The Greater Fool

Feeding tubes aren't the standard fare for WLS. As you say, you had so many complications you are likely one of very few folks that have had to deal with them. The positive side is the site now has someone with experience of feeding tubes. You're our foremost authority. Hang in there, Tek

I like the cut of your jib. Tek

Welcome to the forums. Just a caution, but there are some real jerks around here :cough:The Greater Fool:cough: so when it comes to a choice of doing what we say or what you Doc says, your Doc wins. Period. Remember that the first 6 weeks post-op may be difficult. You may not be able to eat enough. Hang in there and work your plan. Learn. Do better. Exciting and interesting times ahead. Enjoy it no matter how miserable you are Good luck Tek

Sometimes, I think dealing with insurance is dropping into the 9th circle of hell. Good Luck Tek

I was too large to fit on any scale but my surgeons, so I had no way of knowing if I lost weight until my first weigh in, a month after surgery. Spoiler, I lost weight. Ultimately, it all worked out ok for me. Scales lie. Every day if you give them the chance. Scale comes from two greek roots: 'Sca' (Ska) meaning 'crap' and 'Le' (Lie) meaning 'to mislead', so 'misleading crap.' Good luck, Tek

My #1 tip, well imperative, really: Learn your Doc's plan, internalize it, then follow it completely and without exception. Success or failure rests on compliance. Good Luck, Tek

Just like that. Well, use different words, in a different order, but it seems you have the basic principles in hand. Tek

Did you by chance get a little food stuck before this began? At any rate, my guess would be you got food stuck, or a large enough chunk irritated stuff on the way down, causing a bit of swelling, that once started just kept getting re-irritated and keeping the swelling going. This would account for most of the sensations you are having. From the other end, good and consistent bowel movements? Any sort of back-up could also create such feelings. Or, even the slightest strain could have strained the stomach muscles, again causing inflamation. in the first couple months, things you don't even notice when they happen can create some swelling, creating issues. It will generally work itself out eventually, just don't force things. By my reading of your drinking, when you complete your 9am protein drink you are at 30(ish) ounces. You may be over-achieving on drinking. Maybe allow your first 16oz of water last for a couple hours more, move your 11am drink to start at 1pm. Just an off the wall idea. I'm also unsure of your protein bar. Those things are like eating bricks. If you simply must have more protein, do some drink. What does your plan say? Are you supposed to be eating protein bricks? I notice the rest of your diet is still liquid, I don't know your plan, so you need to evaluate if your are following it, which I say so often, follow your Doc's plan to the letter. Hope things get better, Tek

I figured out the curiosity part. The question gave it away

This is an Interesting question. Makes me wonder the motivation behind it. Good luck. Tek

Stopping pills varies by surgeon. Certainly, I continued taking my meds uninterrupted. So OP, you will work all this out with your surgeon. Good luck, Tek

Following your Doc's plan is more important than counting calories, or carbs, or protein, or whatever. Unless, of course, you're Doc's program involves counting things, then do it with devotion. While I'm sure my Doc's program was intended to get us into a particular range on protein, carbs, calories, etc., if I was following the plan I didn't need to count anything but meals. My Doc's plan was 3 meals of 3oz protein, 1oz veggies. The 3x3oz of protein would get me to 60g protein. The calories and carbs would likewise be within the appropriate range. Thus, I just needed to focus on simple 3oz protein, 1oz veggies each meal. First 6 weeks, same thing but pureed. Early on I had a problem even getting half way through the protein, let alone much else, but this was to be expected. By the end of the first 6 weeks I was getting appropriate quantities. So, if you're following your Doc's plan you are doing great. Keep up the good work. Good luck Tek

I don't have any low anything meal plan, let alone a week long one. My pouch is pretty much the boss from hell. If I try to plan anything, my boss from hell changes what it wants me to eat. So every meal is a negotiation that the boss from hell always wins. One benefit of the boss from hell is I don't have to think about calories, carbs, weight, or much of anything. Food does not rule my life, the boss from hell does. I know this didn't help your question one bit. But I didn't really come to this thread for that. I didn't want you to feel lonely, so I thought I'd come say hi. Hi. Good luck Tek

Welcome to the forums. Get rid of your scale. Your RNY doesn't need you to know your weight to work. You also won't be vexed by events of which you are currently vexed. Personal anecdote: I was too large for any scale but my surgeons. Thus, I could only weigh at Doc's office. After months and months I was finally able to weigh at home. I did if a very few times just because I could, then I never weighed myself again, except at annual physicals. Focus on your plan. Do your plan. It will work if you work it. [Cool cliche, huh?] Good luck and enjoy the ride. Tek

Just return to your plan. It's not quick, it's not flashy, but it will get you where you want to go. We got to our pre-op weights by doing crash diets, 'special' workouts, and every other dietary flash in the pan that came and went. You had surgery so you wouldn't have to live life this way. Slow and steady wins this race. Good luck, Tek

