bakawaka

I hope to be able to eat beef, chicken and fish because they are high-protein. Tofu is another high-protein source.

Well I am going to make sure and go get some Wendy's chili. I think that we should enjoy it in moderation. Because of our surgery, we now can exercise moderation. That's a good thing.

Did anyone experience air in the urine (pneumateuria) post-op? I had a catheter and assume that air got into the bladder through at the time of catheter insertion. If you experienced this issue, how long did it take post-op for it to resolve? Thanks

I am so sorry to hear this and hope that you feel better soon. Wishing you the best of success!

I begged my surgeon to remove mine during the RNY (friends of mine have had this done) but he said "there is nothing wrong with your gallbladder so it does not make any sense to remove it." I am hoping that I will not have to go back for gallbladder surgery.

This is also my experience. The post-op experience (I am 8 days post-op) was more painful and more difficult than I had anticipated. Recovery is going more slowly than I had anticipated. I spent 5 nights in the hospital but was expecting only 2.

I find that I get a little better every day. Today I drove, ran errands, but that left me exhausted. So I had to take a nap. Each day truly gets better and better. Is it the same for you?

I wish my recovery were as easy as yours. I had to stay in the hospital for 5 nights due to some complications. But I am doing much better now. Wishing you the very best of success! John

I am expecting to have my drain and my remaining staples removed this Friday. Removal of staples did not hurt. Does it hurt to have the drain removed? I'm a little nervous about that drain removal.

i had an endoscopy right after the surgery. They did the endoscopy literally as soon as they finished the surgery.

I have lost one pound per day - a total of 7 pounds - since surgery.

One thing to note: my nutritionist told me to AVOID soups after recovery because it is easy to drink the calories. But during the recovery period, I literally have to drink my calories. So I am using the soups (pureed) for recovery. Plus I'm going to use my own judgment and yes, in life, sometimes I will eat soup!

I think that as we get the protein/fluid intake more in balance, our bodies will release the weight. It seems to take a long time to get the protein/fluid intake levels to what they should be. I do find that every day I am able to increase the amount of fluids and proteins. Here are some high-protein ideas I am using: (1) obviously protein shakes, such as Boost (2) Progresso's vegetarian, low-fat lentil soup: pureed. At first I had to dilute the puree with water but now I don't. This is very high protein and I find it easy to get down. You can mix in some protein powder to increase the protein. Adding some chicken broth can enhance the flavor. It took me 1.5 days to finish a can offering two servings! (3) unsweetened soy milk - it seems to offer 1 gram of protein for every ounce of fluid. 8 ounces = 8 grams of protein. Plus it's liquid. There are some other Progresso soups that are high in protein. The advantage of the lentil soup is that it is low in terms of sugar grams. Some of the high-protein Progresso soups have more sugar grams. So I'm sticking mainly to the lentil soup. Does anyone know of any other Progresso soups that are high protein but low in sugar grams? I've found that exactly 7 days after surgery, I have lost exactly 7 pounds - a pound a day. I am happy with that weight loss. I remain bloated. My abdomen is very bruised. But each day I feel a bit better. Wishing everyone success.

I found that walking helps move the gas through - it takes a lot of walking to stimulate movement of just a bit of gas. When I increased my movement beyond walking to reaching, benson and extending, the gas moved more easily. One week post op I still am bloated but feeling a little better everyday.

Vicki, I wish you the greatest of success! John

Hope you feel better soon! A heating pad might be helpful with the pain.

My surgeon said that walking a lot makes a difference for gas and bowel movements. I find that after a lot of activity the feces rolls on through along with the gas. Farting made me feel so much better. It reduced a lot of bloating.

If you truly enjoy alcohol, then go for it. I would suggest being highly aware of the new way it gets processed. Everything in balance - the key is finding that new balance.

My surgeon removed some of my staples 4 days after surgery. The rest will be removed supposedly 10 days after surgery. Yes, they hurt when I move. I do not know the logic why some are kept in and some are taken out. I still have my drain. I know the surgeon wanted the staples next to the drain to stay in to help hold the drain tube. I sure am looking forward to getting rid of that drain!

i have intense bruising on my left side under the rib cage. Not sure what that is from. Some thoughts: force yourself to laugh. Think about something funny. Feel that physical act of laughter. Also, try singing a song. Break that mood. It makes a big difference. "sing, sing a song, sing out proud, sing out strong, sing of good things, not bad, sing of happy, not sad." Truly sing out loud. That will also help change your feelings of depression. Wishing you the greatest success!

I am wishing and praying for a speedy recovery for you. I also had some issues but not as difficult as yours. I'm leaving the hospital today after 5 nights. The hospital rabbi came by and said a prayer with me and that made me feel better through the rough period. Wishing the best of success to you!

just some ideas: (1) every day think at least one happy thought; (2) think about something to be grateful for - this will help refocus the thoughts. This is the approach I am trying.

I'm 6 days post op and find that every day I feel just a little bit better. I actually felt worse on days 2 and 3 due to increased swelling post surgery. But on day 4 the swelling started to go down. I'm still in some pain on day 6 and for that reason am proactively taking pain medication, not just waiting for pain to set in. I find it very hard to move around - got get up/out of the bed or a chair. All movements have to be very slow. Other than that, I seem to be okay. I'm assuming that this soreness will decrease every day.