My sister had Roux en Y

I'm writing about my sister Gwen. I'm wondering what should her caloric intake be? She had her surgery on first week in October. I don't remember... maybe the 4th. After she started trying solid food, after 4 weeks post op, she had a lot of problems with throwing up what she eats. She has been able to eat fudgsicles. Sugar free, skim milk 40 calories each. I think she eats maybe 8 to 10, which would be at most around 400 calories from fudgesicles. Besides that, she may eat 6 - 8 ounces or so of chicken in a week. Not per day, per week. She has been able to eat a little salad. I baked some fish and she could eat 4 ounces one evening, and the next day she threw up when she ate one bit, about 1 ounce. She has been able to eat some very thin crust pizza, California Kitchen "White" pizza, which has only 230 calories in 3 pieces. She never eats much. She has eaten 2 pieces one evening, took her a while, eating slowly. I'm guessing she's getting around 800 calories per day at the most. Is that too much? She lost around 26 or 28 pounds in the first 4 weeks after the surgery, and now in the last 3 weeks she's only lost around 2 pounds. Is this normal? Is she getting too many calories. Gwen is a school bus driver and is back at work, but her back is really bad, ruptured disks, and so walking for very far is very painful, so her exercise may not be what it should be. She's feeling discouraged. When she went in for her 2nd post op visit a couple of weeks ago, the PA said she was doing well, that she's on track. She said that Gwen's weight loss wouldn't be as dramatic as someone that weighed a lot more than she did at the time of her surgery. I think she weighed about 216 or 218 the day of surgery. She's 5'2" Thanks for your input, Melody Gwen's sister

You may want to post on the RNY board to get more input as that board is busier. Honestly I do not think she is getting enough protien at all unless she is supplementing with shakes or something of that nature. How much water is she drinking...taking any supplements. It's not just about calories....there is much more than that...it should always be protien first, then veggies, then other stuff like sugar. I had a different type of sugery so I don't want to speak for all of the people that had RNY. As far as her weight loss we all go through stages where we stall for a bit...don't let her get discouraged.

Melody, it's great that Gwen has someone looking out for her. Have you posted on the RNY board? I've been away for a bit, so I'll give you my input just in case. First of all, Gwen needs, needs, needs to be getting more protein. My nutritionist (Nut) recommends 70 grams a day. It's difficult to get that much in, especially in the early weeks when you just start on food. Protein shakes, powders, bullets, etc can help to supplement what you can't get from food. Fish is supposedly a great protein for lots of people. Some have a hard time with chicken or beef (I've been fairly lucky and can eat most of those without a problem.) How about eggs? Hard boiled with a little low-fat mayo is great (like egg salad). I also drink a lot of No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast. My pouch loves that for breakfast. But, I can only drink a half cup in any one sitting. 4 ounces of anything is my max. And some foods are different than others. Some I can only do 2 ounces, so I can do 4. You really need to eat slowly and pay attention to the smallest hint of fullness. Then stop...immediately. As for calories, all nutritionists are different, but mine told me not to pay attention to calories at all for the first 6 months. So I don't. My goal is protein, so that's what I focus on. Oh, and when she's eating, eat protein first, veggies second, and then a tiny amount of carbs, only if there's room (which there often isn't.) Good luck to Gwen and you, as her support! Hope all goes well! Deb

Sorry for the late posting. Here are my doctor's guidleines: 1st 2 weeks-liquids only and that includes SF Jello and SF popsicles. Next 2 weeks-soft mushy stage. Fat free refried beans, tuna, chicken and 1st week scrambled egg. Second week eggs any way you like. Next stage-healthy foods for life. Don't be in a hurry to try everything you liked before. Introduce one new food at a time. Also know that if it settled once, it might not again. Chew, chew, chew. Always start with protein..I had problems with dehydration because food didn't taste good and I couldn't get in 64 oz of fluid (still can't). My dr. gave me some medication for my nausea, and I perked right up. Protein makes you heal. Stomach is about the size of a walnut or a half a cup depending. She definitely needs a protein drink. EAS AdvantAGE carb conscious can be found in Wal-Mart. I like the chocolate the best.