Renkoss

Ele marie, I don't think at this point out from surgery you really should be "pushing" yourself to eat food if you are not ready for it. As a matter of fact, I am 5 weeks out today and I had only Protein shakes and a sugar free klondike bar rather than actual "food" simply because I've had a few situations this past weekend where I got a bit sick after eating. One was after eating a homemade meatball with a scoop of the ricotta bake (got it from a few members here for pureed phase of the diet). Now, not to brag, but I'm Italian and I get many compliments on my meatballs and sauce. I've eaten taco meat and it was fine, I figured a meatball would be okay if I cut it up in small pieces and chewed it up really really good. Well, I usually do not use 93% lean ground meat for meatballs, and I baked them rather than cooking them in the sauce like I usually do. The meatballs were a bit dense and a little tougher in texture than I'm used to. I think my body had a little bit of a difficult time digesting the meat. After a couple hours I felt better, and I didn't get sick as in vomiting, but still felt like crap nonetheless. So, 3 weeks out I think you could do more of the Protein Shakes, or even tasteless Protein powder added to anything you eat (especially soup) so you are getting in the necessary amount of protein you need daily. That should be the most important thing you do every single day (along with the liquid amount). I also felt like I might not have been getting in my minimum of 60 grams of protein without doing at least one or two shakes a day, so I decided today I'd do the shakes, and to give my digestive system a bit of a break. We are all rooting for you, so please don't get too frustrated. I think we all just want each other to succeed with little difficulty.

csawesome, I use a supplement called GABA to help with sleep. It is a natural hormone made by the brain. It is a "feel good" supplement and helps to quiet the mind so you can sleep. I use 750 mgs right before bed and I sleep through the night. It has really helped me to have good restful sleep for the past 2 years. You can get this supplement typically anywhere, but I get mine online through Amazon. I hope everything works out for you. This is added stress you really didn't need at this time in your life. Concentrate on you and the kids first, and let your husband know he is important and so is your relationship, but you need to be sure that your children and yourself are priority.

Ele Marie, I don't understand if you drink a Protein drink that is 30 grams say for Breakfast, you mean that you just cannot eat the rest of the day or night, or you just aren't hungry? I don't see how you can eat thin sliced deli meat but not a Protein shake? Could it be too many grams of protein in one drink for you? Have you tried a Protein powder that you can add to your homemade Soups that are tasteless? That would certainly help increase your protein level for the day. If you are eating homemade soup with no meat in it, then you are getting no protein (unless the soup base/broth is chicken/beef based). I think everyone here is just worried about your nourishment level and ending up back in the hospital. I don't know what your surgeon actually told you other than what you have said here on the forum, but I can't believe that he/she said it would be okay if it took 3-4 days to drink a Protein Drink when you are 3 weeks out. Something is missing here. Please contact your surgeons office and speak to his nurse before June 1st. That is still a couple of weeks away. Best to check it out rather than feel that something just isn't right.

From a Cleveland gal to all of my neighbors, I'm 5 weeks post op today and let me tell you, you will not regret having this done. All the surgeons at The Cleveland Clinic are wonderful and they truly do work as a team. I've had nothing but wonderful care from everyone concerned (even from the Receptionist's to the Surgeons!). If you have any questions that I can answer from my experience to this point, just ask. Be happy to provide whatever I can to each and every one of you. Good Luck!

You and your children deserve so much better. Obviously the man you married and had children with cares more about his own needs over those that he supposedly loves. You have made a change for the better in your life, and you chose to be healthier and live longer for your children. Your husband chose to have his ego inflated. What an a**. We are all here for you always. Keep your head held high and do what the others have suggested you do now in order to take care of yourself and your children. Keep us updated as to any moral support you need. Hugs.

Told you it would make you feel so much better!!!! As far as all the support, that's what we are here for right? Glad things are looking up!

You don't have to sip it forever, but you will not be able to take big swallows. At least at 5 weeks out I can't take a big swallow because it hurts.

Don't be in too much of a rush. Typically most people feel better around Day 5 after surgery. I remember Day 4 was probably the most difficult for me after surgery. Day 5 seemed things turned around. Just make sure you are getting your rest, your fluids, and walking. You seem to be doing a great job of walking. Be sure to get in your fluids (sip; if you try to take a big gulp you'll find out why you shouldn't do that). Keep in mind that your body just went through trauma, and it will take a few weeks before the fatigue eases up. I'm 5 weeks out and I still get a bit fatigued, but for the most part feeling pretty good. You will be home before you know it.

