CarmenP

Well, I guess it's like I graduated from kindergarten to first grade. Lol Yesterday, I went for my 2 week post-op follow-up. I FINALLY got those darn staples out (man, those were annoying!!) I also was moved to purée! Yay! I gotta tell ya, that first "bite" (sip, really) of Soup reminded me of an Eddie Murphy skit: "If you're starving and somebody throw you a cracker, you gonna be like this: That's the best cracker I ever ate in my life! That ain't no regular cracker, was it? What was that, a Saltine? That was delicious. That wasn't no Saltine. That was... That was a Ritz. That wasn't a Ritz? God, that was the best cracker I ever ate in my life." I could only get down about 1/4 cup puréed split pea soup before I felt STUFFED! It was the weirdest experience ever. This morning I made myself one scrambled egg with some cream cheese mixed in, and it was almost TOO MUCH food! I was just thrilled I tolerated both the egg and the cheese. After 4 weeks of liquid, and the surgery itself, this was the hardest 4 weeks of my life. I am just absolutely ecstatic to have finally graduated!

Same here with the fatigue. The last few times I walked around 1-2 miles, (like today) I've come home completely exhausted. I could barely stay standing up, and was asleep no sooner than hitting the couch. I've basically felt like I've had zero stamina since surgery on 7/21. My doctor said this is completely normal, especially since I am not yet able to get all my protein in.

I found the shakes and sf Popsicles etc.. almost sickeningly sweet (I am NOT a sweets person). I wonder if there are ways to turn shakes or greek yogurt into something ice-cream-ish to help with sweet cravings.

Congrats! Can't wait to get there, too! I agree, my goal (around 180#) would still have me considered 30-50# overweight, but even when I was in HS and playing both softball and basketball, I was 175#. I loooooong ago stopped subscribing to the "everyone fits in this box" mentality that is prevalent in medicine. Thank God, my doctor agrees with ME.

Celebrate is a brand. I got them from my surgeon's office. But I do believe they are available online.

I just made the same decision this morning! I plan to put the scale away and only pull it out once every TWO weeks. I plan to measure every month and take a progress photo the same day. Otherwise, all the numbers begin to drive me crazy and make me doubt myself. I can't afford the distraction!

"I never want to drink, or even SEE, another Protein shake as long as I live!!!" ?

What an amazing result!! Super congrats to you! What do you think led to such awesome results? What was your routine like (food and exercise)? I have just started this journey (2 weeks post-op today) and am looking for ways to maximize my results. Your success is something to be admired!

I guess this is an odd question, because I know every single one of us is different, but what is a reasonable expectation of weight loss every month? I see everything from 40 pounds in 6 months to 100 pounds in 6 months. That's such a huge gap. I just don't know how to know if I'm "on track". Has anyone here researched this or found a website that sorta answers this question?

I'm just about 2 weeks out from surgery (7/21). The first several days after being discharged, I was taking Tylenol with codeine to help with pain. It also knocked me out at night. I'm not in pain anymore - haven't been for about a week - so I've not touched the pain meds. But now I find I cannot fall asleep. For the last week, I've been in bed by 11pm, and tossing and turning until well after 3am. Is insomnia common? Is there a cause related to my RNY? I don't (and never have) drink coffee, a and I've not had any caffeine since 6 weeks pre-op. I can't tolerate this. My parents took the kids while I was in recovery these last 2 weeks, but they're home now. I can't afford to be up all night and a zombie all day. Ugh. This is awful.

I got one as part of my "congratulations" package from my surgeon and his team. Just ask yours, I'm sure they offer one!

I'm using the Celebrate, as I researched it before hand, and the consensus was they were the best and easiest to tolerate. I cannot STAND the taste, nor the texture. They're awful.

Did your doc tell you why you have to do 4 weeks liquid post-op? I see my surgeon on the 5th, and that is when he SHOULD clear me to move to purée. I guess it's not a given that he will if he suspects any issues with my pouch healing - although I don't know how he'd know this unless I actually try to eat something and it doesn't agree. I feel like I want to go to sleep and just stay that way until Tues morning. No feeling hungry, no more nasty shakes, no more cotton mouth. I'm so over it. I seriously hope all this negativity I'm feeling goes away. I've had my parents and my sister call to see how I am feeling, and I've been nothing short of curt and irritable with them. And the way I've been treating hubby - who is so so so so SOOOOO supportive - it's a wonder he hasn't walked out on me.

