Doing it all wrong!!!
I'm so frustrated!! I had surgery March 26th..and I have no clue what I am dong. I've posted a couple questions and now feel like I am doing it all wrong!! I feel like the nutritionist didn't give me any information! FIrst off..I am not taking any vitamins..maybe this is because I am only 2 weeks out. I do have an appointment with her Wednesday so hopefully she will be able to tell me everything I need. I don't know how much I am supossed to be eating. I have been eating two scrambled eggs for breakfast..I thought it looked like a decent amount..but I guess from my previous posting..its much too much. I'm frustrated that I can eat them...why can I eat them if it's too much. I thought my pouch was supossed to help me with that. I have eaten that amount several times and not once felt full or sick or anything. I also can eat 6 oz of cream soup at at time. It's so little compared to what I used to eat..I thought it was a decent amount to put in my belly. Someone also just told me that I sould be eating very small portions several times a day...I didn't know that either. I usally eat eggs for breakfast and maybe soup for dinner and a sugar free pudding for snack. And protein drinks! I find myself on the verge of crying...I feel so lost. I don't know what to eat, how much to eat, I don't know what the goals are..foodwise. I don't know about vitamins. I can't help but being super concerned that I can eat so much at a sitting...I know I don't eat much during they day..but I can eat too much when I do eat. Today is the first time since surgery that I hate this whole thing. I am so lost!!!
H/W 325 S/W 325 C/W 162 G/W 169 (normal bmi) 5'9"
Hi, I wasn't sure how to pronounce your name, but anyway, you are not alone with not knowing exactly what you can and can't eat and how much because this is the problem I have been having. I had my surgery on the 29th of March and just came out of liquid stage yesterday. I started off with two eggs as well, but only ate a few bites cause I was in a rush yesterday morning, then yesterday I also ate about a cup of mashed potatoes and I never really know if and when I am really hungry and when I am full either so I just take it slow. I am going to get my staples out Wednesday so hopefully someone can give me a list of foods that are OK to eat, but try going online and search, I am sure someone has put some tips online somewhere. As far as the vitamins, you definitely should have got a list of what you needed to buy ahead of time. You need:
1) Chewable Multivitamins (children's Flintstones, Centrum chewable, or something similar- this you need to take 1 or 2 tabs twice daily)
2) Chewable Calcium Citrate (Citracal, Opurity, ect. but this must contain vitamin D and magnesium and you must take 500-600 mg tabs three times daily)
3) B12 vitamins (sublingual tabs which is under the tongue, and you have three options, 500 mcg (micrograms) tabs everyday, 1000 mcg tabs every other day, or 1000 mcg B12 shot from your PCP once a month)
4) Iron (for women who get their periods or have low iron levels)
5) Senna laxative and colace stool softener for help with using the bathroom (usually once or twice a day)
Hope this helps some!
1) Chewable Multivitamins (children's Flintstones, Centrum chewable, or something similar- this you need to take 1 or 2 tabs twice daily)
2) Chewable Calcium Citrate (Citracal, Opurity, ect. but this must contain vitamin D and magnesium and you must take 500-600 mg tabs three times daily)
3) B12 vitamins (sublingual tabs which is under the tongue, and you have three options, 500 mcg (micrograms) tabs everyday, 1000 mcg tabs every other day, or 1000 mcg B12 shot from your PCP once a month)
4) Iron (for women who get their periods or have low iron levels)
5) Senna laxative and colace stool softener for help with using the bathroom (usually once or twice a day)
Hope this helps some!
Just an FYI:
Flintstones do not provide what we need. They are lacking in enough Selenium and Zinc. The Vitamin A is beta-carotene which we don't absorb very well because we don't have very much stomach acid. Some doctors still advise patients to use it. I think mainly they don't realize that just because the label says complete they really aren't when it concerns RNY Patients. At Johns Hopkins, the Dietitian (MF) told me they are okay, but I read the label and can see they really are not. If you're taking them, I urge you to investigate further for yourself.
Kat
Flintstones do not provide what we need. They are lacking in enough Selenium and Zinc. The Vitamin A is beta-carotene which we don't absorb very well because we don't have very much stomach acid. Some doctors still advise patients to use it. I think mainly they don't realize that just because the label says complete they really aren't when it concerns RNY Patients. At Johns Hopkins, the Dietitian (MF) told me they are okay, but I read the label and can see they really are not. If you're taking them, I urge you to investigate further for yourself.
Kat
According to your doctor's website: a FAQ - will I receive diet help.
Yes. Lasting weight loss will call for adjustments in your diet, and we’ll guide you through them. Your nutritionist (provided by Barix Clinics at your pre-admission testing) will explain the post-operative diet in detail. You will learn everything about meeting your nutritional needs and adjusting your eating habits for your new life. You will also receive a personal copy of the Barix Clinics Guide to Good Health, a resource detailing the diet plan with lots of helpful recipes.
For more helpful weight loss resources you can visit the Barix Connection website (http://barixclinicsstore.com).
