ebroms17

Yeah! I get why we're not supposed to (particularly because soda in particular - either diet or regular - aren't very good for us) but I don't get the physiology of why it's actually so uncomfortable. And yay for surgery date sisters!! How has your journey been?

Thanks all for the support and tips! these are super helpful!

Hi all and hope you're all getting excited for labor day weekend! So my surgery was 7/17 and I finally went back to work last week (wound up taking more time off than expected due to some challenges eg; dehydration, severe upper right abdominal pain, etc.) I'm unfortunately having a bit of a hard time particularly with eating and drinking enough - and with the scale. I work in global marketing in a high pressure office environment. I am constantly in meetings or else "in the zone" on my computer doing work. I always had a problem drinking enough fluid even before surgery and have trying hard to be more mindful since surgery, but I am having even more trouble now particularly from the no drinking 30m before or after a meal rule. I am rarely eating breakfast, don't feel like I'm eating enough lunch (partially from rushing and partially because I can only get a couple bites in before feeling like it's getting stuck), and same with dinner. Plus I'm getting lots of comments from colleagues on how little I'm eating (I've been private about the type of surgery I had) which makes me super self-conscious and not wanting to eat in public (and I'm in an open office environment to boot.) I am definitely not getting enough of food groups outside of protein as even getting enough protein is a struggle because I get the stuck "full" feeling nearly instantly. I've also been on a stall since Week 3 so going on 3 weeks now - only lost 2 lbs, which is especially disheartening when I feel like I'm barely eating. My questions are: 1) Does anyone have a good method for making sure you get enough of your food groups including and outside of protein eg; veggies, fruit, etc? 2) How do you make sure you get enough water? I have a big thermos I try to carry around but I either forget to drink out of it or I don't drink enough before it's time to try and get some protein in - this whole no fluid 30m before or after meals is a doozy! Bonus question: How long until you felt like you were able to eat a well-rounded meal while still maintaining the amounts of each group needed to prevent malnutrition? Thanks in advance!

I'm one month out from my modified DS and have been having abdominal pain that radiates to my shoulder and is worse when I inhale - primarily on my left side. I've also been having soft, tannish grey stools pretty much since I had the surgery. My GP sent me for an abdominal ultrasound and they found "a small amount of gallbladder sludge" but no gallstones. I'm terrified of having another surgery - have any of you heard of this? what was your experience? TIA! Elisabeth

Hi everyone. I had my modified duodenal switch (SIPS) with Dr. Mitchell Roslin at Lenox Hill on Monday. Pretty routine except bad nausea reaction to the anesthesia which led to vomiting (NOT fun after stomach surgery let me tell you!) I'm back at home now but still in a bit of pain - it's changed from being mostly trapped air to general achiness and stabbing if I move too quickly or adjust positions. Trying to walk as much as possible (made easier by the fact that I have a young retriever mix named Moses who loves his walks!) Having some trouble eating/drinking my liquids (sticking to broths, sugar free popsicles, and Atkins protein shakes.) Basically no appetite and eating feels like a burden, plus it can be painful. Trying to take my pills is even worse. Also having some leakage on/around the incision at my belly button. Mostly clear, maybe a bit blood tinged but no redness in the area and no smell. Just annoying. I live alone - lots of friends nearby and parents not too far away by train, but really glad this forum exists , would love some support to help get me through this rough patch! Thanks [emoji4] Elisabeth SW: 260 CW: 254 GW: 125 5'2" with PCOS

So I've realized that I'm not going to survive on protein shakes much longer without going mad, so was looking for some reccos for flavorless protein powders that I could mix in with my broth, sugar free pudding, etc? Any recommendations? Would also love if anyone has favorite protein waters they'd recommend! Thanks in advance

Hi all, I'll be three weeks out as of Monday and have been experiencing pretty bad pain on my left side under my rib cage. It's especially sharp when I inhale and when I'm lying down on either side, as well as after I eat or drink. My surgeon wanted to rule out any complications from surgery including a blood clot so he sent me to the ER a few days ago, where I got blood tests, an x-ray and a CT scan but aside from being dehydrated according to my blood tests and them finding a small cyst on my spleen (which they said should not be causing pain), all were normal. I've heard that this pain can be normal after surgery as the left side is usually where they make the largest laparoscopic incision, but this pain isn't near the incision site. It's quite painful - a bit better with my Percoset, but I don't want to get hooked on it so I've been taking it very sparingly. Tylenol doesn't touch it. Has anyone had experience with this?

