WholeNicole
PREVIOUS FORUM POSTINGS - MONTH 2
Feb 05, 2010
RNY POST-OP DAY 60 – Post Date
http://www.gastricbypassfamily.com/Hibernation.html
I found this article on Hibernation Syndrome. I went through this EXACTLY at around 3-4 weeks out and I thought I was losing my mind. I didn't want to talk to anyone, I didn't want to socialize with anyone, and I was actually worried about my sanity for awhile. This is a REAL Syndrome that a lot of post-op's will experience, however, that this too shall pass!! Hang in there, your body could be on 'reservation' mode - hanging onto your fat cells for dear life. But once they start burning, watch out, you'll literally feel the fat melting off. Say goodbye to sleep for awhile. Insomnia during this stage is brutal too!! But it DOES get easier.
For all those who experience Hibernation Syndrome, try not to cut yourself off from everyone. Try and rely on 1 or 2 individuals who are AWARE of HS, to help you keep your sanity in check. Exercise is a great way to speed up Hibernation Syndrome. Writing is another good distraction. Log, journal, and do whatever you have to stay in touch with people who will become concerned about you. As hard as it is, reach out to someone you trust, who loves you and will help pull you through these doldrums!
RNY POST-OP DAY 60 - Post Date
Once again, thank you to ALL of you for your responses and support. I truly appreciate your advice, and although I wanted to get back to basics, I've decided to forego that theory for the moment. I just got my body adjusted to solid foods, so to take a step back just seemed like the automatic thing to do. I'd rather deal with a stall now, then to revert back to protein shakes only, then have a huge "splurge" on something when I'm having a weak moment.
I think I did okay food-wise today. For breakfast I had an Orange-Vanilla protein shake. For an early morning snack I had 14 grams of mixed nuts. For lunch I warmed up a couple slices of pork-roast I made in my new handy-dandy FlavourWave cooker I bought in
As for the scale in the closet, that's exactly where it is, however every time I go in the closet to pick out something to wear, I feel compelled to step on it. Maybe it is defeatist thinking, I'm sure it is, esp. when I know this is a stall, and if the scale hasn't moved in 10 days, what makes me think today would have been any different?? ROFLMAOOOOO I'm a glutton for punishment, it's what I'm good at. I will take everyone's advice to heart, and I will have confidence that I'm doing the right things, and eventually the scale will move again. Thank you again for your thoughtful words and support!
RNY POST-OP DAY 60 - Post Date
Thank you Jeanetta, Peggy, Nadine and Joyce! Your words are all encouraging and bang-on what I know to be true. I'm sure there's a logical explanation for stalls and plateaus (i.e. time of the month, water retention, muscle weights more than fat, etc.), but it's just my heart is aching right now.
I know I'm not a failure, as I have much in my life to be proud of thus far. But when you feel you're doing everything right, but you don't see it on the scale, it's frustrating. I DEF. see it and feel it in my clothes. I already have 2 pairs of pants that I will no longer be able to wear cuz they just slide down my hips now. I know when I went to
Like I said, I'm trying not to lose my head over hitting a plateau. I knew to expect these, from a lot of the postings I've read. I guess when it happens; you're just not prepared for it. I will continue to do all the right things (i.e. eat my protein FIRST, NOT drink alcohol, NOT have caffeinated coffee, WATCH carb levels, SUGAR = POISON, exercise a min. of 30 MINS a day, etc.). It took me awhile to grasp that every one of these formula's work in concession with each other. If I truly want this program to work, then it's all or nothing for me. I am working the program as best I can thus far. Have I been perfect? Hell NO, I've made a few mistakes along the way (like had 3 sips of wine, and 2 sips of beer, and paid for it when I got sick) - "Thank You to those of you who suggested AA meetings for me *insert sarcasm here* “Your support was appreciated." I guess I'm the only one 6 weeks out who sipped a glass of alcohol and actually admitted it on here? Tsk tsk tsk shame on me. Trust me, I learned from my mistake, and paid for it by vomiting at The Keg.