Welcome to the forums. I'd be willing to bet you are trying to drink too quickly. Warm tea folks tend to sip slowly. You should drink everything as if it's hot and will burn your tongue. Small sips, small sips. Watch the fruit juices are they are a lot of sugar, and the Gatorades as they are loaded with sugars and salts. You are on the right track with SF flavors, eventually you will find one that just clicks. Also, SF Popsicles force you to go slow, and it counts for drinking. I still love these. Warm drinks... thinking... thinking... You know, you can drink ANYTHING warm. I usually have a huge cup of something usually at room temperature. Hot/Cold is not a big deal to me. Good luck, Tek

A lot depends on your plan post-op. A lot of folks are on protein shakes only, a lot aren't. If you're actually eating food, do a test run preparing a post-op meal. You'll see what would make it easier. As a different view, I never used special plates, spoons, forks, or whatever. Because I was on pureed food for 6 weeks, a blender helped. Once you measure 3oz of protein for a week of 3 meals, I was able to accurately eyeball it thereafter. I wouldn't buy any medical stuff unless the Doc says you'll need it. I was open and I didn't have a binder or anything else. Oddly, being OCD I've over prepared for enough things to learn it's best to wait until I have an actual need. I spent a lot of money on things I thought I might need only to have them sit it a closet never used. Good luck and enjoy the ride. Tek

What does your Doc's plan say? Compliance is not just a river in Egypt. Fruit and fruit juice are very high in sugar, and if I'm gonna dump on something, it's going to be fruit juice. So, if you don't listen to me about compliance, listen to me about this. I've previously said that about 50% of RNY Post-ops dump, but it's actually my Doc's odds for me. It actually depends on how much is bypassed, slight procedure differences, and personal differences, so it can be as low as 20% or as high as 50%. [I did a google]. If you dump and get constipated, as I sometimes do, I do just enough fruit juice to cause things to loosen up, which is a symptom of dumping. If you don't listen to the first two parts, don't listen to this because it's not smart to try to dump as it can always go worse than you hope. So, in summary, Plan, dumping, constipation. Go out and kill it. Tek

Weclome to the forum. Hmm, "Positive advice" is not usually my thing... let me think. Nervous but excited is pretty normal. Focus on the excited part. I started a journal because it 1) allowing me to put the thoughts I wrote out of my mind; 2) I apparently have a rotten memory on some things; and 3) documenting your progress and changes. Oh, and 4) It's a distraction. You know you could d... Carp, never mind... staying positive. Distract yourself by doing stuff you enjoy in which you can immerse yourself. Part of my journal was 50 things I want to do post-op. Then cross them off as you accomplish them. It was fun. I've got load of 'negetive' and stern stuff. You're really missing out. Tek

It's a story as old as time... First you look, just a quick look which turns into a long, langorous gaze, taking in every curve... Then, you just must touch. Just a little touch. Before you know it, you're holding it, caressing the peperoni... Next thing you know, you are waking up in a gutter with pizza stains on your cuff, wondering where your weekend went. Nine months later, a pizza delivery guy shows up at your door with a package... Tek

Do you dump?

Congratulations. Tek

As I keep repeating, it is critical to stay on plan. That your plan changed from your Doc's "bible" is exactly the point. The Doc knows what he did better than us strangers on the interwebs. You did the plan your doc gave you. If we encounter issues on Doc's plan then we need to work with Doc to adjust as may be appropriate. This then becomes the plan with which we need to remain in compliance. Making our own changes is a recipe for problems now and for the future. Changing our plans ourselves, or because people on the internet have a different way that worked for them, is ruinous. It's a trap. My Doc's plan didn't take a bible to convey. It was 9 simple rules (principles). Yet... When I began binge running I could not maintain both the plan and the binge running. I worked with my Doc on adjusting my plan. I then had a plan that would have been off-plan for his other patients. As I progressed my plan changed still more: I was his only patient allowed to supplement with protein drinks. My plan no longer resembled my Doc's standard plan. I still focused on staying on plan. But, the changes you and your doc made, or me and my doc made, don't change the fact that everyone should work their plan with their doc. And stay in compliance with it. Tek

That's not unreasonable. It is a drastic action and you really need to be sure. Tek

If the program is protein shakes, then this is what was agreed to pre-op. At least, I agreed to my post-op program before surgery. Does anyone NOT know what their plan is post-op? Unfortunately, not enough people actually think about and ask detailed questions about their early post-op programs. Like a typical 5 year old I asked "why?" a lot. By time I had surgery, I understood Doc's thinking so I understood how to replace one example of something with a different thing that also satisfies Doc's program. I think most docs go with protein drinks or liquids because they think it will be easier. It doesn't always turn out this way. Putting energy into whatever the plan calls for *is* worth the energy. But, you are right, it is about finding a way that works... WITH the Doc. Which get's us to advocating for ourselves when difficulties arise. Make a plan together, make a plan together for monitoring, make a plan together for what happens. When changes are made with the Doc, you are still on program. Tek