Will I ever have a "normal" diet?

Hey everyone, I had my RNY just about 5 weeks ago. I am doing well-down 40 pounds! I am having some "issues" though..maybe you all can send me some words of wisdom. Each day differs so much for me. Some days I can drink all my fluids, some days I can't get any down. Some days I can eat my 3-4 tiny meals other days I can't put any kind of food in my mouth. The past week has been especially hard. I can't seem to eat a thing! Is this "normal?" My surgeon said I am doing "great" but I don't feel so great. Has this happened to any of you? How did you get through it? I'd really appreciate any advice. Thanks! Christine

Christine: Everyday is new to me also. I am just over 10 months out. Somedays I eat more than others. My pouch has crabby days where I do not eat much. Over all I get my protein in (thanks to protein shakes). I am really bad about getting my fluids in though and this is something I need to work on. I feel as long as I take my vitamins, calcium, B-12, drink as much as I can and get my protein in MOST days I am doing damn good. Trust me you will settle into a routine....you are only 5 weeks out so just take it easy. My advise to you is fluids are the most important thing for you to work on at this point. The rest will fall into place. Great job on the 40 pound loss!!! Keep up the great work. Everything you are experiencing is completely normal and things will improve. Just go slow!!! Best of luck to you. Chryssie 231/136/138

1: Go to meetings and talk to others. 2: Do anything else other than eat. Think about something.... would you consider your diet before surgery normal??? You can't expect to change your mind in 5 weeks from the years of eating wrong. It heals the slowest of all things. Peter

Christine: Baby steps...baby steps...baby steps. Think about it this way...would you expect a baby to be eating "normal" in only 5 weeks? Probably not. Patience is a friend right now. You are doing all that you have been advised to do re: post op protocol. You are seeing a nutritionist, let her guide you through this new territory. I think that Chryssie has given you some good advise. You are not alone, many (including me) worry when we will ever feel normal. I was a wreck the first weeks after my surgery...thinking that I was doing it all wrong. I was not...just worried. Still am at times. This recovery is a ride for sure. As long as you are covering all the bases...hydration, protein, supplements (multi, calcium, B12), 3 squares, you should be good to go. I am sure Danielle will tell you that when you see Dr. Floch next. If you are not so sure...document a week's worth of food/water, etc intake and go over it with Danielle and Nancy. They will guide you well. And call Nancy if you are unsure something. One other thing to consider...this food thing...the "dance" as I call it, that we have done with food over the years that gets us to the point of needing the surgery, is drastically altered once we have the surgery. So you may be feeling some of that emotional change as well. Call Mary Z and have a few sessions with her. She is awesome and will put your mind at ease...and always has a way of helping us look at situations differently. If you need her contact info, email me and I will give it to you. There is a support group meeting tomorrow night, share your fears there as well. You might get some help from some seasoned post ops. Hang in there sweetie, you are on the right path. Towanda

Sounds "normal" to me. Five weeks out is nothing, I didn't eat my first egg until my fifth week. You will never eat "normal" again, using your pre-op eating experiences as the criteria. You will likely experience issues throughout your journey, for several years to come. Some things do get easier, and in several months you should be able to have a pretty good variety of choices - but probably never like you had before the RNY. Give yourself time, this surgery requires several months of recovery and recouperation. Stay in touch with your nutritionist, they can offer you suggestions based on past experience. Good luck! --Steve

Thank you for your advice guys! I know my diet will never be "normal" for me again and I am o.k with that. I feel good today It's time to go and try to get down all my fluids for the day- My new motto is "One sip at a time" Have a good day all, Christine

The hard truth in answer to your question is- NO, you will never have a normal diet again. However, you WILL change what you think of as normal! What you are experiencing is completely expected and normal for a postie. In fact at 2+ years out I still have days where I can't eat and days were I can eat too much. (drinking however is not a physical problem any more- just a mental one!) Hang in there. You WILL get used to it and it will get easier. Best, Lisa C

Whoops! I am mistakenly signed in as AA, since I was helping her with her profile. I have to go log out and back in. For now- it's me!!! Lisa C