KarenLR75

Fluffychix - I'm sending all my eggs in my near future over to you...lol. I love eggs...why don't they love me back anymore? lol..... I'm patient (sometimes..lol)...I'll try and woo my pouch in a few months with maybe a deviled egg..see if I can sneak one in

Lord have mercy...would one of you be interested in adopting a woman who may be even older than you are? You folks absolutely rock the heck out of making amazing looking food!! I wish there was a 'LOVE' emoticon...right now I could use an "I bow down to y'all" icon as well..

I don't know how high your BMI is but mine was SO HIGH, I was terrified of them calling the surgery off due to size of my liver (which my surgeon makes clear to all patients..well, at least the ones my size..that he might have to do). I was terrified of cheating, terrified of the surgery getting called off (and the embarrassment with my boss and family when I have to figure out "how do I manage this delay?"). My family would know as they were waiting for me so there would be no keeping that quiet. I also had the other thoughts that you've experienced, the 'if you can't do pre-op, how can you handle this whole lifestyle change' I DO KNOW there have been others who post on here that had some cheat days, then finally committed hard core to the rest of their pre-op...so I honestly don't know what to say except to encourage you to do the same.

I always use the soap the hospital gives. Usually it is Hibiclens soap, I think? You can also buy it at Walgreens. I buy Hibiclens wipes and use them for cleaning wounds with my family sometimes in lieu of hydrogen peroxide. I've noticed that every hospital that has great grades/points due to super low incidents of patients getting infections seem to adhere to protocols like this and others which in the end is what WE, the patients, NEED. I was delighted I was given Hibiclens soap free from the hospital and didn't have to break into my 'got it on sale at Walgreens's suppy'..lol

REALLY? I hadn't done as much RNY research as up to a few weeks before original surgery date, I was scheduled for VSG. Ended up with an RNY and my date getting pushed back a few weeks but was so into getting thru pre-op diet that I didn't get a great deal of research done on RNY to be honest. Watch me be a 30-percenter I'm pretty hard core on the keto front although I'll have to reconsider the use of artificial sweetners down the road when I'm ready to introduce more things into my 'way of eating....

Eggs..can't eat scrambled eggs. Haven't tried fried yet. Was in such utter agony from both times I have tried eggs that it will be a DANG LONG LONG LONG LONG time before I try again. I was amazed to see ppl posting that they could eat popcorn. Having not tried as I'm still only 6 weeks after post-op, I just think of how 'hard' popcorn feels to me...but I guess, well heck, it's a carb so does it...go all soft when it is in your pouch?? Not knocking anyone for eating a carb! I'm truly fascinated as I don't trust my picky pouch and am amazed that some folks can actually eat popcorn! So weird and amazing. Was never a huge popcorn fan either and since I'm on mostly a very low carb way of eating, I probably won't try it but my curiosity has been peaked. Just like I'm still stunned that my 'Ms. Picky Pouch' has an issue with a dang scrambled egg!

I don't even like ice cream but was watching my husband eat some and had an odd craving (odd as stated before...I don't really care for ice cream)..to have a bite some time in the 'Near future'. Thank you for your post - my odd craving is gone for now. Have NO desire to encounter my first dumping episode although it seems we are all bound to have it happen at some point. I just PRAY mine happens when I'm at home!

It gets better. I survived for several days into week 2 on ice chips and sugar free popsicles. My stomach was VERY bloated..and gassy. I ate gas-ex chewable tablets (ironically my pouch..'Ms. Picky Pouch' decided she was ok with the cherry chewable gas-ex). I WALKED a lot to help with the gas pains. The overall bloating...my abdomen felt as hard as it did when I was 9 months along in my pregnancies years ago - that went away in Week 4, I think. Unsure how much water you are getting in. I disliked water ONLY because it triggered some spasms which mimicked the restriction so the simple act of 'drinking' whether it was water or a shake..made my 'everything hurt'. Stay in touch with your doctor/team if you are not getting your water in and let them tell you if they think you need to be checked out for anything. Maybe you have already done so. Ironically, I would have random days during this period when I could sip on warm broth and it went down ok..this was not EVERY day, but it was a relief to just have 1 more option during this time period. IT GETS BETTER!!

