rtaylor

I developed Barretts esophagitis from my reflux, including a lovely precancerous Barrett's polyp. Gastric bypass was my only option for WLS. Guess what?!?!?!?! My Barrett's is now gone! No more reflux, no more polyps, and my esophagus is normal. So glad I had the bypass surgery.

Yes girl! I have zero issues now except for lamb (its too tough on my pouch, might wait longer) but trust me it will get better. During the first 2 months I couldnt keep anything down including protein shakes. I just got so sick and nauseated, it was awful.
I tried to eat different things everyday. Some days i didnt eat even during pureed stage, other days I was able to hold something down. Ill be honest though, I think you need to just listen to your body and continue trying. I wasnt even able to hold water down because it made me sick too but for some reason I felt like I just wanted to try a fresh homemade juice so I did and I was able to keep it down! I did some fresh squeezed orange juice with a lot of water added to it and then tried a passion fruit juice I made from the pulp. I was finally able to get some fluid in me because I just listened to my body.
As far as food, I tried something different everyday. I started with eggs but that didnt work, then tuna, tried protein shakes again, still nothing. I was throwing up left and right. I cant tell you the amount of different things I tried each day. I was literally living off of my glasses of passion fruit juice. I started getting a strong craving and a want to try watermelon, mind you I never really ate watermelon before surgery and to my surprise I was able to tolerate it! The watermelon helped me get more fluid in and feel better.
Know that I did speak to my surgeon and dietitian before going the fruit route and they gave me the ok to continue it because it was the only thing my body wanted. They were more concerned about preventing me from dehydration then the protein. I couldnt even look at meat or protein shakes without gagging. They told me sometimes we just have to give the body time to normalize which is what I did. My body took 2 months to normalize, more time than the average, but I came out stronger.
Just know you will eventually feel better and this is just a hurdle you need to go through. Hopefully you are not as bad as I was. Keep trying and keep listening. Im not saying if your body is wanting a pepperoni and cheese pizza to go for it, but run everything by your team and try things that are within reason.
Good luck! ❤️ we are cheering for you!

I promise it gets better!! Just keep at it, keep walking!

For soft foods, I loved refried beans with a little cheese and sour cream. You can Google buffalo chicken puree, that's yummy too. Or ricotta bake. I had trouble with creamy soups because they went through too quickly and I got the sweats and nauseous but I could do pureed veggie soup or tomato soup.

I'm 7 weeks out and eating normal food. It feels like it will never happen but it does! I promise. (Still can't do chicken breast but love me some chicken thighs!).

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I’m not sure if it’s different for other people but I still can’t chug water. I miss it so much lol

I wish I had known how many foods my stomach wouldn't tolerate anymore and that food wouldn't be fun, just fuel, going forward.

What I wish I knew before I had surgery five years ago.
When vets told me you will be able to eat more as you progress was so true.
Working on the mental battles of weight loss was not easy. Overcoming my behaviors was one of the best gifts out of surgery. They are not 100% gone. I manage them much better.
I'm older 45 day of surgery - 51 now. All the stress over vanity was a bit ridiculous for me. Honestly, I look better not obese. My loose skin is livable and I have gained muscle weight lifting. It has filled out the skin a bit. I looked into plastics twice. I backed out both times. I am happy with my body and rock my old fart self.
Transitioning to maintenance was not what I had expected.

Marena compression garments are used after liposuction to reduce swelling and helped my daughter after her 150 pound weight loss after RNY. She has very little excess skin, even on her belly where she carried all of her weight. They’re not cheap, but you only need a couple of full body garments. I’m wearing them now after my vsg and they really do help A LOT!!

I do wish I had been prepared for the saggy skin, particularly on my neck (which can't really be disguised).
The other big thing for which I was not prepared was the how much of my social life revolved around eating and drinking. It is still awkward to go out to dinner with people and only order an appetizer, with people constantly urging, "Oh, come on--one piece of cheesecake isn't going to make a difference--you are so thin!" I've also given up alcohol completely, and since we can't do carbonated beverages, that basically leaves tap water as my drink of choice when everyone else is having wine or champagne. I don't mind, but I get tired of telling people I really don't want anything else, particularly when they don't know I've had the surgery.