I'm almost 2 weeks out from Loop DS/SIPS (hit 2 weeks on Monday, woo!) As I'm going to be transitioning to more purees, my question is: How do you know when you're full? I'm aware it's a different sensation now. Right now if I have too much liquid, I feel discomfort in my sternum and my insides get a little loud. It feels more like I'm filling up vertically instead of horizontally, if that makes sense. Is that the "full' feeling I should get used to from here on out or does it change as I continue to recover? Thanks all!

thanks all!

thanks all. it seems to be slowly resolving itself.

Thanks! Is the discomfort what I was describing or does it feel like feeling full was before the surgery?

Thanks, I've been doing that for sure and have been pretty fastidious about keeping track in My Fitness Pal. Just curious for the future. Thanks!

I would also highly suggest the Fairlife milk - it has only one gram of protein less than the Atkins protein shakes. I'm only 2 weeks out but it's been a godsend to get me enough protein because I was having the exact same trouble as you with the protein shakes.

I was able to get 3 weeks off on short-term disability no problem. A medical procedure is considered a fine basis for short-term disability as long as your doctor signs off, which I'm sure he has before (it's pretty standard.)

This is probably a dumb question, but is there concern that your protein could become too high? I'm a modified DS-er myself so that probably isn't a huge concern for me.

So, I'm sitting in the ER while typing this because I apparently wasn't getting enough fluids and wound up with pretty bad dehydration. I woke up feeling extremely nauseated with a terrible headache (basically like I had an awful hangover) and when I tried to sip my Vitamin Water Zero, I couldn't keep it down. (This is the first time I've had trouble with vomiting since the bad reaction I had to the anaesthesia.) I called my surgeon and talked to his PA, who asked me to come in. So I went into the surgeon's office (which is just a block from the hospital) and after she examined me she asked me to go to the ER for fluids and labs. The labs came back and confirmed that my electrolytes were all over the place and something called my "anion gap" was too wide (like the rest of me - haha!) which apparently signifies extreme dehydration. I've gotten 2 IVs of fluids plus a banana bag and two different anti-nausea medications and am feeling loads better, so hoping they send me home soon!! Pretty annoyed with myself that I let this happen, though - I knew I wasn't getting enough fluids but because it's been so uncomfortable I just let it go and assumed I would be fine. Clearly I am not a doctor. Let this be a warning to everyone - drink your fluids, especially during your first few weeks! It's more important than hitting the protein and calories. I'm proof.

I like that! Will certainly be aiming for 64 (my doc told me that DS patients need more than other weight loss surgeries?) but won't get mad at myself as long as I hit 40. Home now, thank goodness. That was not a fun day!

Hi! I had my SIPS (modified DS) with Dr. Roslin last Monday (almost a week out - woo!) but am struggling hard with the diet. I've been following it to a tee except I'm having a hard time getting in as much as I should - I'm maybe intaking 150 cals a day if I'm lucky, and naturally as a result am feeling weak, nauseated, and dizzy. I just can't stomach the protein shakes. I usually can only manage one per day if I spread it out over a few hours. I think part of this is because (gasp!) I'm not a huge sweets person. My favorite junk foods are fries, pizza, and popcorn - crunchy, salty things. I know I'm not going to get to do crunchy right now, but I would LOVE some recommendations if anyone has any "hacks" for my salty craving for this stage? Broth is really not working for me especially as it's not caloric enough to give me a real boost. I know this is the hardest part but any tips/tricks would be appreciated!

Thanks everyone! Last night I got a little creative and had French onion soup. Of course I strained it first so it was just the broth. I could only eat about 1/4 cup of it but it was great for my salty craving. I also got some Fair Life skim milk, and have started to drink that instead of the Atkins protein shakes - I much prefer the texture and taste of milk to the shakes and it has almost as much protein, so feeling pretty good about that solve. I have my 2 week follow-up with my surgeon on Friday so hopefully if all goes well, he'll approve me for the next stage! feeling loads better today. really appreciate the support!

I really need to try those unflavored protein powders. Anyone have a favorite? My doctor isn't telling me to worry about cals yet - I just am concerned since I'm feeling so poorly and think it's probably because I'm not having enough.

I haven't heard of that but then again I'm not eating a ton right now. Surprisingly my color is pretty normal (maybe because I have a longer common channel?) or because they're being tinted by the dark chocolate protein shakes, lol! the funny thing about having this surgery is that I suddenly have very little shame talking about body stuff - I actually find it quite fascinating!

Hi! How many days after my surgery should I be ok to try this? I'm at day 5 and am doing well with jello & Atkins protein shakes.

Good advice. I'm just not eating enough protein right now because I can't stomach 3 protein shakes a day, so was hoping I'd have more success if I tried to mix it up. Good to wait though.

Thanks!

Thanks Berry! what is the difference between bone broth and regular broth? Is there one?