new to board, 1 month post-op

Hello to my fellow Kentuckians! I am one month post-op (RNY, traditional incision) and doing well. So far, I have lost 27 pounds and no hair! (The potential hair loss had me a little freaked out...) I had the surgery at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati (I live in northern KY)--a great place...I was impressed. My Dilemma: I started on "soft solids" this week (cottage cheese, noodles, canned fruit, etc.). However, just the thought of eating makes me extremely nauseated! When I was on the pureed/strained diet, I did fine. Of course, I mainly ate applesauce and yogurt. Now that I have the green light to try more foods, I simply can't do it. About the only thing I can eat that doesn't turn me green is chicken soup w/ rice. Anybody else have this problem when they started reintroducing food to their pouch? I look forward to meeting and talking with you all in the future!

Hello Jennifer and welcome to the Kentucky board. It sounds as if you are doing real well so far. I can't answer any of your questions about food because I have not had my surgery yet. It is this Friday at 9:30 in Louisville. I started the clear liquid diet today and through tomorrow and then the bowel prep tomorrow night - the fun has already begun. Ha I'm already looking forward to coming home. HA. Good luck to you and post often;.

Hey, good luck tomorrow!!! Yes, that good ol' bowel prep is the pits! I'm sure you'll do well--let those nurses spoil you a little during your hospital stay. The hospital strained/pureed leaves a little to be desired. The best thing I had was a protein/energy drink that came in a little carton like milk...can't remember the name, but it was good. Also, I don't know if you've bought any post-op food for home yet, but I would recommend steering clear of baby food. I bought several jars thinking it would be the easiest route, but most of it just tastes horrible. I ate mostly applesauce and yogurt, also chicken broth, very thin instant potatoes, and those yogurt drinks like Light & Fit or Nouriche. And when you're only eating one ounce at a time, a little lasts a looooonnng time! Will be thinking about you tomorrow! Post when you feel like it to let me know how you're doing!

Hi Jennifer and welcome! I am pre op and waiting for my date. Congrats on your weight loss so far and much continued success to you. From what I have learned here you may just be entering the hair loss era. Some say if you are getting enough protein you won't experience it at all. Hopefully if you do it won't even be noticeable and will end quickly. Keep us posted on your success. PJ wfad

Yikes! Guess I'll have to be scooping in the protein powder a little while longer to avoid hair loss! What doctor/hospital are you going through for your surgery? The whole referral process was sooooo long! My primary care dr referred me last August. I didn't get the paperwork from the surgeon until October. Once I filled it ALL out and returned it, I didn't get a consultation appt. until February! Then there was the wait on insurance approval, which really didn't take that long (3 or 4 weeks). Since I'm a teacher, I wanted the surgery scheduled as close to the end of the school year as possible. As it was, I missed the last 4 days of school. Personally, I think they make you wait so long in order to have time to think about it and consider if the surgery is REALLY what you want since it is so life-altering. Anyway...keep me posted on your progress and thanks for replying!

Hey Jennifer, You will always have to get enough protein in whether it be from your food or powders and such. Just like you will always have to take the vitamins. Do you use fitday.com? Actually I really haven't had too long a wait because my surgeon just relocated here and started a new practice. So there was no waiting line for the ER and he wasn't booked up. So I have everything done now and am waiting for my approval letter from ins. The whole process started on April 8th when I attended a seminar with Dr. Curry at Deaconess. April 16 consult April 22 testing May 4...testing May 7...teating June 21...psych eval waiting.............. So you see it hasn't been long at all. And, Dr. C. is scheduling in August still so it should be pretty soon for me. Do you belong to a support group? Other than here at obesityhelp .com? I have a great one if you are interested and it is based in Cin and has local meetings that are great. A wonderful support system with lots of information, get togethers and very kind people. I love it! Just let me know you are very welcome to join us. I wish you all the luck in the world. Please keep in touch with me and I will post my date asap!

okay-----whats a bowel prep?