1 Week Post Op Questions

Hi. I had RNY last Tuesday, and I have some questions. My belly really itches as do the incisions. I know it is a sign of healing, but is there anything I can put on them or my belly to help? I took the tape off of the incisions and they are all closed, but I also put big bandaids over them just so they don't get irritated. Is that right? Dr never said what to do and the nurse just said that it was ok if the tape came off in the shower or something. A week after surggery I am noticing that the hunger is coming back. I started on full liquids today with sf carnation instant breakfast, skim milk and Isopure plus some jello and a popsicle for snacks. I am a lot more hungry today than I was than I was on post-op clear liquids. I am trying to stick to the protein (20-30) and calorie (150-200) guidelines but am still hungry. I thought I wasn't supposed to be hungry after surgery? Any suggestions? I start soft foods next week whi*****reased protein to 40-60 and calories to 250-300, but I don't want to suffer through this week if I don't have to. How can I keep the hunger down within the diet? Someone else I know on another forum said she was supposed to do 80-90 grams of protein per day in about 200 calories. Even with protein powders, I can't figure out how that is possible in 200 cals? I have been using Isopure and Procel to help meet the guidelines, but it is always such small quanitites per meal that I don't know how to get in more protein without going over the calories. Any suggestions? Thanks for the help!

Sherry glad you are home!!!! Hope all is well.Sorry about the hunger. Do you really feel hungery or is it Head Hunger? I felt so well after surgery I know I wanted to eat something, chew anything.My stomach also rumbled and growled alot in the begining.Maybe the healing process. I still don't feel hungery if I go to long I get that antsy low blood sugar feel. Mostly happens at work when I get to busy. I never could figure out the protein to calorie count. I just did low cal high protein when I could.I did isopure for protein and cream of wheat or cream soup.very thin. Just do the best you can and don't beat yourself up. You can always call barb she was a great help to me.Don't forget to rest. Amy

Sherry, Shortly after my surgery I was hungry or at least I thought I was. For me it was wanting to actually chew on some real food instead of just drinking liquids as well as a little "head hunger" as Amy mentioned. I can tell you that soon it will all be over and you will hardly remember this, but right now it's all you can think about. Hang in there and just keep on keeping on. It seems that what you're doing it ok. Can you up the water and other approved liquids? It might help a little. I think when you start the soft foods and actually feel like you're eating something you'll feel better. As for your incisions, keep them covered for now with bandaids until you see your doc. I was replacing mine daily with a little neosporin (walmarts version of it) to be sure none of them got infected. I wouldn't hesitate to call your Dr's office for any questions you have. That's what they're there for! Laura

Laura, good advice from both gals....I'm a bander and its easy for us, if we get hungry we get a fill but you are just having withdrawls from out "buddy" FOOD. Fluids is the best to fill the tummy...hand in there as you seel dedicated to make this work!! Keep in touch, Later and Lighter, Beth in NE

Sherry, I just go in order of your questions. First off if the incisions are closed you can get rid of the band aides. Get a small bottle of Vit E oil and a few times a day massage in a circlure motion the oil on your incision. This will prmote the easing of the itching and help the scars heal. Don't waste you money on other products like Mederma ect.. Secondly you are feeling the effects of Head Hunger. You just have to work through it for me it was chewing Ice chips. I thought I was getting what I needed and in time I worked through it in my head. Lastly It is hard to get that much protein with that few callories. It could be that persons Doctor had their own protein program and it could be done. The main thing is you want to keep your caloric intake down as much as possible. Some of the lower in calorie/ higher in protein is nectar,ids new whey 25 (don't waste your money on the 42, you don not absorb the full 42 and protein does break down after you have opened it), Profect, Pro-Stat?64-Carbohydrate Free , I also like the Smart-forme products. Right now your food intake will not allow you to have that many carolies but as you progress it will be import to use a program like fitday.com or a book to log your calorie intake as well as protein intake. I like fitday as it type it in and it does the work. Over time you will know oh 4oz chicken breast,2tbsp peas,1tbsp of coucous is ex number of calories. Drop me a messege if you would like info on some of the items listed and where to get them. Jenn

Jenn, Thanks for the help. I verified with my weight management specialist, and she said just to let the incisions be so they can heal better. I did buy some vitamin e oil and will try that for any itching. I think you are right also about the head hunger. I have had to look away or go upstairs at times when my family is eating. It's also weird to be eating so much less than my kids, but I know it's for a reason so I'm dealing with it. I am going to start jounaling to help work out those feelings. I know eventaully I can eat more, but it's hard in the transition. And thanks for the protein info. So far so good in the grand scheme of things. Sherry

I asked Dr. Brown about the tape, and he said just to leave it on until it fell off by itself. A friend of mine who had surgery ended up taking hers off about a week or so post-op. Mine seemed to stay on forever, but then it finally fell off. Regarding feeling hungry, what I did was eat sugar free Popsicles. Chewing the popsicles seemed to help my brain think I was actually eating something. I did not worry about counting calories in the early stage, instead, I focused on staying hydrated. Are you sure you are actually hungry, or is it head hunger? Even at 7 months out, my brain thinks it is hungry when I know my stomach is not. So, I wait for my stomach to tell me it's hungry before I eat something. Congrats on an uneventful surgery! How was your hospital stay? Kix

Hi. The hospital stay was good - better than I thought. Only a couple of gliches but only minor things. Better experience than having my kids at St Jo's so that's good. Thanks for the other tips. I see Dr Brown next week for post-op appt. Hopefully all goes good. Sherry