Roostertail2

I am 4 weeks post op so can only tell you what I know thus far. I had robotics RNY on 8/5. Was scared going in but as soon as they gave me the happy shot doing remember even going to sleep! Woke up and was very sick to my stomach - but that always happens every time I have ever had surgery. Once I got past that stage and was taken to my room I slept a little bit. Woke up and was AMAZED that I wasn't in very much pain. I got up and walked as soon as I could and continued to walk every hour I was awake. Never had gas pains and I thinks that is why. Didn't eat any of the "broth" but felt like the popsicles were a god send! Was sore but again not really in what you would call pain - so didn't have to ask for anything more than what they were giving me and didn't even ask for anything the following day. Was released on the 6th. For the first couple of days I was so afraid to put anything in my mouth but I forced a few shakes down (have not been able to drink them since first week! YUCK) and sipped on broth a couple of times a day. Have not really had any hunger - just eat because I know I have to. Issues that I have had have all revolved around not being able to tolerate the shakes. I have tried so many different kinds in so many different ways but my gag reflex just says no. I have also had an issue with regurgitation of my food about 1/2 the time. Think I may have stricture and have put off going to Dr but finally called them yesterday to see about an upper GI cause I am tired of dealing with it! I am tired a LOT but think that is also because of the lack of Protein - hope that will clear up once I am cleared on 9/11 for regular food! Other than those few small things I am amazed at just how easy this whole process was. My stomach doesn't feel like it was cut on - it’s just I don't hear from it like I used to! I am 20lbs down so far! I understand being scared about surgery - but I can tell you I have had 3 other abdominal surgeries and this was bar far the easiest of them all! Take the bull by the horns and ride the ride!

Sorry to hear about your issues Pion! You have it way worse than me! My scars are going pretty good - only have 1 that is kinds red around the incision - and have 1 that had a stitch sticking through it..cut it off as best I could but still feel a little of it! They had to use Glue for the incisions on me because am allergic to sterastrips. I hope you heal real soon..

I am also a patient of Dr hart!

I am 4 weeks post op and am trying most foods if I feel they won't irritate my pouch. I never was able to tolerate shakes and because I am a big texture person purée was disgusting! I stayed on soups and such for 3 weeks then HAD to move on to things that have more protein. Still only getting in about 30g a day but I've run out of options and spent too much on shakes I can't drink. I have 3 cases of quest bars waiting for when my nut clears me on 9/11. Can't eat salmon or tuna or eggs - 3 of my once favorite things! They all come right back up. So though I really want to follow nuts orders I have had to find foods I can tolerate in order to get something down. So now my 4 or 5 bites are just chewed until they are mushy! In fact I have found that all the chewing has taken away the actual taste of the food! Lol. Can't complain though as I am down 20lbs so far!!!

Hunger is one of the strangest parts so far. If I feel "hungry" it usually is also only after smelling or seeing something. But if I go into my pantry or try to think of something to make - absolutely nothing sounds good to actually eat! I am usually making myself take the 4-5 bits of food because I HAVE to not normally because I need to due to hunger. I think that is what the "Head Hunger" you hear people talking about is. Our minds are in the habit of us eating much more and more often than our new bodies will allow us to - so it thinks there is no possible way those 3 bites are enough! One of my main problems right now is just keeping down the few bites I do take! I tend to regurgitate half the time! Don't think its from not chewing enough cause how much mushier can you get yogurt or water?

I have not eaten the bars- just have them ready so when nut clears me. I have tried the unflavored powder and it's not unflavored. It makes everything taste and smell like baby formula.. Just can't do that stuff. Hopefully my body will last for another 10 days until I am cleared for solids. I am taking vitamins like I was directed..

It's everything! My gag reflex has always been bad.. I have now been 2 weeks without a shake.. My nut said I would be cleared for solids on 9/11 so I have already invested in several boxes of quest bars- will get protein in with them. Just have to make it to the 11th without losing my hair! Lol. Also have been really sick with flue for past 3 days so energy is non existent!

I will call to schedule something next week. I know it's not the amounts as I measure everything and rarely am able to eat even 1/4 cup.

Just weighed and scale finally moved! Down 5 more lbs!! Though I have not eaten in 2 days cause I have been sick..

Doesn't a stricture cause issues with everything though? That's what I don't really understand - is it a all or nothing kind of thing? Just don't want to waste people's time or my money running to Dr everytime something happens..

So sorry to hear about all your issues...Scary to know it happened 3 months in! I am interested in how you do from here so please keep us informed!

Very well put Hawk!

