Pre vs post op diet...prepare yourself! (This is somewhat of a rant also)

[rocky_elbowa 0]

I for one am finding I should be the poster child for 'if it could go wrong...

For the record, I did have my share of complications as well. I had a pill get stuck on day three and it was there for 3 days before it finally dislodged and I could eat and drink again. It scratched the CRAP out of my throat and I couldn't swallow for days after it finally dislodged.

Plain Water STILL hits like load of bricks. I have to add flavor drops or lemon in order to drink it and I usually stick to (shhhhhh...don't tell) Coke Zero, coffee, SF lemonade, Hint of Water, or Gatorade Zero.

I also have a stricture so at times I can't eat for a day or two at all. I call my days "feeding days" and "non feeding days". I could get it corrected, but I choose not to.

Because of my stricture, I vomit frequently. Usually once or twice a week, down from once or twice a day. I got the foamies/slimies really bad for about a year post op and I still do occasionally.

Heavy sugar makes me dump, as does heavy cream. Unusual in a sleeve, but it happens. I have water poop ALL the time. Since surgery, I am either constipated or running to the bathroom.

I can't drink wine, sweet drinks or anything too acidic. (Above lemonade is crystal light.) The heartburn is terrible.

All that aside -- BEST.DECISION.EVER.

how do you know if you have a stricture? can you feel it?

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I for one am finding I should be the poster child for 'if it could go wrong...

For the record, I did have my share of complications as well. I had a pill get stuck on day three and it was there for 3 days before it finally dislodged and I could eat and drink again. It scratched the CRAP out of my throat and I couldn't swallow for days after it finally dislodged.

Plain Water STILL hits like load of bricks. I have to add flavor drops or lemon in order to drink it and I usually stick to (shhhhhh...don't tell) Coke Zero, coffee, SF lemonade, Hint of Water, or Gatorade Zero.

I also have a stricture so at times I can't eat for a day or two at all. I call my days "feeding days" and "non feeding days". I could get it corrected, but I choose not to.

Because of my stricture, I vomit frequently. Usually once or twice a week, down from once or twice a day. I got the foamies/slimies really bad for about a year post op and I still do occasionally.

Heavy sugar makes me dump, as does heavy cream. Unusual in a sleeve, but it happens. I have water poop ALL the time. Since surgery, I am either constipated or running to the bathroom.

I can't drink wine, sweet drinks or anything too acidic. (Above lemonade is crystal light.) The heartburn is terrible.

All that aside -- BEST.DECISION.EVER.

how do you know if you have a stricture? can you feel it?

I was unable to move beyond pureed food for about 6 weeks and stayed on soft food for 3 months+. I am a little over two years out and i still have days that I have trouble eating more than a small bite or three because my chest seems to close up. If I force myself to eat, I will usually vomit. My doctor checked and I have a slight stricture.

It's correctable, I just choose not to. It keeps me on my toes.

[shuga04 1]

I'm post op 8 days and I'm at home with out help today for first time. As far as hunger, yes I have felt hungry. Nausea has been present too. Both are easily managed. Today I was cleared to take in creamy Soup and Greek yogurt in addition to the other fluids and Proteins I have been able to take in.

[AnA92212 577]

Everyone is different. Sorry you've had such a hard time. The first 2 weeks post op were hard but it's so much better now. I still don't get all my liquids in (almost 3 months post op). I'm down a total of 90 pounds (55 since dau or surgery). I love that a small amount makes me full. I stay away from sugar and caffeine. I limit my carbs. I wasn't having any at all but nutritionist told me to add some in. I am very happy with my decision. I haven't been cranky. ..In fact I've been much more personable post surgery. That could be all the endorphins from exercise or because I am feeling more comfortable around people. I hope it gets better for you

[shuga04 1]

Does your stomach feel tight from the inside, not pulling or pinching just tight from inside. No pain at all unless I get up from bed just from new insicions

[Jenyp8409 200]

