Post op support.....

Well I am officially one week post op from the RNY procedure (Aug. 12th) and I just seem to feeling a little lost, but not in an unhappy way. I actually had a complication and was pulled in for a second surgery 3 days (Saturday) after the first surgery, so with all of that considering, I do feel pretty good about where I am at. However........ this eating routine I seem to fail at daily. When I first arrived home from the hospital I just wanted something besides cranberry and apple juice. So I introduced many new foods on the stage one diet list a little to quickly for my new tummy. Of which I paid for and got new messages sent to my brain almost instantly. So here it is just a few days past being let out of the hospital and I can't get all of the water in daily, I cannot get all of the protein in daily and I actually have to remind myself to eat. I don't get the hunger pains like I used to, but as expected I do get the incision pains of where they went in laparoscopically on me. I have a little cough (allergies) and I would give anything to cough without pain, but that will fade as I heal. Overall I take my vitamins-they stay down, I get some broth in me, I might have a protein drink later, take in some water, not too fond of jello or fake sweetened items, a popsicle, maybe some mashed potatoes, but over all that is about it. A friend who went thru this insists I must get down more, but in all honesty, I just either don't remember and or I can't. Two-Three ounces is about what I can handle and there isn't a heck of a lot of room with that unless you are constantly eating all day which I also just don't feel like doing. I am going to GNC this afternoon in hopes to find some protein powder. I know the nutrition is key, because I do not want my hair to fall out! But.... is this typical in the first week post-op? I am not depressed. I am comfortable for the most part (few angs and pangs of healing), I am happy and feel good. I am not overly crazy pushing myself, although I do return to work tomorrow. But I am not mastering the eating and that concerns me as I do not want to take two steps back nutritionally. If anyone has a suggestion and has a moment to let me know, I would be most appreciative to hear your thoughts. Thankssssss! 

Hi!  First off...welcome to the Cali board....you have come to the right place for answers and encouragement.

I'm sorry to hear you had to go thru a 2nd surgery..but it sounds like you are doing well in spite of it.  Your 'symptoms' all sound perfectly normal to me for only being 2 weeks out..or less.  The first couple of weeks are the tuffest...getting use to the new way of living each day...and they are also the most boring...not much variety in meal planning :-(  Just remember,  the food protocol is for your benefit..and your pouch's!  Each food stage is set to give your pouch the most time to heal and SLOWLY reintroduce food back to your system.  There is just no way you can start off meeting the full requirements...64oz of water, exercising 30 minutes a day, etc etc...these are GOALS to work toward...in time you will be able to do it all.  For example, when I first got home after surgery...I was told to drink 1oz of liquid (water, tea, popcycle, etc) within a 15 minute time frame..which would give me 4oz in an hour.  The amounts and time frame were increased over weeks, not days.

The most important thing at this point....be sure to get all of your vitamins in daily...and constantly sip some type of fluid...this keeps your body healthy and hydrated while your pouch is healing.

Remember, your new pouch is a TOOL....how much effort you put into learning how it works will determine how great the reward for your efforts.  It was and sometimes still is a learning experience for all of us...please continue posting and asking your questions. We all want you to succeed...and knowledge is the key ^_^
Hugs and again, Welcome!
Nancy aka Sunray

The first thing you seem to be forgetting is that you are ONE week post op.  Take a step back, do not listen to what your friend says, you are different already because you had 2 surgeries.  Do what your doctor says.  Don't pu**** don't worry about the water, it will come in time.  I don't think there is anyone post op that did not post about the exact same problem with the water, but SIP it do not gulp it.  The last thing you want is to vomit on some very raw insides.  I don't know what is with the mashed potatoes, that has no nutritional value at all to RNY patients, it will just fill you up with nothing, you need the proteins.  Try some refried beans, and melted cheese on top, but not until the doc says you can.  You are supposed to be full on small amounts, and eat small amounts 6 times a day, don't overfill your pouch stop when it is full.  Drin****d tea, with lemon if you like that, just take it slow.  You are being normal.

We have all been through it, so ask aways with questions

Diane

Congratulations on your surgery. Sorry that they had to go in again. I know all doctors have different regemins in regards to the timeline of what you can and can not eat. On Friday, I will be 3 weeks out. My doctor told me that 2 oz of soft food is good. So by that standard you are doing good. Don't push yourself. Some people believe in taking biotene to stop or minimize the hair loss. Go slow, as you have already experienced, if you ru****s not a good thing. I wish you luck. If you have any questions, never hesitate to call your doctor or even post here on the board. There is quite a few people here who will do everything they can to help you.

