You are having it tomorrow! Good luck to you! Yes, we will have to chat!

Hi guys, I'm two weeks out yesterday, RNY. I sort of have the opposite problem, and sometimes wonder if the doc really did the surgery?? (But I've got the occasional gut pain if I move wrong to remind me, lol!)

Even beginning in the hospital, I didn't have any time drinking what they wanted me to... the four 1-oz medicine cups. I could get up to 8 of those little suckers some hours. Weird!

I've been surfing ObesityHelp for many years, so I was very aware of all the protein drinks, not just the powders. I'm particularly fond of the BariatricEating.com "believe" protein coffe drinks. 20g protein, very low calories and carbs, they're thin rather than thick, and easy to get down.

I'm also using a lot of Unjury unflavored protein, available at Unjury.com. I put a two scoops in my strained cream soups, adding 20g protein per serving.

These things aren't really cheap, but my theory (which my wife supports) is that I'm not eating any real food, so my costs are low at the grocery store right now.

Our NUT says to get a minimum of 50g protein per day on this full liquid stage (mushies start two weeks from the day you get home). I've actually been able to get 80-100g protein with the various protein powders and drinks. My reading tells me that protein is even more important for guys as we lose lots of weight to make sure we don't lose too much muscle (working out is important too... I'm procrastinating as we speak, lol).

I'm always surprised how different all the docs are with their requirements post-op... some of you at two weeks are already eating solids! I'm jealous. I will admit I tried a couple crackers, chewed up really really well, and had no problem (I'm such a test-and-see kinda guy) but that was only once and I'm back on my full liquids just to "follow the program" and get used to everything my doc & NUT want us to do (as issued in the handout).

I will say that hydrating with 64 ounces every day... and getting your minimum of 50g protein every day... are something that I see reccomended EVERYWHERE I read about post-op online. our bodies after RNY can't absorb as much protein as they used to, because the bypassed part of our intestines was where we used to absorb most of our protein. High protein is important for healing from surgery (which really takes a full three months by some accounts), as well as making sure your body loses weight from fat stores more than from muscle. Protein will also help minimize hair loss, and help keep up your energy.

Water is important because as our bodies lose weight, many toxins are released from the old fat stores into the bloodstream, and water helps your body wash that away. Post op our bodies have a tendency to dehydrate, so water is really important! Sip, sip, sip!

Sorry to be preachy. Trust me, it comes from jealousy of those of you who can actually eat food, ha ha.

If you can't eat or drink anything, you really should call your surgeon's office... it's possible you're getting a stricture... a narrowing or closing of the newly created opening between your new smaller stomach and your intestine. I'm told that they can easily dilate this opening, called the anastomosis, with a simple inpatient procedure involving a balloon-like device they inflate slightly to enlarge the opening. 

OK, enough from me. Welcome all to the "loser's bench"!!

I was excited to find the message boards by date.  It's nice to know where to go to find someone who is in the same place along this journey.  I'm super excited, tomorrow's my big day.  After 2 weeks of a liquid diet, while weaning off caffiene, I am very ready, but I'm getting nervous. 

It's encouraging to read posts by people who are 2 weeks out.  I can't wait to be eating ricotta again!

Best of luck to all of us!

Leslie

HUGS and prayers sent up for you on this the beginning of another new journey.
Liz

 i go in at 7.00 am on the 26th