I'm incredibly grateful to have O/H and my Toronto OSSG group, and there are soooooo many of you on here who are beautiful people. You're kind, and supportive, and allow people to fall down and make mistakes. No one on here is perfect. "Let He Who Has Not Sinned Cast the First Stone" - so to you ladies Jeanetta, Peggy, Nadine, Joyce, and a few other special ladies on here and in my Toronto OSSG group: Bonnie, Sharrol, Julia, Tina, Heather, Leona, Marci, Lorraine, Jen, Andrea, Erin, Aarifa, Gord, TB, Nadine (aka The Low Carb Grocery Queen), Elizabeth, and a few others I'm forgetting to mention - THANK YOU for your sincere support and encouragement.
I appreciate all the wonderful reply's and suggestions. Nadine, I'm going to do what you said and start my Food Journal as of tomorrow morning. I'm committed to my exercise and water and vitamins everyday, so I'm going to start tracking food consumption and see where I'm possibly getting too many calories or carbs.
THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE SUPPORTERS!! You're all the reason we keep coming back on here.
RNY POST-OP DAY 60 - Post Date
I've actually been avoiding the boards for over a week now, as I've been feeling like a failure lately.
I'm happy with my 50 lbs. lost thus far, however I think I've hit my first plateau. I've been stuck at 260 for about 10 days now, and I'm frustrated. I went to my TOPS meeting on Wednesday night and actually GAINED 3 effen, lousy lbs. THAT sucked, big time, considering I've been walking everyday. To gain 1 lb. I'd have to eat 3,500 extra calories, which means I would have had to eat over 10,000 calories last week - IMPOSSIBLE!!!
I even called in sick today, because I don't know how to snap out of this. I know I'm doing all the right things, and the scale just won't budge right now. As of this morning, I'm back to basics, just going to do protein shakes for this week and see if that will finally move the scale again. If not, I'm throwing my scale out. As I've said, I'm already thrilled with the 50 lbs. I'm down, and I've had a few supporters say that this could be my first plateau.
I wanted to be under 250 by Christmas, but at this rate, I'm honestly doubting that will happen. My next goal was to be under 200 by the time I go away for March Break with my skinny-ass cousin. Once again, the fact that I've lost nothing in 10 days, has me concerned that I won't lose the 60 lbs. by March. *sigh* I'm not giving up on this journey. For now however, I'm back to protein shakes only. Nothing else will cross my lips. Is it doable to live on protein shakes for an extended period of time?
RNY POST-OP DAY 50 - Post Date
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a braggart AT ALL!! In fact, I shy away from any sort of compliments, accolades, etc. I just had to share this though, as it’s my first WOW moment (hopefully the first of many to come!!)
I’m leaving for Pittsburgh, PA this afternoon for a "Girls Weekend" of shopping, playing, relaxing, being silly - OMGOD, I can't wait! Anyway, this morning I was leaving my place, and I was rolling my suitcase behind me. There was a big pick-up truck with 2 guys inside (probably in their 30's I'd say), parked in the laneway of my building. Their truck was running, so they were obviously getting ready to leave. I had to cross in front of them to walk down the driveway to where my truck is parked. I was walking pretty quickly, so I didn’t block their route out of the laneway. As I'm walking, they slowly start driving down the driveway (behind me). The driver rolls down his window and says, "You don’t have to rush for our sake, we like the view, and besides, we don't run over the pretty ones...." OMGOD, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I was SHOCKED. I haven't been complemented or hit-on by a guy in YEARS. I swear, I didn't even know what to say, seriously, left me speechless. All I could respond back with was, "Well, thanks for not running me over. Have a great day guys!" The passenger says, "With that suitcase, looks like you're going to have a great weekend." I said, "Yup, Girls Weekend away." The driver says, "Oh yeah?? Want company?" I said, "It's called a Girls Weekend for a reason!" and I winked at them, and kept walking to my truck.
I got to my truck, sat in it, and seriously shook my head, cuz this was my first WOW moment, and it totally surprised me this morning.
Thanks for letting me share it with you.
