minle360

Hi there So i'm feeling your pain... At 8 weeks post-op for RNYGB (this Thursday), I am really missing my diet soda (not just Diet Coke; I like a few others too.) Anyhoo...two reasons not to have them are: 1. Coke and diet C have caffeine which can be dehydrating. 2. The carbonation in Diet C or any soda or beverage with bubbles can have a negative impact on the new pouch - as in stretch it over time. Not sure how adding Water impacts the first but it probably dilutes out the carbonation. My doctor said if I let diet soda go flat, I can drink it (again the caffeine issue aside) the carbonation is a big issue again, over time. Agree with the others, just check it out with your doc. They want us to be happy because we need to stick to the program so I think they make it as palatable as possible. But at the end of the day, the surgery isn't a silver bullet. Diet (and exercise) are keys to success. Good luck with it all...

OMG. I caught a cold about 7 or 8 days pre-op. I was really worried because my colds end but I'm left with a lingering cough that can drag on and on and on.... Got the cough. Went to the doctor for the pre-op clearance and got an RX for a strong cough syrup. It worked mostly. She said I had to stop using it 4 days pre-op and if I was still coughing they might cancel because of concerns with impact of coughing (on abdomen) while trying to recover. I was still coughing a bit but they operated anyway. It was fine. I had some coughing from residual anesthesia but that too passed. Good luck and hope you feel better...

Sorry to hear about everything you went through. Sucks to need another surgery... I went through it for something else. When I was first post-op, I had no appetite. I breezed through Clear Liquids, liquids, and purees. At first, I couldn't finish soft foods either. I'm still on soft foods (see the doc and nutritionist on 12/20 and will probably advance then) and suddenly my appetite is roaring. I also weigh my foods. I was eating 2 ounces of Protein per meal and 2 ounces of vegetables. I take small bites, chew 25 times (or until it dissolves) and set a timer to wait 30 seconds or more between bites. But I am hungry when I'm done. I'm not sure what is going on but I'm afraid it is a recipe for overeating. I have a feeling i may not be eating enough. For example, on a sample menu I have it suggest 3/4 cup pea soup (cooked with 1/4 skim milk) and 2 whole wheat crackers. I don't like it with skim mixed in and skim alone is a liquid. The crackers I found (and are delicious) are a 1-inch square and I had two. I'm hoping I get to add something. but we shall see... it may just come down to drinking more fluids when I'm in-between meals. And perhaps adding a shake (or two?)

Recliner. I had the RNY GB and although it was laproscopic, they cut the stomach muscle. OMG was that a shock the first time I tried to get out of bed. I finally got it down in the hospital with the automatic bed. When I got home, I got into my bed, fell asleep and woke up in agony because I rolled over and strained the stomach muscle. I finally got myself out of the bed (pushed through the agonizing pain) and slept on my couch sitting up feet up on the ottoman) for two days until the recliner came. I should have gotten the electronic kind and not manual (my sister ordered it for me. I knew I shouldn't have listened to her - lol) but even with the manual (It is a pain in the butt to push the foot rest part down but it didn't really hurt) I was a lot more comfortable. i couldn't sleep in my bed for nearly 3 or 4 weeks post-op. (I learned about the recliner 10 years ago when I had a breast reduction. Many on a support site I found recommended it.) don't know what I'll do with this thing when life goes back to normal but for now, I'm grateful to have it.

These are the only shakes I like and for the Protein and low calorie "price", they can't be beat (IMHO). I order them through Amazon. I started with chocolate. Then tried the tri-pack of Vanilla, Chocolate, and strawberry. Overall I (and most people from what I read) like chocolate the best. When I need a change, I use Vanilla. Not crazy about the Strawberry flavor. Then I saw they added caramel. Tastes more like butterscotch to me but I still like it. Around that time, I read about mixing the flavors for variety. So I started mixing caramel with vanilla, strawberry with chocolate. Still not thrilled with the strawberry. And now I see banana. Haven't tried it yet because I found it post-op (see below for what is going on now.) Pre-op, I lived on these for Breakfast even before my 2-weeks of liquids. Those two weeks before my surgery, Premier shakes became unch and dinner too. FYI, when it was just breakfast, I lost about 5 or 6 pounds in two months. When I did the 2-week liquid diet with them (although I cheated a little), I lost 6 pounds in those two weeks. (And I have to add that pre-op I was a very very slow loser every since my teenage years.) Post-op, I used them at the beginning when I was on liquids and purees. Once I got to soft foods, I drink maybe 1/2 a container a day if that. Time to try mixing them into coffee, blending them together etc, because I am paranoid about getting enough protein and losing my hair if I don't. Also, I am back at work but from home. Once I am on the go again, I'll be bringing at least one a day because they are my go-to when I don't have time to eat.

Thank you @shedo82773 and @Nikkip35. I'll get my surgeon's perspective when I see her next time. And I'll revisit the one I was taking pre-op. The alternative post-op isn't as effective. If there is anything new to report, I'll keep ya'll posted.

