James Marusek

I think that many people have tried to lose weight by taking supplements, exercise, and diet restrictions. They may lose weight for a while but then most gain the weight back and then some. It just doesn't seem to work. I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. Before surgery, hunger was continuously gnawing at my bones. While I was eating a meal, I was already planning my next meal. After surgery, I completely lost my hunger. It was not difficult to lose weight when hunger is not constantly continuously gnawing at my bones. About a year after surgery, my hunger began to return but it was not very strong. Even 3 years now, the intensity of hunger is mild. Because my stomach is smaller, if I try and eat more than a cup and a half of food at a meal, I literally get sick and vomit for a couple hours. So I am very attuned to my stomach and when it feels full I immediately stop.

I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. From my perception, there are two parts to the weight loss journey. These are the weight loss phase and the maintenance phase. The goals and objectives of these two phases are different. I think you are right in that when you finally arrive at the maintenance phase, the important thing is to be happy because this is a life-long journey. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

Good luck!

Milk can be a Protein supplement. 8 ounces of 1% milk equals 8 grams of protein. If you supplement the milk by adding 1/4 cup of dry powdered milk to the 8 ounces, that will give you 14 grams of protein per glass. After surgery my taste buds changed dramatically. I could not even tolerate the Water in the hospital. It tasted overly chlorinated. I could drink it only tolerated slivers of ice. As time goes on your taste buds will continue to change so you might keep trying every now and then. Eventually most things will return but it may take months/years. Your daily Fluid requirement is the sum of all fluids you consume during the day. Water counts. Milk counts. The milk or water used in your Protein shake counts. The liquid part of a soup counts. The water you drink to swallow your Vitamins count. Tea and decaf coffee count. Some people find it easier to drink hot liquids, others cold. It varies by person.

Congratulations.

Immediately after surgery your body is in a major heal mode. During this time it is often common for individuals to be unable to meet their requirements for fluids and Protein. Just keep striving for these daily requirements and you should be able to get there. My doctor prescribed omeprazol for the first year after surgery. It was not for treating severe acid reflux but rather to allow the stomach to heal properly. Researching the internet for your conditions seems to imply that you have early dumping syndrome. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=134&ContentID=107 It seems like their main recommendation is to go with smaller meals but a larger number of meals each day. Since you are finding it difficult to consume protein shakes, I recommend that you continue to experiment with different types and brands until you find one that you can tolerate. I used muscle milk light (vanilla creme) powder blended with Water to which I blended in a half a banana to improve the taste. Since you do not have lactose intolerance, milk might be a good source of protein for you. Some people Isopure Zero Carb premixed drinks. Since protein is more important than food at your stage, keep experimenting. You need to find something you can tolerate long term, not necessarily just like but tolerate.

Prior to surgery, I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit. On that change alone, I lost 20 pounds.

This is the strategy I am using in the maintenance phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf If you want to lose weight, you will need to limit your food intake, normally this was done through limiting the volume of your meals.

Sounds like a nice goal.

Congratulations.

Here is my before and after photo at the 6 month post-op mark.

How many days/weeks post-op are you? After surgery I became lactose intolerant. Whenever I consumed milk or products containing lactose, I would get pains in my stomach and a quick trip to the bathroom with diarrhea. So I cut off all lactose and I was fine. This condition disappeared after about 2 months and I returned to normal. Some Protein shakes contain lactose. In looking over what you are eating, these foods do not seem to be a trigger for dumping syndrome. Sometimes if you eat too much it will cause dumping. Do you experience pre-triggers such as sneezing, mucus buildup, the taste of food suddenly changing to ugly during a meal? After RNY gastric bypass surgery, the three most important requirements are meeting your daily protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. Food is secondary because your body is converting stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. Exercise is also important.

When I retired I bought a little sports car, a Mazda Miata with a hardtop convertible. But as I gained a little more weight prior to surgery, it was becoming difficult to fit inside the vehicle. It was extremely tight. I almost got to the point that the only way I could get into the car was to take the top down first. Now after surgery, the car fits like a glove.

During the great famines that struck Ireland hundreds of years ago, many people immigrated to the United States. Some voluntarily and many as indentured slaves.

Prior to surgery, I had the signs of sleep apnea. I snored all night long and this kept my wife awake night after night. This went on for several years. So during my second round of pre-op testing I was required to be examined by a pulmonologist (as I recall). He concluded that I most likely had sleep apnea and recommended a sleep study. I declined because I knew the condition would likely improve after surgery. So I told him that if I still have the condition after surgery, I will undergo a sleep study tests. He was fine with that approach. Shortly after surgery, my snoring came to an end. I would wake up in the middle of the night and find my wife hovering over me. I was sleeping so quietly, she thought I had died and she was trying to detect if I was still breathing. So I think the answer is no unless you show signs of sleep apnea, such as snoring.

Before surgery, I underwent almost a day of pre-op testing at the hospital. In areas that caused concern, I had to undergo a second round of pre-op testing with specialist in their respective fields.

The further you get away from your date of surgery, you will begin to experience hunger. It won't be as severe as pre-surgery. It is important to follow the program guidelines while you are in the weight loss phase to maximize your weight loss. I am 3 years post-op RNY and have transitioned from the "weight loss" phase into the "maintenance" phase. This is the approach that I am using in the "maintenance" phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

Good luck on transitioning back to your work environment.

After RNY surgery, the part of the stomach that processes fats and sugars was cut away from your stomach. But after about a year, the intestines realize that something is amiss and evolve to be able to process fats and sugars again. Since you are 15 years post-op, your body can probably handle fats and sugars without dumping at this point. I am not saying you should begin using processed sugar again, only that the effect will be different now. You might try beef and pork again. Since you are many years out, your tolerance may have changed. It also depends on how the meat is cooked. But if chicken, turkey and fish can keep you satisfied, then maybe you should just stick with these.

Make sure that you bring your nutritionist onboard to help you with this problem.

Not sure what type of surgery you had. I underwent RNY gastric bypass. After surgery almost all meats were difficult to consume especially beef. I found that using beef and other meats in Soups and chilis made the food go down easier and the meals had significantly more flavor.

Here is my before and 6 month post-op photographs. It is interesting what 6 months can do. I was around 65 years old when I had the operation. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Operation.jpg

Here is a link to an article about pain in the upper left quadrant. http://www.obesitycoverage.com/before-after/poop-pain-staples-after-surgery After RNY surgery, I was plagued with diarrhea. It took me a couple weeks to figure out that I became lactose intolerant after surgery. Anytime I drank milk, I developed instant pain and then a trip to the restroom with diarrhea. So I stayed away from anything that had lactose (some Protein shakes have lactose) and the reaction stopped. About 2 months after surgery, this condition went away and I was able to drink milk once again.

I am 3 years post-op from RNY gastric bypass surgery. food became less important after surgery. I was never a fan of sushi or spicy foods, so I generally don't eat these. I stay away from barbecue because of the sugar content in the sauce. I do eat steaks but one T-Bone steak will last me for 3 meals. After surgery, I found that softer foods went down easier. Softer foods are primarily chili and Soups. I have included a couple recipes at the end of the following article. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

Good luck on your upcoming surgery. Remember to walk about 30 minutes every day from now on. It will help the recovery go smoother and give you less pain. If you haven't already given up carbonated beverages and caffeine, do so now. You may experience a week of severe caffeine withdrawal syndrome (bad headaches, body aches) when you give up caffeine. You do not want to compound this with the effects of recovery from surgery.