Update

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to say "hi" and give an update. I am just over three weeks out of surgery and what a ride this has been. I found myself terrified to move into pureed foods after the two weeks, and it really took a lot out of me to start eating. I was just so afraid that something would get stuck or I would get a leak. BUT, I did get a roaring attack of accute gout last week, and had to find the surgeon to tell me what to do because I can't swallow pills (these are the extended release so they can't be crushed). It's down some now, the gout, but still a bother. I found myself getting really nauseous(sp?) and discovered that this must be the new way hunger feels. I found that if I ate a few bites of yogurt it went away, but this isn't what I thought would happen. Not that I really knew what to expect anyway! Now I'm down because I weighed myself this AM and GAINED 1.5 lbs. Go figure. I hope it's fluid, becuase I'm just not eating all that much, maybe 500 cals a day tops. I'm starting to get scared that I'm the one it didn't work for . Any ideas? Anne

Hi Anne, You poor poor thing. I had gout last yr, and it was the most painful thing! They put me on prednisone and those are small easy to swallow pills! I, too, was afraid to eat after my surgery..I did a little at a time. The yogurt still goes down great compared to other stuff I've tried. Chicken is a no no for me, so I'm not gonna try it again for a while. Don't worry about the gain. I came home from the hospital, jumped on the scale, and had gained weight! Thought I would cry! I hung in and sure enough it started to come off. I'm one month out and down about 21/22 lbs depending on when I weigh. I remeasured myself, and it's unbelievable how many inches I've lost. So, just hang in and keep with the plan your doctor gave you, and the weight will come off. God bless JA

Hi Anne, Please get that thought out of your head. I've read so many posts about plateaus. They could happen anytime. This is going to work for you, Dont worry hun. I too am having issues with pureed foods. I didnt get any of the protein or liquids I was supposed to get in today. I tried some chicken and light mayo in the blender and it did not go over well. I didnt throw up but felt so awfull. I was sweating and my stomach hurt. A few visits to the toilet and a nice long nap later and I feel better. But I did try chicken pureed with a balsamic vinegrette(sp?) and that went down fine the other day. I think it's the mayo that makes it too thick. I don't know about you but I am going to try and just weigh myself at the Dr.s office. Probably once a month or so. I gave in and weighed myself at home and I was only a few lbs lighter since my Dr's visit and I was sooo disappointed so I vowed no more scale. I don't need anything else depressing me at this point. Get some rest and I hope the Gout clears up soon enough. What are you eating for pureeds? I need all the ideas I can get. Sending prayers your way. Keep up the good work. ~Julie~

Hi Anne: Oh I remember the feeling of not wanting to eat real food because I was so afraid of what would happen. Just the though of my new stomach having to break down the food and the staple line and .. goodness, I was nervous. Now I eat like a normal person, but a LOT less food! Nausea is very very common at about 2 weeks and it lasts for a few more weeks. Also, don't worry about the gain (listen to me .. haah .. I cried when I gained a pound) .. I've been told that it is common as well to stop losing for a little bit because your body's metabolism needs to readjust. Also, remember, you've technically not reached a plateau unless you haven't lost weight OR inches in 6 weeks! Keep that in mind. You could be losing inches (like JA said) and just not pounds. It's possible. I don't make this stuff up! It's working .. trust me. Have more confidence in yourself and you will rock n roll in no time!! Tara

Hi Anne, First of all take a deep breath, and relax. You are not failing at anything. This is perfectly normal. The scale is going to jump around alot in the beginning. Your body has gone through major changes and it is adjusting. Stay away from the scale for awhile. I know that is very very hard to do but you either have to have the mind set that things are going to change on a daily basis, (sometimes up sometimes down and sometimes nothing at all) or you just need to stay off the scale. It took me quite awhile to get over the scale thing. I do weigh everyday but now I know it is normal to gain a little one day and then lose it the next. You will have some periods in the beginning where nothing will happen and then suddenly you will lose like 6 pounds. This is a crazy jouney but it does work. Just follow your doctor's protocol and you will be fine Linda

Hi Anne Sorry you are feeling down and out. Please get the thought out of your head that you are the one that it didn't work for. Everyone of us is different and what works for one will not work for others. Just stick to the game plan and you will see the difference soon. I know this is hard to do but stay away from the scale, that is the enemy right now. Wait till after your month visit to the Dr's then you should see changes. Let us know how you make out. Luis

Anne- relax- you're doing fine and what you're experiencing is NORMAL!!! No worries. The weight will start coming off soon. I agree heartily with the staying off the scale thing, please give it a try. One thing in your post concerned me...you mentioned that you're taking a time release pill, that you can't crush. Did you know that itme release pills don't work for WLS folks? The pill doesn't stay in our system long enough to work the way it's supposed to. MANY folks have problems with this (especially for people who are taking meds for depression, since a lot of them are time realeased) and realize too late, that there is an issue. So, I thought I'd bring it to your attention, just in case. Most regualr Dr's don't even know about this. But, if you think about your altered physiology, and how time release works, you can clearly see why they are problematic. Hang in there. You're doing just fine. Best, lisa C