lisafrommassachusetts

On 1/21/2020 at 7:20 AM, HLsleeve said:

I will most definitely do what I need to do when it comes to drinking the shakes in there isn’t any other alternative. Im going to abide by my instructions regardless of how something Taste......BUT......lolol......If there is something else that would give me the right amount of Protein without the Protein Shake taste please inform me......HL

Apparently some people have been allowed to have plain greek yoghurt watered down. Check with your surgeon.

I have been pretty lucky, in that I got very few unsolicited opinions. I would practice saying something along the lines of "thank you so much for your concern! I have made this decision after consulting with my doctors, and doing my own research. I am looking forward to being healthier." If they persist, you are going to have to bear down and say "I understand what you are saying, but I do not want to discuss my healthcare decisions." Then change the subject. Repeat as many times as necessary.

I can have refried Beans now, after 10 days out. I cannot have cheese until I am 20 days out.

2 hours ago, Puffy-no-more said:

Hey y'all. So for those who already had surgery, when did all of the soreness go away and you could start moving like normal?

I was stiff and a bit sore every time I stood up for the first week or so. But you had bigger surgery than I did! Give yourself time.

10 hours ago, ResaRoo said:

Feeling pretty down today. I’m 12 days out, and over the last 3 days I’ve somehow gained 4 pounds. I still weigh more than when I had my surgery. I don’t understand it. I know deep down that it will start coming off, but this really troubles me. I’m still primarily on liquids (including watered down Greek yogurt and soups), getting about 40-50 grams of Protein a day and under 400 cals. It doesn’t make sense to me that I’d be gaining weight.

Apparently very common. I had my first post-op with the nutritionist yesterday in a group, and one of the women in my group said the same thing. The nutritionist said it is common, your body is still adjusting to the major shock of surgery, you may be retaining fluids, you may be swollen, and everyone is different. She said she wished people would stay off the scale for the first few weeks, but she knows everyone is curious. She stressed hydration, and making sure we are hitting Protein goals, and if your bowels aren't working add some Miralax. However, understanding it's "normal" and going through all this and gaining weight has got to be a downer. Hang in there, the scale will move!

On 2/21/2020 at 5:54 AM, niffer said:

Hi Gang. I'm less than 24 hrs post op vsg and WOW the gas pain is real. I've been walking walking walking and they've kept me on track with pain meds but the gas is still here! They finally gave me gas drops at about 7pm last night and those definitely helped.
Also, most of the day yesterday every sip of Water or protien Water made me throw up so I haven't really gotten much down. I'm hoping that today I have more success drinking. I just woke up and can already tell that I feel better than yesterday, thank god. I hope everyone else is hanging in there, it'll all be worth it!!

Hope the gas pain is less! Are you home yet? The first few days were the hardest for me. Rest, walk and hydrate!

5 hours ago, Puffy-no-more said:

Hey everyone. I had the RNY this Wednesday. I’ve been pretty much out of it until today for some reason. I’m still in the hospital. My heart has been elevated since sometime last night. Doc came in and was gonna let me go home but then saw the elevated HR so she said it either needs to go down or they will need to make sure there are no leaks. I had a surprise hernia when she got in there. She said it’s something I was born with probably but that it can be life threatening so she took care of that. I have been surprised at the amount of pain I have been in. I had some gas pain In both my shoulders day of surgery but I have really felt anything since. Just really sore in my abdomen.
anyways, I’m doing good as of right now. No problem with getting in liquids.

Glad to hear you're mostly pain free! Rest, hydrate, and let the professionals take care of you!

26 minutes ago, doublepau said:

Surgery is in the morning. Is it weird that I’m kinda bummed that I don’t have a surgery twin on the forum? Anyway, I’m so nervous and excited at the same time. I think more excited though. I’m about to drink some broth, take my meds and go to bed. See you all on the other side!

Good luck! I'm rooting for you. Post when you can!

6 minutes ago, ChiefPWife said:

I LOVE hint!!!! I really enjoy the pineapple one. I, too, have been a carbonated Water lover and needed to switch to non-carbonated drinks. Hint has been a life saver!

Oh I'll have to get some. I too have been a huge seltzer drinker.

