D'Angouleme

There are so many things I'm finding that I can't eat, usually bc it comes back up within minutes. However, grapefruit I can eat plenty of. Have to have it daily. I take a multivitamin that was recommended by my Dr. , but I'm wondering if this craving for grapefruit indicates some kind of shortcoming in my vitamins. I'm also worried that too much grapefruit might not be a good thing for me. This isn't sweetened grapefruit, just all natural. Aside from the multivitamin, I'm not on any other meds so there's no chance of a drug interaction/contraindication bc of the grapefruit. I can eat about 4 things- cereal, grapefruit, soup and chicken.

I know I'm not getting anywhere near my protein goal. Couldn't eat/finish the single egg I made this morning. I'm on the full food stage at this point. I think so much of my problem is that a lot of things "taste' different now. Can't touch cottage cheese, used to love it. Eggs, used to love eggs, now it's a challenge to get one down and keep it there. So my protein comes from the meats I can get to stay down. Mostly chicken. A bite of tuna here and there, a piece of fish on rare occasions and once in a while some hamburger, but very little. Everything tastes discusting. Everything. Except the grapefruit. Surgery was Dec 19th and I have lost about 40-45 lbs. I don't weigh every day. Water is a challenge due to work restrictions. I get a couple good sips before I leave the locker room, a couple during a quick potty break but that's about it. You're not supposed to eat and drink at the same time, so lunch is usually dry. I'd have to do the shakes before work, don't want to do it after bc then I'd be going to bed within a half hour with all of that in the tummy. I know I need to add some variety to my diet, but it's a slow process as I test each new addition to see if it will be tolerated. As far as going back to my Dr., it won't be until June before they'll see me again. Damn little support from their office. A 2 week post op visit, a 6 month post op visit and a year post op visit then maybe yearly. In between, nada. I cannot make the monthly "support classes" bc they are at night when I work. So I have this forum and while 99% of the feedback has been very supportive and positive I have had (in the past on previous posts) a couple of replies that were sharp and criticizing as if I was a complete idiot. What a shame too because as you do research, you can see that even the DOCTORS and NURSES disagree about many things surrounding the weight loss surgery. Just because you have had something work or not work for you doesn't mean it is the same for everyone and so I am truly on my own in this adventure and of course learning some things the hard way. I appreciate being able to touch base on this forum and see if I'm still in bounds or not. I am thankful for everyone that continues to offer support and encouragement, kind and lifting words as I bump along and hit the walls from time to time.

Just got the news from my Dr. I have a complex lateral tear of my meniscus in my knee and a large knee effusion- *fluid swelling. They are doing the referral to the Orthopedic surgeon today. Now we see if I have to have surgery or not. Oh boy oh boy! the fun never ends. Thanks all for the support!

I should be in the honeymoon period after the surgery, where weight is falling off rapidly. I was doing well. Went from 265 starting to 230....and that is where I sit. I just blew out a knee and that has been a painful and limiting experience (they suspect I tore the outer ligaments on the side of my knee while squatting down to reach a lower shelf.. but am waiting for an MRI). At a time when I should be picking up my pace for exercise I'm limping all around. Stairs are hell. Up or down. I am still forcing myself to walk as much as I can tolerate and still work full time. My weight loss has come to a complete standstill. I'm angry, frustrated and impatient that I went through all of this only to get injured and now this huge setback with my mobility. My surgery was Dec 19th. 2 months out tomorrow and I'm flatlined for weightloss. Still at about 3-4 bites of anything and I'm done. Not eating crap food, staying away from carbs as much as I can- (forgoing the rolls/bread/pastas) and only a bit of sugar for my coffee or tea that I don't even have every morning. Is it normal to plateau this early after surgery? Will I lose weight again or am I screwed at a 35lb limit? Should I go back to just liquids? I'm so damn discouraged right now I can't even put it into words. PS, thank you for those of you that take the time to respond- I know everyone has busy lives so I appreciate the feedback!

Ok, will try to answer some of the remaining questions- no, not taking any pain meds, only allowed Tylenol these days and that does exactly nothing for me so I use alternating heat/ice ..elevate etc.. to deal with knee. Getting MRI tomorrow and should know more. As far as water at work, we are a manufacturing facility of medical parts- we have one small cell that deals with chemical finishing that should not have water in/near those chemicals- the rest of the plant is just regular machining, inspecting, shipping/rec. They decided to unilaterally punish everyone in the plant minus the office staff up front by removing all drinking abilities (water,tea coffee, whatever ) and we only have water fountains at both ends of the facility and one in the clean room. I myself only do computer and paperwork, have no chemicals near me (nor does 98% of the plant) but they made up some bullshit OSHA rule about not being allowed to have drink containers of ANY kind out on the floor. It is cruel, inhumane and I'm looking for a new job, not just because of the lack of hydration but the mandatory 10 hrs of OT they've been shoving down everyone's throat since May of 2018. I still am able to walk and get around, but I'm slowed significantly because sudden changes of direction could cause more damage, kneeling or stooping is impossible at this point, and stairs are risky bc the knee wants to go it's own direction without notice. My husband used to ask me to slow down my walking and called me a "sandpiper" bc I always walked like I was on fire or something. Now it takes a long time to get anywhere and it's frustrating to me. When your mobility is changed for any reason, it's a frustrating adjustment. As far as lifting my arms, do that all night long. My arms never stop all night long. Just want to be able to enjoy (and trust my legs again) so I can walk around, garden, go shopping, etc without pain and restriction. Don't want to be hurt right now. If I've missed a question- please forgive.

