Starting to wonder if surgery was right for me

Okay guys, you need to knock some sense into me.  I've had a lousy couple of weeks post-op and am starting to wonder if I made the right choice by having this surgery.  I think my head is fighting with my pouch.  I've been so frustrated lately that I'm not healing or progressing like I thought I would.   I was hoping to be back at work by this week and now I'm out until the first week of January.  At my 10 day post-op appt, I had already thrown up once...for no reason.  My doctor ordered a stat upper GI for me the next day, which came out with everything looking fine (no leaks or strictures).   Today is 3 weeks out from my surgery and I've thrown up two more times.  I know I ate too much at one point because I had just gotten the okay to start pureed/soft foods.  You would have thought I had won the lottery, I was so excited.  That little endeavor had me in the bathroom getting sick 4 times.  Last night I tried some cottage cheese and must have eaten that too fast because it didn't stay down long either.   How do I train my head to know that my stomach is no longer the size it used to be???  I'm so aggravated with myself.  I'm trying to stay hydrated, but I'm still totally nauseated by protein drinks.  So I'm getting in very little protein.  I've got no energy and am so sick of sitting around the house.  Help!   This week I've got 2 holiday get togethers that I can't attend because I'm afraid I'll get sick from other people's food smells or just not feel well being out.  Please tell me this gets better!!!!!   

Today is 3 weeks out from my surgery and I've thrown up two more times.  I know I ate too much at one point because I had just gotten the okay to start pureed/soft foods.  You would have thought I had won the lottery, I was so excited.  That little endeavor had me in the bathroom getting sick 4 times.  Last night I tried some cottage cheese and must have eaten that too fast because it didn't stay down long either.   *** You have already started to figure out your body .. !! This is the key .. listen to your body ****  How do I train my head to know that my stomach is no longer the size it used to be???  I'm so aggravated with myself.  I'm trying to stay hydrated, but I'm still totally nauseated by protein drinks.  So I'm getting in very little protein.  I've got no energy and am so sick of sitting around the house.  Help! Sweet heart .. you are still so new to this . I was not 100 percent until about week 8 . You are doing awesome ..The bouts of throwing up have been diagnosed with your upper GI .. so you know there is nothing medically wrong . You have already shown where you know some of the problem is . You are doing it right .. trust me .. Just keep to the rules.. remember that you will falter .. but you have to learn from your mistakes. As to the protein .. I got to say .. you MUST get it in .. or you will not regain your strenght . You have to find a way to get in the protein in . Head hunger  .. this is something you really have to work on . You have to get yourself in the frame of mind that it is exactly what it is .. Head Hunger .. get up and walk away .. get busy doing something .. go for a walk .. or if it keeps up .. get something to drink .. like water or chrstal lite . Remember too that being this new .. you still have some residual acid in there .. this too can make you feel hungry . Try to work it out . Start a journal each time it happens .. look at your surroundings .. see what may be triggering it on a physical level . You can do this .  If you decide to go to the holiday parties . Take your own food source . Or eat before you go .. and let the hostess know you had eaten already .But if the smells or party itself is too intimidating .. just bow out and stay home .. You WILL GET THROUGH THIS ... Trust me .. so many of us had doubts .. but I can tell you they can be worked through and you can come out of this a total success .. Please know it and believe it .. !!! I know it is hard ... just believe in yourself .. give yourself credit .. you have already put into motion the solutions !! If you need to talk futher .. please email me .. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE .. !!!  Take care !!  Nat