I am 3 weeks post of today. I weighed 261lbs the day of surgery and weighed 250 a few days after. Guess what - I still weigh 250! I asked my Dr at my 1st check in wtf and he also said that most people actually weigh more after the surgery so I was lucky in that aspect and to not worry about what the scale says for first month or 2. That at my 2nd check in (November) that is when he would start tracking my success. Well that just doesn't sit real well with me! I know we shouldn't compare to others but again WTH! I REFUSE to believe that my scale is just going to sit at 250 for 2 months as I starve! lol. I have not cheated - believe me I couldn't if I wanted to because nothing really sits on my pouch very good. And if I can get 5 bites in I am lucky! I am never hungry so when I do eat it is because I know I have to. I know that one of my main issues is I am not getting in the necessary protein or water. I just cannot tolerate the shakes - have tried about 20 different kinds but everything has that smell and aftertaste that just makes me gag after 1-2 sips. And water is also just hard to meet goal. I forget to drink! lol. Have always had that issue and knew it would continue to be an issue. I get a glass of water, take a few sips then forget about it sitting there...next thing you know its too late to get in the amount you need to. And how the heck are people able to get in 64+az of water + eat + vitamins? Not enough time in the day!! lol

Emotions have played such a huge part in this whole process. I am not an emotional person yet my other half just said to me the other day that even though I am doing this for myself they wanted me to know that I have always been beautiful to them no matter what size. We will be celebrating our 17th anniversary in October so its soooo sweet to still hear that after such a long time together and know it came from the heart- anyway - I started crying! lol. I am on this site everyday - its on my phone so I am always checking the posts - I am sure most of us do. I needed this site for support so my family didn't get sick of hearing about it everyday, need it for answers when I am unsure and don't want to call DR or NUT for every little question, need it for venting, need it for insight into what may/will happen as time goes by. I don't ever want to get to the point where I forget where this journey started. The person who I am right now - the person who is excited, frustrated, scared........Each and every person who has had WLS surgery should understand where us newbies are coming from and help and support us. You again are our mentors and we depend on you! I appreciate the long timers who stay in touch and help us!

Im really hoping I don't either! I have very thick naturally curly hair. Its been my trademark my whole life - It could stand to be thinned a little but would prefer that happen via a hairstylist! lol

Hey Jess- I didn't really start feeling normal till later in 2nd week post op. Don't go backwards by falling off the wagon! Lol. Everyone swears it will get better!

Thanks Jodi I am eating yogurt and as high protein mushy stuff as I can tolerate. Weighed myself this morning and the number still has not moved! The only weight I have lost was the first few days after surgery... So frustrating considering the minuscule amount of food I am getting in! Great thing is I actually am never hungry I just make myself eat a few bites because I know I have to. Hoping I can make it to sept 11 when I am released to real food and can eat protein bars. Already ordered a couple of cases of quest bars so I am ready! I have a LOT of hair so hopefully hair loss won't be too bad??

I agree that a lot of questions seem obvious, however, for each of us this is a journey that is scary, exciting and life changing. I am sure that at one point or another each and every person has thought that "they were the only one" going through something. Each person probably thought that they would be the one this wouldn't work for - I know I have! Perhaps some of the questions asked are just the first step in trying to reach out for support. Some people may not have ANY support other than the people in here. I am a newbie - only 3 weeks post op - and I have read and researched this surgery and what to expect more than I did when I bought my home! lol - BUT I am still unsure about some things - unsure if what I am feeling is "normal" or if how I am doing things is the "right" way. Not because I don't have a great team at my surgery center - or a support system at home and work, but because I am human. I am a person trying to better my life by doing something a lot of people think is drastic. I am trying to be the best person I can be - so sometimes I may ask a question twice, or perhaps a question that others may think should be common sense - If I do please forgive me - but maybe it is just a day that I am feeling unsure about things, or perhaps just need reassurance from the only people in the world who truly know what I am going through! The only people who understand that even though I did all of this, I still may desire a cheeseburger! Doesn't mean I am going to eat it (because I know that defeats the purpose) but just because damn it - it looks soooo good! lol I have noticed that some of the experts in some of these groups almost become "mean" in some of their responses to those of us who are newbies. YOU are our mentors! YOU are the people who we depend on for guidance and support and leadership! We can talk to our doctors, Nuts and the internet all day long - but NOTHING provides us with as much information and direction as YOU DO! You were once in our shoes with the same worries and wonders - so perhaps you should take a step back and remember all those emotions you went through and be a bit more understanding. With that being said, again I do agree that some of the things asked are perhaps something a person should already know - but I don't know what that person is going through or what information that person has been given, so I don't mind letting them know if I have info that would help them. So ask away!!!

Creating this room for those of us having surgery in August. Welcome!!

Twisted cherry now tastes like crap!!

Pain goes away pretty quick.. Just walk around and don't allow yourself to sit or lay too much

Hey big d.. I also had head hunger first week but that went away and now I have to make myself eat!

Eggs don't do well right now- loved them so have tried a couple of ways- pouch says no. I honestly have no idea what to do other than wait it out until I can eat quest bars

Nut told me no on the bars.... Said to use unflavored in/on everything. There is no such thing as unflavored! It makes everything smell and taste like I added baby formula powder to it!!! I am just not going to worry about protein until I am cleared for the bars. Not spending another dime on powder that I can't tolerate. I now have a gnc store in my kitchen!!!

I am almost 3 weeks post op and have not been able to tolerate any of the shakes. My counter looks like a gnc store- so much money wasted- but they make me gag. My nut said I will just have to add the unflavored powder to everything I eat so I am taking in some protein... Didn't think shakes would be my downfall!