thank you! Appreciate the good feedback- I really don't like being immobile and it's so vital to trying to stay on track. Hopefully this is just a temporary setback and a temporary stall. Thanks for the encouragement!

Definitely not drinking enough water- we're not allowed to have it at work except for breaks/lunch. Otherwise we're out of luck at work. I'm currently looking for a better job that will allow something as basic and human need friendly like a water bottle. Will call the new NUT the insurance company recommended and see if I can get in soon. I'm sure hoping I don't need knee surgery, that will be a definite set back.

Ok. I know this all takes time, the scale says I'm losing weight, but I'm noticing it in very odd places on my body. I never had "fat" arms or feet, most of my weight issues have been my midsection. Now I'm seeing skinny wrinkled feet and forearms that look like shrinky-dinks. Why can't I lose weight where I NEED to lose it? Anyone else have odd places that have shriveled up? Yes, I'm exercising but my diet is all but non-existent. I have zero interest in any kind of food at all. Initially after surgery I had cravings for this or that, but muscled through and now that I'm allowed to have food, I can't get more than a bite or two of anything. I either throw it back up or just stop b/c it makes me sick. Most days are a cup of coffee or tea (if I feel like it) and a glass of ice cold milk and oh yeah, one of those disgusting Flintstone multi-vitamins. They are like biting off a piece of classroom chalk and chewing it up. (I've ordered the gummies but they're not here yet..). I'm in no pain, I don't think I have blockage or strictures as about every 4th or 5th day I can actually eat about a half a sandwich with no issues.

Good luck to you hon~ It sounds like you've put time and energy into all of this, and will do what is right for you and your life. I hope that you have good friends and maybe some decent support on line here (or elsewhere) that will see you through the rough spots. It is always difficult for one person in a relationship to go through this type of surgery while the partner does not. Whether they know and are supportive or they don't or aren't supportive. It's such a complete lifestyle change and it sounds like you're a strong woman who can do this with or without his support and of course you recognize the potential pitfalls and bad reactions you may encounter. I wish for you a successful surgery and recovery, and many years of health added to your life.

I agree that it may be "head hunger" as I woke up from surgery and really REALLY wanted a cheeseburger. Of course I couldn't have one. Be patient with yourself and the process. Every single person is different and while these things can be similar, your experience will be unique to you. My hunger pangs and cravings are gone now, I'm allowed solids now but the hunger is non-existent whereas I had them bad for a couple of weeks after surgery. Give your body and mind time to heal, rest and adjust to your new way of life. Congratulations on your surgery and hang in there!

Hi, I have tried to research what happens if your blood sugar doesn't go down after the bypass surgery. I'm off my meds (metformin & glipizide) since the surgery, but I'm 2 weeks out still on clear liquids and still getting readings of 160- 170. I'm not drinking any sweet liquids, not sneaking any solid foods. I simply don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I'm very discouraged because this was 99% of the reason for having this surgery and it's not happening. Everything I've read so far talks about what happens when your blood sugar gets too Low...nada on remaining high. The Dr. says as long as it's not over 200 or under 60 - no worries, don't call. Everyone else I've talked to walked out of the hospital with their sugar cured immediately. Readings of 80/90. My A1-C was 6.1 prior to surgery. I did not take insulin. What am I doing wrong. Did I do all this for nothing?

I will. Thank you.

Thank you for the feedback. Yes, I had a nutritionist before, during and after the surgery. Unfortunately, it was also right in the middle of the holidays so there was no one to talk to about it since the offices were closed. I thought I'd try the support boards. My Dr. was really dead set against the online boards as he said that some information could be very misleading and dangerous. I met with him today for my 2 week followup, he explained so much about it and says I am doing quite well. Ed_NW explained it virtually the same as the Dr. did for me. I'm working through my glucose reserves and it will get better. So far down 20 lbs in 2 weeks. He says he can see it in my face. Apparently I was the Kool Aid man and had a huge head. LOL!

Thank you for letting me know. I wish there was more information about this. Do you know why it takes some people so much longer for the sugar to stabilize? I'm trying not to get discouraged. At some point I'll be up to eating soft foods and then food, won't that make the sugar go back up again?