MelbaT

Hello all, I'm 10 weeks out from RNY and overall doing pretty good. My problem is I can't plan my food menu because one day I'll like a food, like eggs, and the next day it repulses me. Can't stand the smell of it. I'm like this with almost everything I'm eating. I can NOT do shakes ever again. I tried again about a month ago and gagged and threw it out along with the damn shaker bottle. Same with soups and broths. Can't even look at them. ONe day I'll do good with chicken and the next it sickens me. I'm often hungry, but eating makes me feel like crap. I enjoy nothing. I eat slow and don't eat until I am too full, so it's not like I'm overeating and getting sick from a food and then not wanting to eat it again. It makes me sad. Frustrating as hell. I'm hungry now, but nothing sounds good, looks good or tastes good. I often feel crappy after eating. Nauseated. Again, not eating until I'm too full, so it doesn't make sense to me. My dietician wants me to get in more protein but I can't figure out how. There is a part of me that wishes I never would've had the surgery because I'm so sick of feeling like crap. I have low/no energy. I'm taking all my vitamins and supplements. Anyone else have this problem? Will it get better over time? I have no idea what I'll take to work for lunch tomorrow. The chicken I made yesterday is grossing me out now. UGH!! Advice? I'm 34 pounds down now. I'm stalled but feel like it's because I'm not eating enough. I cannot do yogurt or much cheese as I have a hard time with milk products as well. Ack! One more thing I'll add is that I found I can't tolerate sugar free things either. I don't know if it's the xylitol, artificial sweeteners or what. Not eating sugary things either.

Hi all, thank you so much for you replies and advice. I really appreciate it. I just have to hope and remind myself this is likely a phase. Just frustrated with it right now. I’ll definitely try some of these suggestions!😁

Thank you for your reply catwoman. I’m over 2 1/2 MONTHS out , so I expected to feel better about eating. I definitely get hungry (I too was hoping the hunger wouldn’t return!). My tastes have changed for sure. I’m just trying to figure out what and how I eat when I change daily on what I can stand. Congrats on 8 years out! You’re one strong woman and I admire you!

I have an aversion to them too! I tried them again ~1 month ago (I'm 10 weeks post RNY) and gagged and threw it out along with the shaker bottle! I've tried multiple kinds. I was able to make broths/soups work for awhile, but can't even stomach those now! Good luck to you!

Hi Anna, so sorry you're feeling defeated. I've been at a bit of a stall myself, which from advice on here and through my surgery team, say is normal. I did start adding in some good carbs as my body was telling me I should (not a "head hunger", but true hunger for them I'm still losing, but slowly. The good thing is that since adding back some carbs I feel better than I have since that %$#@! Pre-op liquid diet! The "brain fog" is gone too! Good luck to you! Also, I'm not sure how much weight you have to lose, but I've found and read that the "smaller" you are, the less likely you'll lose quickly...

I was getting on here to ask you guys the same thing! When it happens to me, it is close to a couple of the incisions. It's an instant, like what Shanna said, being stabbed with a hot knife. I have my 5 week phone check in with the surgeon today and was going to mention it. Glad to hear on here that it seems to be a fairly normal occurrence and will go away! Thanks for asking the question, Shanna, and thank you guys for the feedback. Helped ease my mind a bit!

I was able to cross my legs while sitting for the first time in years! I went for a longer walk today and didn't breathe hard like I did a marathon! I haven't had to stretch out my shirts after washing them to make them bigger- I just slip them on and go!