RNY POST-OP DAY 49 - Post Date
I have to tell you Erica, reading your posting last night, made me set my alarm early this morning and get on the treadmill. I haven't worked out since before my surgery (I'm 7 weeks out as of today), and haven't had much energy to work out. I hit 50 lbs. loss as of yesterday. (I lost 10 lbs. at my TOPS meeting last night and STILL didn't win the effen Fruit Basket they give away - WTF?? lol)
You helped me realize that if I don't start getting on the treadmill now, then I need to suck it up and get my fat arse outside in the "getting cooler air." I picked the treadmill - LOL. I might mix it up and do treadmill in the morning, and bundle up and go for a walk outside when I get home from work.
So Erica, THANK YOU for your humourous posting. THANK YOU for inspiring me to take no excuses when it comes to exercising, unless I'm DEAD, DYING, OR BLEEDING, there's no excuse for not doing it.
RNY POST-OP DAY 45 - Post Date 11/15/09 AM I DOING THIS RIGHT OR WRONG?
Well, as some of you know, I was having serious issues with vomiting; to the point that Dr. Klein and Denise P (the Dietician) thought it might have been a stricture. I'm happy to say I don't think I ever had a stricture. My biggest issue (I now believe was that I was eating too quickly, and I wasn't chewing enough) I can't say for sure if those were the two culprits that were making me vomit everyday for about 2 weeks.
On Friday, November 6th, I went to The Keg for dinner with my cousin. I ordered a glass of red wine (they have my fav. wine on the wine list at The Keg, so how do I not order a glass??) The bread basket came, and I had a tiny, tiny piece. No butter. Her and I split a Caesar salad, and ordered one entree to split. The waiter was great, he brought out 2 plates. My cousin tried to offer me 1/2 the garlic mashed potatoes, and 1/2 the steak, and I was like, "Are you crazy?? I'll never eat all that! Give me two spoons of mashed potatoes, and a piece of steak the size of a pair of dice stuck together. She did just that, and handed me my plate. I don't think that was a lot of food to try and eat, unless I'm wrong? I cut the small pc. of steak up very small, and I thought I chewed it really well, and tried to get in some of the mashed potatoes. I was no longer drinking the wine with my meal. I had 3 sips of wine before the bread and dinner came, and had slid my wine glass across the table to my cousin. I had a look come over my face, and she says, "Oh, oh. you okay?" I said, "Nope, I need to walk right now." Got up, and barely made it to the bathroom in time, where I was sick. I have NEVER thrown up in a public place before, much less a decent restaurant like The Keg. Nice women knocking on the door asking if I needed anything. I said, "No, thank you I just ate something that didn't agree with me." One said, "You sure you don't have H1N1??" I started laughing, "No, I don't have H1N1. I had wt. loss surgery and I think I just ate too quickly and my new pouch didn't like it, hence the vomiting" I went back to the table, and I was white and clammy. I basically ruined the evening, because after dinner we were supposed to go to see a movie. After vomiting, I just wanted to go home and climb under my covers! Since that night, I've been having major regrets about having the surgery, because if this is what happens when you try to go have an evening out, then this sucks!!!!
My daily ritual has always been, get up, take my vitamins, get in a protein shake, get in some water, try and eat and keep something down without vomiting it back up.
This past week, I didn't have any protein shakes. Not 1 shake in over a week, and I've been feeling ALOT better. Is it possible that protein shakes can make you feel crappy and cause vomiting?
As you're reading this, I'm hoping to get some advice on a few things.
Am I getting in enough water?
Am I getting in enough protein?
Am I getting enough vitamins in?
Am I getting enough calories in now to start an exercise routine? I'm bored silly now, and although I'm happy with the wt.
loss I have already, I want it to come off faster!
Every morning, I take the following:
2 Life Brand Chewable Vitamins
1 Sunkist Chewable Vitamins C (500 mgs)
1 Life Brand Vitamin B12 (1,000 mcgs)
2 Life Brand Vitamin D's (1,000 IU each)
2 Trophic Biotine tablets (250 mcg's each)
2 Jamieson Mega-Cal Calcium Soft Chews (650 mg each)
2 Papaya Enzyme's (250 mg's each)
1 MegaZyme Proteolytic Enzyme
1/2 dropper of UMAC Marine PhytoPlankton
Every night, I take the following:
1 tsp. of liquid Palafer Iron Therapy (300 mg's)
1 Sunkist Chewable Vitamins C (500 mgs)
Every morning and night I also add a drop of BioOil to all of my incisions, and rub in gently.