I'm very sorry that your having trouble with post op diet but to be completely honest they do tell us it going to be hard if you truly dwell on the food you can and can not your whole journey will be a mess don't mean to sound rude and you are farther along than I am so maybe I don't know yet...lol.. I'm only a week out from surgery and I don't crave the food I use to because I only think of my future and what I will look like and how I'm going to feel... try to see if that helps you I know it's helping me... I'm not saying that in the next couple of weeks I'm not going to crave junk cause I probably am but having a mind set on the future really helps good luck on your journey and I will have you in my prayers and remember you will eventually eat normal food

Edited July 24, 2015 by Jenyp8409

[LoreLu 79]

@"OKC Pirate" - yes, I also had to give up alcohol and coffee. No more (neverending) glass of wine after dinner! Diet Dr. Pepper was hard, too, but if I didn't eat Protein, the sweeteners in diet soda made my blood sugar bomb, so that's a concern I don't have now. I have no problem with the pre-surgery diet - I have 3 more weeks to go on it - as I rarely get hungry until I START to eat, so it's no big deal.

My Nut keeps pushing exercise - and I'm the least athletically inclined creature in the universe! If the game involves a ball, I'll take it to the face; if it involves Water, I'll sink like a rock (I nearly drowned during a drownproofing class at the Y cuz I have heavy bones). I walk and coerce myself to get on the stair stepper, but it's truly a chore. Thank God for mp3 players!

[shuga04 1]

Im wondering if my stomach is supposed to hurt when I eat and drink 8 days out. Liquids and creamy strained Soup and yogurt help

[MrsDixon 40]

Im wondering if my stomach is supposed to hurt when I eat and drink 8 days out. Liquids and creamy strained Soup and yogurt help

This is supposedly normal. Its got something to do with the swelling and the trauma of the surgery. It takes a few weeks to heal so its sensitive. Mine hurt for at least 3-4 weeks. And at 8 days out u shouldn't be eating anything but liquids and liquid consistency anyway I believe.

Edited July 25, 2015 by MrsDixon

[shuga04 1]

Yes, liquid. Was okd to add strained creamy Soup and Greek yogurt

[MrsDixon 40]

Yes, liquid. Was okd to add strained creamy Soup and Greek yogurt

I was ok'd early too because I got extremely depressed on the liquids in week 2 because it hurt every time I ate or drank.

[BarrySue 602]

While the first week was awful, at day 11 I've having a much easier time now than I did on my pre-op diet

It's a crapshoot, really...you don't know where on the spectrum of "Yes!" to "Oh my God, kill me!" you'll fall until after your surgery.

[shuga04 1]

I've done increasingly better each day tolerating creamy and liquid foods. Warm feel better while very cold drinks seem to bring a flash of abdominal pain even if briefly.

[alexsisv 139]

Amen. Post op is extremely challenging. There are plateaus, new ways of thinking and eating. Say goodbye to soda. You have to be ready for the possibility of a new host of health issues. It takes time to lose the weight. I chuckle when I read posts about "it's been 7 days and I've only lost a pound." I went through 2 1 month plateaus. Gotta be all in to play the VSG game. Ranting over too. Please really think thru your decision to get the sleeve, Folks.

[chopsitter 30]

Sorry you are having a hard time. First about the pre op diet. Not everyone is the same. I had a liquid diet for 2 weeks, no food whatsoever! Then 2 weeks clear/full liquids after surgery. I am 3 days shy of a month out. I am on real food, but only fish and eggs. I dont like cottage cheese or yogurt. Is it hard? YES! But this is where we need to retrain ourselves. I have cooked for my family since the pre op diet. At first it bothered me, not now. Yes there is hunger, but i choose to drink my Water especially if I ate recently.I haven't had any problems as of yet, which is an amazing blessing, and shows no 2 people are alike. You kind of scare people who come here wanting helpful information. You have to take the good with the bad, as this is not an easy thing for anyone. I am looking long term, not dwelling in right now. If i'm having a hard day I just see what I did this for, to be healthy!!