Help Ya'll!...Questions from an antsy newbie

Hi ya'll!  I hope the meeting was fun tonight...I was hoping to go but I believe I'm in the middle of a classic case of having "overdone it!"  I've felt so good that I've been doing chores and running errands nonstop, and yesterday evening I just completely wiped out.  Can't say I wasn't warned!

I'm kinda worried about a few things.  I realize that everyone is different so I'm trying not to get too worked up over this, and your advice would be greatly appreciated.  We started the soft pureed foods part of the diet yesterday.

1.  Surgery was one week ago yesterday, and I still haven't had a BM.  Bad? Ok?  Should I call Dr. Gibbs?

2.  Zero vomiting, but I do get that burpy, uncomfortable feeling and have to stop sipping for a bit.  However, I feel very dehydrated...as if I would chug down a gallon of water if I were able to.  Is this normal?

3.  Am I eating too much?  I had it lodged in my brain that we were supposed to eat 2-3 ounces per meal, and eat 3 meals per day; looking back through the nut's and Dr.'s  books though, I see that it's a MAXIMUM of 4 tbsps (2 ounces) per meal.  Yikes!!!  Have I stretched my pouch out already?!?!  EEK!  We've not had problems tolerating any foods yet, although the canned pear halves were pretty borderline.

4.  Nut's book said that at this stage we should be supplementing our 3 meals with two 8 ounce protein shakes per day (we like the s/f carnation instant breakfast).  Really?  That seems like kindof a lot...

5.  Finally, my clothes seem to be fitting about the same.  Don't most people lose a lot of weight the first week?  I can tell that my daugther has.  Am I just being paranoid?

I don't want to call and irritate Dr. Gibbs office with what are probably silly newbie questions, so please give me your feedback.  The best advice I've gotten ANYWHERE has been from this support group!  

Thanks in advance!  Lisa

I'm a Baker baby - and we're all different - but I'll give your questions a shot.

1.  If you don't have a BM tomorrow by noon, I'd call them.  Dr. Baker doesn't let his patients leave the hospital without having a BM and gas first.  So it is pretty important that it happen.  It lets them know that everything is waking back up normally.  I wouldn't go into the weekend without calling them if you still haven't had one by mid-day tomorrow.  They may say it's nothing.... but they may not.  (It NEVER hurts to call/email your surgeon.  Trust me, they would rather hear from you sooner than later if there happens to be a problem.)

2.  For some people, feeling "dry" is normal.  Just drink as much as you can.  Also avoid anything (painkillers, etc) that would cause you to feel MORE "dry" / thristy / cotton-mouthy / etc.

3.  I have never measured my food by WEIGHT.  This is not an accurate representation of what we should eat.  (Some things like nuts weight more than some things like chicken.)  The more accurate measurement for post-ops is VOLUME (the tablespoons measurement is much more important than the ounces measurement).  At 1 week out, I think 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) is about twice as much as you should be taking in.  But then again, I had a different surgeon with a different post-op plan than you have.  So for Gibbs, that may be exactly what the doctor ordered!  I'd double-check that figure if I were you though.... 1/4 cup at 1 week post-op sounds like a lot.

4. Again, I don't know what Gibbs program calls for.  Would 2 shakes get you up to 60 grams of protein minimum per day?  That is the minimum # for protein that the majority of surgeons use.

5. Yes you are being paranoid.  Calm down.  We ALL lose at different rates and you cannot compare yourself to your daughter or anyone else.  Some people have lost almost 30 pounds before dropping a clothing size.  We all lose at different rates and in different PLACES on our bodies.  Your body will lose in it's own personal way and there is not much you can do to change it.  Just follow your plan and you will be fine.

6. Again... you will not irritate Dr. Gibbs by emailing or calling if you are worried about something.  That is what he and his support staff get the big $$$ for. 

Wen

Hi Lisa,

Yes, I'd call Carrie if you don't have a BM by noon today. If they want to see you there will be time to get there if necessary. All of the things Wendy said are true, so I won't go on and on any more. But yes, 2 tbs is your max. Measure, measure, measure. I don't think you'd stretch your pouch on pureed foods, but you need to keep it at 2 tbs max.

You're probably still swollen from surgery so your clothes won't be changing much. Did you measure yourself before surgery? Now is the best time to do it. Pretty soon you'll be dropping the pounds, I promise. You're older than your daughter (duh!) and the younger you are the easier you tend to lose. Give yourself some time!

Gotta run and get ready for work. Take care and call Carrie. She's there to help you and answer any questions you might have. Honestly, I don't think you could come up with a question she hasn't answered a thousand times.

Hugs to you and your dear one!

Wendy and Susan,

Thank you so much...I came straight to my computer this morning in hopes that someone had answered my post.  I will email Carrie and see what she says.

Maybe it's all the weirdo post-op emotions but I've gone from feeling 80% normal to about 40% or less the past couple of days.  I feel 90 years old and weak as a kitten...and very disappointed in myself.  I know it'll pass, but I'm just paranoid and whiney right now.

Thanks again!  Love Ya'll!
Lisa

Ditto everything Wendy and Susan said -- and hang in there!!!  I was definitely on an emotional rollercoaster for 4-6 weeks.  Be good to yourself and take it slow.  It won't be too long before you start seeing some BIG changes. :)

I was one of those who lost 40 lbs before I changed pants sizes, FYI.  Even now, 73 lbs later, I've only lost 2-3 pants sizes!  What's so funny about this is that half a dozen people at work told me yesterday that I'm skinny, LOL.

Hope you get to feeling back to normal real soon but it is normal to feel tired and emotional after surgery.