Gastric Bypass September 9- MN Metro area

[Maria Kae Smith 6]

Hey! My name is Maria and I am a 26 year old woman having gastric bypass very soon and I would love to have a mentor who had the surgery around my age and is a few years out! Please message me if you are interested!

TIA

[Cervidae 2,389]

Hi Maria! I'm Abby. I'm 23 and I had my RNY on August 17th. I'm in NY, but I'd love to be your friend and answer any questions you might have for me.

[Maria Kae Smith 6]

Hi! Thanks!! I am in the process of making a list of things I'll need after surgery- any pointers?

How's everything going for you?

[Cervidae 2,389]

Everything is going really well! So well I almost catch myself wondering if I had surgery at all. XD I'm on the pureed stage, and I have no issue getting down my 1/2 cup of pureed lean Protein. I've had no stomach problems, no stomach pain from eating or drinking, even my incisions feel just fine, though my left side gets a little sore if I sleep on it. I'm supposed to be getting 3 pureed meals in a day, 1/2 cup each, plus two 8 oz Protein shakes. I'm currently only having 1 meal, sometimes two, as I find I'm just not hungry. However, I am getting in all the Protein I need, and 64 oz of Water daily, so I'm not too worried.

Here are some tips/things that helped me a LOT:

- If you have a comfortable recliner, I would suggest sleeping on it for the first several days or the first week when you get home. Laying flat is really uncomfortable, and it's hard to get up and down. sleeping in a recliner really made things a lot easier and less painful.

- It's going to be hard to get in all the Water you need. I got a plastic container from Wal Mart that is 64 oz exactly and has measurements on the side. It made it SO much easier to see exactly what I'm drinking and make sure I'm getting enough.

- Get yourself a couple boxes of Gas-X Thin Strips... you will thank me later. They work instantly and are a God-send.

- Make sure you have a really good blender that can puree food into a baby food consistency. We borrowed my mom's crappy Kitchen Aid blender and thought it would be fine... nope! We ended up getting a Nutribullet at Target. It's not exactly cheap but it works so, so well and is very hardy. It's worth the money, and you'll be using it every day.

- Before you leave the hospital, ask them for a bunch of hot packs. They will feel amazing and really reduce your gas pains.

- I would highly recommend getting chewable versions of the Vitamins and supplements you're going to need. My doctor prescribed me chewable Multivitamins but I have to buy my own chewable Calcium. I got a pill stuck once last week... worst. experience. ever. Avoid it at all costs!

When you're in the hospital, as soon as you can get up and walk, even if it's only for a couple feet and back to bed, do it! The gas pain will not be fun at all but walking is the fastest way to get rid of it. I mean, don't hurt yourself, obviously, but just try to get in some little walks even when you really really don't want to.

If you have any specific questions or want recommendations on shakes/vitamins/anything, don't hesitate to ask.

Edited September 4, 2015 by Cervidae

[Maria Kae Smith 6]

Would you be willing to communicate over email? I am taking a break from Facebook- or id recommend that. My email is mariakae.smith@gmail.com

Thank you for all the advice! I currently have chewables for everything. Makes everything easier to go down even know. Do you have a brand you'd recommend for calcium citrate?

I bought a magic Bullet in anticipation of this surgery and I am excited to use it. I am currently on the liquid diet and I am Sooo over it now. But when I get down and out about it I think about where I will be next year. And how much I am building up my will power. It will be worth it.

I am glad to hear things are going well for you! A friend who recently walked through this will be nice! And as things progress it will be nice to bounce ideas, challenges, recipes and such back and forth.

[kvoneye 210]

Cervidae, what a great list of dos. I'm getting ready to have surgery Oct 15 and never thought of having a water bottle marked with 64oz or the gas x. Wish me luck! !

[TrishNolan 0]

Hey!! My name is Trisha, I am 29 and from the TC metro area as well! I am currently one week out and feeling WONDERFUL!! No pain meds since Saturday, back to work today! I had the RNY, and thought I'd be down for so much longer! I'm so happy with the progress so far, and definitely agree with sleeping upright if possible, and the heating packs! Wish I'd have come across this before my surgery to know about the gas X strips! I'm sure that would have helped ALOT! My email is trisha_nolan@yahoo.com! Feel free to email me as well!!

Edited October 14, 2015 by TrishNolan