Once you begin passing that gas, you will have difficulty stopping! But, once you start passing you will feel so much better! Trust me on this one. A slight fever would be a reason for you to stay an extra day. You are already there, and they want to make sure they send you out on your own as healthy as possible. Don't fret. Your new life on the loser's bench will begin soon enough. Good Luck

I think everybody is taking what the other says way out of context. If we have all gone through the same route to get to surgery, then I'm sure we have all had to be in the group and/or one-on-one with a Nutritionist, Surgeon, Nurse Practitioner, Psychologist, etc. where the emphasis on Protein AND FLUIDS were the biggest part of the discussions/meetings. I'm sure we were all told how to eat after surgery; PROTEIN first, veggies second, starch last. As I move more from liquid Protein shakes, to pureed, to soft foods I find myself drinking less protein shakes every day. I realize this and beginning tomorrow will make sure to get at least one higher Protein shake in and one lower protein shake in per day. I do make a point of eating soft foods that are all protein such as a one egg omelette with cheese, tuna fish with avocado, chicken breast shredded, refried Beans, etc. I also made sugar free fat free pudding with cottage cheese and some cashew milk. Anyway I can get in added protein, that is my goal. In my opinion, if you are unable to drink more than one 11 oz. Protein Drink in a day, then something may be wrong with your pouch or new route for intestines. I know that the Protein drinks that tasted pretty good to me prior to surgery don't taste as good after, but I'm forcing myself to drink them just so I know I get that protein in. Hopefully everyone will calm down and understand that all of the comments are because these people care and are concerned about your health and safety. It is not to tell you what to do, or berate you for what you are doing. We are all on this journey at the same time, and everyone will experience things differently. This evening for dinner my husband grilled some salmon and I made some lima beans. I barely ate 1/8 of the salmon and about a tablespoon of lima beans and I was in the bathroom feeling like I was dying and head over the commode. Pain in my chest was horrendous. This is the third time this has happened. The other two times I believe I ate more than I should have. This time I did not have that much, so perhaps my pouch didn't like something or I ate too fast. All I know is that I don't like that feeling and I don't want to experience it anymore, so I'll adjust how I'm eating and what I'm eating, and be sure to stop before being full! 5 weeks out and I'm still learning.

Glad to hear you are on the mend already! Sounds like everything was a success! Continued good vibes for excellent healing.

I take an anti-depressant for anxiety/depression and it had no bearing on my approval. I was a night eater (or what they classify as "binge" eater) and had to take a support group program for 4 weeks. I don't really think it addressed my issues, but I'm working on it myself and I'm doing pretty good with it. It helps that my hunger just isn't there all the time, and not that I necessarily ate just because I was hungry, sometimes it was just boredom, It still helps that I'm not always looking for food to graze on. You'll be fine. Just be honest.

I totally agree with the others who are obviously concerned over your diet. Eating a healthy Soup daily is not a problem; however, do you really expect to be able to eat this soup anytime soon? The raw cabbage or slaw on top of the soup will not be able to be eaten for at least 3-4 months because it is raw, the tortilla strips are going to be a no-no, the chicken, the broth, and any cooked soft veggies are okay. You are being quite unrealistic in what this surgery was meant to do. Yes, you will lose weight, however you are not doing it in a healthy manner. I agree that 500 calories a day is not a sustainable amount of calories for the rest of your life, and you are hurting your metabolism by doing this. You need to have at least 70 grams of Protein (I was told 60-80 grams daily) every single day! It should not take you 4 days to drink an 11 oz Protein shake. If you sip that shake all day, you should be able to get at least 2 of them in per day. I totally understand the not feeling hungry (I am almost 5 weeks post op), but that doesn't mean you don't have to get in your fluids and protein daily! You really have to find a way to do it. Without these two things you are not going to lose the weight you want. 17 lbs since surgery is great, but you will hit a wall and not understand why you can't get beyond that. Why did you go through all this if you are going to not follow the guidelines and rules. I think most of us on here are getting upset about this because we truly care and although you think that what you are doing is healthy, and that all your doctors and specialists are totally onboard with all this, I have to call foul. Something is not right. Good Luck to you. I hope this all works out in the end and that you have a fabulous healthy life.

