Drinking! Am I Nuts?

This is wierd! Not a complaint, just a queston. I am three days post-op and I have always just drank from the beginning. From that nasty barium until now, I just drink, no sipping. No pain, no spitting back up. I have to keep myself reminded that I had surgery and to slow down, I have to really stretch to make my meals last 15 minutes. Nothing has disagreed with me. I seem to have the same taste and appetite as before......lol.......well as much as I can tell about, shakes, water, broth, oatmeal, grits, blenderized soups....etc. It all goes down so well, so I am having to measure and time my meals to not overeat. I am still hungry after every meal. The only way that I can tell I had surgery is by the stab wounds and the gas. But my question is......How normal is this? Am I nuts? Just looking for a little re-assurance. Love, Meso ~ Joyce

Gosh, Joyce, does Dr. Champion let you have oatmeal, etc., three days after surgery? I thought most people had to be on clear broth for a week and slowly work up to semi-solids. Being pre-op I really have no business comenting, but aren't you worried you'll stretch your pouch or burst your stitches? Hope you get some feedback from other post ops. Barb in S. Ga

Hi Barbara, Not at all, following my surgeon's program to a tee. I measure to make sure that I don't overeat, cause I certainly feel capable.....lol. I am allowed a liquid diet consisting of oatmeal, grits, mashed potatoes, cream o' wheat, sf pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, blenderized soup, etc. all runny of course. Best wishes on getting your surgery. Joyce

Joyce, I hope you know that I wasn't being critical, but honestly wondering. The original surgeon I was working with (not in Georgia) was so rigid that it scared me to death. He insisted on no caffeine ever again, no water ever again, only gatorade, and you had to drink pepto bismol every morning. You also had to pay $200 to have him look over your paperwork which had to include a written report on all the different kinds of weightloss surgery. Half way through I discovered that he didn't take Medicare, so it was on to another surgeon. Dr. Scarborough is the fourth and final one I have dealt with, so you can imagine how confused I am on so many issues. I have been fed so many horror stories about not following a certain plan, that it is a great relief to find this board. Everyone is so supportive and upbeat that you feel like you're not quite as stupid as others have made you feel in the past. Please let me know if your "head hunger" passes, as that's my greatest fear. In a couple of weeks I'll be happily walking in your shoes. Yay!!!! Barb in S. Ga

Nooooooo.....Sweetie, No offense taken. I appreciate all feed back. I understood what you were saying. So glad you lost that first surgeon, hun. He seems like a real meanie....lol. Well, I don't know if meanie is the right word. Sounds like a little misinformation. According to my surgeon (and all are different, although he has written highly repected articles that instruct other doctors on this surgery, is one of this countries top 10 bariatric surgeons, is called upon to consult in new procedures, has been asked to take a look at this new gastric pacemaker and write his findings, has performed surgery on the Discovery Network and has performed 2000 rny's himself) You might be able to tell that I think he's pretty good.....lol. He says not to take Pepto Bismol because it has Asperin in it, which has been known to give ulcers to RNY patients. I've heard good things about Dr. Scarborough, and I wish you much success as you proceed forward on your wls journey. You are right to keep coming here.......I love it. There is a wealth of information and support that the guys and gals here don't mind sharing. You are in my prayers, sweetie. Love Joyce

Joyce: I hope you get some response also from other post-op. I am about to have my surgery and these are questions I would like answered. Right now nothing seems to bother my stomach at all and I mean at all, I can eat the kitchen sink if I could and it would not hurt. I can have spicey foods with no heart burn and I can eat about any ethnic food with no problem. I hope I can have the same results as you and still be aware I had surgery so I won't over do it. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that this will continue. Hope to see some feed back on this matter. Take care Mary

Yeah, I'd like some more responses also. I'm not worried about overeating too much. More concerned about the sipping thing. I don't gulp just drink normally. Good luck to you. Love, Meso

Hi, Joyce, I've read where others had the same results as you. I think it's normal! It hurt me to drink at the beginning. I don't think it was caused by the actual surgery but by the tube down my throat during the operation. I think as long as you don't gulp, you are fine. In fact, I would think it would be an advantage with getting in all of your liquids. The only thing that STRONGLY disagreed with me at the beginning was eggs. When you start adding solid foods is probably when you find out whether or not your tastes have changed. I still can't eat eggs or chicken, but most can. Hope this helps! Becky

Becky, I would believe that I might not be able to eat eggs, I am not such a fan now. You are right, I am having noooooooo problem getting all my liquids in, and I hope that's a good thing. I was just wondering if it is possible to drink too much. I cannot try eggs or chicken and things like that until my 6th week. Thanks for your response. Joyce

Hi Joyce, Each person and each Dr. is different where this surgery is concerned. My Dr.believes in going slowly with the entire program. Only allowed sips of liquids for the first week, then very thin full liquids for the next 2 weeks. Also everyone loses weight at different rates. Please don't get discouraged if your plan and/or your weight loss is not the same as others. What really matters is how you are doing at 2 years out and the your weight at that point. Also your weight may vary as much as 3 to 4 lbs at any given time. I stronly encourage you to only weigh every 2 weeks. This is for 2 reasons: 1. you will not be discouraged with the potential weight variations and 2. you will not be as focused on the numbers as you are on how your clothes fit and you feel. My advice is to stay on your Dr's program he has prescribed for you and to keep drinking your water. The weight will come off. Carolyn