RhondaHigdon

On 12/28/2020 at 7:30 PM, bufbills said:

Yep. This is my struggle as well. I'm full right now. One or two bites to many is all it takes. I have so much trouble eating slowly. Ugh...I'm afraid I'm stretching my sleeve sometimes.

Same here. I have your problem. I don't know why I feel like Im always in a hurry? I think it is from having kids and always trying to get too many things done at once. I sometimes wish I'd gotten the sleeve, because this bypass stomach is so small, I can hardly get anything into it,

1 hour ago, Moon2408 said:

I'm 5 weeks post op today and having similar issues..I tend to choose puree or liquid things because I know that I can eat them with relatively little problem. I went to Olive Garden with my sister and daughter yesterday and had Soup and 1 meatball. I wish I could take home a pound of those meatballs! lol!! they were very soft and very easy to get down! I only ate half of the meatball and half of the Soup and was full. I have found in the last week that chicken is still not good as it is too dry. Currently looking up recipes for soft meatballs, etc. Maybe focusing on different ground meats made into a soft meatball might be good?? I also make a Protein Shake in the morning that has around 35-40 gm of Protein so that definitely helps me to get in a good amount of my Protein for the day!!

Thank you so very much for the idea. I might just have to go to OLive Garden today. That sounds so good. I get so tired of eating the same things. Thanks again.

On 12/27/2020 at 9:03 AM, Tannedhaggis2 said:

I am struggling to eat healthy. Even scrambled egg seems to get stuck. I don’t seem to be able to detect my level of fullness until it’s too late and I have the stuck feeling with copious amounts of saliva. How have you successfully transitioned from liquids to solids? Any tips would be appreciated.

I am right here with you. I want to eat, but I'm scared. It actually hurts sometimes. I try some many things and then I just can't seem to stomach another Protein Shake, at all. I do put Protein in everything I drink and eat so I can get my protein. I don't know either. I'm sorry. I have the very same problem. I hope we both get through it soon.

On 1/26/2021 at 3:03 PM, ElPasoSleeveGal said:

I am 1 month post op today. And I am literally grossed out by everything. Even when I think something is going to be delicious to eat (for example tuna) couple bites in I'm so over it and never want to see it again. I'm running out of food options during this soft food diet here It's actually very frustrating and I wanna cry.

Sent from my SM-N981U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am right here with you. I am or will be 6 wks post-op on Feb 23rd, and I can hardly eat anything. I try. All that tastes good to me is Jello. I want to eat. I think the food smells good and I crave certain things but I can't eat them. IDK, maybe it is still really too soon to be worried about eating. However, I'm sick to death of Protein Shakes. I just about can't do those anymore, and i have tried many and spent lots of money trying to find things I can eat and like.

3 minutes ago, WishMeSmaller said:

Since surgery, when I overdo it, I feel terrible. Like shaky and nauseated, along with the soreness. Make sure you drink plenty of Water for the next few days, and get plenty of Protein to aid with healing. Do Protein Shakes if nothing else will go down. Early on after surgery, I did have some heartburn. If it persists, be sure to discuss with your surgeon.

Take care 💕

Thanks so much. I do feel much better with the exception of very stabbing pain that comes off and on under my left rib cage? IDK? I get so worried about something being wrong. I pray not. Thanks again, Rhonda

10 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

I think you’re right, you may have done too much too quickly. But hopefully that’s all and you’ll be back in good shape in no time.

Get Well Soon ❤️

Thanks so much. I do feel better, except last night I started having really sharp pain off and on under my left rib cage? IDK what this means but it hurts really bad when it comes.

HI,

I don't know what I was thinking. I felt good? Anyway, a couple of days ago I walked over a mile 3 days in a row and walked as fast and hard as I could. That was a huge mistake. I wasn't thinking about my stomach bouncing around and not only did my Dr, do my gastric bypass he did 5hrs worth of work on my messed up intestines. I didn't do anything the past 2 days I was hurting so bad, not to mention yesterday I ran a fever all day that didn't get above 100.4. I was going to call my Dr today, but the fever is gone, so that is a good sign. However, not only am I so sore, I have lost my apatite, not my taste. Also, I hadn't had any problem with heartburn, but today it has been so terrible I took 2 of the Omeprozole pills. That didn't even work. Any insight to what might be going on with me? I would so greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks Rhonda

2 hours ago, Rose🌹 said:

It is currently 2 weeks after my Gastric Bypass in Jan. I know its just the beginning & its going to take time. But I do have a couple of questions.