I'm in my 6th week out so am not even close to where you are at yet but I CONSTANTLY over-estimate portion size. I have a dang kitchen scale and measuring cups of all sizes so I'm going to have to start using them. I end up with roughly 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup of 'meat' (chicken minced to pieces, taco meat, pork minced to pieces) and I inevitably hit my 'restriction' about part way through whatever I'm eating. I'm losing track of all my mini-leftovers in the fridge at this point. I have learned NOT to even try to cross my restriction - there is NOTHING that tastes good enough to risk another bite and then be in pain....sometimes agonizing pain. My first few weeks out I was getting the restriction signal a bit prematurely my doctor finally work out due to my esophagus having spasms along with some other things so while we all knew my pouch did NOT have even 2 oz of anything in it, I would feel almost the same type of pain as if I had tried to eat 1/2 a cup of food this early into the post op journey. I got a 'pain/discomfort preview' so when I eat...I am chewing and chewing and chewing..and swallow..then hesitate/look for time to ensure I wait a few minutes before the next bite. Food gets cold all the time but that never bothered me much pre-op and still doesn't. Somewhere between 1/4 cup and 1/3 cup seems to be my high maintenance pouch's acceptable limit..

I personally had huge issue with egg which is what my dr told me to try first. Posted here and found out it was not uncommon for eggs to be an issue for some. It may work well for you, but I've tried scrambled egg again since that one very painful day and had repeat of same experience. Unsure why it impacts some folks this way. I've tried refried beans, pieces of sliced avocado with a little garlic. The avocado was the first thing I tried after my bad experience with the egg. Then I tried some refried beans (2 ozs)

So true...I am a 'daily weigher' and I really need to have my husband hide the scale (yes, this would actually help) and only bring it out once a week. The most I've been able to go without weighing is 2 days.

Congratulations!!

Well, we went on that last nature walk and it was NOT supposed to rain but in the middle of it, we got hit with a deluge of rain and wind (rain coming in sideways). Made it back to car after what felt like forever, completely soaked. We managed to walk 1.7 miles that day and it may have been more if it hadn't been for the rain but that's for another time. It's been 38 days since surgery now and I've lost 19.8 lbs. I'm made peace, at least for now, with the rate I'm losing as I was a very slow 'loser' prior to surgery (did keto for 15 months) so I have to remember without this surgery that I definitely would NOT have lost 19.8 lb in 38 days. Yes, in my first month or two of my 15 month keto journey I did lose a LOT...close to this same rate, but that was probably at least 10 lbs of water weight and that pace was not sustainable. Current weight loss rate is roughly .52 lbs a day which is actually pretty great in my mind. I do feel STRONGLY that I have to keep up the physical activity multiple times a wk. And I know there are more stalls in my future & even gains as I continue to walk with my daughter and am working on a plan to join a friend at a local gym to walk an air conditioned track with her and also to have access to other machines/weights/etc. For now I just wanted to give an update. The 'vent' that I left here the other day helped me to get things out so I could start breaking past the negativity that was going on in my mind and thinking. Thanks for the support.

That is SO AWESOME!!!!

Thanks for the tip on this. My daughter and I went to a new trail (we try to find parks/walking trails that are NOT all pavement as it feels more like an 'adventure' and not like the dreaded word "exercise". I'm ok with both words but youngest daughter is not in that head space yet and I'll call it whatever so she and I can have this time together and in turn, help each other with our 'self care'. The first time we walked on an actual trail instead of like Sam's Club etc. due to the heat, we shockingly did 1.5 miles. We were surprised as we've both been very sedentary. Went to a new park/trail yesterday and 25 mins in, my abdomen was cramping badly - thankfully they had on site (VERY HOT) bathroom)...but even after that I felt shaky and just...puny feeling. Very dizzy. Was initially disappointed when I realized while I was sitting in the shade but it still felt like almost 100 degrees, that I was going to have to 'call it' and we had only done .82 miles. We decided to call it a "win" though as previously we would not have walked to begin with. So .82 miles is better than 0. I took Friday off and we are looking at another easy hike/walk trail that is supposed to have a butterfly habitat and some other cool stuff (including benches and shade along the way..I'm not too proud to stop if by stopping I can get a quick drink from my water bottle and it enables me to be able to keep going). I'm going to make sure I have a decent amt of protein and some amt of carbs on board

