Hello BAF! Lookin for a lil insight on RNY...

I have a date for my RNY surgery on May 13th(yayyy me!) and now Im petrified!!! I am STILL reading errthang I can about this surgery and I had some concerns that maybe some of yous guys could help me with...

1.What is the deal with GAS PAINS(right after surgery) and STINKY POOTS??...well sorry smelly gas if u will!! LOL! Does this EVER subside? Any way to combat this or this is for life? And oh my goodness what about CONSTIPATION!!??

2.How about developing anemia, calcium deficiencies and food intolerences? Does anyone here need b12 shots since surgery?

3.What happens if u cant get in all ur protien or water? Im assuming dehydration would be an issue but would it have a serious complication if u cant get the max amount of protien in? Im not as concerned about the hair loss cuz im the weave/wig queen but im not lookin forward to having ANOTHER surgery behind lack of protien if that is the case.

4.What about eating and drinking at least 30 mins to an hour apart from each other? That seems sooooo difficult and I sure have been practicing. Does this prevent dumping or its another reason this needs to b done?

I would like to know if there are any things I may have missed in my research that I really need to b aware of so Im not goin in blind ya know? I dont need any surprises my docs may have "forgotten" to tell me!  My dietition and NUT wanted me to keep most of these ??'s for the surgeon but I dont c him till the 7th so I thought I'd get a head start and get some input from people that have experience.

Thank u in advance for any input and I wanna say all of u r great inspirations kudos to u all!!

 

First of all, congrats on your surgery date!  Yay for you!    Secondly, you may want to also post this thread on the RNY board... like BAF, they're very helpful over there as well.

To answer your questions:

1.  The gas is no joke for the first several days after surgery.  I'd never had those kinds of gas pains, but they do ease up and eventually go away.  The best way to handle them, IMHO, is to walk, walk, walk, walk, and walk some more.  Don't let the talk about gas scare you... it's a small price to pay for getting your life back.  As for "stinky poots" (LOL!), what poots don't stink???  The odor of mine is different post-op, but not any worse than pre-op.  I haven't had any issues with constipation at all.  Then again, my surgeon told me to take a stool softener once per day.  I do faithfully and, again, I've had no problems with The Big C.  (Or the Big D, for that matter.)

2.  As long as you take your supplements faithfully, you should be okay with respect to vitamin & mineral levels.  Personally, I take 2 prenatal multi-vitamins, 4 Citracal petites, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and the aforementioned stool softener daily.  My routine immediately post-op was a bit different (kid chewable multis instead of prenatal, plus B1 and folic acid), but my labs have all come back normal.  And I am prone to be anemic and B12 deficient - I've been supplementing for years prior to surgery... and now my levels are normal.  Praise God!

3.  There's no way you'll be able to get in all of your protein immediately post-op, but you'll get there.  DON'T WORRY.  You'll be able to drink protein shakes to help get in your 60-80 grams.  As for water, sip, sip, sip, sip, sip.  If you get dehydrated, you may have to be put on an IV to get your levels back to normal.  I haven't had a problem with dehydration at all.  I have, however, had some significant hair loss.  But, like you, I'm not too concerned.  I wrap my head daily, so it's not like anyone sees my hair that often anyway.

4.  As for the 30/30 rule, check out this thread over at the RNY forum.  It should tell you everything you ever wanted to know about this rule.

I think I addressed everything I could.  If you have further questions, just ask.  I'm still pretty new in terms of being post-op as well... the veterans are always willing to help us out though. 


Be well and God bless!


P.S.  I love your username!!! 

Thank u I am really anxious too! WHEW!!LOL!! I didnt realize how many ??'s I actually asked!! Hahhaha and thank you for answering them. I must say that was very well put...u really seem like a veteran at this!! I pray Im as successful as yourself u really know ur stuff! I will check out the other forum as well. Thanks for all ur help

P.S. Thanky!

What is the deal with GAS PAINS(right after surgery)

This happens with any surgery...unavoidable.  Walking and gas x (with your surgeon's approval) will help with this.  This usually doesn't last too long.

STINKY POOTS??...

Also unavoidable...but there are some pills someone from here recommends but I never tried them.  It's just something I live with now. 

CONSTIPATION!!??

Not everyone experiences this.  Again, there are lots of otc meds for this too

How about developing anemia, calcium deficiencies and food intolerences? Does anyone here need b12 shots since surgery?

Your surgeon will give you a list of what you will need to take.  This will have to be followed FOREVER...very important and crucial in preventing the above.  I don't take the b12 shots, but do take the vitamins daily.  Can't stress enough how important this is!

What happens if u cant get in all ur protien or water?

In the beginning, it will be almost impossible to get in all of what you need.  You just have to get in as much as possible.  Protein shakes, food...whatever it takes (or whatever you can tolerate) to get it in.  As for the water, just sip on it ALL day...whenever you think about it.  Try drinking it at different temperatures, adding SF flavor packets, or lemons.


What about eating and drinking at least 30 mins to an hour apart from each other?