1. I am having a bit difficulty drinking Water. I didn't have any problems with Water, I drank 6-8 cups of water, if not more. Now when I take even two sips of water my chest and back hurts, likes its full. I follow my doctor direction not to drink at least 30 minutes after eating. I am hardly getting 1 bottle in a day. I push thru the pain to drink an 16oz bottle. I was able to drink it more easier with crystal light mixed in which was only twice (or maybe it was perfect timing where everything was going smoothly internally). FYI, I drink from a bottle.

2. I was told by my doctor to start this past Sunday on puree food. I have such a hard time eating boiled eggs. I feel the same with like I do with the water even on an empty stomach. I chew it down to a mush.

3. I have pain on one incision (the main one). The pain is on and around the incision, not red and no pus discharge. But when I try to get off of bed it feels likes a big lump/ball inside that feels uncomfortable.

Has anyone had these problems and what can I do to help? Are there any other problems I might face in the future?

Thank You

As for the water intake, that is the best you can do just keep it handy and sip all thru the day in between your "meals". I am 3 wks post-op and at my one wk visit the I also had a very hard knot inside one of my incisions, and it was red and warm to the touch. My Dr. prescribed 10 days of antibiotics, but he was concerned with infection being it was so sore to touch and the heat off of it. Now, once all that got better, I made the mistake of walking way to hard and fast and jiggled all my insides and put myself down for a couple of days. As a matter of fact, yesterday on Feb 1 i ran a fever low grade all day long. I had decided that i was going to call my Dr today, but no fever now. Thank you Jesus. Anyway, just when you walk be sure and walk, not push yourself so hard until we are completely healed. I have paid dearly. Also, today I haven't hardly been able to eat anything. I have no apatite at all, not to mention major heartburn?? I hope this helps, they said my knot would take quite some time to go away. As long as it doesn't hurt when you push on it, or not red or any heat, I'd think it would be ok, However, I am NO Doctor, so please I am just telling you my experience to compare. I hope it helps and I hope that you feel better very soon.

On 12/25/2020 at 1:48 PM, merraculous said:

I have noticed a tremendous amount of energy since having my surgery just over a week ago. I am not trying to push it because I do not want any complications. I know that it is extremely early to even have this cross my mind, but to be honest with all of you I feel like I am having the smoothest possible recovery. I have just started having a little bit of yogurt today, and want to be able to jump start some sort of fitness regime while I have this good feeling. I have not been doing much except taking the dogs out for an hour walk around the block. Does any one else have new found energy? Want to work out but know they cant? When is the safest time to start something?

well, I just had my gastric bypass on Jan 12th and I wish I had not overdone it. I went to a basically empty mall where I live and people go there to get there walking done inside. I am only 3wks post-op, and not mention the Dr did 5 hrs worth of work on my intestines, besides the bypass. I walked 3 days in a row as fast as I could and all the bouncing on my belly was a really bad idea. So, start slow, and make sure you are good and healed before doing what I did. I am still paying for it. The pain?? I even had a fever all day yesterday, but none today, so I guess I am fine?

On 1/22/2021 at 5:04 PM, Jetsfan2020 said:

My revision took over 5 hours as well. My doctor said I had a lot of scar tissue. The sleeve the first time only took him 45 minutes. He says this is somewhat common for it to happen. I had lots of post op complications as well. Ive lost a lot though so aside from being nauseas all the time the weight loss was markedly better this time around.

Well, I had just had 5 c-sectons, and in between those I had a tubal reversal. Which worked. I had 3 more children. Hence the 5 C-secions, 1 tubal reversal, Then I had a complete hysterectomy. Just so much scar tissue. I am sorry to hear that you have been so nauseated. I have been lucky as far as that goes. Only a little, a couple of times. I just did make me some of those ricotta cheese bake, and I was scared to death, but I just took my time and so far so good. I have had 2 of them. I'm scared to try anything else. I am such a picky eater. I don't like yogurt at all. I don't like tuna fish, which i can use the can chicken.