5 hours ago, DB in AZ said:

Okay. Had my surgery yesterday. Everything went well. Surgery took about an hour and I was in recovery about an hour and 1⁄2.Didn't have significant pain just a raw feeling but I took the pain medication they offered anyway to help me sleep.Was on primarily Water yesterday although they did give me a very sweet Protein Drink For dinner.Started on some Protein drink today. I got discharged today about 12:00 PM. I'm definitely very sore. But not significant gas pain like a lot of you have. I need to learn how to feel full.Right now I am trying to get about 3 oz of Protein Shake down I'll probably have to take about an hour to do that. Hope Everyone else had success yesterday but had surgery.

My hospital Protein Drinks were sickeningly sweet! Good luck!

5 hours ago, doublepau said:

maybe adding some crystal light to your Water for flavor wil help!

I tried, but I find the taste unappealing. I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners usually. Although I do like the sugar free popsicles. I've tried adding a splash of lemon juice, but it's a bit sour. I have a cup or 2 of herbal teas a day. I'm wondering if cucumber mint Water might be a good choice? I'm very open to ideas

1 hour ago, DB in AZ said:

Okay. Had my surgery yesterday. Everything went well. Surgery took about an hour and I was in recovery about an hour and 1⁄2.Didn't have significant pain just a raw feeling but I took the pain medication they offered anyway to help me sleep.Was on primarily Water yesterday although they did give me a very sweet Protein Drink For dinner.Started on some Protein drink today. I got discharged today about 12:00 PM. I'm definitely very sore. But not significant gas pain like a lot of you have. I need to learn how to feel full.Right now I am trying to get about 3 oz of Protein Shake down I'll probably have to take about an hour to do that. Hope Everyone else had success yesterday but had surgery.

So glad to hear you're doing well! Keep us posted!!

24 minutes ago, Likklelime said:

I so appreciate everything you guys are sharing! I'm so scared of the post op restriction and seeing you all push through is giving me hope that it is possible. ❤

The first couple of days were tough. The biggest mistake I've made so far is letting myself get dehydrated. Once I got rehydrated, things improved. I'm so sick of plain Water, though.

1 hour ago, divag822 said:

Hey Lisa. It is frustrating trying to find the balance between Water intake and especially Protein intake. I haven’t felt the confidence of doing both well. I just started my stage 2 with puréed foods and it’s easier to get the Proteins in now. I too am setting a stop watch on my phone for 30 min increments. It is a lot of work but I try to remember that when much is given, much is required. So, I digress and try to focus on reaching my weight loss goals of being healthy, coming off these medications and looking cute in a bathing suit. Lol. I just can’t wait to get past the stages of food and be able to eat normally and reasonably. I understand that my stomach suffered a major transition and it has to make adaptations to heal and become 100% functional again. I wish you luck and everyone else in this new journey. Right now, the road is rocky but I look forward to it smoothing out soon.

I know exactly what you mean about getting past this and being able to eat normally and reasonably. But we need our stomachs to heal!

16 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

Unless your starting weight was on the low side, your loss rate sounds pretty normal to me. The expectation to lose massive amounts in a short time causes unnecessary anxiety among many.

I personally consider myself to have done pretty well, and I lost 12 lbs the first two weeks. Went on to lose 110 lbs and reach goal in 7 months.

If you can, try not to stress out (I know, its hard). Try to focus your energies on something less anxiety producing: exercise, hanging with friends, shopping! lol. Managing your expectations will do wonders for your sanity and make this process much more enjoyable.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the benefit of your experience! I feel like managing my expectations in most things aids my peace of mind, and this maybe more so.

Had my first "food". I had 2 tablespoons of egg beaters, scrambled. With a teeny pinch of lemon pepper. I took 15 minutes to eat it, mindfully, chewing. Now my stomach is singing...growling...not sure what to call it. No pain, and I did not feel "full" per se (2 TBL is equivalent to 2/3rds of an egg white.)

I set my alarm for 30 minutes so I can go back to drinking Clear Liquids.

I am obviously going to need some Protein drinks today to meet my protein goals.

I am not doing a good job of separating my day into meals. I will see how today goes and try to set up a six "eating event" schedule tomorrow.

This is a lot of work! lol. I am glad I have one more week off from my real job, just to try to get myself into a bit of a rhythm with all of this.

Hope everyone out there is doing well! Love reading people's updates.

Wow! How overwhelming this must all be. No wonder you describe yourself as exhausted. Good luck as you move forward.