Actually I have not taken my measurements. I have even read posts today where that is discussed and still no 'light bulb' went off..lol. I do remember 3 week stalls...and that is what I first chalked everything up to plus the 2 quick hospitalizations in week 2 and 3 for IV fluids but now I'm 5 weeks out. One of our other July siblings MeowAMR posted a reply that resonated with me...what I guess is at the heart of what is nattering away at me is that for 3 full weeks...I have not lost more than 1 lb. For OVER 3 full weeks. I'm so numbers driven that my head just keeps getting wrapped up in that at some point it is calories in vs. out. Well, I know the calories 'In' and have rough grasp on calories "out" and the math just does not work out. I'm not saying the net effect of the 2 is enough to signify that I should have lost another 10 lbs...but it is enough to have equaled at least a 4 to 5 lb lost. I've been thinking of replacing, outside of 2 protein shakes to get in my protein (320 calories together, 60 grams of protein) any other 'food' and go back to sugar free jello, sugar free Popsicles and bring my calories back to 400 or less. I will say when I was on 400 or less, when I went to do any activity, I felt woozy. Can we get used to it though? I haven't seen my dr since my post op visit and then him seeing me in hospital a few weeks ago. They are 2 hrs away with traffic so that is why I'm seeking a nutritionist and a therapist closer to home. My car is NOT reliable enough to drive that far and the last time I did, I ended up on the side of one of the busiest rush hour freeways for 3 hours in 105 degree heat and thought I'd pass out.

Wow, gal...you are working it with walking 3 miles a day!! Yes, your calories are right on spot with mine. I haven't even finished reading your post as I was just so....enthused about how much you are walking. I am admiring you. I can tell I'm not completely flatly down as I actually get bursts of joy from reading the achievements of others. Even when I envy the weight loss...it never stops the surge of joy I feel for what each person is accomplishing. Sorry for quick reply...going back to read the rest of what you posted.

I'm so confused. I had RNY on 7/25. It has now been over a month and my weight loss is 16 lbs TOTAL since surgery date. The first 2 to 3 weeks I ranged in calories from 100 to 340 calories. The following weeks I'm under 600. I have been walking 1 to 1.5 miles twice a week with my daughter. I am now back in the pool and I work out and also play - but our water volleyball games are intense workouts. It is actually surprising. My 'fit' family and friends even get worn out. So no, I'm not yet exercising every day. My right knee is torn up still but I have been able to sustain/keep pushing through the pain for the small walks we are attempting. I also did not win the 'no hunger' lottery. Seems that many do not. I had true stomach hunger return on either day 2 or 3. At first I chalked it up to stomach acid, etc. but now even almost 5 weeks out, I can almost always discern the difference between head and stomach hunger vs stomach acid. I also have tried to ensure I stay as hydrated as possible. I just needed to come here to VENT. We all know that...these first 3 to 6 months are what...the honeymoon period? The period where the most weight is lost? My dr. recommended RNY for me as I had such a LARGE amt to lose. Now I have those doubts creeping in saying "see, no matter what you do...you are always going to be the slowest loser"..."you just rearranged your anatomy to lose less in 1 month than you did in the first month of doing keto 12 months ago"...."you had RNY to ensure a larger weight loss and ppl within same age and almost same weight range are losing double, triple, what you did". I am struggling mentally and physically. I am INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED. I have narrowed search for therapists down to 2 so that SHOULD help but I've missed so much work lately that it will be a couple of weeks before I can schedule an appt. I've gone back to tracking the macros on ANYTHING that I eat or drink to ensure extra calories aren't creeping into what I'm doing...and so far my tracking (am SUPER analytical about it) only backs up the fact that I SHOULD be losing more weight, especially as I was probably the most sedentary person you ever saw prior to surgery and I've incorporated actual ACTIVITY finally. I go with daughter also to stores when the heat is too high to walk outside. All I get from dr's office is 'you will lose more weight after you are fully healed' REALLY?!! Then why are all my July siblings and other friends on here blowing my weight loss out of the water by such a significant amount? We are ALL healing. Forgive me for not being more positive. I haven't been posting as I've been so distressed and didn't feel I had anything helpful to say but then I remembered that this forum is for me as well...so yeah...nothing great to add for me but I REALLY REALLY needed to get my frustrations out and my deep dark..makes me sick to my stomach feeling..that I have just 'yet again' done something that won't work. You'd think that the more than 1 yr of head work I did with other counselors and doctors would have helped out more with this thinking..but as a former person in 'recovery', I know all too well that you can have multiple years behind you and have 'stinking thinking' come creeping back in.