Anyway, back to the surgery part when I woke up in recovery I felt like my stomach was on fire. I was begging the nurses for relief. I was in recovery for quite sometime. I don't know why, but all my Dr was giving me was Toradol and Tylenol. The following day that worked fine, but right out of surgery, not so much. Thanks for letting me know I wasn't a lone wolf. Rhonda

1 hour ago, Jetsfan2020 said:

My revision took over 5 hours as well. My doctor said I had a lot of scar tissue. The sleeve the first time only took him 45 minutes. He says this is somewhat common for it to happen. I had lots of post op complications as well. Ive lost a lot though so aside from being nauseas all the time the weight loss was markedly better this time around.

Well, I didn't have the sleeve to start with, but I really have only lost about 25lbs and that is including the 11 days of pre-op diet that I lost I know 10lbs on. I'm not hungry persey, but I still sometimes just wish I could eat food again already, even tho it's gonna be so different. I'm sorry that you have been so nauseated. I think I have been quite lucky, as far as that goes.

10 minutes ago, Uomograsso said:

Try putting them in the freezer for 30 minutes and get them icy cold. I have found that can help.

Thanks I will give that a try, for sure.

5 hours ago, BigSue said:

Have you tried Protein powders that you mix yourself? They have a little bit different texture than the ready-to-drink shakes, so you might like them better. You can also get clear Protein powders that are more like juice than shakes (e.g., Syntrax Nectar). I also highly recommend protein hot cocoa. I think it goes down easier than cold shakes. The BariatricPal brand is delicious, but the ProtiDiet brand that you can get on Amazon is almost as good and costs less. If you make it with Fairlife milk instead of Water, it has as much protein as a shake.

I usually did make my own Protein Shakes with my blender and the protein powders. I really like them. I just really like a lot of ice and I know that I can't fill up on ice right now. I wish I could, I'd be a happy camper, for sure. I guess the first ice cold Protein Shake they gave me in the hospital was the "Oh Yeah", and oh my goodness I thought it was Heaven. So I came home and ordered a case and by the time it was delivered to me, only 2 days I couldn't stand the taste? I don't get this. I hope later on I can blend them up with some ice and fruit or something and make them work. I payed way too much for those things. Big mistake. Thanks for your input.

6 hours ago, billho said:

Rhonda, I am in Winston-Salem, so not too far from you. Where are you finding Fairlife shakes? I have been looking and haven't seen them anywhere. My local food Lion has Fairlife milk, but not the shakes.

I like Premier Protein shakes. There's a sale on them right now at costco, so they aren't too much. I think it is $17.99 for a case of 18 (normally a few dollars more). The Caffe Latte flavor is my favorite, but also like some of the others.

I find the Fairlife with 24grams of Protein on the Cereal isle in food Lion, near the Protein Bars and such. I have tried Premier but just didn't care for those either. I am used to making my own, but I just haven't felt like doing all the work. Being lazy I suppose, but I wasn't sure if I could use all the ice. I like my smoothies with lots of ice. I think I need to do some modifying. I hope this helps you find the FAirlife. I can usually find the choclote and vanilla.

3 minutes ago, WishMeSmaller said:

Right after surgery I really struggled with Protein Shakes. They all tasted like rotten milk to me. It gets better. Just buy small amounts of anything you can find to try. Hopefully you will be able to drink the ones you invested in in a month or two. 🤞🏻I usually just drank a vanilla Premier Protein. They still tasted like 💩 to me, but I could get them down eventually.

goid luck! 😊

Thanks, and so far at least I can stomach the Fairlife ones. Barely. That is what I'm hoping for at least will not be money waisted. I can't afford that. Thanks so much Rhonda

5 hours ago, NovaLuna said:

I drink the Walmart brand pre-made Protein Drinks. But I also have the Premier clear Protein (it's like a juice. The peach one is delicious) and I've also bought a few Protein2o (tastes like Hint Water, if you've ever had that). There's also the Isopure Protein ones that are similar to the Premier clear (but with twice the amount of protein. Premier has 20g and Isopure has 40g). The Isopure I had found at Dollar General, but I haven't seen them in a while. The Protein2o you can get basically anywhere (I've bought them at both Walmart and Rite Aid). Trying to find one you can tolerate the taste of may take a while. I wish you luck!

