I'm back home!!!

Hello Everyone, Well I am back home and seem to be doing good. My sutures are healing nicely and I am walking as I should everyday. If anyone doesn't mind responding, I have a couple of questions???? I seem to belch or burp ALOT. I don't know if it is the gas from the surgery or if something is not going down right. Is this temp or will it last forever? I am having a really hard time getting down my protein. I don't know if it is the actual drinks or just my mind not wanting to drink anything other than water/crystal light. I know that I have to get that in to stay healthy, but I want to gag everytime I even think about it....Any suggestions? Any suggestions in general for a girl who just got home? I truly appreciate any imput you may offer. Thanks so much for all your help and good wishes. I am so OPTOMISTIC!! Thanks again, Brooke

Congratulations on a successful surgery! I not only burped I hiccuped constantly. The nurses told me it was from not eating for so many days. I am 12 weeks out and still burp a lot when I first get up in the morning and my stomach is empty or if I haven't eaten in a while. As far as the protein goes...I wasn't allowed to have anything but clear liquids for 2 weeks, then full liquids another 2 weeks. He told me to wait 4 weeks before adding the protein drinks. Even then I could not tolerate them. Someone recommended "Carb Countown" and I could handle that. You can get it at Kroger and Walmart groceries in the dairy department next to the soy milk. It is a little expensive but tolerable. You might also try Unjury.com. It is a powder low carb/high protein supplement. To me it tastes like a milkshake, but then again I am a little further out and don't have much of the stomach upset any more. Exercise some everyday and count your blessings that you soon will be losing lots of pounds! E-mail me if you need to talk. Susan

Hi Brooke, the burping is temporary. Also someone mentioned Carb Countdown Milk as a protein source. Unless they have changed our program, you are not at this stage allowed milk. But they have made a lot of changes in the diet since I had surgery. Call Amanda up and run it by her. She is there for you 24/7. Do not go by what we all say. you must folow Dr. Steiner's program. Just keep trying on the drinks. What do you have? Did you get some sample packs before surgery? Don't buy those tubs of anything until you try them. As a new post op, I loved the EAS Advant Edge premixed drinks from Walmart. It was all I could drink for the longest time. It is about five bucks for a four pack. Get them really cold and shake them up. let me know if I can help you. I probably won't be able to help you much on food questions because of the changes they have made. For instance, I came home on a soft diet.

Hi Brooke! I'm starting my 3rd week after surgery and feeling amazing and I bet you will be too very very soon. For Protein - try Sport Pharma Whey Protein Powder - initially I mixed it with jus****er but now, I am mixing it with Skim milk - You can get that at Kroger or online in a bunch of places... vitacost is one. Another option is to buy the absolutely wonderful Protica Profect vials from protica.com . They have 4 flavors... nothing to mix, about 3 ozs. and bam, you get 25 gms. of protein. They go down easy. I am ordering that by the case now! Keep drinking lots of water!! Good luck to you!

YIKES! That Protica Profect is EXPENSIVE. I just checked it out and buying by the case it's still about $3 a dose (25mg)... way too rich for my blood. Rhonna

Congratulations on the successful surgery! As you are finding out, your journey is only beginning. I have never had much of a problem with burping. It's probably just your pouch getting used to it's new form. I do hiccup... it is a sign that my pouch is full. One or two hiccups and I know it's time to stop eatting. Pretty handy if you ask me! I did find that I was not able to tolerate Crystal Light very well after surgery, though I loved it beforehand. Now that I am further out I'm drinking it a bit again, but usually jus****er, which seemed easier to deal with. Getting your protein in will be a real chore for awhile. But it gets easier as time goes by. I found that the protein drinks I liked before surgery were AWFUL after. My staple has been the Hot Chocolate that you can get from the center. I have 6 oz of that in the morning with 3/4 scoop of unflavored unjury and some S/F flavored syrup added (for variety). It gives me the hot liquid to clean the pouch out for the day and it provides me with a base of 30 grams of protein before my day even starts! Even now at 10 months out I have never waivered from that regime, even prepackaging it and taking it with me on a cruise! Give this time, your body is dealing with major changes. Rhonna

Hey Brooke, Glad you're home and on the road to recovery! I too had a lot of burping at the beginning, but it was only temporary. About the protein, do the best you can with it. The main thing at this stage is to stay hydrated. I was told the reason most post ops are readmitted to the hospital is due to dehydration, so get those liquids in. I bought some of the Protidiet concentrates and did really well with those. Still use them, as I could never stomach any of the shakes. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for your ideas and suggestions. I am trying to keep a smile on my face and remember that this too will pass. In a few months I will be in a much better place. Feel free to write with any other comments that might help me during my journey. Thanks again, Brooke