1 week post op..needing some advice

hi everybody as of today im 1 week post op and trying to adjust to this huge change that ive put both my body and mind through.im trying to get in fluids which i know im not getting in enough and ive started taking in protein shakes the past 2 days because i was starting to feel so weak. like some of you that are recent post op i have had a few dreams of food which i never did before and tv drives me crazy with all the food comercials!!! im sick to death of broth, jello , and water the shakes offer me some type of change but i cant stop thinking about food i was wondering when some of you went to the full liquid phase of your diet, and how you could tell your tummy was full because i really cant and i try to becareful not to drink too much in fear of getting sic****ep reminding myslf that this is only temporary and i read through profiles and the before an after pics to keep myself focused but i would really appreciate hearing from some of you whom have gone through what i am right now im driving my hubby nuts!!! im also not sure if the stages are different for different types of surgery f.y.i. i had the open ryn fobi pouch. thanks for letting me vent here and im looking forward to any advice you all can give me. kriss

Kriss, I feel for you girl! I remember this stage very vividly. I remember the misery of watching the food commercials, feeling like I'd never feel full again, being so sick of liquids I could die, and wondering how many different ways my life would change. I had the open RNY too with a Fobi pouch (my surgeon didn't call it that, but I've got a ring around the bottom of my pouch). It took me until I was about 6 months out before I started getting a full feeling. I thought I'd never know again. Trust me, it comes back! I spent the first few months constantly getting sick because I couldn't gauge how much I had eaten. That's why so many people weigh their food and don't eat anymore than 4 oz. I was never into weighing food, part of the reason why I couldn't stick to a diet like that, so I paid the price of being sick for a while, but now I know how much I can eat and I don't get sick very often. My mom came to stay with me after surgery, and she and my roommates ordered pizza one night. I got up to walk around the house, and as soon as I saw the pizza boxes, I started crying. I just felt so lost and alone at that point. I realized then that I had done something to my body that no one else I knew had done. For the rest of my life I would be different than my family and friends. Not like I hadn't been different before, being almost 500 pounds. That was the worst moment I had..... The fluid things is hard, especially in the beginning. I am just now at 10 months out, starting to get almost as much water as I need. For a while water hurt me. So, be patient with yourself. The hardest thing I've learned is how to be gentle with myself. We spend so much of our life being so aware of all that's wrong with us, it's hard to get out of that mindframe. I've been in therapy since before surgery, and I accredit it with giving me the insight and strength I need to get through this, and become a better person. Good luck to you! Keep posting here, and know you're not alone. Kelle

I remember your frustrations~! I know eveyrone is tellilng you to chill and it will get better, and it does - you are in that omg what did I do to myself stage - for me things really perked up around week 5 or 6. Just get in what you can (liquids/protein/vitamins) and try not to stress too much over what you cannot. You will learn when your pouch is full once you move past liquids. For me the first time I realized I was full was a good 8 weeks out or so when I was eating chicken - it sat like a hard ball right below my breastbone - not uncomfortably full - but you got the idea 'ok! I am full so this is what that feels like moment.'

Hey, Kriss, I went back to my profile, and it looks like it was on the third or fourth day. Campbells on Hand (2 oz.) creamy chicken and mashed potatoes made life better. I also did have a lowfat saltine cracker with a little peanut butter at about your stage. Please know that it is best to follow your surgeon's plan. When I was where you are, I really thought I had made the biggest mistake ever. I would read posts with people saying they have no regrets, and I would almost curse. PLease know that in a few months you WILL be glad you've made this decision. I'm not a measuring person either. I just took two or three small bites or tastes each sitting. I went through a time of mourning for food too. I think that's kind of normal...as normal as I can be. Hugs, Becky

Kriss, I know what you mean about the body and mind experience post op. I am now 10 days post op with an open RNY, I can't imagine taking in soild foods !I have been told that I can go to full liquids, even puree.Just afraid .I watch as the family eats all of my past favorites, but remember my doctors visit today and the thrill of being down 14 lbs! Hang in there .. I do know how you feel . Cheers, Janet

Kristy, I feel your pain. I am going through the same things. I have cried every day because of food mainly. I see things on TV that I would LOVE to have and know that I can't. I watch my family eat stuff that I would give anything to have. I still haven't found a protein shake that I can actually tolerate so I know I am not getting in enough protein. I have looked at the before and afters a million times...trying to convince myself that this is all worth it. I keep trying to remind myself that eventually I WILL be able to have regular food again and in the meantime I am getting smaller and healthier. This surgery is a total mind game, I am convinced of that. If we can just make it through the next few weeks we will be fine. Hang in there and e-mail me if you want to talk. Shree

I am also 1 week post-op, I know what you mean about the food. My first day home I went to my mom's & stayed because my husband had to work & she cooked supper for them they had burgers & fries & I smelled it & thought what have I done, I kept thinking did I make the worst mistake of my life, but I know I didn't. Today my 4th day of being home I weight & saw I had lost 11lbs. & that right their made me know I did the right thing. I had cream of chicken soup (99%fat free) strained on Thursday & I only could hold like 4 tablespoons, what I am craving more than anything is peanut butter on a spoon, just to lick, I don't know why peanut butter but I want it so bad. I go Monday for my 1st. visit with Dr. Procter & I hope my egg stay's down so I can advance to differen't stuff. ( refried beans). But all in all I feel good, haven't hurt any really since the day of surgery & haven't been sick any. Thank you all for all the prayers. [email protected] ((((HUGS)))) Tammy Gunter

That is so wierd because I am craving peanut butter too *lol*. I had some mashed potatoes last night. I know that I wasn't REALLY supposed to but the family was having KFC and they looked so damn good that I HAD to have some. I ate about 3 bites and felt SOOOOOO good. Also had some instant oatmeal this morning (sugar free). It feels so good to have something besides jello and broth. Ok, I was wondering something so VETS...is it ok to blend like a tablespoon of peanut butter in a protein shake??? What about bananas? Can we have them? Just trying to think of some new stuff Shree

Shree, I'm not sure about that since I am so early post op, but if you find out please let me know. I want peanut butter so bad........... not to acutally take bites of but just lick to get the taste. Isn't that bad? Tammy

I'm going to ask my doctor on Tuesday when I go for my two week follow-up so I will let you know what he says. Shree