I didn't have the diarrhea. I had painful cramps (mostly on the left side under my rib cage.) It is finally subsiding (I am about 8 weeks post-op). I still get them but not as much and they don't last as long. Sometimes they are just as painful as my first couple of weeks but overall not as bad. What I keep telling myself is "this too shall pass." For me it was hard to believe that when the pain got really bad. Hang in there and hope you feel better.

I read somewhere to avoid or limit certain sugar substitutes that cause symptoms. One I know is Sorbitol (believe it has "sugar alcohol" even though it is sugar/calorie-free. (If I find the list of others, I'll post them.) Sorbitol is in the Italian Ices that I love. I was having one after each meal (like dessert). After I read that, I checked the ingredients and sure enough, the ices contain Sorbitol. So I only have one a day and eat it very slowly; so far so good. But more than one or eating it too quickly, can cause cramps for me. Good luck and hope you feel better.

Hi. Does anyone know how malabsorption affects time released medication? Or doesn't it? I take two RXs that are time-released. My doctor changed one but it isn't as effective. Now that I can swallow better, I'm going to try the original one I was taking and see how it goes. Want to have more info when/if I ask him to return me to my original dose. Thanks in advance.

Hi DebiW Curious what the pain is like and where? Asking because I was getting this pain on my left side right under my rib cage. To the point where it wasn't just uncomfortable or mild pain, but I was doubled over sometimes. The only thing that helps (it still happens sometimes but not as frequently) is an ice pack or lying down (if I'm sitting or standing) or walking if I'm lying down. I finally figured out mine has to do with fluids but I do have pain from eating or the digesting part. No one at my doctor's office said this was normal. Wasn't until I started reading here that I learned others had/have it too (though not sure it is the same as what I am dealing with.) It's all a journey and I keep telling myself. "yes. this too shall pass." I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks to rny.chica for posting and all who responded. I am like many others... love my hair. I am about 8 weeks post-op and watching for this like a hawk. I didn't realize this could happen months later...OMG! Does anyone know if there is anything we can do to prevent it from happening? For example, taking Biotin. If I start that now, would it prevent? Going to a support group later this week and the nutritionist on 12/20 and will see if I can get answers there also.

Hi....For those that read, thank you. Thought I would give you all an update and maybe this will help someone else. Through trial and error, I narrowed this issue down to a couple of things: 1. Drinking. First, although I wasn't using a straw, I was drinking hot fluids with a "sip top" cover. And I realized, I may have been gulping air when trying to get Fluid through the small opening! Now I just keep the top on to keep the beverage hot (and prevent spills from my mischievous cats who like to run fast and knock things over - lol). But when I sip, I remove the top. This has made a huge difference. Second, although for the most part I mastered the eating techniques (more in a minute), I believe I may be drinking fluids too quickly. This is because a) I'm not drinking enough or consistently throughout the day so when I drink fluids, I'm so thirsty, I go too quickly (old habits die hard, what can I say?) Also, the eating guidelines are pretty clear. But drinking guidelines I've seen are "sip like you would a hot drink". Guess what? I typically liked my beverages ice cold and even when hot, they were typically very warm. As in hot tea, I would add an ice cube so I could drink it. Bottom line on fluids for me: Small sips through an open top cup, swish in my mouth, wait at least 30 seconds (like food) before taking another sip. I haven't figure out yet why I get this pain randomly when sitting or walking. For now, I've accepted it may still be my body healing and relearning to digest food and But if I figure it out, I'll update again. Regardless of whether you read, reply, post, I'm so grateful to have found this site. Reading others' experiences has been helpful and inspiring to me. You also makes me feel like I am in great company and remind me to laugh at myself now and then - even if laughing still hurts my tummy (but less than it did one week post-op).

I hope you are ok. Agree with everyone else: Contact the surgeon asap. If it is after hours, call the on-call service. Lord knows I called them at least once a week for the first 4 weeks because I had some issues. Did you have a RNY GB? I am amazed you could get food down during the first week. I could barely tolerate liquids. Good luck with it all...

Hi. New to this site and forum. I had RNY GSB on October 20, 2016. For four weeks I had ongoing cramps on my left side that moved around. One was the pain from the muscle incision someone else wrote about. That resolved. But at four weeks I still had this almost constant sharp pain on the left just under my rib cage. It felt/feels like I suddenly ran and got an ache in my side multiplied by 50. Nothing showed on the scan. My surgeon suspected adhesions or scar tissue to be at the root of it. So two weeks ago, I went under again for an "exploratory" and for her to remove scar tissue. There was scar tissue that she did remove but not as much as she thought would be there. I do feel better (2 weeks later) but I still get these sudden cramp attacks and can't figure out what causes them. At least they stay in one place: left side under my rib cage. It can happen when I eat (nothing in particular), or drink, or be walking. Ice packs and/or drinking hot tea helps as does sitting and stretching out on a recliner but it takes a while. They can last up to an hour or more. Anyone else experience this or have any knowledge what is causing this? And any suggestions to prevent or treat? Thanks in advance! (Pictures coming soon)

6 weeks out on Thursday. I eat 2 to 3 ounces of Protein and 2 ounces of vegetables or fruit 3 times a day. I rely heavily on the Protein shakes (I'm drinking Premier with 30 grams of protein and chocolate is the best). I try to have at least a half of one a day.