Thanks so much for the ideas. I really appreciate all your time and response. I have a few of the Protein2o, and they aren't bad. It just blew my mind how from the hospital to 2 days at home my taste buds changed again that quick? So weird, and I can't afford to keep buying cases of drinks that I can't get down. It is just irritating to me. I guess I need to remember Im just 5 days post-op. I can always use the ready-to-drink in my blender and add fruit or something, later on.

I just had my Gastric Bypass on Jan 12th, and my Dr. started me on ready-to-drink Protein Shakes in the hospital. They had the brand "Oh Yeah" in vanilla. I loved them. I got home spent $65 on the only web-site I could find them in stock, and I received them this morning the 17th. They taste terrible to me!! I had been trying to drink the Fairlife with 24grams of Protein, but could barely get them down. Well, now that the "Oh Yeah" are here they taste terrible??? What is wrong with me? I feel like I just don't know what to do. I can't afford to waste money like that and now I feel like I have to drink them, but they aren't setteling on my stomach like they were, and the taste? I just don't know what to think. Any advise please, I would be so greatful. Thanks Rhonda

1 hour ago, Lola2122 said:

HI - thanks so much for your insights. I feel like as long as I’m peeing, I’m not dehydrated, right? I haven’t even gotten to the point where I’m trying Protein Shakes or puréed food, since I’m only five days post surgery. I’m going to try the tea you suggested, and maybe popcicles. I’ll call the office tomorrow and see what she says. Thanks!

Hi Lola, I had my gastric bypass on the 12th, and I have been drinking Protein Shakes since the second day after, but every Dr, is different as are we, It is true tho, my taste buds changed completely. i am so glad that I listened to the folks on here and only bought a few things to try at a time. Before surgery, I made my own Protein shakes with ice and Protein Powder in a blender, but right now I am still not up to doing all of that and the only 'ready to drink' Protein Drink I can get down is the "Oh Yeah" brand. They are out of stock on Walmart.com, but I know GNC carries them. Typically, Id want chocolate, Not anymore....I only want the vanilla. If you can get your hands on a couple of those maybe give them a try. I hope that you feel better soon. Please keep me posted.

21 hours ago, Deb9386 said:

My RNY bypass took over 3.5 hours because during my last caesarean layers had apparently been caught up in the stitching. My surgeon showed me photos and video afterwards which was gross! I'm glad he sorted it out but he did say it'd take a bit longer to heal and I've had more pain than I perhaps expected. It's feeling better now 3 months out. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks so much Deb. I don't think it has been too bad once I got thru that first night. That was a rough one. I know it was due to all the scar tissue my Dr. cleaned up for me. I already feel better in the sense that whatever he did effected my bladder as well, because before this surgery I was the lady with my bladder on a leash. Today being my 4th day post-op I woke up feeling a little rough, but it was also a hour and half past time for my nausea meds. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm so happy all is going well with you.

5 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

Congrats & I'm glad your Surgeon is a rockstar. I'm glad you feel better already.

My conversion from VSG to RNY to a lot longer than my surgeon expected (~3 addition hours) because he had to clear the field of a great deal of adhesions.

Glad it all went well for you as well. Thanks for sharing and, yes my Dr. is a Rockstar.

8 minutes ago, Deb9386 said:

My RNY bypass took over 3.5 hours because during my last caesarean layers had apparently been caught up in the stitching. My surgeon showed me photos and video afterwards which was gross! I'm glad he sorted it out but he did say it'd take a bit longer to heal and I've had more pain than I perhaps expected. It's feeling better now 3 months out. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks for sharing, and glad to hear that you are doing good. I actually had 5 c-sections, 1 tubal reversal, and a complete hysterectomy thru the same incisions place. But all in all, I don't think I'm doing too bad the pain isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thanks again.