Hugs & support always,

Congrats on your surgery :) I'm sorry to hear that you had a 2nd surgery, that has to be tough.

I had surgery one day before you and it's hard. I struggle getting all my protein, vitamins, and water in.  I always make sure to get my protein and vitamins in before anything else and then I sip, sip, sip, sip water all day long.  I constantly have a water bottle next to me at all times, even at night.  My doc has me on clear liquids for 2 weeks after surgery, next week, I can move on to mushies.  I would follow your doctor's and NUT's order to the "T" as much as you can.

Good luck sweetie, it should get easier for ya :)

i had surgery on july 28th i am eating regular foods but very carefull what i choose. i have a constant tummy ache. it doesnt matter if its empty, or if i drink or eat it still has a kinda burning sensation. it really gets me down and i dont feel good. have you experanced anything like this?

My hubby had his surgery with Dr. LePort and I had Dr. Ali (who's in the same office)  In the beginning, Dr. Ali told me not to worry about getting to my daily protein or water intake levels.  I used to take No Sugar Added Instant Breakfast, nonfat milk, and protein powder, mix it all well and pour it into a thermos.  Then every couple hours I'd pour 3 to 4 oz into a cup and sip away.  It would take me 45 minutes to an hour to finish that little cup, but it gave me enough nourishment to keep going. 

I know I always harp on here about using timers, but it's something I've done religiously from the beginning.  It helped me get my water in when I didn't feel like it.  Thirty minutes after "eating" (or drinking) I'd set that timer for ten minutes and sip my water every time it went off.

Also, I drank a lot of Isopure in the beginning.  You can buy it a glass bottle and I believe it's about 160 calories and 40 grams of protein.  You're getting protein and liquid that way.  Don't stress about meeting your daily protein at this stage though. 

I agree with Diane on the mashed potatoes.  I ate them but always with some light velveeta or cheese melted in them.  I also ate refried beans and cheese three times a day sometimes.  I still love them.

I hope this helps a little. 

I can't add anything that hasn't been said already, wonderful comments and suggestions from everyone. What I can do is to welcome you to the Cali boards and let you know that we're glad you've decided to join us.  There are so many wonderful and caring folks here, you'll feel like family in no time.

Welcome to the Cali losers bench!

Hugs,
Barb

Welcome to the Cali boards.  I had RNY 5 1/2 weeks ago and doing remarkably great.  My surgeon was Dr. Ali who is part of Dr. Lepport's group. 

My first 3 weeks consisted of:  sugar free, fat free pudding, sugar free carnitation instant breakfast, instant mashed potatoes made with broth or milk (gives you protein this way), sugar free instant cream of wheat made with milk for protein.  I added a packet of sweet n low to the cream of wheat so it was not so bland.

I bought my isopure at GNC and prefer the grape flavor.  Since you are still in the first stage of the diet, buy the glass bottles as they do have 40 grams of protein.  This protein will count towards your liquid intake as well. 

Now that I am out 5 1/2 weeks, I started almost 1 week early on adding regular foods.  I am not suggesting you do this, but for me I have had no problems or complications.  No dumping of anykind.  I also am very careful about what I have added.  No breads, salads, and very little fruit.  Looking forward to next week where I will begin to incorporate other items as well.
Because I am eating much more food now, sometimes I only need to add 1 isopure protein for 15 g of protein.  Still having problems getting in 64 oz of fluid daily.  It will get better I know,  just not today.

Good luck on your new journey, congrats on your surgery, and check here often for support, answers or post any questions you may have.  There are so many people here with a wealth of information.  Long Beach Coffee meets the last Saturday of every month, look for the posts.

Just keep in mind, that everyone is different, every program is different and always check with your doctor to verify if you are not sure.  The office of Dr. Lepport is very good about having a physician assistant return your call, usually within 30 minutes.

Thanks to you all for such wonderful replies. I really appreciate them! I am taking it in stride and taking one step at a time. Just hard though when you know on a nutritional level you gotta get something in besides a posicle! :) I bought some whey protein today and mixed it with my mashed potatoes and that was great! So if that is what I have to do i will do it! I will earn over the next week what else to mix it with, but for a first go around it was mashed potatoes.

Thanks so much for caring!