WendyJane

Glad to help our fellow bariatric pals. That is what this forum is about. So as you venture through your journey, check in now and again and let us know how you are doing.

Be careful with the use of Wegovy if you are feeling nauseated. That is a trigger that the medication is not right for you if you are always nauseated or feeling sick. It is important to talk to your provider and maybe another medication will work better and not give you sick feelings. Mounjaro is available again and it seems to work well, and didn't give me any kind of stomach issues or nausea. Just be careful because constant nausea can be a real issue and irritate your pouch/stomach. Please let your care provider know of the issue, you don't want ulcers to form!

Perhaps you are burping because you are gulping your fluids and getting air into your stomach/pouch. You could also be dealing with some of the air that was put into your abdomen for the surgery. Sometimes that moves into the pouch or what is left of the stomach and you will burp it out. As what SpartanMaker stated, it would be helpful to know how far out from surgery you are because if you are like 3 months out, it may be your signal that it is time to stop eating, it indicates you are full. Some people get a runny nose, burping, the foamies, etc. Everyone is different. Let us know how far out from surgery you are so we can perhaps be more helpful.

Weight regain is not something to be ashamed of. Everybody goes up a bit and down a bit. Just restart what you learned many years ago. Start with the protein and hydration, and watch those carbs. It is important to also have some therapy to help you through the emotional eating, or handy eating since you were working from home. I think a lot of people regained over the Covid hold we were all subjected to. Nonetheless, you could join BariNation for a month and join in some of the groups. Groups are with licensed professionals, meet-ups is with peers in the Nation. I believe that when you are involved with community on a regular basis, you will be supported and will be more successful. If you have your own therapist, then that is great, but for 40 bucks you can attend unlimited groups with BariNation, and be with people that understand you and get you. Just a thought to help you during the hard parts. Wishing you the best!!

Yep, SpartanMaker is awe inspiring a lot. He has good advice and will give you volumes of information. That is why he is so high up there on the track to Guru. Just to restate that hydration is the #1 reason for a visit to the ER. While there will be some nausea, it is because your body is healing and you need to give it time. Think about your 1 day out as having a 1-day old baby to feed, they only get formula. Your formula is fluids. Week 2 you have a 2 year old tummy, and they are still struggling with some foods, so it is a slow introduction of new foods. Slow and steady, don't push and you will do just fine. The nausea goes away once you are on real foods. But it takes time for the insides to heal. Just breathe right through it and don't over do it. Sip means sip, no gulping. Wishing you the best!!

I have pain if I eat too much, or don't chew enough times before swallowing in the upper area of my abdomen, as if the pouch is not allowing any more food in it and pushing up on the diaphragm. I guess it is in the esophagus, but I learned my less the first time it happened and now the only time it happens when I eat too much shrimp. I keep it to 2 oz. Fluid is the most important thing. I would avoid carbonated beverages, and alcohol, you need to let your body heal from surgery before going off plan. Stick to the plan your team has given you. The most problems that end up in the ER are for dehydration. I drink Crystal Light with Isopure Clear Protein in my drinks to get the protein goals I have. Good luck!

Try a ricotta bake, there are several recipes out there. Protein Shakes, I got Premier Protein, in a variety pack from Amazon to give me some interesting tastes. We didn't have puree in our plan, we went from clears to full liquids then to soft protein only. Salmon is a good one for protein. Or tuna, shrimp, or any fish really will give you good protein. I use the Baritastic App to keep track of my fluids and protein and I meet or exceed it every day. Remember drinking a protein shake is fluid and protein both on the app. I got a variety of Crystal Light for my clear fluids, and added Isopure clear powder to help get the protein in during the early days too. I am a member of BariNation, and they have a wealth of information and various recipes for the bariatric patient, along with people that get you, and group therapy with licensed professionals or dieticians that are registered dieticians and all of the doctors and health care providers, everyone has experience with bariatric patients. For $40/month, it is well worth checking out for a month to see how you fit and I bet you fit right in. Good luck on your journey!

I don't know anyone who deals with bands any longer, sorry.

Contact your team right now. You don't know if you have a DVT (leg clot) that developed. Obviously you can't eat or take what supplements that you normally have/do, so call and find out what to do.

@summerseeker Where did you find these? Can they be ordered? They look like they are really good.

Great your insurance is not an issue. Make the appointment with your surgeon. 30 minutes away is nothing, I drive 1 1/2 hours to get to mine. It will be worth the appointment and time to go and see what is going on. That is my strongest advice. Go get those pictures done. Find out what is going on.

Yep, go see your surgeon ASAP, it is not normal.

I'm not sure what the "J" stomach is, etc. but as stated, if the surgery is going to happen, then the surgeon isn't worried. I'd ask what was meant by the report, is it good or bad. Ask your surgeon.

Sooooo, How did things work out for you? What's your update? Feeling better?

Looks like you have had a lot of conversation in this thread. I found it interesting to read. Thanks for sharing so we could learn.

@AmberFL I"m right there with you on the prepping. And having the "snacks" on hand, very important to stop the impulses. Excellent choices.

Lynda486, that doesn't sound like a STAT CT if you can't get in to get one until Tuesday!! And liquid diet with soft foods when you can't even take in fluids without it hurting. I for sure would look at maybe going to their hospital where you had the surgery, to the ER, and see if they can get an emergent CT to find out what is happening. I know there is an insurance situation, but the old job should have COBRA for you for at minimum of 3 months, you can choose to do that if you are still in the right time frame. Either way, I'm more concerned about the health than the money, right? Being out as long as you have, do you remember what you may have done with your workout or walking, fall, or twist your body then it was a problem or it just happened for no apparent reason? I would seriously get some pictures and get them now. Not knowing where you were for your surgery vs. where you live now, indicating that you needed to stay in town...I'm assuming that you live quite a distance. Instead of paying for a hotel or motel room, go to the ER of the hospital your practice uses for surgery. That way you have the care you need and the pictures done via x-ray or CT. Let us know your progress!!

