For all you that are post-op-

How hard was it for you to adjust to a new eating and drinking schedule when you got home? I think I might be making this harder for myself then it really is. I am so afraid that when I get home, I am going to forget to do something. I have a routine in place just not the times yet.

I'm having a hard time remembering to drink all the time. I get up and like today I did have some tea, but then ate breakfast and wanted to drink right away after. I held off and when the feeling passed, I forgot to start drinking again. But eventually the thirst catches up with you and you can start again. I can only speak for myself though in that I've not felt drinking is any different for me now than before. I drink the same size swallows as before, I just try not to get a lot of air with it. Eating has been easier than I thought it would. I guess I have had enough fear of getting something stuck that I chew everything really well without feeling it's a hassle... Dina

Sharon, I had my surgery (open RNY-distal) on March 1, 2004, so I am now 19 days post op. Its really not a hard routine to get in to. Just remember that when you prepare your meal to measure!!! Probably the worst thing that you could do is to overeat. I am kind of getting used to the portion size now and can almost get it perfect without measuring! My stomach is now getting used to the "full feeling" and I know when to stop, even if I don't get the full 4 oz. You will know if you have had enough. As far as drinking, I am still trying to get used to not drinking with meals. That is hard for me, but I am working on it. I am thirsty all the time, so I am usually always drinking. The hard part for me is to stop drinking 30 minutes before meals! Good luck to you!

I just got home and am a bit confused too....the doctor said go back to the protein shakes but before I could drink 8 ozs. (pre-op) and now they don't want me to do more than 2 ozs the first week....so I had leftovers....then I shouldn't do liquids and food togethere only one or the other at least 30 minutes apart....but is a shake liquid or water?? I am not in pain just sort of uncomfortable....but I will be patient.

I'm like Dina I have a hard time remembering to drink all day, but what helps is that my lips and mouth get so dry, I can almost get 32 oz of water in and I'm supposed to get more but right now its not happening. but I dont really think about it. I eat when I get hungry which right now is about 2 times a day, and try to get in some sort of protein in between my meals which I'm finding is easier. ~Nicole OPEN RNY 3-9-04 Down 31 pounds forever!!

I seem to be more obcessed with getting everything in I'm keeping a daily diary of when I take my meds, do my finger sticks (sugar test) when and what I eat and how much water I'm taking in (found warm mint tea easiest fluid) only eight days out and yesterday was first day I got both 60 grams of protein and 64 oz of fluid in. Hot to warm foods seems to settle on my stomach better then cold Karen Duncan

I'm keeping a log of everything that goes in my mouth. I log fluids in 8 oz increments--I pour that much at a time. I try to get about 30 gms protein in food and about 30 gms protein in shakes (right now), and 64 oz fluid (shakes count for both). At about 2:00 I see how I am doing and step up whatever I am short on. It does take conscious thought because I am not hungry very often. Calculating the protein is a pain the first few days but gets easier as you eat the same thing you have eaten before. It is good practice for reading labels! I will take the log sheets to the doc for my post op. I know my logging will get more simplified when I go to work--maybe set a "during the day" goal of 32 oz fluids and take my lunch. Hope this helps Joy -20 lbs / 18 days

Its not that bad so far. I am home so It is easy. Now when I go back to work it may be different. My suggestion is to write it all down. This will help you get in the swing of things. You will do fine. I went ahead and measured out some things in little containers so that I wont have to measure everytime I go to eat. You will do fine. LaDonna -22 myette==>Teri

I'm on liquids only for 2-3 weeks I have to have a no sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast for each meal and I can have one snack per day (yogurt, sf pudding, tomato soup) I'm miserable. This is one hard stage. I have my "meals" at all different times. My pouch is weird. Last night I didn't even have my dinner cause I was still full from my 1 o'clock "lunch" and also so gassy! For my liguids, I have my own juice container, I make 64 oz of SF tang each day and try as hard as possible to get it all down. I havn't been able to yet. I can get 32 oz down so that with my 3 CIB's I get in about 56 oz of fluids a day. I'm getting there.... Kelley CAN'T WAIT FOR STAGE 4 (pureed & soft foods)