Hi Blessed, My RNY was also on 3/29. I've definitely had my struggles and still do! I started on Pureed foods a few days ago. The first few days were rough! I think I was so excited to start on them that I overdid it a couple times. Pretty sick after that. Felt faint-ish, weak, racing heart, VERY nauseous. Luckily both times were around bed time, so I laid down and after a while subsided and I finally slept. I have given up the protein shakes as even to LOOK at them makes me feel like vomiting. VERY strong aversion to them now. I bought the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptide powder someone on here (sorry I can't remember who!) that has 18 grams of protein in 2 tbsp and luckily blends really well, especially in hot things like my coffee, so I start with that every morning. I have no appetite and have to go by when I start feeling weak to make myself eat. I'm sensitive to almost all artificial sweeteners so haven't been able to tolerate sugar free things. How about you? Went shopping with the hubby yesterday and bought most of the things recommended by the fabulous people on here to puree. Great ideas. I'll try the white fish (we bought cod) tonight with thinned mashed potatoes. I was feeling nauseated yesterday after eating egg salad, so a couple hours later I was naughty and ate 3 saltine crackers very slowly which really seemed to help. I don't know about anyone else, but after I eat something, the thought of eating it again makes me ill. Did anyone else have trouble with that? Going back to work has been tough. 10-11 hour days. I work in a very busy vet clinic, so trying to get in "snacks" has been difficult and I end up feeling crappy, weak, brain fog until I get to lunch. The last couple days getting in my water while I'm there has been tough too. Everyone I work with is awesome and would allow me the chance to get a snack, but it takes so long to eat it that I feel guilty for having to step away for a bit to do that, especially since we've been short-handed. I just need to do it, though. Next thing here is totally TMI, so skip if you don't wanna know. I've had a b/m almost daily, but never a complete one. They are very pasty and don't seem to want to evacuate my body well (LOL). I did start eating Activia with protein powder in it to see if that will help. Miralax and Dulcolax does NADA for me. Any other recommendations? My left side still has some pain- almost gas-like. I've taken the chewable Gas-x which doesn't do much either. I definitely don't like my bra sitting on top of where my stomach is, so off it goes at all times when I'm at home! Weird thing is that my hot flashes have seemed to return with a vengeance which a year before surgery had finally stopped. Bummer. Anyone else struggling with this? I've been working with my shrink regarding my meds. We've had to adjust things a couple times already. I can't take Gabapentin at bed time anymore- makes me so dizzy. Also switching from Zoloft to Lamotrigine. I used to take all my meds at once in one big swallow. Can't do THAT anymore, so slowly it goes, which frustrates me a bit. The good thing is that overall I'm doing pretty good. I'm only weighing myself once a week, so Wed. I'll reweigh myself. My body is totally changing tho! I still don't have a lot of energy, but hopefully that will improve over time. Some days are better than others. I did take some "before" pictures (but can't figure out how to edit out my boobs so will be for my eyes only!), just to help me see my progress if the scales don't show a loss. Clothes are much looser already tho! Ok, sorry to ramble so long. I threw a lot out there, but that's kinda how I am. It soooo helps to know if others are going or have gone thru these same things! I look forward to and love the feedback. I hope you and everyone else are doing well!

Thank you all for the kindness and support! I appreciate you!🥰

Hi all! I had my RNY 15 days ago. I'll be 55 years old next month. I'm 5'4 and my top weight was 248. Pre op I was 231 (lost weight with pre-op diet hell). Currently sitting at 222 lbs. Still on Full Liquid stage with starting the Pureed on 4/19. No real hunger pangs at all, just weakish. Weighing myself just once a week. I've always been hard on myself, so weighing once a week, I think, will keep things more in perspective for me. I'm down 9 lbs since surgery and trying hard not to tell myself it should be more! I'm Feeling pretty good. Was REALLY sore for that first week, but feeling more comfortable every day. I'm just bummed about the lack of energy I still feel. I can toodle around the house fine, do chores, etc, but when it comes to going to the store, short walks, etc, I get wiped out SO easily. Going back to work next Monday and dreading the 10+ hour days I do. Luckily it's just 3 days a week with another half day thrown in there (I average ~35 hours/week). Can't afford to take off any more work. Anyone else experience this? I'm averaging ~500 calories/day, which I know isn't much and that's likely the reason. Currently having 2 protein shakes/day. My doc put a note into the dietician to reach out to me about all this. I'm grateful to have found this site! By the way, I can't seem to figure out how to have my "Weight loss ticker" show on my posts. Help?

My time from initial consult to surgery was ~9 months. My insurance required 2 psych visits, and 6 dietician visits spaced a month apart. Once I got through all of that the surgery team sent it to my insurance and the insurance approved it in one day! I personally went with the RNY as I've had GERD since my teens. He said the sleeve would not help that and could likely worsen it, so I chose the RNY. He also said the number of revisions from the Sleeve to RNY was quite high (I've read so many posts from people having the revision on here and the other support group I belong to). I did not want to risk 2 surgeries. I've been taking supplements for years and years, so I felt it wouldn't be an issue for me to not remember to take them. Good luck to you!!!

