Postop

This is normal. Everyone varies, however, I couldn't eat 50 grams of protein/day till I was about 6 months out. I was tired, too. Do you take iron?

The answer to your first question is yes. Also to lose the most. As for the stool and gas smells they're real, but mostly controlled by what you eat and when. I also carry strong spray to use in bathrooms and spray perfume in my pants pocket to spray my butt if I pass gas. Since I eat little to no carbs during the day I don't have this issue much.

Very normal. It'll get easier.

Congratulations!

@Glamgirlif you want to add protein and aren't crazy about shakes (I had to drink one for the first 2 years till I could eat enough protein but YMMV) have you thought about un jury? (It's one word but when I type it as such it doesn't link to the correct product). I didn't love it but a lot of DSERS I know did and do.

@GlamgirlAt 9 days out liquids are much more important than protein. (I didn't get to 50 grams of protein till I was bout 6 months out). Don't worry about the protein that much right now. Concentrate on the liquids to stay hydrated. Most people do the 30 days = 30 grams, 60 days = 60 grams, etc., model. If you can do that you're ahead of the game.

@Dee SparrowAs long as you’re in good hands.

@Dee Sparrow I'm hoping you're being taken care of at Duke?

@Dee Sparrow Sorry to hear this. Have they found a stricture?

@disco stu I need to eat a lot of fat. It greases the wheels so to speak. I always eat the skin with my chicken but I don't care for KFC. When I do eat fried chicken I do eat the skin but I don't eat it often . I eat a good deal of cheeese each day. Sometimes a half a bar for breakfast and then for snacks each day. I'm not sure what types of sauces you mean. I'm an extremely plain eater (I always have been even pre-DS) . I do eat catsup and mustard, though.

@AshAsh1Yes. There is definitely an uncomfortableness if I eat too much but it takes a while to get there and by this time I know about where it is so I rarely hit it. Nope. Not much exercise at all. Just some walking and weight lifting (when I'm able). Because of the malabsorption there isn't a calorie count involved. As long as most of what I eat is protein, I'm good. No gain. Most DSers put back maybe 10 -15 lbs. after a few years. This is bc many get down a bit too low. I didn't have that. If I put on a few, I just eat more protein and drink more liquids.

I eat a lot. I'd say at about a year out I went from 1 scrambled egg to 2-3. Now it's 3-4. While I don't finish it in one sitting, I do finish it. Say for dinner, I eat 2 (pre-cooked weight 5.5 oz.) full fat hamburgers with catsup. I eat 1 and then the other a couple of hours later.

@mjctexasLet me put it this way.,,if I lived on the west coast I would've had him do my DS. Also sent you a PM.

@RaniaOnTheRunI was lactose intolerant till about the end of Year 1. In the meantime, feel free to take Lactaid before eating things with lactose or buy lactose free milk and cheese. I used them and was fine. Now I eat anything.

@thelivecityB12 gets peed out so don’t worry if it’s high. Assuming you’re a full DSer, we don’t take sublingual B12 drops. That’s generally for RNYers. We don’t have issues with B12. If the rest of your Bs are good you don't need to supplement them. Subsequent bloods will let you know if you need to add any. 1. What type of A do you take, beta carotene, retinol, palmitate, etc. ? 2. What type of D do you take, D2, D3, etc.? Sprays aren’t good for us. Do you take any pills, what type? 3. What type of iron pills do you take, sulfate, fumarate, etc.?Do you take it with the C to help with absorption? The liquids aren’t generally effective for us . 4. Are all your pills ‘dry’ and not gel caps? 5. What’s your ferritin level? 6. What are your zinc and copper levels? Do you take them at least 1 hour apart so they don’t cancel each other out? 6a. Calcium citrate chews aren’t enough. Only for the first month or two. You need pills. If you PM me your email we can go over all of this in more detail. I can send you a list of some of what I take. At 13 years out it wouldn’t be exactly right for you but it could give you an idea of what type of pills I buy. 7. Do you have your preop bloods? This can help you compare. Even if your current bloods say something is in normal range it may not be enough. (I had this experience with a zinc issue at about 10 mos postop. Once I brought the number back to a pre op level my problems disappeared). When you tell me some of this information I can help. At a quick glance your A,D & iron are too low. Your A and D are way too low. Both should be a good deal higher than your blood norm suggests. BTW, who did your DS?

@proudgrammy Thank you. By the looks of your avatar, we've both done well .

Your labs will definite tell. You also unfortunately might have some issues crop up. Besides the teeth problems you mentioned, low zinc and/or vit. A can be problematic (just to name a few).

If you had the traditional DS then I wouldn't recommend shakes for meals. Eat protein and drink liquids. When I want to lose I eat more protein and fewer carbs ( of course no candy goes without saying ;(). I'd eat a big steak for lunch or dinner to satisfy me. Or a triple with cheese from Wendy's (not the bun) for a snack. The beauty of the DS is we eat. A lot. Most of us gave up protein shakes as soon as we could eat enough. Have a lot of nuts, cheeses and cold cuts on hand for snacks. And please put the scale away. Many people weigh weekly. I weigh every few months. Certainly not daily. You need to give yourself a break with that. Many people also end their large weight loss period at about 18 mos. postop. Often there is a small bounce back as well so that isn't unexpected. However, if you feel that's something you're contributing to then it is something you should probably speak to a counselor about. BTW, I'm also a binge eater.

Unfortunately, it's trial and error in type and amount. You also have to see if any bother your gastrointestinal system.

As long as it's someone who is experienced in the DS you should be good to go.

Sounds OK to me. How about some scrambles eggs or pureed tuna or turkey?

Yes to both.

Hiatal hernias are a little tricky once you've had the DS. It might be worth your while to call/Skype with Dr. Keshishian in CA. He's done many successful ones.

It's true. I eat everything.

Sent you a PM.