A few questions for the experts

Hello. I have had my surgery a week ago in Switzerland. I already started eating normal food like meat, bread and pasta on Day 4. I have 3 ounces of food per meal. I am doing fine, but I do not know when I am full. Is this normal? Will it change?

Another question - how long after surgery can I start exercising. I am walking a half an hour now, but is this enough?

You started eating bread and pasta four days after RNY?  Is that what your surgeon instructed you to eat?  And how are you getting enough protein this early out if you're eating things like bread and pasta?

Didn't your surgeon tell you when to start exercising?  I was instructed not to do anything other than walking for six weeks.  It sounds like you need to consult your surgeon for some advice.

Hello Kelly

Thanks for your response. The Swiss and Europeans does things very differently. My Surgeon does not believe in any stages - we have to start eating 2 days after surgery. We stay in hospital for 6 days and we are monitored for this period. I was given bread for breakfast, meat, pasta and veg for lunch and dinner, in hospital, on the 4th day after surgery already. I have the same program till I see my nut 2 weeks post surgery. So far I have had no problems with the food.

We further eat normal food, with no restrictions, till the night before surgery. I asked my Endocrinologist why we do not do the liquid duet before the surgery and she inforned me that they only do this for the people with very high BMI's, since according to reasearch the liquid diet, may decrease a person's metabolism and immunity.

I have followed this forum for months before my Op and you can imagine how anxious I was that I got very different instructions from my NUT. I have challenged her several times, but then decided to follow the forum members advice and follow the plan which I was given.

Since we have no support group in Switzerland, this forum and all your input is invaluable for me. Thanks a lot.

Bread & Pasta? I'm 3 + months out & I won't go near the stuff, you need protein not carbs. I was not allowed to exercise for about 6 weeks after surgery other then walking. 

I was told you need to eat like this:

3-4 ozs of protein, 1 oz veggies then & only after you have been able to eat all of that & if you have room move onto a carb.

I'm 9 months out today and can't eat bread and pasta. How are you doing it?! I didn't start eating meat until I was 2 months out and that was small bits of seafood, shrimp, scallops, not even chicken.  And you're not supposed to feel full. You eat and small portion and you are satisfied.  It's something you need to get used to.

Not "feeling" full is normal, as your nerves are cut during surgery and they take a while to re-grow.... often people don't really have a "full" feeling like they may have had pre-surgery, mainly b/c our pouches are made from a non-stretchy part of the stomach. I liken the feeling to an on or off switch - - I'm either hungry or satiated. Anything beyond that is PAINFUL and coming back up!  So don't try to push past the 3 oz. Just stick with as small as you can for now.

 

As to food choices, I'd really question what post-op instructions your surgeon gave you. I don't think I touched bread or pasta until 1 yr postop and had a VERY structured plan for the first year. Liquids for a couple weeks, then pureeds for a month, then soft foods for another month then only meats, and finally cleared for veggies a few months postop. Wasn't supposed to have any fruit for 1 yr but I didn't agree with that rule; still waited several months before moving on to berries, etc. You really need to treat this new system gently!

Most surgeons will ok and even encourage walking to tolerance but more strenuous exercise is a good 6 weeks postop for adequate healing. Some people lose their excess weight without formal exercise, usually due to physical limitations like busted joints or arthritis. Others, like me, find that the weight loss facilitates a real enjoyment in exercise! It becomes part of a new lifestyle, not just something you "have to" do.

OMG! I do not know how on earth you are eating that. I would be on the floor in misery if that were me and I just had a TINY bite of pasta when I was about a week out. Bread and meat? No way.

 

Did your surgeon or dietician give you a food plan to follow? Some surgeons have people start eating normal food straight out but most have a schedule that goes liquid, mushy food, solid food, it's ok if your surgeon does it differently and has you eating solids straight up. Bread and pasta are not so good for your new tummy, they will fill it up( you might not be feeling that yet because of the cut nerves) and not giving you anything nutritionally, can you maybe stick with the meat and add seafood or diary or eggs?

most people early out try to eat protein first and then if they have gotten in all their protein they add some non starchy veg or low sugar fruit.

do you have a dietician? If not maybe that would be something you could look into.

i think if you're not registering a full feeling yet, which is common, it's very very important for you to weigh or measure your food.

exercise is different for everyone, just stick with walking only and don't push yourself, take it slow and steady.

Yikes!! I dont know how your eating that either! I had three little bitty grilled shrimp tonight and a lil bit of green beans and I am miserable!! Protein first!! Scrambled eggs,protein shakes,cottage cheese and the like are some good choices!

Wow, I'm 3 years out and still can't eat bread. It's literally all I can do to take even a bite of bread without feeling sick or foamy still. I can't imagine eating solid foods like bread, meat and pasta just days after surgery. 

I'd definitely walk but be cautious on exercising. A week out of surgery and I was still shuffling around and that wasn't totally by choice! Good luck!