Another very important rule.  Yes, it takes some getting used to, but it's good that you are practicing now.  Not following this will eventually stretch your pouch.  Drinking the water will wash the food down, allowing for more room to eat more.  This defeats the purpose of having the surgery.  After awhile, it becomes second nature.

Last but not least, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH.  The internet is your BEST friend.  You can never have enough info for this life altering journey you are about to embark on.  My best to you!

Oh, one more thing, write down any questions you may have and don't be afraid to take notes at your visits to see the surgeon and Nut.  They will give you too much info to remember all at once.  Feel free to ask any and all questions...nothing is a stupid question when it comes to your health and your body!

Thank you Kim B.! I was actually getting my lil journal together to compile sum questions off the q and a page off this site as well as my own. Ive also heard ur tastebuds change has this happened to u? If so did they ever get back to normal? Ok ok I SWEAR no more ??'s hahahaha!

Taste do change for some.  Mine did, but are back to normal now since I am over 2 yrs out.

Gas pains will exist for a while after surgery, I think that is common with any type of abdominal surgery. It will subside! The best thing to do after surgery is what they tell you anyway...WALK WALK WALK. As for the funky stench...yeah, it's a lovely part of post op life. Initially I LIVED on this lovely little product called Devrom. Google it. They are chewable tablets that get rid of the odor, but not the gas. The more you take them (I think it was 3-4 times a day) the better they work. The good news is that you won't need them forever! Constipation...this i**** and miss. Some folks get it under control, some folks have problems. As for me...I take Docusate/Sennosides daily and drink coffee!! Seems to keep things on the regular. And LOTS of water...90-100oz/day.

Be vigilant with your supplements. I notice since belonging to OH you will just about as many vitamins protocols as surgeons. The supplementation is SO important, definitely one area that you cannot half step on. I take Calcium (Citrate) with Vitamin D, a multivitamin, Iron, Biotin, Vitamin C, sublingual B-12, and B complex liquid DAILY. My labs are within good range yearly and I have never had to take the b-12 shots. But as with everything else in life, people and their bodies will react to surgery and its aftermath differently. I am pretty 'textbook' and have had no complications. Food intolerances are not predictable at all. After surgery you are going to be like a baby that is starting on foods...go slowly, don't introduce a bunch of things at once, and listen to your body. Your pouch will send CLEAR signals. When you are 'relearning' eating it is kind of hard to determine what will agree with you, and it can get frustrating at times. I am almost 5 years out and can pretty much tolerate anything, but there are still some things that catch me surprise. I am a dumper...but don't assume that YOU will be. Only about 40% of RNYers dump.

In the beginning, I doubt that your surgeon/doc will expect you to be able to get in all the protein requirements. At first it is hard to get much of anything down. The important thing is to get in what you can, just don't do it at the risk of pushing yourself too quickly. It will all come. Milk (provided you don't become intolerant after surgery) and protein drinks will fill in the holes while you heal. Carnation Instant breakfast, or any protein drink made with skim milk are good ways to get it in. And just sip sip sip the water. If you can't do milk, there are lots of protein supplements that are flavorful just mixed with water. You will probably have to try a lot before you find one that you like, but most manufacturers have sample packs available that you can get so you can try out different flavors to see what you like before you invest in the big tubs.

Opinions differ, but I find the 30 minute rule to be very important, especially right out when you are back on 'real' food. Liquid fills your pouch up, which doesn't leave much room for nutrient dense food that your body needs. That is why you should stay off from liquids for at least 30 mins before a meal. Drinking too soon after you eat can push the food out too quickly. Over time this can stretch the stoma, allowing you to eat more and possibly gain long down the road. Also when your food is pushed out too quickly, there is a chance you will become hungry again too soon. This can hinder loss. I do drink with meals at times, but for the most part I still adhere to the 30 min before/after rule.

Ok so now I feel like I have written a book, but hopefully you find something useful here!! LOL Best of luck on your surgery...it is SO normal to be nervous!!! It is a big step to take, but one that is well worth it!!!

WOW! Thank you Just Valena!! Ur another one who knows her stuff!!  Something that u spoke of "40% of RNYr's are dumpers"...i really thought that came with the territory!! Its sad but I think I would need that in my life so I hope im a dumper! LOL!! And I am definitly lookin up that DEVROM so I can have it in stock if I can get my hands on it!! Thank you so much u gave me a lot to think about too!!

congrats on your date.  I also experienced fright when I got my date. Yes stiny poo is what I have depending on what I eat.  Now I take Beeno and a lactaid pill with every meal.  They really work however sometimes its still there however not as bad.  Good luck in your journey. Dealing with the B-12 I take the sublimal(sp)? pills that dissolve under my tounge.  My doctor was like you would have to come every month and that means co pay each visit for shots grateful for her lack of greed. 

Thank u srrender44!!  And congrats to u as well and u know I am lookin into the Beeno too asap! Yous guys have some great input Im lovin it! So I see ur kinda a newbie too was the surgery what u expected? Better/Worse? I know I said no more ?'s but its sooo hard!!LOL!!