I'm 5 weeks out from surgery and the gas is what they used to "blow up" your abdomen like a balloon so that they can see everything while rearranging things in there. That goes away with time and I found that walking did the best. I also tried to move a lot, not just walking but raising my arms and doing tow pointing while sitting and things like that to move the air out of my abdomen. Also, try and use an abdominal binder, did they give you one to use on discharge? Sometimes that helps. I splinted my tummy with a pillow when I coughed. I had a tough time doing the sipping but got better over time, and even eating real food was a blessing. But as others have said, dehydration is the worst complication so keep sipping. The continued desire for food is called "head hunger". The brain is telling you that you are hungry, but how can you be, there is very little room in your stomach now, it is mind over matter. Time to find a hobby to keep your hands busy and out of the fridge. If you continue to have "head hunger" I would recommend BariNation that you can become a member of and join the support groups and member meet-ups to ask questions or get some group therapy where your people are. I'm a member and am in groups all the time, I started with them before surgery so I knew what to expect, and thankful for the wonderful support from my new friends. It is forty bucks for a month, and to me it is worth it, I spend less now in food. Just a thought to help you through the rough patches that are surely to come, especially the time when you are eating and having rapid weight loss, and hormone changes that cause your emotions to fly about. I find the support groups and meet ups to be so helpful.

I was on a liquid diet then a full liquid diet. Followed by a soft protein only, so you are not weird about the no fruit and veggies. I have had no fruits or veggies yet and I'm only 5 weeks out from surgery. I'm still taking in soft protein. I did reward myself on Friday with a Pretzel and I made sure I softened it and chewed it a bunch before swallowing it, but having the crunch was so satisfying. That's the thing I miss most is the crunch. I had no puree diet following surgery. Soft protein, my go to is Ricotta Bake, and my husband makes it with spices and uses pizza sauce for further flavor. It is creamy and cheesy and really filling. So, just wanted to chime in that you are not alone in the no fruit/veggie department.

I agree completely with SpartanMaker, that is exactly what I was thinking. As a nurse, I understand your desire to challenge yourself, but you need one at a time to see what works and what doesn't benefit you.

I differ from what SpartanMaker says, I wouldn't try any more of the options that are out there. Obviously you first need to recognize that obesity is a disease and it never goes away. You tried to starve yourself to death and the body will automatically save every morsel you put into your body and store it as fat, especially on a 300 calorie diet. Increasing the calories is not necessarily the fix either, you need to look at the foods you are eating. Is it protein heavy or are you still eating salads, which are carbs by the way? Are you thinking that a baked potato is a veggie, it is not it is a carbohydrate, then add all the stuff you put on the potato. Diet wise, you may be choosing the wrong foods. And certainly the amount. You passed out probably because your glucose levels went into the basement with such a low calorie intake. I agree with SpartanMaker, and seek out a Bariatric center that has a whole host of options. Surgery is a tool that the obese person uses and it is a life long commitment to make lifestyle changes. You may need to see a therapist and nutrition expert both to help you, and maybe they have other options other than going straight to surgery, but for certain I feel you need better education on what is an appropriate "diet", and not all "diets" are really diets but ways to spend more money that is just wasted. You obviously have the willpower and stamina to take hold of a new life, it won't hurt to inquire. I would also urge you to watch some of the YouTube videos from BariNation, they have Podcasts with bariatric physicians and other healthcare providers every week and most recently there was discussion about Obesity being a disease and using something other than weight or BMI (Body Mass Index) to determine if someone is obese. My plan has always been to go the cautious or conservative route first. In my case I jumped right in and happy for it. I had an excellent surgeon and team that all worked together to ensure I had a good experience and did. Never had any pain with my surgery, and have had good results so far and today is Post op week 3, day 1. I wish you the best in your journey to seek out further information and a good bariatric group!!

The boxes I used for my meal preps/lunches are on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3MSDKQY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 Good luck!

Something else I do is bring tuna or salmon handi-packs to lunch with a plastic fork and eat that right out of the package, and a piece of fruit. There are so many options of those handi-packages too. I have also done the 3 compartment lunch boxes with a protein, a fruit and a veggie to give me variety, you can stuff those boxes in your lunch box and have them always available for you in the refrigerator. Those boxes were a life saver for me, I just do my meal prep during the weekends or when I am off. Have a great day.

I got several boxes that are for Bariatric patients that have 3 compartments, one for the big protein and then the other two for veggies/fruits and carbs. I go to work with one for each meal every day I go to work and I have what I am allowed to eat and that's it. When it is gone, it is gone. If I get hungry later, I may have a snack and that snack is a Protein shake. I like Premier Protein, and through Amazon you can get the variety pack and they have "sweet" ones that curb the urge to go to any vending machine or reaching for the chocolate on your bosses desk. Or mine. I prep for the whole week on Saturday and Sundays. I will bake chicken and then weigh out the appropriate amount of chicken and put it in the box, then the veggies and then the carb. I have them stacked in the fridge so when I pack my lunch, I just grab one or two and 2 Protein Shakes and I'm set for my long day. Hope that helps!

@BariHopeful Thank you for the education on the NHS. That is a wealth of information. Let me digest a little bit. Regarding the initial question, and the path of information I have read, I can only send you good vibes and to prayers that things go well, keep us posted!!