Martha Parker-mcneal

it is possible but not very usual. I have seen it mentioned several times but most of the time you will lose quickly at first and then it will slow down at about the 6-8 month stage. if you are losing too much there might be a physical reason or they may just start upping your carbs until you reach a set point that is healthy for you. don't worry til you get there.

this is perfectly normal at this stage. it took me about 3 months to start to feel NORMAL. are you taking your Vitamins. once you get to solids foods it will help. drink your Water and shakes to stay hydrated and get as much Protein as possible. that will really help give you more energy. also walk. I know that sounds counter productive but once I started pushing myself to walk ( very short distances at first then increase) the energy improved. best of luck

I don't worry about calories either. just focus on the Protein and keeping the carbs low. I do count them if it has been a day I have been off and hungry a lot so I have had extra Snacks or meals just to be sure I am not way over. if you are getting in a shake and your 3 oz protein at each meal you should be fine. I agree the isopure Water takes so me getting use to. I started out by mixing it half and half with regular water and that way I could develop the acceptance of the taste.

is it real physical hunger or head hunger. if physical= you might want to check with the nutritionals to see what you need. if head hunger it is something you will have to learn to deal with by another means and not eating. stay busy and drink that Water as sometimes we mistake hunger when we are just thirsty

I so agree. all the shakes and bars are sweet and way too sweet for me. I enjoyed the ricotta bake as well as refried Beans ( fat free) with cheese. got unflavoured Protein powder and added it to soups=scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes. there are several sites where you can get recipe ideas on the internet for every stage of eating just google/ best of luck to you

go very slow. your tummy is irritated from the surgery and will act up when it first gets food. each day it will get better good luck to you

it will get better in time but if it does not go to a therapist who is familiar with bariatric surgery or a group like oa. I still go to oa and it really helps. the main thing when I get food on the brain is that I do something to distract me ie go for a walk -call a friend- play with kids or pets-do a craft- journal about what is eating you-put on music and dance etc. you really will just have to push thro it.

im not familiar with carafate but not sure why you don't think it will help. have you taken it in the past. guess you wont know for sure until you try it. since you are only 4 weeks out you may be able to get relief in time once the swelling goes away and the healing is completed wish you the best of luck since gerd is no fun.

not sure why your parents would have to take medical leave to care for you. I did not need anyone once I got out of the hospital and went back to work in 7 days. you wont need anyone to cook for you as you will be on liquids and I could take a shower on my own. except for being very tired and sleepy most of the time I did not have any problems. I could drive myself etc as mine was done lap and needed only the 6 small holes for the tubes. I would go to work and then come home and go to bed and rest. the tiredness lasted a few months but did not interfere with my taking care of myself just did not feel like doing a lot at nights or going places. would stop by the store on the way home if I need Protein shakes or broths etc.

I have even tried cauliflower rice and it doesn't work for me either. I do sneak in a potato about once per week.

for me it was about 3 weeks. I also used a stool softner and it helped. what also helped was walking a LOT drinking Water and a heating pad. I still use a stool softner about every other day just to keep things moving. good luck to you

13 years out and still can not eat a salad or raw veggies my pouch does not like them.

it is your body and sounds like you have done a ton of research so do what is best for you. that being said. I had an rny 13 years ago and almost never vomit. I do dump sometimes ( it is my own fault by eating too fast or eating too much or eating a few things I know I can not eat) however when I dump I don't vomit ( sometimes wish I could so it would pass faster lol) usually just nauseous and pain along with sweating. there are very few things I can not eat ( I wish there were more ) I have the hardest time with sweets and can only eat about 3 bites each time but that is ok as I get the taste with out the calories. some meats are hard for me such as beef ( stringy) or pork but still can eat them if they are moist and I chew them well. just don't very often as I now love chicken and fish. each of us is different and there is no way to tell what your pouch will tolerate and what it wont until you are at least 6 months out. by then you will be so happy with the weight loss you wont care that you cant eat everything. best of luck to you

absolutely normal. the gas pains come after the surgery because they pump you full of air. sip on your water and walk as much as possible. a heating pad helped me. I got relief once I had a bowel movement. the weakness will last several months. sorry but you need truth. good luck

we are starting a whole new lifestyle and like any change they are hard. just keep doing what you are told and it will get better. however if it continues get counselling for the head hunger or go to oa. that is what I had to do so I would not continue to eat the wrong things and trigger cravings. best of luck to you

mine started falling out about one month to 6 weeks after surgery. it lasted about 4 months and then started growing back. such a funny feeling when all of a sudden you start feeling prickles when you run your fingers thro the hair. it is new growth. loved it