Hi Michelle, how did you know you had a stricture? Was the "food" just not getting into the stomach so you vomited? Was it painful to eat? I just moved on to pureed foods and am trying some thinned with yogurt Malto-O-Meal and it feels like it's getting to my stomach, but almost a little painful. Figure I'll stop eating it and see how it goes. I'm glad you're doing better!

Hi guys, I had my RNY on 3/29/23. Been struggling with the same things. So far my hubby can eat in front of me (he feels bad, but I told him it's ok as dinner has been a social time for us eating together). I get the "head hunger" because it looks and smells good, but I have NO physical appetite for it so I'm not to bothered- YET! Can't tolerate the shakes anymore. I get physically ill just thinking about them. I'm moving on to Pureed foods in a couple days and am looking forward to getting protein another way. F those damn shakes! LOL. I don't tolerate sugar free/artificial sweeteners either so my options have been very limited. I've had the "What the hell did I just do to myself" several times, especially when battling the nausea. I appreciate the reply you got of "It will get better" too. Just have to keep reminding myself of that!

I will definitely give the vital proteins a try! I'll make sure I buy a small container so I don't get stuck with a big one I got from Nutricost. 😕

Can anyone recommend a good unflavored protein powder? I bought the Nutricost unflavored powder and it doesn't mix well at all. Very foamy, chunks of powder whether I use a spoon, shaker or blender. Very frustrated. Trying to get refund from manufacturer. Any other types you'd recommend?

I am facing the same problem, tho I can still do water fine. The protein shakes have gotten me to where I gag when I even THINK about drinking them. Unfortunately I can't do sugar free things as I'm sensitive to the artificial sweeteners. Broths and just about anything make me feel sick/nauseous. Having a VERY hard time getting in my protein (still on full liquid stage- surgery was on March 29th). Hoping I can move onto pureed stage without issue as I'll be getting protein in something else besides these shakes. Are you doing better these days, Laskeete?

Update- I spoke to the PA at my surgeon's office. They recommended I start 325mg Ferrous Sulfate with a 500mg Vitamin C tab to increase the absorption for the anemia. We'll see......

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has/had experienced and elevated heart rate after surgery. I'm 15 days post op and my HR before surgery was ~65 bpm. It's currently sitting at 80-90 with spikes up to 114-120 after even just a little energy expenditure. I'm drinking about 70 oz water/day. I contacted my surgeon's office and they said to schedule an appointment with my regular doc which I did. I have an appointment tomorrow morning. Just looking to see if anyone else on here experienced this and if so, did it go away on it's own, or did it need treatment?

Just got back from the Doc. He said I'm anemic. I am currently taking 2 chewable Flinstone vitamins (as my surgeon recommended). They each have 18mg of Iron. I guess not enough. He asked that I check with the surgeon's office to see if I can take more. He did do an EKG that was normal and said that as long as my resting heart rate is under 100, it's considered normal and since it's on the "high end" of normal it make sense that it would spike higher with physical activity. I feel SO much better since seeing him. I haven't been anemic in the 3 years since I had a period and going through menopause! Thanks for your input, guys. I'm hoping once I'm fully healed and eating more normally and taking all the vitamins/supplements I'm supposed to that my heart rate and anemia will go back to their normal levels.

Same here- My Garmin watch keeps giving me highly stressed alerts as well. They mostly happen when I'm out and about at stores, parking lots, etc. I'm sure it's normal and will ease, but I am glad I have an appointment with the doc this a.m.

Still waiting to reach THAT milestone! ;)

I love this! You're absolutely right. I am looking for a therapist as I'm typing this for that very reason.

SAME here! I'm 15 days post op as of today. I just emailed my doc yesterday asking about this. I find that my heart rate spikes with just a little energy expenditure. I can walk around the house fine, but going to the store, short walks, etc have me feeling so tired like I couldn't take another step. I'm stopping my blood pressure meds (as advised) to see if that's the culprit. I go back to work on Monday and am worried about my stamina to make it the 10+ hour days I normally do. 😕 My surgeon put in a note for the dietician to get in touch with me. Maybe it's that I'm only getting ~500 cals/day. I have NO hunger pangs, but get weak/tired so easily! I'll let you know what she says.

That's what my surgeon recommended as well. I'm currently taking 2 every morning. I did buy Bariatric Fusion 1 a day Multivitamin to start at my 1 month mark too. I'll see how that goes and post a review.