ChunkCat

I had bone broths but not much else. My stomach was just too sensitive. My surgeon told me to focus on fluids until the nausea eased and whey stopped making me feel sick. He said our body has about 3 weeks of stores for protein and fluid is more crucial in the beginning since it's what keeps you out of the ER! He was confident my stomach would adjust. He was right! I met my fluid goals every day. I could do milk by the end of the first week so I drank lactose free Fairlife milk. I finally got the protein working when my Dad suggested I water it down to thin it out. I've read it here before but in that post surgery haze I forgot! Watering it down worked perfectly until I could handle it full strength... I could do clear proteins before I could do milky ones. I still can't do jello though. ?

Good job!! You look fantastic!

I loved the Thai flavors of Kettle & Fire, though they are costly. Not as costly as a dinner out though! LOL I also love the fuzzy navel version of Syntrax Nectars. You can get samples of them pretty easily. I like these more than pre-made waters because there are no sugar alcohols in them. MyProtein makes clear whey isolate powders in Mike and Ike flavors, I like the watermelon the best, the cherry was weird. I had to drink the Premier Protein ready made shakes for my pre-op diet according to my doctor so I tried all sorts of those, I like Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Roll, Vanilla, and Cafe Latte the most. But they are not my favorite protein. My favorite one is R Kane Nutritionals Pro-Cal powders. They taste like melted milkshakes when you make them with milk. I have no clue what sorcery they used to manage that, but they do. BariatricPal also makes these little protein shots in fruit flavors that are sweet sour and pretty tasty when you need something fast. The tartness makes them easier for me to drink. I will caution one thing, don't buy a ton of things, get samples when you can. Because post surgery your tastes may change dramatically. Mine did, I can't taste sweet spices anymore and I can taste the whey in ANYTHING. I ordered a ton from Unjury and I can't stand any of it... I'm so annoyed. But my biggest issue is that whey sits heavy in my stomach and I couldn't get any protein drinks down for at least two weeks. I'm just starting to ease them back into rotation, but it is still hard to get a whole one down. So have a variety of samples for post op, but be careful what you buy full sized unless you have someone else that will consume what you don't.

I weigh more than you so that's not relevant, but I had the DS surgery 3 weeks ago. You want to talk about rewiring your intestines for weight loss?? Yeah, did that. I had a moment of panic after the surgery when it really truly hit me that I'd permanently altered my body and couldn't predict how it would look 30 years down the road. And then I internally slapped myself and reminded myself that how my life was looking pre-surgery in 30 years was death or disability even worse than what I have now, and that NO ONE can say what their life is going to look like in the next 30 years, or even in the next year. Life doesn't work that way. Nothing comes with guarantees. I was very afraid of the complications a DS can have. But I decided complications from diabetes and high blood pressure and high cholesterol were worse. You may not have these now but you may very well have them in the next 10 years. I was perfectly fine until I was 37. I have had no major complications so far, just some nausea. My tastebuds have changed and it turns out avocado no longer tastes good to me and I can't taste sweet spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. I'm told that will balance out in time, its the hormones playing with my tastebuds like a pregnant woman. For two weeks my stomach did these twisty cartwheels inside me every time I drank or ate something, but that eased too, as I knew it would. I had family and friends rather skeptical of doing this surgery, especially because I am that 1% person who always gets the rare complications from things. But turns out so far I've had a rather boring recovery and I hope that continues to be the case, but if it doesn't, I'll deal with it. Because I no longer want to live the yo-yo life of trying desperately to normalize my weight on my own. I have lost 21 lbs in 3 weeks post surgery! I didn't think this would work for me but it is working... Yes, for the first few weeks getting that water in feels like a huge chore. But eventually you find your groove... Same with protein. And as my dietician reminded me today, they are GOALS, not absolutes that have to be perfect on the first day. I couldn't get down protein drinks for the first two weeks. In the end you will do what is right for you at this time. If you don't do the surgery now you will do it later down the road and be one of the people who wishes they'd done it sooner. I wish I'd known about this option in my 20s, I would have lived a very different life.

I like Syntrax Nectar powders. You can get samples of the different flavors, I find them less sweet than the ready-to-drink ones and no sugar alcohols to anger my healing tummy. BariatricPal also sells protein shots that are 3 ounces, fruit flavors, and pack a nice protein punch. They are sweet but go down easy when I need something quick.

Have your favorite non-solid things and enjoy TIME with the people you love. It is hard for us to shift our mindset when so many of our holidays and rituals involve food, but we can always create new rituals. How about proposing a game night? Or going for a nice walk together? Or crafting ornaments for the tree? Doing things instead of eating things. I know it sounds like second best, but I promise you, it's not. I'm 3 weeks post op and still not on regular food. But I've been shifting my rituals with people from food based ones to activity and time based ones. It has been nice...