Hi there - every one of is different in how our journeys will go. I think that although there are some differences there are many things that are the same. Its easy to get frustrated because our minds have not yet gotten adjusted to our newly changed bodies. Sipping/eating too much & too fast is common for many starting out. It doesn't mean you are a failure it just means you have to slow down & take your time & focus on what your body is telling you. Regarding the work situation I was out of wor****il exactly 4 weeks to the day I had surgery. It wasn't easy. It drove me crazy! But, I walked, walked & walked some more. Nature is THE best thing ever for your being tired of the house. Getting outside, into nature, into the fresh air & sunshine & walking will truly lift your spirits. Regarding getting in protein, don't give up keep trying. Initially I used SF Carnation Instant Breakfast & non-fat dry milk along with skim milk & made pitchers of it & was able to do well with it. I got bored with it & now am mainly an AchievOne drinker. Training your brain vs your new tummy takes time, determination & trial & error. Having no energy will change once you start getting in ample fluids, protein, vits & exercise. As for the holiday get togethers you might try drinking your protein before attending. While there you might bring along sf hot chocolate and sipping on it. Making conversation is a great way to keep your mind off eating/drinking. Just remember to take breaks, walk, talk, sip & enjoy. It DOES get better. Chin up, prayers coming your way & keep reaching out. All best....

Bless you dear in this tough time. There were times before and after I wondered what the heck I had gotten myself into. Patience and making a list of priorities may help you so much. Planning ahead really helped me. I had my surgery in November and hard a hard time with not vomiting thru Christmas from smells and eating too much. I know now it was so worth it. I have other health problems now that would be so much worse carrying that extra 160 lbs.  Take it slow and remember what you learned as you prepared for this surgery, the reasons you had as motivation to start with.  God bless you and grant you the peace to take baby steps and get thru this, Shannon

If you had a 3 week old healthy baby that had thrown up three times would you think you were a bad mother?  Your pouch is in it's infancy.  Give yourself sometime.  You will do great.  Right now your body doesn't have the nerve endings in place to tell you that you are full.   In the beginning when I was hungry or excited to eat I would eat too fast.  Go easy on yourself. You have to learn by trial and error.  I wish you the very best.  Loris

Hey there !! How are you .. how have you been ???  I know you must be feeling and looking amazing !!!  Happy Holidays !!  Natalie

Girl, I completely understand.  I have been having the same thoughts. I haven't had any problems with vomiting.  But make sure your doctor knows and YOU pay attention to the things your body may not like. As far as the holiday gathering, I have decided for my company holiday breakfast, I'm going to bring a thermos with a shake and a water bottle with me to sip off of while everyone else in enjoying their meal.  At least I'll have SOMETHING to do other than sit there unable to eat solids at that point.  I would just advise you to prepare your own items to bring with you so you can still enjoy yourself without feeling let out of the food part of it.  Preparation is key. Lauren

I'm 2 weeks post op and have similar problems. I'm learning that I eat and drink too fast and too much. I don't know when I'm full.  I just have to measure my foods. Keeping it at just over 1/4 cup. I've found that a protein shake acts like food as far as filling up my pouch. I've been drinking too fast and too much. I get nauseous and it takes about 30 minutes to get feeling well again.  I go back to work in 2 weeks. My fear is getting sick at work. I have to figure out what I'm going to eat now and not try new foods/liquids at work.  All in all I know I made a good choice in getting the surgery. After a couple of months things will get back to a new normal.

I don't think that I have ever copied and pasted a response before, but here I go--it is appropriate for you too!
Sweetheart, for the first month or so after my RNY, I told everyone that if I could turn the clock back, I would RUN the other way!  I hurt terribly, and was certain that I had made a big mistake.  At 2 weeks post-op, I began walking every day, and that seemed to help quite a bit.

Now at almost 3 years post-op, my only regret is that I didn't have the surgery sooner.  Give it time.  It WILL get a little bit better each day.  I know that's hard to believe right now, but it is true.

Hang in there, and let us know how you are feeling.  If anyone says that this was a total breeze, they are either lying or are extremely lucky.

With love, JoAnn

I think everyone has already said what I would.  My advice....take it easy on yourself and remember to eat very very slowly and chew very very well ..don't drink with meals and when drinking..sip only, don't gulp or chug.  Hang in there, it does get better over time.  You are still so early post op..listen to your body and don't test the waters with food too much..  Don't be hard on yourself, your body is going through alot right now.  The time will come when you see that weight fall off you and you will say, man th is is all worth what i went through.   hugs