Getting-used-to-new-me

Can you explain to us newbies what caused the vomiting and feeling? Im vegetarian and have a feeling eating salads and raw veggies is in my future....is the problem the raw? Is this a "at first" thing or are raw veggies something to cross off all together? Thank you! For me, pouch pain, vomiting, and foamies are all caused by the same things--swallowing food chunks that are too big, and eating too fast. Some sources say "chew for 22" meaning chew your bites of food 22 times before swallowing. Others say chew thirty times. For me, I have to start with a bite no larger than a teaspoon for solids like steak, and no more than a tablespoon size for soft foods like oatmeal. And I have to chew each bite until it's the consistency of pudding. Then I swallow it. Yes, steak "pudding"! As you might expect, this means I eat smaller amounts, and take a longer time doing it, than I used to before surgery. I believe that's how the gastric bypass surgery has helped me the most--the pouch pain, vomiting, and foamies have forced me to eat the way I was always supposed to. Small bites, chewed to "pudding" consistency. Oh, and always eating the Protein part of the meal first.

I agree with you Smiley

That's definitely one of what I call "the panics of bariatric surgery". Each of us has to face at least a few of those "panics" before, during, AND after surgery. ANY cause for concern should be handled with your health care team. Specifically, "not being able to STOP losing weight" usually doesn't last. It's usually our body and mind making yet another adjustment to that great and terrible thing we each had done to ourselves. Usually. I can't overstate the need to address this and ANY other concern with your health care team. After all, you hired them to make this right. Right?

I really like that, "It's a journey; not just a step on the scale!" I hope that's not copywrited, cuz I wanna use it!

As you probably already know, the bottom line is that any natural anti-inflammatory may be easier on your new guts, but won't act as fast as the latest medicines your PCP and bariatric surgeons group would prescribe. I'd recommend you stick with what they prescribe. That said, here are a couple of links to better-than-normal internet articles on natural anti-inflammatories: http://rheumatoidarthritisdiagnosis.org/rheumatoid-arthritis-treatments/the-best-natural-anti-inflammatory-supplements/ http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/anti-inflammatory-diet-road-to-good-health I hope that helps. I don't like seeing or hearing about anyone in pain.

It's hard to go wrong with 1/2 cup meals!

I agree with the dehydration, especially when you're still less than a year out from surgery. It helped me to chew my VERY small bites of food until it was like pudding consistency, before I swallowed it. But even now, at 16 months out, I still have to hydrate. Even at this stage in my progress, I've found two things about it. First, I ride my bicycles A LOT, now that I can again. I especially like riding long distances, like half-Century (50-mile) and Century (100-mile) rides. I like to train for them by riding those distances everywhere it's reasonably safe to do so, like the Spokane River Centennial Trail. I like "touring" more than racing. I find that I can ride literally all day, if I go at a steady, slower pace. (My arthritic knees complain LOUDLY if I don't!) What I've noticed is that after about a half hour of riding, if I forget to hydrate, I get close to passing out! So I make sure I have my hydration pack and extra water bottles with me. I even have the drinking fountains and other water sources as planned out as possible. And I use Protein shakes to hydrate with as well. Second, if I forget and eat more than a half cup of solid food at a time, I still get the hiccups until I get a little water down. This is even though I chew it until it's like pudding before I swallow. Our NUT and the Nurse Practitioner recently told us at our support group that if we've missed our water doses, we should eat a little of the softest food on our plate before we eat the protein. I hope this helps!

You're welcome Beni, but it wasn't original with me. I hope it helps everyone who goes through these trials!

I heard of this website. http://obesitycoverage.com/weight-loss-surgeries/gastric-bypass/how-much-can-i-expect-to-lose Here's another link to the same calculator: http://obesitycoverage.com/how-much-will-you-weigh-after-surgery/ The calculator does results for RNY, sleeve, and lap band patients. I might have heard of it on this very thread. Many thanks to whomever mentioned it. It's been very helpful to me and my wife. I had an RNY. She had the sleeve. I say the closer you are to the weight calculated by this website, or if you lose even more, you should pat yourself on the back, and count it as a MAJOR victory. I do! And definitely pat yourself on the back for all the health improvements you get!

For what it's worth, at our latest support group, our nutritionist told us we have to change routines every eight weeks. Our metabolism optimizes at eight weeks. So what was successful isn't anymore. The important thing she said is to stay active, keep our vitamins and calcium and activities up, but to change them slightly every eight weeks. Protein sources change. Aerobic exercise changes. And strength training changes. Every eight weeks.

You're so right Joankrie! We do have similar stories. I came from 290 on a 6' 1" frame. My friends, family and co-workers told me I didn't need to lose the weight--I looked fine, etc. But I knew. High blood pressure, C-PAP (for obstructive sleep apnea), diabetes, osteoarthritis in my knees and hips and hands, high cholesterol, skin cancer, and I even had a TIA ("mini" stroke). One doctor visit, I casually asked about bariatric surgery and his response was an immediate and emphatic "YES!" I got my approval letter a week later. The surgery was a rough experience for me--heart problems and lots of pain kept me hospitalized longer than usual. I still can't recommend this for anyone unless it's medically necessary and they're willing to do the hard work each of us has had to do and are continuing to do. But it's worth it. Everything completely resolved or at least reduced. I'm living a different life now. A better one.

@@Sherri You got it! Thanks!

I just wanna say thanks to everyone who posts their daily meal plans! They give an old dog like me some new tricks to try!

For what it's worth, most folks who have RNY eventually have to "power through" the nausea from fatty or too sweet or too dry foods. They eat even smaller portions, and rely on protein shakes, etc. One other reason we progress through stages after surgery is so we can go back to one or more of those and know we'll still get some nourishment. Stay with it. Keep doing the program. Stay in touch with your surgeons group and us, and you'll succeed!

If I may add to this thread, I agree. When in doubt, have a little protein. It can't hurt.