On this website you will find our monthly newsletter, an abundance of recipes, and encouraging community support. It’s all part of the Barix Clinics comprehensive patient-focused program.
So you should have received a guide - call them if you didn't receive it.
Wow I'm so sorry you feel lost. I took a 2hr class 2 weeks before my surgery, an hour with my NP who went over pre and post op instructions and the Nut for an hour who gave me a huge packet with EXACT eating directions. I am 4 days post-op. I know all doctors and Nut are different but I can share what my instructions are. Also my original instructions said no vitamins until 2 weeks out. The Nut changed that and said we could start right away-so maybe yours has the same system to wait.
This is exactly what my instructions are:
Stage 1 Diet- Clear Liquids
Duration: 1 week or 7 days
Start: When surgeon has determined that its okay for you to eat in the hospital. Your first day in the hospital on clear liquids counts as day 1.
Diet Instructions: The clear liquid diet consists of broth, SF jello, and your protein supplement drink.
Stage 2 Diet
Start : You will begin your first solid food beginning on Day 8
Diet Instruction: You will slowly wean off of clear liquids and onto SOFT proteins that are well tolerated initially: scrambled or soft boiled eggs, Fish including tuna with light mayo, egg salad with light mayo, ground turkey breast, low fat or FF yogurt (Greek has higher protein), low fat ricotta and cottage cheese (low fat without fruit added).
So I will need supplement with protein drinks until I can can get all my needed protein from food. She said start really slowly. For example:
Day 1-
B- soft cooked egg
L-Protein shake
D-Protein shake
Day 2
B-soft cooked egg
L-1-2oz soft protein (begin drinking fluids 60min later)
D-Protein Shake
Anyway I'm no expert and you are further along than me but I am so grateful that I don't have to guess at all with my food plan.
I also have a Stage 3 which I can write to you. Stage 3 does not mean week 3-you must be able to consume 3 oz of protein at ALL meals to advance your diet which will be different for everyone. Once you can eat 3oz of protein per meal and FEEL LIKE you have room for more, you have entered Stage 3. Basically you're gradually adding in non-protein foods to your meals such as cooked non starchy veggies, fruit and some starches.
I'm sorry this was so long but I think you are doing okay. I know this is my plan from my hospital but maybe some of it will be helpful. Good luck, Karianne
This is exactly what my instructions are:
Stage 1 Diet- Clear Liquids
Duration: 1 week or 7 days
Start: When surgeon has determined that its okay for you to eat in the hospital. Your first day in the hospital on clear liquids counts as day 1.
Diet Instructions: The clear liquid diet consists of broth, SF jello, and your protein supplement drink.
Stage 2 Diet
Start : You will begin your first solid food beginning on Day 8
Diet Instruction: You will slowly wean off of clear liquids and onto SOFT proteins that are well tolerated initially: scrambled or soft boiled eggs, Fish including tuna with light mayo, egg salad with light mayo, ground turkey breast, low fat or FF yogurt (Greek has higher protein), low fat ricotta and cottage cheese (low fat without fruit added).
So I will need supplement with protein drinks until I can can get all my needed protein from food. She said start really slowly. For example:
Day 1-
B- soft cooked egg
L-Protein shake
D-Protein shake
Day 2
B-soft cooked egg
L-1-2oz soft protein (begin drinking fluids 60min later)
D-Protein Shake
Anyway I'm no expert and you are further along than me but I am so grateful that I don't have to guess at all with my food plan.
I also have a Stage 3 which I can write to you. Stage 3 does not mean week 3-you must be able to consume 3 oz of protein at ALL meals to advance your diet which will be different for everyone. Once you can eat 3oz of protein per meal and FEEL LIKE you have room for more, you have entered Stage 3. Basically you're gradually adding in non-protein foods to your meals such as cooked non starchy veggies, fruit and some starches.
I'm sorry this was so long but I think you are doing okay. I know this is my plan from my hospital but maybe some of it will be helpful. Good luck, Karianne
HW-244, SW-234, CW-207
4/8/04 Lap-band-Goal weight for 5 yrs, Tummy Tuck 6/23/08
Lap-band Leak 4/2011, Revision to Gastric Bypass 4/5/12
I had surgery on the 26th and I know exactly how you feel. As for the vitamins I would not worry about it until your appointment unless you have other instructions from your surgeons website. I started with a liquid multi since my release from the hospital and at week two I was told to switch to chewable multis. After my post op appointment I was told to add the calcium, B12 etc. My surgeons instructions are almost identical to Kariannes. I try to get in enough liquid and protein and diary and veggies but I just cant right now. So I am just concentrating on my liquid intake and protein intake. I have an irritated pouch and have to take meds just to eat and drink which makes it difficult. Hang in there. It will get better. You just had major life changing surgery. Be kinder to yourself. Give yourself a break. If today is the first time since surgery that you hate this whole thing then you are doing good. Most of us hate it a few times before we hit the two week mark. Sending hugs your way!
Most Active
Recent Topics