Was admitted last night due to struggling with what my DR. has indicated is out of character for a usual 'oops I overdid it and my pouch is unhappy/overly sensitive. I had an upper GI last week during which I had to try to swallow this horrible dishwater detergent like substance. It was an absolute nightmare. Has anyone else had CT scans done fairly soon after surgery? Did you have to drink soapy crud or ??

I don't take the multivitamin, but I do take the Biotin Barimelts. Those suckers dissolve fast! Sorry I don't have a precise answer on the multivitamins..

4 weeks post op and still have only lost 15 lbs. A bit depressed about that. Am on soft foods, but nervous about what that calorie 'increase" (from 100-300 first 2 weeks post op) to 300-400 in first puree week..now soft foods I'm more at 400 to 600 (actually hit 700 the other day and almost panicked) is going to do to my loss. I asked my dr's office for target macros and they said not to worry about them right now, to just ensure I'm getting in the water and protein. I am a person who is very data driven and I don't trust my unhealthy ways of coping with food not to come rearing its ugly head. I'm not 'recovered' from my food addiction. I'm "in recovery" and I know all too much about relapses and just how long it can take to have a true long and sustainable track record to back up that "recovery". I am actively seeking a therapist closer to me as I have a lot of headwork that still needs to be done...perhaps more now than prior to surgery. My car is no longer reliable so have a therapist super close to the North Fort Worth area is critical. Need them to be skilled at working with WLS clients and I need help with grief...and trauma. I'm so happy to be part of the July siblings group! I've 'met' so many amazing ppl on here (as well as those that I also adore that aren't part of my 'sibling group'. Best wishes everyone!

they refused to do a CT scan even though that is what I was TOLD I was being admitted for. It was such a crushing disappointment and a HUGE waste of time in the hospital. I can't even talk about how awful it was.

OK, I got approval from dr. today to have 1 scrambled egg today and basically start pureed stage tomorrow (couple of days early). I scrambled it in olive oil spray and ate it as slowly as I ever ate anything...carefully chewing it to bits. My stomach was still growling (true hunger growling) but I figured the egg would settle in and that would be that. Instead about 15 mins..maybe 10..after the last bite, I felt the restriction kick in like I had just inhaled an entire protein shake. I have never felt the restriction discomfort as I've been on full liquids and have been very cautious..but I felt it last week badly..and it was when I stupidly made one of my protein shakes into more of a 'pudding' which I should not have done. My dr. did not say 'full liquids' AND puddings...he said full liquids, sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles. I didn't even finish the entire 'pudding/shake' as it hit me suddenly I was FULL...MORE THAN FULL...OH MY GOSH IT FEELS LIKE A NOOSE AROUND MY POUCH FULL. Ended up throwing up. Was miserable...and what a lesson learned. Well, I tried to be uber careful with the egg as 'pudding-gate' is firmly entrenched in my mind. After 15 mins of eating I had that awful feeling again..not even a SUGGESTION that I'm getting 'full'..just hard core full out stop. Now it's been...4+ hrs since then and all I can still feel is that restricted feeling. Even drinking water makes my stomach hurt..is this normal? This is part of how I got so dehydrated last week. I am not even looking forward to pureed items right now as the restricted feeling has lasted afternoon into evening...I had an upper GI scan last week and no leaks observed, etc. Do some ppl have particularly 'tight restrictions'? Does that even make sense or is this normal and I should have stopped @ half an egg?

Fluffychix, thank you so much. You had many very good ideas. I had a very rough night last night dry heaving and alternating between constipation and diarrhea. I emailed my my doctor. I was literally almost fetal position last night. Got admitted tonight and they are doing scans in morning. I just would love an answer. I did tell dr. that I think I'm going to need a longer time/more careful transition to purees/soft foods. My surgeon did agree that the extreme restriction response as well as some of the other things are not just a 'good thing'...he said they are definitely 'off'. Discomfort from barely/hardly pushing your restriction (it is still a question that I pushed it at all) should not last hours upon hours and then prevent you from drinking less than 1 oz of water. Going to follow many of your suggestions when I get out of here. again , thank you so very very much

Deedee12 - you are doing such an amazing job! I can't wait to hear from you as soon as you are up to getting on a computer. Best Wishes and Virtual Hugs coming your way!!