Newbies! Frequently Asked Questions...

Welcome to the Obesity Help Roux-en-Y (RNY) Gastric Bypass message board. Whether you are thinking about this surgery, are in the approval process, awaiting surgery, or are newly post-op, we hope that you find information, inspiration and support among our membership and on this board.

There are parts of the surgery, recovery and maintenance process that are pretty common to most RNY patients. There are thoughts we’ve all thought, fears we’ve all feared, physical and emotional episodes we’ve all had. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions by those who are new to this message board.

The collection of these questions is in no way meant to discourage you from asking questions on the message board, rather it is a “one-stop" resource for many of the most common questions as people embark on this life changing journey. As members of this community, you should be aware that, unless someone identifies themselves as such, none of us are medical professionals. Advice given here is meant to be a guide. Any serious concerns should ALWAYS be addressed by your surgeon or primary care physician.

We hope you find this information helpful as you become more active members of this community.

Q: I had surgery a week ago and I got on the scale and it says I gained 4 lbs.!!! Does this mean the surgery isn’t going to work for me?

Keep in mind two things: first that you just went through major surgery. After major surgery the body essentially has to figure out how to repair itself and move forward. In doing so you might retain fluids, your excretory system may slow down (i.e. you might not poop), there may be swelling and of course there is the matter of all the gas your surgeon pumped into you to be able to work inside your body. There could be many reasons for an initial gain that have nothing to do with the effectiveness of the surgery. Second, you should consider focusing during this time on recovery and not the scale. Many veteran post-ops will tell you that relying on a scale to track your progress can be self defeating. At any rate, at this point you have enough to worry about trying to get your medicines, vitamins, nutrients and fluids in. Don’t add to the stress!

Q: I had surgery two weeks ago and I’ve hit a stall! Am I doing something wrong? How can I get the weight loss going again?

There seems to be something about that two week point. Perhaps the body, having gone through major trauma and in reaction to a drastic reduction in calories, has gone into survival mode. The human body works in such a way that when it gets food on a regular basis then it is willing to burn calories when needed (such as in instances of increased exercise and activity). However, when it is not getting enough food it will burn calories much more slowly to preserve fat in case of starvation. While this may be irksome to RNY patients, it is the thing that has kept humans “on the map" for hundreds of thousands of years. Take heart, the weight will come off if you follow your doctor’s approved plan. If you can take a walk, that would probably be a way to start moving. Once your doctor approves you for exercise, go for it and watch how fast it all comes off!

Q: I recently had surgery and find I can eat a lot of food! Am I stretching out my pouch with the amount I’m eating?

Probably not. Although the pouch will relax and grow over time (although it'll never be the size it once was), at this point it is whatever size your surgeon made it. Most bariatric professionals recommend eating food in a certain order: protein first, vegetables second, starch last (if there is room). It may be a good idea to use that method when eating as protein rich foods tend to keep the stomach satiated (satisfied) for longer than carbohydrates. In fact, many carbohydrates, especially simple ones, will make you hungrier faster.

Q: I just had surgery and I’m always hungry! What’s wrong with me?

"Foamies" are a term you will hear quite often with regards to RNY patients.  Foamies occur when food gets stuck somewhere between you eating the food and it entering into your intestines.  Quite often when food gets stuck, you will almost immediate feel nauseous or at least very unpleasant.  And while it may have only taken one bit for food to get stuck, it may take several trips to the bathroom to get it back up.  When the food is coming back up, it is often accompanied by a bubbly, foam-like substance.  Foamies can also occur with strictures (as noted above).  The best way to avoid food getting stuck is to eat food that is not dry, chew well, and eat slowly. 

Think of it this way: you went through major surgery so that you could lose weight. You know that if you exercise you will lose weight. So wouldn’t it be beneficial to exercise? In the coming weeks and months you will probably experience increases in your energy level as your nutrition improves and your body starts to burn fat. In order to keep the weight coming off as well as maintaining it when you reach your goal weight you need to exercise. And while parking far away from the mall and taking the steps at work are all good things to do, an exercise program should increase your heart rate for a sustained period of time (usually about 30 minutes a day is recommended) at least 5 times a week. Of course, you should consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Q: I am on the liquids/pureed stage of my post-op diet and I’ve been eating the same five foods over and over and I’m so bored! What else can I eat?

In the beginning you have to learn what you can and cannot tolerate. Us RNY’ers, though, have a wonderful resource in our OH staff member and board participant Michelle a.k.a. Eggface. She maintains a blog with wonderful recipes that can be used from the initial phases on out. The link to her blog is http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com. She usually posts to the board when she’s updated her blog and that’s also a good opportunity to ask her questions about her recipes. Other OH members also keep blogs that include recipes and food advice.  Many times a poster's blog is advertised in his/her signature line on their posts.

Q: My hair is falling out! Help!