For this past week, although I didn't have any protein shakes, I tried to get in 3-4 small pcs. of old cheddar cheese in for breakfast every morning. For lunch Monday, and Tuesday I had a tiny bit of
Dinners are where I'm struggling. When I get home from work each night, I have little or zero appetite. I didn't eat dinner Monday, or Tuesday, or Thursday, or Friday. My parents took me for dinner to Swiss Chalet on Thursday. I took a tiny piece of my dad's white meat, I had 2 of my mom's fry's, and although I had ordered chicken soup for myself, I only had 3 sips of it, and ordered a take-out container for the rest and had it for lunch at work on Thursday.
I haven't thrown up since Friday, November 6th, and seeing as I was vomiting everyday for about 2 weeks, I swear the Papaya Enzymes and the MegaZymes are helping me "soften up food" and helping them stay down. Is there any truth to that's what's been helping me no longer vomit? Is it the fact that I'm no longer doing protein shakes? Is it the fact that I'm eating slower, and I'm chewing my food until it's practically mush??
I'm still so new at this, and I feel like I'm blowing it, that I've gotten this all wrong.
I know there's no "cookie cutter" wt. loss surgeries, that each person adjusts differently. I honestly would love some advice or food back critiquing my daily rituals, what I've been eating, what I've been doing?
I'm just incredibly fearful that I'm doing this all wrong. I'd love to know NOW if I'm on the right track, or are there any adjustments I should be making?
I'm 6 weeks out from my surgery, is it safe to start an exercise program now? Should I exercise everyday for 15 mins? Or stick to an hr. workout three times a week? Should I mix it up?
I'm kinda feeling sluggish lately. I'm not sure if it's because I haven't been exercising? Or is it that I'm not getting enough calories in? Will protein shakes give me more energy?
I'm def. getting enough water in everyday. I'm up to three 500 ml's bottles now, that's sipping all day long from
I'm blessed to have this new pouch that’s given me a new lease on life. I just want to make sure I'm taking very good care of her and not abusing her in any way!
Any advice, suggestions you can make I take with an open mind.
RNY POST-OP DAY 45 - Post Date
I've had several issues with my pouch and went through about 2 weeks of vomiting daily. I even went for dinner at The Keg on Friday, November 6th and threw up there. Not pretty let me tell you. I tried to eat a very, very small piece of steak (literally the size of a pair of dice), cut it up really well, chewed, chewed, chewed till there was nothing left to it, and still ending up being sick.
For the past week, I've been back to slices of cheese, soups, and eating the chicken only out of Lean Cuisines. I wish I could attempt pork, or bacon, or bacon bits, or McDonald's hamburger, omgod, I'd kill for one of those! LOL!!! My parents took me to Swiss Chalet on Thursday night and I had the tiniest piece of my dad's white meat, I took 2 of my mom's fry's, and although I ordered chicken soup, I had 3 small sips of it, and asked the waitress for a take out bowl. I had that for lunch on Thursday at work.
As for your not being able to keep down pork, have you tried any Papaya Enzymes? Or another digestion aid called MegaZyme? For as little as I've been eating, at least taking both of these Enzymes is preventing me from vomiting. I haven't thrown up since Friday, November 6th, and seeing as I was vomiting everyday for about 2 weeks, I swear these enzymes are making the difference.
RNY POST-OP DAY 36 - Post Date
Ohhhhhhh man, PLEASE don't tell me my feet are going to shrink!!
I have so many pairs of shoes and boots that I love, love, love now, and couldn't imagine parting with them. I only take a 5 1/2 - 6, so I go to shoe sample sales and get shoes for dirt cheap. I don't think I have "fat" feet now, but what if I do?!?! LOL!
Can you put a good Dr. Scholl’s insole inside, or will shoes just "flop" around too much?? OMGOD, I just realized how many pairs of sexy sandals I have that I might not be able to wear again?? you def. can't add an insole to a sandal!! YIKES! LOL
Ahhhhhh, what'cha gonna do. If the trade-off for losing 100+ lbs. is needing a whole NEW shoe collection, there are worse things I could do!!