Perhaps my expectations are low, but I think 11 pounds in 2 weeks is quite a lot! Plus you came back from surgery full of Fluid, so you had to get back to the starting point. I was sleeved on 2/10 and I have lost only 6 and a half pounds since my surgery weight, and that seems ok to me.

How exciting and wonderful. I love that you are experiencing this so fully, the joy will maybe help carry you through the rough Patches a little easier. What an inspiration!

3 minutes ago, GinaFigz said:

Thanks everyone! I am really thankful for all of the well wishes. So it was tougher than expected. I heard of people who went to the gym the next day. I've spent the last two days sleeping or walking. I am home now, I only spent one night at the hospital and made it home by 2pm today. I picked up a ton of meds and am sipping Water every chance I get and taking little walks around the house. The dr also had to correct a hiatial hernia so I'm super sore. I was 5 pounds heavier weighing in at the hospital because of the liquids.

Glad you are home and doing ok! The first few days are rough, and I did not have the extra shock of hernia repair. I can't imagine going to the gym after surgery, lol. My worst day was the Thursday after my Monday surgery; I think it was because I was not hydrated. As they say, Water and clear liquids before you worry about protein! The drinking really does get easier as the days go on. Good luck, sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, sip....and keep us posted!

2 hours ago, MorganF said:

Lucky! I’ll be on Clear Liquids plus Protein Shakes for four weeks post op! Sounds like you’re rocking it!

It's so odd how different everyone's pre and post op diets are. I have to say the post op clear liquids and Protein Shakes was mostly much easier for me than the far less restrictive pre-op; the loss of hunger hormones is real! I also must say chicken Bone Broth has been my new best friend. I hope I don't have so much of it I can't enjoy it after I get through this. I can see using this to up my Protein on a very regular basis. Good luck! Keep us posted!

2 hours ago, niffer said:

Awesome!!! Keep up the good work!
I go in tomorrow at 8am and I'm as nervous as can be.

Good luck! I was nervous too. My surgery was delayed a week because I had the flu so my anxiety was really high. You got this! Can't wait to start reading your reports of post-op life.

9 days post op! I start "smooth" foods tomorrow and my Vitamins. My hospital divides the 3rd stage in 2; 3A is egg whites, cottage cheese, ricotta, tofu, refried Beans for Protein, and soft bananas, cream of wheat, canned in own juice peaches or pears, sugar free pudding. I do that for 10 days. Then I add in more foods for 20 days (e.g. whole eggs, soft fish, etc.)

I am strangely kind of nervous! I am afraid once I get to eat real food I'll overeat. I am sure this is nonsensical, but it's funny how the mind works.

I had a stressful work related call today, and found myself, phone in hand, heading toward my kitchen thinking about crackers. It was one of those "AHA" moments. I have a feeling I have many more coming....

On the upside I feel really good! I got 8000 steps in yesterday, and all in all I'm feeling good. I seem to be able to drink my glass of Water more quickly, and it does not feel like a full-time job getting myself hydrated. I have been able to get over 65g of protein; the Bone Broth really, really helps. So we'll see what tomorrow brings.

9 days post op! I start "smooth" foods tomorrow and my Vitamins. My hospital divides the 3rd stage in 2; 3A is egg whites, cottage cheese, ricotta, tofu, refried Beans for Protein, and soft bananas, cream of wheat, canned in own juice peaches or pears, sugar free pudding. I do that for 10 days. Then I add in more foods for 20 days (e.g. whole eggs, soft fish, etc.)

I am strangely kind of nervous! I am afraid once I get to eat real food I'll overeat. I am sure this is nonsensical, but it's funny how the mind works.

I had a stressful work related call today, and found myself, phone in hand, heading toward my kitchen thinking about crackers. It was one of those "AHA" moments. I have a feeling I have many more coming....

On the upside I feel really good! I got 8000 steps in yesterday, and all in all I'm feeling good. I seem to be able to drink my glass of Water more quickly, and it does not feel like a full-time job getting myself hydrated. I have been able to get over 65g of protein; the Bone Broth really, really helps. So we'll see what tomorrow brings.

I brought: a robe (glad I did), change of clothes including yoga pants and a comfy sweater to wear home, face cream, my own toothbrush and toothpaste, my phone, chargers and earphones, which I used when I was trying to sleep (hospitals aren't very quiet, also the music helped me stop thinking and overthinking), some dry Shampoo and my hairbrush, eye mask (did not end up using), my e-reader and some magazines.