Tina 2.0

If you hate it, don’t have it in your diet. It is temporary. Try a variety of herbal teas, sweet, spicy, fruity. Infuse some water with lemon, lime, cucumber, blueberries. Lots of choices. The most important thing is getting your fluids and protein in one sip at a time. Plain water is best, many of us invest a lot of time trying to find ‘something’ to meet our dietary needs. 4 days post op your priorities are a short list: walk, sip, rest repeat. Hang in there!! Keep posting. Be Well, Tina

Your my hero today!! Those are the victories I long for. While I will never be the smallest person in the room at 6’1, I want to be able to climb stairs, pyramids, hills and more! Thank You Yo for the post!

Oh wow! I looked up Gatorade protein drinks and it gave me the recovery shake! The Gatorade Zero is one of my ‘go to’ for a flavored water! I get the variety packs from Amazon, 50 pkts for around $13-14. Then I add with water and ice in my hydro flask or a small picture in the fridge. Thanks for the pic I will look for them.

You look amazing! It will take time for folks around you to adjust to the New Normal. Your body is wise and will know where you need to plateau. The hard work is continuing to listen to that wisdom and stay at a healthy weight. Keep up the great work and keep smiling! Thanks for sharing the experience and the pic.

Yikes! Read the labels. The Gatorade has more sugar than protein. I had a RNY so I have to watch sugar and carbs to avoid dumping. But I am inspired to mix a scoop of unflavored Isopure protein powder with some regular V-8 for a different flavor profile. The. Veggie juice is 45 calories and 2 GM of sugar. Thanks for the inspiration!

So much great advice!! I agree with all of the above. I started eating a similar diet to the post op diet. It helped me figure out what I really liked and what was a second choice. I stopped all added sugar to coffee and such. Eliminated carbonated beverages. Stopped grazing. And started having protein drinks in different flavors to see what I liked. I also started walking on my 15 min break (tolerated 5min) and went from there. I felt awkward at first but realized no one noticed. Best of Luck!!

Congratulations!! I hope your procedure goes well and you enjoy a good walk the day of surgery. First thing I wanted when I was able to get out of bed was my tooth brush! It felt amazing to wash my face, brush my hair and brush my teeth. It’s the little things! Walk as much as you can, it really helps the gas pain and prevents blood clots.

Thanks for the good vibes! My surgery was the 5th. I also managed well with a cpl Tylenol. Amazing! I am on the last hours of my 2 Wk post op liquids diet. My lap sites are healing well, my procedure was a revision of a RNY. I am holding out to get on the scale until I get ready to see my doc on Tue. My favorite knock around jeans are really loose, the will be listed on Posh to sale pretty soon. I went for a great walk today at a nearby park with a jogging trail. I will make that a daily activity! So much better than my backyard laps. Be Well! Tina

Let the anger go and try to find gratitude that you bare getting such a comprehensive work up. The A1c will come down with a lil medication and carb control. Trulicity is easy to adjust to and the steady glucose monitor will give you tons of useful feedback. The reason they can’t operate with a really high A1c is because the increased sugar coating the cells makes the healing slower, more strain on kidney, and more risk of surgical site infection ( bacteria thrives in sugar). Of course after surgery you will really see improvement in the diabetes. It is just a bump down a very long road. The journey is worth every step! Good Luck!

Carrie Lee, Congratulations on taking control of your health. There are a ton of resources on line and in print. The surgery is just one small tool, the rest is our hard work. I recently read a quote that stayed with me “discipline beats willpower every time “. Start today looking for what you have control over. Walk 5 more feet, sit stand at commercial time, eliminate 1 processed food ect. Read the stories of successful WLS patients. For your doctors visit take notes in with you. I would want to know if you are able to have a laparoscopic procedure with your BMI. And I would ask how the doctor prepares you for the changes to come. Every practice is different. Some do the minimum and others really partner with you and your primary care. Be Well, Tina

It’s not normal. If you are having more than 3-4 loose or waterey stools and you are unable to keep fluids down please call your doctor. I would stick with sips of plain water or coconut water. The sugar free stuff might contribute to the issue right now. Any abdominal tenderness outside of surgical sites and gas pains, elevated temperature, chills or sweating should also be reported to your doctor. Generally after surgery we are kinda well hydrated by the IV fluids so we don’t get in trouble with dehydration to fast. There are different meds to slow things down depending on what the doctor feels the issue is. Be Well, Tina

V, If you are sensitive to the cottage cheese and yogurt please pause the use of the Whey Protein Powder. They are all the same protein type. You can research Pea Protein, Egg Protein, Vegan. I’m sure your dietitian or doctor gave you a list of preferred brands. Whey Isolates are easily absorbed so they normally top the lists. Look for a low carb alternative. Just buy samples until you find the right one for you. Re-reading the post about the cottage cheese and yogurt was the red flag for my nurse brain. Hope this helps! T

