New member - 4 weeks post op

Well, I finally took the step and signed up here after lurking in the background.  There is so much information and great advice - this looks like a great place to get some support.

My biggest challenge right now is figuring out what to eat, what not to eat, when to eat, when I'm hungry - am I eating too much, am I trying new foods to soon.  I know the answer is to listen to my body, but if I knew what my body was telling me, I probably wouldn't be in the boat I am.

When I was released from the hospital, my doctor told me to go ahead and eat whatever sounded good.  I went from liquids in the hospital to soft food while still in the hospital, and now I'm trying to figure out what I can tolerate.  I've been lucky enough to not have thrown up once, but I can sure tell when something doesn't agree with me - it feels like an elephant is sitting in my stomach.  But I know that the feeling will pass in about 30 minutes and to cross that food off my list for a while.

I struggle to get in my protein, mostly because I don't have much of an appetite.  I can go hours upon hours without eating.  I do get in at least one protein drink a day (30g of protein) and usually eat some lunch meat, cottage cheese, yogurt or cheese once or twice).  A bigger concern is getting in all my liquids.  Does anyone else really struggle with this?  Anything I drink feels like it's just sitting in my upper stomach/esophagus.  I have found that ice slushes work really well, but it's hard to find sugar free alternatives.

If anyone has any good advice or suggestions, I'm open to anything that will help.

glad you joined the group.  Not sure that I am any help to you, since I am having surgery next week, but just wanted to say welcome!  What surgery did you have, and what are your stats?

Thanks for the welcome.  I had biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch...basically they just opened me up and stirred my insides up with a spoon.  I started out at 476 prior to surgery.  Right now my goal is to see the first number on the scale be a 3 instead of a 4.  Baby steps right now as getting down to 160 pounds or so seems insurmountable.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery...you have one more person our here sending good thoughts your way!!!

Welcome aboard! : )

Sounds like you're doing pretty well in the protein department--just take it slow and easy. One thing that may help with water or fluids....ice water, try adding some fresh lime juice and sweetened to taste with Splenda or Truvia. The tiny bit of acid seems to agree better with the acid level in the new sleeve.

--gina

 

I had similar issues after my surgery. No appetite and struggling to get nutritional intake. I still struggle with that as well as meal planning, what to, what not to, when etc... It's a learning process with a steep curve sometimes but it's a journey you can successfully make. Just keep reading on here and heed the advice of the vets but make it applicable to you.

Welcome!  I'm so glad that you finally jumped in!  Do read these articles on this page of dsfacts.com:  PreOp to PostOp

The very first article is by yours truly.

I was given the very same post op instructions.  Start with the tenderest of meats, slow cooked, roasted, etc.  Go for chicken thighs instead of dry breast meat.  Add butter and gravy to everything.  Beware of french fries and hamburger.  They were my nemesis early out and the only things that made me want to throw up.  Ricotta cheese is my favorite go-to, as it's easy to eat and packs 7g in only a quarter cup for protein.  I also made SFcustard  that was very easy on the stomach.  

That 64oz of fluids counts anything wet, and is most important right now.  For protein, eat every couple of hours whether you're hungry or not.  My doc wanted 100g as early as 2 weeks out, so I found ProStat64.  It was godawful, but packed 15g in one tiny ounce of syrupy crap.  I held my nose and got it through, 2oz at a time.  

Just call it a DS. That whole "BPD w/DS" nomenclature is confusing and misleading---the DS really has almost nothing in common with the old BPD.

My surgeon's post-op instructions were two weeks of pureed, two weeks of 'soft' foods, and starting with Week 5 I could try anything, one new food at a time. I was very fortunate in that the only thing that gave me any trouble was cooked cabbage. (Strangely, raw cabbage was just fine!)

You need to develop the habit of keeping a glass in your hand, or at least near your hand, at all times. Sip at least once a minute. Drinking will become easier over time, but staying hydrated is your most important concern right now. As for protein---back when I had my DS, the rule was 30-60-90---30 grams by 30 days, 60 grams, but 60 days, etc. Now I eat a minimum of 120 grams, some days as much as 200 grams. This is actually pretty easy, since we don't worry about fats. (Yum---BACON! *grin*)

Sauces and gravies are your friends. So is the crockpot.

I had the same surgery and it has been wonderful. I am not much help right now. I have not been following the program and my weight has came up a bit. I haven't had support in years and now I have found this site and am totally in love with it. I have asked questions and everyone is really helpful. So welcome and keep us informed of your progress.

Congratulations on your DS and welcome to Obesity Help.  It sounds like you are feeling good and experiencing a completely normal post-op phase. Hang in there.

Welcome, first check out the vites and bites daily post. You will find meal ideas there. As far as hydration, try Powerade Zero. There are no carbs and it will keep your electrolytes equalled out right now. It sounds like you are doing really well. Keep up the good work and don't be afraid to ask questions.