New surgery and not losing

Good morning everyone!  
I have someone very close to me who had her surgery just one week before me (so she is 37 days out)  She has dealt with diarrhea almost from the beginning.  (Says she thinks it's FINALLY getting better). She is NOT losing any weight!

I know that she is not getting enough protein (about 40-50 g a day). I also know that she is not drinking enough fluids. 

I told her that according to everything I've read here, I think those are her main problems. But I'm just wondering if that is completely the case.  Shouldn't she still be losing so soon after surgery?  I just want to check with you very knowledgeable people, because I'm so new to all this.  As I'm sure some of you have seen in my earlier posts. ie...Our Dr. didn't give us much to go on. He's given us the guidelines for the RNY.  She is starting to regret having the surgery. 
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all once again,
Ginger

Ok a few questions:

1.  Why is she/he not posting for him/herself?

2.  Are you SURE he/she isn't losing any weight?

3,  Were they on a liquid diet post-op?

4.  Did he/she gain weight while in the hospital?

A few comments.

1.  The first 30-60 days are the worst - a LOT of people have some form of buyers remorse b/c they feel like total ass in the beginning.  This is normal. It takes the body a long time to heal, recover, and adjust.  You just have to wait it out and do what you need to be doing to keep yourself healthy.  Getting this person on OH for themselves will help with this b/c they can read up and see what the rest of us went through in the beginning.   It isn't fun - it's not supposed to be - you just had VERY MAJOR SURGERY.

2.  Early out your main job is NOT weight loss or eating.  It is to stay hydrated, period.  Without that all else fails.  If he/she isn't getting the minimum of 64 oz daily - then they probably need to get in had have some fluids.  But getting in enough liquids - ESP if they are having the diarrhea that you say they are - IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.  Period.  If it takes ALL day long, which some days it does, you have to get the fluids in.

3.  I am glad that you aren't depending on your surgeon for post-op living information, many of them give wrong info.  But your friend really needs to do his/her own research, fact gathering, etc and what-not to be able to make the right choices for him/her self.

4.  Remember to follow the 30-60-90 rule.  30 grams of protein by 30 days, 60 by 60 days, and 90 by 90 days.  And then over 100 from there on out.

5.  I GAINED 20 pounds in the hospital due to the fluids.  So before I could see any real loss I had to lose those pounds first.  I am sure since she isn't drinking enough her body is holding onto every single thing that goes into his/her mouth.  She will likely start to see the scale go down as she/he gets the hydration issue under control.

6.  This is a marathon not a sprint.  What happens in the first 30+ days out of surgery does not set the tone for what will happen for the rest of the journey.  Give it some time and the DS will do its thing.  Really.

7.  Liquid in = liquid out.  Once he/she starts eating more food that is solid this issue should clear up.  But until they he/she can add fiber to liquids or even take some chia seeds - these will also help firm things up.  Or if you are me and  a lot of other peeps - throw in some calcium or iron without mag ox.  The diarrhea issue makes getting in enough fluids even MORE important.  And even if he/she is eating more solid foods - the guts were just rearranged and the tummy all cut up - so they are PISSED of*****ta give it some time to settle down.

8.  Starting now or soon - each day that comes will be a little bit better than the ones past.  That "corner" is coming up and he/she will turn it and life will start looking up.  I really started to feel like myself again around 8 weeks out.  This too shall pass - no matter how sucky it is!

Excellent excellent post.

~Becky

She needs to come here and read and post for herself.  And at 37 days out if she is getting 30 grams of protein a day that is fine.  If she isn't getting enough fluids that is not fine.

How will she know what to do about vites and protein and fluids if she doesn't come here? 

I applaud you for wanting to help her but you really can't.

~Becky

 Marci,
Thank you so much for your input. I agree that she should spend more time here and do some research, but she IS dealing with a lot of stress and emotions other than just her surgery. So i am trying to help as much as I can.
I will point her toward this post.

Thank you again,
Ginger

 Thank you Becky, I agree.  I will point her here.
Thank you,
Ginger

I like the way you put that- my tummy is pissed off. That explains all the screams I have heard coming from that area the first couple months. lol After the DS you dont need to worry about it working like a diet. There isn't impending doom this time. You just have to work on getting in all the liquid, proteins & supplements and being patient enough to wait for the scale. I dont weigh more than once a month now as I have seen stalls for weeks between losses. I need to focus on getting in what I should and to avoid carbs that could slow it down. The first couple months are usually the worst but I can say everyday it gets better! The diarrhea is temporary. Things should firm up once you guys start getting soft foods.

 I have say that we are able to eat foods.  At two weeks He told us to go ahead with mushy foods (anything able to be mashed with a fork).  However many proteins can't be, so we have taken it upon ourselves (after reading advice from this forum regarding the differences in RNY and DS) to add other foods to our diet.  With trial and error and figuring out how each react with my body, I am able to eat some pretty solid foods. I haven't been brave enough to try steak yet, but it sounds so good! 

About how far out are we able to eat without restriction? (besides avoiding carbs of course)

Ginger

I was eating a few solid foods at the beginning of my second week post-op. Not that I recommend it for everyone, but it was fine for me.  I spent my second week recuperating in a hotel in Brazil and had access to its Continental Breakfasts.
I ate in the smallest amounts:
* thin meats (canadian bacon, ham, turkey, beef)
* bread (don't do this...trust me!)
* grapes, melons, strawberries and a few other soft fruits
* cheese
* soups (don't try the noodle kind, only the broth)
* peanut butter from a spoon (little bitty licks)

At the THIRD week, I was eating:
* LOTSA watermelon (I craved it and never got my fill-my tummy did, but not ME!)
* KFC
* Meat/cheese wraps (wheat flour tortilla)
* Taco meat with the fixings (went easy on the corn tortilla though..a couple bites didn't seem to hurt)
* Cheeses
* Deli meats, hot dogs, bologna
* Roast beef (shredded) with mashed potatoes and gravy
* Pizza (toppings only)
* I'm sure there were a few more things, but after '5' years, I have forgotten some.
EVERYTHING was in moderation though (as in a few bites ...rest a half hour...a few more...etc)

TELL HER and do it yourself too...TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS 'periodically'.  There will be many times that you are not losing pounds~BUT~the INCHES will be melting off.

Now for her problem, she could be retaining water. Tell her to drink as much as she is able.  If she cannot handle the flavor of water, buy some sugarfree flavoring (it use to be my beverage of choice BEFORE surgery, but must have it flavored now.)  It helps a lot! 

If she is having a hard time getting in protein, tell her to at least try to lick peanut butter (from a spoon).  It kills two birds with one stone...She will get protein AND it will make her thirsty

IF she tries everything that THIS FORUM Family suggests and she still doesn't begin to lose weight (or inches) within a month (at least), it is in her best interest to contact her doctor.

Best wishes to you both.