Faith...

Hey girl! My Word! You have had a time of it, haven't you? So - did you get your drains out? (Sounded like the one might be a j-tube - or was it a drain?) How'd your post-op visit go? You said: "love to hear more about your surgery and any suggestions you would have on the phase II foods. I have been craving spagettio's and krystal hamburgers....isn't that strange?" Well - my surgery experience (whi*****luded travel to and from Spain!) went really, really well. I was the one who SHOULD have had every complication in the book - I was a very crappy surgical risk. BUT, I had an awesome surgeon and a wonderful, supportive husband who told me to get my fanny out of the bed and walk, walk, walk (in the most loving way possible - of course! LOL!). I really am very fortunate - on so many fronts it's not funny. In terms of post-op foods - there are some pretty significant differences between your surgery (RNY) and mine (DS). With the DS I still have a fully functioning stomach (although made lots smaller now - about 80% of it has been removed along the greater curvature) - so fewer restrictions. For me as an early post-op the rule was: first week after leak test - liquids (whi*****luded water, fruit juice, tea, ice cream, popsicles, consomme, cream of soups, very soft spreadable cheeses); the second week was soft foods - which was defined as anything I could cut EASILY with a fork; and thereafter - anything I wanted. Of course, you have to go slow, remember to take small bites in order to give your head and your gut time to figure out that the stomach is now WAY smaller than it used to be! I will say that things that I wanted surprised me. I couldn't get enough avocado and fresh tomatoes (which were just in season in Spain while I was there - and they actually harvest the produce when it's ripe there - so incredibly good!), cream of asaparagus soup (which I'd never had before or tasted - but simply HAD to have), and fresh squeezed orange juice - the part of Spain I was in was right next door to Valencia - home of Valencia oranges, which had just been harvested - oh my gosh, totally amazing! If I could give you any advice it would be to follow your surgeon's advice! And... sip, sip, sip! It's so important to stay hydrated. Oh, and very important - move! For me - I was in a wheelchair before surgery, so it was really just baby steps at a time. But, by the time I was about 6 weeks post-op I was DONE with my wheelchair - and haven't needed it since. Very, very cool! Remember - the early post-op phase is kind of sucky. Every day gets a little bit better. Stay plugged into support - it's so important! Have a great day! Blessings, dina

Hey Dina, I see you found the board for the support group. I go there also. I have been concerned about Faith. I tried to find out about her, but couldn't. Hope all is well with you Faith. Sara.

Dina, Thank you so much for your concern. I have had a hard way to go (at least I think so) I'm not sure what you were trying to find out about me so I'll tell you. I'm 39 and had started thinking about gastric bypass surgery almost 3 years ago when my friend and neighbor had it in Nasvhille with Dr. Hustede (spelling). She had the open duodenial switch with bands on both ends of her stomach. She couldn't not eat for 6 months. After watching her suffer I decided to wait for Dr. Boyce because I knew he was researching it and going to be preforming the surgery later on. (He had also done my gallbladder surgery in 1998 so I knew him) I went to my first seminar in March of 05 and when I got home that night my husband decided to leave me. He not my family (mom, dad, sister) did not support me in my decision in have surgery. I should have taken that as a sign. Because since that time I have been all on my own. My only support has been my friend and neighbor that has the surgery and my grandmother. Other than that my husband and I are not almost legally divorced, my parents or sister don't speak to me, and I am all alone. I had the surgery on 11-8-05 and my blood pressure went sky high, then I develped a bleed in my pouch, which made me vomit blood for almost 10 hours. I then had to receive 2 units of blood and had an extended hospital stay of 6 days 5 nights. I am very very weak now that I'm at home but seeing Dr. Boyce the other day I had lost 12 pounds and 9 inches. He was pleased and happy to see me up are around. I guess you could say I am going throught he "blues stage" because I am wishing I hadn't had the surgery, then maybe I'd have my family back including my husband and would be able to eat. ( I am having terrible cravings and I am still hungry, which I thought went away after surgery) Anyway that is all about me and I would appreciate any and all comments or suggestions to help. I feel as if I'm all alone in my surgery experience and "blue phase". I hope everyone else does lots better than me. Take care, Faith

Dear Faith, Hang in there. Remember "this too shall pass". There is a big difference between head hunger and physical hunger. Your head will tell you for a while that "those few little bites are not enough" even when your body is full. You will learn to tell the difference. It does get easier, I promise. I'm sorry about your lack of support. I was lucky, I have a wonderful husband. But he was the only family who did support me. My family did everything to try to talk me out of it, even trying to scare my husband. No one in my family would even watch my daughter for one night so my husband could stay with me down in Chattanooga after my surgery. Focus on the ones in your life who truly do care about you, and rely on us "bypass buddies!" I'm not sure where in TN you are, but I live in Knoxville....if you need anything please feel free to contact me. Cheryl Miller