Problems-Advice Needed

Hello all! I am finally able to sit here and type without too much pain. As some of you know I had Open RNY on Nov. 2nd. I am having a few problems and was wondering if they are normal and if anyone has any suggestions. 1. I lost about 30 lbs in the first 2 weeks- wonderful! I know! However- in the past 10 days the scale has not moved- actually it moved up 1 lb. Is this normal to have a plateau this early??? 2.I am having trouble getting all my protein in. I am on soft foods now and I tolerate low fat lunch meat turkey the best. I do not tolerate protein powders/drinks well. I hate anything milky or mayo like. Any suggestions? 3. I of course got my period in the hospital. 10 heavy days of it. Now it has been back for about 7 days. Super heavy, clotting, extremely painful and no end in sight. I was diagnosed with possible endometriosis a few months ago. I have been taking my Yasmin BCP and the period just won't stop. SOOOO painful and heavy. This happen to anyone?? I have spend 20 of the past 30 days with this!! 4. Constant morning nausea and tightness in pouch? I dumped taking Reglan today- normal? 5. Did anyone eat the following in their soft foods? If so is it ok? Healthy Choice Mac N CHeese, noodle soup (Lipton with Tiny noodles) & fruit (strawberries/raspberries?) Sorry for all the questions- I just am freaking out getting used to things and needed some advice from all of you friendly people out there! Thanks so much and Happy Holidays for whatever holiday you celebrate! Kim 11/02/05 367/333

Kim, I'm so sorry you are struggling. What does your doc say about the period? That does sound a bit odd, yet it is not uncommon for your body to start adjusting to the weight loss and also react to your surgery by getting your period off cycle. A friend of mine got hers in the hospital then again during her regular time, so it can happen. That in itself can be draining and taxing on your body. You may have nausea because you are just not eating enough, which could also be why the scale hasn't moved. You have to ingest the right foods in the appropriate amounts or your body is going to hang on to what it has. BTW, how is your water intake? Your few choices for soft food don't allow much protein, you need protein to help with your weightloss and keep your body (heart) on track. I know that you are a "selective" eater since that was a concern of yours prior to surgery, but try to get off to the right start with your protein intake so that it will be easier down the road. Here are some soft food ideas taken from another post-op's list: Soft poached eggs/soft scrambled eggs (add cheese) - kind of runny, hot cereal, mashed taters, mashed yams, mashed turnips, tuna and egg salads (you can combine them too), sugar-free sorbet, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese (nuke with a little spaghetti sauce), moz cheese sticks, squeeze cheese, bananas, peanut butter, cream cheese, mashed berries, canned peaches - I mashed these - same with canned pears, chili (meat pureed, if need be), over-cooked broccoli/cauliflower to mushy, corned beef hash, flan, custard, soft fish, crab, avocados, refried beans with or without cheese, cream of rice, grits (good with cheese)...not all of these will be on YOUR doctors approved list. I promise you, it gets better! You have put your body through a lot in a short time and it is trying to heal and get back to feeling normal. You'll need to help it along by following your surgeon's eating plan as best as possible and hang in there. You are doing great but if you have doubts, call your doc! Take care Amy

Hi Amy, How are you. You are doing amazing. Let me know next time you are in St. Augustine.

Kim, 30 lbs. in 2 weeks is a LOT, so I'm not a bit surprised that the scale hasn't moved in a bit. Your body is just trying to catch its breath, so to speak! Don't worry about that and you probably need to get off the scale and weigh yourself far less often. Some of your questions really needs to be put to your doctor, like the concerns on your period and the nausea. You've just got to keep trying to figure out protein options that you can tolerate. If you don't you're going to be buying yourself a pack of trouble, starting with hair loss or possibly much worse. I wouldn't suggest strawberries or raspberries on a newly stitched pouch. Go for softer stuff, not fruit that has seeds. Amy had some great suggestions except for the mashed turnips! NO idea what she was thinking there!! BWAHAHAHA!! To each his own when it comes to food choices!! Check out BariatricEating.com for some protein suggestions!! Good luck!! Jan

Hey wait! That list was "borrowed" from Tooter Dame a long time ago, most were not my preference. I'm just trying to give Kim some options, Missy ! Amy

Oh, my bad!! I didn't read your post closely enough and I'm SOOOO relieved to hear that you'd NEVER really suggest turnips to anyone on your own. I thought for sure you'd gone 'round the bend!!! Big hugs, Amy!! Jan

In response to all of that mashed turnip business - how about mashed cauliflower. So Good! Hope you are feeling better soon. When I was in for surgery once, the doctor told me that surgery can very likely bring your period on early. Carol

And just WHAT is WRONG with TURNIPS??? LOL! I love turnips the greens and the roots. Kim sorry that you are having so many problems. I have not had sugery yet so I really don't have any useful advice for you as far as the protein thing goes except that it sure doesn't sound like you are getting enough. I would also suggest that you discuss the heavy and prolonged periods with your doctor. I have heard WLS pts. say that they started having more frequent periods after WLS but 20 out of 30 days sounds way excessive to me. Kat

I am post op as well - surgery 10/4/05. My scale didnt budge for a long time. Mostly due to my lack of intake of enough food (body was going into starvation mode) and not enough water. Had the same nausea problem. I didnt want another RX, so Drs' office suggested "Papaya Supplements" (for nausea) from GNC. Really helped. Then again, Drs' office suggested Pepcid Chewables 2 in the am and 2 in the pm for a week to help me tolerate water. It took exactly 7 days for that trick to work. I couldnt tolerate the same protein drinks that I drank before surgery. I found "Zero Carb, Isopure (vanilla)" that you mix with water. Of course you have to buy the big mongo container. GNC will refund if it doesnt work for you or you dont like it. I started mixing a splash of sugarfree pudding just for flavor, pistachio, lemon, etc. There are lots of things we dont like...but we chose this surgery for health and we must do these things. I think I was 6 weeks before I could take in 1/2 my allotment of water. Please always refer to the Drs' office if you are still having nausea and not taking in enough protein - that way they can keep track of problems and progress. Remember perserverance has rewards.