NEWBIE - HELLO TO EVERYONE!!!

Hi Everyone, I am new to this forum and new to this new life I have chosen. My surgery was June 5, 2006 and I go back to Cleveland Clinic Weston this Friday for my 2 week post-op appt and have the staples removed. I am doing good but do tire easily. I get a little down at times but am home bound pretty much and can't get to any of the support group meetings at Cleveland Clinic so figure this was my best way of doing that. I am on Phase II of the diet and am having 4 ounces of protein drink for each meal plus trying my best to get in the 8-12 ounces of liquid. I have never been much of a water drinker and even Crystal Lite isn't enough to help things. I do drink broths, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles to try and fill in the water requirements. Has anyone else have this problem? I have weighed as much as 324 and went in for surgery weighing 297. I am now 9 days post-op and weigh 285 so my journey has begun. If anyone as any suggestions on cookbooks that are designed for "us" please let me know. Thanks and the very best to everyone!!!!

Karen- You are making wonder progress. I do not know that much about the RNY but from what I read everyone seems to get impatient with this stage of the recovery. Just hang in there and keep your eye on the prize. Red

Awwwww thanks Red for your encouragement!!! I keep wondering how anyone can "do" all this liquid. I don't have any trouble with the protein shakes as have mentally turned them into regular milk shakes .. love the chocolate and strawberry ones!! My doctor says 4 ounces to 8 ounces for each meal. I am just doing the 4 ounces as want to keep my pouch small. It's the other liquid .. I was never a water drinker to begin with and now they want you to drink 8-12 ounces a day!! I am lucky if I get 24 ounces down a day. Of course, I have Crystal Lite, broth, sugar-free jello, sugar-free popsicles too but how much more does that add?? Not much!!! Not sure how long I'll be on this .. but the next stage I can add shrimp, scallops, canned chicken etc!! If my new pouch cooperates I'll feel better. (hahaha) Re-fried beans and cheese too .. almost a burrito. Thanks again!!

Hi Karen Welcome to the boards!! I just like you are having a problem with things to eat on this liquid phase of the diet. When I went for the lap band you weren't on full liquids for that long so it didn't bother me that much, but now that I have had a revision to the RNY (5/31/06) and have to be on full liquids for a month I am finding it very difficult with having to eat the same things over and over again. Hang in there, this too shall pass. Just wanted to say Hi and welcome you to the boards and to let you know you are not alone!! Jo Ann

Hi Jo Ann, Thank you for the warm welcome and your kind words. Not sure how long I'll be on liquids according to the book I have from my doctor it seems tolerance is the key word from liquids to food or Phase II to Phase III. Like I said in my post to Red ... I never was much for drinking water. Hey!! You are doing good too!!!!! You only have another 15 or 16 days on full liquid so you have made it half way through!! Congrads to you!!!! Karen

Hi Karen, You are doing great! Congrats on the weight loss already. I am 10 months post now and days are wonderful, but I do remember the first part of this journey and trying to get enough protein and liquid in. It seems like you are doing well at using broths and other things to help you along with water. I use to drink about 100 ozs of water a day before the surgery and thought, I won't have a problem getting my liquids in. Well, the one thing we don't realize is that due to swollen, unhealed areas from the surgery, things don't pass through as quickly as before. I was never hungry or thirsty, so it was difficult. I tired very hard to stay on schedule and it helped for the most part. The first 2 weeks were the hardest because I was taking pain meds for the first week and it would knock me out. There went my schedule. I find I do better at maintaining a schedule when I am at work then at home. I get busier at home with chores and such and forget to drink. That has been my biggest struggle. I am 10 months out and still have to remind myself to drink up!! Well, I wish you all the luck and success as you start out this wonderful journey! Lori 293/201/135

Thank you so much Lori!! I guess whether you are or were a water drinker doesn't matter too much since we now have a pouch and not a regular stomach. I can't say I am hungry or thristy either. During orientation I remember the doctor showing how with this surgery the enzymes and hunger feeling part of the stomach is cut off. I've been lucky so far as haven't had to use pain meds too much. My cousin sent me a nightgown in the mail for my birthday and said she didn't know my size. Not to feel bad if it was too big to send it back and she'd exchange it .. received it yesterday. It is a size 1X ... I am in a 3X!!! Do you have any cookbooks that are for bariatric surgery patients? I have one and it seems to be a good one although haven't tried any of the recipes yet. It is "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery" by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray. Go in Friday (6/16) for staple removal and will be put on the vitamins etc and likely exercise starts. I have a treadmill and a Bowflex so can exercise at home. Thanks again for your kind words .. and congrads on your success so far!! Karen W

Karen - Welcome to the FL Boards - you're doing really well. I'm at 20 months and even now I don't get that much water/drinks in...it's sooo hard cause the doc makes us wait 30-60 minutes from eating to drinking to drinking to eating...though most of the time I wait 15 - 30 minutes but it's still hard when ya get busy and don't follow an exact schedule....but don't fret....you do the best you can do. The most important part in this stage for you and Joann is to keep up with the protein and as much liquids so you don't get dehydrated. This forum (OH) does offer invaluable support and information - I'm sure you will find what you need - good luck. You're doing great!!

Hi Ruth and thanks!!! You look great!!!! I am having to wait a half hour between drinking and "eating" and then "eating" to drinking again too. I have a little timer that I carry from room to room to make sure I am on schedule. I am only having 4 ounces of protein shake for each meal .. that is because it was the smallest amount that my doctor gave to have for each meal. Actually you are to "eat" until full .. but I don't want to stretch my new pouch or do I want to go to far and everything come back up. Luckily since the surgery I have had none of that. Hopefully tomorrow when I go to the doctor for staple removal, I'll be able to report I have been promoted to the next Phase. LOL Thanks again great meeting you!! Karen W