I know that so many plans vary in so many ways. I have been on "liquid only" (Protein shake, broth, Water, Jello, ice pops) since July 10 (2 weeks pre-op and 2 weeks post-op) and will remain so until Aug 5. I have to honestly say, I'm feeling as if I'm going slightly mad. I'm very hungry, the shake (I can only get down 4 ounces) doesn't satisfy me for more than 30-60 minutes before I'm hungry again, and for the last 2 nights, I couldn't sleep because I was so hungry. I'm sure I'm not alone, and as everyone and their great-granddaddy keeps telling me, "it's only a few more days", but I'm seriously on edge and I can't take much more. Even the smell of my shake makes me feel like I wanna hurl, and the taste is now leaving a chalky residue in my mouth and I feel like I have to brush my teeth and tongue after I drink one. This is pure torture - at least, for me it is.

Holy moly!! I am still so sore, I'm almost a week post-op, and I really thought I'd be feeling much better. Wow. Anyone else sore for a long time? I still can't even sleep in any position other than sitting up in bed, back against the pillows, no turning on my side. And I'm tired ALL THE TIME. Sorry for venting - I know some have had it much worse. But I'm just so fatigued from it all.

I'm so surprised - for the last 2 days I've actually felt hungry. I've gotten headaches from feeling like I need to eat. Protein shakes aren't cutting it. And after last week of feeling no hunger, I'm freaked out about feeling hungry. I'm only 10 days post op. I thought hunger was curbed with RNY?! Can I possibly be some freak exception?!? If I did this to myself, only to be the same as I was before, I'll lose my mind!

Thank you so much for your replies. It's been a hard road for me so far. And I do find my emotions are up and down. I really think time will make things better. But in the meantime it's very difficult to not get down, especially when I'm still in the liquid phase. I'm just so tired of shakes, I feel like the end is nowhere in sight. I've lost 23 pounds since July 11, so I can't complain. I just hope this works! I mean, logically I know it will, but there's still that "Fat Devil" sitting on my shoulder, telling me I've always failed in the last 10-12 years, and I always will. The mental stuff is so hard to get over/through. Thanks again, guys, and keep the stories comin'! I love it!!

I've been having a VERY bad couple of days, and I feel negative thoughts and feelings creeping in. So, I'd LOVE to hear from folks who are 1 to 2 years post op, and for them to share their results so far: starting weight, months since surgery, weight lost so far... Etc.. I need to see some good news to help reenforce that I've made the right decision! Thanks so much!! :)

I'd love a copy too, please! cepark525@yahoo.com Thanks!

Mine took 2 hours - which was longer than the 1.5 they estimated. Doctor told hubby while I was in recovery it was because I had more abdominal muscle to work around than normal (he phrased it as being built more like he'd expect a man to be built) - I hope that means those muscles will come in handy and limit skin sagging.

I had my RNY on July 21.

I'm 1.5 weeks post-op, and I have. To me, it feels the way I used to get when I was hungry. I have never been a "tummy growling" person. My body gives me headaches when I'm hungry. I've noticed the last 2 days that I'm feeling hungry again (didn't feel hungry AT ALL last week), and the corresponding headaches are back.

My doc said it's ok to sleep on your side. I always have, but right now I'm too sore to manage it. I hope you're able to sleep comfortably! That's been the hardest for me (I also had surgery 3 days ago!)

So, here's my latest update. Surgery 7/21. On 7/22, I was moved to Clear liquids. One sip, and I felt like I had to puke my guts. On 7/23, I could finally tolerate liquids. Dismissed (after a LONNNNNNG wait) from hospital today, 7/24. Questions: I feel sore - the kinda sore where you feel like you've been beaten. Badly! Lol And the bruises from all the blood draws and glucose checks don't help! How long did you feel sore? I walked around the house, took a shower, and feel like I am too tired to even keep my eyes open! Would you recommend rest, even if that means going longer without Water? My doc had to use staples on my incisions. Lucky me, he said he couldn't use his normal steri-strips on me. Anyone have staples? What was it like having them removed? Painful? I'm freaked out about it. I'm so glad to be home. Part of me can't believe it's real! I keep praying I did the right thing. The last 2 days were so doggone miserable, I was crying about the whole decision. I gained 4.8 pounds since surgery date. Not a good feeling. Maybe I should put the scale away! Lol Anyway, that's my update. I'm hopeful for better, positive posts once I feel human again.

Hi savymom03, Yes, I am. My PA (phys assistant) said this is normal. She even said Water was more important than Protein shakes. And that eventually I will build up to the 64oz I need.