Hi V! Glad you were seen by your GI doc. Perhaps some coconut water or milk for a gentle replenish of electrolytes. Some Pro biotic, Yakult or a supplement. There really is more to gain from compliance than there is that we lose in the temporary limitations. Yes I re gained 100% of my wt loss from a RNY 23 yr ago.. I followed everything the first year or two, then over time started snacking, having one more bite, a cpl cocktails, sparkling water and so on. I normalized the incremental weight gain and then it just all got to overwhelming to get off. I was eating everything just like everyone around me was eating. I went through several hoops over the last few years to get my revision. I wanted a surgeon with experience because my first RNY was open so I have a ton of scar tissue. I put aside cocktails years ago. Just a bad habit and empty calories. But changing my comfort foods, grazing, and sugar has been a struggle. The last 6mo have been a Re commitment to myself. The last 3 I have been completely off the grazing behavior, no more carbonated water, sugar very limited. Now I just need to push through to Tue to my Post Op where my diet will be advanced. Be Well! Tina

If you have gas pains walk walk walk! Sounds crazy but it’s so important! I came home on 4-6 after my RNY revision. 3 doses of Tylenol has been all I needed. No narcotics. I had a few days worth but never needed anything. I hope you find relief with the diverticulitis flare ups. I would imagine with more mindful food choices and good hydration they will be few and far between. Less inflammation and less husks and nuts. Be Well! Tina

V, Regarding the digestive issues; try to drink more plain water. The sugar free stuff might be the culprit . If you don’t like plain water you can make an infusion using any nbr fruits like lemons, limes, mint, cucumber for a lil flavor. If you are have on going loose stools talk to your doctor about Imodium to slow things down. Try eliminating one or two SF choices. If that doesn’t slow things down then read the label on your protein drinks. See if there is anything that could upset your gut.The pre op is meant to clear us out, shrink the liver, and reduce inflammation. Be Well, Tina 2.0 (RN BSN)

Vivas, Stay the course sis! All of our doctors have different protocols. I am doing a 2 Wk clear post op. I see others on purée by now. I will tell you my surgery was a revision. I wish I could turn back the clock and follow my doctors instructions to the T. Over the last 23 yr I managed to regain all my wt loss. My current dietitian asked if I was driving an expensive luxury car if I would use the cheapest gas to fuel it. Wow! I would not put sugar in that tank!! Yes there are cost associated with the pre and post. I am trying to cut costs as I go ie the Gatorade packets vs the bottles. We have to recognize our worth to make the changes we need to become and remain healthy. Every sacrifice will be worth it. The rewards around the corner are amazing! Enjoy the journey it is as important as the destination. Tina 2.0

Vivis, the clear liquids is hard work. But staying in line with your doctor’s instructions is the foundation of the success you want for a lifetime. Congratulations on gathering ideas for the journey! I am on my post op clear. I like the Isopure Dark chocolate. 25 GM of protein in a scoop, dissolves in a shaker cup of water, does not leave grit on my teeth or an aftertaste. I also like the Bariatric Advantage Strawberry and Orange Cream. Torani SF syrup is ok. Gatorade zero is a must have! I bought packets on Amazon and saved a ton of cash and plastic waste. Tried Bone Broth for the first time. Game Changer!! Favorite brand was Fond because of all the different flavors. But it’s a lil expensive. I’m worth it! Best of luck to you! Tina

Love that list!! Looking forward to the day I Ck them all off. TY for posting!

It is worth overcoming any obstacles!! I failed at appeal so I changed my medical group and now my primary is in the next county over. Best 30 mile drive of my life!! I was able to see the surgeon I wanted to work with. I am a RNY revision. My surgery was 4-5-22. I am still on clear liquids. Bone broth was a game changer, love Fond for variety of flavors! Found at Sprouts. While you wait for a date you might try a few new bari friendly recipes. And perhaps some reading on successful maintenance of the lifestyle. Create some non for ways to celebrate milestone numbers. I wish you all the best! It is life changing!

Congratulations!! Hopefully every time you walk a bit you feel more comfortable. It’s rough but straightens out pretty quickly. Keep sipping and moving. You Got This!!

So True! Walk walk walk! It is really the best way to dissipate the surgical gas that is pumped into the abdominal cavity for the procedure. If you can’t walk then whatever you can tolerate like sitting on edge of bed, transferring to a chair, sit to stands. Be Well!

We had similar restrictions in California. I think pre op was the hardest! I had my bypass 4-5-22. The waiting alone..Then you wake up, the nurses control any pain or nausea and you are off to your room where you can wash up, make calls, and wiggle your toes. I was a lil groggy, but really happy. I could not wait to lift my gown and see proof my dream was real! I started walking that night. Before I left the next day I had walked just a tip over a mile doing laps around the floor. I felt like a 🌟! Some laps were 1 time others up to 4. Wishing you all of the best!!

Lynn, can you talk about the skin surgery? What you had done, results, healing time/process. I anticipate that I will look like a baked apple in a year. I am fine with skin surgery but at the same time hearing from a patient and not just the doc is so helpful! Thanks

I would love to see this move to a post op board! I had my Roun Y revision on 4-5-22. Also a hiatal hernia repair. Gosh everything you said about looking back at the logistics of bed mobility, going potty, napping! I spent my first 2 nights at home in my recliner for comfort. My belly was bloated and surgical sites tender. I only really needed Tylenol for pain. Please remember how important hydration is for healing. The complications are frightful if you get to far behind or worse you let your GI system go silent. Just take baby sips of water or whatever is in your list from your doctor. The worst is hopefully behind you. One sip and one step at a time we will all succeed!

Do a Google search for Meet Up near you. Perhaps you will find an established group. I look fwd to meeting local bariatric patients and finding ways to be more active. Best of Luck!!