Three weeks post-op...having frustrations..helpppp

Hi Everyone! I had surgery August 2nd and am almost to my three week post-op mark. I had no problems with surgery and felt GREAT the first week. The second week wasn't too bad, but I'm having some real frustrations at this point and hoping some of you can help me. I am in the pureed food phase and do ok with most pureed foods, but I can't seem to do the protein drinks without them nauseating me. I dread drinking them and sometimes I just can't stomach them at all. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to make it better? I know I need the protein. I'm also struggling with feeling the "full" feeling. I just don't seem to feel it at all. I am only eating 1/4 cup of food, but if I eat any more than that I regurgitate. UGH. I do feel hunger (everyone LIED to me about not feeling hungry after surgery! LOL!) about 20-30 minutes after eating and have to suffer with it until my next meal (or until I rough it and drink a protein drink.) I just feel frustrated and anxious about what to do. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you sooooo much! Bren :-))

My surgery was August 8th, and I am where you are. I still feel hungry also . I find that when I eat hot food I feel fuller longer (mash pot, hash, egg beaters, beef stew puree), and all high in protein. I agree the protein shakes are not the best. Try the flavored protein. The following smoothie is fantastic: low fat yogurt **** cream), dash of OJ, 1/2 Banana, any other fruit, and a scoop of strawberry protein powder or plain powder, blend with ice . This is healthy and delicious!!

Hi Michele! Thanks for the reply and the advice! I'm going to try your smoothie idea and I'll let you know how I like it. I can't do anything with milk or milk products as I'm now lactose intolerant. I talked to my bariatric nurse educator the day I posted and she knew what my problem was right off the bat. I've tried everything she suggested and I'm feeling GREAT now! I love knowledgeable people! LOL! I appreciate you taking the time to reply and help me out! Congratulations on your surgery and your success so far!! I'll keep you in my prayers that your journey is successful and everything you hope it will be! If you ever need me, I'm here! I love my fellow wls brothers and sisters and will help any of you all I can! God bless you! Brenda :-)

Hi Brenda- My surgery was on the 6th and so far I have only experienced NO appetite at all! I am not kidding! I loved the protein drink before but am having trouble with the smell now. I have yet to try a 'smoothie' but I guess I better do something 'cause I haven't been doing the protein drinks at all and have very little energy.......Good luck & hang in there! Lisa

Hi, Lisa! Great to meet you! I hope you get better with doing your protein drinks. Maybe order some from off the internet or try a health food store for something different? I know there are a few that I can't stand the smell of let alone drinking them! The ones I have trouble with are the Profect drinks. They come in a test tube looking like container and they stink to high Heaven. I can't stomach them. My bariatric nurse educator told me to hang on the all of them that I have (I bought a bunch of them) for a month or two because tastes and smells will change by then. She said I might be able to drink them with no problem by then. I don't see it happening, but who knows, LOL. I talked to my surgeon today and it's very possible that I may be forming a stricture and need to have a dilation of my anastimosis (spelling?)-- the opening at the bottom of my pouch. I'm having a hard time keeping anything down, sometimes even water. I don't have trouble with my vitamins, though so that's good. Oh, one other thing you might try that my bariatric nurse educator suggested to me is Carnation instant breakfast (the sugar free, of course). She said most people really have no trouble with it and it's got lots of protein in it. And it tastes good too! I wish you the very best and will keep you in my prayers for a speedy and healthy journey! God bless you! Brenda :)

Hi bren, I feel hungry too!! I'm 2 weeks post op... and although the hunger pangs aren't as strong as they used to be, I still have them!! Did your nurse explain why some of us feel hunger, and others don't? I wasn't hungry at all during my first week!! best wishes, kimm

Hi Kim! I was hungry the day after surgery. I have had no reprieve in the hunger department. LOL. I've just learned to deal with it until it's mealtime or protein drink time. Misty (bariatric nurse educator) has just said that everyone is different and that different people will feel differently after surgery. I know there are several people I know that told me that they weren't hungry at all for the first several weeks. I think they all lied to me LOLOL! I think I'm probably going to be having a dilation of my anastimosis (spelling?)--the opening at the bottom of the pouch. I'm having serious trouble keeping food down. It's not nausea that's causing me to lose most all I eat. It feels like it's stuck in my chest or throat. I feel the need to burp, but when I try to burp all my food comes up with it. That indicates that my opening isn't big enough to let food pass through it and needs to be dilated. Not looking forward to that for sure! But if it makes this better, it's well worth it! I'm glad you're doing well! I'll keep you in my prayers for a speedy and successful journey into thinness! I can't wait to reach that goal myself! God bless you! Bren :-)

i had rny aug 6th.but i really dont get hungry. i cant stand the proteine drinks yet. i drink a whey proteine drink in advance to surgery to see what it was like and i thought it taste like chocolate milk but now i cant even look at the powder, so yesterday i went to gnc and got the 45 g. bullets. lord how mercy help me. i tried drinking it straight and i couldnt. i mixed it with water and it was even worse. i just dont know what to do either. im not getting my proteine but i do have one thing to try later that my nut gave me a sample of. i will let you know if its good.

Hello All! I had LAP RNY on the 13th and when I first arrived at home and started smelling everyone else's REAL food, I thought I was starving and going to die if I didn't eat REAL food soon! Or so I thought. Then I started to get in tune with my sense of pouch fullness. Now when the tummy (pouch) feels full, to a 'normal' person this is a sign of NOT being hungry. But to me (who is nowhere near 'normal'...hee hee hee) just the smell alone was making me 'think' I was hungry when in reality, I wasn't. My tummy was feeling full 24/7 actually! sheees! (hope someone is understanding this). Anyway...bottom line is...now I know the difference between thinking I'm hungry and actually being hungry. Because B4 learning about proper nutrition, I ate even when I thought I was hungry ...hence...lots of weight gain. Now, I'm not saying that's what you all are feeling, as yes, everyone is different and only YOU know YOUR body. But it's just feedback on MY experience with the difference of BEING HUNGRY FOR REAL or THINKING I'M HUNGRY. Also, on the protein tip...I, too, have a hard time getting 75 mgs in daily. But I have since tried UNJURY protein powder (unflavored, vanilla, chocolate) and my tummy seems to agree with it and the taste isn't bad. I try to put it in lots of things (puddings, jello, smoothies, etc) I mix it really well in my 'magic bullet' first. (Thank GOD for that magic bullet!) And to all you 'upcoming surgery' people...Hoping you all have an uneventful and safe surgery!!! See you all on the loser's bench soon! Bye for now! Brenda (BizzyB)