I'm so sorry you are going through this @Ashley Amari!! That is a LOT of hair loss. It is so shocking the things our bodies do when under stress. When I was in my early 20s I had an autoimmune flare and lost over 1/3 of the density of my hair. I've always had fine hair but a lot of it, that's no longer the case. In time some of it came back, but I kept having autoimmune flares and with each one I'd lose more and more. It has stabilized now that I'm on a biologic to stop the flares, and it is growing back now though I don't think it'll ever be as thick. But I am DREADING the shed from surgery. I had one after having a hysterectomy. It has all come back from that, it wasn't any worse than the autoimmune triggered ones, but at least it all came back from that! I have high hopes for you that while you have lost a lot for now, it should come back, and often comes back even healthier than before, probably because of all those vitamins we are taking! LOL There is *nothing* we can do to avoid this shed cycle, it is natural after a major surgery and serious weight loss, so don't worry it is something you did. It isn't. It will come back in its own sweet time and until then I bet you'll rock the hell out of that wig!! ❤️

I don't know if the OP was a troll but I think the post has merits for the reflections it has created. My partner sees a therapist that specializes in eating disorders. She seems to be rather WLS negative because she sees patients that struggle with it and regret it. But in talking about it I realized for most of these people the regrets are driven by unrealistic expectations or having food addiction issues they've never dealt with--they weren't prepared to say goodbye to their relationship with food like Babyspoons points out. The surgery is hard on our minds and if our head game isn't strong it will take us down! Unrealistic expectations are so damaging to one's long term happiness. I don't know if it is the individual's issue, or a combo of that and surgeons painting a fairytale picture, but I had pretty frank discussions with my surgeon and GP about what I could expect from the surgery. I don't expect to lose 50 lbs in this first month. I don't expect to ultimately get down to 130lbs. I've set a reasonable goal for myself and we all agree it is attainable if everything works right. Not everything works right all the time. But I picked the surgery that had the highest chance of giving me what I really wanted---a loss of my co-morbidities. I decided that if I could kiss my diabetes and high blood pressure and high cholesterol goodbye, it would be worth the surgery even if I don't lose all the weight. Of course I want to lose the weight, but I'm a pragmatic person and I had to really dig deep and decide how I'd feel if I never meet my weight loss goal. I didn't want to be stuck with regrets, I hate regrets. But I think most people don't do this internal work pre-surgery so they are left trying to reckon with it all post surgery when expectations don't meet reality. I think there is a lesson in that for all of us...

I have the caramel calcium chews and Barimelts vitamins. I haven't tasted them yet though. Trying to stagger the things I torment my new tummy with. I'll try them soon and follow up here. I have heard good things about the Celebrate line though!!

I had to do liquids for 2 weeks post op my DS. And am now on purees for a week. You'll get food soon, hang in there!! Then you'll have to contend with your gut being mad at everything you eat. ? I swear my stomach thinks most food is a bad idea. I can eat yogurt, pureed eggs, and fish (my surgeon told me I could eat fish early). This is amusing because eggs and fish are not my favorite foods by any means, but since my tastebuds have changed post surgery they are actually palatable! Everything else I've tried has ended badly in the bathroom... I'm hoping it'll get better once I move to Soft Foods next week!

LOL It's nice they are getting on board, even if it is over concern for your "last meals". I made sure I had korean bbq before surgery since that's the only meal I love that actually requires stomach capacity to enjoy! My "last" meal though was a few slices of really good pizza and a cocktail, since DS patients have to eat low carb post surgery and I knew I wouldn't be eating pizza like that again. And my surgeon says no alcohol for a year... Enjoy your food celebration before your pre-op diet!!

I have. I'm doing purees this week and apparently most of what I've tried my stomach doesn't like. Avocado? Tastes awful. Ricotta and tomato sauce? Too acidic, that was diarrhea for sure, and stomach pain. Refried beans? More diarrhea. LOL The only thing that seems to pass without objection is eggs, yogurt, and fish (my surgeon told me I could eat fish early). It seems this sort of trial and error is very common at this stage.

You can do this!! Everyone cleared you so that means they are confident it will be a safe surgery for you! Good luck in the morning!! ❤️

Wishing you a safe and boring surgery and an easy time in the hospital!! I look forward to hearing how it went!

I had my taste buds change about 4 days ago (I'm 2 weeks post op). It's awful!! I can't taste sweet spices at the moment, like cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect time of year to not be able to taste those things! LOL Also a number of savory things don't taste right anymore... I hear this taste change happens a lot in the 1st year. As for your family, you are going to have to set some firm boundaries there. I know it is hard to do with family, but if you don't set them now it'll only get worse. Just tell her you've had enough and you'll return to it later, then put your plate away... Tell her you get labwork to ensure you are getting enough nutrients, she doesn't need to worry. Your body is different now and your food needs are different. And that what you need most from her is SUPPORT in this new way of life, not encouragement to overeat. Parents have a hard time seeing their children as responsible adults who can care for their own bodies and lives. Sometimes we need to (kindly) remind them we've got this.

