Celtie's 2 week PEG update

Hello OH People...

I hope everyone is doing well ?!

Just taking a moment to post my thoughts 2 weeks post op of a PEG tube placement.

Let me begin by saying-THIS IS NO FUN WHATSOEVER so, I hope most WLS patients

will never go through this rather unpleasant experience. 

The stoma is still VERY tender and from what I have read/inquired about it can take another

month for it to not hurt with a nanometer of movement.  *sigh*  I was allowed to use it for

the first time on 4/6/14.  Very little DEFINITVE protocol was established as far as how often

or how much I bolus through at one time...I let my body judge the "meal" and make ongoing

notes of any adverse or odd reactions.  To read the internet's plethora of info out there I felt

I gathered more information on my own than was offered by the hospital or surgeon in general.

I was told to use it in conjunction with whatever I could eat orally.  But, the goal was to feed

at least 80-100grams of protein per day (approx. 2000 calories).  Though I am looking rather

waif-like at the moment with big round black anime' eyes...YIKES....my blood work indicates

all my vitamin levels, metabolic numbers and blood count results were all within normal limits.

I just can't imagine taking in that many calories even if I was eating well!  Following surgery

I was lucky to get 60g/day of protein and all my water/liquids.  I'm only 5 feet.  Presently,

I am bouncing within a 5 lb plus or minus cycle of weight.  I don't have much true get up and

go which is indicative of needing those extra calories in order to heal my body. 

I would really appreciate chatting with anyone out there that has had or has a PEG.  It would

be helpful to know if everything's ok.  Having lost my insurance on 4/30/14 I am unable to

go see the surgeon w/out a self pay situation which loss of income precludes doing that.

I know the signs of infection, etc, but, would really like to hear someone else's experience.

Anyway, I appreciate having the venue here in which to lean on.

Hoping all the Mothers out there enjoyed a blessed day with their loved ones.

Regards,

Celtie

I hope you can get some good nutrition now and begin to feel better,Celtie. Thanks for the update too.

Thanks for the kind words!!

Hugs

I sincerely hope you are not only getting in 60 mg/day. I hope it is more like 60 grams a day.

Thanks for catching my boo boo, BigPoppa...it is GRAMS indeed.  Appreciate your

input.  Best of luck on your weight loss journey!

Celtie

I hope you continue to improve.  You do realize, though, that 100 grams of protein is only 400 calories, right?  So if you are aiming for 2,000 calories, where are the rest coming from?

The error was a typo...I do appreciate your concern and can assure you and others that I meant 60 GRAMS minimally a day.  Ooops. 

Hope that clarifies things.  Thanks for the concern.

Celtie

No.  What I am saying is that 60 GRAMS of protein a day is only 240 calories.  100 GRAMS is 400 calories.  There are only 4 calories in 1 GRAM of protein (carbs have 4 calories in 1 gram and fats have 9 calories in 1 gram).  So, if you are minimally getting 60 GRAMS of protein, you are only getting minimally, 240 calories.  The deficit between that and 2,000 is a whole lot of carbs and/or fats.

I understand and apologize for making you think that my goal is only 60 grams of PROTEIN a day.  I am taking in all the appropriate vitamins, supplements AND

fats, vegetables, etc. Recent blood work showed all metabolic/blood counts, etc well within normal limits.   My problem began with a persistent and unhealing anastomotic ulcer which precluded me from eating as well as I had been.  The caloric increase has been suggested as a means to HEAL my ulcer, but is certainly not a means to losing weight.  I am 40 years in the healthcare industry and recognize the need for appropriate post operative nutrition.  Sorry for the confusion and THANKS for caring enough to encourage me.  It's just difficult when I've lost over 100 lbs to watch the scale increase, but I understand the need for healing the ulcer.  I DO NOT wish to live with a PEG.  So, again...thanks for caring and the concern!

Regards,

Celtie