was able to eat. I was thrilled.
In my opinion, you did a good thing by posting. I'm still new in this journey myself, so there are others that can offer better advice. However I can assure you you are not alone.
Good Luck!!!!

Sounds like he wanted to eliminate dairy because of the fat content/lactose sugar that may be making you have these issues. Perhaps try finding a milk-free Protein drink?
I had a lot of these same issues in the beginning as well, and now I have them very rarely, and I've figured out which foods do it to me. For the moment, it's most likely your body just going through some rough times as it heals and tries to make sense of this huge trauma.
Getting in your Protein and Water and Vitamins in the beginning is essential! Hopefully this next visit to your doctor can help you, but you cannot go much longer without getting in the protein you need. I wish I had more advice to offer you. Just hang in there, I'm better it will be getting a lot better very soon.

@@baconsher I rode it out. Whining about it made me feel slightly better. I also found that sometimes changing the temperature of the food/liquid reduced the cramping. I couldn't drink cold Water for a long time, but room temp or even just a little warm was often easier to stomach.

I had the same issue. Every single thing I consumed, from Soup, to Water, to yogurt, made my stomach cramp and hurt. Didn't matter what I did to try to help it. Fortunately, my issues passed after a few months as well. Maybe 4 or 5. Now I can tolerate most things.

I probably shouldn't admit this out loud, but I'm going to be honest: I completely ignored my Protein requirement for the entire 2 weeks of the liquid stages. My NUT knew about it. It was hardly encouraged, but as she said "You can only do what you can do. Hydration is by far your top priority. You do have Protein stores from your pre-surgery intake that should carry you through to purees."
I did try. During the clear liquid week, I tried Syntrax Nectars, unflavored protein in Crystal Light, etc, and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup flavor (which I'd loved pre-op). All of them turned my stomach with the first sip. During the full liquid week I tried to return to my beloved Unjury shakes, but again, I couldn't stomach them. I bought three different brands to try that week. Still couldn't stomach them. It was just those 2 weeks, and in my case, I recovered just just fine. As soon as I hit the pureed stage I was able to easily exceed my protein goals, courtesy of both the ability to tolerate chicken and seafood right away as well as several glasses of Fairlife milk a day. I still have yet to find a protein supplement that goes down easily, but at this point I've learned that I'm not going to puke just because my stomach does a little flip, so I suck it up and choke them down anyway.
Now please don't misunderstand me, I'm not suggesting that you throw your hands up and say "Screw it, I'm done!" Perhaps a discussion with your own NUT is in order, as they have probably heard this issue many times before and will likely have some constructive suggestions.

You want to start making changes long before you have surgery as the surgery is only another tool for you to reach your weight loss goal. For me, it is the last tool as I have done everything else and could not lose the weight or keep it off. What I did was I started an exercise program 2 years prior to the surgery and it paid off as I was able to move about easily pre and post operatively. I didn't lose much weight, but I really got strong. And that was important to me. Three months before surgery I began practicing the chewing each mouthful 20-30 times, also eating 6 small meals a day, drinking 48-64oz fluids a day, recording what I ate on Myfitnesspal.com. And be ready for "head hunger". When you really aren't hungry but you still want to eat that cheeseburger and fries you see on TV. I am two months post op and have some intense head hunger going on. I remind myself that it's those food commercials, over the years, that got me to 380lbs and today I'm 299 because I followed the post op plan and continue to exercise. So you see, you need to do some soul searching and determine what you want the rest of your life to be like, and are you willing to give up a few things. As they will be replaced with other good things like feeling great! And moving around without pain, or wearing jeans again! Or fitting into an airline seat!! Figure out what's important to YOU and you will know what to do. Good luck!!

Ambernicole, it will get better. You must walk, walk, walk to get that gas moving and out. I too was miserable. It took all my energy to get out of bed and up walking. And you must follow all instructions for keeping hydrated and get the Protein needed to heal. It took me a full month before I was feeling ready to get out and about. It is now two months post RNY and I'm at the gym every day riding the bike 4 miles. I never thought it would happen but it did, the energy returned. Recovery from major surgery is no picnic. Our insides have been re-routed and this takes time to heal. Take it one day at a time, don't look too far ahead, follow the plan and you will survive this. Keep a positive attitude!!

OMG I can't believe you all can eat!! I'm two months post RNY and still on soft food and not much of that. Just about everything makes me nauseous. Food that causes less nausea is low fat refried Beans, cottage cheese, unsweetened yogurt, strawberries, some Soups like turkey barley, and grilled shrimp. I still need the shakes though to get the 80-120grams of Protein per day. It's a daily battle for me.

Hi numby2017,
I am just a bit ahead of you at 5 weeks today. At 10 days I was able to get alot of liquids, Soup and yogurt in. I thought the surgery was a fail. Now on soft food, I feel a pressure, that's when I know to stop or the food will come up. I rarely can eat more than a couple ounces of food and liquids are even going down slowly now. Surgery was a complete success, although, I have wicked head hunger. Good luck!
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Thank you MiteyMom,
I will try that, even thought it takes me much longer than 30 minutes to drink my Protein drink. I like the tip on how to get the Water sips in.

Every day will get easier for you to take in all the required fluids. Congrats on getting it all in today! Syntax nectar is a good choice as it tastes good mixed only with Water. You won't feel as full. Yes, sipping is your new job during recovery. You sip all day long. I'm 6 weeks post op and I still record my intake as it does vary daily for me. My doc has me on 80 grams Protein and less than 80 of Carbs, and minimum 48oz water daily. I have just been advanced to soft foods so this is my new challenge, to get all this into my body. I'm learning it's one day at a time. Just remember to stay hydrated. Get that water in. It will keep you from feeling tired and your skin from drying out.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I managed to get all required 60g of Protein in today! Took me about 11 hours. I'm also at about 45oz of Fluid, so I should be able to make my required 64oz today as well. A lot of work, but a little bit easier everyday.
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My dr requires a 2 week liquid diet for liver shrinking. I've done the two weeks already, and I got my band removed on Friday (2/5/16.) I'm so glad I did it because, even though my liver was not enlarged, my band was adhered to my liver and shrinking it made things a lot easier for my doc to remove. Bonus, I've lost weight too.
I'm on liquids for the next four weeks, until my RNY, on March 10th, to keep my liver small, heal my body and to get my BMI down. I'm hoping to lose another 15 lbs from where I am right now, so that my BMI will be under 50.
I was just wondering what other people's personal reasons for WANTING to lose weight were.
@Cervaide thanks for sharing that. I guess at this point, it feels like there is not much else I can do to prepare for my surgery, so I'm just trying to keep myself busy doing something, which is just focusing on my weight. I should be trying to focus on my mindset and my health!

Hello everyone! I had to do 2 weeks of 6 small meals per day of 110grams or more Protein and 80g or less carbs and journal it all. Then, I progressed to the liver shrinking diet of same protein but carbs cut to 20g or less for 3 weeks and right up to surgery which is this Tuesday, February 16, 2016. I have lost 20 lbs and 10 inches from my torso!! YES 10 INCHES. My surgeon was very, very happy with my sticking to the eating plan. It was not easy at times but it sure paid off for me. Tomorrow, I get to drink the Magnesium Citrate bowel prep and have only Clear Liquids. Then, Tuesday, nothing by mouth as I will be checking in to the hospital. I am a little nervous!!