made it!

Hello all! 
My DS surgery went very well on Wed. (11/4/09) with Dr. Inman.  Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and kind messages. 
Now for the challenge...I came home yesterday and I've been trying to closely follow a schedule for protein, liquids, eating, vitamins, etc.  but I'm definitely struggling to get everything in.  I discovered that the calcium citrate pills I purchased are entirely too big.  What have you found that works for you? 
The pain medicine is making me terribly nauseas and sometimes I can't keep it down.  Also, the only foods that I've been eating is sugar free applesauce and low fat cottage cheese.  I'd like to try some new things...any suggestions?  The truth is, I'm not hungry at all, so when I eat I feel like I'm forcing myself to do so and I only eat about half of what I should. 
...any thoughts, suggestions? 

...more to come later.

Thanks, Allissa

At first it is almost impossible.. the Dr will tell you, but just do the best you can to get the liquid nand the protien down.. You should not dehydrate!! thats important..  Remember sip sip sip and just do the best you can.

Linda Kay

Oh yea.. and I didnt actually start eatting for at least a month... I tried but it was to hard.. I counted protien I was drinking...Nop-e I wasnt hungry either... so I just didnt care.. my main goal was get the liquid in and the protien down,,,, the rest just sorta fell into place,,,

Linda Kay

Congrats on your new journey!!!  I tolerated cream of chicken soup well.  I would get those hand held size , warm up a few ounces and slurpped on it. Dont try to worry about getting your food in at 1st. Fluids and walking the best...dont want any blood clots. Are you drinking your protein shakes too...GOOD LUCK

congratulations! at first it WILL be impossible to get everything in. focus on fluids first, then protein and then,if you have any room left, supplements. i had to cut my calcium in half for about 3 month till they would go down ok. your body has vitamin and mineral stores so if you cant get you supplements in for a few weeks, you will be fine. as far as the cottage cheese goes.... why are you eating low fat? the dieticians at st v have no special duodenal switch post op training. when they tell you to do lowfat, they are setting you up for constipation problems. with your new anatomy you malabsorb 60-80% of the fat you eat so going lowfat is not neccessary. come visit us over on the duodenal switch board, if you havent been there already, for good DS information on eating requirements and suggestions.

Thank you so much.   I think it helps a lot to know that I am not going crazy and that this CAN be done!   I can't wait to have some energy back and get to attend some OH functions. 

Thanks again,
Allissa

Congrats!!!!  Yes, it is pretty much impossible to get everything in at first. I have a cook book that has every stage of post op. I can bring it over to you tonight if you would like. Give me a call (i will pm my number to you) and I can bring it over today or tonight. I plan on getting outside to do some work today. I ate a lot of refried beans at first and then also with your calcium they have those chewables that could work for you. I took the calcium petites at first when I could finally swallow them down. I think I did the liquid at first. It seems so long ago now.
Glad you are through the procedure and on to recovery now. Call me and I will walk over today.
Take care!!!!

Have you tried using the calcium citrate crystals that you can dissolve in your drink?  I was at my Pro Op yesterday at St Vincents and one gal there is back for a revision.  She mentioned that she included her calcium citrate and protein powders in her fluids and had a much easier time getting it all in.  At first it sounds like everyone has trouble doing it all.  Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!  

To answer your question...I did try some crystals, but the one I tried did not dissolve and made the drink really grainy even though you couldn't taste it.  My Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate lemon chews came in the mail today!  I am doing a little better each day with getting everything in!  Thanks and Good luck to you as well! 
blessings,Allissa

are the chews better?  I was hoping to just use the powders, but maybe I had best try them before my surgery!  I do not like grainy or grit.