Ele marie, keep in mind that this surgery is only a tool, and over time you can gain weight back as well. This surgery is not a guarantee that you will keep the weight you lose off forever. I'm sure you are aware of that though.

Do you have that problem with just tap water, or even from bottled water?

How awful for you! So sorry you experienced this. There are always exceptions to the awesomeness of gastric bypass or any WLS, and you unfortunately seem to be one. Hoping all goes well for you. Good for you on demanding that the surgeon do an endoscopy! You are so correct that we know our own body's and when something isn't right, we should be listened to by any doctor!

Good Luck and Congrats! You've come too far to back out now! You can do this.

Congrats! Don't get caught up in how much time you will miss from work. Most people go back to work within 1-2 weeks of surgery. I went back after 2 weeks and had no issues. Of course it depends on the type of job you have; if you are required to do a lot of heavy lifting or very physical job, then I'd say you will be out longer. If you have an office job, then I'd say 1-2 weeks. Good Luck!

This is the first I am hearing about foaming and I'm almost 5 weeks out. Basically don't overeat and definitely listen to how your body is responding to a newly re-introduced food. Follow the guidelines that have been set up by your team and you will be fine.

I think that if you are having such pain during/after eating or drinking you should definitely be in contact with your NUT and your Surgeon or General Doctor. I don't believe that is normal and I really don't believe you should have to live like that for the rest of your life! Something isn't right and I'd be hounding these doctors and other health professionals until something is done about it. You did not go through all this just to have surgery and be sick everytime you eat or drink. This isn't normal.

I think you are asking great questions and I understand wanting to be prepared for what could happen. I am just about 5 weeks post op, and I've had one experience with slightly overeating. I had the pain in the chest, nausea, just plain out felt like poop! I ended up face in toilet, spitting up and thought it felt like food was coming up, but it actually didn't come out, but I did feel much better afterwards. It lasted about 15-20 minutes. I learned my lesson about pushing the boundaries that night. I had no problems right after surgery. I did not experience extreme pain but more like discomfort. I probably took pain meds for about 3-4 days and then stopped. Pain was manageable. I am now on soft foods and this evening I was actually able to participate in taco Thursday at home. I had some finely ground lean taco meat, some refried Beans with cheese, a few pieces of diced avocado and a few slices of black olives. I had just a tiny squirt of sour cream. I'd say total was 1/2 cup of food and it was absolutely wonderful!! Who needs the shells! Not this girl. I did miss the lettuce and tomato, but that's not going to happen for a few months. I am at the point where if I didn't know it happened, I wouldn't even believe that I had surgery less than 5 weeks ago. I'd do this again in a heartbeat. Don't get yourself too worked up over all this. Just relax. Be prepared by making sure to have your Protein shakes, Water, and Gatorade. Everything else will work out.

NikkiDoc, thanks for that. I don't think that the deli ham meat disagreed with my pouch; I think it was more I pushed the envelope and ended up eating too much. That is a feeling I never want again! It was painful, scary, uncomfortable, and I hate throwing up! I will try it again, but perhaps will wait a few more weeks or even month. The turkey deli meat didn't cause the same thing (of course I was aware of how much I was eating) but I can say that my stomach felt weird afterwards. I'm wondering if it is because of lunch meat tends to be very processed or includes nitrates/nitrites? Either way, staying away from it for a bit.

Try a good probiotic daily as well. Definitely keeps your immune system up there!

Ever notice that most of the people on this show have spouses, or parents, or sisters/brothers, significant others who are either toothpick thin or just as heavy and in need of weight loss surgery themselves? I just find it ironic.

I hope for your sake you are not getting sick again either! I know there has been a cold working its way around up here in Ohio. Luckily (knocks on wood) I haven't gotten anything like that. I am feeling really good! Unless I overdo it (like I did Sunday with gardening), I wouldn't even know that I had surgery one month ago. I've lost at least 35 lbs so far (may be more; I haven't weighed myself in about a week or so) and I'm loving how much lighter I feel already. I don't regret doing this for one second. I did this because of diabetes being extremely difficult to control. Although I'm still using insulin, I had to lessen the amount I use last weekend, and my numbers are staying within excellent controlled range. This is the payoff for me. The weight loss is just an added bonus. Keep my updated on your progress as you work your way towards June 3rd! Take care.