I walked the halls in the hospital and then walked every day when I got home. very short distances with slowly building up time and speed. it took about 3 to 4 months before I had any energy so expect that. most everyone in our group feels the same way. it will only come back once you graduate to real food and start getting in all the nutrients you need.

bananas and potatoes have lots of potassium I know that they are also high carbs but talk to the nut and see how much you can get in and still keep the carb level down. research other high potassium foods. good luck to you

first go very slow. very small bites and chew chew chew. have the food very moist ( I use chicken thighs rather than breasts because the are more moist and usually have some type of broth with them) try only one new food at a time that way you will know if it works for your tummy or not. if it doesn't wait a week or two and try it again. there is just no way to know what will work for you and what wont some of us can eat meat and some cant some can eat salads and some cant some can eat eggs and some cant etc. I am 13 years out and there are still things I can not eat so don't have the expectation that some day you will be able to eat anything you want. some can but most can not. you learn to adjust and after a time you just wont miss what ever it is you can not eat. I still can not eat some meats ( beef unless ground and pork loins) salads and raw veggies just give me horrible gas and hurt tho I do not dump on them and with sweets I can only have about three bites before I dump.

you are not far out so don't put so much pressure on yourself. be gentle think of what you would tell someone else who came to you with the issue. try Protein Water. I don't really like the taste but water it down half and half and can take it in. keep trying different kinds of Protein drinks in different flavors also. you will find one that you can stand ( remember that anytime you try a new food it takes several times to start liking it so it is the same with protein drinks. also get unflavoured protein and HIDE it in your Soups or yogurt etc. several other suggestions that helped me. when I was alone and bored is when I would binge on food so now it is when I start to have a pity party or ruminate on problems. I am finding distractions to help. call someone and talk=take a bubble bath- get out in nature and walk= play with kids or pets even if you have to borrow them-do puzzles ( crossword work search or jig saw) learn a craft or new card game. listen to music ( upbeat ) and sing along to the top of your lungs. listen to meditation or stress reduction tapes ( there are lots on u tube for free) there are tons more ideas you can do to keep the crazy monkey chatter in your mind. remember we are all here for you also. also consider a therapy session or two if it continues for long. good luck to you

yes we can take most over the counter meds as long as we watch for aspirin content. however watch the items like nyquill as many contain alcohol and with our tiny tummys we can get drunk very quickly watch driving until you see how it effects you. I stay home and sleep which is what my body needs to heal anyway. hope you feel better soon

really watch the contents as they slip aspirin in everything but yes. you can take just about anything if it does not hurt your tummy. the one I use is like warm tea and very soothing as well as helps me get the Water in which is vital while sick.

it was so hard for me to learn to slow down. I was a school teacher for years and we had about 20 min to eat while at the same time watch the kids for fights etc. I learned to scarf everything down. would eat so fast I did not taste anything. it became a way of life and I would eat that way for Breakfast and dinner as well. took me about 4 months to get the slow thing down. lol you can do this. I even used a timer and would not get up from the table until it went off. ugh. hated it but knew it was my health so had to do it.

try lots of things to get the Water down. I will mix water and crystal light half and half. try infused water with fruits and veggies. Protein water is great but I also do it half and half as sometime the protein taste is too much. like with any new habit it will be hard at first but just keep forcing it. sip sip sip. it will only take one time of have to be hospitalized with de hydration to let you know how important this one is. good luck to you

it should take you at least 20 to 30 min to eat each meal. remember to chew chew chew often I suck on cheese to make it last. eating too fast will make you have a higher chance of dumping and getting sick. it will take practice to slow down. don't get up or do something else while you eat. don't read or watch tv don't get up from the table . put down your fork between each bite. really focus on the foods the flavours etc and get as much pleasure as possible from the experience.