2 minutes ago, WishMeSmaller said:

Wow 😳 Glad you are doing better. I hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly! 💕

Thank you so very much. I for sure am going to follow all of Dr.'s orders to the T. I sure wouldn't want him to have to go back in.

Hi to all. I haven't been on the forum to post for couple of days, as I had my surgery on Jan 12th. I am just curious if anyone else has ever had a 5 hour long gastric bypass. My poor Dr. worked on my lower intestines where I had so much scar tissue and he said if he hadn't fixed it that later on in life it would have given me lots of trouble. So, I'm actually very blessed that my Dr. went above and beyond for my health. However, I paid for it with the pain. Oh my goodness!!!!! I'm talking pain scale of 10 for awhile. It felt like my stomach was on fire. However, by the next morning I was much better. I only had to stay 2 nights and they were thinking 3 at first, so that of course more good news. I just wanted to share and say Hi and I'm glad to be back home.

5 hours ago, yumna.zafar said:

Oh please do NOt go through the horrible pain i went through as soon as i woke up from the surgery! do let your doctor know ur tolerance level and don't hesitate to ask him for stronger pain killers! SCREAM if need be to let the nurses hear you! My father had to force the doctor to put me on stronger pain killers because i was in TREMENDOUS pain. Also, tip, it helps to walk the same day after the surgery even if your scared. don't be! walking will help the gas release that they use during the surgery!

I wish you all the luck in the world!! I respect the people now who go through these surgeries it is NOT easy and i hate those who think we took a EASY way out. Definitly NOT easy way out. It's a hard decision to take and I'm rooting for you!

Thanks so much for your support. I will for sure take your advice. It just seems they(the Dr's) want to act like the surgery patients just want to take pain medication for the heck of it? I will let them know, I mean it makes recovery so much easier if you aren't in so much pain. We will/would be able to walk more to work the soreness out. Thanks again. You are so kind.

Also, Shout out to your Father for making sure they helped you.

24 minutes ago, yumna.zafar said:

Hi everyone! Thank you for your kind replies! ❤️ means so much to me!

So here is the update.

I had my gastric sleeve

surgery on November 29th 2020. I am now 1 month and approx 1 week - The first week post op was HORRIBLE! my doctor and nurses didn't give me strong enough pain killers. There was more pain of the Gas they insert + the anesthesia rather than the actual surgery! 3rd day when i got back home i had a fever for about 3 - 4 days so the doctor kept me on antibiotics for a full week. Thankfully everything was fine - was just my body adjusting.

After the fever ended i had trouble sleeping. First week and half I slept sitting on the couch - my neck, head and everything just hurt all the time. Was a complete struggle! Onceeeeee i was able to sleep things started to get better. I got annoyed of the liquid diet into the 3rd week and when i was allowed to have purreed i was a little happier.

Finally now i am on soft/all foods - Nutrionist has told me to go slowly see what my stomach handles what it doesn't. I've managed to stay away from GERD and ACID reflux i am very happy about that! But yes - i have had dizzy spells, have puked. I've managed to loose approx 13kgs till now. January has been slower every since i started solid foods. So a little disappointed but too early i guess to be disappointed. People already see a huge change. I started work again so that does make me quite happy. Still a very longgggg way to go.

question - doctor has kept me on 800 calorie diet for the remainder of the year with low card low/no sugar and lots of Protein. out of your experience is that the right path?

Im keeping up with all my Vitamins, thankfully I'm easily able to swallow pills - so I'm very happy abt that. Will start working out properly soon - have already started walking and even riding a bike =D

Thank you for the insight. Apologies for the delayed update - the surgery took a whole month out of my life :P! but I'm here now! I've written my update above

Yay! good to know i made the right call!

Hello fellow Dubai-ite! glad to see you here! I'm glad this forum has people from around the word helps us see everyone's experiences - it surely has helped me this past few months looking for answers.

Absolutely no reason for apologies at all. I am glad to hear that you are doing betther. I am going for my bypass on Jan !2, and I am worried myself that they will not give strong enough pain medication, if needed. I don't understand that at all. That is what the medicine is made for? I just don't get it, but glad to hear from you. Sounds like you are doing great.