More questions
Hello Again, I figured since I got such a wonderful response to my last post, I would post the remainder of my burning questions. I have so many, so I'll have to pick the most important. I am having surgery on 9/27 at Danbury Hospital with Dr. Zuccala. Here are some of my questions: When you get to your final eating stage,what can you eat? No sugar, some sugar? No carbs, some carbs? I have been hearing people say they can eat anything they want. How can that be??? My doctor has not requested that I diet before the surgery. Should I anyway? What benefit does that have? Is it true that I will never be able to eat sugar again? What did you feel like straight out of surgery, like when you woke up and when you went home? What drink has the highest protein amount?
How do you get the required water in if your stomach is so small? Can you eat anything without sugar or not certain things? How much weight can I expect to lose in the first month? When did you start to notice the weight loss (how long after surgery)? In the first stages, can you eat fruit? Anyone's answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Everyone, Mousie
Hi Mousie,
I am 2 yrs 3 months out of RNY. Doing pretty good. Lost 100 plus and maintaining I still watch everything I eat (not always good) it's portions and I exercise 3 to 4 times week.
I do not post too often but I will try to answer your questions:
In the final stage you will follow your doctors instructions, everyone is different, some people can eat different things and tolerate some things better than others. I did stick to what my doctor told me to eat. I did not eat any sugar as I would dump and still do on sugar over 10% or more. I eat some carbs but try to keep them as low as possible, I don't eat much bread, cakes etc and I do eat once in awhile south beach cookies, they seem fine for me. So early on it may not be a good thing to push yourself to eat the bad stuff. (I was afraid to test it)
Not sure why some people can eat what they want, but I was very glad I couldn't
My doctor did have me diet, but I would follow your doctors requirements, unless you can exercise or walk that may be a good thing to do I did and I felt it really helped me.
As for sugar, I dump on it and it's no fun I can tolerate small amounts . I had a mohito sp?? one evening out not realizing that it's loaded with sugar. I was so sick. I am 2 yrs out. Straight out of surgery, I would just make sure to not wait too long to ask for your pain meds that's what it is there for and no need to suffer. It was not too bad. Oh remember to push yourself to walk I know you won't want to but it helped me. Just little walks. Once you get more mobile, walking will be another key to weightloss, or it was for me. Going home first days are going to be less mobile you know you will be sore and rest will be your friend. (just remember to move even a little bit) sip, sip, sip, little sips it will seem like you can't get the water in but just keep sipping you will. I drink Matrix 5.0 chocolate has 23 gms of protein and I like the flavor, still do Next question it will depend on you, but should be very low sugar read the labels First month wt loss, again is different for everyone. I did loose pretty steadily and I noticed it certainly by end of my first month even before. Remember do not get discouraged if you loose slowly it is like that for some people, I only weighed myself at my doctors during the first month
I did not eat fruit in the first stages I was probably out a few months
I hope this helps. Best of luck to you on your weight loss journey Linnybin
I can't answer the post-op questions, but I can tell you what my particular doctor advised on the pre-op. Mind you, each of our doctors is different and will require different things from us. Before my surgery, which is next monday, I am on a liquid diet right now. I get to have only clear liquids and 3 cartons of Impact Advance Recovery per day. I'm hungry as can be, but bearing it... like others have mentioned I keep thinking about the rewards I will reap physically and emotionally in the long run from my success and perserverence. Also doing what you said, looking at before and after pictures helps keeps me focused on my own goal of a healthier weight, healthier body. The benefit, I was told, from the liquid diet is to help shrink the liver some. I guess the liver is right on top of the stomach or close by so if its enlarge it becomes complicated or can hinder the surgery.
As for the highest protein drink? Ask your surgeon what he recommends. Dr Barba has his own choice that he sells in his office, however I wanted to make sure whatever I chose it was something I could drink on a regular basis so I tried out a few and then when I found one I liked I asked his nutrionist if it was okay. I like Unjury a lot, but it smells nasty. I also like Ispoure. Both are pretty good in my opinion and to my taste buds. BUt what taste good to me and I can tolerate may be different from you, so try some and speak with your doctor and/or nutrionist. As for the required water in the smaller stomach, I was told that once I am able to drink again. I am to sip out of a medicine cup every 15min. If I do this I should get the necessary liquid into my body. Of course i may fall a little short, not to be harsh on myself to take it easy and just keep trying it.. we just have to make sure to stay hydrated.
All the other questions you have I'll leave to the pro's that have walked that path already :).. I look forward to the replies.. :)
Hi Mousie, I'm just getting back to you - about your question to me, my surgery at Middlesex (Dr. Aranow) was March 8, 2004; I weighed 364 on surgery day, today I maintain my weight at or between 140-145. I am fit and strong and healthy and loving life. (I can't figure out how to update my photo, but I don't look anything like this anymore.) As for your questions here: my first response is to tell you that anyone who is questing for knowledge about this journey to the extent that you are will be very successful! Good for you! Your questions are all valid, so here goes: (1) I can eat anything I want, 3.5 years out. Anything. Nothing bothers me anymore. So my daily fight is the one we all face - stay healthy by eating healthy, working out hard and often, and living life joyfully and passionately--who has time to obssess about food if this is the way we live? How can it be? Simply that our "pouches" adapt eventually to the rest of our body. We can (and many do) abuse the pouch by overfeeding and stretching it. You MUST change your head as well as your body through this journey; (2) Yes, try to lose some weight before your surgery; the less you weigh, the less at risk you will be for complications--and losing a bit of weight helps your liver shrink up a bit, which makes it easier for your doctor to manuever; (3) Never eat sugar? Not true in my case, I enjoy a piece of chocolate now and then, a cookie here and there, a piece of birthday cake when life calls for a celebration. But I don't stuff it down my throat like it's my last meal - I eat a small amount and then go about living my life; (4) When I woke up from surgery, I said to my husband, "What have I done?" The shock of realizing that you went through with it is pretty overwhelming; and there is pain, just like with any surgery. I was up and moving on the same day and by day 3 I was taking a shower--it's all roses from there! (5) Don't know about protein drinks--I still supplement with the whey protein powder at Walmart, I believe it has 46 grams; (6) sip, sip, sip (7) sugar, or no sugar - I advise you stay away from it totally for at least the first year; then, if you've worked hard toward behavioral change and can handle a small amount without it ruining your progress, go ahead; some people chose to never eat sugar again, and that's perfectly fine as well; do what you need to do for you. (8) You will notice the weight loss right away, within the first week. You will lose fastest in the first 6 months. (9) No, I don't believe you can or should eat fruit in the first stage; I didn't start eating fruit until about a year out--now, I can't get enough of it, love it! Hope this helps - feel free to email me at any time, I can't be your angel because I am very far away from Danbury, but best of luck and no you have much support from this Board! Maureen