RNY POST-OP DAY 35 - Post Date
I'm so happy to say that I got chicken down today!! The first bit of solid food that's managed to stay in my pouch for over a WEEK! I took 2 Papaya Enzyme today and managed to eat 2 pieces of chicken and have them stay down around
This is HUGE for me people, cuz last week when I saw Dr. Klein he was worried I had a stricture. I saw the dietician (Denise P) two days ago and SHE said I had a stricture. They said to keep trying to eat something, to stretch out that pathway to your pouch. Please tell me that it's possible to widen that pathway on my own and that I won't need a balloon put down my throat??
About 30 mins ago, I had 3 tiny pieces of banana, 2 small slices of old cheddar cheese, and 2 sesame rice crackers, and so far folks, it's staying down!!!!!! I'm a tad bit uncomfortable, so I'm drinking some HOT water to melt and move things along in there, is that a good idea?
God, I'm so new to all of this! Isn't there a manual we could read? If someone can write, "What To Expect When You're Expecting...." then why can't someone write, "What To Expect When You're Deflating......" Hmmmm, I might be onto something here!! LOL Anyone want to start submitting questions and answers for the participation part of the program?? LOL
Ahhhhh, I think I'm getting overtired. Just managed to get my liquid Iron and a Vitamin C in. If I can finish up this hot water, I'll be ready for bed soon!
RNY POST-OP DAY 35 - Post Date
I had my 1 month follow-up with Dr. Klein last week, and I met with the dietician (Denise P) today and they're both guessing I might have a possible stricture? If anyone who's had a stricture can tell me how it feels, that would be helpful.
All I know is I've been vomiting 4-5 times per week now (well basically anytime I try and eat something sold) The last thing I got in and kept down was a few oysters over a week ago. I threw-up a piece of baked potato on Friday night, I threw-up a piece of chicken on Saturday night (after I made it in the crock pot so it was moist and juicy), I had a piece the size of a dice, chewed, chewed, chewed till it was practically minced-meat, and as soon as it went down, it came right back up. Sunday morning, tried to have another piece of chicken on Sunday morning (just in case Saturday's fiasco was a random-fluke). Chew, chew, chew, and up she came. Yesterday I had an egg white omlette at work, 3 bites and up she came, When I got home, I had a baby dill pickle, which I chewed, chewed, chewed 30 times, and on the 2nd piece, up she came too. Geezus, 2 bites of a pickle, I mean come on already!!! I'm getting good at puking though, I've learned to not even leave the kitchen. I eat over the sink, at least now I just have to bend over!! No more near misses trying to make it to the bathroom!! LOL
Both Dr. K and Denise said they're almost 100% sure it's a stricture and I'll more than likely need to go back in for day surgery to have a balloon put down my throat?? Could someone who's had a stricture please explain the procedure, as I'm not completely sure how it's done, other than Denise said it's not uncommon, and it's a day-surgery procedure, in and out. The both have warned that if I start vomiting up liquids to get my fat arse back to HRRH as soon as possible. Dr. K said if the vomiting continues for the next 2 weeks, he'll make a decision to pull me back in to fix it.
I'm managing to get my vitamins in every morning and evening. A protein shake (500 ml.) takes me over 2 hours to get through, and I'm managing to get in about a litre of water a day, so that's the good for now.
In a strange way, I'm a little relieved that this might be a stricture. At least I know that it's NOT that I'm eating too fast, it's NOT what I'm eating, it's that the whole to my pouch just isn't wide enough. This chronic vomiting and pain I'm feeling, and the fear I have about now eating ANYTHING is't all in my head.
Strange thing too, my incisions had all healed, were all closed, nice and dry. I go to put on a bra this morning, and noticed that one of my incisions was really red. I touched it gently and pus started oozing out of it. I mean WTF?!?! It's been a flippen month already! What's with an incision oozing pus now?? I cleaned it with alcohol, and put a gauze dressing on it and taped it up. I'm leaving the dressing on overnight, and will have a look at it in the morning. Hoping that I'll pull off the gauze and it will look normal and clean. Has anyone else had this happen?
