Hello all! My name is Lina and I was sleeved 12/14/2017. I spent 3 days in the hospital post op and have had 2 emergency room visits and an Esophogial Dialation on 12/29/2017. It has been a rough start to say the least but ever since the dilation on the 29th I can finally drink liquids with no problem.

I do not feel that my surgeon has been very good about giving me guidance in regards to diet and what not to do so I was hoping some of you could give me a couple of pointers.

So far I have learned that my body is still not ready for any kind of carbs. I am still having a hard time with soft foods and mostly live off of liquids, Jell-O, and popsicles. I can tolerate Carnations shakes and broths but other than that I just throw it up!

I knew that this wasn't going to be easy but I never expected to go through all of this. I couldn't keep liquids down for almost 2 weeks and became extremely dehydrated which landed me in the ER twice.

I hope everyone has had a great start to the new year and I look forward to seeing what everyone else went through and what pointers you may have!

1 hour ago, LMC2018 said:

Hello all! My name is Lina and I was sleeved 12/14/2017. I spent 3 days in the hospital post op and have had 2 emergency room visits and an Esophogial Dialation on 12/29/2017. It has been a rough start to say the least but ever since the dilation on the 29th I can finally drink liquids with no problem.

I do not feel that my surgeon has been very good about giving me guidance in regards to diet and what not to do so I was hoping some of you could give me a couple of pointers.

So far I have learned that my body is still not ready for any kind of carbs. I am still having a hard time with soft foods and mostly live off of liquids, Jell-O, and popsicles. I can tolerate Carnations shakes and broths but other than that I just throw it up!

I knew that this wasn't going to be easy but I never expected to go through all of this. I couldn't keep liquids down for almost 2 weeks and became extremely dehydrated which landed me in the ER twice.

I hope everyone has had a great start to the new year and I look forward to seeing what everyone else went through and what pointers you may have!

Did you have a pre op class or a dietician consultations?

If not. Google some reputable bariatric surgeons offices. Call and see if they can email you education and diet progression information/instructions

The thread below might give you some other advice that may help

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/408366-could-someone-splain-this-to-me/

Hi Lina! I had the same exact issues that you are experiencing! I had to get a dialation done within a month of my surgery, I couldn’t swallow water, much less anything else! I lost a lot of weight my first month because of my issues!

Prior to surgery, I was a picky eater, but I was forced to change everything. I had no clue that Greek Yogurt would soon become my new Best friend! I can honestly say, it will get easier!! Hang in there as you are going to go through so many changes the first few months! Stick to not eating and drinking at the same time, eat slowly and I never finish a meal.

Always remember you are beautiful and worthy of being the best you can be! And that isn’t measured by a scale!

yikes Lina - you've been through a lot already! sorry that you had to go through all of that but hopefully in a couple months, that will be a distant memory!

I was sleeved on 12/7 - My surgeon is not like most others- -after my 2 week post surgery liquid diet, he just gave me a list of foods for pureed/soft food and for beyond with protein levels per oz...said to try to keep meals around 2oz. but does not give protein or fluid goals anymore. But if you're still hungry after eating the 2 oz, eat a bit more. He said eat 2, 3, 4, 5x a day but only when hungry and stop as soon as you are full and throw out the rest. If you take 2 bites of an egg and you're full, throw it out, don't eat it because it's there - this sounds like it's common sense but I think we are programmed to not throw things away. Eat protein or nutrient dense foods first and all the foods on my list are mostly high in protein...I was able to add fish in last week (3 weeks post op) and then today was able to add in chicken -yay! and then next week it will be beef/pork. No restriction on drinking before meals but to wait 30 minutes after eating to drink again. I was also able to add in a little caffeine back in so I usually have one cup of coffee per day -helps me stay regular...if you know what I mean...

I like that he doesn't stress me trying to give me these goals to reach as he said he doesn't know how much more I'm exercising than others, people are more hungry who have less swelling , etc .

last he said I would probably lose 65-70% of my weight if I don't exercise and follow the diet..but to lose close or all of your EBW, break a sweat and exercise 6-7 days a week which I'm trying to follow..this is especially true the first year as your stomach is healing..

hope that helps - I'm a newbie too - hope you're feeling better

WOW!! Those darn ENDOSCOPES. I had to have 5 ENDOS with 4 dilations. It started right after my RNY. My PA wanted to have one done 4 weeks after. But I was afraid that it would mess up my weight loss. (silly I know) so I had my first one was Nov 2013, then Dec 2013, Jan 2014, July 2014 and my last one was Jan of 2015. They were a hassle but an easy fix. I was just like you I couldn't even get water down, I have a sleeping pill at night and I even threw it up whole the next morning. Just be sure and get as many fluids that you can. It doesn't take long for us to get dehydrated. Good Luck

This nutrition manual is not from my Dr but, it has tons of good info in it. Including what to eat when. It is almost criminal that some Drs do not give good post op instructions. Please take a look at this. You may want to bookmark it.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/files/org/florida/digestive-diseases/bariatric_nutrition_manual.ashx?la=en

11 hours ago, Losingit2018 said:

This nutrition manual is not from my Dr but, it has tons of good info in it. Including what to eat when. It is almost criminal that some Drs do not give good post op instructions. Please take a look at this. You may want to bookmark it.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/files/org/florida/digestive-diseases/bariatric_nutrition_manual.ashx?la=en

I also bookmarked it. Great information to pass on. Thankyou

Thank you all for the great info! I'm a definitely taking it slowly and know that this too shall pass. I know there is a lot more weight to be lost and so much more to learn!

Sorry to hear you had such a rough start. I had some complications as well so I feel your pain. It wasn't the best start to this new road but things do get better. Promise! Despite the early setbacks I wouldn't change a thing. Still one of the best decisions I ever made. Just listen to your body and take your time with it all. It's better to give yourself plenty of time to heal and start the journey right. I was always jealous of people that could manage to exercise a month after surgery. I was happy to walk around for 10 minutes without any pain and/or feeling exhausted...lol.

Best of luck to you.