question about cramps

ok I have a question!  I just had my RNY on Monday and they sent me home on pureed and liquids. 
 

I sip my water like I'm supposed to and wait 30 minutes before starting a protein and then 30 min after.  My question is this:  Did anyone else have cramps when they took their first sip or two of the protein (didn't matter what it was, shakes, pureed soup, pudding) it made my stomach cramp terribly.  A side note, I just started my "cycle" today (thanks a lot Mother Nature!!) and I do cramp with that.  I'm not sure if this is all surgery related or what.

Oh yes, everything I sip other than water, makes me cringe.  Is that normal?

Thanks!!!!
Michelle

Hi Michelle,

I haven't been on the boards as much lately, so I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you before. I wanted to say hello and welcome you. 

I also wanted to let you know that the dietary guidelines generally vary a great deal from one practice to another. Mine required only clear liguids or protien drinks for 3.5 weeks. Other do what yours is doing and starrts you on pureed foods right away. The reason I'm telling you this, is that you need to take the input you get here with a grain of salt and make sure that it matches up with the nutritional/dietary protocol your program uses.... Okay... disclaimer out of the way.

While it is true that you need to abstain from drinking liquids 30 mins before, during and after a meal once you get farther out, it is rare that this is required in the first few weeks. The reason for abstaining from drinking is that you don't want to 'flush' the food that you just consumed through your pouch. Since you've had an RNY you no longer have the high piloric valve that helps hold food in your stomach because it's been bypassed. When you fill your new little pouch with dense protein it act like a little ball that helps to keep you satisfied. If you drink fluids, even a little bit, you will 'flush' the contents of your stomach on out and will feel hungry much sooner. Generally, they are much more concerned that you are getting in as close to 64 ounces of fluids a day and as much protein as possible. That's very hard to do if you are abstaining from consuming fluids/food in 30 min intervals because you can't get enough fluid or protien volume in. Please double check with your program to find out if they 'really' want you to wait 30 before, during, after ea meal at this juncture of your journey. 

Next, please know that your tiny little tummy is still very, very bruised and swollen. This is the reason that many programs go VERY slowly in introducing new foods. The rate of swelling reduction varies greatly from person to person, but you will heal and the swelling will go down. The discomfort you are feeling is most likely a response to too much volume... I know it doesn't seem possible and maybe to having to process things it's just not ready to process yet. Sometimes taking a step back and giving yourself a bit of breather for a day or two will help. If you continue to experience 'cramping' please be sure to contact your Dr's office. Be sure that you are measuring the 'volume' of your food, which is more imporant than the weight right now. Your little pouch may only hold and ounce or two right now... You want to know if that's the case and you need to eat even more frequently, but smaller 'meals'. As you heal, you'll find that the volume you can consume will gradually increase. I'm almost two years out now and I can eat a meal that is roughly equivilent to the size of small "Lean Cuisine"...

Wishing you all the best,

Thank you Barbara!  Lots of good information!  I called the Dr.s Office today and asked them about it and the dietician pretty much said the same things you did.  She did want me to wait atleast 15 min. between "meals" and drinking again. 

I also have horrible allergies and have been sneezing and coughing which is not exactly a walk in the park.  Lots of pillow hugging and trying to avoid the cough if possible.  She also told me that I"m probably swallowing a lot of drainage without know it and that's taking up room in my pouch.  So today I'm going to my family doc to get something more effective for the allergies.

Thanks again :)