Yup! Feels like you've been on a sit-ups binge or really worked your core muscles hard! There isn't much you can do but be gentle. You can try ice if you want to, but they told me not to do heating pads over the abdomen for obvious reasons. Or you can try tylenol, sometimes it works on muscle pain. I just decided to live with it. I'm a little over 2 weeks out and the soreness is starting to fade. Hang in there!!

I thought I'd update this since I'm 2 weeks post op. The other day I was sitting on the couch and noticed I felt energy in my body. Like, excess energy. In fact, I realized I have more energy now than I did before surgery---and I'm still recovering from a major surgery!! How is that possible? How much better will it be when I'm recovered? I have not felt extra energy in my body in longer than I can remember. At least a decade. The surgeon thinks it is from the reduced inflammation in my system. All I know is that yesterday I went to the grocery store and was standing and roaming around for nearly an hour. I haven't been able to do that in years, my partner took over all the shopping duties. It seems like a small thing, but anyone with fatigue knows it is actually a very big thing! Today I was able to cook two meals and do the dishes, something else I haven't been able to do in a while. I'm sleeping better at night and going to bed pleasantly tired because I've actually been able to do something with my day besides sit on the couch! This is so foreign, but welcome... I had no idea the surgery would or even could do this!! If I knew I would have had this done a decade ago. I'm just rather blown away at the moment...

You look much trimmer and a good bit younger!! Very nice result, and you aren't even done yet!

Nope. In fact some surgeons won't do the surgery until you have an IUD placed! LOL The reason they have you stop BCP before surgery is that it can increase the risk of blood clots and the drugs given during surgery contain things which render your BCPs useless for at least a month. Most doctors require two forms of birth control, one being a barrier method. Not everyone has to do this, but I've seen it a lot.

They will, hang in there!! Mine just faded in the last two or three days and my surgery was on the 1st of Nov. I have read in several places that they usually fade between two and three weeks out, especially if you are on a PPI.

I had my 2 week follow up with my surgeon yesterday! Incisions are healing well, tummy is doing better, he cleared me to move to purees and said if I wanted to I could even try fish or eggs prepared soft since they both are relatively soft on the digestive system, though some don't do well on eggs. I had yogurt yesterday and it went down well, so last night I had some tuna fish and it was fine too!! No more awful twisting pains, just a dull ache if I eat or drink too fast. I'm so thankful I took that two weeks on fluids, I wouldn't have done as well if it was only one week. I needed the extra week to heal and let some swelling go down. I officially have lost 15 lbs since surgery. That's 29 lbs since my highest weight! The last time I lost 30 lbs was 20 years ago. I'm so amazed. I'm not losing super fast but that's okay, I'm good with slow as long as it is steady... I had enough energy to go through the grocery store yesterday!! I haven't been able to do that in a few years. It was just 45 minutes of walking and standing but it is such an improvement. I'm really grateful for all this. So glad I had the surgery...

I fully agree with you!! I have other medical conditions that have required treatment insurance has decided not to cover. Not for any good reason, just because they don't feel like it! I think one of the greatest tragedies in the US healthcare system is we let insurance companies make medical decisions that are supposed to be made by doctors and their patients. No corporate entity should be able to override my doctor when it comes to what I need for care. But, that's what you get in a capitalist society that thinks healthcare is a privilege. ? If it is any consolation, there are a number of RNY patients on here who have lost an amazing amount of weight, DS levels of weight!! My doctor said that the sleeve usually takes off the weight, while the intestinal bypass in a RNY or DS is what keeps off the weight long term. You will still be getting some of that in the RNY. I wish you so much good in your journey!! Please keep us posted!

I woke up in recovery hungry. True hungry, not head hungry. I would have even eaten seafood at that point and I hate seafood as a rule. LOL I've maintained that hunger as I've been recovering. I'm just not one of those that lost it. But I am observing my team's rules of only eating 1/4 to 1/3 cup of food at a time, chewed really well, slowly. I know nerves have been cut so messages aren't getting through. I experienced this with my hysterectomy too, it took months for everything to work normally again, my bladder was confused for 6 months. I think they say it can take 3 months for your stomach signals to get back to their new normal. I woke up this morning at 7am starving!! I ate tuna fish. LOL I love that rule about asking if chicken breast will work. I find if I'm hungry a simple, unadorned protein sounds good. If it is head hunger I'm craving chips or chocolate.

I used mine right after surgery in the hospital too. The C-PAP is pushing air into your AIRWAY, not your abdomen, so it won't affect the gas pain. And after surgery you are at risk for pneumonia, so the more full your breath is, the better for preventing that. I wouldn't skip it if I were you. You can ask your doctor but I don't think they'll tell you to opt out of it. I was told to even wear it if I was sitting on the couch watching TV as narcotics can suppress respiration and they wanted me to have it on in case I fell asleep.

I switched electrolyte powders to LMNT which has a ton of sodium in it and I swear I gained 5 lbs in 3 days. Right before my first post surgery weigh in. I'm so mad! Needless to say I've decided NOT to continue taking it. But you might try that to put on a few lbs to tick your BMI over. Or like others have said, go eat out a few restaurant meals, they have enough sodium to bloat you too!