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Above was some fantastic advice! I don't have anything else to add but wanted to wish you well on your surgery! You've got this!!
Hi there! Have you been checked to see if you have IBS? A lot of your symptoms are similar to mine & I do have IBS. Sometimes my flares last for a few weeks & then let up. Some it is every once in awhile. I used to also think I was intolerant until I cut that out & still had flares. Lots of allergy testing was done. Elimination diets. Ended up being IBS.
And I am 7 weeks PO & started taking fiber gummies on Saturday. They didn't start working until Monday. No issues thus far. I just treat them as food in that no drinking 30 minutes before or after. They have helped keep me regular since Monday.
good luck!
You are right! I spent most of yesterday online trying to find a decent protein powder that is lactose free. I ended up ordering the Orgain Organic Vegan Plant protein. (I am sure it won't taste as good, but will have to sacrifice). The reviews were good, except concerns for metals, which seem to be mixed, but it is inexpensive and I am a senior on a fixed income. If I can't tolerate it I will try to find the Optimum Nutrition Isolate. (These types proteins are so expensive!). Thank you!
IIRC, the pure protein is 100% whey, it is not 100% isolate, which is more expensive (check the ingredients label, it will probably be part isolate, part whey blend or concentrate. If it's 100% isolate, they usually brag about it on the front of the label, as it is the most desirable (and expensive) form. The past few years my wife has been using the Optimum Nutrition Isolate, which we could usually get at Costco, but it's been getting harder to find, even on Amazon, with their cheaper blended products being more common. So it can be a search sometimes.
1st support group/seminar - 8/03 (has it been that long?)
Wife's DS - 5/05 w Dr. Robert Rabkin VSG on 5/9/11 by Dr. John Rabkin
Thank you for taking the time to reply! I have been using the Pure Protein 100% whey protein powder (thought it was Quest, but I checked again) and still having issues so didn't know if it was the powder. I have cut out practically all dairy except the protein powder and Greek yogurt. (I am going to cut out the yogurt as well). These two things really helped to up my protein intake, as I haven't felt like eating, so it is hard to find replacement proteins. You are right, the gummies are expensive for such low protein! I am definitely going to order some Lactaid tablets as soon as I get done with this post. They have a fast acting chewable, so will give that a try. If all fails, I will make an appointment to see a Gastrologist. Thanks you again for the advice!!!
I don't see any reason why a gummie wouldn't be compatible. They look a bit expensive for what you get ($4 for a 13g of protein) and the collagen isn't the best protein for us, but as far out as you are, protein density shouldn't be a big deal. 100% whey isolate protein is usually well tolerated as all of the lactose has been filtered out (Quest is a cheaper whey concentrate or blend) My wife is lactose intolerant as has no problem with protein powders as long as they are strictly whey isolate.
You can also try using lactaid tablets when having something suspected of having lactose as a trial, or try some of the other proteins out there - egg, pea, soy, etcf.
Good luck...
1st support group/seminar - 8/03 (has it been that long?)
Wife's DS - 5/05 w Dr. Robert Rabkin VSG on 5/9/11 by Dr. John Rabkin
Hello, I think I may be lactose intolerant. I had my gallbladder taken out about 2 years ago. I have been having nausea/diarrhea every day for a while now and have originally attributed it to stress. (I have lost my mother, sister in-law and my husband has been suffering with a serious medical problem). I thought maybe I could be lactose intolerant and was previously drinking pre-made (Qwest) protein shakes but have switched to Quest protein powder as it is lower in lactose. Still having problems, so want to cut out lactose completely. I have found protein gummies at Bariatric Pal and was wondering if we can take gummies with VSG? (I have been using melatonin gummies at night as well as I thought they may work faster than pill form). Thanks all and Happy 4th!
Thank you sooo much, this put me at ease. I did go over the risk with my Dr and I'm relatively low risk per my lifestyle etc. But I've had an uncle, sister in law and father in law all have complications with bypass right after and several yrs down the road, (which is why I opted for sleeve) and is contributing to my fears. I know I'm making the right choice for me and my life and have mulled it over for 3 yrs now trying this diet and that but never being fully successful on my own. I'll get through it, a new me is going to emerge strong and impowered with a new tool to get my weight on track!
Also, this part of the forum doesn't get much activity. Most people hang out on the RNY forum. Despite the name, the discussion is open to everyone, regardless of which surgery you have.
I had cold feet, yes. Of course, it's natural to feel anxious about any surgery, but second-guessing the decision is particularly bad with WLS because of the guilt and because it feels more "optional". If you had something else wrong, like say gallstones, and your doctor advised surgery, you'd still be nervous, but you probably wouldn't agonise over the decision so much, and you wouldn't feel guilty about needing the surgery.
Those complications are rare. In my answer, I'm going to assume you've discussed the risks with your surgeon, and the logical part of your brain has decided this is the right thing for you to do. Now you need to give the emotional part of your brain something practical to focus on. Here are some things you are likely to experience, so you can be mentally prepared.
- Most people have a short period (a few days?) of "buyer's remorse" after surgery. I think it's a combination of short-term depression which is common after any surgery or illness, and guilt. It doesn't mean you've made a mistake.
- If you get on the scale right after surgery, you'll probably find that you've "gained" 15-20 pounds! This is temporary. It's because they pumped you full of fluids during surgery. You will pee it all out over the next week.
- Dehydration is a serious risk after surgery. Take it seriously! Getting enough fluid is going to be a challenge and a tiresome chore for a while. Eventually it will become second nature.
- Most people have a stall in their weight loss roughly 3 weeks after surgery, but it can happen earlier or later. It usually lasts no more than a couple of weeks.
- You will be low on energy for a while. Even once you feel able to work again, you won't be at 100%. This is normal after any surgery, but it's worse because you're taking in so few calories. Most of the time I felt better than I had in years, but I could go from I-could-run-a-marathon to I-need-to-sit-down-NOW! in the space of a few seconds.
- Eating is going be a chore for a few months, figuring out what agrees with your new stomach and learning how much you can eat.
Despite experiencing all of the things I listed above, it was one of the most exciting and wonderful times of my life. I lost all my excess weight, and -- touch wood -- have kept it off so far.
