New to the forum

Hi there Everyone,

I've just found and signed up with this forum... I wish I had found it a year or more ago.

I joined the Weight Wise Clinic at the RAH in Edmonton in May of 2009 (First Clinic Visit). I had RNY surgery on Aug 19/10. Prior to surgery I had lost 109.4 pounds. Since Surgery I've lost almost 20 pounds (3 weeks) so I'm a little disappointed that it's not more... :(

I checked out doing surgery in Medicine Hat, but they don't offer any additional health professionals. They only treat the disease, not the cause of the disease. They don't offer any teaching or councelling ... nothing... for me, it was much better to wait for the Weight Wise Clinic!!

I have some questions about after surgery.... I never feel hungry anymore.... but my pouch gets very sore in the morning and seems to be much better after a glass of milk... so I guess that's my hunger symptom.... I'm really concerned that I'm not gettting enough protein... I eat protein at ever meal... but I can only eat a 'meal' about 3 times per day... my stomach feels full most of the time and whenever I try to eat... it hurts even more... so I think I have a slow draining stomach.... at least for now... I wondered if anyone else has had a similar problem...

Anyway, I'm so glad that I found this site... hopefully you will be hearing a lot from me.... :)

Melody

Welcome to the forum Melody and congratulations on your surgery!

I had the sleeve so it may be a little different, but at 3 weeks out I was only able to eat about a tablespoon before I got full.  You have to remember that your stomach is still swollen from surgery and wont allow much to pass through before the pain starts.  In my opinion, if you feel pain then you should stop eating and don't force more into it, you may be doing more damage than good.  Maybe try smaller "meals" spread out during the day.

You wont be getting in your required protein for a while unless you drink protein drinks and I hated those (my dietician at the clinic doesn't recommend them, either).  I think I started getting in my required protein by just eating at around 2.5 to 3 months out, by that time I felt that my swelling was gone and I was feeling pretty good again.

Hope that helps!

Jill

Hi there Jill,

Thanks so much for your reply and information.

I was so concerned that I was doing something wrong... I guess with all the time that has passed since I started this journey, I was getting a little impatient.... :) My mother always said that once I make a desicion to do something, I lose all patience and forge ahead regardless. I guess I'll 'Take a Chill Pill' and wait... .(smile)

I have an appointment with Dr. Birch on Monday so I'm betting that he'll tell me to be patient too...
I was so worried about the amount of protein that I wasn't getting. It makes me feel so much better knowing that it's somewhat normal at this stage of the process. I feel like a million bucks most of the time, but when the pouch is full... it's almost agony... so I don't let it get over full...

Thanks so much for your well wishes and your advise. I really do appreciate it...

Melody

Hey Jill, which NUT do you have?  What did she/he recommend you take for protein rather than protein drinks?  Curious :)

My dietitian is Sherry :)  She is very happy with my progress so far, and with my loss to date I think I'm doing pretty well.

She has told me to just get my protein from my food, eat stuff like chicken, fish, yogurt, milk, beans, cheeses etc.  I'm required to get 60-65g protein a day and that is pretty achievable for me.

It's not easy early out to get in your required protein just because of the limited volume you can eat or drink, but the further you get out from surgery the more you will be able to take in.

At 5 months out I'm up to about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food per meal, they told me I should max out at about 1 cup per meal, any more than that and I'm over-doing it. 

I DO love Sherry, she's great. That's who I have.

I haven't had surgery yet.  STill going through my pre-op tests.  I imagine I'll see Dr. Birch again in the next couple of months to go over results and talk surgery once again.

Looking forward to it!

Hi Melody!

I had my RNY on July 13 so a month before yours. It took my new stomache about a month to start telling me I am hungry and should eat something. Before that it could be 2pm and I decided I should probably eat something.

Your 20lbs weight loss is about normal. But soon it will even out and you will lose a bit less - the clinic doesn't want you losing a ton very fast. They say about 1-2lbs a week but I was told even 4lbs a week is okay.

I have to have a protein shake in the morning as I wasn't getting enough protein either and I got in "trouble" when I went into the clinic for my first diet check up after surgery. I also have to eat 3 "meals" a day plus 3 "snacks". A good thing to do, Glad or Ziploc have those snack size containers, I made a few meals filled on of those up and stuck it in the freezer. The snack containers are about 100 - 150mls so they are perfect size for a meal for me. Another thing I was told is to have nuts for a snack. Or since you can handle milk try cottage cheese - it is very high in protein. I wasn't able to handle milk products for the first month or so after surgery but now it has gotten better.

Anymore questions, feel free to ask and I'm sure someone can help you!

Thank you for such a warm welcome!!!

Adrianno, thanks for the insight. I really welcome the info. I'm glad it's just me being impatient....

I can tolerate quite a few different foods and can't tolerate a few others that I've found. I LOVE eating veggies.... doesn't matter what kind... but now it seems that I can't tolerate them raw in the form of a salad. After I ate some a few days ago... about 20 minutes later I had the most horrible pain... I actually had to take some T-3's. So I got gutsy and tried the fresh veggies cooked and it was no problems at all... So I'll just have to wait for a month or so and try my salads again...

Also, my hubby was being so nice to me one morning last week and brought me a small cup of coffee with hot milk. I had only drank about a 1/3 of the half cup he brought me and then the nausea set in. I actually thought I was going to throw it all up, but I didn't. The nausea lasted for about 3 hours, then the diarreha started. I won't EVER touch another cup of coffee again.... (smile).

I've stayed away from red meat since before surgery but I'm getting a little sick of fish and chicken... lol... such a hard life... lol.. NOT!!!!! I'll do ANYTHING that I have to to get to my goal weight and stay there!!!

Thanks for all the info... (Great Big Smile)

Melody

Melody:

Honestly, I threw out the recommended and not recommended list. Not litterally threw out but I made my own. I've tried everything at least once. My first solid meal - steak, potatoes, and corn. Granted I ate about 1/4c but that was my first meal. Milk products were awful for the first bit...I threw up every time. Bread - oy the bread. Doesn't matter if it is white, whole wheat, flax, plain, toasted, grilled, whatever bread sits in my stomache like a dead weight.

I had a little rebellion for about two weeks after I got home from the hospital (I ended up having a second surgery so I was in the hospital past my 2 weeks full fluid diet) but now I have started to figure out more and more what works for me.

I quite like sushi and I can pick up a mini california roll pack for toyko express for less than $5 and that's my meal for two meals.

Believe me as more and more time goes on between your surgery, you will start to see what works for you and what doesn't. A friend suggested to me to write down everything you put in your mouth daily and then put a little check or x beside what works and what doesn't. Stick to what works and then later down the road you can try the ones that didn't again.

awesome Idea about the list and the checks and 'x'...thanks for sharing!