:help: One week b4 RNY and can't exercise

I've been doing the protein drinks and vitamins but am so weak from lack of food. I haven't been able to eat much of anything because of new appliance on my braces and low-carb foods seem to all be foods that need CHEWING. Only yesterday was I able to eat something more than softer type foods such as lettuce. I'm suppose to be walking and just can't. I went to the park with my grandchildren Saturday and ran across the playground playing with them and got so sick to my stomach and weak. I had to sit down immediately. We ended up leaving, buying a small pool and coming home and I laid down outside while they played in the pool w/my daughter. I'm afraid I'm not doing my body a bit of good before surgery by getting so weak and not walking. The heat is horrible also which drains what little bit of energy I might have thought I would otherwise have. Any suggestions? I'm thinking about maybe trying Leslie Sanson (don't really know her last name) walking vid. Will one week of walking be of any benefit to me at this late stage of the game? Gale

Hi Gale, I'd say you'll be ok as long as you do some kind of cardio. Maybe go to the grocery store or wal mart or a mall and just walk til your tired then rest and just keep getting in some walking. Anything you can do to be somewhat active would be fine. I got weak too from not eating and had no energy for about the first month, but it does pass. They don't expect you to do a 5 K or anything, but you'll be required to walk while your in the hospital and it helps a little to get somewhat built up to it, but you'll be fine. When you actually start dropping the weight you'll find it easier to walk everyday. Take care and good luck to you.

Thanks Tony. It helps to see that someone else was weak too. I was beginning to feel like I'm a wimp or something. I'm planning on doing my eliptical today. I was able to eat a small salad yesterday (with Italian dressing) and then some cottage cheese last night and that seemed to help. I thought they told me spefically NO cottage cheese but it was on the "okay to eat" list so I DID! I wish I'd seen that earlier. lol I had my protein drink this a.m. w/vitamins and then more c.c. and will have an egg in a bit w/cheese. I should have a little more strength this week since I'm able to eat a little bit now. It's been so difficult. For the first time in two years, I REALLY wished I didn't have something to do with my braces. If I could get this appliance out, it would have come out by now I'm tellin' ya. I am looking forward to next year and see just what it brings. Gale

Gale have you any unflavored protein powder. If so why not have some low sodium soup with the protein powder mixed in. That way your eating something that is lowcarb and sodium, and it is high in protein. Especially since your braces are tightened up on you, soup would be easy on the jaws. You could also put the protein powder in sugarfree jello/pudding.

KY, I didn't think about putting it in jello. I can't have pudding as the doc has told me no milk for up to a year because it swells my stomach so badly. I like the suggestion for the soup too. Would that be okay for the days following surgery when we're suppose to start on the protein drinks? I thought it had to be in water. That would be SO MUCH better for me. I'm actually sick of chocolate now and am having such a hard time drinking this stuff anymore. It's not that my braces were tightened, which they were, it's the "forces" they put on them that is forcing my lower jaw forward causing my teeth to not line up. The didn't touch at all for about 5 days and now a couple of teeth are starting to touch allowing me to chew a little bit. If not for this thing, I probably wouldn't have had such a difficult time with this low-carb diet. It is getting better every day though. I upped my protein intake today. YUCK! Can't do the strawberry and cream. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely use them. Gale

I would ask your doc's nurse first; but what are they telling you to eat after surgery anyway. From what I have read you would be on a liquid diet. Liquids consisting of soups, water, sf jellos really soft foods that can be pureed; like cottage cheese and yogurt. Most anything on your list of foods can have the protein added to it. be sneaky and slip protein into everything.

KY, since we moved my surgery up to accommodate work, birthday and anniversary which would have otherwise put me way out in August doing the surgery, I only got to watch a video about what to eat now and what I will be eating. I learned a lot and also got print outs to bring home. Good thing too because I wouldn't know how long to stay on what. Glad for the the printouts also because I'll have to keep checking as I can't remember how many weeks I'm suppose to be on liquids but I think it's one week after I come home. I will refer back to those papers often. I'm going to be getting some flavorLESS protein before surgery to add to foods and drink I like, such as water just as you suggested. I never thought I'd get tired of chocolate. It's just hard to swallow these days and some of this other stuff is absolutely unbearable. Thanks for your suggestions. I think I've just got so much on my mind I'm not thinking clearly about my options on getting the protein in. I even had to separate my vitamins by the week already so I wouldn't forget when to take what. I'm like an elderly person when it comes to remembering things... and elderly person w/memory problems that is.

Gale: In this hot weather even the healthiest of people struggle with outdoor exercise. Maybe you should do your walking in a mall, or some place big and open like WalMart. It's very easy for obese people to get dehydrated so be careful. Cathi Roskind, RN